College of Southern Idaho Foundation Awards $24,000
in Mini Grants for 2025–2026 Academic Year

TWIN FALLS, ID — The College of Southern Idaho (CSI) Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025–2026 Mini Grant Program, awarding a total of $24,000 in funding to support innovative projects and initiatives that enhance student access, success, and community engagement.

The CSI Foundation Scholarships and Grants Committee carefully reviewed numerous proposals and selected 14 impactful projects across various departments. These grants empower faculty and staff to launch or expand initiatives that directly benefit students, academic programs, and engage the community.

Approved projects include:
• Jennifer Hall – $2,975 | College and Career Readiness
Funding for supplies and testing resources for students in the Integrated CNA course.
• Adam Valentiner – $1,585 | Digital Media
Purchase of outdoor and mobile strobe photography equipment.
• Jayme Peck – $500 | Workforce – Phlebotomy Program
Support for a community event featuring supervised blood draws.
• Jaime Tigue – $500 | Mental Health Summit
Funding for the annual Mental Health Summit and comfort box initiative.
• Maritza Vega – $3,000 | Welcome Center/Office of Admissions
Renovation of the Welcome Center front area to increase accessibility.
• Aarianna Harmon – $500 | Herrett Center
Sponsorships for low-income students to attend the Science Camp-In.
• Reed Hepler – $3,000 | Library, CSI Archives
Digitization of historical documents related to the college and surrounding community.
• Amy Christopherson – $500 | Mini-Cassia Center
Support for the Family STEM Night at the Mini-Cassia Center.
• Ashley Lopez – $3,000 | Surgical Technology
Creation of a Disaster Day training event for students in healthcare programs.
• Ben Lustig – $1,500 | Photography Program
Upgrades to film and digital photography equipment.
• Dara Rodemack – $3,000 | Business Management Program
Purchase of a 3D scanner to support curriculum development.
• Jaysa Fillmore – $500 | Agriculture Department
Creation of industry support gifts using CSI Farm resources.
• Kara Mahannah – $500 | Medical Assisting Program
Support for a marketing event celebrating the program’s 35th year of accreditation.
• Mark Daily – $2,940 | Physical Science
Acquisition of DC power supplies for enhanced physics instruction.

These mini grants represent the CSI Foundation’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community engagement. “We are incredibly proud to support projects that inspire learning, expand access, and build stronger connections between CSI and our community,” said Erika Allen, Executive Director of the CSI Foundation.

For more information on how to support the CSI Foundation or future Mini Grant opportunities, please visit foundation.csi.edu.