Jennifer Eichmeyer, program director and associate teaching professor for the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling program in the School of Allied Health Sciences, received the 2025-2026 College of Health Sciences Excellence in Faculty Leadership Award.
The Excellence in Faculty Leadership Award recognizes the integral role that faculty plays in the administration of academic programs, such as by serving as role models for faculty, staff, and students; promoting the professional development of their team; performing routine responsibilities and tasks efficiently, effectively, and fairly; and often demonstrating academic leadership in the broader college and university context, beyond advancement of their own discipline.
“Jennifer Eichmeyer is an extraordinary leader,” Jeni Leedy, fieldwork coordinator and clinical assistant professor for the genetic counseling program, said. “Her vision, courage, and compassion have shaped our program and the culture of genetic counseling education. She has repeatedly stepped into spaces that did not yet exist and advocated for the importance of genetic counseling roles. As Idaho’s first cancer genetic counselor, she negotiated her own position and established a model of care that has become foundational in the region. A true Blue Turf Thinker, she then designed, launched, and led the nation’s first fully online genetic counseling program—an accomplishment requiring innovation, persistence, and an unwavering belief in widening access to the profession.”
“What makes Jennifer exceptional is not only what she accomplishes, but how she leads—with empathy, humility, clarity, and a genuine investment in every person she serves. Her leadership has redefined what is possible in our program and in our field.”
Eichmeyer’s leadership extends far beyond Boise State. As current president of the Accreditation Council for Genetic Counseling, she serves in one of the most influential roles in the field—voluntarily, without compensation—because she believes deeply in strengthening the profession for future generations. Her impact on students and educators is profound.
Through the creation of the Boise State genetic counseling program, Eichmeyer has played a meaningful role in shifting a long-standing clinical supervision culture by championing psychological safety, relational teaching, and a growth-mindset approach to learning while upholding high standards of clinical performance. She has created an environment where students feel supported, able to take risks, and learn from mistakes without fear, an approach grounded in and supported by the highest quality research in adult learning. This shift has been life-changing for students and healing for faculty and supervisors trained in more challenging eras of the profession.