Lori Barber officially inaugurated as president of College of Eastern Idaho
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IDAHO FALLS — It’s been about 100 days since Lori Barber took the helm of College of Eastern Idaho as its second president.
She was formally inaugurated in her new role Friday night during a celebration at the Downtown Event Center in Idaho Falls. During the event, Barber received high praise from local leaders, educators and the Idaho State Board of Education.
The officials spoke about how Barber was chosen from 65 applicants for the position nationwide, and how they are confident they made the right choice.
“I commend the CEI board of trustees on its choice,” said Linda Clark, president of the Idaho State Board of Education. “I’ve gotten to know Dr. Barber well through my time on the Idaho State Board of Education … and I’ve watched her leadership in action.”
She said it’s been remarkable to watch Barber’s supporting role in the development of CEI since it became a community college in 2017.
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After Clark spoke, Barber addressed the approximately 150 attendees and showcased her vision for eastern Idaho’s relatively new community college.
“CEI stands as the community’s college,” Barber said. “It’s not just a place where students come to earn credentials, though that certainly is important. It’s a hub, a place where the community can see its future being built right before its very eyes. We are CEI, embedded in Idaho Falls, not just offering education, but driving progress by addressing the unique needs of our industry partners and local employers.”
She spoke about the massive growth at the college since it transitioned from Eastern Idaho Technical College to the College of Eastern Idaho. In 2017, there were only 791 students attending, and that number has since ballooned to 3,023 students this semester.
“It’s a testament to the strong desire for learning and growth right here in Idaho Falls,” she said.
She also touted the school’s ability to deal with its 270 percent growth with essentially the same facilities it has had since 2007.
But that’s no longer going to be the case.
One of Barber’s first acts as president was the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the new 88,000-square-foot Future Tech building on the north side of campus. The two-level building will house energy, innovation and technology-related courses, such as cybersecurity and mechatronics, as well as IT and STEM programs. The building is slated for completion in the fall of 2026.
RELATED | It’s official! Construction on CEI’s new Future Tech building begins
Barber spoke about the college’s expanding degree, certificate and workforce training programs. She recognized the work of the college and career readiness division, which helps students who may not be quite ready for college due to things like needing a GED or because English is their second language.
“We are proud that in 2023, 17% of the graduates that walked across that stage with a degree or credential got their start in CCR,” Barber said. “17% percent came to us not college ready, and we provided everything they needed to get college ready and we supported them and got them through to graduation.”
Barber explained graduation rates at the college have not leveled off and continue to grow because they haven’t lost sight of what is important.
“When a student wants a degree or credential, we help them get there,” she said.
Her vision for CEI is for the college to continue to grow and evolve, with expanding programs that grow to meet the needs of an ever-changing world.
“Lets face it, the world is changing daily,” Barber said. “(But) we’ll continue to work with our industry partners to create new pathways for students and adapt quickly to the workforce needs of our region. We will work on more creative ways to deliver knowledge, skills, and abilities that go beyond traditional degree and credit programs.”
The inauguration ceremony was closed by former CEI president Rick Aman, who recorded a message for the occasion. He said Barber is not an unknown quantity at the college or in the community. Recalling her past rolls at CEI as the director of general education and vice president of academic and student affairs, Aman said, Barber “is an accomplished leader who has earned various positions through dedication, vision and commitment to the CEI mission.”
“I want to express my confidence that you are going to guide this college through some wonderful and important years,” he said. “You have the vision and dedication to do that.”