Bert's Alerts—April 13, 2018
In the Spotlight
Hundreds of local high school students had an opportunity to explore the exciting programs offered at College of Western Idaho today, April 13, during the Program and Career Expo (PACE). The event, held at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, is open to the public tonight from 4-7 p.m.
News Highlights
Explore Virtual Reality at Connections Project
Jennifer Lastra, CEO and co-founder of 360 Immersive, will be giving the keynote presentation related to social entrepreneurship and virtual reality (VR) at the Connections Project on Thursday, April 26. Lastra’s creative entrepreneurial spirit and 360 Immersive’s application of this technology have the power to connect, educate, and inspire. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience different training scenarios through interactive VR demonstrations after which Lastra will offer insight into her journey as an entrepreneur and answer questions.
After serving in the United States Navy from 1997-2001, Lastra went on to work in the shipbuilding industry for the construction and overhaul of aircraft carriers and submarines. She also developed an extensive career in the manufacturing and distribution of night vision equipment to aid domestic law enforcement, military, and United States foreign allies. Combining her passion for public service with her entrepreneurial ambition and after being introduced to the world of VR, Lastra knew this technology would be a catalyst for innovative solutions. In 2015, Lastra co-founded 360 Immersive by turning a 14-year-old, well established marketing company into an experienced-based, solution provider that utilizes VR to enhance learning, education, and training outcomes.
Over the past few years, there has been a major shift in the commercial viability of VR technology. This advanced training and education resource, once limited to use in the military and aviation industries, has now infiltrated real world applications. VR has the ability to offer extraordinary experiences, giving individuals the chance to witness situations through the perspective of someone other than themselves. With numerous applications, Lastra foresees immersive technologies integrated into every major field including transportation, engineering, art, healthcare, etc.
The mission of 360 Immersive is to collaborate with organizations such as law enforcement, governmental agencies, and learning institutions looking to implement VR into their training procedures and marketing initiatives. Although advancements in technology can be used in both positive and negative ways, Lastra and 360 immersive will continue to operate morally and ethically to help, not hinder, society and to create uplifting and motivational content.
Jennifer Lastra
Keynote Speaker, 2018 Connections Project
Date: Thursday, April 26
Time: Virtual Reality Demonstrations, 5:15 – 5:45 p.m.
Lecture and Q&A Session, 6:00 – 6:45 p.m.
Location: Nampa Campus Academic Building, second-floor atrium
Whether you’re working towards an academic goal, developing a skill set, or entering the workforce, the insight gained at this event will be invaluable. The Connections Project event is free and open to the public. To learn more visit the Connections Project webpage.
Thompson Rivers University Becomes CWI’s First Canadian Transfer Partner
NAMPA— College of Western Idaho is pleased to announce that it has signed two transfer articulation agreements with Thompson Rivers University (TRU) to provide transfer opportunities for CWI students and graduates.
The articulation agreements allow graduates of both associate of arts and associate of science programs to receive transfer credit into TRU’s bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degree programs.
This is CWI’s first agreement with a Canadian university. Both are members of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
“We are pleased to finalize these transfer pathways articulation agreements with TRU, which provides tremendous value for our students, particularly in terms of offering them a high quality education while they are enjoying an international learning experience,” said David Shellberg, CWI’s executive Vice President of Instruction and Student Services. “We are especially impressed by how well TRU understands and appreciates our graduates and how it has made American community colleges a major emphasis in its recruitment efforts.”
“The College of Western Idaho is committed to providing students with hands-on learning opportunities and realizes the transformative nature of the experiences they provide their students. TRU’s Faculty of Science shares this commitment, and we are confident that students who transfer to TRU to finish their degree will be successful and will benefit from our own efforts to graduate knowledgeable and skilled problem solvers,” said Dr. Thomas Dickinson, Dean of Science.
TRU World Associate Vice President International Operations Baihua Chadwick is excited about the partnership: “We are so pleased that College of Western Idaho has chosen TRU as their first Canadian partner institution. TRU is committed to enhancing diversity, inclusiveness and intercultural competence on our campus. This agreement helps us further develop a community that is welcoming to all.”
CWI programs that could facilitate student transfers include anthropology, liberal arts, general business, communication, criminal justice, English, geography, history, political science, psychology, sociology, Spanish, chemistry, biology or geology.
Bridges to Baccalaureate Program Announces 2018 Undergraduate Research Fellows
The Bridges to Baccalaureate Program, supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health, has selected five College of Western Idaho (CWI) students to be awarded the first Bridges Fellowships! The students, each of whom will transfer to Boise State University for the fall term, in alphabetical order are: Aliona Chernish, Adriana Rodriguez, Iris Torres, Jason Ward, and Cassie Wigfall.
Each Bridges Fellow has been paired with their faculty mentor based on the student’s career interests, the recommendations of peer mentors, and meetings with faculty. They will work with their faculty mentor this summer, all of their junior year at Boise State, and the following summer and earn up to $15,750 in the process. The students will conduct original research as a part of the faculty member’s research team which includes other research faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates (if applicable). In addition to research, Bridges Fellows will engage with the larger undergraduate research community at Boise State through formal events such as seminars and informal gatherings such as outings to the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, for example. Finally, they will present their work at the Idaho Conference on Undergraduate Research each July and other regional and national conferences (if warranted).
There is very little rest for our student researchers! They’ll begin work on May 15, 2018, with an orientation to the Bridges to Baccalaureate Program and will be in their new labs on May 16, just days after CWI’s graduation ceremony. We’re very proud of these motivated and talented students and pass them on to Boise State with high hopes and expectations. Good luck to all of you!
