Developing Human Resources

Any university is only as good as its people. In addition to hiring the best faculty and staff possible, Boise State has a variety of programs to enhance their teaching, management and other skills. The university also places a premium on developing student leadership by encouraging participation in student government, volunteer activities and student organizations. To further develop campus leaders, the university sponsors the daylong Leadership Quest for students and the Shared Leadership Institute for faculty and staff. Additional programs are in place to enhance the diversity of the student body and the workplace. The increasing national recognition that university faculty, staff and students are receiving speaks well for their high level of performance. In addition to developing its own human resources, Boise State has programs such as the Center for Workforce Training, the Center for Management Development and the Small Business Development Center to enhance the expertise of Idaho citizens and their businesses.

Highlights

The Idaho Small Business Development Center continues to be a major factor in the growth of Idaho’s economy.

In 2000, the center assisted more than 1,650 small businesses and entrepreneurs with business planning, marketing and financial management. The center also served more than 1,850 individuals with 173 training sessions. The center provided training and business development services for rural areas that have experienced employment declines. The center also has assisted in the development of the state’s Science and Technology Plan, a venture capital forum, and the Women’s Business Center.

Internships continue to develop strong “real world” connections between Boise State students and businesses, agencies and organizations.

Last year 1,276 students enrolled in internships with a variety of businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies that ranged from work in Switzerland to the Craters of the Moon National Monument in eastern Idaho. The internship program, one of the most extensive in the West, provides work experience that supplements students’ academic programs.

Boise State enhanced the cultural and ethnic diversity of the community by organizing several new ethnic heritage events.

The university added several events in 2000-2001: African Night, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration, the Micronesian Dinner and Dance Festival and Luau: Island Style. Other more established events also were held: Martin Luther King Jr./Human Rights Celebration, International Food, Song and Dance Festival, the Intertribal Native Council Pow Wow and the Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Student involvement in VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES increased.

More than 1,800 students participated in Volunteer Services Board activities during the 2000-01 academic year, an increase of 400 over the previous year. The Service Learning program received a planning grant from Campus Compact to increase the number of courses that integrate community service into the curriculum.