History

At 51ΑΤΖζ's (51ΑΤΖζ) inception in 2007, Boise was the last metropolitan area in the country lacking a community college. In March of that year, the Idaho Legislature appropriated funds for the College. Later that May, a supermajority of voters in Canyon and Ada counties voted to form a community college district. With the monetary support of the J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation and the appointment by the Idaho State Board of Education of 51ΑΤΖζ’s first Board of Trustees, 51ΑΤΖζ was launched. Acquiring the programs, personnel, and property of Selland College, 51ΑΤΖζ officially opened its doors to students at its main campus, in Nampa, on what was formerly Boise State University’s West Campus.

Milestones

February 

March 

April

May

January

February 

  • Dr. John C. Wagner, Director of Idaho National Laboratory, visits campus providing students insights on the organization's pioneering innovations. 
  • Bank of Idaho continues long-standing partnership with 51ΑΤΖζ and their investment in education within our community with generous scholarship donation.  

March 

  • 51ΑΤΖζ hosts second-annual Giving Day focused on supporting students, programs, and opportunities. 

April

May

  • SUNY Oswego tours the College's Mechatronics lab, highlighting 51ΑΤΖζ's groundbreaking partnership with Micron Technology, Inc. to provide students with hands-on experience and industry-relevant skills leading to careers in technology and manufacturing. 
  • 51ΑΤΖζ holds 15th commencement ceremony.

June

  • Tutoring Services and the Writing Center earn certification as Level 2 training programs by the College Reading and Learning Association. 

July

August

September

October

November

December

January

  • The College's first 15-year service award presented to Connie Black.
  • Ken Kline named as 51ΑΤΖζ's new Chief Financial Officer. 

February

March

  • Bank of Idaho's Swing for the Green raises $58,400 for student scholarships at 51ΑΤΖζ. 

April

May

June

July

August

  • Assistant Vice President of Economic Development at 51ΑΤΖζ, Christi Gilchrist, named Most Influential Business Leader in Idaho for 2023.
  • Upgrades made to key digital tools including the College's website, my51ΑΤΖζ for students, and Blackboard. 

September

  • Governor Brad Little visits 51ΑΤΖζ to announce Idaho LAUNCH, an expanded statewide grant program for Idaho high school seniors. 

October

November

December

  • 51ΑΤΖζ launches Associate of Applied Science degree in Management.
  • Executive Vice President of Operations, Craig Brown, announces retirement after 13-year tenure at 51ΑΤΖζ.

January

  • Gordon Jones begins his tenure as the third president of 51ΑΤΖζ. 

March

  • 51ΑΤΖζ selected as an education partner for Amazon's Career Choice program.

April

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Board of Trustees approves Campus Visioning plan. 

July

  • 51ΑΤΖζ announces addition of 8-week sessions.

August

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Foundation Board welcomes new members.

November

  • 51ΑΤΖζ partners with Mountain Home Air Force Base to bring quality educational opportunities and classes to military personnel and their families on base, as well as civilian residents of Mountain Home eligible for base access.

January

  • 51ΑΤΖζ introduces a bold, new brand consisting of an updated logo mark and colors. 

February 

  • President Bert Glandon announces retirement.

May

  • President Bert Glandon inducted into the Boise Metro Chamber's Hall of Fame.
  • Idaho Gov. Brad Little proclaims May 13, 2021, as Bert Glandon Day in the State of Idaho.
  • Provost Denise Aberle-Cannata named 51ΑΤΖζ's Interim President.
  • Newly elected trustee, Jim Reames, joins 51ΑΤΖζ Board of Trustees.

July

  • 51ΑΤΖζ launches search for its next president. 

August

  • 51ΑΤΖζ announces release of new mobile app. 

September

  • University of Phoenix and 51ΑΤΖζ announce transfer agreement, 3+1.

January

  • Several improvements are made to the College's external website featuring increased accessibility and implementation of an enhanced AI-driven search tool.
  • Beta Sigma Pi, 51ΑΤΖζ's chapter of the national Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, achieves five-star status.
  • Willow Buildings, adjacent to 51ΑΤΖζ's Nampa Campus Academic Building, are completed.

