Bert's Alerts - August 21, 2015
In the Spotlight
On Thursday (Aug. 20), College of Western Idaho (CWI) celebrated the start of its new Law Enforcement Program with an open house at CWI’s Canyon County Center. The event kicked off with recognition of generous support from the Meridian Police Department, which includes donating three used police vehicles to the program for training purposes. Seen here with one of the vehicles is (left to right) CWI President Bert Glandon, Meridian Chief of Police Jeff Lavey, and Law Enforcement Program Chair LeRoy Forsman.
News Highlights
Ada County Campus Insight Sessions
CTA Architects is kicking off its conceptual campus design process for the College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Ada County Campus with an invitation to provide thoughts and ideas.
The first step is gathering community insight which includes CWI faculty, staff, and students. They have scheduled two community drop-in sessions at Whittier Elementary - 301 N 29th St., Boise:
- Tuesday, September 1 | Drop in any time from 4:15 – 7:15 p.m.
- Thursday, September 3 | Drop in any time from 4:15 – 7:15 p.m.
Input can also be provided through an online survey at www.CWIAdaCoCampus.com.
Additionally, the CTA Architects team will be visiting CWI’s Ada Campus Campus Pintail Center from 9 -11 a.m. and Nampa Campus Academic Building from 1-3 p.m. on September 2 for the convenience of faculty, staff and students who cannot attend the public sessions. These sessions will take place in the common areas.
As part of its due diligence, CWI contracted with CTA Architects Engineers to develop a conceptual campus design for land being considered for purchase as the College's permanent Ada County Campus. The 10-acre property is located at the corner of Main Street and Whitewater Boulevard in Downtown Boise's West End.
The goal of the conceptual campus design is to determine what is possible and what is preferred for this property as CWI's Ada County Campus.
“As a community college, community interest and input are an important part of our development process. The Trustees and Administration want to ensure students, faculty, neighbors and the general public have multiple opportunities to share their insights and ideas during this process,” said Guy Hurlbutt, Vice Chairman of the CWI Board of Trustees. “As part of our 180-feasibility period on this property, it is important that we hear what is not only possible, but what is preferred by the community.”
Following the insight sessions, the CTA team will meet with governing agencies and use the information gathered to develop multiple conceptual approaches for the property. Visioning Workshops will be held on Tuesday, September 22 at Whittier Elementary from 6-8:30 p.m., and on campus September 23 for faculty, staff, and students as the next opportunity for the public to provide feedback.
Employees Celebrated at College Address
College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted its annual College Address on Wednesday (Aug. 19), which provided a chance to celebrate CWI’s highlights from 2014-15 and talk about the future of the College. The event also gave CWI an opportunity to celebrate employees with a number of honors. Over 130 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. Staff of the Year was given to Doug Willard in the CWI Information Technology Department, while Faculty of the Year went to Michelle Mahoney with the Communication program.
Congratulations to all the employees honored this year. Thank you for all your hard work.
Explore Fast Track Healthcare Programs at CWI
On August 27, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Workforce Development (WD) will invite the community to campus to explore the healthcare career opportunities that are available through WD’s fast-track training programs and classes. Instructors and students will be on-hand to talk with attendees and help answer questions about the programs and careers.
The event will take place:
Thursday, August 27
5-7 p.m.
Ada County Campus Quail Court, Room 2210
1450 S. Eagle Flight Way, Boise – View Map
Programs and classes through WD Healthcare and Emergency Medical Services can be completed in as little as eight hours, and up to eleven months. Classes are taught throughout southwestern Idaho, from Donnelly to Fruitland and Boise to Caldwell. For even more flexibility, some classes are offered online and via distance learning.
CWI WD offers a variety of fast-track healthcare programs and classes:
- Medical Assistant
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Medical Coding and Billing
- Pharmacy Technician
- Phlebotomy
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Paramedic
- CPR
Please call 208.562.2700 or email wd@cwi.edu for more information about the event or with any questions about the healthcare and emergency medical programs.
