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2024 Volunteer Summit

Please join us on Friday, November 8 as we continue our Unbridled momentum at the second annual Volunteer Summit.

This year’s summit promises to inspire and empower you through interactive presentations, panel discussions and conversations with experts. To kick off the day’s activities, join us for a networking coffee hour.

Stay through the day to connect with other leaders, share valuable insights and learn the latest about the Unbridled campaign, Boise State University, and the greater future we are building together.

Agenda for the Day

Friday, November 8

9-9:30 a.m.

Coffee & Conversations

9:30-9:45 a.m.

Welcome

9:45-10:30 a.m.

Session I: “A Conversation on Exploring Innovation and Academic Excellence”

10:30-11:15 a.m.

Session II: “Shaping the Future: Campus Planning”

11:15-11:25 am

Break

11:25 a.m.-12:10 p.m.

Session III: “Enrollment and Scholarship Sustainability”

12:10-12:30 p.m.

Lunch

12:30-1:15 p.m.

Session IV: “Volunteers as Champions for Strategic Engagement”

1:15-1:30 p.m.

Closing

Sessions

Session 1

A Conversation on Exploring Innovation and Academic Excellence

Join us for an insightful Q&A session with Boise State Provost and VP of Academic Excellence, and VP of Research and Economic Development as they discuss the university’s strategic journey toward achieving Carnegie R1 classification. This conversation will delve into the significance of this prestigious designation, the university’s ongoing efforts to enhance research excellence, and the crucial role of faculty recruitment and retention in this process. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the initiatives driving Boise State’s academic and research ambitions, as well as the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Presenters

  • Jeremiah Shinn
    Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Boise State University
  • Dr. John Buckwalter
    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Boise State University
  • Dr. Nancy Glenn
    Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Boise State University

Session 2

Shaping the Future: Campus Planning

Boise State University’s campus is always changing. The university’s growth requires thoughtful planning and implementation of the facilities and infrastructure that support its academic mission. This presentation will highlight some of the major capital project initiatives underway, as well as anticipated work over the next 10-15 years. Topics will include the challenges and opportunities of planning for an urban campus, student housing trends, upcoming riverfront improvements, public-private partnerships, and community engagement strategies.

Presenters

Drew Alexander
Associate Vice President for Campus Operations, Boise State University

Session 3

Enrollment and Scholarship Sustainability

Endowed scholarships are a priority pillar in the Unbridled Campaign; join us for a session that will provide a comprehensive overview of Boise State’s current enrollment and scholarship status, contextualize it within a broader competitive landscape, and offer actionable strategies for future growth and improvement.

Presenters

Jeremiah Shinn
Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Boise State University

Session 4

Volunteers as Champions for Strategic Engagement

As volunteer leaders, you are university citizens and “match-makers” exploring personal motivations, values and abilities of people to involve them with the mission of the university. This session is designed to build confidence and provide actionable takeaways focused on starting and building robust donor and alumni relationships.

Presenter

Argia Beristain
Interim Chief Executive Officer, Boise State University Foundation

Bryan Beals
Associate Athletic Director of Development, Boise State Athletics

Speakers

Speaker Bios

  • Drew Alexander

    Drew Alexander

    Associate Vice President for Campus Operations, Boise State University

    Drew is in his ninth year at Boise State University, where he has always been part of the Campus Operations team. Originally from Indiana, he studied Urban Planning and Development at Ball State University (the “other” BSU). Since moving west, he has worked as a city planner, a planning and policy consultant, and held a variety of roles at Boise State. Currently, Drew is the Associate Vice President for Campus Operations. This team handles nearly all the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and sustainability work for Boise State’s 200+ buildings and 6 million square feet of space. He holds a Master’s of Public Administration from Boise State and is an avid cyclist in his free time.

    Drew is in his ninth year at Boise State University, where he has always been part of the Campus Operations team. Originally from Indiana, he studied Urban Planning and Development at Ball State University (the “other” BSU). Since moving west, he has worked as a city planner, a planning and policy consultant, and held a variety of roles at Boise State. Currently, Drew is the Associate Vice President for Campus Operations. This team handles nearly all the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and sustainability work for Boise State’s 200+ buildings and 6 million square feet of space. He holds a Master’s of Public Administration from Boise State and is an avid cyclist in his free time.