February

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Board of Trustees partner with Entagled Solutions, an educational consulting firm, to assist the College in achieving greater clarity regarding the issues facing the College and higher education.
  • CampusLogic, an online, self-service platform for students to streamline the financial aid verification process, is implemented.

March

  • On and off campus events at the College are suspended and Spring Break is extended due to COVID-19.
  • College shifts to fully-remote delivery of services.
  • Boise area experiences a 6.5 magnitude earthquake.
  • Brand champions meet to provide feedback to explore, develop, and refine new 51ΑΤΖζ logo.

April

  • Summer 2020 semester moves to an online format as a result of COVID-19.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ launches Online Learning Resources page dedicated to providing students with learning guides and information.
  • Gov. Brad Little extends statewide stay-home order to residents of Idaho.
  • Remote work continues for employees of the College.

May

  • Latinx Scholars Program launched to help students feel connted to and part of the 51ΑΤΖζ community.
  • Career Technical Education labs open at limited capacity with protocols in place to allow students to complete class projects.
  • Professional Nursing students recognized during a drive-by pinning ceremony at the Nampa Campus Academic Building.
  • College develops guidance and resources to support employees returning to work. 

June

  • Internal and external stakeholders are invited to participate in a Brand survey to inform 51ΑΤΖζ's new brand and help support future direction of the College.
  • Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) are allocated to 51ΑΤΖζ through the Federal Government's CARES Act and distributed to eligible students.
  • 2020 graduates are celebrated at during Grabfest, a curbside pick-up event,  at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ's first-ever virtual commencement ceremony recognizes 2020 graduates.
  • Fire Service Management, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Social work programs intoduced.

July

  • 51ΑΤΖζ President's Cabinet and Executive Operations Team make adjustments to the College's Return-to-Work plan for employees.
  • Law Enforcement gathers to celebrate 2020 graduates of the program wearing masks and practicing social distancing.

August

  • Be Safe, Be Mighty page launched to communicate up-to-date information related to COVID-19 procedures and guidelines, campus safety measures, student services availability, and resources.
  • New course delivery options, HyFlex and Synchronous Online, are created to accommodate online coursework.
  • In-person services on campus resume for students.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ hosts first-ever virtual College Address to kick off fall semester.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ introduces COVID-19 contact tracing.
  • HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing apprenticeship classes develop online orientations.
  • Students return to campus for fall semester.

October

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Foundation hosts annual Opening Doors Benefit Event virtually raising $70k for scholarships.
  • Professional Nursing program adds three, new simulation labs to aid in hands-on training.

November

  • 51ΑΤΖζ welcomes new trustees, Cherie Buckner-Webb, April Baylon-Mendoza, and Samantha Guerrero, to Board of Trustees.

December

  • 51ΑΤΖζ announces classes focused on Swift programming as part of the Onramp program, a partnership with Boise State University, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, and Apple.

January

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Library receives 2019 National Excellence in Academic Libraries by the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL).
  • 51ΑΤΖζ’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society attains five star status again.
  • New brand identity introduced at faculty and staff in-service.

March

  • Public Health and Health Science programs awarded with the Riegelman Award for Guided Learning Pathways to Health Professions during 2019 League for Innovation's 2019 Conference.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ kicks off 10-year celebration campaign celebrating a decade of student success.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ announces transition to cwi.edu.

April

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Speech and Debate team win 7th national title.

May

  • Basic Skills Education program recognized by  as a Community Partner during the organization’s Idaho Awards Celebration.
  • Nine students compete at BPA National Leadership Conference bringing home 22 top-ten medals, three first-place, two second-place, and two third-place plaques.
  • Law Enforcement ceremony celebrates 17 graduates of the program at the Nampa Civic Center.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ holds 10th commencement ceremony, May 17, marking a decade of graduates.

July

  • 51ΑΤΖζ introduces new mobile app. 

August

  • Apprenticeship programs recognized during annual Career and Technical Education Reach Professional Development Conference.
  • Construction begins on addition of Willows Buildings, adjacent to 51ΑΤΖζ's Nampa Campus Academic Building.

