Wise's appointment is effective July 1 as current director Brad Buck departs to become Cedar Rapids School District Superintendent

(DES MOINES) - Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad today announced that he has named Iowa Department of Education deputy director Ryan Wise as the new director of the department. Wise, 39, will take the position on July 1, 2015, as current director Brad Buck transitions to a new position as the superintendent of Cedar Rapids schools. A photo of Wise can be found here.

"World-class education begins in the classrooms across Iowa, but having a leader as the state department's director is critically important as we work to again make Iowa the leader in education," said Branstad. "Ryan Wise has displayed exceptional leadership in the implementation of Iowa's innovative, new Teacher Leadership and Compensation System and I am confident that he will continue leading the Iowa Department of Education in the right direction as we work to provide a globally competitive education for every child in Iowa."

Wise has served as deputy director at the Iowa Department of Education since September 2013. He has led the implementation of Iowa's Teacher Leadership and Compensation  system (TLC), including designing and executing the application and selection process, facilitating multiple statewide coordination teams, creating a principal support system and leading Iowa's Commission on Educator Leadership and Compensation. In addition, Wise has served as the liaison between the Department and the Iowa State Board of Education, and has been the representative on the Iowa High School Athletic Association board of control and on the Governor's Council for National Service.  He is also the administrator for the Department's division of policy and communications.

"Though times have changed significantly since the one-room schoolhouses dotted Iowa's landscape, our state's commitment to providing every child a high-quality education has remained constant," said Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds. "Dr. Wise understands that modern education means looking at innovative teaching methods and preparing children for the careers of tomorrow. He has shown his commitment to rewarding exceptional Iowa teachers through the Teacher Leadership and Compensation System and will be a great asset as the next director of the Iowa Department of Education."

Wise earned his undergraduate degree from Creighton University. He earned a Master of Public Administration from University Nebraska Omaha in 2008. He earned a doctorate of education leadership from Harvard University in 2013.

"I admire the Governor's and Lieutenant Governor's commitment to providing every child in Iowa with the world-class education they deserve," said Wise. "It has been a privilege to lead the implementation of the Teacher Leadership and Compensation System that rewards great teachers.  I am now eager to accept a new challenge of leading the Iowa Department of Education at this critical juncture when we continue putting in place the transformational education reforms signed by Governor Branstad in 2013."

Wise has made improving education his mission for his entire career. He was managing director for growth strategy and development for Teach for All from 2008-2010. He was the executive director of Teach for America in South Dakota from 2003-2008, where, among other achievements, he worked with both public and Bureau of Indian Affairs grant schools on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations to improve educational opportunities. He spent the first five years of his career as a history teacher at Omaha Central High School in Omaha, Neb., and Rosa Fort High School in Tunica, Miss.

Ryan and his spouse, Sacha, reside in Des Moines, Iowa. They have two children, Weston and Graham. The appointment is subject to Iowa Senate confirmation.

PELLA, IA (06/26/2015)(readMedia)-- Central College student Abby Saladino of Long Grove became a full-time researcher this summer. Saladino, a biology major, is working on two sustainability research projects with professor of biology Russ Benedict: Prairies for Agriculture, which investigates how restoring native prairie species could help Iowa farmers, and bat behavior research, which will help the Iowa Depa

Saladino is one of 23 student researchers on campus this summer. Students are supported by various grants, including support from the Arthur J. Bosch Endowment, Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, David and Linda Wesselink, American Chemical Society, Central College Dean's Office, Moore Family Foundation and Monticello College Foundation.

Founded in 1853, Central College of Pella, Iowa, is a private, residential four-year liberal arts college known for its academic rigor and strength in global experiential learning, STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), sustainability education, athletics success and tradition, and leadership and service. Central continues to value its long-standing relationship with the Reformed Church in America that began in 1916. The college participates in NCAA Division III athletics and is a member of the Iowa Conference. Central is an active part of the Greater Des Moines region and just two minutes from Lake Red Rock, Iowa's largest lake.

AMES, IA (06/25/2015)(readMedia)-- The Iowa State University College of Human Sciences announced returning students who will receive scholarships from the Department of Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management for the 2015-16 academic year. Students and their scholarships include the following:

Taylor Borde of Muscatine, Iowa (52761), a Junior in Apparel, Merchandising, and Design, will receive the Textiles and Clothing Development Scholarship.

Kaitlin Clevenger of Davenport, Iowa (52803), a Senior in Event Management, will receive the Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management Cherry Pie Scholarship.

Raegan Czupka of Eldridge, Iowa (52748), a Senior in Event Management, will receive the Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management Cherry Pie Scholarship.

Jill Mekalson of Bettendorf, Iowa (52722), a Sophomore in Hospitality Management, will receive the Mary Ellen Lewis Scholarship in Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management.

The Iowa State University College of Human Sciences and its academic departments awarded more than $1 million in student scholarships and awards for the 2015-16 year.

BISMARCK, ND (06/24/2015)(readMedia)-- Chad Wagner of Davenport, IA, graduated from Bismarck State College with a A.A.S. in Nuclear Power Technology during the college's 75th Commencement Ceremony on May 15, 2015 at the Bismarck Event Center.

The 2015 Commencement Speaker was Dr. Larry C. Skogen, Interim Chancellor of the North Dakota University System and the former and future BSC President. The Student Commencement Speaker was Landon Schmeichel.

The 2015 BSC Commencement Ceremony was recorded and is available for download on BSC's iTunes U site.

Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities. For more information, visit bismarckstate.edu.