The August Staff of the Month is Phil Varrick

Published: September 23, 2016

Phil started his CWI adventure as a Senior Accounts Receivable Specialist and is currently a Budget Analyst in the Business Office. He has an Associate of Arts in Visual Communication (Photography), a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, and is currently working on his MBA in Finance and Accounting.

Phil’s nomination notes that “he has always exemplified what an ideal employee is and demonstrates all of our core values. Phil does every aspect of his job with the upmost integrity. Since taking on the role as Budget Analyst, Phil has been continuously working on the budget process to make it easier on our internal customers as well as to ensure the integrity of the data in the system.” His nomination also states: “Phil also follows all laws and in any situation that could be unethical always does what is right even if it is not the popular decision. Phil’s attention to detail and assurance of accuracy will help sustain the college for future generations.”

His nominations continues by stating: “No matter the question Phil provides a full detailed response with everything they need. While helping people Phil always keeps a calm demeanor and a caring attitude. He truly cares about the job he does and the people he works with. Phil truly takes people’s opinions and ideas into account when working with them.

Phil always looks for ways to improve what we have. An example is this year he is helping develop the Position Control module into Colleague. This will help streamline the budget process for positions between HR and the Budget Office.”

In 1998, Phil moved to Idaho with his future wife to be near her family. Over the past fifteen years, they have been caregivers to various family members, mostly grandparents. Their “children” are all rescue animals, including two cats, eleven turtles, a gecko, and, now, two chickens. When not studying, taking care of family and pets, he also teaches motorcycle safety with the Idaho STAR Motorcycle Safety program. He has been an instructor for ten years and loves coaching riders on the skills needed to be safer on the roads.

A fun fact about Phil you might not know is that he has had the privilege to meet and photograph many interesting people over the years. One of his favorites was of Stephen King while on his book tour. He was only autographing copies of the book to be auctioned off for charity. Phil overheard that he was having trouble with his 1950’s era Harley Davidson (on which he was riding for the book tour) and he was able to get him in to a local shop for repairs that day. In return, King autographed a copy of his book for Phil. The picture shown is from that day.

Please join us in congratulating Phil.

More from CWI

Portrait of Lindsay Wallgren

Congratulations to Associate Professor of Business, Lindsey Wallgren, who has been named Faculty of Distinction for December 2025.

Read more about Wallgren Named December 2025 Faculty of Distinction
Person standing next to a computer

Congratulations to Math Solutions Center Teaching Faculty, Chelse Bulthuis, who has been named Faculty of Distinction for November 2025.

Read more about Bulthuis Named November 2025 Faculty of Distinction
Elise Connor with a pipette at a lab counter

Congratulations to Associate Professor of Biology, Elise Connor, who has been named Faculty of Distinction for October 2025.

Read more about Connor Named October 2025 Faculty of Distinction
Person smiling

Congratulations to Honors Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Humanities, Michal Yadlin, who has been appointed to the board of the Idaho Humanities Council as an academic...

Read more about Yadlin Selected to Idaho Humanities Council Board
Gordon Jones, Mark Arstein

CWI leaders Gordon Jones and Mark Arstein were named to Idaho Business Review’s IDAHO 500 for advancing education, workforce growth, and community opportunity.

Read more about Jones and Arstein Named to Idaho Business Review’s IDAHO 500 List
Stephanie Sevigny posing next to telescope in science lab

Congratulations to Assistant Professor of Physics, Stephanie Sevigny, who has been named Faculty of Distinction for September 2025.

Read more about Sevigny Named September 2025 Faculty of Distinction
Sean Gould presenting on stage with projector screen behind them

CWI celebrates Philosophy Adjunct, Sean Gould, named Idaho’s 2025 GEM Innovative Educator for his creative teaching and dedication to student success.

Read more about Gould Named Idaho GEM Innovative Educator of the Year
Portrait of woman with long blonde hair

Provost Cannata shares insights in EdTech Chronicle on supporting students amid changing enrollment landscapes.

Read more about Provost Cannata Published in EdTech Chronicle
Deans Greg Wilson and Justin Vance

College of Western Idaho Deans Greg Wilson and Justin Vance were honored at the 2025 WICHE Annual Meeting for completing prestigious leadership academies and advancing initiatives that...

Read more about CWI Deans are recognized at the WICHE Academic Partnerships 2025 Annual Meeting
A professor poses for a photo in a library.

Suzanne Oppenheimer, Assistant Professor of Biology at CWI, has been named Faculty of Distinction for May 2025 for her passionate, student-focused teaching that empowers learners to...

Read more about Suzanne Oppenheimer is the May 2025 Faculty of Distinction
A photo of a woman against a brick wall.

Kate Orduño, Support Faculty in the Math Solutions Center at the College of Western Idaho, has been recognized as the Faculty of Distinction for March 2025. Math Solutions Center

Read more about Kate Orduño is the March 2025 Faculty of Distinction

News QR Code

URL: https://cwi.edu/news/august-staff-month-phil-varrick<br>