Boise State University’s College of Engineering rang in the new year with a Micron Technology Foundation gift of $585,000 to help support the establishment of the college’s Micron Student Success Center.
Micron’s gift is the latest in the long-standing relationship between the company and Boise State. The Micron Technology Foundation gift is part of the company’s commitment to supporting targeted programs that expand equitable access to education, diversify enrollment, and prepare students for productive and fulfilling engineering careers.
“The growing data economy – fueled by AI and 5G across the cloud, intelligent edge and devices – promises many opportunities for our people to make advancements in memory and storage, and Micron believes that cultivating a diverse pipeline of talent is critical to jump-starting the next wave of innovation,” said Micron Technology Chief People Officer and Foundation President April Amzen. “As a leading technology company founded and headquartered in Idaho, we want to share our resources to empower students in our local communities to succeed as future engineers.”
The nearly 2,600 students in the College of Engineering make Boise State Idaho’s largest engineering college in the state. The Student Success Center will deliver three specific connections to all engineering, computer science, and construction management students: Career, Leadership and Continuing Education Connections.
“Idaho is home to a growing demographic richness and to students from many backgrounds. We are so pleased and grateful for the Micron Foundation’s support, which will help us ensure that this diversity is fully represented in our graduates by increasing student success,” said Dr. Marlene Tromp, Boise State president. “This will allow us to better serve our students, our industry partners and our state.”
The College of Engineering’s Student Success Center will help improve the visibility of available student services and provide all students equal access to early career success by helping them chart a course that combines academic and future goal opportunities.
The newly created Student Success Center builds a diverse community for all students, fostering experiential learning, mentoring, internships, and valuable life skills, and allowing students to create people-to-people connections across the university and amongst peers.
Micron has been a major supporter of engineering, business and STEM education at Boise State for the last 25 years. The Boise, Idaho-based global leader in the semiconductor industry’s latest gift continues building the partnership between Micron and Boise State students and faculty.
“The support from the Micron Foundation truly changes students’ lives, not only in Idaho, but across the world,” College of Engineering Dean JoAnn S. Lighty said. “As a passionate advocate for engineering education, I am inspired by Micron’s generosity and the difference it makes for our college and students; to help strengthen our long-term goals in providing our students with everything they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.”
When completed in the fall of 2023, the Student Success Center will be on the first floor of the Charles P. Ruch Building in the College of Engineering Advising and Outreach office.
“Students who align with their career goals and learning opportunities have a stronger sense of belonging, and that’s a real key for retention,” said College of Engineering Assistant Dean for Student Affairs Diana Garza. “We want students to feel satisfaction in their decision to identify as engineers, computer scientists, or construction managers. Our new center helps strengthen that sense of belonging in the engineering community and our campus community.”
The Student Success Center is the first step of many the College of Engineering will take as part of Boise State’s newest strategic plan, Blueprint for Success. This multi-year plan aims to establish the College of Engineering as a leading, student success-driven college recognized for teaching and scholarship excellence with statewide and global impact.
-By Jamie Fink