Employee Benefits Advisory Committee

Beardshear

Charge of the Committee

The charge of the Employee Benefits Advisory Committee (EBAC) is to advise the President - through the Senior Vice President of Operations and Finance - on the status of current and prospective university employee benefit programs and to provide feedback on such programs when appropriate.

(status = plan design, competitiveness, cost, etc.)

EBAC Membership

EBAC is comprised of individuals across campus and acts in an advisory capacity. Members are appointed by the leader of their respective unit and serve for a period of three years with the option to be re-appointed for additional terms. The Committee is tasked with providing feedback on benefits-related issues that impact plan participants, as well as:

  • Financially analyzes any proposed changes to employee benefits
  • Makes recommendations regarding benefit programs that meet the needs of university staff and to be competitive with peer institutions
  • Makes recommendations regarding benefits policy, design of benefits programs, and selection of providers
  • Makes recommendations for benefit communication plans
  • Monitors provider and plan performance to ensure coverage and cost equity, balance, compliance, and sustainability
  • Receives employee concerns and complaints and may make recommendations with respect to how they should be resolved

NameRoleRepresentation
Mark PowerChairIvy College of Business
Michael BoydMemberP&S Council
Jon PerkinsMemberFaculty Senate
Weston AbneyMemberMerit Staff
Ryan DrolletteMemberExtension and Outreach
Katie AugustusMemberAmes National Laboratory
Kevin StowMemberISU Foundation
Alex RogersMemberDivision of Academic Affairs
VacantMemberOffice of the President
Sandee BodholdtMemberCollege of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Lisa ShenMemberCollege of Design
Nancy QvaleMemberCollege of Engineering
Suzanne BartholomaeMemberCollege of Health and Human Sciences
Brent KreiderMemberCollege of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Audra HartwigsenMemberCollege of Veterinary Medicine
Dan CulbertsonMemberDivision of Operations and Finance
Ashley PickMemberDivision of Student Affairs
Norman HillMemberRetirees Association
Angela ElthonEx-officioDivision of Operations and Finance
Sarah FordEx-officioUniversity Human Resources
Ed HollandEx-officioUniversity Human Resources
Heather ParisEx-officioDivision of Operations and Finance
Stacy SassmanEx-officioProcurement Services
Schyler PolaskiEx-officioCommittee Recorder

 

Meeting Agendas for 2026

EBAC meets virtually from 1:00-2:50 P.M. on the second Tuesday of February, March, April, May, September, October, November, and December, with meetings arranged at other times as needed. Meeting times may be adjusted to align with the needs of the committee.

Meeting agenda coming soon.

TimeTopicDiscussion Leader
1:00 PMCall to Order, Establish QuorumAll
1:00 PMMotion on February Meeting MinutesAll
1:05 PMWTW Overview ISU Medical/Pharmacy CostsHeather Paris
1:10 PMHistorical Medical and Dental Plan ChangesAngela Elthon/Ed Holland 
2:00 PMOld BusinessAll
2:10 PMNew BusinessAll
2:25 PMEmployee ConcernsAll
2:30 PMFor the Good of the OrderAll
 Adjourn 

TimeTopicDiscussion Leader
1:00 PMCall to Order, Establish QuorumAll
1:00 PMMotion on December Meeting MinutesAll
1:05 PMState of the ISU Plan - 2025 Plan OutcomesWTW
2:35 PMOld BusinessAll
2:40 PMNew BusinessAll
2:45 PMEmployee ConcernsAll
2:50 PMFor the Good of the OrderAll
 Adjourn 

2025 Meeting Agendas

TimeTopicDiscussion Leader
1:00 PMCall to Order, Establish QuorumAll
1:00 PMMotion on October Meeting MinutesAll
1:05 PMExpress Scripts Vendor Review –Implementation of Additional Pharmacy ProgramsEd Holland
1:20 PMSpring 2026 EBAC TimelineHeather Paris, Angela Elthon
1:30 PMRetirement Plan Advisory Committee (RPAC) UpdateHeather Paris, Ed Holland
1:40 PMTIAA Secure 2.0 Directed CommunicationAngela Elthon
1:45 PMFollow Up - November Educational MeetingHeather Paris
1:55 PMDiabetes Co-Pay ClarificationEd Holland
2:05 PMBenefits UpdatesEd Holland, Sarah Ford 
2:15 PMOld BusinessAll
2:20 PMNew BusinessAll
2:25 PMEmployee ConcernsAll
2:30 PMFor the Good of the OrderAll
 Adjourn 

