Bert's Alerts - December 13, 2013
In the Spotlight
On Dec. 5, College of Western Idaho (CWI) welcomed the Idaho Stampede to campus to help promote a new CWI student club fundraising partnership with the NBA Development League team. The Idaho Stampede mascot, Rumble, and members of the Stampede dance team visited with students at multiple CWI locations during study breaks, organized by the CWI Foundation. The activities kicked off ticket sales for CWI Night at the Stampede, Feb. 28. Read more about the club fundraiser.
News Highlights
Potential to Grow Scholarship Drive
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Advancement and Foundation teams are launching a Potential to Grow Scholarship drive. The drive is aimed at increasing the amount of funds the College has available to support students next fall and will run now through February.
Scholarship funds are important to the success of CWI students and have helped hundreds achieve educational goals that would not have otherwise been accessible. Last year the College had more than 4,000 students apply for CWI Foundation scholarships and CWI awarded 331 totaling $230,000. This need is expected to continue to increase as 72 percent of the student population receives some form of financial aid.
A variety of marketing activities will be occurring over the next month to support the drive including targeted phone calls and mailings, and mass promotion in a few key media markets.
How can you help?
- Spread the word to everyone you know
- Let the Advancement staff or Foundation know if a personal call or visit can be made to someone,
- Personally contribute to the fund,
- Simply let Advancement or the Foundation know about other opportunities to spread the word.
A special web page has been established at cwi.edu/opendoors.
Thank you for your continued support of CWI students!
Boise State University Center Coming to College of Western Idaho
This week, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) and Boise State University signed an agreement that will bring a Boise State Center to CWI’s Nampa Campus. The center is part of a partnership effort aimed at expanding opportunities for CWI students transferring to Boise State.
The Boise State University Center will be located in the Aspen Classroom Building on CWI’s Nampa Campus at the corner of Idaho Center Blvd. and Birch Lane. Starting in January 2014, Boise State staff will be available to support students with admission, registration, financial aid, advising, and credit transfers. Furthermore, Boise State plans to offer evening and weekend courses on CWI’s Nampa Campus starting with the Fall 2015 semester.
“This is the kind of partnership we envisioned when CWI was initially launched," Boise State President Bob Kustra said. "We are excited about the increased educational opportunities that it will provide for students in Canyon County.”
According to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, over 60 percent of students transferring from a two-year college go on to complete four-year degrees. With more than 450 students already transferred to Boise State from CWI, the two institutions recognize the importance of working closely together to align curriculum, improve transfer credit articulation, explore co-enrollment programming, share data, and, in general, pursue collaborations that advance Idaho students’ ability to access and complete higher education.
“College of Western Idaho is a launching pad for postsecondary education,” said CWI President Bert Glandon. “We provide open access to affordable higher education, where students come to further develop their knowledge and skills in preparation for continued education and careers. Close partnerships with our neighboring universities is critical to our graduating students’ success. Everyone at CWI is excited to welcome Boise State as the first university on our campus this spring, and we look forward to seeing the center expand over time – providing even more resources to support students.”
College of Western Idaho Students Help Produce Public Service Announcements
On Friday, Dec. 13, three public service announcement (PSA) videos promoting safety practices during the holiday season were unveiled thanks to a wonderful partnership between College of Western Idaho (CWI) and local law enforcement agencies. The PSAs are the product of collaboration involving CWI students and faculty, Boise and Nampa Police Departments, and Ada and Canyon County Sheriff’s Offices.
The PSAs feature simple but important personal safety and crime prevention advice. CWI students wrote and produced the PSAs with guidance and messaging from the law enforcement agencies.
“Teaming with local police and sheriff’s offices made sense for our students who wanted to share important public safety advice and at the same time get a hands-on learning experience using video,” said LeRoy Forsman, a Criminal Justice faculty member at CWI and retired Chief of the Nampa Police Department.
“Projects that benefit the community not only offer practical experience but are extremely rewarding for our students who enjoy making a difference. We hope to continue partnerships like this in the future,” said Forsman.
Students from both the Criminal Justice and the Communications Divisions of CWI’s School of Social Sciences and Public Affairs participated in scripting and producing the video PSAs. Officers and deputies from the local agencies are featured speakers. In addition to distributing the PSAs to local media, the agencies involved are encouraged to share the messages on social media and other crime prevention channels, spreading the word in hopes of ensuring a safe holiday season.
