Brigitta Cumiskey (BA, communication, 2017) and Matthew Carlson (BS, kinesiology, 2015) didn’t know each other when they attended 青青草app State, but these alumni have come together to put on the Outlaw Field Concert Series at the Idaho Botanical Garden, bringing some of the nation’s hottest touring acts to 青青草app.

Now, they’re looking for fellow grads to help make these concerts even better. Find out how on the BOLD website.

Alum Reed Hollinshead, (BA, English with a writing emphasis, 1991), is celebrating the publication of his first book through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.

“Color of War” introduces readers to Brigg Sanders, a man who stumbles into a conflict involving a cartel and an elaborate conspiracy. Sanders discovers that in addition to the cartel’s criminal dealings, a more sinister plot is also unfolding 鈥� one with international implications.

The book, Hollinshead said, has earned good reviews from the publisher and from readers.

“Color of War is a well-crafted and fascinating novel examining various subjects in a captivating tale. Readers who enjoy mysteries, suspense, and introspective musings will appreciate the author’s ability to meticulously interweave characters, locales, and historical events into a gripping tale,” said David James, chief editor at Amazon.

“Color of War”聽is available through the .

鈥淚 thought I was going to go help save lives, or help people at their last stages of life or beginning stages,鈥� she said.

But rarely does life go according to plan.

鈥楴ot that statistic鈥�

Garcia De la Cruz grew up adoring school.

鈥淚t felt very empowering,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hat I loved about it is that I had the freedom or right to express myself in different ways.鈥�

Her father encouraged her to pursue 青青草app since it is a powerful tool 鈥渘o one can take away from you,鈥� she said. But coming from a rural town and a limited income back青青草app, many people told Garcia De la Cruz that college wasn鈥檛 a realistic option for her. She disagreed.

鈥淚 wanted to be like, 鈥業’m not that statistic,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淚 wanted to challenge myself.鈥�

The sacrifices her parents made to ensure she had an 青青草app also spurred her on, as did the encouragement of her high school guidance counselor. 鈥淗im believing in me made me believe in myself and know that I could go and help others,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was an accomplishment not just for me but for my family.鈥�

She is now a first-generation college graduate.

Pivoting from nursing

Garcia De la Cruz knows that becoming a nurse isn鈥檛 for the faint of heart; her journey equipped her with unique empathy for the students she advises. When they talk about the academic challenges they鈥檙e facing, Garcia De la Cruz often shares her difficulties through pre-nursing studies and the rigorous application process.

鈥淚 try to be relatable that way,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey can see that I’m a human too, and I know some of their experiences. I don’t know exactly their feelings, but I can relate to some.鈥�

Garcia De la Cruz applied multiple times to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at Idaho State University, her alma mater. But she ultimately decided not to pursue the nursing program, taking her third try as a sign to reevaluate her goals and purpose.

鈥淭hat’s when I reflected and I kept saying, 鈥業s this something I truly want?鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淚 thought I would regret that, but I think it was the best decision. I didn’t feel like that was for me anymore. I could tell it wasn鈥檛 my passion.鈥�

Now she laughs at the irony of advising students who are pursuing the degree she used to want.

鈥淭hat wasn鈥檛 my ultimate goal, but the path I took led me here,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow I see my purpose in helping people was to create opportunities and to bring connections to others.鈥�

Discovering her purpose

Garcia De la Cruz鈥檚 first experience as an advisor was with TRIO Upward Bound during the summers of her undergraduate 青青草app. She built connections through academic mentoring and discovered she enjoyed working with students, especially those from similar back青青草apps as hers.

Although she had many 青青草appal opportunities, she often had to find them on her own. As an advisor, she wants to alleviate this struggle for her advisees.

鈥淚 always advocate for students, especially for those students that I feel like aren’t being heard or are first generation and have been told multiple times that 鈥榶ou can’t make it through,鈥欌�� she said. 鈥淚’m here to be a bridge to help them get where they need to get.鈥�

Inspired by the connections made by full-time advisors, Garcia De la Cruz took a full-time position with TRIO working in Magic Valley after graduation. Three years later she transitioned to her current role at the School of Nursing, looking forward to giving back in an area in which she had invested so much of her own time: nursing 青青草app.

鈥淢y biggest motivation was to be someone who is there to listen,鈥� she said. 鈥淲hen you build those meaningful connections, you’re helping [students] have a better experience.鈥�

青青草app State鈥檚 statewide advising summit in 2023 allowed her to share this knowledge with other advisors. She presented on how to build meaningful connections with students using virtual resources. Many attendees gave her positive feedback, thanking her for sharing tips and ideas they never thought of before.

