Idaho community college presidents tell Senate committee enrollments are up sharply, need funding for capacity and workforce programs

Lede: Presidents of Idaho's community colleges told the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday that enrollment is rising rapidly across the state and that colleges need targeted funding for classroom capacity, health-care training and workforce partnerships.

Nut graf: Leaders from College of Western Idaho (CWI), College of Southern Idaho (CSI), College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) and North Idaho College said they are serving tens of thousands of Idaho students — many in career-technical programs — but face wait lists, limited lab and clinical capacity and a shortage of instructors. Several presidents urged the Legislature to support the governor's proposal for capacity-building funds, describing how additional dollars would translate into more seats for nursing, welding, automotive and allied-health programs.

Body: Gordon Jones, president of College of Western Idaho, said CWI serves about 31,000 unique students, offers more than 120 programs — about 55 career-technical programs — and has experienced eight consecutive semesters of enrollment growth. Jones said CWI has wait lists "in the hundreds" for programs including nursing (more than 100 on the wait list), welding (over 50) and automotive technology, and that the college has not raised tuition in eight years. He told the committee he supports the governor's request for $10 million in ongoing funding and $15 million in one-time funding to build capacity and increase program seats.

"We prepare students for roles that by and large are paying between $50,000 and $100,000 in the labor market," Jones said, adding that most CWI students are Idaho residents and return to local communities after graduation.

Dean Fisher, president of the College of Southern Idaho, said CSI served 10,456 credit-bearing students last fall and more than 16,500 unique credit students in 2023–24 when including all enrollments; the college also served about 7,000 noncredit workforce learners. Fisher described large wait lists in programs such as radiologic technology (capacity 15, wait list of about 80) and said CSI is using open educational resources and improved advising to reduce textbook and excess-credit costs.

Fisher said CSI is expanding facilities including a 20,000-square-foot Leroy Craig Jerome Center focused on trades, food processing and allied health, and a Transportation Technology Building that will consolidate diesel programs and free other space for automotive technology.

Lori Barber, president of College of Eastern Idaho, described CEI's rapid growth since voters approved a bond in 2017. Barber said CEI delivered more than 14,000 workforce trainings in FY2024, that 34% of adult-learner credits are in career-technical programs, and that CEI's nursing capacity has expanded from 35 to more than 220 prospective nurses. Barber said CEI's campus — built for about 1,000 credit students — now serves nearly 4,000 and reported spring enrollment up about 18% year over year. She warned that parking shortages at peak times reflect deeper capacity constraints.

Nick Swain, president of North Idaho College, told the committee that NIC's fall enrollment was up and spring enrollment was up about 23% from the prior year (numbers may change at census day). He said the college runs extensive apprenticeship and workforce programs, including expanded CDL training and apprenticeships in HVAC, electrical and heavy equipment. Swain noted that NIC accepts 40 nursing students each semester and plans to expand to 60 per semester with support from the governor's budget.

Committee members asked about accreditation, program quality and partnerships with employers. Senators and presidents also highlighted industry-backed apprenticeship models — examples included Micron and Tesla partnerships — that pay trainees while they learn and help defray tuition costs.

Ending: Presidents thanked the committee for its attention and the discussion closed with senators thanking college leaders and moving to the next agenda item.