TWIN FALLS, ID – The College of Southern Idaho (CSI) is now accepting nominations for the Representative Maxine Bell Education Advocate Award. Established in 2022, the award honors educators who have made a significant and sustained contribution to public education in Idaho, particularly within the region served by CSI.

The award is named in honor of former Idaho Representative Maxine Bell, in recognition of her contributions to education through her service in the House of Representatives and as Co-Chair of the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee of the Idaho Legislature. Representative Bell served her legislative district for thirty years, and she most recently served the Magic Valley and education as a member of the Board of Directors of the CSI Foundation.

“In recognition of Representative Bell’s contributions to education in our state, and in honor of the profound impact that educators have on our society, I encourage everyone to consider nominating a deserving educator for this year’s award,” said CSI President L. Dean Fisher.

Nominations should be submitted via a typed essay of no more than one page. The nomination letter should address how the nominee meets the established criteria and, where possible, should provide tangible evidence of the impact that the nominee has had on education in Idaho. Nominations must be sent to president@csi.edu on or before October 17, 2025, to be considered.

Past recipients include longtime Jerome educator Linda Burton, Idaho Commission on Hispanic Affairs Executive Director Margie Gonzalez, University of Idaho Distinguished Professor Dr. Carolyn Hovde Bohach, and retired CSI Professor Dr. Richard Parker.