University of Iowa President Sally Mason says she hopes to lead the school for years to come and was moved to tears by support from student, faculty and staff leaders concerned she's on the hot seat.

Mason told reporters Wednesday that she isn't concerned about the Iowa Board of Regents' decision not to extend her employment contract when it expired in August.

She says the board last year gave her deferred compensation benefits that run through 2016, and she still hopes to finish the university's $1.5 billion fundraising campaign and the rebuilding of its flood-damaged music and arts buildings during her presidency.

Key campus leaders issued a statement Wednesday praising Mason's leadership, in response to recent criticism from Regents President Craig Lang and Gov. Terry Branstad.