Architectural Services
Cheryl Hanson
University Architect
(208) 282-2533
cherylhanson@isu.edu
Facilities Services | Building 18 - Office 102
- Assist with strategic planning and project development
- Coordinate furniture selection, procurement, and installation for campus projects
- Create, coordinate, and review design concepts
- Develop and maintain campus facility design standards
- Integrate university branding across campus facilities and spaces
- Support campus Master Planning and long-range facility development initiatives
- Cheryl Hanson has been a highly valued and dedicated member of the Facilities team for many years and currently serves as the University Architect. Throughout her career at Idaho State University, she has held a variety of leadership roles, including Interim Associate Vice President of Facilities, Director of Planning, Design, & Construction, Project Manager, and Adjunct Professor. Her broad experience and leadership have made a lasting impact on the university.
- Before joining ISU, Cheryl spent 21 years in the private sector, working as an architect for several firms and operating her own businesses. Her professional expertise has focused primarily on institutional and educational design. Cheryl completed her education in Chicago, Illinois; Versailles, France; and Pocatello, Idaho, bringing a diverse educational background and decades of architectural experience to her work.
- What Cheryl enjoys most about her work is contributing to ISU’s projects and long-term plans, knowing that she plays a role in shaping a positive and impactful academic environment. She takes pride in helping create the look and feel of the Bengal campus and in supporting the Facilities team in their mission. Being part of something meaningful and lasting is what drives her dedication.
- Outside of work, Cheryl loves spending time with friends and family—especially her grandbabies, who are the apples of her eye. She also enjoys playing music and exploring her favorite cuisine: Greek and Mediterranean.
- Clifton Strengths: Connectedness | Learner | Responsibility | Belief | Includer
Rafael Cabello
University Planner
(208) 282-5345
rafaelcabellosand@isu.edu
Facilities Services | Building 18 - Office 101A
- Collaborate with departments to assess space needs and identify effective space solutions
- Coordinate relocation planning and simulations, including "domino effect" analyses, to evaluate the impact of space moves
- Develop and review floor plans and layouts for current operations and preliminary project planning
- Identify and plan for specialized and additional storage space needs
- Prepare division and department occupancy reports
- Review and manage space requests to support program expansion and growth
- Rafael Cabello has been a valued part of the Facilities team since 2023, when he joined as a Space Planner. His dedication, expertise, and work ethic quickly earned him a promotion to University Planner in 2024. Rafael holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, which he earned from the National Technological Institute of Mexico in 2015. His engineering background and planning experience play an important role in supporting the university's campus development and long-term planning initiatives.
- Rafael supports all divisions and departments across campus by providing guidance on administrative processes for space and project requests, assisting units in evaluating and optimizing their current space, and offering recommendations to improve efficiency. He also serves as the primary point of contact for departments in need of additional space due to growth or expansion. He takes pride in delivering projects efficiently and effectively, finding fulfillment in helping departments and individuals achieve their goals and supporting student success throughout their academic experience.
- What Rafael enjoys most about working in Facilities is being actively involved in the construction process and collaborating with a team that works well together. He values the camaraderie and enjoys participating in team-building activities, social events, and employee celebrations that strengthen workplace bonds.
- Outside of work, Rafael enjoys going to the gym, swimming, reading science books, playing his favorite video games, and spending time loved ones. When it comes to food, he especially loves tacos and his wife’s homemade grapefruit salad.
- Clifton Strengths: Learner | Analytical | Achiever | Consistency | Belief
Ujwal Sharma
Space Planning Analyst
(208) 282-1346
ujwalsharma@isu.edu
Facilities Services | Building 18 - Office 101
- Analyze campus space utilization and occupancy to support strategic planning
- Assess and plan for specialized and additional storage space needs
- Conduct relocation simulations, including "domino effect" analyses, to evaluate the impact of space moves
- Develop and maintain floor plans and layouts for current operations and preliminary project planning
- Prepare division and department occupancy reports
- Review and coordinate space requests to support program growth and expansion
- Ujwal Sharma joined the Facilities team in 2024 as a Space Planner and assumed the title of Space Planning Analyst in 2026. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Tribhuvan University in Nepal in 2017 before continuing his education at Idaho State University, where he completed his Master’s degree in Civil Engineering in 2023.
