May 2025

John Gisler, Creston Dupree, Sebastian Kou, Ellie Winger

In May, the summer interns began working on a project for City Club of Boise. City Club is a nonprofit organization that aims to provide a space for people to come together to explore diverse issues and hear varied viewpoints. City Club asked IPI to help them understand if City Club is exploring the issues that matter to the population and how they can better engage more people in their work, including young people and more conservative voices. IPI interns are completing this research by reviewing survey data already collected by City Club and conducting interviews with board members and members of City Club.

Policy Analyst Convening with University of Washington

At the beginning of May, members of the IPI team joined local policy analysts at a convening hosted by the Evans School of Public Policy & Governance, University of Washington. The event sparked thoughtful conversations about what inspires people to pursue policy analysis and evaluation, the skills and training needed to succeed in the field, and the challenges shaping the future of policy work. It was a pleasure connecting with others committed to making an impact across Idaho – thank you to everyone who participated!

Liquor License Project

IPI interns Kristi Spalding, Spencer Reed, and Olivia Dillon recently shared their report on Idaho’s liquor licensing quota system with Spacebar Arcade. Their analysis highlighted that while Senate Bill 1120, enacted in 2023, has begun to reduce the financial burden of obtaining liquor licenses, further reforms could potentially empower local communities, stimulate economic development, and strengthen public health protections. Read the report here.

Congratulations Graduates!

A huge congratulations to the Boise State graduating class of 2025! A special shoutout to four of our interns from Spring Semester – Olivia Dillon, Spencer Reed, Libbie Luevanos, and Kristi Spalding all crossed the stage in May to receive their diplomas. We’re so proud of all the work they’ve done at IPI, and can’t wait to see all they accomplish next!

IPI Research Scholar Matthew May wins Commitment to Community Engagement Award

On Tuesday, May 13th, IPI’s Research Scholar and School of Public Service Survey Research Director Matthew May won the Commitment to Community Engagement Award at the Commitment to Idaho Awards Ceremony, an annual event that recognizes exemplary leaders in the state of Idaho and the Boise State University School of Public Service. A huge congratulations to Matthew, we’re so proud of his dedication to building community trust and meaningfully engaging with community partners! Read more about the event here.

IPI Director Vanessa Fry Presents to Blue Ribbon Committee

On May 14, IPI Director and Associate Research Faculty Vanessa Fry presented to the Supportive Housing Investment Fund Blue Ribbon Committee at Wilson Station, Boise’s newest affordable housing and Permanent Supportive Housing site. Following a welcome from Mayor Lauren McLean, Fry shared insights from IPI’s evaluation of New Path Community Housing, highlighting the program’s outcomes and cost savings. The event also included a preview of the Mayor’s upcoming State of the City address and guided tours of the Wilson Station facility.

Mayor McLean Highlights IPI’s Role in Housing Initiatives

In her 2025 State of the City address, Mayor Lauren McLean emphasized Boise’s commitment to addressing housing challenges and acknowledged IPI’s pivotal role in these efforts. She highlighted the city’s participation in the U.S. Treasury’s Social Impact Partnerships to Pay for Results Act (SIPPRA) program, which reimburses cities for investments in supportive housing that demonstrate cost savings. IPI’s prior evaluation of New Path Community Housing provided critical data supporting Boise’s successful application for this funding, underscoring the institute’s impact on shaping effective housing solutions. IPI also serves as the external evaluator for the Boise SIPPRA Permanent Supportive Housing Pipeline Pay for Success Project.

Welcoming New Interns

Please join us in welcoming our Summer 2025 interns – we can’t wait to work with them!

John Gisler

A current MPA student at Boise State, John is interested in sports gambling policy, executive power, and legislative behavior. At IPI, John will be working on projects with City Club of Boise, the Boise School District Free Breakfast program, and NSF COMPLEAT.

Creston Dupree

Creston is a Master’s of Public Policy student at Boise State University, also working towards a Policy Research Graduate Certificate. Originally from Terra Bella, California, he moved to Boise to work for Micron Technology as an electrical engineer after receiving his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Davis. Over time, Creston’s interest in public policy and economics grew, and now he hopes to develop a career in which he helps improve the quality and responsiveness of government. While at IPI, Creston will be working on projects with City Club of Boise and Idaho Housing and Finance Association.

Sebastian Kou

Originally from Santiago, Chile, Sebastian is a student at Emory University majoring in Economics, Human Health, and Psychology. He is a varsity athlete on Emory’s Track & Field team and works with 180 Degrees Consulting, where he supports nonprofits through pro-bono strategic work. Sebastian is passionate about improving population health and health equity, and hopes to pursue a career where he can drive systemic change. While at IPI, Sebastian will be working on projects with City Club of Boise, Boise Regional Realtors, and the Boise School District Free Breakfast program.

Ellie Winger

A junior Political Science major at Boise State, Ellie is interested in public policy, economic analysis, and the legislative process. In the future, she hopes to either become a lawyer or lobbyist to ensure that people’s interests and voices are represented. At IPI, Ellie will be working on projects with City Club of Boise, the Boise School District Free Breakfast program, and Idaho Transportation Department’s Alive at 25 program.