Investing in faculty success

The University of Iowa's commitment to supporting faculty at every stage of their careers continues to strengthen retention across campus, according to new data released by the Iowa Board of Regents. The latest Annual Human Resources Report shows that Iowa's faculty retention rate remained at 96.3% in FY 2025.

"Faculty success is a key focus of our 2022-27 Strategic Plan," says Kevin Kregel, executive vice president and provost. "Creating an environment where exceptional faculty want to build their careers strengthens our academic mission, elevates the experience our students receive, and extends our impact in Iowa and beyond."

A 2025 Inside Higher Ed survey of 478 universities found that 30% of provosts reported higher-than-usual faculty turnover at their institutions. This has not been the case at Iowa, where coordinated efforts and targeted investments are helping support faculty growth, satisfaction, and long-term success.

Starting strong

National research shows that early career support is one of the strongest predictors of long-term employee retention. According to the Work Institute, roughly 40% of all turnover occurs in the first year, and career development is the top factor influencing employee retention.

To help faculty begin their careers at Iowa with clarity and confidence, the university expanded its early-career programming. A new Iowa Faculty Onboarding webpage walks faculty through their first days, weeks, and months on campus. Comprehensive resource guides outline key milestones for early-career faculty, and a Roadmap for Teaching Success provides insights into how new instructors can navigate the classroom environment.

These resources are paired with programs such as the Early Career Faculty Academy, led by the Center for Teaching. Through workshops, mentoring, and instructional support, the academy helps early-career faculty learn, grow, and connect.

Philip Combiths, assistant professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, participated in the academy during his first year at Iowa in 2021. He says the experience helped him understand how to balance his teaching, research, and service responsibilities and provided a supportive group of peers to learn from as he settled into his role as a professor.

"It was so valuable to have a cohort of peers to connect with outside of my discipline," says Combiths. "Years later, I still make regular use of resources from the Early Career Faculty Academy and the Center for Teaching."

Developing and recognizing faculty excellence

Supporting faculty retention extends well beyond the first year. Iowa invests in programs that help faculty grow, lead, and thrive throughout their careers.

The Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Award recognizes faculty at an important stage in their careers and supports their growth as scholars. New mentoring and development opportunities also help instructional-track faculty build strong careers and continue doing outstanding work in the classroom.And for faculty stepping into leadership roles, improved onboarding and resources for departmental executive officers are helping build strong, stable leadership across academic units.

Together, these initiatives create a more connected and supportive environment, helping faculty stay engaged and succeed at the university.

This sense of engagement and support is reflected in the experience of Natoshia Askelson, professor of community and behavioral health in the College of Public Health and a 2024 recipient of the Iowa Mid-Career Faculty Scholar Award. One of 17 UI faculty who have received the award, Askelson says it helped her feel more connected to the university through meaningful support, leadership growth, and opportunities to network with faculty in other disciplines.

"This has been a highlight of my time at the University of Iowa," says Askelson. "The funding has allowed me to do things I cannot cover with federal grants, such as travel to conferences outside the U.S., and I have enjoyed learning about the innovative research people are conducting across campus. It makes me proud to be part of this institution."