Bert's Alerts - August 19, 2016
In the Spotlight
The start of fall semester may be here, but it is never too late to celebrate the past year at College of Western Idaho (CWI). Please take a few minutes to watch CWI’s Year in Review video that highlights the people, activities, and accomplishments from 2015-2016.
CWI's 2015-2016 Year in Review
News Highlights
VIDEO: 2016 CWI College Address
CWI's 2016 State of the College Address
College of Western Idaho (CWI) President Bert Glandon delivered CWI’s 2016 State of the College Address on Aug. 17 at the Nampa Civic Center. President Glandon’s speech can be viewed by watching the 2016 College Address Recording or downloading a copy of the presentation notes.
Strategic Plan Updated
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has finalized a new Comprehensive Strategic Plan, which is now available to view online. Over the past year and a half, CWI has been working diligently to develop a new vision for the college moving forward. CWI hired an external network of consultants through Eva Klein and Associates to provide direction through the planning process. The collaboration has involved the CWI team, faculty and staff, as well as public and private entities throughout the valley.
The new plan has a change in focus from previous planning documents. While the focus of the first CWI strategic plan was creation and initial development of the College, the new plan looks ahead through 2040. At its foundation, the team tried to determine where CWI will be in 25 years. From that framework, they worked through what is needs to occur over the next five years to move in that direction.
Please take a moment to review the new plan. The document is located at cwi.edu/info/planning-and-reports.
Employees Honored at Address
College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted its annual State of the College Address on Wednesday (Aug. 17), at the Nampa Civic Center. Along with hearing from CWI President Bert Glandon about the upcoming year, the event also provided a chance to celebrate employees. Over 70 employees were recognized for achieving five years of service at the College. In addition, the annual Staff and Faculty of the Year awards were announced. Faculty of the Year went to Sociology Assistant Professor, Charles Dickinson, while Renee Watson in the CWI Business Office was named Staff of the Year.
Congratulations to all the employees honored this year. Thank you for your dedication to CWI and hard work.
Wishing Well Fund Now Accepting Applications
How would you like something special for your classroom or program, but you simply cannot afford it? The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation is here to help. Applications are now being accepted for the annual Wishing Well Fund.
The fund was created to support small items and student learning opportunities that are not typically funded through department budgets. Essentially, it is intended for resources and activities that foster learning or support students but are not deemed necessary.
Last year, out of the 11 applications received, 6 were approved for funding. Dana Hoyer, the Emergency Medical Program Coordinator for CWI’s Workforce Development, received nearly $1,300 to purchase three manikins for the College’s EMS program. In order to provide students with realistic, real-world training, these manikins are priceless for the student learning process.
“Every time we get new equipment for our program, it’s a great thing,” Hoyer said. “Having a variety of manikins gives our students priceless exposure in working on different sized people; which is something that would happen in the real world.”
The fund is supported by internal and external donors. The total amount awarded each year depends on how many donations the Foundation receives. Applications will be considered for projects of up to $1,500.
The application is currently available on myCWI. CWI faculty and staff are encouraged to apply. The deadline to submit a proposal is Friday, Sept. 9. Late submissions will not be accepted. For more information, contact the CWI Foundation Office at 208.562.3100 or email foundation@cwi.edu.
CWI Represented at Tutoring Conference
In May, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Tutoring Services sent Rick Coonrod, Forest Gerlach, Joe Davidson, Tayica Grasmick, Grace Lovera, Carely Baeta, Scott Barron, and Jamie D to the annual conference of the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) in Orem, Utah. The group spent the day sitting in on speeches and engaging in seminars surrounding teaching, learning, and tutoring by an array of different professors. Gerlach and Davidson were selected to present at the event.
Gerlach shared his ideas on the conquest of the tutor with an original speech entitled “The Tutor’s Road to Self-Actualization.” Davidson spoke and opened up a conversation about the accomplishments tutors can have when going against the grain in the world of tutoring with “Bringing Home the Bacon: Rejecting Traditional Writing Center Pedagogy by Focusing on the Writing Instead of the Writer.”
Special thanks to Weber State University for welcoming the group and allowing them to participate in such a fun and educational event.
Help Recognize Outstanding Faculty
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Faculty Recognition Committee would like to remind employees that it is continuously accepting nominations for the monthly Faculty of Distinction award. Faculty, staff, students, and administrators are encouraged to nominate a faculty member that they feel is doing an outstanding job of meeting one or more of CWI’s Core Values:
- Acting With Integrity
- Serving All in an Atmosphere of Caring
- Sustaining our Quality of Life for Future Generations
- Respecting the Dignity of Opinions
- Innovating for the 21st Century
- Leaving a Legacy of Learning
Please submit nominations through the You Rock form. Please note, every field in the You Rock form does not need to be completed as nominees aren’t expected to necessarily meet every Core Value. Meeting one Core Value very well is sufficient.
Sharing in Bert's Alerts
Each semester at College of Western Idaho (CWI) means the return of a number of wonderful activities occurring throughout the College. The Marketing and Advancement Department encourages employees to share these happenings through Bert’s Alerts. Activities may include events, recognition of employees and students, changes in processes or policies that affect employees, or simply letting peers know what is going on in departments or campus locations.
Bert’s Alerts requests can be submitted through Help Desk, by selecting “Marketing” under the Request Type drop down menu. Bert’s Alerts is distributed every Friday and the deadline for submitting content is end of day Thursday. Please direct all questions regarding Bert’s Alerts to communications@cwi.edu.
