University of Idaho - I Banner
A student works at a computer

VandalStar

U of I's web-based retention and advising tool provides an efficient way to guide and support students on their road to graduation. Login to VandalStar.

University of Idaho

Physical Address:
1031 N. Academic Way,
Suite 242
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

Phone: 208-667-2588

Fax: 208-664-1272

Email: cdactr@uidaho.edu

Web: uidaho.edu/cda

U of I CDA Directory Directions

Coeur d'Alene Newsletter - Summer 2021

A balcony overlooking Coeur d'Alene Lake, with the text "Summer 2021."

From the desk of Charles Buck

Welcome back to U of I Coeur d’Alene, students! We enjoy seeing the parking lots fill up as the new semester begins. Center staff have organized Welcome Week to bring all our students into the Vandal family.

Summer at the Coeur d’Alene center has been busy as usual. Our Dign’IT high school STEM internships wrapped up last week. A dozen talented seniors and juniors from Post Falls to Wallace experienced real-world, paid employment in tech roles with our corporate partners. Thanks to our program sponsors and host companies.

Dign’IT high school STEM internships

Do these outreach efforts have real impact? Students report this experience changes the trajectory of their future. Consider intern Laura Moler. She participated in our middle school coding camp years ago led by Computer Science Department Head Terry Soule. That experience got her hooked on programming. After graduating from Post Falls High this spring, she interned this summer with Cyber Self-Defense and is now pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering at U of I in Moscow. Five other interns have been asked to stay on with their companies once the summer is done. Most of this year’s interns have expressed interest in attending U of I. We’re proud to take the opportunity to reach out to local K-12 students and industries in ways that make a positive difference in our communities and for our institution.

Laura Moler in 2014 and 2021.

This is my last summer with U of I Coeur d’Alene. I am moving across the country to explore new opportunities and spend more time with family. I want to especially call out the work of our great staff at the center. These dedicated professionals take on projects with independence and an entrepreneurial drive, and they always achieve great results. The more than 200 Vandals who enjoyed our first ever Vandals in the Park celebration last month know what I am talking about. What an amazing party - don’t miss it next year! It is an honor to work with these wonderful colleagues:

Margaret Hurlocker, Patti Davenport, Shelly Robson, Ann McNamara, Katie Marshall, Sheri Bullock, Christina Cox, Helena Harned, Wanda Quinn, Marie Schmidt, Nick Krenowicz, Mike Wood, Darren Thompson and John Wieser.

I am confident that this team will effectively continue to fulfill the mission of the university. Please join me in thanking them for all their good work.

See you further up the creek!

Charles Buck
buck@uidaho.edu


Noteworthy

Computer Science Department at NIC

Students interact with a robot.

Our robots are on the move! After four years downtown, the Coeur d’Alene Computer Science team has found a new home on the North Idaho College campus. This move creates a more seamless transition for students starting a cybersecurity or computer science degree at NIC. It also allows for greater collaboration with the Venture Network, where our FANUC robot is housed, and our friends in the Gizmo makerspace. Stop by and say hello to the U of I team in the Hedlund building.

Dig’nIT Season 9 Recap

Dig’nIT participants

After a smaller 2020 season, Dig’nIT returned with great energy this summer. We hosted three camps at the Harbor Center and brought four of our coding camps to the Boys & Girls Club locations in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene. We also teamed up with Growing the STEM to add camps all about the magic of math. More than 1,100 students have participated in a Dig’nIT camp or internship since the program’s inception in 2013.

Training Idaho’s Teachers

K-12 teachers at an airplane hanger.

For a second year, our professional development program, Integrating Education and Careers, brought K-12 teachers across Kootenai County for a behind-the-scenes look at local business demands. The conversations and connections created through this program drive meaningful relationships to help bridge the gap between classrooms and industries. This program is made possible with support from the Idaho Workforce Development Council. The U of I Coeur d’Alene also led the effort to expand computer science and cybersecurity dual credit programs statewide by offering teacher trainings in Boise, Idaho Falls and Coeur d’Alene. This annual effort is supported by Idaho STEM Action Center.

Idaho Public Archaeology in North Idaho

A student participates in the excavation of Fort Sherman.

In June, U of I’s Idaho Public Archaeology led more than 20 students in a two-week excavation of Fort Sherman, a 19th century military installation on the traditional Coeur d’Alene homeland known as Hnch'mqinkwe'. Undergraduate and graduate students from U of I, NIC and UC Berkeley worked with the tribe in hopes of uncovering new historical perspectives from the site. Listen to this interview with Professor Mark Warner to hear what the team took away from the dig.


North Idaho Vandal Features

Social Media

For more frequent updates, highlights and events from your Vandal Family across North Idaho, join the conversation on these channels:

If you have an upcoming event or feature you’d like to see on the web, social media, digital displays or our next newsletter, send details to kmarshall@uidaho.edu.

University of Idaho

Physical Address:
1031 N. Academic Way,
Suite 242
Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814

Phone: 208-667-2588

Fax: 208-664-1272

Email: cdactr@uidaho.edu

Web: uidaho.edu/cda

U of I CDA Directory Directions