Idaho university presidents tell House education committee enrollment, workforce gains; Boise State questioned on DEI materials

Four public university presidents gave overview presentations to the House Committee on Education on Jan. 28, highlighting enrollment gains, workforce training, and economic impact; committee members questioned them about program outcomes, campus centers and a certificate listed on Boise State's website.

Dr. Cynthia Pemberton, president of Lewis‑Clark State College, said Idaho's eight public institutions collectively serve about 43,685 students and award more than 18,000 credentials annually. She described LC State as "a teaching institution" with a high proportion of nontraditional students, many working while enrolled, and noted strong outcomes in nursing and allied health programs. Pemberton told the committee LC State was the first Idaho institution to transition its prison‑education program from the Pell experimental pilot to a recognized program, serving nearly 200 incarcerated students across multiple sites.

Boise State University President Marlene Tromp told the committee Boise State serves more than 33,000 students annually, has increased Idaho resident enrollment and awards 56% of bachelor's degrees among Idaho public institutions. Tromp said Boise State has low average student loan debt and emphasized the university's Institute for Advancing American Values and an "Idaho Listens" civic‑engagement program that she said promotes free speech and civil…