Idaho public university presidents report enrollment gains, workforce focus and program changes to Senate Education Committee

Lewis-Clark State College, Boise State University, the University of Idaho and Idaho State University appeared before the Idaho Senate Education Committee to report enrollment trends, workforce partnerships and organizational changes.

The presidents said enrollment and targeted program growth are strengthening the state workforce. "As a collective, the 8 institutions in Idaho generate $450 million in gross product annually," said Dr. Cynthia Pemberton, president of Lewis-Clark State College, adding that Idaho institutions serve more than 43,000 students statewide and award about 18,000 credentials annually. She said LC State is a small, affordable institution focused on teaching, workforce training and prison education; LC State tuition and fees are $7,610 a year, she said.

Boise State President Dr. Marlene Trump said Boise State serves about 33,000 learners and has grown Idaho enrollment substantially in recent years. "We have grown our incoming class of Idaho students by 11.5 percent this year and by a remarkable 52% in the last five years," she said, and noted nearly 1,300 Boise State students were receiving LAUNCH funds this year.

University of Idaho President Dr. Scott Green highlighted the university's research and extension network, its role in agriculture and wildfire resilience work, and rising research expenditures. "A recently completed economic report shows the University of Idaho generates $270 million in output each year, including nearly $150 million in added gross state product," Green said, and reported nearly $136 million in research expenditures last year.

Idaho State University President Dr. Robert Wagner emphasized ISU's statewide health-sciences role and said the university has expanded retention and community-access efforts. Wagner reported 888 ISU students receiving LAUNCH support this fall and said ISU provides hundreds of continuing-education and professional-development pathways annually.

Committee members asked about the impact of a recent state resolution on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offices. Dr. Pemberton said Lewis-Clark State College had not closed centers and that its accessibility and veteran services continue. Dr. Green and Dr. Wagner described reorganizations at their institutions: Green said the University of Idaho reorganized some offices and created new student-success units; Wagner said Idaho State renamed its Office of Equity and Inclusion to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX and consolidated some student-support functions into a Bengal Success Center.

All four presidents stressed partnerships with industry and regional employers, and asked lawmakers to consider funding that would expand graduates in fields such as nursing, engineering and cybersecurity. They also highlighted prison education, veteran services, and rural outreach programs as priorities.

The presidents concluded by making themselves available for committee questions about budget priorities and program outcomes.