Science Student Thrives at CWI
In November, Kassandra Townsend applied for and was accepted to the Doris Duke Conservation Scholars Program at University of Idaho (U of I). This program will enable her to participate in collaborative, cohort-based undergraduate research at U of I for two summers (2018, 2019) while providing $10,000 in summer salary while she is going to school.
Two weeks ago, Kasandra presented her work “Breeding Ecology and Habitat Suitability of Ferruginous Hawks (Buteo regalis) in Southern Idaho” in a 20-minute, science talk along with research partner and CWI alumni, Talia Jolley, at the Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society meeting in Fort Hall Idaho. The duo took home the Best Student Paper Award, outscoring graduate students and undergraduates from Boise State University, U of I, and Idaho State University.
Kassandra also won the Idaho Chapter of the Wildlife Society Student Scholarship ($1500) at last week’s meeting and plans to use the funds to pay for tuition at U of I when she transfers there next fall.
More notes about the ICTWS conference:
Overall, CWI had an amazing conference.Three CWI undergraduate researchers (Dave Draper, Victoria Martinez, Kassandra Townsend), two alumni (Talia Jolley, Ty Styhl) and one faculty (Dusty Perkins) presented talks at the meeting. Many professionals who work for industry or state and Federal agencies approached me and either complimented me on the quality of students that we’re producing. Others told me they were amazed that we were doing as much as four-year schools even though we are a community college. It was great to be recognized as contributors to educating the professionals of the future. Further, it’s great to be able to contribute to advancing knowledge about wildlife science and management.
The experience was a great experience for students to present at a professional conference. What a stage to be able to demonstrate their capabilities as researchers and presenters! Students also participated in several professional development activities including resume review and job interview preparation workshops, networking with potential employers or undergraduate programs and advisors. Students participated in student/professional mixers and sat in on many great talks about current wildlife science and management.
Kassandra Townsend: (former Steve Lysne snail work study, Dusty Perkins biological technician work study, MURI intern (Steve Lysne 2016, Birds of Prey Partnership 2017). She has had amazing opportunities materialize over the last few months and she graduates this spring with an AS in Biology Natural Resources.
Commencement Needs YOU!
College of Western Idaho's (CWI) 2019 Commencement Ceremony is right around the corner! The ceremony, held at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, will take place on Friday, May 17, at 7 p.m. Employees are encouraged to share in the success of CWI students by volunteering their time that day.
Volunteer times are based on assignment. Volunteers are welcome to stay for the entire ceremony or leave when volunteer duties are complete. The volunteer shifts are as follows:
5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
To volunteer, email Aleysha McCoy at aleyshamccoy@cwi.edu by Friday, April 26, at 5 p.m. In your email, please indicate the shift you would like to work. Although volunteer times cannot be guaranteed, preferences will be taken into consideration.
Thank you to all who are willing and able to help at this event. Commencement would not be possible with you!
Celebrating the Class of 2018
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will be celebrating graduates at its annual Grad Fest on Wednesday, April 18, 2018, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. The event, from 4 to 7 p.m., kicks off the countdown to CWI's Class of 2018 commencement.
Graduates are invited to come enjoy BBQ, dessert, complimentary massages, and entered for a chance to win a Dell Inspiron 11", 2-in-1 laptop!. Caps and gowns will be available for purchase or pick-up. Be one of the first 150 there to receive a cool gift bag and an alumni t-shirt.
CWI cannot wait to celebrate YOU!
#cwigraduation
Settlers of Catan Tournament—April 21
Do you like board games? Do you like winning prizes? Do you like to just have fun? Join the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Entrepreneurship Club on Saturday, April 21, 2018, for their ninth Settlers of Catan Tournament. The event will take place at 1 p.m. in the second-floor atrium at the Nampa Campus Academic Building.
The tournament will feature three rounds of play for all participants and light refreshments. There will be prizes for first and second place winners.
Admission is $10 for pre-registration and $12 at the door, paid by cash or check on-site.
Denim Day—April 25
Join College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Inclusive Excellence (Diversity) Committee and show support for the prevention of sexual assault by wearing your jeans Wednesday, April 25! April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and Denim Day is a call to action for all to come together by wearing denim as a visible sign of protest against sexual violence.
A Denim Day panel discussion will be held Thursday, April 26, on the second-floor atrium of CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building at 4 p.m. Contact Christine Lee at christinelee@my.cwi.edu for more information.
Additionally, during the 2018 Connections Project April 26, the Women’s and Children’s Alliance (WCA) will be hosting a table in collaboration with the Psychology and Domestic Violence Awareness Clubs in honor of Denim Day.
Read more about the history of Denim Day on the WCA website.
New Site for Event Planning
The Events Planning Committee would like to announce a new site on myCWI to aid in the planning and scheduling of anything from meetings to larger events at the College. The new Event Planning Procedures site contains step-by-step instructions for requesting a meeting or event, links to required forms, and an Event Planning Guide (EPG). The EPG provides information about requirements, costs, safety, and necessary resources that may be required for your event.
Whether scheduling a simple department meeting or a complex event, we hope this page helps you understand and navigate the scheduling process. While this page was thoughtfully created, we know that feedback from those using a process is invaluable. Please share your feedback at the bottom of the right column on the Events Planning Procedures page or by emailing us at scheduling@cwi.edu.
We look forward to working with you all!
