About Us

Dr. Lisa Patterson Phillips serves as the Vice Provost for Community Engagement and Belonging and Tribal Liaison at Boise State University. Known for her strategic, community-centered approach, Dr. Phillips has dedicated her career to creating a sense of belonging for all members of the university community to prioritize student success and belonging.

Before joining Boise State, Dr. Phillips worked at Columbus State Community College as the Director of the Student Advocacy Center, where she championed initiatives to address students’ basic needs, enabling them to reach their academic and personal goals. Her diverse experience spans both academic and student affairs.

Dr. Phillips holds a PhD from Ohio University in Organizational Communication, a MEd from James Madison University in Counseling Psychology with a focus on Higher Education Administration, and a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from East Stroudsburg University.

Guided by her signature strengths—Relator, Strategic, Individualization, Connectedness, and Learner—Dr. Phillips is driven by the belief that listening to and uplifting each individual’s unique experience creates a more equitable and resilient educational environment. Her work continues to inspire and support transformative pathways for students, communities, and the broader field of higher education.

Jeremy is a queer, multiracial Black educator with a background in education, student affairs, violence prevention, and community organizing. Although they were born in Seattle, Jeremy grew up here and considers Boise their home. In fact, they are the third generation of their family to live in Idaho. (Jeremy’s mom was a proud Borah alum who earned a technical certificate from Boise State much later in life!) Above all, Jeremy is passionate about helping students, faculty, and staff build communities where every member has what they need to thrive.

After being the first in their family to graduate with a 4 year degree and going on to earn an MA in Gender and Cultural Studies, Jeremy moved back to Boise to be closer to their family. Since 2014, they’ve worked at Boise State in a variety of roles and departments–as adjunct faculty in University Foundations, as a Resident Director, and more recently as the Director of the BUILD Program. They bring a broad academic training, including a BA in mathematics, and graduate research on educational inequity, social movements, gendered violence, and research ethics. Over the years, Jeremy has taught a number of courses–ranging from math, physics, and chemistry, to gender studies and feminist research methods, to zine-making and tabletop game design. Additionally, they’ve facilitated workshops on inclusive teaching practices, inclusive leadership, LGBTQIA+ identities, multiracial identities, conflict mediation, Title IX protocols, and more. Outside of education, Jeremy’s background includes gendered violence prevention, survivor support services, and community organizing—all of which inform their approach to leadership and education.

When not working, Jeremy loves cooking, designing games, hanging out with their partner and two dogs (Kai and Clover), and reading young adult fiction. They’re also learning to sew and knit!

Erin Rausch (she/her) joined the Office of Community Engagement and Belonging in April 2025. Prior to this role, she worked with Boise State’s Center for Teaching and Learning in the Service-Learning program, and previously directed a community center at the University of the Pacific, where her work focused on leadership, education, and service.

Raised in Idaho, Erin is passionate about serving the Boise State community and fostering meaningful connections. She is happy to connect with fellow members of the campus community— especially those new to the area— and especially welcomes conversations around mentoring and community building.

Erin earned a M.S. in Health Education, with a focus on adolescence and substance abuse. Her professional work has focused on faculty support and development, community building, service, social advocacy, student development and leadership. Outside of work, Erin has been a foster parent, distance hiker, and wants nothing more than for folks to become educated citizens of our global community.

Destinee Cline is a Program Assistant for the Office of Community Engagement & Belonging. Her work focuses on digital accessibility, including course auditing, course material updates, accessibility consultations, documentation, and data analysis. She is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biology with an emphasis in Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical Sciences at Boise State University. She is passionate about promoting educational settings that are available to all through accessible learning experiences in higher education.

Rhys Isaacs (he/they) is a Program Assistant for the Office of Community Engagement and Belonging. He is a student at Boise State University, pursuing a Bachelors in Accounting, and taking courses in International Business, World Languages, Communications and more. In their work, he focuses on Digital Accessibility, collaborating with instructors to create accessible course materials. He finds joy and fulfillment in assisting students and faculty alike with any problems or questions they might have. In his free time, they like to create. They are always trying new mediums of creation, such as weaving chainmaille, digital art, sewing, and 3D Modeling. 

His philosophy is that everyone should have access to opportunities to grow and learn, and that learning never truly is finished. They believe that communication, collaboration, and listening to one another, regardless of and especially because of differences are essential to a thriving society. He plans to travel and find a community to continue to learn and grow within, and help his peers do the same.

Chloe Yalung is a nursing student at Boise State University with a passion for building supportive relationships and creating communities where everyone can belong. Originally from Rota, CNMI, she values communication, empathy, and collaboration, which guide both her academic journey and her work with others.

Chloe envisions a future where quality healthcare is accessible to all, especially in underserved communities, and is committed to making a positive impact through her career in nursing. She plans to return home to help build a healthier, stronger community.

Dannielle Virrey is working towards her Communication major as well as her minor in Creative Writing at Boise State University. She previously dual enrolled at College of Eastern Idaho and earned her Associates of Art degree at the same time she graduated with her high school diploma. She is eager to help and support others, and that was amplified when she had the opportunity to serve as an Orientation Leader. Concurrent with this position, Dannielle is also a Peer Mentor for TRIO Rising Scholars where she helps first generation students, just like herself, succeed at college. 

Dannielle loves to explore more of Boise, collecting Funko Pops of her favorite interests, and writing stories that may or may not see the light of day. She hopes to transform her imaginative ideas into published stories.