A Letter from Our Interim Dean
Dear supporters of the College of Innovation + Design,
2024 was a whirlwind of a year, marked by significant accomplishments in our College, and a number of significant transitions, too.
In this report, you’ll read about the College’s five major initiatives for the year, which span from supporting the championship varsity esports team to leading Boise State’s generative AI initiative.
You’ll also see that we have some new programs in the works that are integrated with the School for the Digital Future, another of our major initiatives, and about an exciting new program focused on beer and wine making.
And finally, you’ll read about the College leaders who are guiding these initiatives to success. Every single person in the College has contributed to managing the last year’s leadership, budgetary, and structural transitions with professionalism and grace.
Next year, we hope to tell you more about some major new projects just beginning, but here is a teaser:
- Our Venture College is part of a nascent Boise State initiative to collaborate with and build upon the many partners in Boise’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
- Our SPACE for Innovation and Design is home to a new initiative called the User Experience Partnership Program; through the UXPP, we plan to grow our existing partnerships with internal stakeholders and external partners, providing design services and hosting opportunities.
- We are working across divisions and colleges at Boise State to build a Bronco Professional Skills Academy that will provide professional and workforce skills preparation for all members of our Boise State community, from undergrads just starting to think about entering the workforce to members of our community who are interested in upskilling or lifelong learning opportunities.
- We’re excited to partner with Albertson Library’s MakerLab to develop some curriculum focused on creation, making, and managing digital overload.
All of these efforts are focused on making the college experience for our students accessible, workable, and enjoyable. It’s been an honor and a privilege to serve as the Interim Dean of CI+D. I’m looking forward to many more successes in the year to come.
Sincerely,
Jen Schneider
Interim Dean, College of Innovation + Design