Boise State Interim President Accepts Top Job at University of Montana

Jeremiah Shinn to depart Boise State as permanent presidential search continues

Apr. 14, 2026 at 9:13pm

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An impressionistic, out-of-focus scene of students walking across a college campus quad, with the buildings and landscape blurred into soft, warm pools of color and light, conveying a sense of transition and uncertainty.As Boise State University navigates a prolonged search for a new president, the campus community remains focused on the university's collective strength and potential.Boise Today

Boise State University's interim president, Jeremiah Shinn, has accepted the president's position at the University of Montana and plans to start there on July 1. Shinn has been serving as Boise State's interim president since May 2026, during the university's ongoing search for a permanent leader. The State Board of Education says it hopes to name a new Boise State president by mid-June, in time for the fall semester.

Why it matters

Shinn's departure comes as Boise State continues to navigate a lengthy and challenging search process for a permanent president, following the departure of former president Marlene Tromp in 2025. The transition has led to several other high-level administrative vacancies at the university, raising concerns about maintaining continuity of leadership.

The details

Jeremiah Shinn, who has held various administrative roles at Boise State since 2010, accepted the president's position at the University of Montana on Tuesday. Shinn has been serving as Boise State's interim president since May 2026, during the university's search for a permanent leader. The State Board of Education, which oversees Idaho's public universities, says it hopes to name a new Boise State president by mid-June, in time for the fall semester. However, the search process has been complicated, with the State Board previously suspending the search due to concerns that some candidates did not want to be publicly named as finalists.

  • Shinn accepted the University of Montana president's position on April 14, 2026.
  • Shinn plans to start at the University of Montana on July 1, 2026.
  • Shinn has been serving as Boise State's interim president since May 2026.

The players

Jeremiah Shinn

Boise State University's interim president since May 2026, who has accepted the president's position at the University of Montana.

Marlene Tromp

Former president of Boise State University, who departed in 2025 to become president of the University of Montana.

State Board of Education

The governing body that oversees Idaho's public universities, including Boise State University.

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What they’re saying

“I am grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead an R1 flagship with deep roots, tremendous momentum and unlimited potential. At the same time, I am profoundly saddened to leave Boise State; a place that has been central to my life and to my work for more than half of my career.”

— Jeremiah Shinn, Interim President, Boise State University

“Even during a time of transition and renewal, our work continues, with urgency, focus and optimism. What defines this great university is not a single moment or a single leader, but the collective strength, creativity and commitment of our campus community.”

— Jeremiah Shinn, Interim President, Boise State University

What’s next

The State Board of Education says it hopes to name a new permanent president for Boise State University by mid-June 2026, in time for the fall semester. Interviews with semifinalist candidates are expected to begin in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Boise State University's search for a permanent president has been a lengthy and challenging process, complicated by the departure of several top administrators, including former president Marlene Tromp. The departure of interim president Jeremiah Shinn adds further uncertainty, but the State Board of Education is working to ensure a smooth transition and the selection of a new permanent leader by the start of the fall semester.