AMES, Iowa ( KCCI ) - Iowa State University is getting closer to determining its next president, KCCI reports .

The Iowa State Presidential Search Committee has cut its list to eight semifinalists, according to a release from the school. The committee of 12 met October 13 to evaluate 78 applications and narrowed the list to eight.

The committee will conduct virtual interviews this week with each semifinalist. The candidates’ names will not be revealed.

Finalists will be announced early next month, and on-campus interviews and public forums will be held around that time. Per Iowa code, those interviews will take place behind closed doors.

The new president will replace Wendy Wintersteen, who announced her retirement in May . She will have led the university for nine years, retirin

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