POCATELLO — Idaho State University President Robert Wagner presented to the Idaho State Board of Education in Pocatello on Wednesday, detailing record-breaking retention numbers and promising to eliminate the school’s deficit by the end of fiscal year 2025.

Leadership and representatives from the various universities across Idaho assembled at the ICCU Bengal Alumni Center for the board meeting, during which Wagner detailed ISU’s current progress and intentions for the future.

After recognizing former president Kevin Satterlee, the ISU foundation board and the many supporters and friends of the local institution, including acknowledging the work of recent graduate Joseph Chacon, Wagner broke down the numbers on the work he has done thus far.

Wagner first covered the school’s positive retention numbers, which are at a current record-breaking 74 percent and up 11 percent since 2019. Despite the retention numbers improving over the past four years, the overall graduation rates have been stagnant. Currently at 38 percent, the numbers have not peaked above 40 percent for the last four years, continuing the diminishing trend. Wagner acknowledged the poor graduation rates, promising to try to improve those numbers.

Wagner then moved onto the impactful, purposeful research going on at ISU, citing the importance and inter-connective nature that affects the local industries and communities that ISU serves.

“I’ve asked in a call for an in depth study this next year to focus on research enterprise at Idaho State University, how we can balance our instructional responsibilities, but also continue to grow.” Wagner said.

The ISU president then commented on the various scholarship numbers and their continued work within that realm, raising $24 million in scholarships, which was above their set goal of $20 million. About $27 million was also dedicated to new commitments.

Wagner covered the successes of student athletes and their 89 percent graduate rate and 3.0 GPA average across every team before moving to the designs of academic impact that will focus on meeting workforce needs, high demand program expansion and statewide leadership.

Wagner’s master plan includes Pocatello, Idaho Falls and Meridian and includes a focus on academics, research and creative contributions. Additionally, Wagner wants to ensure that everything aligns with ISU’s institution statewide missions and their renewed interest in refreshing outdated facilities that are in need of support.

Wagner again cited his Bold Path Forward initiative of access, collaboration, impact and bold action and an eventual willingness to take “data informed risks” that would be beneficial to ISU.

Regarding the deficit, Wagner touted the reductive measures taken that did not require budget cuts or layoffs.

“Our initial budget deficit was $15.7 million,” Wagner said. “Through the budget optimization process, we’ve identified $7 million in savings left without cuts. That’s without layoffs.

Wagner said that a new increase in tuition will also help to lower the budget deficit and he intends to have the remaining $6.5 million budget deficit eliminated by 2025.

In aligning with Wagner’s focus on community involvement and the symbiotic relationship between the city of Pocatello and Idaho State University, he invited Mayor Brian Blad to address the board, where Blad detailed the various ways that the two groups have come together to collaborate and get the community involved with the work being done at ISU.

A few individuals on the state education board expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the diligent, synergistic relationship between the city and the college, echoing previous sentiments from Wagner and Blad that the two groups are intricately interlaced and rely on each other in an economic fashion.