IPS Staff and Faculty

Michelle Bennett’s students often describe her as “encouraging”. Bennett teaches undergraduate courses in integrative thinking for the Applied Science and the Interdisciplinary Professional Studies programs as well as communication and strategic communications courses for the Department of Communication & Media Arts. Dr. Bennett specializes in public speaking and directed the national championship speech and debate team at the College of Western Idaho. As a fifth-generation Idahoan, Bennett is invested in assisting young people find their voice through public speaking and interviewing coaching and volunteers with several Idaho organizations in this pursuit. Bennett has over 20 years of experience in corporate communication and marketing in a variety of western locations. Bennett earned a B.A. and M.A. in Communication at Boise State University and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Idaho.

Tricia Burns, MBA, is an adjunct professor with the Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program. She has been with Boise State since, let’s just say, a long time ago. In addition to teaching Teamwork and Innovation, Tricia is an instructor with Professional and Continuing Education at Boise State, where she provides leadership development, communication and other training for business leaders throughout the Northwest.

Reggie Jayne’s academic journey was non-traditional. After failing out of public high school, graduating from the Marine Military Academy with his diploma, and working for several years, Reggie completed his AA in Liberal Arts at Montgomery College and then transferred to the B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies Program at the University of Houston-Downtown. Seeking to make a career in higher education, he then completed a MA in History from Sam Houston State University which enabled him to secure a job as founding faculty at the College of Western Idaho. Reggie was recognized multiple times for his teaching and leadership as a distinguished faculty member at CWI. After thirteen years at CWI, he was promoted to one of their first Full Professors. In 2021, Reggie was awarded a PhD in Humanities and History from Faulkner University. At Boise State University Reggie teaches in the BAS/IPS programs, where he leads courses on integrative and creative thinking. What he most loves about working in the program is the wide variety of non-traditional students.

Baker Lawley has been teaching in higher education for two decades, with a passion for helping students tell their stories and share their work with the world. He earned his B.A. in English from Millsaps College and his M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Alabama. Prior to joining Boise State, he taught at Gustavus Adolphus College for thirteen years as Associate Professor of English, where he also served as department Co-Chair, directed the Writing Center, and oversaw internships and two student-run literary magazines. In the IPS/BAS program, Baker focuses on experiential learning opportunities, helping students integrate real-world experience with their degree, and translating their experiences into academic credit for specific courses. Experience, past or present, matters, and helping students integrate those experiences with their overall educational life at Boise State will help them better tell their stories and design their futures.

Toby Lucich, MBA, PMP, is an adjunct professor with the Interdisciplinary Professional Studies program, and teaches IPS 440 Project Management. Toby is the cofounder of Return Leverage, a consultancy focused on “the intersection of project execution + communications,” providing strategic guidance and hands-on tactical delivery. Toby has over 20 years of experience leading organizational change initiatives across various industries, levels of government and NGOs. He specializes in project leadership, organizational change management and communication strategy. He uses his education and experiences to help others lead change both intentionally and effectively within their own organizations. Toby Lucich is a proud Boise State undergraduate, class of 1994, and earned his MBA through Washington State University in 2002.

Margaret Sass began her academic career earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Communication from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. After graduating, Margaret moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in marketing and strategic communications in the nonprofit sector. Margaret returned to academia in 2004 by entering and graduating from a southern California law school. After she completed her J.D., she moved to Boise to complete her EdS degree and her Doctorate in Education, Curriculum and Instruction. She began her teaching career in California in 2004 and has continually taught courses in wills and trusts, hospitality law, business law, communication and Interdisciplinary Professional Studies. Her main interest is implementing and researching service-learning in higher education curriculum.

Michal graduated with a Bachelor’s and MAT from the College of Idaho and an M.A. in History from Boise State. She has taught online and face-to-face at the College of Idaho, CWI, TVCC, and now Boise State University in the subjects of Humanities, Western Civ, and US History. She loves traveling and tries to do as much as she can while she’s not teaching. If she has to stay in the area, she enjoys reading, exploring the Farmers Markets and bookstores in downtown Boise.