North Idaho College (NIC) in Coeur d’Alene has opened its X‑Labs space as the centerpiece of a new experiential‑learning program. Conceived by President Nick Swayne, who previously ran the same model at James Madison University, X‑Labs pairs students with community leaders and employers to tackle complex, real‑world challenges.
Program structure and goals
Students, professors, business owners and civic leaders collaborate through fellowships, events and a forthcoming general‑education course slated for the spring semester. The curriculum emphasizes ambiguous problem‑solving, encouraging participants to accept that “there may not be a right answer,” a reality many students have not encountered before.
Student involvement and early successes
Blake Sanchez, then student‑body president, became one of the first University Innovation Fellows in the X‑Labs program. Working with director of innovation Marita Diffenbaugh, Sanchez led a year‑long, “transformational” experience that included an AI Hackathon. Over dozens of local business leaders, students identified key questions about artificial intelligence in the workplace and pitched solutions to a judging panel.
Sanchez, now director of experiential learning for the University of Idaho’s student government, describes the program as fostering a “mindset of curiosity” and a deeper understanding of how students fit into broader community systems.
Facilities and investment
The X‑Labs hub occupies the renovated diesel bay of the Hedlund Building, a project re‑purposed by President Swayne and approved before his arrival. The remodel, costing roughly $2 million, will be completed in December, providing a flexible space for interdisciplinary collaboration.
Future coursework and community impact
In addition to the upcoming general‑education class, NIC plans a first‑year seminar focused on smaller‑scale problem solving. Faculty design leads—nine at present—will co‑teach, integrating soft‑skill development such as communication, teamwork and feedback implementation.
Local employers and subject‑matter experts will serve as mentors, reinforcing the college’s goal of making community‑college education competitive with nearby four‑year institutions. As President Swayne puts it, “We’re smaller, we’re more nimble, and we should be able to do these kinds of things.”
Original reporting: Idaho Education News — read the source article.
