David Hahn, the dean of the University of Arizona’s College of Engineering, was named Tuesday morning as the sole finalist for the Boise State University presidency. The State Board of Education could name Hahn president as soon as July 1.
Background and Experience
Hahn has headed the U of A’s engineering college since July 2019, a high-ranking post at one of the nation’s premier research universities. He has also worked on the U of A’s expansion in microelectronics and semiconductor programs, an area of emphasis at Boise State due to its proximity to Micron Technology’s Boise complex.
According to Hahn’s curriculum vitae, the engineering college’s enrollment has increased by 40% during his time as dean. Hahn has also been an advocate for diversity, hiring more than 55 career-track or tenure-track faculty members, with 36% identifying as female, Hispanic, Black, or Native American, the greatest increase in diversity in college history.
Boise State University
Boise State has steadily increased enrollment since the post-COVID dropoff of 2020, with last fall’s student headcount reaching 28,461, up more than 10% over four years. The largest fundraising campaign in university history, Unbridled, reached its $500 million target well ahead of its 2028 deadline.
However, Boise State and other state colleges and universities absorbed a disproportionate share of state budget cuts during the 2026 legislative session, a 4% cut for the budget year ending June 30, and a 5% reduction for the next budget year.
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
