ISU Magazine Fall 20204 | Idaho State University

From plastic eating mushrooms with potential to change the world, to students making musical albums with famous composers, and manikins so lifelike that future health care professionals can gain practice delivering a baby, this year’s issue of the Idaho State Magazine has an array of incredible stories you won’t want to miss. The first edition since 2020, the Idaho State Magazine tells the inspiring stories of ISU students, faculty researchers and alumni who refused to let a global pandemic, or anything else, stop them from achieving their goals.

Expanding Partnerships in Health Care

With approximately one-third of ISU’s 12,000 students enrolled in a health professions degree or certificate program, ISU is the epicenter for health care education in Idaho. Guided by a commitment to expanding the workforce in many of Idaho’s most in-demand job fields, ISU continues its legacy of providing health sciences education across the state by harnessing the power of partnerships to provide transformational education to students. Collaborating with innovative and strategic allies, the University stands to increase access and improve health outcomes in providing high quality, patient centered health care.

Health care students in a distance learning class

Mental Health Care Around the State

Recognizing the need for increased access to mental health care providers across Idaho, Idaho State University is using distance learning technology to bring mental health care resources to high school students and communities statewide.

Simulation Training

Similar to pilots who use simulated flights in learning to fly a plane, the array of simulation opportunities at ISU are valuable training tools for students in health professions programs and many other fields.

Joseph Chacon and a fellow student plan the details of an upcoming public health project with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes.

A Chance for Better Outcomes

ISU graduate Joseph Chacon has a goal to make the world a better place, particularly within tribal judicial systems, and he’s the first in his immediate family to earn a graduate degree.

Student, Will Hine’s notes describing the method in which polymers are processed by mushrooms and separated through a Soxhlet extractor

Plastic-Eating Mushrooms

With plastic waste becoming increasingly problematic in many parts of the world, and only a small portion that is recyclable, could mushrooms be the solution? A team of ISU student and faculty researchers, city officials and an innovative business owner hope to take the success of their study of mycelium, the root-like structure of fungus, to the world’s stage.

Sulfur-based hydrogels developed by Cori Jenkins, an associate professor of Chemistry at Idaho State University.

From Rejection to Redemption

ISU researchers are rethinking hydrogels to bring much needed water and regulated amounts of sulfur to plants and crops in the same delivery method.

Daniel Dale and Kean Martinic (student) discuss the isotope project inside the Idaho Accelerator Center on Idaho State University’s Pocatello Campus.

Boosting Isotope Production in the US

Russia’s ongoing war on Ukraine has threatened a steady and continuous supply of isotopes, but the Idaho Accelerator Center at ISU is poised to grow the capacity for mass production.

Children enjoy one of the Museum’s most popular events, the Fall Fossil Fest.

A Major Milestone

The Idaho Museum of Natural History at Idaho State University turns 90-years-old in 2024, and has its own storied history.

Ethan Estevez goes through a flip-book at Idaho State University’s Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Clinic.

Helping Children in Idaho who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing

Early detection and intervention is key in helping young children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and their families.Grant funding supports ISU scholars in becoming related service providers and educators.

Nursing Care of Severely Obese Patients in Critical Access Hospitals

A recent graduate’s research shows that rural hospitals often lack appropriate equipment and personnel to provide high-quality care for obese patients.

Students learn invaluable outdoor survival skills during a class outing.

Nature’s Classroom

Unlike any other degree program in Idaho, students studying outdoor education experience the great outdoors as their classroom.

Pedro Giraudo, an Argentine composer, performs with members of the Idaho State Civic Symphony in preparation for recording an album with the Idaho State University Commercial Music program.

City Creek Records

Working in a professional commercial recording studio alongside renowned artists and composers, ISU students bring music to the world.

Left to right: Rob Barnes, Isabel Juarez, Lexie Thurgood, Lara Maccabee, Josh Luker

An International Title

ISU students bring home the gold at the International Business Simulation Competition for the ninth consecutive year.

Migrant Worker Education Programs: HEP/CAMP

The first in her family to earn a degree, Giselle Saldivar initially didn’t see herself as a college graduate with a successful career.

Brady Cooke, student and Career Path Intern for Idaho State University, views a negative from the Lloyd S. Furniss collection used as part of a Ken Burns’ documentary “The American Buffalo.” The collection was donated by the family of Furniss to ISU’s Special Collections and Archives.

Ken Burns Documentary photo from collection at ISU Library

Researchers for film director Ken Burns tapped ISU Special Collections for a photo shown in “The American Buffalo.”

2023 cohort of Paraprofessional to Certified Teacher (PaCT) program.

Reinvesting in Education: PACT

After a successful launch in SE Idaho, teaching paraprofessionals across the state now have the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree fully funded by the College of Education.

Alumni

Alumni Stories

Celebrate success with updates and highlights from ISU alumni throughout the years.

Students posing for the Bengal Giving Day promotion

Raising $24M in Two Years

ISU supporters blow past the $20 million goal over two years for student scholarships, instead bringing in $24 million in just one year.

COB Faculty Endowments

Viewing education as an investment as opposed to an expense helped launch careers for ISU alumni now giving back to help future students.

New at ISU

ISU President Wagner standing under the Swanson Arch

Bold Path Forward

ISU’s 14th president, who came to the University in January 2024, has a vision to move the institution boldly forward while honoring the work of those before him.

Controls inside the recently donated, NASA DC-8 flying laboratory

Planes, Tractors and Anatomage Tables

The student learning experience for students in the College of Technology has been enhanced by a host of new equipment in recent years, including the historic NASA DC-8 aircraft known for its decades of scientific missions.

Holt Arena gets a new name

Honoring what Dubby Holt started in 1970, his legacy continues to support student athletes on their quest for greatness in the newly renovated ICCU Dome.

Improving Our Campuses

ISU continues to move forward with projects and initiatives that reflect our commitment to a bold future including a renovated parking lot next to the Pond Student Union, steam tunnel utilities projects near the Quad, pool renovation and the ongoing Leonard Hall renovations, to name just a few.