IPS Staff and Faculty

Jon Schneider received a bachelor’s degree in English from Florida State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Virginia. He has over nine years of teaching and program and curriculum development experience in higher education. Jon has been managing the Bachelor of Applied Science Program since 2013 and is committed to continuing to improve and develop the program into a career-relevant, supportive, and life-enriching interdisciplinary degree-completion option.

Alexis Kenyon earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance from the College of Idaho and her Master of Health Science with an emphasis in Health Promotion from Boise State University. Alexis has a background in college admissions, academic advising, and teaching, and is committed to helping students persist to graduation. When not behind her desk, you can find her hiking the beautiful Boise foothills with her dog, skiing at Bogus Basin, or leading a rocking water aerobics class in a local pool.

I earned a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and am currently working towards a masters degree. As a student with many work and personal commitments, I understand that going back to school can seem like an overwhelming pursuit. I love working with prospective students and discovering together that achieving a quality online degree is doable. Pursuing an education is an important goal and I feel very lucky to work with students to determine if Boise State is the right fit.

I earned two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Montana and a Master of Science in International and European Politics from the University of Edinburgh. Since graduating, I have worked in admissions at the University of Montana and as a self-reliance specialist for the State of Idaho. I believe in the value of a college education and I look forward to collaborating with you so that you can reach your educational goals. When not behind my desk, you will find me drinking far too much coffee, hiking with my dogs, and hitting the gym.

Dan is originally from Michigan and earned his B.A. in Communication from Saginaw Valley State University. From there he found that he enjoyed helping students navigate their college experience so he moved on to get his M.A. in Student Affairs from Eastern Michigan University. He has worked in the university setting for almost 10 years moving from a student employee to being a Resident Director and managing the Apartments here at Boise State. He moved into Advising IPS/BAS because he likes working more directly with students and helping them to make their degree work for them. In his spare time he can be found spending time with his family and cats, snowboarding, or playing hockey either here in Idaho or with the National Amputee Hockey Team.

Hello Bronco! I grew up in Carson City and attended the University of Nevada, where I earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and a Bachelor of Science in International Business. I’ve had the chance to work with students all over the country and globe during my career in higher education, and I love helping students and seeing them succeed. When I’m not at my desk, I enjoy spending time with my family, watching movies, and traveling. I look forward to getting to know you and working with you to achieve your goals!

As your advisor, my goal is to support you as you pursue your degree and help you access the many resources and supports the University has to ensure your success.  I enjoy seeing students grow and change as they journey through their education.  I completed two degrees as a full time working parent, and I understand the balance it takes to juggle work, school, family and life. When I am not working, I enjoy hiking, nature, spending time with my family, and my dogs.

Welcome to Boise State! I am originally from small town Connecticut before moving to Pittsburgh, where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Arts Management and Master’s in Higher Education Management. I began working in Student Affairs/Higher Education as a Resident Assistant before transitioning into Retention/Student Success. My favorite part of working with students is seeing them and their work grow throughout their experiences in and outside of the classroom. When not at work I can be found rock climbing, hiking, traveling and searching for the best iced coffee Idaho has to offer! I look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your goals!

It took me five years and time spent at three different colleges across Idaho and Montana to finish my degree. I love my job because I get to connect amazing people from all over the country with robust, valuable programs that are accessible from anywhere. I can’t wait to hear your story and share how an online degree can help you reach your goals.

After taking over 20 years off from higher ed, my life experienced a major change. I needed to pivot in my career. I decided to pursue an Interdisciplinary Master’s Degree focusing on Leadership, Communication, and User Experience Research. I know the struggle of working forty hours a week, spending quality time with friends and family, and pursuing other passions all while trying to succeed in the classroom. I am excited to come alongside you to help find a pathway that will fit in your current life and that will pave the path for your future.

When I am not working towards your success, you can find me either in the foothills on a trail run or playing music with my synth pop band HE/LIUM SHE/LIUM.

Michelle Bennett’s students often describe her as “encouraging”. Bennett teaches undergraduate courses in integrative thinking for the Applied Science and the Interdisciplinary Professional Studies programs as well as communication and strategic communications courses for the Department of Communication & Media Arts. Dr. Bennett specializes in public speaking and directed the national championship speech and debate team at the College of Western Idaho. As a fifth-generation Idahoan, Bennett is invested in assisting young people find their voice through public speaking and interviewing coaching and volunteers with several Idaho organizations in this pursuit. Bennett has over 20 years of experience in corporate communication and marketing in a variety of western locations. Bennett earned a B.A. and M.A. in Communication at Boise State University and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Idaho.

