ISU’s 54th Frank Church Symposium to Feature President’s Panel with Pocatello Mayor and ISU President

ISU’s International Affairs Council is proud to announce the President’s Panel. This panel will be the opening panel of the 54th Frank Church Symposium – Women Today: Politics, Perception, and Power. This distinguished discussion will take place on April 3, 2025, from 9:30  – 10:45 a.m., marking the beginning of this year’s two-day symposium.

The President’s Panel will bring together influential leaders from Idaho’s academic, political, business, and nonprofit sectors to discuss the role of women in leadership and the evolving landscape of gender in professional spaces.

Panelists include:

• Dr. Robert Wagner – President, Idaho State University
• Brian Blad – Mayor of Pocatello
• Shantay Bloxham – CEO, United Way of Southeastern Idaho
• Melissa Aston – Representative, Idahoan Foods

Moderating the discussion will be Barb Allen, a dynamic speaker known for her work in challenging gender norms and biases to improve recruitment and retention in the construction industry. With her expertise, the panel will explore the intersections of gender, leadership, and systemic change across different sectors.

The Frank Church Symposium, hosted annually by Idaho State University’s International Affairs Council, is a student-led event dedicated to fostering dialogue on critical global issues. This year’s theme, Women Today: Politics, Perception, and Power, will highlight the challenges and triumphs of women in various spheres, from politics and media to healthcare and activism.

The event is free and open to the public, with options to attend in person or virtually (Zoom https://isu.zoom.us/j/87104821170).  

Free parking for those attending will be available in the Reed Gym and POND Student Union Building parking lots, as well as at the ICCU Dome where you can either walk or utilize the free on-campus bus.

The International Affairs Council was started in 1970 in memory of the late Senator Frank Church and has since then organized the Frank Church Symposium on international affairs every spring on the Pocatello campus of Idaho State University. This international symposium is a rare forum in the United States because it is fully student-organized and primarily funded by the generosity of our student government body, ASISU.

For information about the symposium, including the full schedule, please visit www.isu.edu/frankchurchsymposium/.