Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Associate Professor of Biology, Elise Connor, who has been named Faculty of Distinction for October 2025.
Connor has been part of the CWI community for almost eight years, where she has taught courses including Introductory Microbiology (MMBS 111), Introductory Microbiology Lab (MMBS 111L), Science and Ethics (SCIE 102), Introduction to Cell Biology Lab (MMBS 260L), General Ecology Lab (ENVI 260L), and more.
For Connor, teaching is about helping students gain confidence in their skills and seeing how science connects to real-life decisions.
“I want every student to feel confident working in a lab and to use science to inform their day-to-day decisions,” she said. “Teaching is fun – I get to connect with students, understand their goals, and create lessons that connect those goals to real life.”
Connor earned her PhD in Plant Biology and Microbial Ecology from the University of Texas at Austin, where she studied microbes that enhance plant drought tolerance in arid environments. She completed a postdoctoral position examining fungal metabolites and plant function before transitioning into teaching at CWI.
Students know Connor for going above and beyond lectures and labs. She fosters a positive and supportive classroom environment, helps students find tools and support to succeed, and guides them in applying lessons to the world around them.
“She is kind to every student and genuinely cares about their overall well-being,” one student said. “She helped me become a better student. In many other biology classes, I never felt as connected or inspired as I do in hers. She has strengthened my passion for learning biology and pursuing nursing, making it something I genuinely look forward to.”
Connor teaches at CWI because she believes the College offers students a supportive environment that encourages success.
“CWI is a great place for students to get an education because of its small class sizes and supportive learning environment,” she shared. “Instructors genuinely care about student learning and success, and our number one priority is helping students succeed. Students receive individualized attention, meaningful support, and opportunities to work toward their academic and career goals.”
That genuine care Connor sees in colleagues across the College is a quality both students and faculty consistently notice in her. Students often highlight her ability to help them grow academically and personally.
“She encourages us to reflect on and challenge ourselves in the subject while teaching in a way that promotes self-growth as a student,” another student shared. “She genuinely cares that students understand the material and helps us see how it applies to our everyday lives.”
That commitment carries through her courses, where Connor focuses on giving students skills that extend beyond the classroom.
“CWI empowers me to create learning opportunities that translate to applicable work-based skills,” Connor said.
Connor was born in Texas and grew up in Florida. She is married and has a very active 7-year-old son, and she has three sisters. Outside of the classroom, Connor enjoys skiing, tennis, pottery, hiking, mountain biking, and spending time outdoors.
