LEWISTON, Idaho – Doug Cruthirds has been named interim dean of the Lewis-Clark State College School of Career & Technical Education, administrators announced on Monday. He will assume the role immediately.
Cruthirds, who was among three candidates interviewed on campus for the position in September, has served as director of LC State’s Workforce Training program since 2021, overseeing short-term training, contract training, professional development, community education, and industry-responsive programming.
He has also filled the role of assistant dean for operations and external relations for the CTE program on an interim basis since May. In this position, Cruthirds served as the primary administrative and fiscal officer for the CTE school, managing the program’s operating, project, and grant-related budgets.
“Dr. Cruthirds brings a well-rounded perspective to this role, having served LC State as a student, an advisor, a faculty member, and an administrator who has built partnerships with regional employers," said Fred Chilson, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. "Most recently, as interim assistant dean, he’s managed the CTE school’s budgets and operations, which gives him a strong foundation to step into this position. What stands out to me is his willingness to listen and learn, both from our CTE faculty/staff and from the industry partners we serve. I’m confident he’ll provide steady leadership as he grows into the role and continues to strengthen the connection between our programs and the workforce needs of our region.”
Cruthirds served in various student support roles at LC State from 2014-2016, including academic advisor. From 2016-2021, Cruthirds taught business, statistics, economics, and more as an instructor in LC State’s business division.
Through these roles, Cruthirds brings more than a decade of experience at LC State, boasting a skillset spanning workforce training, instruction, advising, program development, employer engagement, fiscal management, accreditation, and more.
An LC State alumnus, Cruthirds earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from the school in 2012. He went on to gain a Master of Public Administration from the University of Idaho in 2016; a Master of Psychology from Idaho State University in 2020; and a Ph.D. in experimental psychology from Idaho State University, also in 2020.