Bert's Alerts—May 4, 2018
President's Message
As we approach the end of the semester and prepare to celebrate numerous accomplishments during commencement, this is a good time to look back at some of the highlights, from the Idaho Legislature, related to College of Western Idaho (CWI).
The most exciting development for CWI was the allocation of $10 million by the Idaho Legislature and Gov. Butch Otter, for a new state-of-the-art Health Science Building. The Idaho Legislature passed this funding support with a stipulation that we identify the balance of the remaining funding for the project before the end of June 2019.
While this is great news, our challenge is to acquire the remaining funding needed for the building. In order to leverage the state’s $10 million commitment, we need to move quickly to secure the balance of the $39 million in project funding. A combination of funding sources including a capital campaign, as well as support from the taxpayers, through a plant facility levy, will be needed.
This new facility will increase capacity, so we can prepare more healthcare workers to meet the growing demand for their skills in the Treasure Valley. We have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us. I’ll be sharing more information with you regarding our efforts in the future. Your involvement, educating the community by illustrating the importance and value of the College, will be a crucial link to the success of the levy. As employees of the college you are able to educate for the need of a Health Science Building and opportunities it will create, but you cannot advocate voting preferences for the levy while representing the college or dedicate college resources for this purpose. To learn more about the Community Education Campaign feel free to contact Communications and Marketing at 208.562.2222 or communications@cwi.edu.
In addition, legislators passed a number of bills that will benefit CWI. With the passing of the Career Technical Division Appropriation, the legislature committed $1.6 million statewide, to increase capacity for these programs. Legislators recognized the importance of CTE careers and the need to expand them to meet the needs of business and industry.
CWI was the only college to receive the full amount of Enrollment Workload Adjustment (EWA) funds from the Community College Appropriation bill that was passed. These monies will be used to help pay for the Change in Employee Compensation (CEC), CWI employees will receive next fiscal year.
Lastly, The Workforce Development Council received funding for a new director position, who will report directly to the governor. These changes were implemented to streamline workforce development policy and programs, as well as better align the needs of post-secondary institutions and businesses.
As the campaign season intensifies, the May 15 primary election is also rapidly approaching. Political ads are everywhere and hard to miss. Most of you have probably invested some time exploring the candidates, numerous, very crucial positions are at stake. A number of local news organizations have aired debates and have dedicated pages within their websites, such as KTVB and Idaho Statesman, to help with your research. Also, you can visit idahovotes.gov to find more information about where to vote and links to your county’s election office. Early voting is currently open and the deadline for mail-in absentee ballot requests is Friday, May 4. I strongly encourage all of you to become informed, understand the candidate’s platforms, and go vote.
Thank you for the work you do to advance student success. As we continue to adapt and thrive, I truly appreciate your flexibility.
News Highlights
2018 Commencement
Mark your calendars to celebrate College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) class of 2018 during the commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12, at 7 p.m. The event, hosted at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, will recognize degree and certificate graduates, as well as GED completers.
Community members are encouraged to share messages with graduates using #cwigraduation on Twitter and Instagram. Messages will be streamed on screens for graduates to see while preparing for the ceremony.
Visit /graduation to learn more!
Connections Project Success
Students, faculty, and community members from across the Treasure Valley came together Thursday, April 26, to make connections, education others, and inspire innovation and creativity during College of Western Idaho’s third-annual Connections Project. The event, which showcased more than 85 students' work and accomplishments, featured a virtual reality demonstration by Jennifer Lastra, CEO and co-founder of 360 Immersive; an interactive art project of cardboard architecture; and an awards ceremony recognizing top writers, scholars, and artists—all topped of with live music from the local Afro-Indie band, Afrosonics. Other highlights included a juried art show, creative writing workshop, and community visitors from the Women's and Children's Alliance, the Pride Foundation, and Death Rattle.
Winners of this year's Connections Excellence Awards:
Christine Lee, Alesia Harney, Nicole Bush—Connect
The Anthropology Club—Collaborate
Tiffany Makres—Inspire
Jolien Stam—Educate
Eva Streicher—Educate
Rheanna Danes—Juried Art Show
Thank you to all of the judges and volunteers who helped make this a successful day and for joining us in celebrating student accomplishments and community connections.
