University of Idaho Agricultural Education, Leadership, and Communications

Brave and bold-- a mindset that the Vandals and Vandal Alumna, Rikki Ruiz both share. The mindset of never underestimating your potential has led Ruiz and her small business, The Frosted Cowgirls Boutique to success.  The Pocatello, Idaho native now calls New Plymouth, Idaho home and will always be a proud member of the Vandal family. After receiving a masters in Agricultural Education with a focus on agricultural communications and industry relations and a Bachelors in Agricultural Business, Ruiz began her career and spent 12 years as a University of Idaho Extension Educator. During this time, she also created the western fashion boutique, The Frosted Cowgirls.  The Frosted Cowgirls Boutique was founded almost 12 years ago and has grown to have a storefront in Fruitland, Idaho, an online store and a mobile boutique that travels to rodeos across the region. Ruiz expressed her passion for her small business in stating, “ If someone feels beautiful, their confidence lifts, and t...

By Maggie Elliot Always watch ed  Robin Hood   and figured you were a natural bowman? Or maybe felt like jumping into the sword duel in the  Princess Bride ? Or perhaps you've seen the karate kid and wanted to apply your own  wax on, wax off  skills... What if I told you there was a class for that? When you go to college, those far-fetched dreams may seem to slip away.  But they don’t have to. “I decided to enroll in archery because in movies it looks  fluid and graceful.”  said archer Milise Blanton.  “I wanted to be able to do that.” “You try to attack me? I’m going to flip you over. It’s so cool!”  mentioned Morgan Howard, listing a reason which drove her to learn self defense.       PEB courses, named as such since most of them take place in the Physical Education Building, give students the opportunity to develop a new, non-academi...

by Maggie Elliot Tired of spending all week curled over a laptop? Getting a little bored with your daily route to classes?  Well, you’re in luck. Students at the University of Idaho have the unique opportunity to explore the diverse regions surrounding the Palouse. Whether you enjoy following a stream in a dense forest, fishing at a lake, or soaking in breathtaking views of golden rolling hills, your outdoor recreational “happy place” may only be a stone’s throw away.  Some popular places to get you started: Spring Valley Reservoir  is located less than 18 miles east of Moscow, and the Idaho Department of Fish and Game maintains an annual fish-stocking program. Trails around the reservoir are also popular birding pathways. Spring Valley on a sunny afternoon Photo Credit: Maggie Elliot Moscow Mountain  is a popular venture for hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers, since it's sprawling with a plethora of trails and offers un...