About

Sally Mason, PhD served as the 20th president of the University of Iowa from 2007 through 2015. Trained as a cell developmental biologist, she is also professor emerita in the department of biology in the college of liberal arts and sciences. As president, Dr. Mason oversaw a historic era of campus transformation, including rebuilding in the wake of the historic 2008 flooding, especially the renewal of an arts campus for the 21st century; the construction of a state- of-the-art children’s hospital and biomedical discovery research center; and the first new residence hall since 1968. Under her leadership, the university successfully met current economic challenges through careful planning, strategic prioritization, and increased efficiency. Other major accomplishments during her tenure included a student success initiative that led to increased enrollment and student retention, as well as an expansion of partnership agreements with Iowa’s community colleges in order to offer UI degrees to students throughout the state through on-site and distance learning programs. Mason is the author of many scientific papers and has obtained a number of research grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the Wesley Research Foundation, and the Lilly Endowment. Mason currently also serves as an AGB Senior Fellow and a senior executive search consultant at AGB Search.

Professional Credentials

Mason earned her BA from the University of Kentucky in 1972, her MS from Purdue University in 1974, and her PhD from the University of Arizona in 1978. Since 2006, she has been appointed by the President of the United States to three terms on the National Medal of Science Selection Committee, including a term as chair. She also served as chair of the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors and chair of the Board of APLU. For the past seven years, she has served as a trustee at Des Moines University, where she is currently chair of the board, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.