Wagner praises direction of ISU in first State of the University address
Logan Ramsey, EastIdahoNews.com
The crowds gave a standing ovation at the end of Wagner’s speech. | Logan Ramsey, EastIdahoNews.com
POCATELLO – The president of Idaho State University spoke highly of the direction its heading in his first State of the University address.
Robert Wagner, who became the 14th president of Idaho State University in January of last year, praised recent accomplishments made by the institution on Tuesday from the stage of the Bengal Theater in Pocatello. Specifically, he talked about how it met milestones in five focus areas he laid out in his inaugural address, and about how the university would continue to grow from there.
“These milestones reflect all of the hard work of each and every faculty and staff member. Thank you,” Wagner said. “We will continue to grow together.”
The focus areas Wagner laid out were enrollment growth and student success; academic and research focus; advancing and enhancing physical infrastructure; external relations and partnerships; employee engagement and empowerment and connection.
ISU’s Fall semester saw its highest total enrollment numbers since 2015, at 13,078 students, with that semester also having the highest new student undergraduate cohort since 2014. Additionally, ISU has over 23,000 workforce training, professional development and continuing education students.
ISU awarded $54 million in scholarships and waivers to students, and Wagner told the crowd that is part of an “ongoing mission to make higher education accessible and affordable.”
“We are truly making an impact in providing a transformational educational opportunity to more students nationwide, and as we grow, we continue our commitment to access for our students,” Wagner said.
ISU is making strides in meeting healthcare needs, Wagner said. One way it’s doing this is the new certified registered nurse anesthetist program, which is set to launch its first class in fall of 2025. The program has only 24 spots and it had over 200 applicants.
“It’s clear this program will address the urgent demand for skilled anesthesia, providers in underserved areas,” Wagner said.
Wagner spoke highly of the university’s campus master plan, which was approved by the Permanent Building Fund Advisory Council and the Idaho State Board of Education last December. The plan serves as ISU’s “core guide” for construction projects and campus development.
“With the completion of our campus master plan, we now have a strategic vision to guide the development of ISU for the next 30 years,” Wagner said.
ISU has built new partnerships with external partners, entering five new Memorandums of Understanding. Wagner spoke of how the university has deepened its collaborations with key institutions, including the Idaho National Laboratory, the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lewis Clark State College, the College of Eastern Idaho and the College of Southern Idaho.
“These partnerships directly address access to education and workforce demands, ensuring our students are prepared to meet the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and skill,” Wagner said.
Wagner also talked about how he’s had the opportunity to host “forward listening sessions” with all administrative units in nearly every college in the university.
“These sessions have been invaluable to me as a new president. I’ve had the opportunity to hear directly from you, our faculty, staff and students about your experiences, your concerns and your ideas for the future. Your voices have shaped my understanding of where we are and where we need to go together,” Wagner said.
Wagner ended his speech by expressing his commitment to the continuing success of ISU, and “to move ahead to a brighter future.”
“I stand before you today, committed to the success of this incredible institution, inviting you to continue to work with me as we embrace our future and go boldly forward. Idaho State University’s brightest days are ahead,” Wagner said.