In Episode 9 of The Bold Path Podcast, Idaho State University President Robert Wagner talks with Stephanie Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the ISU Foundation and leader of University Advancement, about how fundraising and alumni engagement shape ISU’s future. Smith explains University Advancement in plain terms as the “bridge builders” who connect alumni, donors, and community partners with programs, research, and scholarships they care about.
The conversation dives into the distinct roles of the ISU Foundation and Alumni Association, including how the Foundation’s independent 501(c)(3) structure ensures gifts are managed and invested according to donor intent, and how volunteer boards led by Steve Rice and Stephanie Adams energize outreach and mentorship efforts. Wagner and Smith highlight the central importance of scholarships, emphasizing that private support is “non-negotiable” in breaking down financial barriers for first-generation and other students who rely on philanthropy to access a transformational ISU education.
Smith also shares updates on the Bold Path Forward Alumni Tour. Dozens of events across Idaho and the country are designed to reconnect Bengals, listen to their ISU stories, and build momentum for a newly launched comprehensive campaign. She outlines the campaign’s internal planning phase, which began July 1, and its focus on long-term investments in scholarships, faculty, facilities, research, and athletics. The episode closes with a reflection on the original Greek meaning of “philanthropy” as love of mankind, and a brief look at Smith’s love for exploring Idaho and the Intermountain West, underscoring how place, people, and purpose intersect on ISU’s bold path forward.