  • Bryan Beals

    Bryan Beals

    Associate Athletic Director of Development, Boise State Athletics

    Bryan Beals joined Boise State Athletics as a director of development in September 2021. In July 2023, he served as interim associate athletic director for development and was promoted to the full-time role in February 2024. In this role, he will lead the major gifts team

    Prior to joining the Broncos, Beals spent five years in various roles at Washington. His most recent role was assistant director of athletic fund development, in which he planned and executed a $3 million annual fund campaign combining team-specific fundraising. He also managed and coordinated annual fundraising strategies for 20 of the Huskies’ programs to enhance fundraising revenue, in addition to many other responsibilities.

    Beals graduated from Oregon State with bachelor’s degrees in accounting, finance, and international business administration. Beals graduated with his MBA from Boise State in May 2024 and lives in Boise with his fiance, Claire.

    Bryan Beals joined Boise State Athletics as a director of development in September 2021. In July 2023, he served as interim associate athletic director for development and was promoted to the full-time role in February 2024. In this role, he will lead the major gifts team

    Prior to joining the Broncos, Beals spent five years in various roles at Washington. His most recent role was assistant director of athletic fund development, in which he planned and executed a $3 million annual fund campaign combining team-specific fundraising. He also managed and coordinated annual fundraising strategies for 20 of the Huskies’ programs to enhance fundraising revenue, in addition to many other responsibilities.

    Beals graduated from Oregon State with bachelor’s degrees in accounting, finance, and international business administration. Beals graduated with his MBA from Boise State in May 2024 and lives in Boise with his fiance, Claire.

  • Argia Beristain

    Argia Beristain

    Interim Chief Executive Officer, Boise State University Foundation

    With over 21 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Argia Beristain is a seasoned fundraising leader known for her expertise in building sustainable philanthropy growth and cultivating strong donor relationships. Argia has a proven track record of designing and implementing innovative fundraising strategies that have significantly advanced the missions of numerous organizations. Argia joined Boise State in 2015 and currently is the Senior Associate Vice President for Development at Boise State University overseeing all academic and athletic fundraising and she also is an Adjunct Faculty member for Basque Studies and the Honors College. 

    Argia has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Women’s Studies from the University of Washington, Master Certificate in Basque Studies from the University of the Basque Country, and a Master in Business Administration from Boise State University. Her main work is fundraising for Boise State, and she continues to build cultural, educational, and sport-related programs between Boise State, the Basque diaspora in the United States and the Basque Country.

    With over 21 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Argia Beristain is a seasoned fundraising leader known for her expertise in building sustainable philanthropy growth and cultivating strong donor relationships. Argia has a proven track record of designing and implementing innovative fundraising strategies that have significantly advanced the missions of numerous organizations. Argia joined Boise State in 2015 and currently is the Senior Associate Vice President for Development at Boise State University overseeing all academic and athletic fundraising and she also is an Adjunct Faculty member for Basque Studies and the Honors College. 

    Argia has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Women’s Studies from the University of Washington, Master Certificate in Basque Studies from the University of the Basque Country, and a Master in Business Administration from Boise State University. Her main work is fundraising for Boise State, and she continues to build cultural, educational, and sport-related programs between Boise State, the Basque diaspora in the United States and the Basque Country.

  • John Buckwalter

    Dr. John Buckwalter

    Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Boise State University

    Dr. John Buckwalter serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and is responsible for academic quality and student success at Boise State. Provost Buckwalter leads efforts to expand professional and material support for faculty, improve student success and retention, and develop academic programs that educate the next generation of Idaho’s workforce. His experience as a researcher and an administrator informs his support of development opportunities for faculty at all career levels, as well as an advocate for effective infrastructure to support sustainable growth in academics and research.

    Dr. John Buckwalter joined Boise State in July 2021 after serving as the Betty L. Tointon endowed dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences at Kansas State University. In his role as dean at Kansas State, Buckwalter oversaw a college comprised of a broad range of departments from financial planning to health and gerontology to the creative arts, as well as multiple centers and institutes. In five years, the college averaged $11 million in sponsored research awards and $5.7 million in philanthropic gifts. 

