To mark 15 years of achievement and impact, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Information Technology (IT) programs welcomed faculty, students, alumni, and industry representatives to a celebratory showcase at the Ada County Center Pintail Building (APIN) on April 22. The event highlighted the programs’ growth, academic excellence, and lasting influence on Idaho’s tech workforce.
CWI President Gordon Jones opened the event with remarks recognizing the faculty’s dedication and the transformative opportunities these programs have created for students across the Treasure Valley. “This celebration isn’t just about looking back — it’s about the incredible potential ahead,” Jones shared, addressing attendees that included Provost Denise Aberle-Cannata; Dean of Science, Technology, and Math, Kae Jensen; department leaders; and many student graduates now thriving in industry roles.
The celebration featured breakout sessions for each IT focus area — from Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science to Software Development and Cybersecurity — offering guests an in-depth look at the curriculum and real-world applications students engage in.
A key highlight of the event was the showcase of program success statistics:
- Nearly 1,000 associate degrees awarded in IT.
- Over 2,500 certification exams proctored, with pass rates consistently above national averages — including a 95% pass rate for Python certification and an 86% pass rate for Microsoft MCP exams.
- CWI’s Cybersecurity program earned the prestigious National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (NCAE-CD) designation by the NSA in 2023.
- Students have brought home more than 175 national medals from Business Professionals of America (BPA) and SkillsUSA competitions since 2010.
Graduates of CWI’s IT programs that were in attendance have launched careers with a variety of prominent employers, including Ericsson, Idaho Youth Ranch, CompuNet, Acosta, Scentsy, St. Luke’s, Power Engineers, KBOI, Horrocks Engineering, Valleywide, and the State of Idaho Controller Office — demonstrating the programs’ strong alignment with workforce demands.
As technology continues to evolve, CWI remains committed to preparing students for emerging fields like automation, esports management, and artificial intelligence. The success of the past 15 years is only the beginning, with faculty and industry partners working together to shape a future-focused curriculum that meets the needs of Idaho’s economy.
CWI offers a wide range of programs for students passionate about technology. Explore more below.
