Bert's Alerts—April 12, 2019
In the Spotlight
CWI faculty members, Jim Barry, Sean McConnachie, Andrew Kendall, Dave Jenkins, Justin Moore, and Michelle Mahoney, joined more than 50 professionals from across the Treasure Valley at College and Career Day Tuesday, April 9, at Borah High School. Shining the spotlight on CWI, they showcased their programs and inspired students with potential career opportunities.
Celebrating 10 Years!
Don't miss out on the 10-year celebration as we share stories of amazing students, talented faculty, and quality programs!
CWI in the News
Southern Illinois University Law Journal: CWI instructor Clayton Cramer’s article published in national law journal
News Highlights
A Better Self
Hometown: Middleton, Idaho
Major: Anthropology, Geography, History
Graduation: 2016
"CWI empowered me by showing me I am smart, outgoing, and able to do so many more things than I thought I could,” said 2016 alumna, Katt Grossman.
Desiring to better herself and create a more stable life for her daughter than she experienced growing up, Katt chose to pursue a college education. The small, personal class environment she experienced at CWI, provided her the opportunity to building relationships and lasting connections with her instructors and fellow students.
“CWI has a sense of community and family that is hard to find at larger institutions.”
As a first generation college student, Katt took great pride in her education. Caring instructors along the way built her confidence and helped her develop life-long skills.
“So many instructors at CWI made an impact on me, but three stand out the most – Carl Della Badia, English; Nikki Gorrell, Anthropology; and Reggie Jayne, History. They all went above and beyond to help me in my studies and inspire a love of so many things. I will never forget them!”
Involvement in clubs on campus provided Katt with some of her most memorable experiences at CWI.
“Doing site work and excavations with the Anthropology Club and going to Washington D.C. with the History Club are experiences I will never forget and experiences that really helped me to open up and flourish within my professional and personal life.”
Katt graduated from CWI in 2016 with associate degrees in Anthropology, Geography, and History. She is currently a student at Boise State University majoring in Multidisciplinary Studies, minoring in Anthropology and History, and certifying in Design Ethnography. In addition to school, she leads marketing and volunteer coordination for Giraffe Laugh, a local non-profit that provides early care and education to young children.
“My time at CWI was incredibly important to who I am now, and I am so thankful for that.”
SkillsUSA Competitors Shine at the State Level
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho’s SkillsUSA students who brought home multiple medals at the SkillsUSA Idaho State Leadership and Skills Conference held on April 4 and 5 at the Nampa Civic Center. The students finished with four gold medals, seven silver medals, and two bronze medals in the Skilled and Technical Sciences Contests.
Gold Medal Recipients:
Phillip Coltrin – Information Technology Services
Nate Lindgren – Precision Machining Technology
Matthew McCranie – Internetworking
Megan Smith – Welding Sculpture
Silver Medal Recipients:
Bailey Cook – Internetworking
Taylor Gonzales – Collision Repair Technology
Danny Radandt – Welding Fabrication
Alex Stauffer – Welding Fabrication
Cassandra Wisser – Welding Sculpture
Hunter Wollman – Welding Fabrication
Stockton Woodworth – Information Technology Services
Bronze Medal Recipients:
Shaun Free – Precision Machining Technology
Seth Heppler – Internetworking
Three of the College’s gold medal winners will travel to Louisville, Kentucky, to compete in the 55th annual SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference June 24-28, 2019.
Learn more by visiting the SkillsUSA Idaho Facebook page or SkillsUSA Idaho online.
Broken Water Heater Inspires Change
Hometown: Nampa, Idaho
Major: Applied Accounting
Graduation: 2012
“Because of the training and schooling I received at College of Western Idaho (CWI),” said 2012 alumnus, José Nava, “I now have a great job and am no longer living paycheck to paycheck!”
José, an Idaho native and father of three, said trying to replace a water heater himself in order to save money ultimately inspired him to attend college.
“Needless to say, it was a struggle. On the verge of giving up, I remember looking at my wife and saying, ‘Why can’t we make enough money to hire a professional to do this?!’ That was it. The following week, I went and applied at CWI.”
As a student in CWI’s Applied Accounting program, José was given an assignment during one of his last semesters to shadow someone in his field of study. He chose to complete this assignment at American Image Marketing, Inc. (AIM), a natural health product and nutritional supplement company in Nampa, Idaho. During the job shadow, he was offered a summer internship.
“As with most internships, I didn’t think it was paid. When I got to work the first day, they gave me a W-4 to fill out. I remember thinking, ‘What is this for?’ Little did I know it was a PAID internship! I didn’t say anything to my wife until I got home and surprised her. We were both thrilled!”
In May 2013, five months after graduating from CWI, José was offered a full-time position with the company. This year, he will celebrate his sixth anniversary with AIM where he is an Accounting Specialist over sales tax, payroll, and accounts payable.
“CWI empowered me by giving me a chance at a better way of life. I am so much happier than I was seven years ago! This change not only impacted me, but my family as well. They see that I am happy where I work and that transcends to being happy at home.”
