Hometown: Greensboro, North Carolina
Major: Communication
Graduation: 2020
“Because of CWI, I am a college graduate,” said 2020 College of Western Idaho (CWI) graduate, Jeff Cullers.
A husband, father, and grandfather, Cullers chose to pursue his education following a lengthy and successful career in the pizza industry.
“My wife and I moved to Boise in 2014 from Illinois after I got a job offer from WinCo Foods to be their Director of Pizza Operations. Prior to WinCo, I spent 30 years with Domino's Pizza where I started as a delivery driver and worked my way up to an Operations Director.”
Inspired by the educational endeavors of his children, Cullers made the decision to attend college in order to advance his career. CWI offered him the flexibility he needed.
“Nothing could have prepared me for the fear and anticipation of saying yes to college at the age of 51. I was nervous about coming back to school as I did not perform well in high school. Working 60 hours a week and traveling while trying to go to school was certainly a challenge and a sacrifice, but being able to take the majority of my classes online was a huge benefit.”
Choosing to major in Communication, Cullers learned along the way he not only had the ability to acquire knowledge but to excel as a leader. As a student he was a scholarship recipient, was recognized as a 2020 Emerging Scholar, served as a Presidential Ambassador, and was selected as the 2020 Student Commencement Speaker for the College’s first-ever virtual ceremony, all of which he attributes to the passion, encouragement, and support of his professors.
“There were four critical mindsets that changed during my journey at CWI. Mike Robinson’s Philosophy and World Religions classes changed how I view the world around me and opened my eyes to looking at it from different perspectives. Johnny Rowing’s Communication and Culture and Mass Media classes exposed how society and media treat people differently. Michelle Mahoney’s Public Relation classes helped me to see a different future for myself in a career I would have never previously considered. Finally, Dr. Michelle Fellows changed how I viewed myself through her Human Relations for Career and Personal Success class. She taught me that we must constantly re‐examine ourselves to be successful.”
Now a college graduate, Cullers plans to begin his journey at Boise State University this fall in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in Multidisciplinary Studies.
“It is never too late to say YES, chase your dreams, and begin your journey of self‐fulfillment.”
