Boise State School of Public Service

In the spring of 2026, a cohort of Boise State students will spend their semester living, interning and studying in Washington, D.C. through the School of Public Service's Capital Connection program. They'll have the chance to test-drive their careers in public affairs through internships in a field of their choice. Past internship placements have included Congress, think tanks, and the Supreme Court. This unique hands-on learning opportunity can make all the difference in a student's academic and professional journeys.

To learn more and apply for the 2026 Capital Connection program, visit boisestate.edu/sps/dc.

As siting for renewable energy resource plants gains momentum in the mountain west, Sophia Borgias, assistant professor of environmental studies, and fellow researcher Meg Mills-Novoa (UC Berkeley) are studying how local communities are affected by these developments.

The project was first inspired by conversations at the 2022 Great Basin Water Justice Summit, where local residents brought to light the challenges with a wave of renewable energy and critical mineral projects in their communities. In particular, residents are concerned about the exacerbation of water issues in the Great Basin region due to the development of geothermal, lithium and solar plants. "There is so much at stake in this region long misconstrued as an empty desert wasteland - it is a story that needs to be told," said Borgias.

Borgias and her fellow researchers are helping to visualize the effects of the proposed developments and uplift the voices of community members who live with these changes.

While the research is taking place primarily in Nevada, Borgias shared the applicability of the findings to Idaho, saying, "Idaho communities are also grappling with questions of how and where to site renewable energy and critical mineral projects in ways that are sensitive to local, Indigenous, and environmental interests."

Borgias and her research team were recently awarded a Sloan Foundation grant to support their studies, which include interviews and community workshops, as well as water rights, policy analysis and the creation of an interactive geospatial (GIS) platform for visualizing energy transition development. "Our hope is that the project will provide insight into low-conflict siting and community engagement practices that are relevant to energy transition development happening across the West."

More about Sophia Borgias, PhD: https://experts.boisestate.edu/en/persons/sophia-borgias

𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙨𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙩𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩: 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙘𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙩𝙝
As a PhD student, Dr. Alex Artiles took a course from a professor who helped her realize why health policy is so vital to understand: healthcare access, quality, and cost can be the difference between life and death.

Now, as an assistant professor of political science in the School of Public Service, she’s educating students on major healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid, helping them articulate arguments for various moral debates in health policy, and teaching students how to become evidence-based consumers of information.

Learn more about summer courses at Boise State: boisestate.edu/summer

At The Bridge Youth and Family Resource Center, Boise State University Department of Criminal Justice alum Audrey uses her degree to help prevent youth from involvement, or further involvement in the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. In her role as a family engagement specialist, she connects families with supportive services in the community, like counseling, su***de intervention, mentoring and basic needs.

While studying at Boise State, Audrey completed a 7 month internship with Ada County Juvenile Services, where she developed a passion for advocacy.

Audrey shared of her degree in criminal justice, "My degree prepared me in many ways that I didn’t think it would! The opportunity to intern was a huge one, as it allowed me to experience and apply my education into a potential career. It allowed me to explore the world of criminal justice through various populations."

Learn more about Boise State's criminal justice program at: boisestate.edu/sps-criminaljustice

Check out The Bridge's website: https://adacounty.id.gov/thebridge/

Check out this feature about our spring 2025 urban studies field school!

Last weekend, Katie graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, where she learned about victimology, juvenile justice and policing, applying her skills in real time to her role as a Senior Security Officer in Boise State's Department of Public Safety.

"Being able to have hands-on experience with what I was learning in the field was such a unique experience. I loved being able to connect with students in and outside of my job to make a unique impact on campus," she shared.

More about Boise State's criminal justice program at boisestate.edu/sps-criminaljustice

Tuesday's School of Public Service Commitment to Idaho Awards Ceremony recognized multiple exemplary internal and external leaders. City of Boise Mayor Lauren McLean was this year's Commitment to Idaho Award honoree, and Jeff Tucker of Idaho Public Television was the 2025 recipient of the Enhancing Public Discourse Award.

Faculty and staff members Linsey Belisle, Brian Thompson, Chris Courtheyn, Heather Timothy, Sophia Borgias, Daneva Vance, Libby Lunstrum and Matthew May were recognized with internal commitment awards.

Learn more on the event page: https://www.boisestate.edu/sps/public/commitment-to-idaho/

At yesterday's Commitment to Idaho Awards Ceremony, Senior Associate Dean Giacomazzi read a proclamation signed by Idaho Governor Brad Little, which declares May 13, 2025 as Boise State University School of Public Service Day.

The proclamation highlights the good work of SPS faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners in preparing adept public servants for successful careers in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. 🎉👏

Yesterday’s ROTC Commissioning Ceremony marked a very important milestone for these cadets, as they completed their student program and became commissioned officers in the United States military.

At the ceremony, cadets take their Oaths of Office, are pinned with their new rank by friends and family members, and participate in the First Salute. Yesterday’s ceremony also featured student awards and a speech by Boise State Football Head Coach Spencer Danielson.

Boise State Military Programs