A new program created in 2021 to recruit and retain faculty, including those from underrepresented backgrounds, has committed more than $4 million to support 25 positions in its first year.

After a successful application by the collegiate deans, the Office of the Provost implemented the High Impact Hiring Initiative (HIHI) with $4.25 million in one-time funds generated from the university’s public-private partnership (P3) for its utility system.

“The High Impact Hiring Initiative has provided critical financial support to hire and retain outstanding faculty across several colleges on campus,” says Daniel Clay, dean of the College of Education, who was instrumental in coordinating the application among the collegiate deans. “These funds allow for highly competitive offers for faculty who can significantly impact university’s strategic priorities, including innovative research, student success, and support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.”

The funds support an array of needs that have allowed units to retain seven faculty members and recruit 18 additional positions into strategic areas of excellence.

Several members of the HIHI cohort are part of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Dean Sara Sanders says the program has been instrumental in enabling the college to make transformational hires and retain excellent faculty in several areas of importance for both the college and the university.

“Keeping outstanding faculty here at Iowa when they have opportunities to go elsewhere can be challenging,” says Sanders. “This unique program reflects our commitment to investing in our areas of strength and excellence as an institution so we can deliver on the promises we make to students when we encourage them to come to Iowa.”

The initiative provides support across a range of academic units, thereby strengthening the campus broadly, says Executive Vice President and Provost Kevin Kregel.

“With the supplemental funds provided by the P3 initiative we have been able to make a tangible, high-impact investment in our strategic priorities,” says Kregel. “Ultimately, this provides our students an opportunity to learn from and work with faculty who are among the best and brightest in their fields.”