Idaho university presidents tell House committee enrollment, workforce training and affordability remain priorities

BOISE — Presidents from Idaho’s four public four-year institutions told the House Committee on Education on Jan. 28 that enrollment growth, workforce-aligned education and affordability remain central priorities as institutions adapt to state workforce needs.

The presidents — Dr. Cynthia Pemberton of Lewis Clark State College; Dr. Marlene Tromp of Boise State University; Dr. Scott Green of the University of Idaho; and Dr. Robert Wagner of Idaho State University — described enrollment and program trends, workforce partnerships, and steps taken to improve completion and student supports.

Dr. Pemberton said Lewis Clark State College aims to preserve a small-school experience while supporting health-care and technical programs, workforce training and prison-education efforts. She noted the state’s eight public institutions collectively serve about 43,685 students and deliver more than 18,000 credentials; LC State serves a high share of working, first-generation and Pell-eligible students. “We are uniquely positioned. We are Idaho’s one and only four-year public institution that is a small school,” Pemberton said.

Boise State President Marlene Tromp told the committee Boise State serves more than 33,000 students…