Three members of the Boise State University community have been selected to receive the President’s Community Service Award. This award provides an opportunity to celebrate and honor individuals, or groups of faculty, staff or students, who are serving the community in extraordinary ways.
Nicole Cundiff, Michael Cullen and Dora Ramirez are the latest recipients of the award and were honored at the 2023 Employee Appreciation Breakfast. Nominations for the award are accepted throughout the year and can be submitted via a web form.
Nicole Cundiff
A Clinical Assistant Professor in the College of Business and Economics, Nicole Cundiff was instrumental in beginning the nonprofit, all-volunteer Horseshoe Bend Valley Chamber of Commerce in the summer of 2020, and growing the organization to almost 200 members. Under her leadership, the chamber has raised over $200,000 in donations for the creation of the Woods Veterans Memorial Park, which houses a Veterans Memorial and Wall of Heroes. Having a place to celebrate, grieve and honor heroes is a long-held dream come true for that community.
Michael Cullen
Michael Cullen, assistant director of brand and marketing for ExtraMile Arena, helped forge an innovative relationship with the Treasure Valley Canopy Network and the City of Boise. To celebrate artists and recognize the partners involved, the arena invests the equivalent of 100 trees in the name of each artist or tour that plays performs at the venue. This initiative supports Boise State’s sustainability efforts and the 100,000 tree goal set by the Boise City Council.
Dora Ramirez
Professor of sociology Dora Ramirez builds bridges from Boise State outward. He work strengthens the arts and diversity and inclusion efforts both on and off campus. This includes the creation of the organization PODER (Protecting Our Dreams and Empowering Our Resilience) to support leadership in the arts in Boise and the Treasure Valley, as well as her work to make underrepresented students, staff and faculty feel welcome when visiting campus. Her work helps people outside of Boise State enter the campus community and feel they belong, are seen, heard and valued.