NEWS
APRIL 30, 2019 | ARBITERONLINE.COM
BOISE STATE HIRES FIRST FEMALE PRESIDENT
Marlene Tromp is selected as the seventh president of the university Ximena Bustillo | Online Editor | onlineeditor@stumedia.boisestate.edu
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n April 23, the Idaho State Board of Education held a special meeting in the Stueckle Sky Center of Boise State University. The subject of this meeting was to finalize the contacting of the university’s seventh president. After a process including a previously failed search and over 60 new candidates, Marlene Tromp was hired as the university’s first female president. Tromp is the former campus provost and executive vice chancellor of University of California Santa Cruz. The president-elect visited Boise State in March and left a positive impression with both the faculty and student groups. For Tromp, the positive impression was mutual. “I really felt like I connected with the community while I was here, and I think that is what drove the excitement,” Tromp said. “I think people felt like the things that I had to bring is what Boise State needed, and I think they felt like I understood who they were, and it just felt almost magical to come in and interview.” The selection committee’s announcement was made in the Stueckle Sky Center, in front of a packed crowd. “This is an exciting day,” said member of the Idaho State Board of Education Linda Clark. “I have been reminded on a daily basis that this has been a long time coming.” Tromp was invited to come to campus to speak to the Boise State and City of Boise communities following the state board’s announcement. “I am so excited to advance education in the state of Idaho,” Tromp said. “I am so excited to see where we can take Boise State, our students and our faculty together.” Tromp explained that she is thankful
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Marlene Tromp was welcomed to campus after her presidential acceptance speech. Mackenzie Hudson | The Arbiter not only for the process of the Idaho State Board of Education, but also the support that she has received from the Boise community. “I want to be able to do for other young people, what people did for me,” Tromp said. “I want to lead the effort so that we can do even more. Already, Boise State is leading in innovative thinking and change. The city of Boise and Idaho has already
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shown the nation. With students like these, you can change the entire outreach of the future.” Tromp cites two characteristics that drew her to Boise State. The first is Boise State’s willingness to try new things and to be innovative and open to moving forward. The second is the extraordinary growth and the sense of community. “It says something about the kinds of
ways in which the institution continues to trailblaze, if they were willing to bring in a young woman president who had big ideas for the university to take its next step,” Tromp said. Associated Students of Boise State University President Kaleb Smith was the student representative on the presidential search committee. Smith said he is very excited for the opportunity to work with Tromp. “As a member of the Presidential Screening Committee, I am beyond enthusiastic about the result of this process. As students, we deal with all kinds of issues across campus including diversity and inclusion, financial aid, mental health, Title IX, etcetera,” Smith said. “I am confident Dr. Tromp will not only be receptive to our concerns, but I believe she understands that students are the heart of the university and will join us to take tangible actions to further the student experience for all students.” Being a first-generation college student herself, one of Tromp’s main areas of focus will be helping potential and current first-generation college students succeed at Boise State. Additionally, Tromp told The Arbiter that she looks forward to working with students, student organizations and understanding current campus processes. “I really care about students, it’s one of the reasons I love teaching. I will be excited to meet with student organizations and remain connected to the student population, which should be the heart and soul of the university,” Tromp said. Tromp’s presidency will begin on July 1 with a salary of $425,000. “I am proud to join you, so that we can create that pathway, problem-solve and find the innovative solutions together,” Tromp said.
