CWI to name new academic center in honor of Micron partnership

BOISE — College of Western Idaho and Micron Technology announced a naming gift Wednesday that will designate CWI’s new Boise location as the Micron Academic Center, continuing a partnership between the two institutions that stretches back more than a decade.

The announcement was made during a celebratory event in Boise, where Micron leaders joined CWI’s Board of Trustees and college President Gordon Jones. The gift amount was not disclosed.

The Micron Academic Center will house CWI’s information technology, cybersecurity and business programs in purpose-built labs and learning spaces. The facility will also allow the college to consolidate programs currently spread across leased Ada County locations into a single, permanent campus. Construction remains on schedule, with the center expected to open to students in fall 2027.

Jones said the gift reflects Micron’s longstanding investment in Idaho’s educational future.

“Micron’s extraordinary generosity reflects a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives, strengthen families, and fuel Idaho’s economy,” Jones said. “The Micron Academic Center will stand as a beacon of opportunity ― a place where students from all backgrounds can gain the knowledge and skills to thrive in high-demand careers.”

The relationship between CWI and Micron dates to 2012, when the Micron Foundation supported completion of the Micron Education Center in Nampa, which strengthened career-technical programs and expanded access to industry-aligned training. That building will be renamed the Micron Technical Education Building. The partnership has since grown to include scholarships, program support and apprenticeship pathways in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor fields.

April Arnzen, executive vice president and chief people officer at Micron Technology and president of the Micron Foundation, said the new center advances nearly 20 years of shared work.

“The Micron Academic Center builds on that legacy by establishing a beautiful, accessible learning environment that brings education, industry and community together,” Arnzen said.

The new facility is part of a larger mixed-use development that includes retail, housing, a hotel and a parking garage. CWI partnered with Ahlquist, Hummel Architects, Paradigm and ESI Construction on the project.

This story was written using AI with human oversight.