Idaho State University’s new president nodded to the institution’s history in his inaugural state of the university address Friday. 

Robert Wagner, hired last year as ISU’s 14th president, saluted the university’s resilience through 123 years of transformation. From a college preparatory school launched in 1901 to a technical institute and satellite campus before becoming a standalone four-year college, ISU today is a “modern-day public, comprehensive, residential, research institution.” 

“Each of these episodes represents the institutional roots of a majestic oak tree that are reaching out to embrace a new identity, expanded mission and new opportunities,” Wagner said at the Stephens Performing Arts Center on ISU’s Pocatello campus. 

In perhaps his most public and comprehensive speech since taking the helm, Wagner revealed his administration’s priorities, which will be guided by a spending framework called “opportunity-aligned resourcing.” OAR is a “forward-thinking framework for strategic institutional growth and sustainability,” Wagner said, and it was informed by feedback from ISU community members in recent months. 

“Much like the rudder of a ship, OAR is designed to steer ISU toward future goals by strategically aligning university resources with opportunities leading to mission accomplishment,” Wagner said.

Investing in employees ‘most important’ priority, Wagner says

Wagner listed five areas where ISU will focus its resources: 

Enrollment growth and student success. The university is launching an enrollment management process aimed at expanding its reach geographically and in “more economical” ways, Wagner said. The school will also develop more effective programing, financial aid and course delivery for non-traditional, first-generation and rural students. 

Academics and research. The university will expand its academic portfolio, including additional research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students, to improve retention and better serve the needs of the local and state economy, Wagner said. That includes additional offerings in the health sciences. 

“We reaffirm our commitment and our position as the health sciences leader in the state,” he said. 

Infrastructure. The university is developing a master plan to guide investments in the school’s “significant infrastructure needs,” Wagner said. Administrators are seeking state support, public-private partnerships and philanthropy to finance new academic buildings, residence halls, athletic facilities and creative arts spaces. 

External relations and partnerships. The university is planning its first “comprehensive” capital fundraising campaign in 25 years, Wagner said, and will strengthen “solution-oriented partnerships” with sister institutions, the state government and Idaho National Laboratory as well as churches, charities and Native American tribes.

Employee engagement, empowerment and connection. The last and “most important” priority of Wagner’s administration is investing in faculty and staff, he said. The university will focus on market, equity and retention structures that develop and retain employees and will “empower” employees through shared governance and responsibility. 

“We will invest in the people who are investing their time and efforts to make this institution great,” he said. “Our impact begins with those who make Idaho State University exceptional.” 

ISU budget deficit down 60%

Wagner also shared data showing the university is meeting goals outlined in its strategic plan for 2023 through 2027 and closer to fixing a budget deficit, which existed prior to his administration. 

The school has had three consecutive years of enrollment growth along with a 10.9% increase in student retention, a 12% increase in endowment funds and a 48.5% increase in research expenditures. 

The university, meanwhile, should remedy a $16 million budget deficit more quickly than expected, Wagner said Friday. Thanks to  a “budget optimization process,” which included a hiring freeze, the deficit has been reduced by $9.2 million. 

“This could not have been accomplished without the combined efforts of our faculty, staff and students,” Wagner said. 

State Board president expresses confidence in recent hire

Before moving to Pocatello, Wagner was the executive vice president and chief operating officer at Utah State University, where he oversaw strategic initiatives and enrollment management. He holds a doctorate degree in political science. 

The State Board of Education hired Wagner in December of 2023 to replace former president Kevin Satterlee. Linda Clark, president of the State Board, gave remarks prior to Wagner’s Friday address and attested to the board’s confidence in him. 

“Idaho State University has been on a roll since we last welcomed a president to this campus five years ago,” Clark said. “We fully expect that momentum will continue and build under Dr. Wagner’s leadership.”

University of Idaho President C. Scott Green and Boise State University President Marlene Tromp recently delivered their state of the university addresses, as well. Read about Green’s speech here and Tromp’s speech here.