Jackie Yarbrough: Planting Humanity, Reaping Impact

POCATELLO, Idaho––What’s unique about Jackie Yarbrough’s trajectory is its consistency. She’s never left Idaho, yet she has touched, transformed, and inspired thousands of lives. Her local roots are her strength. 

When Yarbrough is asked why she chose Idaho State University (ISU), she smiles, her eyes sparkling with a mixture of gratitude and memories. "It was the warmth," she says simply, "I immediately felt at home, both on campus and in the town." This rare and precious sense of belonging was the starting point for a life deeply rooted in community engagement, public service, and the search for sustainable solutions for Idaho families and children.

Originally from Hagerman, ID, a small rural town of about 400 people, Yarbrough grew up in an environment where community mattered above all else. "There were 22 students in my senior class," she says with a touch of amusement. As the first in her family to go to college, she took her first steps into higher education at the College of Southern Idaho. But it was at ISU in Pocatello that she found what she still calls "a fundamental anchor." She earned a bachelor's degree in social work in the spring of 1993, then, several years later, a master's degree in public administration (MPA) in 2002. Two degrees, two decisive steps in the same vocation: to help, to guide, to repair.

From her earliest professional years, Yarbrough worked as a social worker specializing in child protection. But she quickly understood that to take a deep-rooted approach, she also needed to understand the systems that structure social assistance. "I wanted to do more than resolve individual cases: I wanted to get to the root causes of the problems," she confides. This is why she decided to return to ISU for her MPA. There, she learned to use the tools of public policy, to think in terms of strategy, analysis, and complex systems. "The budgeting, planning, and evaluation courses, etc., all of these things help me every day," she says with conviction.

What she didn't yet know was that her career path would lead her to leadership positions within major organizations. After ten years of developing family programs in the Pocatello School District, while taking her MPA courses at the same time, Jackie headed to Boise. There, she joined the Idaho Food Bank, where she quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Vice President of Partnerships and Programs. There, she oversaw up to 16 employees, three major departments, and managed a multi-million-dollar budget. "It was a very enriching but also intense time," she recalls, "I grew in my leadership position."

But as often happens in life, personal circumstances change the landscape. In 2020, during the pandemic, she decided to redirect her career path to be more present with her loved ones. She then accepted a position at a free clinic in Boise before joining the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health in June 2021. There, she found balance and space to continue impacting public policy while respecting her own pace of life. As Senior Programs Officer, she leads the foundation's educational strategies: youth mental health, early childhood education development, and support for community schools. "It's a job I love. Every day, I feel like I'm contributing to something bigger than myself."

She understands the ground realities, rural dynamics, and speaks the language of overlooked communities. This authenticity she owes in large part to ISU. "I didn't just learn concepts at the university. I met wonderful mentors there, people who saw potential in me that I didn't always see. Today, I'm trying to pass it on."

Jackie is an active and involved alumna. She's always there when ISU calls on her: giving class talks, mentoring students, and offering internships. She says, “ISU alumni have a lot to offer the next generation."

Today, Jackie shares her life with her partner, also an ISU graduate, and her 11-year-old stepson. When she's not in meetings or traveling, she can be found in Pocatello at a local game or sporting event. She praises, "I still have a strong connection to this city. It's a bit like coming home."

To those who hesitate, who doubt, who are searching for their path, she offers this advice: "Be curious. Test different directions. And above all, don't be afraid to aim big, even if you come from a small town like Hagerman. The key is to stay true to what drives you deeply."

About our contributor: Edmond Sigui, born and raised in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, is passionate about using administrative management and public policy to create lasting, equitable change. After working on agricultural technology and field management projects in Côte d'Ivoire, he came to Idaho State University to deepen his knowledge and broaden his perspective. As a research assistant for the MissionSquare Research Institute, he explored what motivates young people to pursue public service, reinforcing his belief in youth-driven transformation. Now a husband and father of four, Edmond is dedicated to advancing effective and fair public policies that improve lives across Africa and beyond. Bridging two continents and blending administration with humanity, he continues to build a meaningful path—faithful to his roots and focused on the future.

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Idaho State University was founded in 1901 and has grown to be one of the most comprehensive institutions in the country. The University is one of only six institutions in the US offering programs from technical certificates through graduate and professional degrees. As the state's designated lead institution in health professions, Idaho State is home to more than 75 percent of Idaho’s health degree programs. Idaho State attracts students from around the world to its campus locations in Pocatello, Meridian, Idaho Falls, and Twin Falls. More information about Idaho State University is available at isu.edu/about.