About
The College of Western Idaho is committed to promoting an understanding of and appreciation for the increasingly diverse backgrounds and beliefs of those who comprise the College community, as well as the larger community of which CWI is a part.
Mission: The Inclusive Excellence committee works to help realize the College’s mission to empower students to succeed by providing affordable and accessible education to advance the local and global workforce by fostering an inclusive educational community of engagement, respect, and accountability. The committee believes success is driven by the power of an inclusive culture based on utilizing our differences to stimulate and encourage social justice, multicultural competence, and effective and engaged citizenship.
CWI Strategic Goals/Vision on Diversity:
- Create a college that is welcoming to diverse populations
- Hire and retain a diverse workforce
- Create environments for student learning that are inclusive of and sensitive to a diverse student population
- Develop and implement a comprehensive diversity/inclusion communications plan
CWI Reacts to Antisemitic Activity in Boise
The recent antisemitic vandalism that has occurred in Boise poses a concern for many within our CWI and extended community. The College of Western Idaho and CWI’s Inclusive Excellence Committee would like to share our support of our students and employees impacted by these acts. CWI has established a core value of Inclusive Excellence, and as an institution, we value diversity and building a community respectful of each member.
However, these types of acts can be used to share our message of standing together to welcome students and employees from diverse backgrounds and in support of and in solidarity with our local Jewish students and staff.
The committee encourages students and employees who need support to reach out to campus resources:
Students
- Counseling and Wellness Services, 208.562.2200 or counselor@cwi.edu
Employees
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or 877.427.2327.
Let’s all renew our commitment to be kind, to learn, to respect, and to be part of a positive, peaceful influence to all those around us.
KTVB News story: Wassmuth Comments on Anti-Semitic Posters Found in Boise Neighborhoods Sunday Morning
Inclusive Excellence Committee:
- Christian Purvis Aldrich
- Andrea Ascuena
- Christy Babcock
- Charles Dickinson
- Annie Estvold
- Amber Eubanks
- Amanda Feher
- Rowdy Fisher
- Liz Fleshman - Communication Coordinator
- Javier Garcia
- Joel Gladd - Vice Chair
- Levi Terribilini-Grand
- Tristan Lewis
- Liz Otterness
- Toen Phothisane - Technology Coordinator
- Max Shue
- Sunny Smart
- Abby Wolford - Chair
Our Progress
The College of Western Idaho’s progress in making the campus more diverse and more inclusive began with CWI’s first offering of credit courses in January 2009. Today, the college continually strives to build an inclusive and welcoming community of individuals with diverse talents and skills from a multitude of backgrounds who are committed to civility, mutual respect, social justice, and the free and open exchange of ideas. We are committed to change, growth, and action that embraces diversity as an integral part of the educational experience, and of the community we create.