Boise State University: State Of The University Address Celebrates Record Research Awards, Student Success, Strategic Plan

Press release from Boise State University:

August 19, 2021

Despite the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, Boise State broke records in 2021 for research awards. During the annual State of the University address, President Marlene Tromp announced that in 2021, the university received 425 awards, totaling more than $65 million. This represents a 13 percent increase over 2020’s award dollars and a 58 percent increase over the past five years.

Tromp said Boise State strives to be a “new kind of research university,” in which research impacts students at all levels of their education, is fully integrated into how people teach and learn, and helps students become innovative thinkers and leaders.

“Research helps provide Boise State students a comprehensive experience, with opportunities to grow and excel outside of the classroom,” she said. “Students participating in hands-on research projects get workforce-relevant professional experiences, as well as the opportunity to work alongside and learn from award-winning faculty. They become contributors to their fields of study. They learn, in a direct way, how to innovate new ideas and lead. Engagement with students in the research process also enhances a faculty member’s teaching and inspires cutting-edge curricular innovation.”

Boise State served more than 33,000 students during the past year and awarded 6,162 degrees and certificates to nearly 5,000 graduates. Tromp spoke of numerous ways that Boise State is thriving, innovating, setting records, reaching students where they are, and building a bright future for Idaho, and celebrated student success across the university.

“In this very difficult period, we developed new ways to connect with our students,” Tromp said. “We faced the challenges of this year, and we actually built new ways of teaching, new ways of giving service, new ways of supporting our community. In the face of those challenges, we didn’t bend or crumble. We did more, and we learned things that we’ll take with us into future years that have made us a better university.”

Blueprint for Success, the university’s strategic plan, will help Boise State continue to reach new heights, Tromp said. The plan is focused on five major areas — improve educational access and student success, innovate for institutional impact, advance research and creative activity, foster a thriving community, and trailblaze programs and partnerships.

A recording of the address is available on the university’s YouTube channel.

During the past year, the university:

A sample of current research and sponsored projects awards include:

“We are doing this work for our students, wherever they are. We are doing this work for the future,” Tromp said. “The work that you do will affect generations to come. Our impact, as a university, our special location, our special character, who we are as an institution will not just make an impact on Idaho. It will make an impact on the world. What you do for our students now will impact this state long after we are all gone. You are a part of something extraordinary.”

This press release was produced by Boise State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.