Margaret Sass began her academic career earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After graduating, Margaret moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in marketing and strategic communications in the nonprofit sector. Margaret returned to academia in 2004 by entering and graduating from a southern California law school. After she completed her J.D., she moved to Boise to complete her EdS degree and her Doctorate in Education, Curriculum and Instruction. She began her teaching career in California in 2004 and has continually taught courses in wills and trusts, hospitality law, business law, communication and Interdisciplinary Professional Studies. Her main interest is implementing and researching service-learning in higher education curriculum.

Baker Lawley has been teaching in higher education for two decades, with a passion for helping students tell their stories and share their work with the world. He earned his B.A. in English from Millsaps College and his M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Alabama. Prior to joining Boise State, he taught at Gustavus Adolphus College for thirteen years as Associate Professor of English, where he also served as department Co-Chair, directed the Writing Center, and oversaw internships and two student-run literary magazines. In the IPS/BAS program, Baker focuses on experiential learning opportunities, helping students integrate real-world experience with their degree, and translating their experiences into academic credit for specific courses. Experience, past or present, matters, and helping students integrate those experiences with their overall educational life at Boise State will help them better tell their stories and design their futures.

Reggie Jayne’s academic journey was non-traditional. After failing out of public high school, graduating from the Marine Military Academy with his diploma, and working for several years, Reggie completed his AA in Liberal Arts at Montgomery College and then transferred to the B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies Program at the University of Houston-Downtown. Seeking to make a career in higher education, he then completed a MA in History from Sam Houston State University which enabled him to secure a job as founding faculty at the College of Western Idaho. Reggie was recognized multiple times for his teaching and leadership as a distinguished faculty member at CWI. After thirteen years at CWI, he was promoted to one of their first Full Professors. In 2021, Reggie was awarded a PhD in Humanities and History from Faulkner University. At Boise State University Reggie teaches in the BAS/IPS programs, where he leads courses on integrative and creative thinking. What he most loves about working in the program is the wide variety of non-traditional students.

Amy Davis, MS, is eCampus Program Development Consultant, for eCampus Center. Davis serves as an information resource as well as a liaison working closely with academic department chairs and faculty moving from conception, through development, to the implementation of fully online programs. Amy teaches IPS 410, Case Studies in Leadership.

Konrad Ziesing, MA, is an adjunct instructor in the Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program. He has 20 plus years of experience as an executive leader and administrator working primarily with non-profit and religious organizations. He earned a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from George Fox University and prior to teaching at Boise State University was an adjunct faculty member at Northwest University teaching a variety of leadership classes. His passion is helping others grow in integrity and confidence.

Michal graduated with a Bachelor’s and MAT from the College of Idaho and an M.A. in History from Boise State. She has taught online and face-to-face at the College of Idaho, CWI, TVCC, and now Boise State University in the subjects of Humanities, Western Civ, and US History. She loves traveling and tries to do as much as she can while she’s not teaching. If she has to stay in the area, she enjoys reading, exploring the Farmers Markets and bookstores in downtown Boise.

Tricia Burns, MBA, is an adjunct professor with the Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program. She has been with Boise State since, let’s just say, a long time ago. In addition to teaching Teamwork and Innovation, Tricia is an instructor with Professional and Continuing Education at Boise State, where she provides leadership development, communication and other training for business leaders throughout the Northwest.

Toby Lucich, MBA, PMP, is an adjunct professor with the Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program, and teaches IPS 440 Project Management. Toby is the cofounder of Return Leverage, a consultancy focused on “the intersection of project execution + communications,” providing strategic guidance and hands-on tactical delivery. Toby has over 20 years of experience leading organizational change initiatives across various industries, levels of government and NGOs. He specializes in project leadership, organizational change management and communication strategy. He uses his education and experiences to help others lead change both intentionally and effectively within their own organizations. Toby Lucich is a proud Boise State undergraduate, class of 1994, and earned his MBA through Washington State University in 2002.