Bert's Alerts—Sept. 14, 2018
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Exercise Science student, Dustin Rhodes, was the recipient of a civic scholarship awarded during the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Grand Fiesta Gala on Sept. 7 at the Boise Centre. Luis Caloca, CWI’s Director of Admission and Enrollment Management, presented the scholarship during the event — which highlights the exciting partnership between the College and Chamber.
News Highlights
Dental Assisting Students Volunteer at Free Health Clinic
Members of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Dental Assistant program spent Wednesday, Sept. 12, volunteering during the Amen Free Clinic at Expo Idaho!
Sixteen students from the College’s program helped to sterilize dental equipment, hand out supplies, and assist with teeth extractions during the free health clinic.
The event provided a great opportunity for students to get hands-on training while helping people in the community. Students benefit from experiential learning during their first semester while they learn in the classroom about lab materials and skills. Additionally, students gain valuable experience helping and interacting with patients.
“That’s my heart, to serve people in our community – so helping people who can’t do day-to-day things because of the pain they are in, is life changing,” said Monica Satake, Associate Professor in the Dental Assisting program. “During training for this event, one of the directors said, ‘We may only get to see these patients for five minutes, but for those five minutes, we want them to know they are the center of the world.’”
Geology Student Designs Museum Exhibit
Over the summer, College of Western Idaho (CWI) student, Westin Juarez, combined his passion for geology and anthropology by teaming up with CWI professor, Ander Sundell, and the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology (IMMG).
Westin worked with IMMG staff to research and design their newest exhibit that communicates the evolution and use of personal mine safety equipment as the fulfillment of his geology internship credit. The exhibit displays specific pieces of safety equipment worn by miners such as helmets, lights, boots, safety belts, gloves, and personal respirators. For each piece of safety equipment Westin researched an accident that could have been prevented had the miners been using that safety gear.
The exhibit is currently open at the IMMG located in the Old Penitentiary in Boise at 2455 Old Penitentiary Road.
Student Shares Social Media Research at Conference
College of Western Idaho (CWI) student, Charity Watson, represented CWI’s Psychology program at the Idaho Conference for Undergraduate Research on July 26, 2018, at Boise State University. Her poster, “Social Media Distractions Affect Traits Differently Across Generations,” highlighted the work she has been conducting for various courses in the Psychology program.
Charity plans to further explore the relationship between social media use as a coping mechanism for academic stress.
Kevin Platts to Lead Public Safety Programs at the College
Kevin Platts has been named the new Director of Public Safety Programs at College of Western Idaho. His new role will oversee the implementation, maintenance, and evaluation in the areas of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement and the development of the College’s fire programs. Platts supervises a team of very dedicated faculty who deliver these programs and help students achieve success.
Platts has a master’s degree from the University of Louisville in the Administration of Justice, a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida in Criminology, and attended Hillsborough County Community College.
Platts has more than 29 years of experience with the United States Marshals Service as a Chief Deputy U. S. Marshal, Assistant Chief, Supervisory Criminal Investigator, Inspector for the Federal Witness Protection Program, Criminal Investigator, Combat Firefighter, and a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician. During his college years, he was a Reserve II Deputy Sheriff in the patrol, detective, and jail bureaus. Additionally, Platts is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and was the President of the Idaho Chapter of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association for 10 years.
Welcome aboard, Kevin. We are pleased to have you join our team!
Scholarship Spotlight - Melissa D.
Hometown: Nampa, Idaho
Major: Health Science
Anticipated Graduation: 2019
Because of CWI: “I have been able to fulfill my dreams and become a role model for my children!”
Melissa D., a Nampa native and recent scholarship recipient, does not take being a student at College of Western Idaho for granted. While she always wanted to attend college this was not possible for her until recently. For years she battled rheumatoid arthritis, dealing with this condition consumed her and she put going to college on hold. However she fought to overcome this and never lost sight of pursuing her education.
“I had been dreaming of this for a long time,” she said. “My disease was under control, and the timing seemed perfect. I have loved every minute of attending CWI.”
Her experience with rheumatoid arthritis prompted her to pursue a career in the medical field, eventually to be a nurse. She wants to be able to work with patients to help them overcome their health issues with the use of her personal experience and love.
Melissa is a recipient of the Brandt Bridge Scholarship and the Follett Bookstore Scholarship.
“These scholarships help to ease our financial burdens and relieve my family of the stress of making ends meet. The funds will go directly towards purchasing my textbooks.”
Her most memorable moment at CWI was attending the cadaver lab for Anatomy and Physiology class. She describes her experience as profound and she was “in awe of the respect and dignity the instructors had for the donors. It is something I will never forget.”
2018-19 Clubs and Organizations
Student Leadership Coordinator, Amber Eubanks, is working with Student Affairs to renew clubs and organizations for the 2018-2019 year! Clubs will be required to have four officers to become activated; President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
This next academic year students will not be able to hold more than one officer role, but may be an active member in as many organizations that they would like. Please note, this will not apply to Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), Business Professionals of America, or Speech and Debate.
To view and sign up for trainings, please click the appropriate link below.
Advisor Trainings Information
Semana Cultural and Fiesta Cultural Return for 2018
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is celebrating Hispanic Heritage this year with the second annual Semana Cultural. This exciting celebration will start, Monday, Sept 24, with a week of cultural activities and conclude on Saturday, Sept. 29, with the daylong Fiesta Cultural at the CWI Nampa Campus Academic Building.
As part of the National Hispanic Heritage month, Semana Cultural will showcase the diversity of Latin American countries that are represented here in Idaho and recognize the contributions made by Latinos in America. The activities at CWI will highlight and celebrate the history, heritage, and culture through a series of on-campus events.
Activities will include debates, speakers, documentaries, and educational opportunities for the community and students at the CWI Nampa Campus Academic Building from Sept. 24 to 28. Learn more and check out the schedule of events.
On Sept. 29, CWI will celebrate the conclusion of Semana Cultural with the third-annual Fiesta Cultural. This year’s event will offer the community a chance to experience, engage, learn, and have fun attending a multi-cultural event. Numerous cultures will be represented in music, dancing, games, art, and demonstrations.
Activities will range in age and interests; there will be something for the entire family to enjoy. Experience folkloric dancing performances, live music, soccer, and boxing. Kids will love the face painting, coloring, and more! Enjoy a diverse variety of food from local food trucks and vendors.
2018 Wishing Well Applications
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation began accepting Wishing Well applications Monday, Aug. 13! Thanks to the generosity of employees, supportive community partners, and approval from the CWI Foundation and Scholarship and Grants Committee, nearly $7,000 was awarded to four programs at the College through the Wishing Well Fund last year. The fund, established in 2015, was created to support small items and student learning opportunities not typically funded through department budgets.
Do not miss out on this exciting opportunity! Applications for this year’s Wishing Well funds will be accepted through Friday, Sept 28. Visit the Wishing Well Grants page on myCWI to learn more and to find the 2018 Wishing Well application. For questions, please contact Rena McKean at renamckean@cwi.edu or 208.562.3182.
