Bert's Alerts—Nov. 17, 2017
News Highlights
Harvest Dinner and Social
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Hispanic Student Service Coordinators (HSSC) would like to invite you to a Harvest Dinner and Social. The event, held at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC) on Nov. 21, will allow students an opportunity to get to know the HSSCs, develop friendships, network with fellow peers, and meet CWI’s Presidential Ambassadors. The evening will include food, socializing, door prizes, music, and FUN!
The HSSC positions were created at the College to establish a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for students. The coordinators oversee the Hispanic mentoring program, cultural events, and workshops. Additionally, they support and provide students with the necessary skills, tools, and knowledge to be successful.
Email Javier Garcia at javiergarcia@cwi.edu with questions or for additional information.
Date: Nov. 21
Time: 4-6 p.m.
Location: NMEC, Room 1701 A/B
5725 E Franklin Road
Nampa, Idaho 83687
New Check-In System for One Stop Locations
The College of Western Idaho is updating the software used at One Stop Student Services locations with QLess, an online check-in system. QLess will be more efficient for staff to process student requests and decrease the amount of time students have to wait. The new system allows individuals to set an appointment, check-in, monitor wait times remotely, view their current position in the queue, and receive wait times remotely via text or voice.
Training on this new system for staff begins on Dec. 1. The new system will go live at CWI One Stop Student Services locations on Dec. 11.
Emerging Scholars Spotlight: Cat Frazier
And the award goes too... not one, not two, but 11 students at the College of Western Idaho (CWI).
These 11 students were among the first chosen for The Emerging Scholars award. The Emerging Scholars Program is new to CWI as of spring 2017. Deserving students are nominated by their instructors, making it a unique recognition.
Brenda Fisher, Department Chair of Integrated Studies and Visual and Performing Arts, describes her vision for this program as an opportunity “to encourage students and acknowledge their potential.”
In the past, Fisher assisted CWI Foundation screen applicants for various scholarship opportunities. After having read so many great applications she felt CWI needed an award students could identify with at the course level.
The Emerging Scholars Program now exists to recognize outstanding students for their commitment to learning, demonstration of talent, and their potential to excel. Selection is based on academic integrity, innovation, and professionalism. This award allows students to be identified by their instructors in a different way and Fisher is hopeful this initiative will incentivize retention and persistence.
During the fall of 2016, Fisher, Library staff, and deans from across the College started planting seeds for the award. Institutional funds were designated for the award and instructors from Academic Transfer Programs were asked to nominate deserving students. More than 50 students were nominated in the spring of 2017, and the recipients received $500 to go towards furthering their education at CWI.
The selection process was “very inspirational,” said Fisher.
“It was amazing to hear what instructors had to say about their students!”
Cat Frazier was one of the first recipients of the Emerging Scholars award. Frazier started taking classes at CWI when she was 19. Shortly after beginning her college career, she decided she was not ready to pursue a college degree. Eight years later, she returned to CWI as a non-traditional student. Frazier is a Media Arts student and a part of the CWI Media Club. Because of her experience, Frazier said, she is “finding better purpose within learning and finding out more of the person that [she] wants to be.”
The Emerging Scholars award can encourage all kinds of students they do have what it takes and they should continue to pursue their goals.
Frazier was nominated by Dr. Liza Long, an instructor in the English Department. Long saw the potential Frazier brought to her English course and nominated her for the award. For Frazier, the recognition has been “a defining moment” in her college career. This recognition gave her the incentive to continue moving forward.
“Cat is an exceptional student in every way. She has met and overcome challenges; she is compassionate and collaborative, and she strives for excellence in all of her work,” commented Long.
The Emerging Scholars Committee wants to recognize additional students for their hard work and dedication in their college career. Fisher noted, “This award makes the receivers feel worthy.” By awarding the scholarship funds for the next academic year, it is a hope that this initiative will incentive retention and persistence. Therefore, nominees must be CWI students in fall of 2018 to be eligible.
