When you meet Anna Drennen, you can’t help but feel the energy she radiates. As the Director of Education, Training, and Programmatic Sustainability at the Center for Research and Creative Activity, she balances a whirlwind of responsibilities with grace and a smile that makes you believe anything is possible. In her 2.5 years in the role and at Boise State since 2019, she has become a driving force behind initiatives that support research and faculty development—always with a touch of kindness and a commitment to making things better for everyone.
Drennen’s days are a blend of strategy, collaboration, and a whole lot of heart. No two days look the same, and that’s exactly how she likes it. One moment, she’s deep in planning mode for fall workshops like the New Faculty Research Orientation or the FIND mixer; the next, she’s brainstorming with colleagues on a white paper or representing CRCA on campus-wide committees. She thrives on variety, leading a talented team of project managers who share her passion for pushing the research enterprise at Boise State to new heights.
It brings me such joy to work with our group of super talented folks
Anna Drennen
But Drennen’s life isn’t just about work—though she’s quick to point out that she loves what she does. When she steps away from her desk, she’s juggling a bustling family life with her husband, Baker, and their three children: Phoebe, Cleo, and Finn. There’s also Luna, the family’s standard poodle, and two guinea pigs, Houdini and Cookie, all of whom keep her on her toes.
Dinner time is sacred in Drennen’s household, a time when she makes sure work stays at the office (or at least out of the kitchen) so she can focus on feeding her family and enjoying some quality time.
And if you think her evenings are quiet, think again. She loves shuttling her kids to their various activities—whether it’s circus class, lacrosse practice, horseback riding, or voice lessons. She relishes these moments of connection, even if it means her schedule is packed to the brim.
When she’s not running from one activity to the next, you might find Drennen in her garden, tending to her vegetable patch or working on her latest home renovation project. “We’ve renovated two homes and are working on our third,” she shares, her excitement palpable. Whether it’s hiking with her sister (they’re tackling the highest peaks in the Southeast) or picking ripe fruit at U-pick farms, she is always on the move, seeking out new adventures and experiences.
One of her most recent endeavors? Learning to sail. “I registered for an adult learn-to-sail class, so we’ll see if that hobby sticks!” she said. It’s clear that she embraces life with both hands, never shying away from a challenge or an opportunity to grow.
At work, Drennen’s goals are as ambitious as her hobbies. She’s excited about expanding Boise State’s educational offerings, developing a data dashboard to showcase who they serve, and creating a comprehensive evaluation plan for education and training. She’s a visionary, always looking ahead to what’s next and how she can make it happen. And through it all, she remains focused on the people she serves, ensuring that her work is responsive, impactful, and truly makes a difference.
If you ask Drennen what her favorite part of the day is, she’ll tell you it’s the mornings—getting her kids off to school (a workout in itself) and then heading to the gym for some much-needed time to recharge. She approaches her day with enthusiasm and purpose, balancing her professional and personal lives with the kind of ease that only comes from truly loving what you do.
And while she might joke that retirement will finally give her the time she craves for her hobbies, it’s clear that she wouldn’t trade her busy, fulfilling life for anything. She’s a force to be reckoned with, and Boise State is all the better for having her on board.
So, the next time you visit with her, whether in a meeting or when she visits campus, take a moment to appreciate the passionate leadership she exhibits or the skilled dedication and kindness she brings to everything she does. You’ll be glad you did.