Superheroes Answer the Call to Help Grant Wishes
Wishing Well Fund Superheroes
A new opportunity to help promote student success has been established through the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation. What was once called program mini grants has been given a makeover to become the Wishing Well Fund. The newly-revamped fund supports 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.
The fund, which is supported by internal and external donors, was kick started on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at CWI’s annual College Address. Everyone who donated to the Wishing Well Fund received a superhero sticker. As a result of the event, 42 faculty, staff, and CWI Trustees in attendance contributed $1,438 to the fund; increasing employee giving by nearly 30 percent.
“It’s the little things that make a big difference for students,” said Gayla Huskey, the manager for Tutoring Services.
Last year, Huskey’s request for a full-length mirror for her students to learn sign language was granted. Since the awarding process started in 2011, the CWI Foundation has awarded more than $17,000 to help fulfill requests. Some of those include:
- Social Relations in a Digital Age Symposium
- English 101 Field Trip
- Cultural Perspectives in Developmental Psychology
- Anthropology Treasures of Bend Trip
- Plumbing Apprentice Lab
- Solar Telescope
- iTeach with the iPad
- Cardio Check PA Analyzer
- License for Mathematica Software
- Mobile Whiteboard
- Media Lab Expansion
- Suture Arms
- Racermate Computrainer
- Video Display Car
CWI faculty and staff are encouraged to apply for Wishing Well funds. Applications and more information can be located on myCWI. If you would like to donate to the Wishing Well Fund, please contact the CWI Foundation office at 208.562.3100 or email foundation@cwi.edu.
To see how superheroes make a big difference at CWI, watch the Wishing Well Video.
Bookstore Announces Textbook Price Matching
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Bookstore is proud to announce it is now offering price matching for purchased and rented textbooks. The offer is good for new and used books as a one-time price adjustment. Books must be in stock with the Bookstore and the retailer advertising the lower price. Students that have already purchased textbooks through the CWI Bookstore can take their original receipt and advertisement for the lower price to the Bookstore within seven days of the original purchase to receive the difference on a gift card.
Please contact the CWI Bookstore at bookstore@cwi.edu or 208.562.2401 with any questions.
Emergency Information Signs Posted Around Campus
As part of a continued commitment to campus safety, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Campus Safety and Security has posted new emergency information signs at each campus location. Signs have been placed in offices, classrooms, common areas, and lobbies. The signs include specific location information and emergency contact details.
With the approval of the Safety Committee, these signs will provide guidance when it becomes necessary to place an emergency call. Please contact Victor Villanueva, campus safety manager, at 208.562.3241 or victorvillanueva@cwi.edu with any questions or concerns.
Webpage Promotes Student Workshops
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Advising and New Student Services, Career Services, Tutoring, Conduct, and Counseling have consolidated efforts and are now housing information for all student workshops in one location online. Students can access the workshop page at cwi.edu/workshops, which can be found under Current Students, Student Workshops. Upcoming workshops are listed on the page directly from the website Events Calendar.
Please contact Erica Compton at ericacompton@cwi.edu or Scott Barron at scottbarron@cwi.edu with questions.
July Faculty Award Given to Gabbard
Marie Gabbard has been selected College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for July.
Gabbard has led the charge in redesigning the Anatomy and Physiology series to align with Vision and Change and GEM. She has also volunteered to lead the Ge-Ed subcommittee. She is on a national leadership team for the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society (HAPS). She sits on the state SWOK committee. On top of all of this, she is extremely thoughtful and is always prepared to actively engage at the College. If all that wasn't enough, she is writing and designing a new GEM course (B105) while teaching the older style of the class this summer. It was launched early at the request of the Medical Assistant program and Gabbard never batted an eye.
Please join in congratulating Marie. Thank you for your continued commitment to CWI and its students.