Submissions are due by March 23, 2018 and can be submitted at: cwi.edu/form/emerging-scholars-nomination-form.
For more information, please contact:
Brenda Fisher
Department Chair, Visual and Performing Arts
Phone: 208.562.3351
Email: brendafisher@cwi.edu
Catherine Kyle
Instructor
Phone: 208.562.2192
Email: catherinekyle@cwi.eduS
Cathy Carson
Associate Professor
Phone: 208.562.3361
Email: cathycarson@cwi.edu
Daniel Lemus
Coordinator, Financial Aid
Phone 208.562.2493
Email: daniellemus@cwi.edu
Dakota Keiser
Keiser is a Communication student at the College and one of several students participating in an exciting partnership between CWI's Communication 273—Media News Writing and Reporting class and the CWI Communications and Marketing Department to generate content for the College.
CWI Joins 7Cares Idaho Shares Campaign
KTVB's 7Cares Idaho Shares Day is a food and fund drive led by KTVB Channel 7 that joins the community together in helping those in need this holiday season. Charities partnering with KTVB for the event include The Idaho Foodbank, Boise Rescue Mission, and The Salvation Army. College of Western Idaho is teaming up to support this effort with a campus-wide food drive which will kick-off Monday, Nov. 27. A portion of the goods collected will also benefit the College's newly established Food for Thought Pantry. Join the effort by collecting and donating food pantry and personal care items. Stay tuned for more information and details on collection locations.
Speech and Debate Team Dominates at Linfield
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Speech and Debate Team continued a strong 2017-2018 competitive season with a first place victory among community colleges at the 87th Mahaffey Memorial, hosted by Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, Nov. 10-12.
Eighteen students competed for CWI in both speech and debate events, bringing home nine individual awards in debate and 13 individual awards in speeches on the way to winning the team’s fifth community college championship at the tournament.
The Mahaffey Memorial is the second of three Northwest Forensics Conference (NFC) designated tournaments in which the team will be competing to earn points towards the division championship decided in January. The team now prepares for The Scheller Invitational, the final tournament in the NFC designates, held at Pacific University Jan. 26-28.
Mahaffey Memorial Tournament Results
Overall Team Sweepstakes: 1st place – Community Colleges
Individual Events
Dramatic Interpretation:
1st place Junior, 3rd place Open – Bryce Funkhauser
2nd place Junior – Tim Cornell
3rd place Junior – Adrianna Davis
Informative Speaking:
1st Place Novice – Izzy Stoddard
3rd Place Novice – Emily Lawrence
Impromptu Speaking:
1st place Novice – Marley Dawson
4th place Novice – Izzy Stoddard
6th place Novice – Kevin Trombly
Program Oral Interpretation (POI):
2nd place Junior – Sarah Darby
Prose:
2nd place Novice – Tim Cornell
3rd place Novice – Delaney Hardin
4th place Novice – Adrianna Davis
Marshall Award (awarded to top novice and junior speakers across entire tournament):
5th place – Izzy Stoddard
Debate Events
IPDA Finalists:
Junior Quarterfinalist – Katie Newcomer
Novice Quarterfinalist – Izzy Stoddard
Novice Octofinalist: Kevin Trombly
Novice Octofinalist: Bryce Funkhauser
Novice Octofinalist: Alex Watt
Novice Octofinalist: Emily Lawrence
IPDA Speakers Awards:
1st place Novice – Alex Watt
4th Place Novice – Izzy Stoddard
9th Place Novice – Bryce Funkhauser
Automotive Students Volunteer on Veterans Day
On Friday, Nov. 10, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Automotive Program students participated in Veterans Day by donating their time to perform vehicle inspections, lube, oil, and filter services, as well as minor repairs for veterans in the community. Heritage Auto Repair, Gary’s Automotive, Maz-Tech Automotive, and Tune Tech (Fairview) opened their hearts and doors to allow CWI students to join in serving and giving to our veterans.
