College of Southern Idaho

06/06/2026

Faculty Friday: Randy Simonson, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor of Psychology

For nearly three decades, Randy Simonson has helped CSI students better understand themselves, others, and the complexities of human behavior through psychology.

Now finishing his 28th year at CSI, Randy serves as a Distinguished Professor of Psychology. His passion for the field began as a student taking PSYC 101, where he discovered ideas that challenged him to think deeply about the human experience and the nature of reality.

With bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees in psychology, Randy brings both expertise and enthusiasm into the classroom. Students can expect plenty of encouragement, positive energy, and opportunities to think critically while exploring some of life's biggest questions.

Randy believes psychology teaches skills that extend far beyond the classroom, including critical thinking, healthy skepticism, humility, persistence, compassion, and effective time management.

One of the most rewarding parts of teaching, he says, is watching a student's "light turn on" when they finally understand something that once seemed impossible.

Outside of CSI, Randy enjoys reading, watching movies, playing piano, crocheting, spending time with his grandchildren, and taking walks with his wife. He also admits that Disneyland is his favorite vacation destination.

His hope for every student is simple: that they leave feeling loved, challenged, and accomplished.

Interested in studying psychology at CSI? Learn more about the Psychology program:
https://www.csi.edu/programs/psychology/default.aspx

06/05/2026

Today, the College of Southern Idaho was honored to host the deactivation ceremony for the Idaho Army National Guard's 116th Brigade Engineer Battalion.

Service members, families, veterans, and community members gathered to recognize the battalion's history, service, and lasting impact on Idaho. The ceremony marked the end of a chapter for the 116th BEB while honoring the soldiers who have served under its colors.

Thank you to the Idaho Army National Guard for allowing CSI to be part of this meaningful occasion and for the sacrifices made by the men and women who have served our state and nation.

06/05/2026

Cafecito en Casa con CSI Podcast: June 2026

Representantes del Colegio del Sur de Idaho invitan a todos a un cafecito en casa con CSI cada primer jueves del mes. Si tienen preguntas o quieren más información sobre eventos del colegio, busquen College of Southern Idaho en Youtube.

Representantes del Colegio del Sur de Idaho invitan a todos a un ca...

06/05/2026

The College of Southern Idaho is excited to join the Rural Student Success Network, a national initiative led by Ithaka S+R and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU).

CSI is one of 17 institutions nationwide selected to participate in this two-year effort focused on strengthening student success, supporting adult learners, enhancing transfer pathways, and aligning academic programs with workforce needs.

We look forward to collaborating with peer institutions across the country to create more opportunities for students and strengthen the communities we serve.

Learn more: https://aascu.org/news/aascu-and-ithaka-sr-announce-rural-student-success-network/

06/05/2026

Time once again for our CSI Cup of Knowledge Podcast! If you’re seeking insights into the admissions process or wondering about preparing for higher education, Maritza Vega and Elizabeth Orr are here to guide you. Whether you’re a dual credit student, a high school graduate, or simply looking to return to college, we have answers for you.

Time once again for our CSI Cup of Knowledge Podcast! If you’re see...

06/04/2026

New friendships, new skills, and new confidence.

This week, 32 students from Jerome High School and Fall City Academy are participating in the Bridge to Success Leadership Week at the College of Southern Idaho. Through interactive activities and workshops, students are building leadership skills, strengthening communication, developing teamwork, and preparing for success in their educational journey.

A special thank you to CoolSpeak for leading an engaging and impactful week focused on personal growth and leadership development. We are also grateful to Connections Credit Union for sponsoring event T-shirts and helping make this experience possible.

With one more day to go, we can't wait to see what these students accomplish next.

06/01/2026

Congratulations to the students who earned a place on the Spring 2026 Dean's List and President's List at the College of Southern Idaho.

This recognition reflects the dedication, perseverance, and academic excellence demonstrated throughout the semester. We celebrate each student for their hard work and commitment to their educational goals. View the full lists below and help us congratulate these outstanding Golden Eagles.

05/30/2026

Faculty Friday: Alberto Garcia Loza, Spanish Instructor

For Alberto, teaching Spanish is about much more than language. It is an opportunity to share cultures, build understanding, and help students become more confident in connecting with people from different backgrounds.

Alberto joined CSI as a part-time instructor in Fall 2025 before becoming a full-time faculty member in Spring 2026. Having lived in México, Spain, and the United States, he brings a unique perspective to the classroom and enjoys introducing students to the many cultures that make up the Spanish-speaking world.

Students in Alberto’s classes learn more than vocabulary and grammar. They explore culture, identity, and the experiences that shape communities both around the world and here in the United States. His goal is to help students become more culturally aware, open-minded, and prepared to navigate an increasingly connected world.

Alberto hopes students leave his classroom with greater confidence, a positive experience, and a stronger understanding of what it means to be a culturally aware.

Outside of CSI, Alberto enjoys reading, researching, exercising, watching movies, listening to music, cooking, and learning new things. He describes himself as a lifelong student who is always growing and evolving.

Interested in learning Spanish at CSI? Explore our programs:
• Spanish, Associate of Arts
• Spanish for Health Professions, Associate of Arts
• Spanish for Heritage Speakers, Associate of Arts

Learn more: https://www.csi.edu/programs/spanish/default.aspx