Diesel Technology/On-Site Power Generation — Program of the Year
The Diesel Technology/On-Site Power Generation program secured its Program of the Year distinction through a unique, industry-driven model that sets a national standard for workforce development. Its curriculum, recognized by Associated Equipment Distributors, is continually refined by a technical advisory committee representing global giants like John Deere, Caterpillar, and Komatsu. This deep integration ensures the program remains at the vanguard of the industry, directly aligning student training with the evolving needs of the agricultural, trucking, and mining sectors.
A defining factor in the program's success is its dual-enrollment partnerships with high schools across Idaho, such as Boise's Dennis Technical Education Center and Malad High School. By allowing students to complete foundational training before even reaching the College of Technology, these partnerships have fueled the highest fall enrollment in the program's history, creating an accelerated pipeline of skilled technicians for the Idaho workforce.
People are also reading…
Further distinguishing the program is the unparalleled level of industry investment in student success. Beyond weekly recruitment visits and tuition reimbursement programs, partners like CB Operations have provided over $6 million in equipment loans. This access to cutting-edge technology—ranging from Tier IV emissions systems to advanced hydrostatics—provides students with a level of hands-on experience that is unmatched by peer institutions.
Graduating with stackable credentials and specialized training in On-Site Power Generation, students are prepared for high-demand roles in hospitals, government facilities, and military installations. This comprehensive approach to technical education and strategic industry collaboration was pivotal in earning the program top honors, cementing its reputation as a premier destination for specialized diesel and power generation training in the United States.
Tommy Gunderson — Postsecondary Educator of the Year
Gunderson, an instructor in the College of Technology's Information Technology Systems program, is a retired Marine with 24 years of service whose career spanned network security, the Department of Justice, and national infrastructure systems before he joined ISU. Now in his sixth semester with the college, he has rebuilt the IT Systems program around hands-on learning, industry certifications, and direct employer connections.
His teaching style traces back to his early days in the Marine Corps, when he built networks without formal training.
"I didn't know I couldn't do it, so I did it," Gunderson said.
That philosophy shapes how students move through the program today. Rather than focusing on theory, students build networks, configure systems, and work toward industry-recognized certifications through coursework that blends networking, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and hardware systems, using platforms including Microsoft, Linux, and Cisco. Gunderson exposes students to a range of certification paths through CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, Fortinet, and Red Hat, then lets them choose based on their interests.
"We introduce them to all the things that are needed on the outside and tell them, if there's one that interests you, let's go pursue that," Gunderson said.
When Gunderson started at ISU, placing students in internships was difficult, with some employers reluctant to bring them on. Since then, he's leaned on long-standing industry relationships and strengthened student preparation to expand partnerships with employers including Idaho Central Credit Union, Lookout Credit Union, Cal Ranch, regional network operations centers, and Idaho National Labs.
"We're actually getting calls now from some employers previously reluctant to take interns from the program," Gunderson said.
Gunderson is also working to build a statewide security operations center, or SOC, that would give students the chance to intern in a live operational environment monitoring networks for cybersecurity threats. He's leading additional efforts to establish the program as Idaho's first Fortinet Academy and to advance a statewide, collaborative cybersecurity training model.
