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September 2024

Project List

To learn more about the projects IPI has worked on this month please click through the project tabs.

Project Spotlight

Digital Access for All Idahoans Planning Support

Matthew May, Lantz McGinnis-Brown, Maria Onaindia, Hannah Lang, Stephanie Witt

ITD Logo

In September, IPI was awarded a project with the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). In 2022, ITD commissioned IPI to better understand the state’s Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) service delivery model, compare it to DMV arrangements in other states, and research potential solutions. This newly awarded project will review how ITD has modernized services after the 2022 report. IPI will administer a survey questionnaire to measure whether Idaho DMV customers like the changes that have been implemented.

Month in Review

Vanessa Fry moderates panel

On September 4, IPI director Vanessa Fry moderated a conversation at the Downtown Boise Association’s State of Downtown address. The annual State of Downtown convenes local leaders in business and government to provide insight on how the Boise metro area has changed over the past year. This year, the event focused on Boise’s reputation for maintaining a downtown environment that remains safe and friendly for everyone. Dr. Vanessa Fry, Director of Idaho Policy Institute, facilitated a panel of local nonprofit leaders whose organizations serve people experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness. “When visitors come to Boise, especially from outside, they don’t see a really robust population of people experiencing homelessness like you might see in other cities,” Vanessa Cosgrove Fry, director of the Idaho Policy Institute at Boise State University, said. “Part of the success that we’ve had [here in Boise] is due to what we call the Continuum of Care.”

You can read more about the State of Downtown address from the Idaho Press and Idaho Business Review.

Dare to Lead

In September, IPI team finished their book club reading Dare to Lead by Brené Brown. The team completed activities in the accompanying workbook. This was the third book reading that IPI has done as a team. Previous book club books included The Data Detective and The Ideal Team Player.

IPI Staff List

  • Director

    Associate Research Faculty

    Vanessa Fry, Ph.D.

    Vanessa Fry, Ph.D.

  • Research Scholars

    Lantz McGinnis-Brown, Ph.D.
    Matthew May, Ph.D.

    Lantz McGinnis-Brown, Ph.D.
    Matthew May, Ph.D.

  • Research Associates

    McAllister Hall, MA
    Hannah Lang, MPA
    Maria Onaindia, MAT
    Emily Pape, MPP

    McAllister Hall, MA
    Hannah Lang, MPA
    Maria Onaindia, MAT
    Emily Pape, MPP

  • Management Assistant

    Valerie Hayes

    Valerie Hayes

  • Research Administrator

    Britney Whiting-Looze

    Britney Whiting-Looze

  • Graduate Research Assistants

    Elijah Kuisachor

    Matthew Wordell

    Elijah Kuisachor

    Matthew Wordell

  • Graphic Designer

    Cameron Crites

    Cameron Crites

  • Interns

    Anthony Bertelesen

    Cecilia Calvo

    Libbie Luevanos

    Anthony Bertelesen

    Cecilia Calvo

    Libbie Luevanos