- Ujwal brings experience in both construction and consulting, with expertise in design, engineering, and project management across on-site and off-site environments. He has served as an architectural and structural design engineer for several consulting firms, gaining valuable experience in a variety of project settings. Combined with his site management background, these experiences enable him to approach challenges with creativity, develop practical solutions, and resolve issues efficiently.
- Ujwal values the strong sense of community within the Facilities department, where he feels part of a supportive and collaborative team. He especially enjoys department-wide events that bring colleagues together and foster connections across the various Facilities units. Ujwal takes pride in developing thoughtful solutions that improve the functionality and experience of campus spaces. Watching a project evolve from initial planning and design to its successful completion is particularly rewarding, as it reflects his role in creating spaces that have a lasting, positive impact on the campus community.
- Outside of work, Ujwal enjoys reading, conducting research, traveling, watching new movies and television series, and spending time with his wife and their energetic Goldendoodle. While he prefers home-cooked meals, he also enjoys dining out at Himalayan Flavor, where he appreciates the delicious cuisine.
- Clifton Strengths: Connectedness | Intellection | Responsibility | Belief | Empathy
Ed Isla
Architectural Drafter
208-282-3739
edisla@isu.edu
Facilities Services | Building 18 - Office 101
- Conduct building surveys and field verification to ensure drawing accuracy.
- Create, revise, and maintain accurate building floor plans.
- Maintain and update campus square footage data for planning and space management.
- Manage specialized drafting and design requests for campus projects.
- Prepare and support AutoCAD drafting projects and technical drawings.
- Supervise, train, and mentor student drafting interns.
- Ed Isla joined Facilities in 2018 as the Asbestos Services Manager before transitioning to Environmental Health, Safety, and Sustainability (EHSS), where he supported the university's asbestos management program. In 2022, he returned to Facilities as the Architectural Drafter, applying his extensive drafting and design expertise to support campus planning, design, and construction projects.
- Ed earned his Associate’s degree in Computer-Aided Drafting Technology in 1999. After completing his degree, he relocated to Boise, Idaho, and joined CSHQA, a multidisciplinary architecture and engineering firm. There, he launched his career specializing in electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection design, gaining valuable experience across a wide range of building systems. Throughout his professional career, he has built a diverse expertise background, with experience at Micron, an architectural firm in Nampa, and Industrial Hygiene Resources. As an Industrial Hygiene Technician, he earned numerous certifications in industrial hygiene and safety, which led to his role as a specialized Construction Safety Consultant. In that capacity, he provided safety oversight and expertise for a wide variety of construction projects.
- Ed's favorite part of working in Facilities is the strong sense of camaraderie, and he considers his colleagues an extension of his family. He takes pride in knowing that his work helps lay the foundation for future projects that support the growth and long-term vision of Idaho State University. One of the most rewarding aspects of his role is mentoring his drafting interns. He enjoys providing students with hands-on experience through real-world projects, helping build their skills and confidence while celebrating their achievements as they begin their professional careers.
- Ed enjoys a range of hobbies including shooting and reloading ammunition, camping, fishing, martial arts, watching movies and tv shows, and simply relaxing. His favorite restaurant is Ivar’s in Seattle, which he says offers the best fish and chips in the Pacific Northwest. At home, Ed is kept company by his wife and their 109-pound German Shepherd, 3 cats, and a chinchilla.
- Clifton Strengths: Empathy | Harmony | Consistency | Responsibility | Arranger
About the Architectural Services Team
Space Management is responsible for tracking and reporting all university-owned space. We maintain a comprehensive database of departmental space to provide the campus community with accurate, up-to-date information. This data supports informed decision-making, future planning, and the efficient allocation of space to meet the University's evolving needs.
We work closely with the architectural drafter to design, revise, plan, manage, and maintain Idaho State University's drawing file database and ensure the accuracy of building and floor plans. These resources are essential for emergency preparedness, project planning, renovations, space planning, and a variety of other campus initiatives. By maintaining accurate and up-to-date drawings, we help create functional, efficient office and classroom environments that support campus growth, enhance productivity, and promote student success.
Examples of information available in the space management database:
- ISU research laboratory space
- Departmental space occupied across campus
- College and division space utilization
- Total number of mechanical rooms across campus facilities
- ISU clinic space inventory and management
- Total gross square footage of Idaho State University facilities
- National Science Foundation (NSF) reporting requirements completed every two years