October

  • 51ΑΤΖζ conducts mascot survey.
  • College of Idaho and 51ΑΤΖζ announce partnership, Yote Track.

November

  • 51ΑΤΖζ launches comprehensive local needs assessment in compliance with the 2018 Perkins V federal legislation. 

December

  • Christi Rood, Assistant Vice President of Economic Development, accepts the 2019 LERN International Award for Excellence in Management Practice on behalf of the College’s Workforce Development program at the Learning Resources Network Annual Conference.
  • Gov. Brad Little announces 51ΑΤΖζ as a recipient of a 2019 Idaho Awards for Leadership in Energy Efficiency.
  • Fire Service Technology celebrates first graduates from the program.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ Board of Trustees announce otter as the College's official mascot.

January

  • Early Childhood Education Preschool earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a first for Canyon County.

February

  • 51ΑΤΖζ & CapEd Credit Union partner for the Matched Education Savings Account (MESA) program.

March

  • Jacob Tenorio, first community college student to win recognition for his Lake Lowell water quality research, at Northwest Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) conference.
  • Speech and Debate team claims sixth community college national championship at the Pi Kappa Delta (PKD) National Comprehensive Tournament.

April

  • 51ΑΤΖζ and OSU Ecampus sign degree pathway agreement.
  • Latinx students participate in 51ΑΤΖζ’s first Nuestra Graduacion.

May

  • Associate of Science Degree in Nursing Pinning Ceremony honors 30 students.
  • 1952 Degree and Certificate Candidates for graduation and Dual Credit students earned 32 Associates of Arts Degrees.

June

  • On-campus New Student Orientation begins for incoming freshman.

August

  • 51ΑΤΖζ is the largest community college in the state serving more than 32,000 students.
  • Dr. Yolonda Barnes earns certification for Phi Theta Kappa's Leadership Development Studies curriculum.

September

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Board of Trustees voted unanimously to place a $39 million plant facility levy on November ballot.
  • First harvest of the 51ΑΤΖζ campus garden.

November

  • Retired Law Enforcement Program Chair LeRoy Forsman, recognized for 2C Spotlight Award β€” College Educator of the Year.
  • Health Science Building $39 million levy narrowly fails.
  • Newly elected trustees Molly Lenty and Annie Hightower join 51ΑΤΖζ Board of Trustees, C.A. β€œSkip” Smyser voted in as chairman.

February

  • 51ΑΤΖζ signs transfer partnership with Southern New Hampshire University & Excelsior College.
  • Proclamation signing by Governor C.L. β€œButch” Otter, declaring Feb. 6, 51ΑΤΖζ Day.

March

  • SCORE Big Scholarship established (funded through employee giving).
  • 51ΑΤΖζ Speech and Debate team brings home fifth community college national championship (50th Pi Kappa Delta (PKD) Biennial National Tournament).

April

  • SkillsUSA finishes state competition with 15 gold medals, sending 13 competitors to nationals.
  • Media Arts students published on the award-winning independent journalism site, Project Censored.

May

  • Physical Therapist Assistant program receives full accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).
  • President Bert Glandon honored with the Idaho Business Review CEO of Influence Award.
  • Assessment & Testing granted National College Testing Association (NCTA) certification.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ celebrates 1465 degree and certificate candidates with 10 AA degrees awarded to Dual Credit students.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ raised $3,661 to fight childhood cancer through the St. Baldrick’s Foundation.

August

  • 12 New Degree Programs offered for fall enrollment
  • Expanded hours in One Stop Student Services
  • New Advising Strategy
  • Integrated Instruction Model
  • First ever Ten Year Service Awards presented to two employees

September

  • National Institutes of Health (NIH) awards 1.5 million to bring the Bridges to Baccalaureate Program to 51ΑΤΖζ and Boise State University.

November

  • 51ΑΤΖζ and EOU sign a new Memorandum of Understanding strengthening their partnership.
  • Petroglyph Recording Project is completed by the Anthropology Club in collaboration with Canyon County Parks, Cultural and Natural Resources.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ generates $102.1 million annually to the economy, reported from the EMSI Economic Impact Study.

