Boise State Volleyball Player Elle Cotton Earns Engineering Degree, Eyes Career in Human-Centered Design
Boise State University senior Elle Cotton wrapped up her college career this spring on two fronts — finishing her final season as a setter for the Boise State women’s volleyball team and earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering through the university’s flexible Engineering PLUS program. Her story illustrates how student-athletes at Boise State are leveraging both competitive sports and hands-on academic programs to build careers in Idaho and beyond.
From the Court to the Classroom
Cotton grew up in Elk River, Minnesota, a multi-sport athlete who first took up volleyball at age eight, following her mother and older sister into the sport. After a strong high school career, she committed to Boise State in 2022. Her time with the Broncos was defined by adaptability — she shifted from setter to serving specialist before returning to setter in her final year, always prioritizing what the team needed over personal statistics.
Her senior season numbers reflected that commitment. Cotton led the team with 33 aces and ranked second with 589 assists. She was one of only four Broncos to compete in all 119 sets that season, and she earned CSC Academic All-District honors — recognition that acknowledged her performance both in competition and in the classroom.
An Academic Path Built Around Passion and Flexibility
Cotton’s route to an engineering degree was anything but straightforward. When she arrived at Boise State, she was drawn to environmental studies but found the available degree paths didn’t align with the career she envisioned. A conversation with her academic advisor opened the door to Engineering PLUS (EPLUS), a program within Boise State’s College of Engineering designed to let students weave together engineering fundamentals with other academic interests.
The program’s flexible structure made it workable alongside the demanding schedule of a Division I athlete — regular travel blocks, practice sessions, strength training, treatment, and coursework all competing for the same hours.
An early course in the program cemented Cotton’s direction. Working on a team project to design a handwashing station for a person with limb differences, she came away with a broadened sense of what engineering could accomplish. The experience pushed her toward a focus on adaptive design, sustainability, and athletic performance improvement.
“I think improving athletic performance, sustainability, and helping those with disabilities are awesome avenues for my career,” Cotton said.
Real-World Experience at Studio\Blu
Beyond coursework, Cotton gained applied design experience at studio\Blu, Boise State’s student-run product design firm. Working through the New Product Development Lab, she collaborated on projects with real manufacturing clients across Idaho — translating classroom skills into deliverables with commercial applications.
For Cotton, the overlap between volleyball and engineering was more than metaphorical. Both demanded the same core competencies: clear communication, calm under pressure, and the ability to trust teammates when stakes were high.
“Volleyball taught me how to lead when the pressure is on,” Cotton said. “Engineering demands those same skills.”
That perspective wasn’t lost on her professors. Courtney Hollar, program director for the B.S. in Engineering Program and a clinical assistant professor, pointed to Cotton’s athletic background as an asset to the broader engineering community at Boise State. “She helps to bring a level of discipline and insight to class that other students may not have considered,” Hollar said. “I have no doubts that Elle will be a successful engineer in whatever field she selects.”
In 2025, Cotton was recognized as one of Boise State’s Outstanding Engineering Juniors for EPLUS — an award presented by the Idaho Society of Professional Engineers.
What Comes Next
Cotton graduated this spring with a B.S. in Engineering and minors in both Applied Mathematics and Environmental Studies. She is weighing options that include entering the design workforce or pursuing graduate school. Her stated interests center on human-centered design — adaptive recreation equipment, tools that improve athletic performance, and sustainable product development.
“It’s been an incredible mix of athletic, academic and personal growth,” Cotton said. “I’m proud to be a Bronco, and I always will be.”
Students interested in flexible engineering pathways at Boise State can learn more about the Engineering PLUS program through the College of Engineering. Those looking for other leadership development opportunities on campus may also want to explore the Shared Leadership program, which currently has applications open with limited availability.