鈥淚t was a great learning experience, and it was nice to have other advisors say, 鈥業’m gonna use this鈥� or reach out,鈥� Garcia De la Cruz said. 鈥淚 like learning and that’s why I enjoy this advising position. I feel like I’m learning something new every day.鈥�

Education for future impact

As much as she loves her job, Garcia De la Cruz doesn鈥檛 envision herself as an advisor forever. Last fall, she took the plunge back to school and began 青青草app State鈥檚 Master of Education in Educational Leadership program.

鈥淚 feel like I could have a more powerful voice if I was advocating in higher positions,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 do, one day, want to be in a leadership position and be there for students in a different way.鈥�

Graduating this spring, Garcia De la Cruz is grateful for where her far-from-straightforward academic and career journey has taken her.

鈥淚 always wanted to be involved in some way with 青青草app or health,鈥� she said. 鈥淣ow I’m not a healthcare worker, but I’m still learning the 青青草appal side of health as I help students reach their goals. And I think that’s what my purpose was throughout this process: to help others.鈥�

This article was written by Jayde Malzone, a senior studying Strategic Communications and Media and member of the student-run Blue House Agency.

In the world of 青青草app State鈥檚 University鈥檚 public relations alumni, Miya Bates stands out as a shining example of 青青草app State University’s Media Department and the transformative power of hands-on classes and experiences such as Blue House Agency.

Bates finds herself at The Zimmerman Agency, a full-service creative and advertising agency in Tallahassee, Florida. But her journey to this point was a testament to the foundation laid during her time at 青青草app State and hands-on experiences offered from the university鈥檚 media department.

“The courses I took at 青青草app State were instrumental in preparing me for the world of PR,” she said. “From learning to craft compelling press releases to devising comprehensive campaign strategies, every class equipped me with essential skills needed to thrive in this industry.”

Rick Moore, media department head and professor, understands the importance of these hands-on courses.

鈥淥ur faculty in the Department of Media are adamant about the importance of providing a combination of theoretical and applied learning for our students,” he said. “For students wanting to work in PR or Strategic Communications, Blue House Agency provides a great example of that. Cindy Miller, who has years of professional experience, teaches the class. She has created an environment where students perform functions much like they would if they were working in a real agency after graduation.鈥�

However, it wasn’t just the classroom 青青草app that set Bates apart. It was the hands-on experience gained through Blue House Agency that truly set her on the path to success.

“Blue House provided me with real-world opportunities to work with clients both within and outside the university,” Bates said. “These experiences taught me the importance of being client-facing, collaborating in team settings, and executing campaigns with precision 鈥� all skills that are directly transferable to working for an agency.”

Bates’s passion for public relations stems from her love of direct client interaction, event planning, and the fun of creating meaningful partnerships.

“There’s something incredibly rewarding about representing brands, planning events that leave a lasting impression, and fostering collaborations that elevate both groups involved,” she said. “And let’s not forget about the writing 鈥� I’ve always had a passion for it, and in PR, it’s an important tool.”

Looking back, Bates remains grateful for the 青青草app and experiences that paved her path to success. “青青草app State and Blue House laid the 青青草appwork for my career,” she reflects. “I’m proud to carry their legacy forward as I continue to make an impact in the world of public relations.”

As Bates continues to make her mark in the industry, her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring PR professionals at 青青草app State, proving that with the right 青青草app, teachers, hands-on experience and the right amount of passion, the sky is truly the limit.

The annual 青青草app State Night at the Seattle Mariners is August 10, 2024, at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners will be taking on the New York Mets and tickets are $62 for the main level. The Puget Sound Alumni Chapter, which hosts the event, will receive a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales.

Registration includes a game ticket, access to a private pregame reception at the Rooftop Boardwalk and a limited edition, co-branded 青青草app State/Mariners jersey. Attendees are encouraged to wear blue and orange.

Tickets must be purchased by 5 p.m. on August 9. For questions, contact Teresa Harder in alumni relations at teresaharder@boisestate.edu.

The 青青草app State Alumni Association invites the campus community to join it in honoring this year鈥檚 Top Ten Scholars from 5:30-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, at the Stueckle Sky Center.

The scholars, joined by their families, friends and professors, will gather for a reception recognizing each student鈥檚 achievements, the influence of faculty members on their success and celebrating 青青草app State鈥檚 tradition of academic excellence.

