Nick Swayne has led North Idaho College for three years, guiding the institution through significant governance challenges that resulted in accreditation issues. His most significant recent accomplishment was helping restore NIC from “Show-Cause” status to probation with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities in January 2025.

“During the last Commission review in January 2025 ― the Commission acknowledged the exceptional progress made by the institution, moved us up one level to probation, and gave us one additional year to meet the remaining requirements for good standing,” Swayne said.

He holds a Ph.D. in postsecondary strategic leadership, graduated from U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and earned an MPA from Northeastern University and bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Idaho. After retiring from the Army, Swayne worked at a Virginia university while completing his doctorate.

Under his leadership, NIC enrollment has increased nearly 30% since fall 2023. His goals include another 5% enrollment increase and deploying five new two-plus-two programs with University of Idaho in engineering, education, business, culinary arts and visual/performing arts.

Dr. Cynthia Pemberton has led Lewis-Clark State College for eight years, guiding the institution through efforts to rename it from “College” to “University.” This change would more accurately reflect the range and scope of career technical and academic programs the Lewiston-based institution offers.

“LC State has been engaging campus and community efforts to evolve its naming moniker from College to University,” Pemberton said. “This change will more accurately reflect the range and scope of the career technical and academic programs LC State offers; and more completely reflect our education mission.”

Pemberton holds a Doctor of Education degree in educational leadership and has served as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar to Malta and Jordan. Her career spans decades from instructor to tenured professor across community colleges, private undergraduate institutions and public universities.

LC State serves as North Idaho’s health care education leader, offering programs from workforce training to master’s level nursing. The institution focuses on first-generation college students with financial limitations.

“Growing up I wanted to be an astronaut,” she said. “At that time women couldn’t be astronauts.”

C. Scott Green has a non-traditional background in his path to the presidential office of the University of Idaho. He was serving as the global chief operating and financial officer for Hogan Lovells when he was offered the chance to lead his alma mater.

He stepped into his president role at the University of Idaho six years ago when the school needed financial redirection and since doing so, has been able to lead the institution back to financial health.

Today, the school has record enrollments, is recognized as a leading R1 research university and has had a successful $500 million capital campaign. As for the future, there are big things on the horizon.

“Over the past year, we have undertaken a comprehensive process to formulate the new strategic plan for the University of Idaho which will be unveiled this fall,” Green shared. “I am immensely proud of the results. It is forward-looking, innovative and will uniquely position the university for continued success.”

“A deeply relational leader, Mark believes in the power of mentorship, teamwork and collaborative decision-making,” according to his background. His leadership philosophy is rooted in servant leadership and commitment to student success across academics, athletics and spiritual formation.

DeMichael holds an Ed.D. in educational leadership from University of the Cumberlands, an M.Ed. in physical education from Azusa Pacific University, and a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Eastern Nazarene College, his alma mater where he also served as faculty and head baseball coach.

He is committed to NNU’s mission of holistic education through transformation, truth, community and service, focusing on strengthening enrollment, fostering church relationships and ensuring financial sustainability while building upon the university’s rich legacy.

Doug Brigham brings a wealth of experience to his role as CEO of the College of Idaho. Before his current role, he had a successful 20-year career in financial and operational leadership with Washington Group International (formerly Morrison Knudsen Corporation), where he served in several leadership roles.

He then worked for TitleOne Corporation and established himself as one of the leading regional title and escrow agents in the western United States.

While he served in these roles, Brigham taught finance courses at the College of Idaho and served on the board of trustees. In 2024, he stepped into the position of president at the school, and in June 2025, he moved to the role of CEO to continue to spearhead the school’s growth.

“We are having great success in fundraising, and we continue to be the premier academic institution in Idaho,” Brigham said of the school. “Our students will have even more opportunities with our Do More in Four curriculum, and … the college is in a position to continue to drive even more innovation and academic excellence.”

Eric Anderson has led employer relations and experiential learning at University of Idaho Career Services for 12 years, expanding opportunities for students across all majors. He said his recent accomplishment was broadening the Co-op program.

“The thing I am most proud of over the past one and a half years is expanding the Co-op program at the University of Idaho so that students from every major can now participate,” Anderson said.

He holds a master’s degree in natural resources and graduate certificate in emergency planning and management from University of Idaho, plus a bachelor’s degree in theatre and philosophy from St. Ambrose University. Anderson maintains certifications as a Global Career Development Facilitator, Career Services Provider and Nonprofit Professional.

His biggest challenge was working in career services without a counseling degree early in his career. He came to the field through AmeriCorps national service, where he helped members plan post-service careers.

His goals include supporting University of Idaho’s efforts to provide 100% integrated experiential learning opportunities for all students.

As the president of Idaho State University, Robert Wagner is at the helm guiding the institution forward.

“We’re charting a course toward enhanced student success, employee engagement, research growth and opportunity, along with powerful collaborations and noticeable development at all of our campus locations that will serve generations to come,” he explained.

