Date: 10/22/2024

Title: Iowa State University Vice President of Economic Development & Industry Relations Recognized with Visionary Leader Award

David Spalding, Iowa State University Vice President of Economic Development & Industry Relations has been named by Envision Iowa as a Visionary Leader. He will be recognized at an awards ceremony on October 22, 2024.

Economic Development & Industry Relations (EDIR) has a statewide impact, outreaching to all 99 counties with business development resources. Organizations that are included in EDIR include the ISU Research Park, America’s Small Business Development Center Iowa, Center for Industrial Research & Service, Office of Innovation Commercialization and ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship. All five entities have experienced significant growth and collaboration under David’s leadership.


VP Spalding’s efforts have not only enhanced the university's economic development ecosystem, but they have also garnered recognition from many prestigious national and global organizations. Iowa State University was named the #1 Entrepreneurial University of the Year by the Accreditation Council for Entrepreneurial and Engaged Universities, a reflection of the university-wide approach to supporting innovation that Spalding has championed. In 2023, Iowa State was also recognized with numerous awards for its work in economic development, including the 2023 top “Connections” award from the Association of Public Land-Grant Universities’ Innovation and Economic Prosperity awards. Iowa State won category awards in best of Talent, Place, and Innovation in 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2022. In 2021, the ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship won the model program award from the United States Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship and in 2022 received the NASDAQ Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence Award from the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers.

VP Spalding also serves as the Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business at Iowa State University. Under his guidance, the Ivy College of Business has seen a 33% increase in total enrollment over the past decade, a testament to his commitment to fostering an environment where faculty and students thrive.

Spalding's achievements as dean include growing undergraduate and graduate enrollment to record levels, establishing new academic programs to address Iowa workforce demand, completing a 45,000 square foot addition to the Gerdin Business Building, unprecedented success in fundraising including a $50 million gift to name the Ivy College of Business, raising the college's profile and record high rankings in "U.S. News & World Report." The Princeton Review also ranked Iowa State #11 in the nation for the best undergraduate entrepreneurship programs for three consecutive years.