Kate Orduño, Support Faculty in the Math Solutions Center at the College of Western Idaho (CWI), has been recognized as the Faculty of Distinction for March 2025. Since joining CWI in 2009, Kate has played an integral role in supporting student success, particularly in college-preparatory mathematics, and has earned admiration from students and colleagues alike for her dedication, empathy, and leadership.
Kate currently teaches Math 097 and Math 099, foundational courses designed to help students build confidence and readiness for college-level math. Her journey at CWI began teaching courses like Math 143 and Math 123, but her passion has always been centered on helping students who may have struggled with math in the past. “What makes it even more meaningful is getting to know our students and being part of their educational journey,” she shared.
Colleagues in the Math Solutions Center say Kate embodies the core values of CWI: Excellence, Innovation, Respect, and Care. Stacie Fajardo, an adjunct faculty member, remarked, “She has come up with an organizational template to streamline and unify all of the college prep math group instructors, and she takes on the workload of personally following up with any of the online students who may be falling behind as their ‘math coach.’ She encourages them and gives them the extra guidance and resources they may need.”
Kate’s approach is deeply student-centered, grounded in patience and persistence. One student, John Barber, shared, “Professor Orduño showed me that there is hope not just in class but also in life. She made time to understand how I learned and tried to meet those needs to the best of her ability.” He added, “She is not just an excellent teacher, but she is an amazing human being.”
With a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics from California State University, Fresno, and a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics from Idaho State University, Kate brings both expertise and compassion to her work. Her background includes industry experience at Micron Electronics, but it’s her role in the classroom — and beyond — that has been most impactful.
Kate believes CWI offers students the right mix of support, affordability, and opportunity. “With a wide range of degrees, certificates, and apprenticeships, students have affordable options that can lead directly into rewarding careers or provide a strong foundation for a bachelor’s degree,” she said.
A Navy family upbringing gave Kate a lifelong appreciation for adaptability and connection. She’s now been married to her husband Nacho for nearly 35 years, and their son Jake is a sophomore at Northern Arizona University. When she’s not helping students find success in math, she enjoys pickleball, reading, solving crossword puzzles, and traveling — naming New Zealand as one of her favorite destinations.
Kate Orduño’s recognition as Faculty of Distinction is a reflection of her quiet, consistent impact. Whether guiding a student toward understanding an equation or reassuring them they belong in higher education, Kate represents the best of what CWI has to offer — dedicated educators who help students believe in themselves.
