UNITop story
UNI President Mark Nook plans to retire in July 2027 after nearly a decade
Nook's presidency runs from February 2017 to a planned July 2027 retirement
- Feb. 2017Mark Nook becomes UNI's 11th president.
- 2026An eight-year fundraising campaign ends at a record $342,842,222.
- Oct. 23Nook announces he will retire.
- July 2027Nook plans to retire.
Sources: Northern Iowan, KWWL
If you're a Panther, you'll want to know this one: UNI President Mark Nook announced Friday, Oct. 23 that he'll retire at the end of the 2026-27 academic year. The Northern Iowan reports he plans to retire in July 2027 and is working with the Iowa Board of Regents on a smooth transition. He'll stay on until his successor takes over.
Nook is from Holstein and has led UNI since Feb. 1, 2017. "The University of Northern Iowa is truly thriving," Iowa Board of Regents President Robert Cramer said.
Nook's tenure by the numbers
- $342,842,222
- raised in the record fundraising campaign that ended in 2026
- 9,366
- students enrolled at UNI this fall
- 11th
- president of UNI, a role Nook has held since Feb. 1, 2017
Sources: Northern Iowan, KWWL
- Freshman class: largest since 2017
- Overall enrollment: highest since 2020
- Ranking: No. 1 public regional university in the Midwest
Nook and his wife, Cheryl, plan to spend more time with their grandchildren. The Northern Iowan says they're looking forward to being called Grandma Cheryl and Grandpa Mark.
