Bert's Alerts—June 22, 2018
In the Spotlight
Current and incoming students joined the College’s Latinx Student Services Coordinators (LSSC) for Carne Asada en el Parque Tuesday, July 20. The event, held at Lakeview Park in Nampa, had a great turnout! Students had an opportunity to meet the LCCSs and Navegando Mentors while enjoying food, volleyball, music, and door prizes.
News Highlights
Law Enforcement Honors Third Year of Graduates
Family and friends gathered to celebrate the accomplishments of students in College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Law Enforcement program Tuesday, June 20. The program’s third graduation ceremony, held at the Nampa Civic Center, honored 30 students, five of which have already been hired to work at various agencies across the community. Others, like Sarahi Cardoza, plan on continuing their education before embarking on a career.
Program Director, LeRoy Forsman, spoke to graduates encouraging them to always provide the best service possible to the people they serve, support, and protect. He highlighted the importance of never underestimating their ability to be a role model, counseling them to continually work toward building a better future, giving back to the community, and setting an example of kindness.
Forsman, who recently announced his retirement as Program Director, spoke about his passion for teaching and training and how fulfilling his career in law enforcement has been. As part of CWI’s Law Enforcement program from the very beginning, he has been instrumental in both its creation and success.
“Our program is so successful because of the selfless time and effort from our staff and instructors, he said. “We utilize more than 50 working and retired professionals to provide the most up-to-date information and training possible. This benefits our students in an incredible way. They are prepared to take what they've been exposed to in the classroom and put it into practical application on the job. It's really all about sharing knowledge and experience with the next generation of public servants.”
“Building this program and seeing it through has truly been one of the greatest blessings of my life, one of the greatest successes that I count in my career. It’s been a labor of love, and I am very, very proud of what we have accomplished here.”
Michelle Fellows, Interim Department Chair of Public Safety, gave a great tribute to Forsman during the ceremony calling him a hero.
“LeRoy is a hero in all senses of the word; he has ability, strength, courage, noble qualities, and achievement – all of which he brought to the epic task of creating a Law Enforcement program at CWI,” she said. “We are extremely lucky to have had him be the hero behind that work. The foundation he has built in the CWI Law Enforcement program will continue to touch people’s lives and create positive change in our community after he retires.”
Each graduate received a CWI Law Enforcement Challenge Coin and a completion certificate. Top performing students in academics, shooting, and driving training received a plaque recognizing their stellar performance in those disciplines. At the conclusion of the program, Forsman administered the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics and students pledged to follow the strict guidelines outlined for officer’s behavior and conduct.
View the entire graduation ceremony on the CWI YouTube channel.
Credits Inspire Transformation
As Sarahi Cardoza, 23, draws her Glock pistol, she carefully walks through the training she has been honing in on for the past six months.
Cardoza’s road to College of Western Idaho (CWI) has been challenging. Working on general study classes for two years before starting CWI’s Law Enforcement program, she says her long-term goal is to become a detective. She is passionate about helping people and is excited about pursuing a career in law enforcement, which is very different from her life as a teenager.
“I did not appreciate authority, I grew up in Caldwell and I was mostly hanging around with gangs — so back then, I didn’t appreciate the police at all,” she said. “I didn’t have an understanding of what they do – but they’re here to help, no matter who you are.”
Cardoza, who was born in Ontario, Oregon, moved to Mexico with her family at 13, after her father was arrested on drug charges and deported. When she was 17, she moved to Idaho without her family.
Cardoza’s introduction to CWI began with the CLEP test, a College-Level Examination Program which grants credit-by-examination. At the time, Cardoza was a student at Vallivue Academy in Caldwell. By demonstrating mastery of introductory, college-level Spanish, she was able to pass the CLEP test and earn college credit. In addition, Cardoza received her GED from CWI, another major stepping-stone in her academic career.
Cardoza has excelled in the Law Enforcement program and LeRoy Forsman, director of the program, has been impressed with her drive and performance.
“Her attitude has been so good, considering her route to college, overall, was not an easy one,” said Forsman. “She was concerned about the selection process. When she found out she was accepted she was extremely happy. She has performed better than my expectations, but more so, her expectations. Her physical skills in defense training have really picked up, and when those come up, her self-confidence level soars!”
Cardoza, who will graduate from the Law Enforcement program later this month, feels empowered by the education and training she has received. She plans on getting a bachelor’s degree from University of Idaho before embarking on her career. Cardoza has come a long way from her days on the street with gang members. Completing this program has elevated her life and her confidence, as well as opened new doors with opportunity to excel in a meaningful career.
Administrative Specialist Program Highlighted at Job Fair
Lindsey Wallgren and Teri Harbacheck, Assistant Professors in College of Western Idaho’s Administrative Specialist program, participated in the monthly Maximus Job Fair Thursday, May 24. Maximus, an Idaho Employment and Training Services program, was interested in the skills offered by the College’s program which offers students a comprehensive education through applied business courses. Students gain office skills, writing and editing proficiencies, financial application abilities, accounting knowledge, and an array of digital, computer, and website experiences. Upon completion, students are well-prepared with the skills necessary to obtain a successful career.
University of Montana and CWI Sign Transfer Agreement
College of Western Idaho (CWI) students will have an easier time transferring to the University of Montana thanks to an agreement approved this month by the two schools.
The provosts of both colleges signed a memorandum of understanding that will provide students improved advising at both institutions; expand student access to institutional services and curriculum; and may shorten the time to a degree, by helping students avoid taking courses that cannot be applied to their degree requirements.
“We are pleased to finalize this agreement with UM, which provides tremendous value for our students and employees,” said David Shellberg, CWI’s Executive Vice President of Instruction and Student Services. “We are particularly happy with two specific online BA degree possibilities in both Art and Media Arts, programs that offer rare learning opportunities in these fields of study for our graduates.”
The University of Montana offers world-class learning and undergraduate research opportunities and facilities and is dedicated to promoting undergraduate research, scholarship and creative activity in all fields of study. One of the nation's 377 top institutions for undergraduate education and a great buy according to the Princeton Review, UM has more Udall Scholars than any University in the country.
God and Country Festival
The 52nd annual God and Country Festival is scheduled for Tuesday, June 26, from 4 – 11 p.m. at the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa. This free, family-friendly event includes performances by a number of bands followed by a fantastic firework display beginning at 10:15 p.m. The fireworks will be launched from the east side of the College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) park and ride area at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB).
Parking for this event is open and free with a CWI ID card for faculty and staff at NCAB. Security guards will be setting up barricades at both NCAB entrances beginning at 3:30 p.m. to check IDs. Parking is also available and open to the public at the Nampa Campus Administration Building (NADM), Aspen Classroom Building (NASP), and Multipurpose Building (NMPT) parking lots.
Contact Linda Hyde at lindahyde@cwi.edu for more information.
CWI Night at the Boise Hawks – July 31
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is proud to partner with the Boise Hawks for a night of baseball and fundraising. Mark your calendars for our next CWI Night Tuesday, July 31! Students, alumni, employees, family, and friends of the CWI community are invited to attend as the Hawks take on the Tri-City Dust Devils.
Get your seat in the shade on the third-base line for just $10! For each CWI group ticket sold, $5 goes directly back to the SCORE Big Scholarship fund. During the game, one lucky CWI student will be selected as the next $1,000 SCORE Big Scholarship recipient.
