Congratulations to Eric Miner, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for February 2021. Miner taught his first class at the College in 2010 and teaches Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101), Human Relations for Success (PSYC 140), and CWI: Your Life Story (CWI 101).
“I get great pleasure from helping students orient themselves in the world – from helping them figure out who and where they are in life and where they want to go to how they can actualize their own potentials,” Miner said. “I love to see the light of comprehension go on in a student's eyes! This is my retirement; working to keep up with these sharp, young people helps me stay young (at least mentally).”
Miner holds a bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership from George Fox University, a master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and doctorate in Educational Psychology from Capella University in Minnesota, and a master’s degrees in Educational Leadership and in Curriculum and Instruction from Boise State University. Prior to CWI, he worked as an engineer and manager at Hewlett-Packard in Boise for more than 30 years, as well as an instructor, associate dean, and dean at Stevens-Henager College.
“It is inspiring to watch Dr. Miner engage with students,” said Adjunct Faculty member, Danya Krueger. “In observing him teach, I especially like his methodology for appropriately connecting his previous professional experiences to the course discussion. I find self-disclosure like this allows students to see their instructor outside of just being an instructor modeling to them they can be and do many things in life. This connection has allowed Dr. Miner’s students to relate to him in a new light which, in turn, prompts them to actively engage in the classroom. Thank you, Dr. Miner, for being you and doing all you do for both your students and colleagues! It has been a great pleasure and honor to work with and learn from you!”
“CWI provides an important place for students to begin building the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for academic and professional success. People of all ages can come to CWI to learn more about themselves and take their lives in new, more-fulfilling directions,” said Miner. “Because of CWI, I get to spend time with people who teach me far more than I can ever teach them! I have to tell you, sometimes I wonder how I can make myself worthy to serve people as fine as these.”
A Boise native, Miner graduated from Borah High School in 1971. He and his wife of 47 years have four children (three of whom have served in the U.S. military), 12 grandchildren, and are expecting their first great grandchild. He loves 1940s music, 1950s cars, movies of all kinds, and documentary films on just about ANY subject.
