BOISE, Idaho — Leaders from a state university in New York made a cross-country trip to study programs at the Gem State's local colleges.
Leadership from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego were at the College of Western Idaho on Wednesday, May 22, to learn more about a partnership CWI has with Boise-based Micron.
The partnership between CWI and Micron started when Micron announced its $15 billion Boise expansion in 2022.
Leadership from SUNY Oswego came to Nampa to tour CWI's Micron Education Center and learn more about the partnership, where Micron works with the college's advanced mechatronics engineering technology program to help train students to become the Gem State's future technicians.
SUNY Oswego President Peter Nwosu stated his college is interested in a similar partnership because of Micron's $100 billion expansion coming to upstate New York.
"What we're really trying to do is to lift young people up," Nwosu said. "Increase upward mobility in our region, find them opportunities that are economically beneficial in ways that also help to strengthen economic development in our region. Young people are so vital to that work, and so a public-private partnership in that regard helps to advance our core mission."
Another focus of the program revolves around ensuring students get hands-on experience, which officals state will make them valuable employees.
CWI President Gordon Jones said university partnerships with companies like Micron help expand student opportunities - and strengthen Idaho's economy and workforce.
"The partnership we're modeling here is giving opportunity to Idahoans for jobs and careers that are going to power this thriving economy," Jones said. "In upstate New York, you have Micron doing the same thing. So to be hosting SUNY Oswego and other educational institutions, it makes me proud of our faculty and our ability to share what we're doing to give playbooks, exchange ideas - and ultimately help upstate New York and students everywhere experience that opportunity."
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