CWI Names New Boise Academic Center After Micron Partnership

The Micron Academic Center will house IT, cybersecurity, and business programs in purpose-built labs and learning spaces.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:33pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life featuring a sleek laptop, engineering textbooks, and a 3D-printed computer chip model, symbolizing the intersection of technology, education, and industry.A new academic center named after Micron Technology will bring together education, industry, and community in Boise.Boise Today

The College of Western Idaho (CWI) announced a naming gift from Micron Technology that will designate CWI's new Boise location as the Micron Academic Center. The center, set to open in fall 2027, will house CWI's information technology, cybersecurity, and business programs in purpose-built labs and learning spaces. The partnership between CWI and Micron dates back over a decade to 2012 when the Micron Foundation supported the completion of the Micron Education Center in Nampa.

Why it matters

The Micron Academic Center represents a deepening of the long-standing partnership between CWI and Micron, which has included scholarships, program support, and apprenticeship pathways in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor fields. The new center will allow CWI to consolidate programs currently spread across leased Ada County locations into a single, permanent campus, strengthening the college's ability to serve students and the local economy.

The details

The Micron Academic Center will house CWI's information technology, cybersecurity, and business programs in purpose-built labs and learning spaces. The facility will allow the college to consolidate programs currently spread across leased Ada County locations into a single, permanent campus. Construction on the center is on schedule, with an expected opening to students in fall 2027. The new facility is part of a larger mixed-use development that includes retail, housing, a hotel, and a parking garage.

  • CWI and Micron's partnership dates back to 2012 when the Micron Foundation supported the completion of the Micron Education Center in Nampa.
  • The Micron Academic Center is expected to open to students in fall 2027.

The players

College of Western Idaho (CWI)

A community college serving western Idaho, with campuses in Nampa and Boise.

Micron Technology

A global leader in memory and storage solutions, headquartered in Boise, Idaho.

Gordon Jones

President of the College of Western Idaho.

April Arnzen

Executive vice president and chief people officer at Micron Technology, and president of the Micron Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“Micron's extraordinary generosity reflects a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives, strengthen families, and fuel Idaho's economy.”

— Gordon Jones, President, College of Western Idaho

“The Micron Academic Center builds on that legacy by establishing a beautiful, accessible learning environment that brings education, industry and community together.”

— April Arnzen, Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer, Micron Technology; President, Micron Foundation

What’s next

The Micron Academic Center is expected to open to students in fall 2027, consolidating CWI's information technology, cybersecurity, and business programs into a single, purpose-built campus.

The takeaway

The Micron Academic Center represents a deepening of the long-standing partnership between CWI and Micron, which has helped strengthen career-technical programs, expand access to industry-aligned training, and support the development of Idaho's workforce in high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing and semiconductors.