University presidents tell House Education Committee enrollment, workforce training and research remain priorities

University presidents from Lewis-Clark State College, Boise State University, the University of Idaho and Idaho State University appeared before the House Committee on Education on Jan. 28, 2025 to brief lawmakers on enrollment, workforce training, research and campus programs.

The presentations emphasized statewide enrollment gains, workforce-aligned education including technical and health-care training, and the economic value public higher education delivers to Idaho. Several committee members pressed presidents on program details, a certificate listed on Boise State’s website described as a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) certificate, and legal costs arising from litigation at Boise State.

Lewis-Clark State College President Cynthia Pemberton told the committee that the President’s Leadership Council (the collective of the eight public institutions) reported serving 43,685 students statewide and delivering more than 18,000 credentials. She described Lewis-Clark State College as a small, teaching-focused, four-year public institution that serves a high share of nontraditional, first-generation…