BLACKFOOT — Idaho State University President Robert Wagner says the future is bright for higher education despite growing skepticism about the value of college degrees.

Wagner spoke to more than 70 students, faculty and community members Friday at the new Blackfoot High School Student Center in a presentation hosted by the Bingham Group.

“It’s a strange time for higher ed,” Wagner said. “The landscape is changing pretty dramatically. We as an institution, as a part of higher education, it’s really our responsibility, it’s our imperative to really demonstrate what we contribute to society and to communities.”

According to Wagner, the relevance of a college degree is being questioned, but he stressed the value of high school and postsecondary education.

“It’s still absolutely critical,” Wagner said. “It’s imperative that we explain that, that we defend that, that we talk about that and demonstrate why. We need to be able to show what our impact is within the state of Idaho.”

Wagner hopes ISU will impact state economic development, the job market and Idahoans themselves in the years to come. He explained that Idaho is one of 14 states that will see an increase in high school graduates between now and 2044. Other states are experiencing what is called an enrollment cliff, meaning graduation numbers are declining.

“The state of Idaho and the state of Montana is bucking the trend in this region of the United States,” Wagner said. “All of the other states that are bucking that trend are in the Southeast. ... So Idaho is very unique in that this state is growing.”

As growth continues, ISU hopes to meet the trend by doing some things differently. As changes to demographics and population persist, Wagner said the institution needs to meet communities where they are, such as in Blackfoot, and provide necessary education and workforce training.

Additionally, Wagner said ISU needs to control costs, which has been difficult after recent budget cuts, but that it shouldn’t majorly affect the student experience.

“We appreciate the state support that we get and we’re going to be good stewards of those funds,” Wagner said. “But because that state support is actually going down, we need to find different ways and new ways of meeting the mission that we have.”

In reviewing one of the five areas of focus for ISU — advancing and enhancing physical infrastructure — Wagner touched on current project endeavors. This includes a new $130 million life sciences building that will begin construction in late 2026 to serve approximately 70 percent of ISU students enrolled in life science-related programs. He also mentioned discussions underway to build more on-campus housing.

In conjunction with the external relationships and partnerships focus, Wagner emphasized community involvement.

“This is just not a coincidence that we’re here today,” Wagner said. “This is what we want to do. We need to be doing this. We need to be in the communities that we serve.”

As part of his presentation, Wagner reviewed ISU’s achievements in 2025, which include being the first public institution in Idaho to propose three bachelor’s of applied science degrees at 90 credits in comparison to the usual 120-credit requirement. A bridge program is in the works to help students with a 90-credit bachelor’s degree gain the total 120-credit requirement to enroll in master’s programs if they decide to at the last minute.

Wagner also publicly announced Idaho State University’s Contract for Idaho, an initiative to provide targeted workforce development, be accessible for Idahoans, expand medical education in relevant programs, power Idaho’s energy future and collaborate with others with accountability and transparency.

“That is the contract that we have with the state and with the people of the state,” Wagner said. “We want you to know that we’re going to honor our side and we’re going to be here.”