Jane Ahrens

After graduating with a degree in Political Science, Jane Ahrens went on to receive her law degree and the Award of Legal Achievement from the University of Idaho. Now senior counsel for the Federal Reserve System in Washington, D.C., Jane has been extensively involved with development of regulations intended to address abusive practices involving mortgage loans with high rates and fees. Prior to joining the Reserve’s Board of Governors, Jane served as an attorney and as vice president and risk manager for Moore Financial Group in Idaho. She has served on the boards of the Idaho Humanities Council, the District of Columbia Humanities Council and the Federation of State Humanities Councils.

 

Andrew Arulandandam

As director of public affairs for the National Rifle Association, Communication graduate Andrew Arulandandam manages all aspects of media and public relations for one of the nation’s most powerful political organizations.  He was recognized by PR week as one of the premier public relations professionals in the country. As NRA national spokesman, he is frequently quoted in major national and international publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Newsweek and the London Times. He has also managed appearances on news programs such as Meet the Press, The Today Show and the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. Prior to joining the NRA, Andrew served as executive director for a state Republican party, was on the staff of Idaho Gov. Phil Batt and served on a number of senate and gubernatorial campaigns.

 

Sadie D. Babits

Sadie Babits, an August 2003 Political Science graduate and former host of All Things Considered on NPR News 91, was recently awarded a Pew Fellowship in International Journalism. The award allowed her to study international relations at John Hopkins University and then travel to Kenya to report on water rights and supply issues for Arizona Public Radio (KNAU), where she currently hosts Morning Edition. Sadie has also received several broadcast journalism awards, including a 2004 Edward R. Murrow award for feature reporting, a 2003 PRINDI award for spot reporting, a 2001 Reel Award from the National Community Broadcasters Association and several state and local awards.

 

Thomas J. Beauclair

As director of the Idaho Department of Correction, Criminal Justice and Psychology graduate Tom Beauclair has a hand in all aspects of correction for the state. Not only does he represent the department in all matters with the governor, legislature and judiciary, he has also led the department through dramatic changes and improved its image and credibility with the administration, the media and the public. In addition to his undergraduate degree at Boise State, he also holds a master’s in guidance and counseling from the former College of Idaho. He has served as adjunct faculty for both Boise State and Albertson’s College and as an adviser for Boise State’s Criminal Justice Graduate Program.

 

Dustin T. Bloxham

As a special agent for the Drug Enforcement Administration, Criminal Justice Administration graduate Dustin Bloxham is involved in the apprehension of violent narcotic traffickers. In addition to working from his home base of Los Angeles, California, his team has also been deployed to Honolulu and Kona, Hawaii, and to Las Vegas, Nevada. His work has earned him a DEA Administrators Award for Valor and the Federal Bar Association Medal of Valor. Prior to working for the DEA, he was a military police investigator for the U.S. Army, and was deployed for a period to Saudi Arabia to act as a customs inspector for troops returning to the United States. While in the Army, he received several awards, including the Army Commendation Medal.

 

Robert D. Corrie

Robert Corrie retired in 2004 after serving two terms as mayor of Meridian, Idaho, following the completion of his degree in Public Policy and Administration. Under his watch, Meridian grew from a town of 9,000 residents to a thriving city with a population of 45,000 and growing. During his tenure he helped develop the Boys & Girls Club, and built three new fire stations and a new police station. He was also instrumental in the development of several businesses vital to the economic health of the community, including Roaring Springs Water Park, Meridian Cross Roads Mall and Jabil. Bob serves on many community boards, including several for youth, education and activities.

 

Mark P. Dunham

Mark Dunham, a Communication graduate, is director of government relations for Boise State, assisting in the coordination of public policy activities and relationships with governmental entities, the business community, peer institutions and the education community. He is also serving as interim vice president of university advancement. Before joining the administration at Boise State, Mark served as the chief executive officer of the Idaho Association of Realtors, representing the interests of more than 5,000 Realtor members throughout Idaho. He and his wife Heather are expecting their first child early next year.

 

Kevin L. Fannin

Criminal Justice Administration graduate Kevin Fannin manages exercises at the local, state and national level for the Office for Domestic Preparedness, U.S. Department of Homeland Security — a job he has held since September 2001. Prior to his current position, he served as deputy emergency services coordinator for Arlington County, Virginia, and as a deputy fire marshal, also in Arlington. He was named 2000 Employee of the Year for Arlington County Government and received the 2002 U.S. Department of Justice Performance Incentive Award.

 

Corrine Tafoya-Fisher

Corrine Tafoya-Fisher, a graduate of the School of Social Work, provides clinical consultation and staff supervision to mental health and domestic violence programs at Salud y Provecho Counseling Services. She devotes her free time to Advocates Against Family Violence, writing fund-raising proposals for programs such as Hope’s Door, a domestic violence shelter in Caldwell, and advocating for victims of family violence and their children. Corrine is also involved in the formation of a Political Action Committee called Action Against Hate.  In 2002, she was the Democratic candidate for Idaho State Senate District 13.

 

Celia R. Gould

Celia Gould was the first Boise State Political Science graduate to be elected to the Idaho State Legislature. During her 16 years as a state representative, the last 10 as chair of the Judiciary, Rules and Administration Committee, she was responsible for creating innovative legislation in numerous areas, such as establishing the Department of Juvenile Correction and sponsoring the progressive drug courts that have provided Idaho with positive recognition. In addition to her political career, Celia is both an owner and operator of GlennDale Ranches, Inc., where she serves as the lead partner for business strategy.

