The Ever Onward podcast recently featured Dr. Marlene Tromp, President of Boise State University, in an insightful conversation that illuminated her remarkable leadership philosophy and the transformative impact she’s had on higher education in Idaho. Her approach, rooted in two key principles – love and the Finnish concept of “sisu” (unflappable tenacity in the face of insurmountable odds) – has revolutionized how the university serves its students and the broader community.
Dr. Tromp’s leadership journey reflects her personal background, growing up in Wyoming with a coal miner father and embracing her Finnish heritage. This unique combination of Wyoming resilience and Finnish determination has shaped her approach to tackling challenges. During her six-year tenure at Boise State, she has navigated numerous obstacles, including the COVID-19 pandemic, budget cuts, and significant changes in higher education policy. Through it all, she has maintained her commitment to caring deeply about every stakeholder – students, faculty, staff, legislators, and community members – while demonstrating remarkable persistence in pursuing the university’s mission.
One of the most impressive achievements under Dr. Tromp’s leadership has been Boise State’s improvement in graduation rates – a staggering 39% increase in just five years. This statistic, which would typically cause gasps of amazement at higher education conferences, reflects her dedication to making education more accessible and effective. Further highlighting this commitment is the fact that 52% of Boise State students graduate with zero federal loan debt, and those who do have debt average less than $20,000 for their entire degree – roughly the cost of “a pickup truck and a half,” as Dr. Tromp colorfully described it.
The podcast also explored how Boise State has become deeply integrated with Idaho’s business community and economic development. Dr. Tromp has created positions specifically designed to connect faculty research with business needs and to place students in meaningful internships and career pathways. This strategy has paid dividends, with 70% of Boise State graduates remaining in the Treasure Valley, contributing directly to Idaho’s workforce and economy. The university’s partnerships extend to major institutions like the Idaho National Laboratory, where collaboration in cybersecurity and nuclear energy research is helping position Idaho at the forefront of these critical fields.
Dr. Tromp’s personal story of resilience provides a powerful parallel to her professional philosophy. She shared how she has been a caregiver for both her mother, who had Alzheimer’s, and more recently her sister, who was diagnosed with incurable brain cancer. She also revealed her own physical challenges, including permanent nerve damage in her left leg following the birth of her son. Despite doctors suggesting she might never walk unassisted again, she persevered through painful physical therapy and eventually returned to running. This personal determination mirrors her approach to higher education – facing difficulties head-on while maintaining optimism and focusing on growth.
Throughout the conversation, Dr. Tromp emphasized the importance of a growth mindset – the belief that challenges and failures are opportunities to learn rather than indicators of inability. She encourages students to view setbacks as part of the learning process and to develop resilience by confronting difficulties. As she eloquently put it, “Courage generates courage,” and “The more love you give, the more love you get.” Her leadership exemplifies how personal values, when authentically integrated into professional roles, can drive remarkable institutional transformation and deeply impact communities.