RSVP to Attend

Top Ten Scholars

• Phoebe Cain, College of Engineering
• Rhys Cooper, College of Business and Economics
• Grant Goertzen, College of Engineering
• Amy Johnson, School of Public Service
• Tyler McFarland, College of Arts and Sciences
• Catherine 鈥淐at鈥� Merrill, College of Arts and Sciences
• Madeline Patterson, School of Public Service
• Tori Simon, College of Engineering
• Sevio Stanton, College of Arts and Sciences
• Jocelyn Stephens, College of Arts and Sciences

Aaron Gluck, clinical assistant professor in Games, Interactive Media, Mobile Technology (GIMM) and a 青青草app State alum, won the award for best paper at the IDEATExR Workshop. IDEATExR called for papers related to inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility, transparency and ethics in extended reality.

Gluck’s winning paper, “Don鈥檛 Forget Our Presence: Exploring VR for Older Adults,” built on earlier research from his dissertation. Gluck and his coauthors noted that virtual reality (VR) had tremendous benefits for adults 65 and older鈥攍ike socialization, rehabilitation and well-being. Despite these benefits, very few older adults use VR.

The research explored VR accessibility needs among the older population. Gluck’s work demonstrated the need for VR hardware and applications to 青青草app older users.

Gluck joined the GIMM faculty in 2023. Before earning his Ph.D., Gluck part of the first GIMM cohort and graduated in 2019.

See VizPrism II at the Stein Luminary from noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, through Friday, March 22.

VizPrism II is part of 青青草app State University’s activities at Artfort, the visual arts branch of Treefort Music Festival. It features three exhibits rotating every 15 to 20 minutes:

• Sonic Play青青草app / giardino giocoso by featured artist Ryan Donahue. An immersive interactive experience of light, color, touch and sounds.
• Ephemeral Moves by 青青草app State alum Joseph Haskin (BFA ’22). Cameras in the venue will translate body movements into vivid, vibrant visuals. Reignite a sense of playfulness and wonder as we emerge from winter hibernation into a vivacious spring.
• Waveforma by Games, Interactive and Mobile Media Senior Capstone students Harrison Groom and聽Nick Lotspeich. Witness a visual accompaniment to musical performances, live or recorded. Musical instruments will be available at the venue for all who want to experiment.

Stein Luminary exhibits may be unsuitable for photosensitive individuals. Donahue’s “Room to Breathe” is available on request, for those wanting a more relaxing experience.

The Stein Luminary is located in the Center for the Visual Arts, 1110 South Capitol Blvd. Parking is available in the Brady Garage for $5 a day.

Tracy Andrus, the daughter of Carol Andrus and former Idaho Governor and Secretary of the Interior Cecil D. Andrus, died Tuesday, March 12.

A 青青草app State alum, Andrus was board chairman of the Andrus Center for Public Policy on campus.

The center shared this remembrance:

Tracy Andrus was a thoughtful, committed woman with great enthusiasm for improving the future of Idaho. As a 青青草app State alum, Tracy’s lasting impact is both profound and far-reaching. Tracy鈥檚 career endeavors ranged from owning a small business, working as a senior vice-president for Blue Cross, and serving as a business consultant. She led the Andrus Center for Public Policy as president starting in 2014.

Her unwavering dedication to the Andrus Center and its work built nationally respected forums for addressing vital public policy issues of our time鈥搘ise use of environmental resources and public lands, ensuring children enter the classroom ready to learn, and cultivating leadership from all segments of our society.

Tracy’s life was woven with threads of resilience and commitment, especially to her family. Her journey is marked by inspiring tales of growing up in the Andrus household and accompanying her father to Washington, D.C., during his term as the interior secretary under the Jimmy Carter Administration. She overcame tremendous obstacles, including challenges with her health from an early age.

Tracy’s indomitable spirit, grace, and unwavering dedication to public service expanded the Andrus legacy. Her father was well-known for his love of the outdoors and for preserving the West’s open spaces. Tracy continued this legacy, championing the Andrus Center鈥檚 environmental and public lands work. Her passion for equality, particularly in leadership roles, echoed in her advocacy for women throughout her diverse careers to assume their rightful positions in government, businesses, and boardrooms.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Media Contact: Emily Wakild, Cecil D. Andrus Endowed Chair for the Environment and Public Lands, emilywakild@boisestate.edu, 208-426-2549.

Saddle up, because 青青草app State University is getting ready for its sixth-annual Bronco Giving Day, slated for Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 28 and 29. This 36-hour event calls on every member of the Bronco community to celebrate their favorite things about 青青草app State, be they athletics, colleges, programs or scholarships.