TimeTopicDiscussion Leader
12:00 PMLunchAll
12:30 PMEducational Topic - GLP-1sWillisTowersWatson
1:30 PMAdjourn 

TimeTopicDiscussion Leader
1:00 PMCall to Order, Establish QuorumAll
1:00 PMMotion on September Meeting MinutesAll
1:05 PMISU Medical Plan: Wellmark Mid-Year UpdateWellmark
1:35 PMPBM Legislation UpdateHeather Paris
1:45 PMNovember Educational MeetingHeather Paris
1:50 PMBenefit CommunicationsSarah Ford
2:00 PMOld BusinessAll
2:20 PMNew BusinessAll
2:25 PMEmployee ConcernsAll
2:30 PMFor the Good of the OrderAll
 Adjourn 

TimeTopicDiscussion Leader
1:00 PMCall to Order, Establish QuorumAll
1:00 PMMotion on May 6 and May 13 Meeting MinutesAll
1:05 PMWelcome New MembersMark Power
1:10 PMExpress Scripts PBM Legislation UpdateExpress Scripts
1:40 PMTIAA Enhancements OutreachHeather Paris, Ed Holland
1:50 PMVendor Reviews RecapSarah Ford
2:10 PMNovember Educational TopicAll
2:15 PMOld BusinessAll
2:20 PMNew BusinessAll
2:25 PMEmployee ConcernsAll
2:30 PMFor the Good of the OrderAll
 Adjourn 

TimeTopicDiscussion Leader
1:00 PMCall to Order, Establish QuorumAll
1:05 PM2026 Medical and Dental Plan - Rate Setting RecommendationsMark Power
2:15 PMTIAA Enhancements ImplementationHeather Paris, Ed Holland, Angela Elthon
2:30 PMUpdated Investment Policy StatementHeather Paris
2:35 PMVendor ReviewsSchyler Polaski
2:40 PMOld BusinessAll
2:45 PMNew BusinessAll
2:50 PMEmployee ConcernsAll
2:50 PMFor the Good of the OrderAll
 Adjourn 

TimeTopicDiscussion Leader
1:00 PMCall to Order, Establish QuorumAll
1:00 PMMotion on April Meeting MinutesAll
1:05 PMReview Medical and Dental Plan RecommendationsHeather Paris, WTW, Ed Holland
2:15 PMTIAA Enhancements ImplementationHeather Paris, Ed Holland, Angela Elthon
2:30 PMUpdated Investment Policy StatementHeather Paris
2:35 PMVendor ReviewsSchyler Polaski
2:40 PMOld BusinessAll
2:45 PMNew BusinessAll
2:50 PMEmployee ConcernsAll
2:50 PMFor the Good of the OrderAll
 Adjourn 

TimeTopicDiscussion Leader
1:00 PMCall to Order, Establish QuorumAll
1:05 PMMotion on March Meeting MinutesAll
1:10 PMTIAA Engagement OpportunitiesEd Holland
1:15 PMTimeline on 2026 Medical Plan RecommendationsHeather Paris
1:25 PMHigh Deductible Health Plan Analysis UpdateHeather Paris
1:40 PMEBAC Website UpdateSchyler Polaski
1:45 PMVendor ReviewsSchyler Polaski
1:50 PMOld BusinessAll
1:55 PMNew BusinessAll
2:00 PMEmployee ConcernsAll
2:10 PMFor the Good of the OrderAll
 Adjourn 

TimeTopicDiscussion Leader
1:00 PMCall to Order, Establish QuorumAll
1:00 PMWelcome New MembersHeather Paris
1:05 PMMotion on October and February Meeting MinutesAll
1:10 PMRetirement Enhancements Status UpdateTIAA, OneDigital
1:50 PMVoluntary Benefits Roll-Out UpdateEd Holland
2:35 PMOld BusinessAll
2:40 PMNew BusinessAll
2:45 PMEmployee ConcernsAll
2:50 PMFor the Good of the OrderAll
 Adjourn 

TimeTopicDiscussion Leader
1:00 PMCall to Order, Establish QuorumAll
1:00 PMMotion on October Meeting MinutesAll
1:05 PMUHR Benefits UpdateEd Holland
1:30 PMState of the ISU PlanWillis Towers Watson
2:35 PMOld BusinessAll
2:40 PMNew BusinessAll
2:45 PMEmployee ConcernsAll
2:50 PMFor the Good of the OrderAll
 Adjourn 

Benefits Communications & Resources

Questions

For information about benefits offered at Iowa State University, check out the Employee Benefits webpage. The Benefits Team can be reached by calling 515-294-4800 or emailing benefits@iastate.edu with questions.