Boise State is one of 25 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the 2024 Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose Classification from the American Council on Education (ACE), the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University. This classification acknowledges campuses that are intentionally cultivating leadership abilities across students, faculty and staff, which foster a commitment to address complex societal issues and a deeper understanding of leadership as a public good.
“ACE is proud to welcome the inaugural recipients of the Carnegie Elective Classification for Leadership for Public Purpose,” said American Council on Education President Ted Mitchell. “The institutions in this cohort serve as models in higher education, demonstrating excellence in nurturing leaders who are prepared to address and solve pressing public challenges, which is sorely needed in our society right now.”
“I am so proud of the incredible leadership across our campus community and how committed our faculty, staff, leaders and students are to improving the lives of all Idahoans,” said Dr. Marlene Tromp, Boise State president. “We will continue to develop critical knowledge and partner in ways that improve health, education, government, our economy and more, positively impacting the quality of life in our state.”
“Congratulations to these pioneering recipients of the inaugural Carnegie Leadership for Public Purpose Classification,” said Carnegie Foundation President Timothy F.C. Knowles. “These institutions have demonstrated a relentless commitment to fostering leaders dedicated to the pursuit of vital public goods. Students from these institutions will undoubtedly shape a brighter future for us all, upholding fundamental American values and advancing opportunity for the nation.”
The selection committee noted excellent alignment among Boise State’s campus mission, culture, leadership, resources and practices that support dynamic and noteworthy leadership for public purpose, as well as examples of exemplary institutionalized practices.
“As we prepared our application, we were overwhelmed with the number of places where leadership is being taught and modeled across the university. From athletics to student majors and minors to the office of Human Resources, there are spaces all across campus where students, faculty and staff can develop their leadership abilities to serve others at a higher level,” said Heidi Reeder, who spearheaded Boise State’s application process.
The classifications provide an independent and rigorous assessment of an institution’s extraordinary commitment to, investment in, and accomplishment at addressing pressing issues of the societies they serve. There are two elective classifications that institutions in the U.S. can pursue: Community Engagement and Leadership for Public Purpose. Boise State is currently the only institution to hold either classification in Idaho.