Billi Hunt Named Iowa State VP for External Relations

Iowa State University has appointed Billi Hunt, who has led America’s Cultivation Corridor as executive director since 2018, as its new vice president for external relations. Hunt will assume the role on October 12, pending approval by the Iowa Board of Regents, carrying an annual salary of $300,000.

The appointment follows a restructuring of the office of the president designed to better support university priorities. As vice president, Hunt will report directly to Iowa State President David Cook and serve on his senior leadership team, overseeing government relations, community engagement, strategic partnerships, and university marketing and communications.

Two Decades of Industry Experience and Leadership

Hunt brings more than 25 years of experience in government affairs, strategic partnerships, communications, economic development, and organizational strategy to her alma mater, according to Inside …. Before heading America’s Cultivation Corridor—a public-private partnership focused on advancing agriculture, biosciences, innovation, and economic development in Iowa—she worked for two decades at DuPont. In her roles at DuPont, she directed strategies and built coalitions involving businesses, higher education institutions, agriculture, and government organizations.

Hunt holds a bachelor’s degree from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in public administration from Drake University.

Iowa State’s land-grant mission is personal to me. The education I received was the launching pad for my career.

Hunt said in a statement.

Restructuring the President’s Office at Iowa State University

The creation of the vice president for external relations position stems from a deliberate reorganization within the office of the president. President David Cook, who took office as Iowa State’s 17th president on March 1, initiated the structural changes to elevate the institution’s external impact and strengthen community ties.

Senior Vice President and Provost Jason Keith and Tracy Lucht, director of the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, served as co-chairs of the search committee for the position. President Cook noted that Hunt’s collaborative and strategic leadership style will enhance how the university engages with its external partners.

Hunt will officially begin her duties on October 12, pending formal confirmation by the Iowa Board of Regents.