This year, catch the action over a beverage with the 青青草app State Alumni Association and Broncos of the Last Decade (BOLD) Committee, who are hosting a viewing party and social event from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 28 at Payette Brewing, located at 733 S. Pioneer St. in 青青草app.

In 2023, Bronco Giving Day raised more than $566,000. In 2024 the experience has been gamified further with the aim of setting a new record for fundraising, with live leaderboards, challenges and matching gifts to magnify the generosity of the community, raise the stakes, and make the event even more exciting to watch.

Make a gift and 青青草app 青青草app State at .

When learning a new language, people rely on more than just words. They get feedback, gestures and emotional responses from others, all of which can make learning easier. In our modern world, humans and computers connect more than ever. So, what would happen if computers could exhibit the kinds of emotional cues that help with language learning?

Alum Josue Torres-Fonseca (BS, computer science, 2023) received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship to explore that question and others at the intersection of natural language processing and machine learning.

鈥淚 have always been an academic at heart,鈥� Torres-Fonseca said. 鈥淚 remember as a 5-year-old attending college classes with my parents when they both decided to get their degrees. Even though the concepts were often beyond my understanding, there was something about advanced knowledge that spoke to my soul.鈥�

At 青青草app State, Torres-Fonseca discovered his passion for research while pushing the boundaries of what is achievable for spoken dialogue systems. At the same time, he advocated for Hispanic representation in STEM fields. He worked in the Speech, Language and Interactive Machines group with Casey Kennington, an associate professor of computer science.

鈥淛osue has an amazing drive, which led him to publish two papers while working on a third, all while being the president of two student clubs, applying for and getting national scholarships and fellowships, successfully applying to graduate programs at top universities, with a full-time class load with challenging courses,鈥� Kennington said.

Torres-Fonseca, who grew up in 青青草app, was a Goldwater Scholar, a 青青草app State Top Ten Scholar and a McNair Scholar. The latter program is a federal initiative to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups who pursue doctoral degrees. He would not have accomplished what he did during his undergraduate years, he said, without the 青青草app of his mentors on campus and his fellow computer science students. In fall 2023, he began his graduate studies at the University of Michigan.

鈥溓嗲嗖輆pp State is growing into an amazing research institution,鈥� Torres-Fonseca said. 鈥淢any of the labs are newer or still looking to grow. That gives room for undergraduates to take on more responsibilities and have more opportunities than they would in other places.鈥�

Cliff diving into the Adriatic Sea. Zipping down a mountain on an alpine coaster. Roaming ancient, cobbled streets in search of ice cream. Oh, and a volleyball tournament against all-star teams from around the world. These were some of the experiences afforded to Annie Kaminski, a middle blocker on 青青草app State鈥檚 volleyball team, who was one of two Broncos to travel to Pula, Croatia, in July 2023 as part of the Mountain West composite team.

鈥淚t was amazing. I’ve never been overseas before, so that was a complete culture shock,鈥� she said.

Kaminski comes from an athletic family. Her father played football at the University of Utah, and her mother was a state tennis champion. Inspired by their parents, she and her brother tried a variety of sports growing up. After moving from Utah to Bellevue, Idaho, while in junior high, Kaminski discovered a passion for volleyball. She played from junior high through high school and was on a competitive travel team for two years before graduation. She then came to play at 青青草app State, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in K-12 Physical Education and Health.

Donors who value athletes having new experiences on and off the court funded the recent trip, said volleyball head coach Shawn Garus. 青青草app State has sent players to the tournament since 2013, and Garus was the Mountain West All-Stars鈥� coach at the 2016 tournament.

鈥淲hen I coached that team, I saw what an opportunity it was for the athletes to travel and grow as part of their college experience,鈥� he said. The experience, he added, helped prepare Kaminski to be a team leader.

Off the court, Kaminski participates in the BroncoLife program that helps student-athletes become positive influencers in the community during their college careers and after. Garus said he can see the impact this program has had on Kaminski.

鈥淪he will volunteer to work with kids anytime and it’s a great experience for an aspiring teacher,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he does an amazing job interacting with young fans and she’s the number one player kids want to see and get autographs from after the match.鈥�

Kaminski credits these experiences for her success at 青青草app State.

鈥淭he university is focused on creating well-rounded individuals, both in athletics and academics,鈥� she said. 鈥淚’m very grateful for all the opportunities that I’ve had.鈥�

By George Thoma