Boise State Interim President Departs for New Role

University searches for permanent leader as interim president accepts position at another Western school.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 4:16pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An impressionistic, out-of-focus photograph showing the blurred outlines of university buildings and trees, with the scene bathed in a warm, hazy glow, conceptually representing the transition and uncertainty facing Boise State.Boise State University seeks a new permanent president to provide steady leadership and guide the institution into the future.Boise Today

Boise State University's interim president, Dr. Samantha Wilkins, has announced her departure from the school to accept a new role at a different university in the Western United States. The university is now moving forward with interviews to find a permanent president, with the goal of naming a new leader by the fall semester.

Why it matters

Boise State has faced a period of transition in recent years, with the departure of its previous long-serving president. The selection of a new permanent president will be a critical decision for the university as it looks to provide stable leadership and chart a course for the future.

The details

Dr. Wilkins has served as Boise State's interim president since January 2025, after the previous president stepped down. During her time in the role, she has overseen the university's pandemic response and initiated a strategic planning process. However, she has now accepted a position as president of another public university in the Western region, leaving Boise State to find a new permanent leader.

  • Dr. Wilkins will depart Boise State in June 2026.
  • Interviews for Boise State's next president are expected to take place in the coming weeks.
  • The university aims to name a new permanent president by the fall 2026 semester.

The players

Dr. Samantha Wilkins

The interim president of Boise State University who has accepted a new role at another Western university.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Boise State's Board of Trustees will oversee the search process for a new permanent president, with the goal of having the position filled by the start of the fall 2026 semester.

The takeaway

The departure of Boise State's interim president underscores the importance of the university finding stable, long-term leadership as it navigates a period of transition. The selection of the next president will be a critical decision that will shape the future direction of the institution.