Kenny Huston is graduating with a Bachelor Science in Environmental Studies with minors in economics, sustainability and climate studies, as well as a certificate in human rights.
Huston is the 2021-22 president of the Associated Students of Boise State University. He has served and advocated on behalf of students in a variety of spaces on campus, taking on increasing responsibility and leadership as he progressed in his academic career.
He grew up in Sacramento, California. During his first two years on campus, he was an executive team member for Boise State Corral. During his sophomore year, Huston became a resident assistant, caring for students, connecting them to resources, mediating conflict, and managing early student exits as the spring 2020 semester progressed, and the world pandemic began to take hold.
“This is pretty impressive work and considerable responsibility for someone who at the time was a teenager,” said Andrew Giacomazzi, a professor of public policy, in nominating Huston as commencement speaker.
During his junior year, Huston was hired in the Office of the Dean of Students as an academic integrity program assistant, where he, among other duties, mentored students with academic integrity violations. His passion for research and policy led him to seek an ethics officer position, where he served during his junior year, ensuring all voices were heard and advocating for student employees.
He has never taken a summer off. He served as a data collection intern for three consecutive summers in Boise State’s School of Public Service, and this past summer he was an intern for California State Senator Bill Dodd, where he conducted research and drafted legislative summaries of bills.
As student body president, Huston expanded the role by partnering with University Advancement and the Boise State Foundation board to be an effective student voice in fundraising.
“Mr. Huston truly embodies the notion of service within the mission of the School of Public Service,” Giacomazzi said. “He never shies away from lending a helping hand – to fellow students, to staff members, to professors, and to administrators alike. He is a true leader who was born to serve and who asks for nothing in return.”
Huston has been admitted to the accelerated masters program in public administration at Boise State, where he will pursue his graduate degree.