IAAV Fellows

I am retired from teaching, having taught for 37 1/2 years in Boise State’s Economics Department, but continue to organize the Brandt Foundation Lectures and Spriggs Family Lectures for the College of Business and Economics, and the Adam Smith Lectures for the Department of Economics. Through the work of the Institute I hope to see open and respectful conversation restored on economic, political and social issues against the dark forces of illiberalism coming from both the Left and Right. I have great hopes for the Institute on campus and within Idaho.

I am the Director of the Conflict Management program and received my MA in Conflict Resolution from Portland State University in 2011. I study Conflict Management, Collaboration, Team Dynamics, Process Improvement and Organizational Culture.

I am a senior from Meridian Idaho, studying political science at Boise State University. After attending the Institute’s events for the first time, I wish I could have been introduced sooner. As a political science major, I learned very early on that most people understand political discourse to be an aggressive, controversial, and often hateful endeavor, and I can recall countless instances in my life when this has proved to be true. But I believe that if Americans sought to understand one another’s viewpoints and ideas there could be more productive conversations that invite participation and progress rather than an endless conflict of opposing ideologies. It is because of this belief that I applied to the Institute, and support its goal to increase our capacity to listen and understand one another.

I am from California and am majoring in Political Science and minoring in Business. I was drawn to become an undergraduate fellow for the Institute for Advancing American Values because I firmly believe that our nation is capable of achieving great things, but only when we put aside our differences and work together. The divisiveness and polarization this country has seen in recent years is concerning. However, it is important to remember that having different backgrounds and beliefs is one of our biggest strengths as a nation. After all, the United States is known as a melting pot for a reason. As a member of the Institute I am looking forward to creating spaces which foster productive discussions and help tear down the barriers that prevent us from seeing eye to eye with one another.

I am a senior at Boise State University studying Geosciences with an emphasis in Secondary Education. After living in Illinois and Wisconsin for some of my childhood, I moved to Idaho when I was nine years old. I applied to be an undergraduate fellow for the Institute of Advancing American Values because I believe that everyone should be listened to and that everyone’s story is unique to their backgrounds and experiences. It’s also important to remind ourselves and everyone around us, that despite our differences in beliefs that at the end of the day we can stand together as one. I am looking forward to working with the Boise State student body, the Treasure Valley, and the entire state of Idaho. I know through respectful discussion that we can develop meaningful and equitable solutions to the challenges in our nation today.

I am majoring in English Literature with a Certificate in Human Rights. Growing up in Boise, I was lucky enough to be immersed in politics from a young age, transitioning from activism and advocacy to involvement in local politics to gain more insight into how people’s values influence their politics. I was drawn to the Institute because of its emphasis on listening to understand, and not necessarily to respond. There is so much to gain from each other’s experiences that often goes unsaid or unnoticed because of how polarized our current political climate in America is. In order to make positive change towards a more inclusive future, we have to first start by respecting those who differ from us and opening up the conversation to everyone.

I’m a junior from Twin Falls, Idaho majoring in Political Science with a minor in History and a Human Rights Certificate. I first learned about the Institute for Advancing American Values when I attended one of the Distinguished Lecture Series events, and I was thrilled to be invited to join as an undergraduate fellow. The Institute’s goal of fostering civil discourse is something that I strongly align with. Since I’ve been old enough to care about politics, civil conversations about our differences have ceased, and have been replaced with nasty, unproductive shouting matches. I’m excited to work with an organization that creates spaces for us to discuss issues and disagree politely. I believe that the strength of America lies in our ability to understand and respect one another, and I’m honored to be able to help achieve that goal. By providing safe spaces for people to speak their minds, we can foster understanding and empathy for one another, and help to build a kinder nation.

I am an Interdisciplinary Professional Studies Student with an emphasis in Conflict Management, Leadership, and Human Relations with a certificate in Spanish.  I have lived across the United States and abroad as part of a military family. I applied to the Institute because it will allow students and communities from different backgrounds to participate in dialogue and learn how to engage in discourse effectively.

I was born in California, but I have grown up in Boise and I’m happy to call it my home. I have seen how Boise has and continues to change and I look forward to being a part of that process. I am studying Social Sciences at Boise State with emphasis in Political Science and Gender Studies. I am also interested in local politics. With this, I hope to engage in conversations that challenge my ideas, as I believe we all should. This is one of the key reasons I wanted to join the fellowship. I believe that the best thing we can do to express our political concerns or fears is to engage in a conversation about that subject. We all form our opinions based on our own experiences and we all wish for our experiences to be heard and valued.

I am a Political Science major originally from Moscow, Idaho. Prior to transferring to Boise State, I had the opportunity to live in New York City which ignited my interest in entrepreneurship. I plan to explore business opportunities related to politics after my graduation, and joining the Institute for Advancing American Values has allowed me to meet other ambitious students with similar passions. Supporting the Institute’s important mission of fostering civil discourse helps all students build these sorts of connections, rather than allowing partisanship to break them down.