For student-athletes, balancing academics and athletics can be a demanding challenge. Between early morning practices, busy training schedules and frequent travel for games, keeping up with coursework isn’t always easy. That’s why many student-athletes at Boise State are turning to the School for the Digital Future. Its programs provide a flexible, customizable academic path that empowers students to build a degree that fits their unique goals and schedules.
Two student-athletes, Morgan Padour, a former women’s soccer player, and Lopez Sanusi, a football player, share how their experiences in the School for the Digital Future’s programs have helped them stay on track for graduation while preparing for life beyond their sport.
A degree that works for student-athletes
For Padour, the ability to customize her education was a game-changer. Initially uncertain about her career path, she turned to Chris Nichol, an athletics advisor, who directed her to new options. The Interdisciplinary Studies program gave her the opportunity to incorporate minors in business, communications and leadership, providing her with a well-rounded education that could apply to multiple career fields.
“IDS just gives you such peace of mind because you feel like you’re equipped to go into any one of your interests,” Padour said.
The flexibility of the program was especially helpful during soccer season, when she would often be away for games. Unlike some traditional degree programs, Interdisciplinary Studies allowed her to complete coursework remotely and stay on track without falling behind.
“The teachers and advisors really helped me figure out how to make it possible,” she said. “They weren’t just like, ‘Oh, you’re not going to make it, so you’ll have to take it next fall.’ They actually worked with me, whether it was finding a different course or helping me with an online option.”
Sanusi had a similar experience. Originally considering a business degree, he quickly realized that Interdisciplinary Studies would allow him to gain a more diverse skill set while still pursuing his long-term goal of owning a real estate firm.
“I’m not just taking business courses,” he said. “I’m able to take communications and a class on leadership as well. Employers like knowing that you’re someone with a whole bunch of different skills instead of just one thing. That’s the biggest reason why I chose IDS.”
For student-athletes like Sanusi, days are packed with early practices, classes and study sessions. The flexibility of the program allows him to balance coursework around his training and travel schedule, something that might not have been possible with a traditional business degree.
More than just a degree – a path to success
One of the biggest benefits of the School for the Digital Future’s interdisciplinary programs is that they don’t lock students into a rigid degree path. Instead, they allow them to explore multiple interests, develop real-world skills, and stay adaptable as the world rapidly changes.
Both Padour and Sanusi chose the same three disciplines: business, communications and leadership. Their choices reflect the well-rounded, transferable skills that make Interdisciplinary Studies a strong fit for student-athletes. But they aren’t the only disciplines students can choose from – there are offerings ranging from content creation to generative AI. Having access to a wide variety of these disciplines not only prepares them for careers beyond their sport, but also equips them with the leadership, strategic thinking and communication skills needed to succeed in any professional or entrepreneurial endeavor.
Sanusi appreciates that the program provides a safety net for whatever comes next in life.
“Even if I don’t end up owning a real estate firm, the skills I’m learning will still allow me to be broad and do other things,” he said. “That’s the good thing about IDS – it lets me have one focus, but also opens me up to other options.”
Padour echoed this sentiment, emphasizing how student-athletes are naturally passionate about multiple things, something Interdisciplinary Studies supports.
“We’re passionate about a lot of things, and that’s why I was attracted to this degree,” she said. “I was like, ‘I can run a business, I can do a communications job or I can be a leader.’ It’s empowering because it gives you so many different options of what you can do.”
Finding the right fit
Sometimes it takes trial and error for students to find Interdisciplinary Studies. Padour and Sanusi both acknowledged that many student-athletes start with more traditional degrees before realizing the benefits of a customizable path.
“I don’t think it’s pressure, I think it’s lack of knowledge,” Sanusi said. “People don’t always know IDS is an option, so they default to the traditional route.”
Padour felt the same hesitation at first but quickly realized the program was a perfect fit for her lifestyle and career goals.
“The non-traditional path felt a little weird at first, but I gained confidence in my career path as I went through it,” she said. “The advising team really helped explain everything and pretty much hooked me.”
While Interdisciplinary Studies may not be the most obvious choice for some students, those who take the time to explore it often find that it provides everything they need: academic flexibility, career preparation and a strong support system.
For student-athletes looking for a degree that supports both their academic and athletic goals, Boise State’s School for the Digital Future provides an ideal path, one that allows them to compete, learn and prepare for whatever comes next.
For more information about Interdisciplinary Studies, contact Breanna Ribeiro: breannaribeiro@boisestate.edu.
More customizable options
While Interdisciplinary Studies is a great option, the School for the Digital Future offers other flexible and customizable degree programs. These include Interdisciplinary Professional Studies, the Bachelor of Applied Science and Digital Innovation + Design. Each program is designed to fit different educational and career goals, whether students are looking to leverage past credits and work experience, build on a technical background, or explore the intersection of technology, creativity and entrepreneurship.
To learn more about the programs in the School for the Digital Future, visit boisestate.edu/digitalfuture.