Investment in higher education and a skilled workforce has been shown to provide significant societal benefits, including more individuals with private retirement benefits, medical benefits, and employment stability – thus, decreasing their reliance on state or federal benefits, writes guest columnist Robert Wagner. (Courtesy of Idaho State University)
The start of a legislative session has a familiar rhythm – a mix of tradition and purpose that reminds me of the serious work ahead and the hope that comes with new beginnings. As a political scientist, I’ve always appreciated the unique dynamics of this process, and earlier this month, I had the privilege of watching our legislators take their places, ready to engage in the deliberations that will shape our state’s future. Their work, often painstaking and unglamorous, is a clear example of how democracy works in action. It’s a reminder that politics, at its best, is not just a contest of ideas but about building something enduring together.
The legislative session officially began with an event representing the intersection of governance and vision for Idaho’s future — Gov. Brad Little’s State of the State Address. Gov. Little underscored the essential role of education in Idaho. His vision is clear: Idaho’s prosperity hinges on the ability to equip its people with the skills, knowledge and opportunities needed to succeed. His strategy is backed by important data: a study indicates by 2031, 72% of jobs in the United States will require post-secondary education or training. This is the daily work of those who serve Idaho’s residents at institutions like Idaho State University; we turn goals and dreams into reality.
In response to Idaho’s urgent need for health care professionals, ISU collaborated with Kootenai Health to create an accelerated nursing program in North Idaho to educate and mobilize skilled nurses. This program prepares RNs in a fraction of the time, combining rigorous academic training with real-world clinical experience. With the governor’s support, we are now expanding the accelerated nursing program and ensuring that more nurses are ready to step into the field where they are so desperately needed.
Our partnership with Kootenai Health shows what can happen when public institutions and private industry unite. A deeper truth about education is reflected: it’s not an expense but an investment. The dividends are clear – not only in economic terms but also in the value of building stronger communities and meeting Idaho’s growing workforce needs with homegrown talent. This approach creates greater opportunities for Idahoans and reduces the need to rely on importing out-of-state professionals. Investment in higher education has also been shown to provide significant societal benefits, including more individuals with private retirement benefits, medical benefits, and employment stability – thus, decreasing their reliance on state or federal benefits.
The value of our public higher education system is all about equipping Idahoans with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in a growing state. Recent studies show that college education results in stronger families, better health, increased prosocial behavior, and graduates who are more likely to vote. Businesses can hire talented workers locally instead of looking out of state, and those workers become active contributors to civic life. They stay rooted in the communities they love, making a difference by raising families, joining PTOs, coaching youth sports and volunteering at food banks and local churches. Investing in higher education is investing in the stewards who will shape Idaho’s future.
This understanding animates ISU’s mission and drives our commitment to innovation. We’re reimagining what it means to serve Idahoans by creating flexible pathways that allow more people to access the opportunities a college education provides. Whether a recent high school graduate, a mid-career professional looking to reskill or a parent returning to school after raising children, students are met where they are, and ISU’s specialized programs take them where they want to be with a bachelor’s degree, a technical certificate, a professional degree or a career-advancing certification.
The work we do in higher education requires more than vision — partnerships are essential. Working with our state Legislature, whose members represent Idaho’s incredible breadth of experience and insight, is a foundational partnership that generates long-term success.
Idaho’s elected officials, like its educators, are grappling with an essential question: How do we prepare for a future that’s both unpredictable and demanding? Part of the answer lies in the innovative programs that are emerging from the state’s public higher education institutions, like ISU. We are partnering with industries to meet workforce demands and create pipelines that connect education to employment. Whether it’s health care, energy or engineering, these collaborations are yielding solutions that are as practical as they are impactful.
At ISU, we embrace the responsibility of our mission with determination. We understand that the stakes are high and the expectations even higher. We also know that Idaho’s potential is boundless, as long as we remain committed to the principles that have always guided us: collaboration, innovation and an unyielding belief in the power of education to transform lives.
In the end, the strength of Idaho will not only be measured by its resources and its landscapes, but by the people who call it home and by the futures we are willing to invest in today. There’s work to be done, and it’s the kind of work that matters. Together, we’re ensuring that Idaho’s brightest days are still ahead.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.