Ellie Dworak poses with her book in the family study room at the Albertsons Library Ellie Dworak, a research data librarian at Albertsons Library, was promoted to associate professor along with the recent publication of her book, “Supporting Student Parents in the Academic Library: Designing Spaces, Policies and Services.” Dworak co-wrote it with former colleague Kelsey Keyes, emerita professor at Boise State. Kelsey Keyes The Albertsons Library supports student success through open access to resources and relationship-rich education. Through their research, Dworak and Keyes found that the num ..read more

Megan Smith School of Public and Population Health Associate Professor Megan Smith was recently interviewed for Idaho Matters, a Boise State Public Radio program, to discuss the mental health of Idaho’s youth.  As the director of Communities for Youth, Smith was asked about contemporary preventative measures in discussing and addressing youth mental health. The segment titled “Supporting the mental health of Idaho youth with upstream prevention” focused on community efforts to recognize risk and protective factors in Idaho youth mental health. When asked about the daunting task of discuss ..read more

Idaho State occupational therapy students assist children with Down syndrome during Summer Camp for All, a partnership with East Idaho Down Syndrome Family Connect to bring a summer camp experience to individuals with Down syndrome. The camp is part of the occupational therapist students’ fieldwork. Two Idaho universities have joined forces to help address a statewide shortage of occupational therapy professionals. The agreement will guarantee two spaces in Idaho State University’s master of occupational therapy program to top, qualifying Boise State bachelor’s graduates. “The health care work ..read more

For the last two years, in response to the the CHIPS and Science Act, Boise State University has positioned itself as a leader in the semiconductors and microelectronics fields, working grow the industries with new courses, certifications and degree pathways for Idahoans of all ages.  The College of Engineering created the Institute for Microelectronics Education and Research to serve as a centralized location for interdisciplinary collaboration on microelectronics. This institute will is leading research and the recruitment and education of students interested in microelectronics to expa ..read more

The following message was sent to all employees Thursday, April 25, 2024. Dear Colleagues, We are writing today to provide several progress updates on the Budget Modernization Initiative, including both the work currently happening and what is planned for the remainder of the calendar year. Project consultants from Kennedy and Company were on campus the week of March 25 to host in-person listening sessions for campus units, followed by a virtual session on April 1. In total, approximately 750 faculty and staff attended a session. These sessions allowed the consultants and Planning Advisory Cou ..read more

Jeff Westover, Department of English Literature Jeff Westover, professor in the Department of English Literature, contributed an article to the book “Critical Insights: Ralph Waldo Emerson.” Westover’s contribution, “Writing Dawn and Day in the Work of Mary Oliver and Ralph Waldo Emerson,” explores the ways Oliver’s writing honors Emerson’s legacy. Both Oliver and Emerson emphasize the importance of nature in their works, and seek an “original relation to the universe.” Westover focuses on depictions of dawn in Oliver’s poetry and how her work connects interacting with the natural world and li ..read more

Shuck and Brun-Mercer, Department of Linguistics Gail Shuck and Nicole Brun-Mercer presented “Allies for Abundance: Uniting for a Linguistically Inclusive Placement Process” at the Conference on College Composition and Communication in Spokane, Washington on April 5. They described the process of creating a network of shared responsibility for re-envisioning first-year writing placement in a way that accounts for linguistic diversity at Boise State. Identifying students who need English language support while working toward their degrees requires building coalitions and sharing data within a n ..read more

A sampling team composed of Derek Freitag (middle), Lacey Kerr (left) and Haley Hester (right). Photo by Lacey Kerr. Boise State’s Grand Challenges are all about taking ambitious, complex issues and tackling them with interdisciplinary research and collaboration with the help of students, community stakeholders, industry, government, non-governmental organizations and fellow institutions of higher education. When Jared Talley, an assistant professor of environmental philosophy and governance, heard about the opportunity to receive financial support from the Division of Research and Economic De ..read more

Open enrollment is an annual opportunity to choose benefits that best meet the needs of employees and their families. Enrollment for all benefit-eligible employees begins at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 22 and ends at midnight on Friday, May 10, 2024. Elections are effective July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025, unless an employee has a qualifying event. An in-person benefits enrollment event is scheduled for May 9, 2024 in the Student Union Building. The State of Idaho will be transitioning health insurance coverage from Blue Cross of Idaho to Regence Blue Shield of Idaho. Dental coverage will remain with ..read more

Carolyn Quintero Carolyn Quintero, accessibility specialist in the Office of Information Technology, presented “Accessible Communications: Good Business, Ethical Practice” at Hackfort 2024 as part of Boise’s Treefort Music Fest. Co-presenting with Laine Amoureax, an International Association of Accessibility Professionals-certified expert in web accessibility, the presentation delved into the essentials of accessible communications, exploring its definition, significance and business benefits. Prioritizing accessible communication is not only a smart business strategy but also a moral and some ..read more