CEI hosts JFAC in historic visit to the community college

IDAHO FALLS — For the first time in College of Eastern Idaho’s history, the state’s Joint Financial Appropriation Committee visited the institution.

The 50 members of Idaho’s JFAC, which has provided financial support for CEI since 2017, heard testimony from industry leaders about the school’s ability to prepare community members for jobs.

CEI’s President Lori Barber told the committee it has funded nearly $1.7 million in career technical enhancements and around $500,000 in enrollment workload adjustments.

“That is absolutely life-changing for our campus, for our faculty, for our staff, but mainly for our students and the programs that we can create with that money. We are extraordinarily grateful,” Barber said.

Barber told EastIdahoNews.com the visit from JFAC is more than just about reporting about how CEI is doing. It’s also about thanking them for their support.

“It’s … huge for the community that this very important committee has traveled across the state to be at our institution and be able to see everything we have going on,” Barber said.

The presentation brought current and former members of the school’s board of trustees. Also in attendance were Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, and Sen. Scott Grow, R-Eagle. Both legislators are members of JFAC.

Horman said Trustee Carrie Scheid was pivotal in convincing the community to increase their taxes to make the college a reality.

“Think about what a miracle that is,” Horman said. “She donated all her time to helping us have what you see here today.”

During the presentation, two students spoke about how CEI helped to improve their lives while tackling a busy schedule.

Josie Dalton, 17, and Aisha Nalder, 33, graduated from CEI on May 13 with their associate’s degrees.

Dalton is still at American Heritage Charter School, and Nalder, a non-traditional, first-generation student, is a mother and a wife.

“To me, CEI is more than just the school. It is a hidden gem. This institution changed my life, and I’m grateful for it,” Nalder said.

Barber said while she’s proud of both students, this presentation is an aide to the members of JFAC who want to see where its dollars go and how it’s being used.

“At CEI, we are laser-focused on student success,” Barber said. “That not only is their success, but for all of their children and their children’s children — really their entire lineage is going to be forever altered and forever changed.”