Boise State names David Hahn sole finalist; public review runs before board vote

Boise State’s next president selection has moved into its formal “finalist” stage. On June 16, 2026, the Idaho State Board of Education named Dr. David W. Hahn as Boise State University’s sole presidential finalist, kicking off a required public review period that comes before the board takes a formal vote.

For Boise-area students, parents, employees, and the employers who rely on Boise State for talent pipelines and research partnerships, this is the part of the process where community feedback is still part of the record.

What the Idaho State Board decided on June 16

Boise State’s presidential search announcement states that the Idaho State Board of Education named Dr. David W. Hahn as the sole finalist to serve as the university’s eighth president. The release also explains that, under Idaho law, the finalist stage starts a 10-business-day public review period prior to any formal vote by the board.

During that review window, Boise State says “sole finalist screening feedback” should be sent to the board via email at comments@edu.idaho.gov.

Public review window: forum and how to weigh in

Boise State Public Radio reported that Hahn will meet with the campus community during the review period, including an open forum Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. The report says the forum will be livestreamed for people who can’t attend in person.

In addition to the forum, the official Boise State announcement directs residents to submit screening feedback to the board by email during the 10-business-day public review period that begins with the June 16 finalist announcement.

When could the board vote?

Boise State Public Radio reports that trustees will vote on his nomination in two weeks.

Residents can use the board’s published schedule as a reference point, but the key procedural timeline to watch is the review-to-vote sequence: the finalist review period is required before the board votes.

For context, the Idaho State Board of Education’s event listing for a Boise board meeting shows a June 16–June 18 window—though the finalist vote is still expected after the review period under the finalist-stage rule.

Why Boise-area readers should pay attention now (without guessing outcomes)

Even though a finalist is not a final appointment, leadership transitions at Boise State can quickly shape how students learn, how quickly campus priorities move, and how partners plan work with the university. The practical focus for residents is to watch what the board and campus emphasize during the review period—and be ready to participate before the review window closes.

Where to follow updates

For the latest on the finalist-stage process, residents can follow Boise State’s presidential search announcement timeline. For scheduled board actions, the Idaho State Board of Education’s event and meeting pages are the most reliable place to confirm what’s next.

Sources

• Boise State presidential search (June 16, 2026 official finalist announcement)
• Idaho State Board of Education board meeting listing (Boise)
• Idaho Statesman: local reporting on the finalist announcement and public review details
• Boise State Public Radio: public-media coverage of the finalist announcement