Faculty of Distinction—January 2019
Reggie Jayne has been named College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for January 2019. Jayne, an Associate Professor of History and a proud community college graduate, has been with the College since 2008 as part of the founding faculty. In addition to his teaching duties, he serves as Chair of the Liberal Arts Degree and Financial Aid Appeals Committees. He is also a member of the Blackboard Super-user group and Library Advisory Committee. Over the past decade, he has served in multiple capacities and roles and on scores of committees and work-groups across the College.
Outside the College, he is serving as Chair of the Canyon County Historic Preservation Commission which assists Canyon County Commissioners with the selection and awarding of preservation grants. Recently he was invited to serve as the founding Scoutmaster for Scouts BSA Girls Troop 132.
“I believe in being an active and involved member of my community,” Jayne said. “As a member of the faculty at a community college, I think it’s important I am an active, visible, and involved participant of that community.”
Jayne holds an A.A. from Lone Star Community College, a B.S. from the University of Houston-Downtown, an M.A. from Sam Houston State University, and is approaching the completion of his Ph.D. in Humanities and History from Faulkner University. His current research efforts focus on the life of Mortimer J. Adler and the Great Books movement. Some of his work was recently selected for publication in the Fourth World Journal.
He loves working at a community college because he is the product of a community college education. After failing out of high school, he reports he had no inclination toward academics. Just before turning 30, out of work and money, he suddenly “felt an inexplicable pull” to go into his local community college and sign up for courses. The faculty at Lone Star College changed his life. Jayne hopes his teaching efforts can connect with students in the same way community college faculty connected with him.
“I was awed by the way my faculty approached the classroom with different backgrounds and methods. They inspired me and served as my mentors.”
Jayne and his spouse, Jennifer, and five children, live in Meridian. He is excited that his children will soon be able to take courses with CWI faculty and get started on navigating their own dreams.
“As an educator and academic, I am certain that CWI is the place where I want my kids to go! I know CWI faculty will take an individual interest in them and work with them to achieve their dreams and goals just like the faculty at Lone Star Community College did for me.”
Please join us in congratulating Reggie!
Business of Robotics Symposium
College of Western Idaho’s Business department, in partnership with the Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program, are proud to present the Business of Robotics Symposium Friday, April 19, from 1 – 5 p.m.
Join us at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center for a LIVE robotics demonstration and to learn from industry experts as they share their knowledge and unique experiences working with robots in the fields of:
- Electronics Manufacturing
- Automation
- Process Manufacturing
- Healthcare
- Construction
Business of Robotics Symposium Flyer
Contact Shelly Moore at 208.562.3089 or shellymoore@cwi.edu or Ryan Hanson at 208.562.3314 or ryanhanson@cwi.edu. to learn more.
Grad Fair 2019
2019 Graduates! The time has come to celebrate your accomplishments and prepare to graduate! Kick-off the countdown to College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) 10th commencement ceremony at Grad Fair on Tuesday, April 23, 2019. Join the festivities at the Nampa Campus Academic Building from 4 – 7 p.m. for an afternoon of celebration complete with food, giveaways, a photo booth, and family-friendly fun sponsored by ASCWI. Be one of the first 200 graduates there and receive an exclusive, commemorative 10-year CWI alumni gift bag!
Cap and gown purchase will be available on-site in addition to information on transfer and military opportunities, financial services, and health insurance.
Don’t miss this event and chance to celebrate YOU!
Eclectic Impressions: Studio Art Graduate Show
Artwork from College of Western Idaho’s Studio Art graduates will be on display at the Gem Center for the Arts in Boise April 26 – 28. All are invited to attend the opening of their exhibit, “Eclectic Impressions”, Friday, April 26, from 6 – 9 p.m. Art will remain on display through that weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
“When my work is put on display it provides vulnerability, excitement, and a bold new frontier of the unknown," said Shawn Moore, a Studio Arts major.
"This chance to prepare piece, write my artist statement, and show my art in a gallery setting," adds Kendra Mattson, "will provide me with a valuable experience that will only lead to future success as I continue my artistic journey."
Contact Goran Fazil at 208.562.2117 or goranfazil@cwi.edu to learn more.
Virtual Benefits Fair
Human Resources invites you to a Virtual Benefit Fair April 30 – May 14. View informative videos, attend webinars, access FAQs and forms, and enter a drawing to win prizes! Attend from any location and at any time throughout the fair.
Open Enrollment is April 29 – May 17. Open Enrollment is the only time you can:
- Change from one plan type to another
- Add previously declined dependent dental insurance
- Enroll in a new FSA plan or enroll to continue your FSA plan
Contact Human Resources or visit the Human Resources Employee Resources site on myCWI for more information.
Save the Date: 2019 Commencement
Mark your calendars to celebrate College of Western Idaho’s class of 2019 during the commencement ceremony on Friday, May 17, at 7 p.m. The event, hosted at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, will recognize degree and certificate graduates, as well as GED completers.
Visit /graduation to learn more!