Bilingual FAFSA Night
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Hispanic Student Service Coordinators (HSSC) and the Boise State Center at CWI are teaming up to host a bilingual FAFSA night. Students and parents are invited to attend to receive personal and professional assistance in completing and submitting the FAFSA online. Students who do not have all the required information can begin the process and save their FAFSA until ready to submit.
The HSSC positions were created at the College to establish a safe, inclusive, and welcoming space for students. The coordinators oversee the Hispanic mentoring program, cultural events, and workshops. Additionally, they support and provide students with the necessary skills, tools, and knowledge to be successful.
Date: Nov. 29, 2017
Time: 5-7 p.m.
Location: Nampa Campus Academic Building, Room 205
5500 E. Opportunity Dr.
Nampa, ID 83687
Students and parents should bring the following items:
- 2016 Tax Information
- 2016 W2's
- Social Security Numbers
- FSA ID's
Email Bibiana Ramierez at bibianaramirez@cwi.edu for more information.
Petroglyph Recording Project Complete
A story map featuring an overview and general findings of the Petroglyph Recording Project is complete and available to view. The five-year-long project was conducted by the Anthropology Club at the College of Western Idaho (CWI) in collaboration with Canyon County Parks, Cultural and Natural Resources from 2013 to 2017.
This map serves as a virtual scrapbook of dozens of students who were responsible for documenting and mapping petroglyphs located at two distinct sites along the Snake River Basin of Southwestern Idaho. Over the course of four field campaigns, students photographed, gridded, sketched, and mapped GPS coordinates of petroglyphs (images pecked into stone). Due to the sensitive nature of rock art, the exact locations of the petroglyphs are not made available to the public via the Story Map, however scholars or students interested in exploring this research further may contact Nikki Gorrell, Project Director and Assistant Professor of Anthropology at the College (contact info listed in the story map).
CWI Anthropology and Geography major, and May 2017 graduate, Kelsey Wilber, completed this story map as part of a work-study collaboration with Bryan Krouse and Nikki Gorrell. The final slide of the map includes a brief bio of Wilber. Her map has been presented at GIS Day, the CWI Connections Project, and the Society for Anthropology in Community Colleges (SACC) national meeting, where Wilber won an award for Academic Excellence.
View the story map here: https://arcg.is/i5DCv
Settlers of Catan Tournament
College of Western Idaho’s Entrepreneurs Club is excited to present another Settlers of Catan Tournament, Dec. 2 at 1 p.m., on the second floor atrium of the Nampa Campus Academic Building.
Admission is $10 for pre-registration and $12 at the door. Entry fees can be paid by cash or check on-site. The tournament will feature three rounds of play for all participants and light refreshments. The first-place winner will receive a full Settlers of Catan game set!
Worlds Aids Day
The Associated Students of College of Western Idaho and Centro de Comunidad Y Justicia are sponsoring an event at the College for World Aids Day. There will be free HIV testing and giveaways in the first-floor lobby of Nampa Campus Academic Building, Nov. 29 – Dec. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
October Staff of the Month: Laura Maupin
Laura Maupin has been named the October 2017 Staff of the Month. Maupin at College of Western Idaho (CWI) since Jan. 19, 2010 – almost eight years! Her current job title is Enrollment and Graduation Specialist. Although Maupin has always been in the Registrar Office, she has worked with various teams during her time at the College.
Maupin considers herself a late bloomer. She earned her Liberal Arts degree in May of 2016 from CWI and is currently attending Lewis Clark State College to complete a Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences.
Maupin has been married for 24 years, has two children, and three grandchildren. She and her husband have lived in Idaho since 2001. She loves traveling and spending time with family, and it is best if the two are combined! Some of her favorite pastimes are spending time with her granddaughters, camping, and alone time with a good movie or book.
As children, she and her siblings stood on their front porch to watch shuttles launch from Kennedy Space Center. Her family lived so close they could feel the vibration from liftoff – so much sometimes that the windows on their house would rattle and shake. Maupin is very attached to anything ‘space’. Those are special memories for her family, as her father was part of the NASA team at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for many years.