Anthropology Club Wins Connections Award
Congratulations to members of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Anthropology Club! Students received the 2018 Connections Excellence Award for Collaboration for their Museum Exhibit Project “The Tools in Our Hands: The Evolution of Career and Technical Education.”
Anthropology Club students collaborated with Career and Technical Education (CTE) faculty and students in Welding and Metals Fabrication, Horticulture Technology, and Drafting Technology and The Center for New Directions.
Each CTE Program is highlighted with student quotes from interviews, as well as student work, and objects they interact with or used while earning their degrees at CWI. Students were supported in their endeavors by Nikki Gorrell, Anthropology Program Assistant professor and Anthropology Club Advisor and Annette Grove, Coordinator for The Center for New Directions, Student Affairs. Funding for the Project was provided by the Center for New Directions, Department of History, Culture, and Politics, and Career and Technical Education. Students, staff, and faculty from each of these programs and divisions were instrumental in assisting the students in completing their project.
The exhibit, located in the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. The current exhibit featuring Career and Technical Education Welding and Metals Fabrication, Horticulture Technology, and Drafting Technology programs will stay until December 15, 2018. Self-guided tours are available when the building is open. Guided tours can be scheduled with Annette Grove (Annette.grove@cwi.edu). New Career and Technical Education Programs will be featured during the spring 2019 semester.
Students Attend Engineering Design EXPO
On April 27, 2018, Student Success Advisors, Kurtis King and Andrew Miller, along with 14 College of Western Idaho students visited the University of Idaho (U of I) to attend the 25th-annual Engineering Design EXPO – a showcase of senior U of I Engineering student capstone projects, and Idaho’s longest-running, interdisciplinary initiative featuring student innovations. The event provided students an opportunity to tour the beautiful U of I campus, special learning spaces, and research labs; interact with senior engineering students and see their projects; attend a keynote speaker on innovation in aerospace engineering; as well as experience on-campus housing spending a night in the dorms! It was a great experience!
Psi Beta Presents First-Place Research
College of Western Idaho’s Psi Beta Chapter had the opportunity to present their research, “The Pursuit of Academic Success in the Media Age”, to psychology professionals at the Idaho Psychological Association Conference April 27, 2018. Students, Lisa Corn, Charity Watson, Amanda Zent, Christine Lee, and Kristen Connolly, were awarded first place for their research.
Farewell, Brenda!
The College of Western Idaho extends best wishes to departing Assistant Vice President for Instruction, Brenda Pettinger. Brenda is leaving CWI after nearly 10 years of service to our students and faculty. She has played a key role in the Institution’s development and maturity which culminated with our full accreditation by the Northwest Commission for Colleges and Universities in 2017.
We wish you well in your future, whatever you choose to do and wherever it leads, CWI thanks you.
Farewell Party Today!
The time has come to bid farewell to six amazing individuals and express appreciation for their time and dedication to the College. All are invited to join in honoring and celebrating them today, May 4, from 1-2 p.m. at the Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building.
Retiring:
LeRoy Forsman—Director, Law Enforcement Program
Susan Knights—Support Faculty, Math Solutions Center
Bonnie Noonan—Associate Professor, Early Childhood Education
Bill Starkey—Assistant Professor, Machine Tool
Resigning:
Brenda Pettinger—Assistant Vice President, Instruction
Steve Rayburn—Associate Professor, Heavy Duty Truck
Thank you for everything you have done for CWI. You will be missed!
Employee Benefit Fair – May 8
Plan to attend the Employee Benefit Fair Tuesday, May 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event, held at the Nampa Campus Academic Building in the second-floor atrium, will have representatives available to answer your questions about insurance, retirement, and more!
7th Annual Staff Celebration
Save the date for our Staff Celebration Meeting and Breakfast Tuesday, May 22, 2018, from 8:00 – 9:30 a.m. at the Nampa Civic Center. This annual event is a great time for College of Western Idaho staff to come together and celebrate success at the College!
Come enjoy some bacon and eggs beginning at 7:45 a.m. and stay as members of Staff Senate conduct business and announce new senators and officers. In addition, attendees will have a chance to win some great prizes! Bring five nonperishable items to donate to the Food For Thought Pantry and receive an additional raffle ticket for the prize drawing.