January

  • 51ΑΤΖζ's Paramedic program is approved for initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

March 20

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Speech and Debate places second among community colleges at national tournament; marking the sixth consecutive year with a top-two finish.

April 14

  • The first campus art project, Spirit of Collaboration, is unveiled at 51ΑΤΖζ’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education.

May

  • 51ΑΤΖζ celebrates a record 1,293 degree and certificate candidates at commencement ceremony, May 7.
  • Students with 51ΑΤΖζ’s Business Professionals of America chapter earned one gold medal, two runner-up finishes, and a third-place award at the national conference.

June

  • Members of 51ΑΤΖζ’s SkillsUSA chapter won medals in a school record five events, including the College’s first gold medal, at nationals.

July 26

  • First class of graduates from 51ΑΤΖζ’s Law Enforcement program are recognized in a ceremony.

August

  • 51ΑΤΖζ finalizes a new Comprehensive Strategic Plan to guide the College in fiscal years 2017 through 2021.

Sept. 6

  • Board of Trustees vote in favor of placing a general obligation bond on the November 2016 ballot for campus development in Boise and Nampa.

Sept. 29

  • 51ΑΤΖζ and Idaho State University formally launch transfer partnership, Bengal Bound.

Oct. 5 – 7

  • 51ΑΤΖζ welcomes representatives from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities for a year seven site visit.

Nov. 8

  • 51ΑΤΖζ’s proposed bond measure falls short of two-thirds majority vote needed to pass.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ Trustees Mary Niland and Mark Dunham are re-elected, while C.A. β€œSkip” Smyser is elected to his first term on the Board.

Feb. 3

  • Lewis-Clark State College and 51ΑΤΖζ announce transfer agreement, LC Express.

March 8

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Speech and Debate captures its fourth national community college championship in five years.

May 9

  • Over 1,100 degree and certificate candidates, along with GED completers, are honored at 51ΑΤΖζ’s annual spring commencement ceremony.

April

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Board of Trustees approve entering into an agreement to purchase land in Boise at the corner of Main Street and Whitewater Blvd.

May

  • 51ΑΤΖζ students earn three first-place finishes at Business Professionals of America (BPA) national event.

June

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Board of Trustees approves moving forward with purchase of 32.5 acres directly north of the College’s Nampa Campus Academic Building.

July

  • 51ΑΤΖζ student secures silver medal in Internetworking competition at national SkillsUSA conference.

August

  • MATH 095, a new method for teaching college prep math, is introduced at 51ΑΤΖζ.

September

  • University of Idaho and 51ΑΤΖζ announce a new transfer partnership, VandaLink.

Dec. 7

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Board of Trustees decides to continue forward with land purchase in Boise.

Dec. 10

  • The 51ΑΤΖζ Law Enforcement program is granted full certification by the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training.

January

  • The Boise State Center at 51ΑΤΖζ opens at the Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building to provide expanded transfer support to 51ΑΤΖζ students.

March 23

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Speech and Debate earns a runner-up finish in the community college division at national conference.

May 4

  • Students with 51ΑΤΖζ’s Business Professionals of America chapter win 13 awards, including four top-three finishes, at national competition.

May 17

  • 51ΑΤΖζ celebrates 1,112 degree and certificate candidates at fifth commencement ceremony.

June 27

  • 51ΑΤΖζ student earns second-place finish at SkillsUSA national event.

July

  • 51ΑΤΖζ completes an extensive update to its Nampa Campus Master Plan.

Summer

  • 51ΑΤΖζ expands its presence in Boise with the addition of three buildings at the College’s Ada County campus.

Fall

  • 51ΑΤΖζ hosts the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) for its second accreditation visit.
  • Renovation of 51ΑΤΖζ’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education receives national recognition for Outstanding Design by American Schools and Universities Magazine.

Nov. 4

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Board of Trustee, Stanley Bastian, is re-elected while Emily Walton is elected to her first term on the Board.

Spring

  • 51ΑΤΖζ expands facilities with the opening of the Nampa Campus Multipurpose Building.

March 18

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Speech and Debate earns third-consecutive national community college championship.

