College of Western Idaho (CWI) and Micron Technology, Inc. announced a gift that will name the College’s new Boise location, the Micron Academic Center.
The announcement was made on April 2 during a celebratory event in Boise, where leaders from Micron joined CWI’s Board of Trustees and President Gordon Jones to commemorate the milestone and ongoing partnership between the two institutions.
The Micron Academic Center will house programs, such as CWI’s Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Business, and more, in modern labs and learning spaces. These spaces are designed to build the skills and education students need to power the workforce. The center will also allow the College to vacate leased facilities in Ada County and consolidate programs into a permanent, purpose-built campus.
“Micron’s extraordinary generosity reflects a deep belief in the power of education to transform lives, strengthen families, and fuel Idaho’s economy,” said Gordon Jones, President of CWI. “The Micron Academic Center will stand as a beacon of opportunity — a place where students from all backgrounds can gain the knowledge and skills to thrive in high-demand careers and build meaningful futures.”
“For nearly two decades, Micron and CWI have worked together to expand opportunity and prepare our community’s students for meaningful, in-demand careers,” said April Arnzen, Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer at Micron Technology, and President of the Micron Foundation. “The Micron Academic Center builds on that legacy by establishing a beautiful, accessible learning environment that brings education, industry, and community together, helping students gain the skills they need to succeed while supporting long-term economic growth in Idaho.”
CWI and Micron share a long history of collaboration centered on workforce development, student opportunity, and regional economic growth. In 2012, the Micron Foundation supported the completion of the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), which was named in Micron’s honor. That investment strengthened career-technical programs with strong job placement outcomes and expanded access to industry-aligned training.
The partnership has continued to grow through scholarships, program support, and apprenticeship pathways preparing students for high-demand careers in advanced mechatronics and semiconductor manufacturing industry.
The naming of the Micron Academic Center builds on more than a decade of shared commitment to developing Idaho’s workforce. The new facility will expand access to high-quality, affordable education and create new opportunities for students to engage with industry partners and the community.
Construction remains on schedule, with the Micron Academic Center anticipated to open its doors to students in Fall 2027.
The building is part of a larger development that includes retail, housing, hotel, and a parking garage. For CWI’s facility, the College has partnered with Ahlquist, Hummel Architects, Paradigm, and ESI Construction on the design and development of the project.
For more information about the Micron Academic Center and the College’s Boise expansion, visit CWI's Boise Development page.
