Bert's Alerts—May 24, 2019
In the Spotlight
Congratulations to our 10th class of #mightyCWI graduates! Check out photos from the event on our Facebook page.
10-Year Celebration
Don’t miss out on the celebration as we share highlights of our 10th graduating class.
CWI in the News
News Highlights
Law Enforcement Students Celebrate Graduation
Bagpipe music flooded the room as members of the Nampa Police Honor Guard led College of Western Idaho (CWI) Law Enforcement students into the Nampa Civic Center on Thursday, May 16, for the graduation ceremony. Family and friends looked on as the 17 graduates marched passed the crowd to the front of the room. The event began with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by opening remarks from Brett Reid, Director of Law Enforcement at CWI.
"We are extremely proud of the Law Enforcement graduates of the Spring 2019 class. They are an exceptional group who have consistently exhibited the qualities and abilities required to protect and serve our communities," said Reid.
President Bert Glandon also spoke during the event and highlighted the pride he feels in each of the graduates and in the success of the program.
Keynote speaker, Sgt. Chad Sarmento, of Ada County Sheriff’s Office, one of the many instructors from the law enforcement community who teaches at CWI, told the students he is a better person for knowing each of them and for the stories they shared during class.
“May God bless your journey through life, your families, and your chosen career in criminal justice. For those of you heading towards a law enforcement career, after you leave these excellent educational hallways, I would like to welcome you to our family. Thank you, and good luck to each every one of you,” said Sarmento, as he finished his speech.
Early Childhood Education Preschool Co-Creation Project
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Early Childhood Education Preschool Laboratory participated in the Co-Creation Project with the Boise Art Museum this past semester. The Co-Creation Project facilitates opportunities for three- to five-year-old students to meet and work with professional artists. Through this collaboration, Boise Art Museum and early-learning partner classes document the meaningful work pre-school children create as artists and the role professional artists have in the learning process.
The College’s afternoon preschool class paired with local artist, April VanDeGrift, who is also Adjunct Faculty in the Art department at CWI. Early Childhood Education Instructor, Mary Griffin, worked with VanDeGrift, Early Childhood Education students, and the preschool children in the lab to document the children’s process and learning throughout the project. The finished, collaborative art work is currently on display at the Boise Art Museum through September.
Honor Society Elects 2019-2020 Officers
Beta Sigma Pi, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society, is pleased to announce the results of its Spring 2019 elections for the organization’s 2019-2020 officer team.
Israel Sheber, President
Laura Baldwin, Vice President of Leadership
Nicole Johnston, Vice President of Fellowship
Rheanna Palmer, Vice President of Service
Mia Cinello-Smith, Vice President of Scholarship
The outgoing officer team of Elizabeth Carter, John Nahlen, Elyssa Goins, Aga Gibson, and Charity Watson led the team to achieve top 40 status out of 1300 PTK chapters worldwide.
“I am excited to work with my team in continuing the success of the Beta Sigma Pi Chapter,” said new PTK president Israel Sheber.
Honor society members are invited to attend meetings this summer held at the Ada County Campus Pintail Center on the third Wednesday of each month at 11 a.m. Visit ptkcwi.org for more information and room number. For more information about PTK, contact advisors Dr. Yolonda Barnes yolondabarnes@cwi.edu or Dr. Liza Long lizalong@cwi.edu.
Basic Skills Education Recognized for Community Impact
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Basic Skills Education (BSE) program, recently recognized by Easterseals-Goodwill as a Community Partner during the organization’s Idaho Awards Celebration May 2, 2019. The following was presented by Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain President and CEO, Michelle Belknap, during the event in acknowledgement of this achievement and in appreciation of the College’s impact on the community:
"The community partner award recognizes a person or business that goes beyond normal business expectations to enhance the lives of the people we serve. This year we have three community partners in Idaho to recognize. This first community partner is the College of Western Idaho. Easterseals-Goodwill is one of three independent Goodwill organizations that was selected to implement a pilot program called GoodPaths, which helps retail workers advance their careers. GoodPaths, is a first-of-its-kind career navigation initiative aimed at the broader retail industry. We currently utilize this model in all of our retail stores, as well as with employers in the community that we partner with. Since October 2017, the Treasure Valley Healthcare Council, which includes community agencies such as us and the College of Western Idaho, have partnered with Saint Alphonsus to improve recruitment and retention efforts. CWI was the first of many community partners that expressed an interest and pursued our training to train their own staff. Because of CWI’s willingness to embrace the model, we were the first of the GoodPaths pilot sites across the nation to expand the coaching model outside Goodwill and the retail sector. With CWI’s excellent reputation, other partners followed suit and joined them in receiving the training, and to provide individuals and families within the community this great opportunity to experience the positive impact of an evidence based career coaching model. Thank you to the College of Western Idaho for partnering with us to help others."
