Dear College of Idaho Community,
It is with deep gratitude and warm hearts that we announce the retirement of Doug Brigham, Chief Executive Officer of The College of Idaho, effective December 2026.
Doug’s relationship with The College of Idaho is not simply professional — it is personal, lifelong, and deeply rooted. A proud alumnus, Doug met his wife, Beth, while attending the College and has devoted decades of service to the institution he loves.
Doug served 8 years on the Board of Trustees, including as Chair of the Board. In 2018, he and Jim Everett stepped in as Co-Presidents, providing steady leadership during a transformative period for the College. Following Jim’s retirement in 2025, Doug continued in a leadership capacity as Chief Executive Officer as part of a planned succession strategy that elevated Dr. David Douglass to President.
Throughout his service, Doug has led with vision, humility, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring The College of Idaho remains a place where students can discover their potential and pursue lives of purpose.
What has always set Doug apart is not just his strategic acumen or his institutional knowledge. It is his genuine, unwavering love for The College of Idaho. He has approached every decision, every challenge, and every opportunity with the heart of someone who cares deeply about this place and the people who make it special. His impact on the College will be felt for generations to come.
“I feel so lucky to have had a chance to work at my alma mater, a place I consider to be second to none in terms of transforming students into leaders in every walk of life. To be able to work side-by-side with Jim Everett and more recently David Douglass has been amazing, and I feel confident that I’m leaving the College in great hands with such a strong leadership team,” said Brigham.
“Doug brought exactly the right set of leadership skills that The College of Idaho needed—discernment, decisiveness, and the courage to act. He is an out-of-the-box thinker, which is exceedingly rare in academic leadership.” said Douglass.
Dr. David Douglass became the College’s 16th president in June 2025. A longtime member of the College’s leadership team, he previously served as executive vice president, provost, vice president for academic affairs, and dean. Dr. Douglass is widely recognized for his collaborative leadership, commitment to student success, and dedication to advancing the College’s mission. He will continue to lead the institution following Doug’s retirement.
Please join us in celebrating Doug Brigham: alumnus, trustee, board chair, CEO, President, mentor, and champion of The College of Idaho. We are profoundly grateful for his years of service and wish him and Beth every happiness in the remarkable chapter ahead.
With gratitude,
Megan Ronk, Board Chair
Board of Trustees The College of Idaho
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