Bert's Alerts - August 26, 2016
In the Spotlight
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation is accepting applications for its Wishing Well Fund, which supports student learning opportunities that are not typically funded through department budgets. CWI faculty and staff have until Sept. 9 to apply for Wishing Well funding. Last year the Foundation approved six applications, including one from CWI Biology faculty Hollie Leavitt. She received the tools she needed to produce videos her students could watch before coming to class. They could then use valuable classroom time to complete activities associated with the videos. The gift she received has been a total game changer for her and her students. To learn more about applying for the Wishing Well Fund, read the full announcement.
News Highlights
CWI Launches New Look News and Blogs
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is proud to present a new look for the delivery of its online news and blogs. The CWI Marketing department recently launched a News and Blogs web page with featured stories, better search capabilities, and more visibility to blogs from CWI faculty, staff, and students. CWI News and Blogs content will continue to also populate related program, club, and department pages throughout the website.
Additional features include:
- blogs categorized by topic;
- more visibility for students and community members to sign-up for CWI’s Compass Connect e-newsletter;
- a listing of popular news and blogs;
- and more.
Questions about CWI’s news or blogs should be directed to communications@cwi.edu.
Response to Life-Changing Call Leads to CWI
For as long as Jayme Thomas can remember, she knew she wanted to work in medicine. The kind of kid who would flip through anatomy books for fun, she grew up wanting to be a doctor.
“I used to watch all of the E.R. and doctor-related shows on TV,” she said. “I’m the first one in my family to show an interest in the field. Everyone thought I’d grow out of it, but I never did.”
Jayme’s family moved to Twin Falls from southern California during her sophomore year in high school. Her dad, who worked for Ford Motor Company, transferred there for his job. A few days after graduating in 2011, Jayme decided she was going back to California. She got a job at Disneyland as a lifeguard, and studied biology at Cal State-Fullerton. Things were right on track. Then one day, Jayme received a life-altering phone call. Her father was diagnosed with a brain tumor and needed extensive surgery.
“One instance changed my entire life when my dad got sick,” she said. “My parents always encouraged me to go to college. They told me they would pay for it. But after my dad got sick, that all changed. I had to become realistic about what I could afford.”
Jayme moved back to Idaho to help her mom take care of her dad. The entire family moved to Nampa so he could be closer to his doctors, and she went to work full time. After her goal of becoming a doctor took a drastic turn, she ended up choosing the next best affordable thing.
“I chose the Emergency Medical Technician program at CWI,” she said. “I knew what I wanted to do in life, so I just needed to make it happen. I chose CWI because it is reasonably priced, has a good reputation, and it is conveniently located.”
Once Jayme made the decision to enroll, she had to wait to get in. She was finally able to start in January. A few weeks short of completing the program in May, she received word she was selected for the College’s Workforce Development Board-Designated EMT Scholarship—something she forgot she had applied for last October.
“I was excited to receive it because it was such a hardship for me to go to school,” she said.
Jayme’s dream of working in the medical field has finally come true. She is now nationally certified, and working as an EMT in Pennsylvania. Her ultimate goal is to work for Life Flight or a water tactical rescue team.
Scholarship opportunities are available to help cover some or all of the costs associated with classes offered through CWI’s Workforce Development. Call 208.562.2700 for more information.
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 Testing Staff Present at National Conference
Members of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Assessment and Testing services recently had the opportunity to present to their peers at a national event. Sam Galan and Colin Perry represented CWI at the 2016 National College Testing Association Conference in Seattle, Washington. The pair joined colleagues from Idaho and Utah to talk about the difference in operating small, medium, and large testing centers.
CWI is a member of the NCTA and recently applied for certification with the organization. The College is seeking to be just the second NCTA certified institution in Idaho. CWI will welcome its Assessment and Testing peers to campus on Sept. 28 for the fall conference of the Intermountain Regional Testing Association.