Wells Fargo and College of Western Idaho Drive New Program
Wells Fargo today announces a partnership with the College of Western Idaho (CWI) to create an innovative new mentorship program for CWI students. Wells Fargo is supporting the institution and initiative with a $10,000 grant in addition to time and resources.
The mentorship program pairs local professionals with students studying in a variety of majors. Mentors meet monthly with a small group of students to further develop leadership skills and networking opportunities within their discipline.
“Wells Fargo’s support of developing professional leaders in the community is outstanding,” notes CWI President Bert Glandon. ‘We are thrilled to have them as our partner in championing CWI’s mentorship program. Opportunities to engage with the community through programs like these are critical to our students’ success, and the support of Wells Fargo helps make this possible.”
CWI is committed to providing affordable, open-access to quality teaching and learning opportunities for Idaho residents. This mission aligns closely with Wells Fargo’s focus on education.
“Education is vital to our community, and it’s an integral part of Wells Fargo’s vision and values,” said Don Melendez, president for Wells Fargo Idaho Regional Banking. “We’re very proud to work with CWI, particularly on this new mentorship program that we expect to multiply student opportunity for success and preparedness upon graduation, bringing integrity and critical thinking to the workplace.”
Nationwide, Wells Fargo’s 2012 community investments in education included $75.7 million to 8,000 educational programs and schools around the U.S., and $19.3 million in matched educational donations from team members.
CWI Fall Campus Forum Recap
One hundred and eighteen employees attended this fall’s campus forums hosted by President’s Cabinet at one of five College of Western Idaho (CWI) locations. Employee attendance is vital to keeping open communications culture throughout the College, and President’s Cabinet looks forward to continued engagement in the spring. If you missed the fall sessions please review the summary of key topics on myCWI.
Upcoming Holiday Hours
The Fall semester is over, which means there are several upcoming opportunities for employees to enjoy time off during the College’s observed holidays. In the coming weeks, all College of Western Idaho (CWI) campus locations will be closed Dec. 24-25 in recognition of Christmas and Jan. 1 for New Years.
As a result of the Christmas closure, Bert’s Alerts will not be sent on Dec. 27. The weekly employee newsletter will resume its regular schedule on Jan. 3.
Please reference the CWI 2013 Holiday Schedule online for details on the College’s holiday closures and hours of operation.
Business Office Christmas Holiday Notice
Please be advised that due to the campus closure for the Christmas holiday, Dec 24-25, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Business Office will not process vendor checks on Friday, Dec. 27. Employee reimbursement checks will be processed that week for direct deposit on Friday. Normal processing will resume the week following Christmas. Please submit any invoices due by Jan. 1 to Accounts Payable by Friday, Dec 13. All questions or concerns can be directed to Glen Harris at glenharris@cwi.edu or 208.562.3277.
Dental Assisting Program Chair Named Faculty of Distinction
Elaine Laursen has been named College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for December.
Laursen has been a dedicated member of the CWI Dental Assisting program for five years and was recently appointed Dental Assisting program chair. Her positive attitude and enthusiasm for Dental Assisting are contagious. She is creative and resourceful in her approach to teaching and leading her team. Students have said Laursen inspires them to be their best and she models professionalism in her communication and her practice.
Her dedication to the ongoing success of this program has been demonstrated repeatedly. Laursen has worked with her team to create increased community awareness of the Dental Assisting program’s current location, CWI at Boise State University. Meanwhile, Laursen has been instrumental in designing the new Dental Assisting lab at Ada County Center. She also championed the start of an alternate entry process, Dental Assisting Soft Start, allowing students to begin program specific classes while completing the general education prerequisites.
Her commitment to learning is evident as Laursen is just weeks away from being awarded her master's degree in Instructional Design. Please join in congratulating Elaine for her accomplishment of being named CWI December Faculty of Distinction.
CWI Christmas Coloring Contest
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fun & Culture Committee (FCC) is inviting all CWI employees to participate in the first-annual Christmas Coloring Competition. Due to high demand, the FCC has established this competitive coloring activity, which features four different Christmas-themed templates. There is one entry allowed per person, per template. One overall winner will be selected per template. The four winners will receive a prize and ever-lasting glory on the FCC site on myCWI.
To enter, simply print the template from the FCC site, color, and email your creation with your name and location to fcc@cwi.edu. All entries must be submitted by Thursday, Dec. 19, to be eligible for consideration. Happy Holidays!