 

Russell T. Gould

An Anthropology alumnus, Russell Gould wears two hats — research professor of anthropology at Southern Methodist University and application and data systems generalist for the Boeing Airport Security Program. He earned his Ph.D. at SMU in 2002. Russell’s research interests focus on the analysis of archaeological components in historic and prehistoric contexts. His fieldwork has ranged from the study of reindeer in Siberia to excavations at Three Island Crossing in Southwestern Idaho. He is editor of the forthcoming Database of North American Indians and presented the keynote address at the 2003 Undergraduate Research Conference hosted by the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs.

 

Michael D. Haddon

While at Boise State, Political Science graduate Michael Haddon was a Top Ten Scholar and a student senator. After earning his MPA with an emphasis on criminal justice administration, he was hired as a research analyst with the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice. Still there, he is now the director of research for the Utah Sentencing Commission and director of research for the Utah Substance Abuse and Anti-Violence Coordinating Council. A four-time winner of the national Hoke Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice Research, he assisted in developing one of the first sentencing guideline matrices for juvenile offenders in the nation and also conducted an evaluation of a drug court in Utah so exemplary that several state and university researchers have replicated its methodology.

 

Dawn Justice

Public Policy and Administration graduate Dawn Justice was once a Boise State employee, working as special projects assistant in the President’s Office. Most recently, she was hired as the president and CEO of the Idaho Bankers Association after eight years as the vice president of human resources for the Idaho Association of Commerce and Industry. While at the IACI, Dawn was an experienced association lobbyist, representing the association’s interests to legislators on a broad range of issues. Early in her career, Dawn was public relations manager for the Plaza Hotel in Singapore.

 

Lisa “Toni” Lawson

Anthropology graduate Lisa “Toni” Lawson was recently named health care policy advisor by U.S. Sen. Larry Craig, chair of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging. Prior to working for Sen. Craig, Toni was government relations coordinator for Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center. She has served as special events coordinator for the Saint Alphonsus Foundation and was development manager of the Idaho Foodbank. In addition, she has served on several boards, including the Ronald McDonald House and Catholic Charities of Idaho. Toni was once director of the Oinkari Basque Dancers and spent nine years in Spain working for Elkarri, a non-profit organization that promotes the end of violence in the Basque region.

 

Jeremy Maxand

Sociology graduate Jeremy Maxand is executive director of and spokesperson for the Snake River Alliance, an organization founded in 1979 to protect the Snake River Aquifer from nuclear contamination. In addition, Jeremy is the co-founder and executive director of the Idaho Media Project and a former candidate for Boise mayor. He has worked as a campaign manager for two legislative campaigns and is a member of the North End Neighborhood Association board. While at Boise Sate he was a student senator and was active on the Affirmative Action Council. He continues to be an active supporter and positive voice for community organizations.

 

Nicholas A. Oldham

Magna cum laude History alumnus Nicholas Oldham is an attorney with Williams & Connoly in Washington, D.C. A Harvard Law School graduate, Nicholas served as a law clerk to Judge Stephen S. Trott of the ninth circuit U.S. Court of Appeals and published “Recent Developments in Health Law— Antitrust: Exclusion of Radiologist by Hospital’s Referral Network Upheld.” While a student at Boise State he received the Boise State University Community Service Award, was a member of Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society and served as ASBSU vice president. He currently lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

 

Rob R. Perez

Rob Perez, a Communication graduate, is senior vice president and district manager for the Boise Real Estate team at U.S. Bank. He obtained his real estate license in 2001. After taking a job with First National Bank right after graduation, Rob served in various capacities with Idaho First/West One Bank, including corporate banking group manager. In 1999 he was selected as manager for commercial real estate for the Intermountain Region. While at Boise State, he served as ASBSU president and has since served on many Boise State and community boards and organizations, including Boise Contemporary Theatre, Boise Metro Chamber of Commerce and Capital City Kiwanis Club. Married with two children, ages 19 and 15, his proudest accomplishment is achieving master shoemaker after a 10-year apprenticeship.

 

Marilyn T. Shuler

Public Policy graduate Marilyn Shuler retired as director of the Idaho Human Rights Commission after decades of leadership in the struggle for human rights. She was honored for that service with an Equal Justice Award,  among others. Marilyn has served as a member of the Boise School  Board, the Boise Redevelopment Agency and the Public Employees Retirement  Board. She has received honors for her work in human rights from the National  Governors Association, the Northwest Coalition Against Malicious Harassment, and from both Boise State University and the University of Idaho. She currently serves as an advocate for children through the CASA program (Court Appointed Special Advocate) and is active on many community and university boards and committees.

 

Gloria Pilar Totoricagüena

Gloria Totoricagüena, a Political Science graduate, is a professor at the Center for Basque Studies at the University of Nevada-Reno. She has written several books on the Basque people and represented U.S. Basques at the Second World Congress of Basque Collectivities. Winner of the Governor’s Initiative Award, the State of Idaho Excellence in  Teaching award for 2000 and many other awards, Gloria has done research in several countries, including Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Brazil, Spain, France, Belgium and Australia. Her current research centers on the comparison between the dispersion of the Basque people to other countries and the dispersion of other ethnic groups.

 

James A. Yost

After graduating with a bachelor’s in History, James Yost was elected to the Idaho State Senate, the youngest Idaho state senator ever elected. He served two terms representing Gooding, Lincoln and Jerome counties, where water and natural resource issues were a priority. As a result, he became a strong advocate for individual and private property rights. He has served in natural resource positions under governors Andrus and Batt and is currently Governor Dirk Kempthorne’s senior natural resource policy advisor, working as a liaison to and oversight of several state departments. He and his wife have four children, three of whom also graduated from Boise State. Their oldest grandchild is currently a Boise State junior.