Bert's Alerts—April 23, 2021
News Highlights
History Students Search Idaho State Archives
Students from College of Western Idaho (CWI) recently visited the Idaho State Archives to do historical research as part of their History Capstone (HIST 290) class.
Research of the day included looking through documents from the USS Boise Collection, a World War II light cruiser; reading firsthand accounts of the Northern Shoshone tribe recorded by early pioneer, John E. Rees; and searching through the personal papers of World War I soldier, Sergeant Ralph Atherton, of Eden, Idaho.
"Many times History majors are not introduced to archival research until graduate school,” said History faculty and Dean of Arts and Humanities, Justin Vance. “At CWI, we try to get students into a physical archive which puts them ahead of their peers when they transfer onward or gives them that skill set even if they don't go on to study more history."
OTA Program Application Now Open to May 7
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) new Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program has extended the application deadline until May 7, 2021.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant degree provides a holistic and client-centered approach to improve the quality and functionality of the clients they serve.
“We are very pleased to offer Occupational Therapy Assistant at CWI,” said Cathleen Currie, Dean of Health. “It offers students another opportunity to be in healthcare, coming from a different perspective of working with patients in acute and out-patient care settings.”
Current and future students interested in starting the OTA program are encouraged to complete their pre-requisites prior to applying.
Upon completion of the two-year program, students will have received the education, skills, and training necessary for the national certification exam to become a certified and licensed occupational therapy assistant.
“OTA is a hands-on discipline working with patients to reestablish skills and abilities that may have been lost due to injury, stroke, and other traumas,” Currie added. “It takes a holistic approach to the patient.”
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2018 to 2028, the job market for occupational therapy assistants will increase by 21%, much faster than average.
“This will be another high-quality nationally accredited program at CWI,” Currie said. “There are very few OTAs in the Treasure Valley, and our program is the only one in the region – so there is a demand for these professionals.”
Looking to transfer your healthcare course credits from another institution? Contact us today to find out if you fulfill the prerequisite requirements.
Open Enrollment Open Through May 14
Open enrollment for medical, dental, and flexible spending accounts (FSA) will be held April 26 through May 14, 2021, for all benefit-eligible College of Western Idaho (CWI) employees. The new plan year begins July 1, 2021.
Open enrollment is your chance to:
- Enroll or re-enroll in the FSA program for the 2022 fiscal year – FSA plans do not automatically renew year-to-year.
- Change your medical plan type (PPO, Traditional, High Deductible).
- Add dependents to dental care coverage.
- Switch premium deductions from post-tax to pre-tax or vice-versa.
- As a reminder, dependents can be added or removed from medical coverage at any point during the year.
Open enrollment forms:
- Forms will be available Monday, April 26, on the Human Resources Employee Resources site on myCWI.
- Forms can be signed electronically.
- Open enrollment forms are due Friday, May 14, at 5 p.m., and will be accepted via email or in-person at the Human Resources office located at the Nampa Campus Administration Building.
- Exceptions will not be made for those who miss the May 14 deadline.
Have a quick question about your benefits?
During the open enrollment period, Human Resources will be holding drop-in Q&A forums via Zoom for those with questions about open enrollment and/or CWI’s benefits.
Save the date!
Learn more about the benefits available to you by attending CWI's Virtual Benefit Fair, April 23 – May 13. At the virtual benefits fair you can access updated plan and rate information for the new plan year, view informative videos, attend webinars, review FAQs, and access open enrollment forms.
Contact Human Resources at HRBenefits@cwi.edu with questions.
Staff Senate Nominations Open Through May 5
Are you interested in playing a part in staff governance at College of Western Idaho (CWI)? Do you know a colleague who would do great in this role? If so, please consider nominating yourself and/or a colleague to serve on Staff Senate. Staff Senate nominations for 2021-2022 will be open Wednesday, April 28, through Wednesday, May 5, 2021. Three officer and eight senator positions are up for election.
The CWI Staff Association consists of all part-time and full-time benefited, non-faculty employees serving at a director level or below. Staff Senate is made up of three officers and 10 senators. Each elected senator must have been employed at the College for at least one year prior to beginning their term. Newly-elected officers and senators will serve for two years – June 1, 2021 through May 31, 2023.
Open Positions:
- President
- Vice President
- Secretary/Treasurer
- Four (4) Staff Senators – Instruction and Enrollment and Student Services
- Two (2) Staff Senators – Operations (IT, Facilities, Institutional Research)
- Two (2) Staff Senators – Business Office, Human Resources, College Relations
Nomination Process:
- Nominations open Wednesday, April 28, and close Wednesday, May 5.
- If you are interested in serving or would like to nominate a colleague for Staff Senate, please email staffsenate@cwi.edu.
- In your email, indicate which seat you are interested in or nominating a colleague for.
- Participation in Staff Senate requires supervisor approval. Approval will be verified prior to placing names on the ballot.
Contact Staff Senate at staffsenate@cwi.edu to learn more or with questions.
Peterson Named Staff of the Month for March
Congratulations to Keith Peterson, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for March 2021. Peterson is a Technical Support Specialist for Information Technology (IT) User Services and has been with the College for three years.
“I take care of staff and faculty computers and classroom technology for the Nampa Campus Administration, Multipurpose, and Aspen Classroom Buildings,” Peterson said. “Because of CWI, I am accomplishing my goal of establishing a career and working toward an associate degree in Media Arts.”