May 12

  • 51ΑΤΖζ students earn 18 awards, including four third-place trophies, at Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference.

May 18

  • 51ΑΤΖζ honors 861 degree and certificate graduates and 1,500 GED candidates.

June 28

  • Two 51ΑΤΖζ students earn top-10 finishes at SkillsUSA National Conference.

January

  • 51ΑΤΖζ names new professional-technical facility the Micron Center for Professional Technical Education in recognition of a $2.5 million gift from the Micron Foundation.

February

  • 51ΑΤΖζ granted candidacy status for accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

March 18

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Speech and Debate captures second-consecutive national community college championship.

April 29

  • 51ΑΤΖζ students earn 10 awards, including three first-place trophies, at Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference.

May

  • Nearly 670 degrees and 1,400 GED and apprentice completers are celebrated at 51ΑΤΖζ’s third commencement ceremony, May 12.
  • 51ΑΤΖζ celebrates five-year anniversary since vote passed to establish the community college district, allowing for the creation of the College.
  • U.S. Department of Education approves 51ΑΤΖζ to begin participating in Federal Student Aid Programs independently, May 24.

June 27

  • Four 51ΑΤΖζ students earn top-10 awards at SkillsUSA National Conference.

July 20

  • The NWCCU approves 51ΑΤΖζ to offer six Associate of Arts degrees fully online.

August

  • New Micron Center for Professional Technical Education opens for classes in Nampa.
  • Nampa Campus expands with the opening of 51ΑΤΖζ’s Aspen Classroom Building.

Nov. 6

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Board of Trustee members Mary Niland, Mark Dunham, and Guy Hurlbutt are re-elected.

March

  • J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation provides initial $6 million investment to secure center in Nampa for nine professional-technical programs.

March 30

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Speech and Debate wins national community college championship.

May 11

  • 51ΑΤΖζ takes home nine medals, including one first-place finish, at Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference.

May 13

  • 51ΑΤΖζ hosts its second graduation ceremony, which celebrates nearly 570 degree students and 200 GED and apprentice candidates.

January

  • The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) approved 51ΑΤΖζ's Application for Consideration for Candidacy.

May

  • 51ΑΤΖζ students earn the College’s first-ever national awards, returning with 13 medals from the Business Professionals of America (BPA) National Leadership Conference.
  • Nearly 400 students participate in 51ΑΤΖζ’s first graduation ceremony, May 17, held on the front lawn of the Nampa Campus Academic Building.

June

  • 51ΑΤΖζ students earn two bronze medals at SkillsUSA National Conference.

July

  • 51ΑΤΖζ Foundation receives 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.

Fall

  • 51ΑΤΖζ introduces Business Partnerships/Workforce Development division.

Jan. 20

  • 51ΑΤΖζ welcomes 1,208 students to campus for its first semester with academic classes.

Summer

  • Boise State University professional-technical programs and Selland College of Applied Technology staff transition to 51ΑΤΖζ.

July 13

  • Dr. Berton L. Glandon begins his tenure as the second president of 51ΑΤΖζ.

Fall

  • 51ΑΤΖζ’s Professional Technical Education programs start classes.

Jan. 14

  • 51ΑΤΖζ welcomes its first students; initially offering a wide selection of certificate classes and fast track career training non-credit programs.

June

  • A Memorandum of Agreement between the College of Southern Idaho (CSI) and 51ΑΤΖζ is signed. The MOA provides accreditation oversight by CSI as 51ΑΤΖζ pursues its own independent accreditation.

July 15

  • Trustee’s approve the 2008-2009 Schedule of Tuition Fees, establishing the per credit fee at $119.

January – October

  • Comprehensive Strategic Planning process to reflect the values of a locally owned and controlled community college.

November

  • Hagler and Associates deliver Strategic Plan to Board of Trustees for approval.

May 22

  • Supermajority of Ada and Canyon County voters passed referendum to establish a community college district, enabling the creation of 51ΑΤΖζ.

July 17

  • Board of Trustees for 51ΑΤΖζ appointed.

July 30

  • First Board of Trustees meeting held.

Aug. 7

  • Dennis Griffin named president for 51ΑΤΖζ.