Join us at Eagle Fest for CSI's 60th Birthday!

Access, Innovation, and Community: Celebrating 60 Years of the College of Southern Idaho

The College of Southern Idaho began with a bold vision in 1965: to bring accessible, high-quality higher education to the people of the Magic Valley. Appointed by Governor Robert Smylie, the first Board of Trustees hired Dr. Jim Taylor as the founding president. That fall, more than 650 students attended classes held at Twin Falls High School, taught by17 faculty members.

By 1967, construction had begun on CSI’s permanent campus. Buildings such as the Fine Arts and Shields Building began to take shape, anchored by a striking 107-foot tower that quickly became an icon of the institution. In 1970, CSI achieved full accreditation from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities—solidifying its place as a trusted center of higher learning. That same year, the college became one of the first in the region to adopt geothermal energy to heat its buildings, reflecting an innovative spirit that still defines CSI today.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the college responded to the region’s changing economic needs. In 1976, CSI launched the Vocational Technical Center, offering hands-on training in fields like welding, auto mechanics, and nursing. The CSI Refugee Center was founded in 1980 to support the growing number of Southeast Asian and later Middle Eastern immigrants making their home in southern Idaho. In 1981, the college added the Expo Center, which would become home to the highly successful CSI Rodeo Team. That same year, the firefighter training program moved to campus. In 1984, CSI responded to growing healthcare demands by launching an Associate Degree in Nursing.

CSI continued expanding its academic reach in the 1990s. A partnership with Idaho Public Television in 1987 enabled the college to broadcast classes via microwave technology across the Magic Valley, bringing college courses to rural learners. In 1993, the newly renovated and expanded Herrett Center for Arts and Science reopened its doors, offering students and the community access to cultural exhibits and one of the most advanced planetariums in the area.

By 2000, CSI had become a hub for innovation in education. Dual credit and distance learning options expanded rapidly, connecting high school students and adult learners with new academic opportunities. In 1996, Governor Cecil Andrus allocated $5.3 million to build a state-of-the-art library. Named in honor of Gerald R. Meyerhoeffer, the building became a cornerstone for research and community access.

The college entered the next decade with momentum. In 2007, CSI launched the Early College Program, allowing high school students to earn college credits and graduate with a head start. In 2012, CSI opened the Applied Technology and Innovation Center, aligning technical training with local workforce needs in fields like agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.

The sixth decade brought new challenges and triumphs. By 2017, CSI’s Early Childhood Education Lab achieved national accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), affirming its commitment to excellence. Then came 2020. As the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe, CSI swiftly transitioned to online instruction, adapted services, and ensured students remained supported through one of the most disruptive periods in modern education.

Now, as CSI celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2025, it stands as a testament to the power of vision, collaboration, and service. With over 100 degree and certificate programs, robust university partnerships, and a steadfast commitment to community impact, the College of Southern Idaho continues to open doors, create opportunities, and transform lives—just as it has for six decades.