Presidential communication

Letter from the President

Office of the President, president@uidaho.edu | Sept. 25, 2026

Dear Vandals,

There is a new No. 1 Best Value Public University in the U.S. — your University of Idaho. After seven straight years ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report, the U of I unseated the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to claim the top spot.

The U of I was ranked No. 2 in the country behind North Carolina from 2020-24. This year the Vandals topped the Tar Heels as the best public school in the rankings that are dominated by private institutions.

The national accolade represents the academy quality of the institution compared to the net cost for students, which is bolstered through scholarship support. For Vandals, it translates to affordability and a rich college experience that builds career readiness. Just ask Kamille Mirkin and Jackson Negus.

Mirkin is headed to Madison, Wisconsin, next week for the World Dairy Expo, which is the latest in a series of impactful experiences she has had as a Vandal. The senior agricultural economics major grew up on a small dairy farm near Jerome, but through the U of I Dairy Club and the Agricultural Risk Management Club, she now sees the industry in a new light.

“From my time in high school FFA I heard about risk management, but I didn’t really know what that meant,” Mirkin said. “Through clubs and classes, I’ve met a network of students and discovered there are global opportunities in risk management. I’ve realized the impact that global markets have on Idaho producers and started looking at the big picture of the dairy industry.”

As a Chobani Scholar, Mirkin gained support that allowed her to make the most of her time at the U of I. Last summer she interned for the Dairy Farmers of America at the organization’s headquarters in Kansas City, Kansas. Scholarship support continues to fuel life-changing opportunities outside the classroom and allows students to graduate without crippling debt.

“Without scholarships, the financial burden would have been much more stressful,” Mirkin said. “I would have had to work and would have missed out on a lot of the opportunities I’ve been able to pursue.”

Like Mirkin, Negus arrived at the U of I with a general career focus, but the U of I’s value helped foster hands-on learning so that he could home in on his career goal. Negus graduated last spring and just started working on his master’s degree in accounting at the U of I. As a Graue Scholar in the College of Business and Economics, he took advantage of many opportunities outside the classroom.

“I spent five semesters in the Davis Investment Group, and I worked my way up to portfolio manager,” said Negus, who graduated from Centennial High School in Boise. “We’re trading real capital and doing pitches that result in thousands of dollars being reallocated within the portfolio. Now as a graduate student, my goal is to leave as many doors open as possible and eventually transition into a financial leadership role.”

The Graue Scholars program includes support for professional development trips. Negus has already visited with professionals and industry leaders in Boise, Portland and Denver. Next year he is headed to South Korea to help build his network, learn from business executives and represent the U of I.

“The Graue Scholars trips are really a culmination of all the things we’ve been doing in classes and clubs throughout the year,” Negus said. “I’ve been able to make a lot of great connections. Without scholarships I definitely would not be able to be as involved as I am. I wouldn’t have that time.”

We’re proud to provide students an amazing education at an award-winning value. Through scholarship support, outstanding instruction, world-class research and experiential learning, Vandal students gain skills and experience that set them up for rewarding futures.

Go Vandals!

C. Scott Green
President

Snapshots

New spider species named after the Vandals

A U of I research team discovered a new spider species, Hexura vandal, in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests. The researchers named the species in honor of the Vandals, highlighting the U of I’s growing role in local biodiversity and ecological discovery.
Read about the Vandal spider.

Opportunities abound through campus internships

U of I accounting major Puja Thapa recently earned an internship within U of I’s Division of Finance and Administration. Through hands-on programs like Vandal Solutions and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, U of I students gain real-world business experience. On-campus opportunities provide students with essential practical skills while supporting the university’s broader operational goals.
Learn more about student opportunities.

NSF funding supports resilient microelectronics research

The U of I recently secured an $8 million National Science Foundation grant to advance resilient microelectronics. The project aims to develop more durable electronic systems for modern applications. This funding supports U of I’s status as an R1 research institution, enabling cutting-edge studies in advanced technology.
Learn more about grant research.

Did you know?

Vandal senior Constanze Paoli took first place at the Montana Invite, leading the women’s cross country team to a second-place finish last week.