Dean’s Office (Old)

Shawn Benner is the Dean of the College of Innovation and Design. Shawn received his BA from Colorado College, MS from the University of Montana, and his PhD from the University in Waterloo. His scholarship focuses on student-oriented environmental research addressing problems of immediate value to society; he has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications. He served as Associate Dean of CI+D from August 2018-April 2022.

Jen Schneider is Associate Dean of the College of Innovation and Design. She has worked extensively in the areas of public communication of science and technology controversies, stakeholder engagement, and public engagement. Jen received her PhD in Cultural Studies from Claremont Graduate University in 2004, and was a professor of Liberal Arts and International Studies at the Colorado School of Mines before joining Boise State in 2014. She served as Interim Associate Dean of the School of Public Service at Boise State before joining CI+D.

Amanda is Assistant Dean of the College of Innovation and Design and Director of the Digital Innovation and Design degree, where she helps support operations and special CI+D initiatives related to continuous improvement and student success. Amanda holds a Ph.D. in Psychology with an emphasis on Cognition & Instruction. She earned both her Master of Arts in Technical Communication and Bachelor of General Studies from Boise State University. She also holds certificates in leadership from Idaho State University and technical communication from Boise State. Prior to working in higher education, Amanda worked in management and operations in the craft beer industry.

Melissa Fennemore is the Senior Business Manager for the College of Innovation and Design. She started her career at Boise State University in 2019 in the Office of Budget and Planning as a Senior Budget Analyst. Prior to joining Boise State, Melissa worked for 6 years as a Corporate Accountant and worked for a year in public accounting. She triple majored in Accounting, Finance, and Information Management for her undergrad at the University of Texas at Dallas, obtained an MBA from Westminster College and has a CPA license in the State of Idaho.

Anna (she/her) joined the College of Innovation + Design in 2023 as an Administrative Assistant 2 after working for Boise State Public Health for 2 years. She graduated from Boise State in Spring 2020 with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Public Health with an emphasis in Health Education and Promotion. She grew up in Hood River, Oregon and has lived in Boise since 2016.

Veronica (she/her/hers) has been part of the Dean’s Office team since 2018. She came to the College of Innovation and Design after working in the Advising and Academic Support Center (AASC). Prior to her time in AASC, she worked with international students on campus in the Intensive English Program for five years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from California State Polytechnic University. She earned a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management and a Masters in Public Administration from Boise State University.