A classroom on wheels? Maybe, thanks to this student’s winning idea

Boise State's annual Social Impact Challenge, a "reverse-pitch competition," challenges students to use their creativity and critical thinking to come up with solutions to real challenges posed by members of the community.

Jenni Landa, a senior political science major from Boise, won the 2025 competition and a $1,000 prize with her project focused on homebuyer education, particularly for first-time buyers.

Her idea, in partnership with NeighborWorks Boise, a local nonprofit, is called "Mobile HUB," a van or bus converted into a traveling classroom that could bring homebuyer education directly to local neighborhoods. The service would provide counseling, bilingual resources and community workshops.

Growing up in an immigrant household, Landa, whose family has roots in Mexico, said that the project felt personal. For most of her childhood, she and her two younger sisters shared a room while their single mother worked multiple jobs to support them. When Landa was 16, her mother bought a home, finally giving each girl her own room - a small change to some, but a life-changing milestone for them, Landa said.

"When I was developing this project, I was constantly thinking about how to make homebuying easier for underserved communities. I want to make that same feeling of safety and achievement possible for families like mine."

The challenge taught her about fundraising, nonprofit operations and quick decision-making, she said. In the future, Landa plans to channel this experience into work in the nonprofit sector.

"Jenni's dedication and personal connection to this project allowed her to offer a unique solution that really meets the community where it's at," said Mike Stefancic, director of student success in the School of Public Service.

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