As the vibrant energy of a new academic year fills the halls, Fall 2025 was off to a phenomenal start at College of Western Idaho (CWI). Lead by Office of Student Engagement’s five-week plan, the semester’s success reflects campus-wide teamwork and the enthusiasm of staff who went above and beyond to help students start strong.
Student Engagement led the design of early-semester programming, but it was the shared commitment, time, and effort from teams across the College that ensured CWI learners were not only enrolled but truly engaged, connected, and supported from day one.
That collaborative spirit was evident even before classes began. During the first week of the semester, Student Engagement coordinated extensive wayfinding support across all CWI locations. Staff and faculty from across the College volunteered their time to welcome students, answer questions, and help them find their way. This collective effort created an inviting start to the semester and reaffirmed CWI’s commitment to accessibility and student success.
Events that Connect and Engage
The success continued with a full calendar of events, each thoughtfully planned in collaboration with offices across CWI. This joint effort underscored the College’s commitment to connecting students early with vital resources and engaging them in the CWI community.
Resource Fair
The semester began with the annual Resource Fair, hosted in partnership with Counseling and Wellness Services. Featuring key CWI departments and community organizations, the event connected students with a broad range of academic and personal support. Held at both the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) and Ada County Center Pintail Building (APIN), the fair drew 255 students. Survey results showed 93% of attendees felt more aware of available resources, and 94% reported feeling more comfortable accessing them.
Club Fest
Club Fest brought student life to center stage, drawing 230 participants across the NCAB and APIN locations. The event provided a direct path for students to discover and join clubs and organizations, fostering friendships and a sense of belonging. Ninety-five percent of participants said the event helped them connect with student clubs at CWI, an encouraging sign of growing engagement across campus.
Job and Career Fair
Highlighting CWI’s commitment to career readiness, Student Engagement partnered with the Work-Based Learning Center to host a comprehensive Job and Career Fair. Held at APIN, NCAB, and the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), the event connected 390 students with potential employers and internship opportunities, reinforcing CWI’s focus on helping students take the next step toward their professional goals.
Food for Thought
Food for Thought events brought a creative twist to academic support by combining free meals with meaningful conversations. Partnering with the Library, Tutoring Services, and Writing and AI Literacy Center, Student Engagement helped 154 students learn about key Learning Commons services in a welcoming, relaxed setting. Students walked away with a better understanding of when and how to use these resources to strengthen their academic success.
A Strong Start Built on Collaboration
Altogether, more than 1,000 student interactions took place across these events during the first five weeks of the semester—a clear sign of deep engagement and connection.
This success would not have been possible without the hard work and collaboration of staff from across the College. A huge thanks goes to all student service areas who hosted tables, shared resources, and invested their time in welcoming students. Their partnership, alongside Counseling and Wellness Services, the Work-Based Learning Center, Tutoring, the AI and Writing Literacy Center, and the Library helped make Fall 2025 one of the strongest starts yet.
Together, these efforts showcase what’s possible when the entire CWI community comes together to support students from day one!
