Say hello to Jim Wohlpart, UNI's interim president

During the June 8-9 board meeting, the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, approved Jim Wohlpart as the University of Northern Iowa's interim president. Before becoming interim president, Wohlpart was UNI's provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. He assumed his new duties on July 3. "I am honored to be selected as the interim president of the University of Northern Iowa and want to thank President Ruud for his leadership over the past three years," said Wohlpart. "The university has a great deal of momentum right now with strong support from the Board of Regents, the Legislature, the governor and community partners. I am eager to work with faculty and staff to continue that momentum and to elevate the great work we do with preparing students for academic and professional success and for meaningful engagement with their communities." Wohlpart came to UNI in 2015 from Florida Gulf Coast University where he was the dean of Undergraduate Studies and a professor of English. He earned his Ph.D. in English and B.A. in English and philosophy from the University of Tennessee. He earned an M.A. in English from Colorado State University. During his 21 years at Florida Gulf Coast University, Wohlpart held the positions of chair of the Division of Humanities and Arts and associate dean for planning and assessment in the College of Arts and Sciences. He participated in the development of the Liberal Studies degree and the Interdisciplinary Core, and he was instrumental in developing the First Year and Transition Experience. At UNI, Wohlpart has been focused on three broad areas: organizational structure, strategic planning and community development. Wohlpart replaces Bill Ruud, who left UNI to be president at Marietta College in Marietta, Ohio.