Shaping Education Nationwide: ISU Grad Lucy Willits’ Journey from Pocatello to Policy

POCATELLO, Idaho––A scholarship may have first brought Luci Willits to Idaho State University (ISU), but the experience shaped far more than her education. “I followed the money,” she says with a smile, “but I’m so grateful I did. ISU became one of the most pivotal parts of my life.”

Willits graduated from ISU in 1998 with a degree in American Studies, which is an interdisciplinary program. This program gave her a strong understanding of history, politics, sociology, and women’s studies. As a student, she aspired to become a journalist who could think critically, with strong writing skills. Her academic training set her up for a remarkable journey in public policy and education leadership.

Now, she is the Vice President of Government Relations at Great Minds, a national education organization that specializes in creating high-quality K–12 curricula. Although she herself does not write the curricula, her job is to make sure that these curricula can be implemented in schools around the country. “I’ve always loved the idea of making an impact,” Willits says. “And working in education lets me do just that.”

When she was a student at ISU, Willits was the editor of the student newspaper. Through this, she gained practical experience in leadership, reporting, and storytelling. She could see that her freedom at ISU was helping her explore real-world opportunities, and she cherished this freedom. “It was a campus that gave students room to lead,” she says, “and that mattered.”

After graduation, she got an admission offer from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, a highly prestigious school. However, at that time, her husband was elected the president of ISU’s student body. They also had a young baby. With that, Willits decided to continue her education in Idaho. Soon after, she served as the press secretary for Mike Simpson, a newly elected Congressman.

That decision to remain in Idaho opened new pathways. She worked as the communications director for the Idaho State Board of Education and then adopted roles in the Department of Education. She also worked in the private sector. For over twenty years, she worked on education policy and governance. All the while, her focus has remained on making sure students can be served better.

Willits thanks ISU for making her confident, honing her communication skills, and strengthening her professional values. She gratefully remembers her professors. She mentions Emeritus Professor Ron Hatzenbuehler, Ph.D., who taught her history “without nostalgia,” and former professor Paul Dishman, PhD., who taught a marketing project that instructed her how to prepare and deliver messages. She testifies that these are some skills she uses daily to this date.

She also remembers Dean Emerita Janet (Jan) Anderson, PhD., a caring staff member who provided support when she was struggling. “She let me be upset, let me cry, and helped me figure out what to do next,” Willits says. “She didn’t even know me well. That kind of care made a lasting impression.”

One of the things she liked most about ISU was its non-traditional student body. The classes she took included parents, retirees, and working adults, providing her valuable opportunities to learn with people from different stages in life. “That diversity of life experience made classes so much richer,” she says. “You don’t find that everywhere, and it’s something ISU should celebrate.”

Willits and her husband, now in Boise, are motivated to give back to ISU. They maintain a connection with ISU through various events. They also fund a student scholarship. “We both relied on scholarships to get through school. It means a lot to help someone else do the same,” she says.

Willits is so proud to share her connections with ISU that even when working with Ivy League graduates, she happily mentions that she comes from ISU. “I tell them, ‘I went to Idaho State University,’ and I’m in the same room as they are. ISU gave me all I needed to get where I am today.”

“There’s a small window in life when you can try new things with low risk. College is at that time. Take advantage of it. Get involved. Talk to people. You don’t get many second chances to fully engage in that experience.”Luci Willits

About our contributor: Suraiya Nasrin is a former Graduate Instructor in the Department of English and Philosophy at Idaho State University, where she taught first-year composition and English as a Second Language. She holds a Master of Arts in English from both Idaho State University and the Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh. Her research focuses on rhetoric and composition, multimodal pedagogy, material culture studies, and environmental humanities, with particular interest in how infographics enhance students’ creativity and critical thinking. Suraiya is also an experienced student mentor, committed to fostering inclusive and engaging learning environments.