Representatives from Boise State University attended the REP4 Alliance-Wide Gathering, where the student team participated in the Inaugural Student Design Accelerator Showcase. Students Zaudi Guzman (College of Arts and Sciences) and Sayed Bahuddin Mirbacha (School of Public Service) were joined by Lisa Phillips, vice provost for community engagement and belonging; Esperansa Aguilera, program and projects coordinator for community engagement and belonging; and Vanessa Fry, faculty member and REP4 National Fellow for Assessment.
REP4 (Rapid Education Prototyping for Change, Learners, Community, Equity) is higher education’s first and only student-led innovation movement. Since its launch, more than 1,500 learners have developed and tested ideas to improve educational access, engagement, and outcomes. Boise State is a founding member of the REP4 Alliance and held its 3rd regional summit in June 2025. At the showcase, students were challenged to respond to the prompt: “How might we create real-world experiences through technology and AI?” Guzman and Mirbacha presented their prototype, UConnect, an app designed to help students connect their purpose with mentorship and career pathways. Their innovative work earned them the Catalyst for Innovation Team Award.