“Keith is terrific at understanding and meeting each user at their needs,” said his supervisor and IT User Services Manager, Cory Leinberger. “He is methodical in his troubleshooting approach and purposeful in the way he communicates with those he serves. He’s a valuable asset to IT User Services and CWI.”
“Keith is always pleasant and prompt to respond to any concern,” said Mary Jo Hayes, Comptroller in the Business Office. “I can only imagine it must continue to be overwhelming trying to keep equipment needs met, things running smoothly, and customers happy as many of us continue to work remotely. Keith is flexible in accommodating times to meet with employees, communicating often to keep requests up to date, and ensuring problems are resolved promptly. He always provides excellent customer service with an attitude we should all strive to mirror.”
Peterson has lived in Idaho his entire life and currently resides in Caldwell with his wife. The couple has two grown kids and a German Shepard they are training. In his spare time he enjoys playing World or Warcraft and reading.
2021 Connections Project
Mark your calendars for College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) sixth-annual Connections Project event Thursday, April 29, at noon on CWI's Facebook page and YouTube channel. This year’s live-streamed event will recognize winners of the Connections Excellence Awards, Juried Art Show, and President’s Writing Awards.
For additional information or questions about this year’s event, visit the Connections Project page online or email connections@cwi.edu.
Facebook Link: 2021 Connections Project
YouTube Link: 2021 Connections Project
Visiting Artist Series Welcomes The Disbelievable Domain of Zee
Join College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series for a thrilling modern adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as they welcome Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s Idaho Theater for Youth, Saturday, May 1, for a recorded performance of The Disbelievable Domain of Zee followed by a live Q & A session all are sure to enjoy!
To participate, plan to watch Idaho Theater for Youth’s recorded performance of The Disbelievable Domain of Zee at any time prior to the Q & A session on May 1. The performance is 45 minutes in length and will be closed captioned.
Watch The Disbelievable Domain of Zee
Following your viewing of the performance, join The Disbelievable Domain of Zee’s creative team and cast members for a Q & A session. The session will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, and will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Enrich your experience with The Disbelievable Domain of Zee Viewing Guide linked below.
Zoom Link: The Disbelievable Domain of Zee Q & A Session
CWI’s Visiting Artist Series is made possible through a grant from Idaho Commission on the Arts, which is supported by National Endowment for the Arts. Visiting Artist Series workshops, featuring visual and performing artists, are free and open to the entire CWI community.
Contact Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu to learn more or with questions.
Grad Fest 2021
Congratulations, 2021 graduates! You made it! Gather your family and friends, decorate your car, and plan to join us for this year’s Grad Fest, Thursday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB)! This drive-by celebration will be complete with music, balloons, confetti, and an exclusive Grad Fest gift bag full of CWI swag and alumni keepsakes – all to celebrate YOU!
Register
Graduates planning to attend are asked to register for the event by May 11. The first 200 graduates to attend will receive a diploma cover in addition to a gift bag. Grad Fest gift bags and diploma covers will not be sent to graduates not in attendance.
Attend
Graduates can attend Grad Fest any time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. the day of the event. Enter the NCAB parking lot at the intersection of Idaho Center Blvd. and Birch Lane. Please remain in your vehicle, and follow signs to the Grad Fest area upon your arrival.
We cannot wait to honk, wave, cheer, and celebrate you and all you have accomplished!
Contact Chad Trisler, Dean of Students, at dos@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
Congratulations, 2021 Graduates!
In acknowledgement of our 2021 graduates, College of Western Idaho will live stream its 12th commencement ceremony Friday, May 14, beginning at 6 p.m. on CWI's Live Events page, Facebook page and YouTube channel! Plan to celebrate with us in recognition of this year’s degree and certificate and Workforce Development apprenticeship graduates.
Graduates are invited to participate in the live-streamed ceremony by submitting a photo and quote for their personalized slide. Each graduate will receive an email from noreply@marchingorder.com on behalf of the CWI’s Registrar’s Office with directions for submissions which are due April 27. Phonetic pronunciation submissions are due April 20. Regalia is available to purchase online through the Bookstore.
In addition to the ceremony, CWI is hosting a Grad Fest. This curbside, pick-up event for graduates will be held Thursday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nampa Campus Academic Building.
Graduates are encouraged to check their student email account, the CWI newsroom, the College’s social media channels, and the Graduation webpage regularly for announcements and up-to-date information. Please email registrar@cwi.edu with any questions.
Congratulations to all our 2021 graduates! You made it!
We Otter Get Moving Virtual Fun Run and Walk
As we prepare to wrap up the last 21-day challenge of the academic year, the Employee Wellness Challenge series has one more opportunity for you to push yourself and be a part of the CWI community! The We Otter Get Moving Virtual Fun Run and Walk brings together what we have learned from each 21-day challenge to celebrate all we have accomplished.
Participation is easy!
- Sign up by Wednesday, May 19
- Choose your distance – 5k or 10k
- Complete your run or walk any time on Saturday, May 22
- Use an app or device to track your 5k or 10k distance and time
- Submit your participation by Tuesday, May 25, including a picture of the device showing the completion of your run or walk including distance and time. If you do not have a smartphone or watch to track your distance and time, see the We Otter Get Moving site on myCWI for alternative options.
Participants who submit their participation showing completion of their run or walk will be entered to win a variety of prizes. The first 50 employees who submit their participation on May 22 will receive a free CWI t-shirt with the new CWI branding! Want to get your family involved? Submit a picture of your family completing the event together and be entered to win a fun activity pack from the Discovery Center.
More details, instructions, and training resources can be found on the We Otter Get Moving site on myCWI.
