Faculty from College of Western Idaho (CWI) gathered at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) for the College’s annual Professional Development Day, hosted by the Center for Teaching and Learning. The event brought instructors together for professional learning and collaboration, culminating in an awards ceremony celebrating faculty excellence in teaching and innovation.
Morning workshops explored topics shaping higher education, including the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in teaching and the workforce and strategies for improving accessible course design through Universal Design for Learning. Faculty participated in an AI Roundtable discussing how generative AI is transforming classroom practices, while another session examined how AI may influence future job skills and course design. Additional sessions addressed program learning outcome alignment, copyright and fair use in digital course materials, and dedicated work time to improve course accessibility with support from Center for Teaching and Learning staff.
Recognizing Faculty Excellence
The afternoon program shifted from professional learning to recognizing faculty whose work reflects those same commitments to innovation and student success. Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Denise Aberle-Cannata, praised CWI professors for their dedication to students, and willingness to innovate, noting that many are integrating AI into coursework while helping students build AI literacy and ethical awareness for a rapidly evolving workforce.
General Education Outstanding Instructor Awards
General Education Assistant Dean, Greg Wilson, presented the 2026 General Education Outstanding Instructor Awards, recognizing faculty nominated by students for excellence in foundational courses that support success across all programs of study.
Honorees included:
- GEM 1: Written Communication — Anna Bogen, Instructor of English
- GEM 2: Oral Communication — Lacey Harris, Adjunct Instructor of Communication
- GEM 3: Mathematical Ways of Knowing — Gary Thomas, Instructor of Mathematics
- GEM 4: Scientific Ways of Knowing — Andy Jensen, Associate Professor of Biology
- GEM 5: Artistic and Humanistic Ways of Knowing — Goran Fazil, Associate Professor of Art
- GEM 6: Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing — Chris Cozzolino, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
- CWI 101 Outstanding Instructor Award — Lynne Tucker, Assistant Professor of English
Reflecting on the recognition, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, Chris Cozzolino, emphasized the importance of supporting students throughout their academic journeys, saying, “Every student can succeed, especially those who struggle the most. Be caring, competent and committed, and students will return the effort.”
Gary Thomas, Instructor of Mathematics, highlighted the importance of building confidence and curiosity in the classroom. “On the first day of statistics I tell my students it’s a thinking class, not a math class,” Thomas explained. “Many arrive convinced they aren’t ‘math people,’ and one of the most rewarding moments is watching that story change.”
Open Educational Resources Awards
Wilson also presented the 2026 Open Educational Resources Awards, recognizing faculty efforts to expand access to affordable course materials.
- OER Creation Award — Anna Daly, Assistant Professor of Communications
- OER Impact Award — Susan Aydelotte, Professor of Mathematics
Aydelotte, who received the Open Educational Resources Awards Impact Award, said her decision to adopt open educational resources was motivated by a desire to remove barriers to learning.
“I adopted OER to reduce the cost of course materials for students and support Z-degrees,” Aydelotte said. “Faculty interested in OER should connect with colleagues who already have experience with it.”
Mentor Program Recognition
Faculty Services Coordinator, Cindy Dion, recognized faculty mentors participating in the CWI Mentor Program, now in its second year. The program provides mentor training and regular check-ins to help new instructors build connections and confidence during their first year at CWI.
2026 Innovation in Action Awards
Dean of the Center for Teaching and Learning, Courtney Colby Bond, announced the winners of the 2026 Innovation in Action Awards, which recognize creative approaches to student learning:
- Reimagining Assessment and Academic Rigor: Christina Miller and Katrina Maginnis, Nursing Faculty, Clinical Candyland for Game-Based Learning.
- Applied Learning and Real-World Integration: Anna Daly, Assistant Professor of Communications, Public Relations Community-Engaged Learning Initiative.
- Creative and Interdisciplinary Expression: Nikki Gorrell, Professor of Anthropology, Virtual Fieldwork Research Project – Cultural Anthropology.
- Student Belonging, Mindset and Growth: Chelse Bulthuis, Math Solutions Center Teaching Faculty, Mindset Reframing and Percent Growth.
Daly’s Public Relations Community-Engaged Learning Initiative connects students with Treasure Valley nonprofits to develop public relations campaigns that strengthen community visibility. Reflecting on the project, Daly said the most meaningful moments come when students realize their work can help a nonprofit advance its mission, adding, “They begin to see the real impact their skills can have on their community and their future careers.”
The School of Social Sciences and Public Affairs received the Innovation in Action traveling trophy for the highest faculty participation, accepted by Dean Kris Smerick.
Through events like Professional Development Day, CWI continues to support faculty collaboration, instructional innovation and teaching practices that help students succeed both in the classroom and beyond.