Wagner earned his PhD in political science at State University of New York at Albany, a Master of Public Administration from University of Utah and a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Brigham Young University.

Looking ahead, Wagner aims to increase enrollment, advance and enhance the school’s physical infrastructure, continue to build external relations and partnerships, and better engage and empower employees.

He shares that education is deeply rooted in who he is and he can’t imagine working in any other industry.

“He cares deeply about ISU and its campus community,” said ISU Board Member Cindy Siddoway on Wagner’s appointment. “He’ll work hard to establish strong relationships with alumni and community leaders, and he will build on ISU’s recent momentum and be an outstanding leader and advocate for higher education in Idaho.”

Mimi Kestle has coordinated international programs at the University of Idaho for two and a half years, expanding initiatives that connect international students with Idaho families and communities. She recently grew the flagship Cruise the World festival to welcome more than 2,700 attendees, bringing together regional communities and students from more than 25 countries.

“Lasting change happens when everyone ― local organizations, faith groups, campus partners, and individuals ― work together for a sustained goal that multiplies its own impact by investing in our next generation who have the power to change this world for the better,” Kestle said.

A University of Idaho psychology graduate and NAFSA Academy graduate, Kestle is a first-generation college student whose parents fled the Vietnam War to Australia. Her biggest challenge has been building understanding between Idaho’s rural communities and students from other cultures through ongoing collaboration.

She launched the International Peer Mentor Program and Global Ambassadors Program to strengthen student leadership. Her goals include facilitating workshops to help students become community leaders while creating spaces for cross-cultural learning between Idahoans and international students.

Sterling Crawford founded Boise Impact Group one year ago, developing a proprietary kinesthetic education system for small to mid-sized business owners across industries including business services, marketing, trades and real estate. He counts launching the organization as a major accomplishment.

“The most significant accomplishment has been successfully launching Boise Impact Group,” Crawford said. “I’ve been fortunate to work alongside a committed board of directors to develop a proprietary kinesthetic education system for our members while securing strategic partnerships with organizations that collectively help support our mission of helping business owners succeed in Idaho.”

He holds a master’s degree and has 23 years of experience in performance and personal coaching with multiple certifications in leadership training and business development. His biggest challenge was helping business owners shift from chasing surface-level solutions to embracing intentional growth and accountability.

His goals include expanding throughout the Treasure Valley, launching industry-specific mastermind groups and graduating members into higher revenue brackets. Crawford previously ran several small businesses and spent two decades strengthening families before transitioning to empowering business owners.

Nick Miller has practiced law at Hawley Troxell for more than 40 years since joining the firm in 1983, specializing in finance by public agencies. His most significant recent accomplishment has been responding to numerous challenges for financing public schools across Idaho.

Based in Boise, he serves clients through the firm’s offices in Pocatello, Idaho Falls, Coeur d’Alene, Yakima and Reno. Miller holds undergraduate and law degrees from Stanford University and is a member of the National Association of Bond Lawyers and Fellow of the American College of Bond Counsel.

His biggest challenge was overcoming competition in an increasingly virtual legal practice by focusing on an achievable niche and providing outstanding service. Miller’s career began with exposure to bond practice in New York City before moving to Idaho when the scene was developing for local firms to provide municipal finance services.

Working in the legal field, Miller said it helps satisfy a curiosity about other industries.

“Law careers encompass a lot of other skills ― teaching, history, finance, travel ― so I can’t see picking one of those others where I get to do a little of each already,” he said.

David Douglass, previous provost of the College of Idaho, stepped into the role of president at the school in June 2025. In his relatively new position, he is overseeing operations and also leading his team to get the college’s new Do More in Four program, which gives students the opportunity to graduate in four years with both an undergraduate and graduate degree.

Douglass has a variety of leadership experience at the College of Idaho working as the vice president of academic affairs, the dean of faculty and the dean of student affairs.

“I am honored by the trust that the board and [then-President] Brigham have placed in me,” Douglass upon his appointment. “I look forward to being a part of the continued growth of this great College.”

Douglass completed bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech communication from California State University, Fresno, and earned a Ph.D. from Penn State University.

Debbie Critchfield began her education career as a substitute teacher many years ago and her love for the field developed from there.

She developed an interest specifically in how local decisions impact educational environments and student outcomes and because of that experience, she ran for and was elected to the school board in Cassia County, then was later appointed to the Idaho State Board of Education.

Today, Critchfield serves as the superintendent of public instruction for the Idaho Department of Education. During her time in this role, grade three reading proficiency has grown by 8% over the past two years, and the state is celebrating the highest graduation rate in 10 years.

Critchfield says that her three highest priority items are improving math instruction and math outcomes, facilitating teacher preparation that matches the needs of the modern classroom, and building local leadership through training and electing of school board members so they can better plan and implement what’s needed for student success.