    Dr. John Buckwalter serves as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and is responsible for academic quality and student success at Boise State. Provost Buckwalter leads efforts to expand professional and material support for faculty, improve student success and retention, and develop academic programs that educate the next generation of Idaho’s workforce. His experience as a researcher and an administrator informs his support of development opportunities for faculty at all career levels, as well as an advocate for effective infrastructure to support sustainable growth in academics and research.

    Dr. John Buckwalter joined Boise State in July 2021 after serving as the Betty L. Tointon endowed dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences at Kansas State University. In his role as dean at Kansas State, Buckwalter oversaw a college comprised of a broad range of departments from financial planning to health and gerontology to the creative arts, as well as multiple centers and institutes. In five years, the college averaged $11 million in sponsored research awards and $5.7 million in philanthropic gifts. 

  • Nancy Glenn

    Dr. Nancy Glenn

    Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Boise State University

    As Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Dr. Nancy Glenn leads Boise State’s research enterprise, which had a record-breaking $91M in awards in FY23. VP Glenn oversees research policy and strategy at Boise State, working with Boise State’s community and partners to engage in the excitement of knowledge discovery and the research process. She brings a deep commitment to developing positive relationships, and an entrepreneurial approach to building research and economic development, and combining these to help others succeed.

    As Vice President of Research and Economic Development, Dr. Nancy Glenn leads Boise State’s research enterprise, which had a record-breaking $91M in awards in FY23. VP Glenn oversees research policy and strategy at Boise State, working with Boise State’s community and partners to engage in the excitement of knowledge discovery and the research process. She brings a deep commitment to developing positive relationships, and an entrepreneurial approach to building research and economic development, and combining these to help others succeed.

  • Randy Hales

    Randy Hales

    Chair, Unbridled Campaign Committee

    Randy is a seasoned executive that has served as the CEO for five different companies with billions in world-wide revenues. Mr. Hales brings extensive business experience in leadership, strategic planning and execution, business development, manufacturing, product management, marketing, sales and global operations. His experience includes leading both private equity-backed ventures and public companies.

    Randy is a seasoned executive that has served as the CEO for five different companies with billions in world-wide revenues. Mr. Hales brings extensive business experience in leadership, strategic planning and execution, business development, manufacturing, product management, marketing, sales and global operations. His experience includes leading both private equity-backed ventures and public companies.

  • Jeremiah Shinn

    Jeremiah Shinn

    Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, Boise State University

    Dr. Shinn was named as Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management in December 2022. Immediately prior to his current role, Dr. Shinn served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Louisiana State University. Starting in 2010, Dr. Shinn served in various leadership positions at Boise State University, and has also held positions at Indiana University, and Eastern Michigan University.

    As a full-time administrator, Jeremiah is also an active teacher and researcher. He has taught more than 25 course sections at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels and recently taught in LSU’s higher education and student affairs (HESA) graduate program. He researches organizational design, organizational culture, and the micropolitics of higher education organizations. His current research examines the effectiveness of  graduate preparation programs for aspiring higher education & student affairs professionals.

    Dr. Shinn earned his bachelor’s of science from Arkansas Tech University, a master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan, and his Ph.D. from Eastern Michigan University.

    Dr. Shinn was named as Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management in December 2022. Immediately prior to his current role, Dr. Shinn served as Vice President for Student Affairs at Louisiana State University. Starting in 2010, Dr. Shinn served in various leadership positions at Boise State University, and has also held positions at Indiana University, and Eastern Michigan University.

    As a full-time administrator, Jeremiah is also an active teacher and researcher. He has taught more than 25 course sections at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels and recently taught in LSU’s higher education and student affairs (HESA) graduate program. He researches organizational design, organizational culture, and the micropolitics of higher education organizations. His current research examines the effectiveness of  graduate preparation programs for aspiring higher education & student affairs professionals.

    Dr. Shinn earned his bachelor’s of science from Arkansas Tech University, a master’s degree in education from the University of Michigan, and his Ph.D. from Eastern Michigan University.