Bert's Alerts—Aug. 9, 2019
In the Spotlight
The 10-year Celebration isn’t over yet! Be sure to visit our Mighty Profiles page highlighting stories of our amazing students, talented faculty, and quality programs. Thank you for all you do every single day to empower futures and change lives. YOU are appreciated!
CWI Empowering Lives
News Highlights
Save the Date: 2019 College Address
The time has come to kick off another fantastic academic year with our annual College Address. Join us Monday, Aug. 12, from 8 – 11 a.m. at the Nampa Civic Center as we share priorities in support of the College’s strategic objectives, recognize employees through service awards, relive highlights from the past year, and conclude with an opportunity for Q&A with members of President’s Cabinet.
Fall 2019 College Address Schedule (updated):
7:15 a.m. – Breakfast
8:15 a.m. – Welcome from Chairman Skip Smyser
8:20 a.m. – Introduction to New Institutional Priorities from President Bert Glandon
8:45 a.m. – Staff and Faculty Awards and Recognition
9:30 a.m. – Break
9:45 a.m. – Highlight Video
9:50 a.m. – Additional Accomplishments from Provost Denise Aberle-Cannata
10:00 a.m. – Q&A with President’s Cabinet
10:45 a.m. – End of Address
Following the address, all recognized faculty and staff are asked to meet in the lobby for group photos. Staff will return to work, and faculty will transition to their In-service meeting schedules.
Apprenticeship Programs Receive Statewide Award
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Apprenticeship programs, who were recognized for their incredible work during the annual Career and Technical Education Reach Professional Development Conference on Tuesday, Aug. 6, in Boise.
Program coordinators Chris Miller, HVAC, Jim Webb, Electrical, and Steven Bennett, Plumbing, received the 2019 Idaho CTE Exemplary Postsecondary Program award during a celebration at the Boise Train Depot.
“I was so proud to see the dedication, passion, and enthusiasm this team has demonstrated for years being recognized by their peers,” said Provost Denise Aberle-Cannata. “A proud moment for mighty CWI!”
The three instructors have a wealth of knowledge, with more than 120 years of experience, which empowers students with the real-world knowledge they need to excel in the workforce.
Assistant Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development, Christi Rood, praised the work of her team. “Jim, Chris, and Steve are amazing classroom teachers and mentors to their students. They epitomize career technical education and allowing a classroom format that provides an opportunity for students to earn while they learn.”
Cultivating Hope
Hometown: Nampa, Idaho
Major: Psychology
Graduation: 2015
“Getting an education empowered me to be a better person and gave me the motivation to help others know they can do it, too,” said 2015 graduate, Jessica Concie.
For years, Jessica struggled to find happiness and stability in her life.
“I was in and out of abusive relationships and struggled with addiction and homelessness. For years, I felt completely hopeless. I honestly thought I was going to die from abuse or overdose, and I didn’t care.”
With the assistance of community organizations, Jessica was given the tools to turn her life around. In the process, she was inspired to go back to school in hopes that someday she could pay it forward and help others the way she had been helped.
“When I started the admissions process at College of Western Idaho (CWI), I was nervous and scared. I honestly thought I would take a couple classes, fail, and quit college. I really didn’t think I could do it.”
Class after class, Jessica began exceeding her own expectations and realizing her potential. A solid support network of people who believed in her gave her the determination she needed to be successful.
“Because of CWI, I don’t question my future anymore. CWI gave me a new perspective, appreciation, and understanding of life. Education has made me into the person I dreamed about being when I was a little girl. I couldn’t have done it without so many cheering me on.”
Following CWI, Jessica transferred to Boise State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Psychology and Gender in 2017. Returning to her alma mater, she is now spreading her message of hope as a One Stop Representative in Admissions at CWI. Her ultimate goal is to assist students as an advisor.
“I never gave up, and I did it! Even when life feels hopeless, there is hope. Without programs that helped me stay clean, find housing, and get an education – I really don’t think I would be alive. Now, as a thriving member of the community, I am achieving my dreams and inspiring others to do the same. If I can do it, ANYONE can.”
Start empowering your future – visit cwi.edu/BeMighty!
Staff of the Month—July 2019
Kathy Guthrie has been recognized as College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for July 2019. Guthrie joined the CWI community in September 2009 as a work study student. She is currently a Lab Materials Specialist for Math and Sciences – a job she loves. After almost ten years in this position, she is the longest working employee of the sciences lab support staff.
Guthrie graduated from CWI with her Anthropology and Geography degrees in 2016. Although she is no longer a student, she still enjoys driving Anthropology Club students around in the College’s vans on their outings. A true explorer at heart, she enjoys paddle boarding, kayaking, and fishing. A new and noteworthy adventure for Guthrie is a freak, chance encounter resulting in rescuing and raising a Maine Coon kitten, Frankie, with her partner, Jaimie. Frankie adds to their list of adored pets including Lucy, the pibble (Pitbull), and Lillian, the Dalmatian – all of which are camping enthusiasts.
Please join us in congratulating Kathy on this accomplishment!
Introducing CWI Mobile
Put CWI in your pocket with our new app! Curated from months of on-campus research, the CWI mobile app offers features to make navigating locations, courses, events, and all aspects of CWI convenient.
Currently being introduced through New Student Orientation, a campus-wide campaign will kick off fall semester to officially launch the app to the CWI community. In preparation for this launch, faculty and staff are encouraged to download the app to familiarize themselves with its features in order to better assist and promote this tool to students.
Watch your email for additional information regarding app features and instructions on how to download. Contact Communications and Marketing at 208.562.2222 or communications@cwi.edu with questions.
Cybersecurity Awareness: Smart Devices
Refrigerators, smart TVs, or washing machines connected to Wi-Fi network for convenience also increase your chances of being hacked. Smart devices tend to be far more vulnerable than computers since as they are not updated frequently. If hackers obtain access to one smart device, they can easily hack into any or all of the devices on your network, gaining access to your data, spreading malware, and carrying out criminal actions without your knowledge. Connecting your smart devices to a guest network will give you an additional security layer and keep sensitive information on your computer safe.
To help protect your computer, it is recommended you create a separate guest Wi-Fi network for all your smart devices and guests to connect to. Most Wi-Fi routers allow you to create a guest network. In most cases, you can type your router’s IP address (192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1) to get to the configuration. Your owner’s manual will provide additional information on how to do this. Once this is completed, enter your administrator username and password. If this password is still the original, default password, it is suggested you change it to a more secure password. In the router settings, find “allow guest network” or “guest network.” Name your new guest network and set a password for it. Select WPA2 encryption type. If your router does not have the option to setup a guest network, a new router is recommended in order to improve security and decrease vulnerability.
Contact Mike Wilson at mikewilson1@cwidaho.cc or 208.562.3193 with questions or for more information, and stay tuned for more tips and information on cybersecurity awareness in future issues of Bert’s Alerts.
