BYU-Idaho has many faculty members that help students learn. Some are new and still learning what it’s like at BYUI, while others have been around for a while and their time teaching at BYUI is coming to an end.
Two faculty members reside on opposite ends of the spectrum. Professor Jack Fuller, a faculty member who retires at the end of the semester, and Professor Kendra Jensen who started teaching at BYUI a year ago.
"I just finished my first year. It’s been great,” said Jensen. “The students are just so good and hardworking.”
Fuller has been teaching in the finance department for 15 years. Before teaching at BYUI he was a lawyer and owned a trust company.
"I was a lawyer for a couple of years, and then I started a trust company… It's kind of a quirky niche of life. Did it for 20 years,” said Fuller. "I remember telling my wife, I don't fix me doing this for another 20 years. I think it's time for me to move on and just kind of try something else.”
Fuller was a seminary teacher at the time he decided to start applying to teach. He recounted how they just received a new learning model in seminary that he was impressed with, and when he learned BYUI had the same one, he felt drawn to teach here.
“I didn’t know anything about BYU-Idaho at first, but when I saw the learning model, I knew this was where I wanted to be,” said Fuller.
Jensen shared her experience of adjusting to the new environment as a new faculty member.
"Coming in as a new professor, there’s definitely a learning curve, but the faculty here are incredibly supportive, and I’ve felt really welcomed,” Jensen said.
Jensen spoke about the “Spirit of Ricks” and how the faculty tries to bring that spirit to the campus.
“The ‘Spirit of Ricks’ is real, I don't think students realize how important they are to the ‘Spirit of Ricks,’ or how much impact they have on contributing to that,” Jensen said. “I hope students realize how special and important they are and that they need to keep that with them and then go share it with the world.”
A lot has changed throughout Fuller’s time at BYUI. The school has attracted national attention and is starting to gain a larger reputation.
“Things are changing, we’re starting to get noticed in the press, and that means we have to stay competitive,” Fuller said.
For Jensen, even though she has only been here for one year, she has recognized the school's uniqueness.
“The culture of caring and faith-centered learning is unlike anywhere else,” Jensen said.
BYUI isn’t the only thing growing and changing; Fuller and Jensen have experienced growth during their time teaching.
Fuller said he’s grown a lot from observing the students receive guidance with their studies.
“Being here has reminded me how personally involved God is in our lives, especially for young people figuring out their path,” Fuller said.
As BYUI evolves the faculty matches it. No matter how long they’ve been here, professors like Jensen and Fuller embody the spirit of learning, faith and mentorship that define the university.