“The BSE program at CWI relies on solid partnerships, like the one we have with Easterseals-Goodwill, to leverage services for the betterment of our students,” said BSE Director, Jac Webb. “Thank you to Easterseals-Goodwill for this honorable recognition!”
Saving Endangered Animals With Science
The work that I accomplished in my citizen science project was done in the comfort of my own home. Who would've guessed that I’d be saving different animal species from around the world? I was first reminded of endangered animals through Twitter. As a nineteen-year-old freshman in college, I was able to help animals while sitting at home, listening to music and identifying animals while in pajamas. If I heard this from anyone else, I wouldn’t believe it. Yet here I am, living proof that individuals can contribute to preserving life on earth from poaching.
Astro-Ecology relies on the participation of aspiring individuals willing to help those who can’t speak for themselves. These volunteers don’t need any type of college degree or certificate. All you need is a little time, willingness to help, and a computer with internet access. This specific project is a collaboration of astronomy and ecology which monitors and protects endangered animals.
Our process in saving endangered animals has just began. There are thousands of animals that need help immediately and others who will soon reach the verge of needing assistance as well. By correctly identifying different animal species from each other and humans, we are taking a step forward in maintaining their population and increasing their life span. It’s as simple as it sounds, images are provided and individuals go through identifying what type of animals, if any, are being presented. Some external factors that affect endangered animals are global warming, pollution, and poaching. This project also targets poachers by identifying them in the act and immediately stopping them. Global warming and pollution are other factors that impacting life on earth as well. Pollution is a man made situation in which we need to observe as well, but for now, it’s one problem at a time.
To participate in citizen science projects and make positive impacts in the world today, head over to https://www.zooniverse.org/projects! Here you can explore a variety of projects that interest you and are achievable in the comfort of your home! You can also complete your GEM 4 Scientific Ways Of Knowing credit by enrolling in Biology 100L with Christina Moore.
Image URL: https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/rossmcwhirter/astro-ecology
College of Western Idaho student, Yesenia Navarro, wrote this blog for a project in Christina Moore's Biology class.
Third-Annual Treasure Valley Adjunct Conference
Adjunct faculty gathered Thursday, May 16, for the third-annual Treasure Valley Adjunct Conference held at College of Western Idaho (CWI). The conference, hosted by CWI’s Center for Teaching and Learning, is a collaboration with Boise State University and Northwest Nazarene University in an effort to support continued professional development and networking for individuals who work in part-time, adjunct faculty positions. Presenters showcased innovative teaching practices, disciplinary research, and best practices for supporting adjunct faculty within their institutions.
Visit TVACIdaho.com for more information or to view recordings of the sessions.
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.
Bert’s Alerts Summer Distribution
Bert’s Alerts will assume a summer distribution schedule of every other Friday, beginning this week. Look for the next issue on Friday, June 7. This schedule will continue through the summer, excluding the week of July 4, with weekly distribution beginning again in August.
Please keep in mind, news and stories will still be published on the website and shared on social media in a timely manner. Bert’s Alerts is just one of the many channels available to communicate the great things happening at the College. We highly encourage you to continue sending content to Communications and Marketing through the Help Desk, and remember to visit the CWI website often to view college news and current job openings.
Contact Communications and Marketing at 208.562.2222 or communications@cwi.edu with questions.
Ada County Campus Parking Lot Repairs
Please be advised the parking lots at College of Western Idaho’s Ada County Campus Pintail Center and Lynx Building will be undergoing asphalt repairs May 12 – June 2. Repairs will include replacement, crack filling, sealcoating, and restriping. Parking will remain open as the work will be done in phases. Thank you, in advance, for your patience.
Contact Facilities Planning and Management at 208.562.3545 or facilities@cwi.edu with questions, concerns, or for more information.
