Bert's Alerts—June 8, 2018
In the Spotlight
CWI welcomed future students to campus today for New Student Orientation. New this year, students enrolling for fall semester had the opportunity to meet with advisors, register for classes, learn about services and resources available and engage with staff and faculty. In addition it’s a great way to meet fellow incoming students and visit campus before classes start.
President's Message
In our ongoing efforts to grow and evolve as an institution that best supports its students, faculty, and staff, I am pleased to announce College of Western Idaho (CWI) is seeking a Vice President of Instruction (VPI). This position, which replaces the currently vacant Assistant Vice President for Instruction, will report directly to the President and be a strategic-thinking leader who has direct responsibility for working with faculty for the betterment of the student experience. The VPI will be a member of President’s Cabinet and will work with the College’s executive leadership to help define, clearly communicate, and facilitate the vision we have for our students, communities, and campus.
Current Executive Vice President for Instruction, Enrollment, and Student Services, David Shellberg, will continue to oversee both the Instruction Division and Enrollment and Student Services until the new VPI is hired and in place.
This is an exciting time to be a part of higher education in our country. So much is changing and changing rapidly! I am excited about the possibilities our students will have here at CWI because of all the wonderful, committed, and talented staff and faculty standing by ready to help them. I thank you each for your individual role in this effort. The new VPI will play a major role in our efforts to be the best-in-class in every aspect for our students.
Here’s to the continued success of our students and CWI!
News Highlights
Degree Plans Support Student Success
Student Advising and Success has been hard at work and proud to report 100 percent approved degree plans for students enrolled during Spring 2018 semester! Approved degree plans provide students a pathway to their academic and career goals and are tailored to fit each student’s unique situation.
Students work with a Student Success Advisor specializing in their specific major to create a plan that will allow them to optimize their academic journey. Approved degree plans help facilitate registration as required courses are mapped out for each semester. Students can also view a timeline for degree completion, update their plan as needed, and clearly track which courses are remaining. The creation of degree plans to support student success is an awesome addition to the student experience. Student Advising and Success is looking forward to continuing to work with students in developing their plans and realizing their educational dreams.
Pilot Program for Welding Students
The Welding Summer Bridge pilot program, developed by Idaho Career and Technical Education (ICTE), is giving 14 high school seniors the opportunity to become certified welders in a shortened amount of time. The idea is to “bridge” the 10 credits the students earned in high school with the credits required for their first-year of college, during the summer after high school graduation. Students completing the summer program will then be able to register for fall courses as a second-year welder.
The program is designed to tackle two issues – getting more students into postsecondary CTE programs that were cohort model programs and getting skilled workers into the workforce to meet the skills gap in high-demand occupations.
The program was opened as a pilot to high school concentrators in welding pathway programs across the state to assist students with continuing their career journey. Students shared interest by reaching out to their teachers and contacting a college transition coordinator. To be eligible, students had to pass their Technical Skills Assessment (TSA), their Postsecondary Assessment (PSA), and attend a student/parent orientation to learn more.
Students selected for the pilot program will attend classes at College of Western Idaho and College of Southern Idaho June 4 through July 27.
Carne Asada en el Parque
Current and incoming students are invited to join College of Western Idaho's Latinx Student Service Coordinators (LSSC) for Carne Asada en el Parque Wednesday, June 20. Come get to know the LSSC team, meet the Navegando mentors, and develop friendships. Enjoy some carne asada hot off the grill, play a game of volleyball, and win cool prizes!
Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2018
Time: 5 – 7 p.m.
Location: Lakeview Park in Nampa
Email Javier Garcia at javiergarcia@cwi.edu for more information.
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.
Step-Up Challenge Returns
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) forth-annual Step-Up Challenge, hosted by the Culture and Employee Engagement Committee (CEEC), began Saturday, June 1. Whether you want to start moving or simply want to add some steps to your current routine, the Step-Up Challenge is just the motivation you need.
Participating is easy! Record your steps every day from June 1 – 30, including weekends. At the conclusion of the challenge, submit your step count to ceec@cwi.edu and be entered to win some great prizes! Prizes will be awarded to the individual with the most steps in each building, as well as the person with the most steps overall.
Visit the CEEC site on myCWI to download a tracking sheet and email ceec@cwi.edu to learn more.
