Connections Conference 2026

Published: March 27, 2026

College of Western Idaho (CWI) will host its 11th annual Connections Conference on April 23 at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), inviting students, faculty, staff, and community members to celebrate student achievement.  

This annual event showcases student research, creative work, and academic excellence while fostering collaboration across disciplines. Attendees can explore presentations, view artwork, and connect with student organizations before concluding the event with an Awards Ceremony.  

Tuesday, April 21  

Faculty & Staff Night

3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Poster Presentations

4 – 6 p.m.
Presentations

New this year, CWI will host a Faculty and Staff Night. Faculty and staff will share academic work they are doing outside the classroom. Students, employees, and community members are encouraged to attend, explore a wide range of topics, and get inspired.

Thursday, April 23

Student Presentations

1:30 – 5:30 p.m.

Presentations include research posters, mini-talks, President’s Writing Awards readings and a panel, Juried Art Exhibition, a chalk art competition, and more. Presentations and competitions will occur throughout the building. Check-in at the Information Table in the lobby to get more information.  

The Juried Art Exhibition will be on display outside room 206. This year’s juror, Jill Storey, is known for work inspired by the human form and Pacific Northwest landscapes.  

Student posters will remain on display throughout NCAB and the Ada County Center Pintail Building (APIN) from April 24 – May 1. 

COREscape  Cybersecurity ESCAPE ROOM

1 – 5 p.m.

Boise State University's College of Engineering's School of Computing is bringing an escape room to CWI. The event will take place in NCAB Room 311. Students can sign up for one of four available time slots, with sessions beginning at the top of each hour.

Dinner

5:30 – 6:00 p.m.  

Light dinner will be served at in room 122 and the west patio. 

Awards Ceremony & Reception

6:00 – 7:30 p.m.  

The evening concludes with recognition of student achievements, followed by cake. The Awards Ceremony will recognize student achievement in the following areas:  

The top three finalists in each category of the President’s Writing Awards and Connections Excellence Awards will be recognized at the Connections Conference Awards Ceremony, and the winners will be announced at the Student Leadership Banquet on May 1 at JUMP. 

Full Schedule

For those with questions or in need of more information about this year’s event, contact Cathy Carson at cathycarson@cwi.edu.  

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