CEI and ISU join forces academically

The College of Eastern Idaho is teaming up with Idaho State University.

The two schools are working together on Pathway Programs. They call it the “2 + 2 Agreement.” They have it in place for some majors so far, but the goal is to have it available for all.

It is a program where students can get their associates at CEI and seamlessly transition to ISU. The program is to benefit the students.

“We know how hard it is for students to have to up stakes and move to Pocatello or move anywhere to go to college. CEI and ISU’s collaboration means they can stay in Idaho Falls, Shelly, Blackfoot or wherever they are and save money and still receive that high-quality education,” says Michelle Munoz, Transfer Coordinator at ISU.

“As we fill our cohorts here, for example, students who want to do business, then that lets ISU know what the demand is in the area and so they can make sure that they have the class provided but also if we have students that they don’t have a program set up for locally they can bring one in,” says Danielle Stimpson, Pathways Coordinator at CEI.

They say it is about collaboration between the schools and not a competition.

“Our relationship with Idaho State University has been fantastic. They have been wonderful to work with. It’s truly a partnership of collaboration and not competition. There has been a lot of talk in the community, ‘Are they competing with one another?’ Absolutely not competing at all it is nothing but collaboration,” says Lorie Barber, Dean of General Education at CEI.

Available majors for the “2 + 2 Agreement:” Business, Sociology, Social Work, Geology, and Art.