Bert's Alerts—Feb. 22, 2019
News Highlights
Students Paint with Internationally-Known Deaf Artist
College of Western Idaho’s Visiting Artist Series welcomed Nancy Rourke, an internationally-known Deaf activist and professional artist, to campus Feb. 19 and 20. In addition to a lecture, Rourke hosted a hands-on painting workshop where students were given the opportunity to paint one of Rourke’s original paintings about the deaf experience. The painting, comprised of the hand shapes used to spell the word L-O-V-E in American Sign Language, was created using the colors red, yellow, and blue.
“The use primary colors is part of Rourkeism, an artistic movement,” explained Rourke. “Each color has meaning. The colors in the hand shapes indicate a diversity of people and an inclusion of people of color. We talk about how to use opposite colors to give balance. This helps people have a feel for what the artist is conveying.”
The College’s Visiting Artist Series, made possible through a grant from Idaho Commission on the Arts, features visual and performing artists through a series of workshops, lectures, and performances. The CWI Foundation and Wishing Well Fund, created to support student learning, helped make this particular event a great success and enjoyable time for students.
“For our students to interact with professional artists is a great opportunity,” said Art instructor, Goran Fazil.
Visit CWI on Facebook to watch Rourke's Live With 5 interview. Stay tuned for information on the next Visiting Artist event in March which will feature the Idaho Shakespeare Festival.
Community College Luncheon Highlights Student Success
On Feb. 18, 2019, College of Western Idaho (CWI) President, Bert Glandon, and his counterparts from Idaho’s three other community colleges, hosted the annual Idaho Community College Luncheon for legislators. The annual luncheon, which highlights student success, provided students an opportunity to engage with legislators and thank them for their continued support of community colleges.
Elizabeth Carter, CWI Beta Sigma Pi Chapter President, spoke to the group about her experiences as a child watching her father search for gold, inspiring audience members to pursue their passions and overcome obstacles.
Following the luncheon, students attended an awards ceremony for the Idaho All State Academic Team in Governor Brad Little’s office at the Idaho State Capitol. During the ceremony, CWI student scholars Elizabeth Carter, Sarah Knowlton, Charity Watson, Kami Tuohy, and Amelia Miller were presented with individual All Idaho Academic Team Medals by Lieutenant Governor, Janice McGeachin.
Staff of the Month—January 2019
Piper Skoglund has been recognized as College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for January 2019. Skoglund began taking classes at CWI in January 2009 when the doors first opened to students. She was one of the first members of History Club and the College's Speech and Debate team where she won several awards for her speech on toilet paper and was blessed with the opportunity to travel and compete at nationals in New Orleans, Louisiana. Upon graduation in December 2011, she knew she wanted to stay with CWI and immediately began seeking job opportunities.
Skoglund was hired as an eCampus Representative at the College in 2012. In 2014, she began working in Scheduling for the Registrar's Office. She currently serves as an Enrollment and Graduation Evaluator where she helps students navigate their way through registration, updating accounts, filing appeals, and more. She says being part of a student’s journey from the day they register to the day they graduate is the best part of her job and is very fulfilling.
Following completion of associate degrees in Liberal Arts and Sociology from CWI, Skoglund went on to finish her bachelor’s degree in University Studies with an emphasis in Sociology through Brigham Young University-Idaho’s online program in December 2017. She recently enrolled in a Masters in Human Resource Management program which she will begin this summer or fall.
In her spare time, Skoglund enjoys spending time with her family. She is currently helping to plan weddings for two of her four children. By the end of the year, the number of grandkids she has will go from two to six! Sundays are her favorite day of the week. On Sundays, she has dinner with her parents, siblings, and all of their kids – usually 20 to 25 people. The joyful noise of family brings her a lot of happiness.
Please join us in congratulating Piper on her accomplishment!
New PTK Leadership Sworn In
On Feb. 7, 2019, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) President, Elizabeth Carter, inducted Charity Watson into the Beta Sigma Pi Chapter as the honor society's new Vice President of Leadership.
Watson is currently completing requirements for an associate degree in Psychology at the College. She plans to transfer to Boise State University to study Biomedical Biology, with the ultimate goal of pursuing a graduate degree in Cognitive Neuroscience. As former CWI Writing Center Tutor and Teaching Assistant, Watson exemplifies a commitment to academic excellence and community service characterized by PTK Honor Society students.
“I’m excited to see this important leadership role filled by a woman for the first time in our chapter’s history,” remarked Carter.
Watson is already taking an active role in planning for Beta Sigma Pi’s spring induction ceremony honoring new members on March 9, 2019, at which CWI’s President, Bert Glandon, will be a featured speaker and honored guest.
For more information about PTK, contact advisors Dr. Yolonda Barnes yolondabarnes@cwi.edu or Dr. Liza Long lizalong@cwi.edu.
Workplace Excellence Series Prepares Students for Employment
At College of Western Idaho (CWI), preparing students for employment happens in and out of the classroom. The Center for New Directions, in collaboration with Student Affairs and Student Advising and Success, is proud to offer the Workplace Excellence Series to CWI students to help them develop skills employers today are seeking.
Three Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs – Heavy Duty Truck Technician, Heavy Equipment Technician, and Welding and Metals Fabrication – asked the Center for New Directions to provide the series as part of their classroom curriculum on a regular basis. Students are encouraged to attend workshops offered through April 4, 2019.
COMMUNICATIONability – Verbal and Non-verbal Communication in the Workplace
Thursday, Feb. 28
2 – 3 p.m.
- Ada County Campus Pintail Center, Room 1118
- Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, Room 1301
WRITEability - Written Communication in the Workplace
Thursday, March 7
2 – 3 p.m.
- Ada County Campus Pintail Center, Room 1118
- Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, Room 1301
WORKability - Realities and expectations in today's workplace
Thursday, March 14
2 – 3 p.m.
- Ada County Campus Pintail Center, Room 1118
- Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, Room 1303
SUITability - Fitting into the culture of the workplace
Thursday, March 21
2 – 3 p.m.
- Ada County Campus Pintail Center, Room 1118
- Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, Room 1301
TRANSITIONability - Making a smooth job transition
Thursday, April 4
2 – 3 p.m.
- Ada County Campus Pintail Center, Room 1118
- Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, Room 1301
Students and faculty interested in the Workplace Excellence Series should contact Annette Grove, Coordinator of the Center for New Directions, for additional information or visit the Center for New Directions Preparing for Employment webpage.
Idaho Black History Museum Trip
February is Black History Month. To celebrate, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Student Engagement team is hosting a free trip to visit the Idaho Black History Museum Wednesday, Feb. 27. CWI students interested in attending are asked to register by emailing studentengagement@cwi.edu. The group will meet at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) at 10 a.m. to take participants to the museum and will return to NCAB by 1 p.m.
Cybersecurity Awareness: Be Cyber Smart
The Department of Homeland Security has launched #BeCyberSmart, a new campaign encouraging people to be smart about their online presence. The campaign offers cyber lessons on multi-factor authentication, Wi-Fi safety, app security, oversharing, and geotagging. Additional educational resources include a rundown of common scams as well as a review of sobering cyber facts.
Contact Mike Wilson at mikewilson@cwi.edu or 208.562.3193 with questions or for more information, and stay tuned for more tips and information on cybersecurity awareness in future issues of Bert’s Alerts.
