Austen Hunzeker
News Editor
Pocatello, ID — Idaho State University President Robert Wagner held his annual university address on Sept. 17, highlighting both areas of growth and shortcomings to the Bengal and Pocatello community.
From a stage at Davis Field, Wagner shared that ISU’s mission is to engage students through learning and research opportunities that improve the intellectual vigor, cultural vitality and health of surrounding communities.
“Despite the difficulties, we remain rooted in our institutional values of integrity, community, inclusivity, teamwork, shared responsibility and learning,” Wagner said. “We wish our salaries and wages were higher, vacations longer, parking easier and budgets bigger, but we continue to climb despite the obstacles.”
Referring to the five areas of emphasis at ISU identified during his first year as president through hearing student and faculty feedback, Wagner reported on significant enrollment growth and student success.
Fall enrollment increased by over 500 students to 10,402 compared to last fall. Total undergraduate enrollment is at 9,152, the highest it’s been since 2015, with new first time undergraduate enrollment being the highest since 2011, continuing undergraduate student enrollment being the highest since 2018 and total undergraduate degree seeking enrollment being the highest since 2017.
“You catching on?” Wagner said. “The retention rate for 10th day fall 2025 is 74.1%, a 2% increase, the highest retention rate we have ever seen at Idaho State University.”
In terms of the academic and research focus for ISU, the university is up $11 million more in research award dollars.
“The total number of awards remains fairly constant, but the award size continues to increase which demonstrates a continued commitment to more complex awards, focusing on partnerships and collaboration across ISU and with university and industry researchers across the world,” Wagner said. “This in a time of uncertainty at the federal level is a truly amazing accomplishment.”
Wagner commented on continuing to support and highlight faculty accomplishments as well as how they benefit students.
In advancing and enhancing physical infrastructure, $14 million in capital funds from the state’s Permanent Building Fund Advisory Council (PIPFAC) and the state legislature was received to begin the new life sciences building project, which will begin the design phase of development later this semester.
“I know we have all been inconvenienced a bit by construction and renovation projects around campus,” Wagner said. “However, we aren’t going to be able to continue climbing as an institution without improved facilities and resources that support our mission. We are and will build with the future in mind.”
For the external relations and partnerships emphasis update, Wagner revealed that ISU signed eight new memorandums of understanding in the last year, the most in the university’s history.
“The agreements are focused on strengths and efficiencies that help us meet our public mission and signal to state leaders we are an institution that works well with others,” Wagner said. “ISU is ready to take a leadership role in Idaho’s system of public higher education institutions.”
Partnerships with the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM), Lewis and Clark State College (LC State), College of Eastern Idaho (CEI), Boise State University (BSU), and the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) have also been in the works this year.
The fifth university emphasis, employee engagement, empowerment, and connection, revealed a 3% holdback for this year’s budget.
“Earlier in the summer, we celebrated ISU’s first balanced budget in over 10 years,” Wagner said. “Now, with the holdback and other external factors, we are faced with a steep and rugged climb ahead.”
According to Wagner, a plan is in place to combat this issue and will be adjusted as needed.
“As we look ahead to next year and are being told to plan for even more holdbacks, we are looking forward and we’re looking up,” Wagner said. “No doubt we will see changes and impacts as we build, as we must build, so our budgets, organizations, and revenue will be more resilient going forward.”
Wagner is confident in adapting and overcoming, but does not plan to stop ISU’s positive momentum or employ indiscriminate cuts. A website is currently under development to outline the existing and new benefits provided to university employees.
“We won’t always get what we want, but we will see an honest effort and commitment to you,” Wagner said. “We will continue the important work of aligning our salary and wages to best practices. Our people, you, are the most important part of Idaho State University. You are what makes ISU great.”
