C. Scott Green will step down as president of the University of Idaho on June 30, concluding a seven-year tenure that saw the Moscow campus navigate significant financial challenges and achieve new academic milestones, according to reporting from idahocapitalsun.com.
Green made the announcement during his annual “state of the university” address on Wednesday. The decision marks the end of an era for the flagship Idaho institution, which will now begin the process of selecting a new leader under recently enacted state laws governing presidential searches.
A Return to Moscow
Green’s departure closes a full circle in his relationship with the university. A 1984 graduate who previously served as student body president, Green returned to Moscow in July 2019 from New York City, where he held a top management position at the law firm Hogan Lovells.
His seven-year term is the longest of any University of Idaho president since Richard Gibb, who led the institution during Green’s undergraduate years. The State Board of Education, which serves as the university’s board of regents, will oversee the transition.
Navigating Financial and Academic Milestones
Green’s leadership spanned a period of intense volatility for higher education in Idaho. Early in his tenure, the university faced severe financial headwinds. By spring 2020, the institution had covered $40 million in operating losses, a crisis that required careful fiscal management to stabilize.
Despite these early hurdles, the university has seen substantial growth and recognition in recent years. Last fall, the campus welcomed its second-largest freshman class in history. In 2025, the Carnegie Classification granted the University of Idaho R1 research status, a designation reserved for universities with the highest level of research activity.
The same year, the university completed a $500 million capital campaign, signaling strong donor support for campus infrastructure and academic programs. These achievements have positioned the University of Idaho to expand its health degrees to address mental health and aging needs, as well as broaden its AI curriculum with new degrees and certificates.
The Phoenix Acquisition Attempt
A major point of contention during Green’s tenure was the proposed acquisition of University of Phoenix. In 2023, the State Board approved a bid to purchase the online institution for $685 million. However, the 2024 Legislature rejected the deal, citing concerns over taxpayer exposure and the strategic fit.
Negotiations between the two institutions officially broke off in June 2025. University of Phoenix later went on the public market with a valuation of $1.1 billion. The failed acquisition remains one of the most significant policy debates involving Idaho’s higher education system in recent years.
Leadership Praise and Search Process
State officials have offered strong endorsements of Green’s performance. Gov. Brad Little praised Green’s leadership, while State Superintendent Debbie Critchfield highlighted his ability to navigate the budget crisis. State Board President Kurt Liebich commended Green’s dedication to the university.
The search for a successor will operate under new rules established by 2026 state law. The legislation allows for closed-door interviewing and vetting of candidates, a shift from previous open processes. Under the new statute, the State Board must announce one sole finalist before making an appointment.
State Board spokeswoman Marissa Morrison indicated that details regarding the presidential search are forthcoming. The university hopes to choose a successor by spring 2027.
Context of Recent Leadership Changes
Green’s retirement follows a period of leadership turnover across Idaho’s public universities. Marlene Tromp announced her departure from Boise State University in March 2025, taking the presidency at the University of Vermont that summer. The State Board filled the Boise State vacancy after a 16-month search, hiring David Hahn, dean of the University of Arizona engineering college, on July 1.
Financial compensation for top university executives remains comparable across institutions. Green’s annual salary is $479,192, while Hahn’s annual salary at Boise State is set at $480,000.
The transition will require the new president to maintain momentum on academic expansions and research initiatives while managing the ongoing fiscal responsibilities of a major public university in Idaho.