Bert’s Alerts—The Final Issue
News Highlights
Bert’s Alerts – The Final Issue
With Bert’s recent retirement, a question on many employee’s minds is what Bert’s Alerts will be called. Well, all good things must come to an end! So what’s next for CWI’s now nameless newsletter? First, a little history…
Bert became president of College of Western Idaho (CWI) in June 2009. Shortly after his arrival, the College launched its very first issue of Bert’s Alerts on Sept. 14, 2009, as a way to communicate internally. At the time, the College was only serving approximately 3,500 students. The newsletter was built in Mailchimp and sent out twice a month by the Office of Community Relations and Advancement to employees across the College.
“I believe it was Bert who coined the name, and for good reason,” remembered former Executive Director of Community Relations and Advancement, Shirl Boyce. “Bottom line was he needed to establish himself as the next president, responsible for taking CWI to the next level – a very tricky job!”
According to Bert, the name for Bert’s Alerts came from his time at Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colorado, where the same name was used for internal campus communications during his time as President from 2002-2009.
In October 2013, a new and improved format of Bert’s Alerts was unveiled moving the now weekly newsletter from an email-only format to a web-based newsroom to improve efficiencies and the overall user experience. The new format, still in use today, has provided consistent structure and formatting, automated email builds, recycling of all newsroom content to reducing the duplication of article content, and the ability to expand the newsletter system to CWI’s external newsletter, Compass Connect.
“Our readers experience more consistent messages regardless how they choose to read news either through CWI’s newsroom, newsletters, or through the College’s social media channels,” commented Web Services Manager, Bryson Caldwell. “The initial email directs readers to a full web-based version that provides high-resolution content fostering reading, exploration, sharing, and searchable archives. Along with the growth in the quality of our news content at CWI, this update has radically increased news contributions across CWI, creating the most anticipated email of the week.”
To date, more than 500 issues of Bert’s Alerts have been sent out serving as the main source of College updates and communication to more than 1,000 employees. As the Communications and Marketing department prepares for the launch of a new and improved newsletter this fall, stay tuned for your chance to provide input on a new title and more! The department has already received several name suggestions from employees including Temp Pres’s Press, News You Otter Know, Otter’s Outings, The Otter Update, and In Otter News to name a few.
When asking Bert what Bert’s Alerts should be called moving forward, he was speechless.
CWI Selects Presidential Search Committee
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Board of Trustees has formed a search committee for a new president. The committee is made up of 15 local stakeholders from CWI and the business community. They will assist in formulating a presidential profile for the ideal candidate and support the launch of a presidential search. Feedback from focus groups will also contribute to the development of the presidential profile and search process.
In addition, the search committee will evaluate prospective candidates, select and interview semifinalists and finalists, leading to a recommendation for the CWI Board of Trustees.
CWI Board of Trustees Chair Molly Lenty communicated, "I'm excited for the search committee to meet and provide their input as we continue to move forward in our pursuit to select a new president."
Lenty will co-chair the committee, and current Interim President and Provost, Denise Aberle-Cannata, and Summit Search Solutions will assist with the search process.
Search Committee Members:
Alex Beal, Career and Technical Faculty (Department Chair CTE)
Alex LaBeau, Business Community
Cathleen Currie, Dean
Cherie Buckner-Webb, CWI Board of Trustee
Denise Aberle-Cannata, Committee Co-Chair, Interim President, and Provost
Dr. Paula Kellerer, Public Education
Kelly Olson, Business Community
Kelsey Dillon, CWI Alumna
Luis Caloca, Student Services
Mike Reynoldson, Business Community
Molly Lenty, Committee Co-Chair and CWI Board of Trustee Chair
Scott Gipson, Business Community
Stephanie Ritchie-Breach, Criminal Justice Faculty and Faculty Senate President
Wendi Secrist, Workforce Development
Will Young, CWI Student
The committee plans to launch the search process in July 2021. Visit CWI's Presidential Search webpage to learn more.
Student Leaders Rise Above
Student leaders at College of Western Idaho (CWI) for both the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 academic years were celebrated during the virtual Student Leadership Banquet in April. Although students faced unprecedented challenges as they navigated the many facets of their lives over the past two academic years, they continued to develop a campus community working hard to maintain community within clubs and organizations at the College.
Student Leadership Award Winners for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021:
Community Service Program of the Year Award
The Community Service Program of the Year Award honors a program that has engaged students in service while encouraging students to selflessly serve beyond this one experience.
- 2019-2020: Abuse Survivors and Allies Club for their work to raise awareness around abuse and resources available within the Treasure Valley.
- 2020-2021: Student Nurses Association for giving back to the community with their donation of backpacks filled with supplies to Nampa School District’s Family and Community Resource Center.
Social Program of the Year Award
This award recognizes a program that has contributed to the sense of community on campus by encouraging students to come together and meaningfully engage with one another and/or the Ada County/Canyon County communities.
- 2019-2020: Chemistry and Physics Clubs for their celebration during the Fall 2019 semester to commemorate Avogadro’s Number (6.02x 10^23), a basic measuring unity in chemistry, with demonstrations and hands-on activities.
- 2020-2021: International Club for providing a fun and accepting community by hosting virtual events and drawings allowing to share about their cultures.
Student Organization of the Year Award
The Student Organization of the Year Award is presented to an organization who demonstrates excellence in all areas of community engagement, collaboration, diversity, and inclusion, and leadership development.
- 2019-2020: Abuse Survivors and Allies Club for their work to raise awareness around abuse and resources available within the Treasure Valley.
- 2020-2021: American Sign Language (ASL) Club for adapting to challenges present by COVID-19 to continue club involvement and awareness of the ASL and Deaf community.
Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award
The Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award honors an advisor who has excelled in providing support and assistance to a club/organization. The recipient has devoted time and service that has played a key role in the organization’s success.
- 2019-2020: Rick Del Vecchio from the Gaming Club for bringing new life to the club creating long-term goals for students and developing campus partnerships to support the club’s growth into e-sports programs.
- 2020-2021: Javier Garcia, founder of the Siempre Unidos Club, for his guidance and leadership allowing the club members to stay connected and engaged.
Outstanding Officer/Representative of the Year Award
The Outstanding Officer/Representative of the Year Award honors a student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout their term in office and has enhanced participation and involvement within their organization, the campus, and the community as a whole.
- 2019-2020: Sky Tarrant of the Abuse Survivors and Allies Club for providing tremendous leadership helping to develop a strong campus presence for providing resources and raising awareness.
- 2020-2021: Mitchell Renick of the Psychology Club for providing engaging virtual activities and opportunities to students experiencing stress or confusion.
Quiet Influence Award
The Quiet Influence Award honors an individual student who has contributed to their organization and campus community in a meaningful yet behind-the-scenes way.
- 2019-2020: Zach Szymczycha of the Biology Club for continued support for the club and being a silent force behind the club’s projects.
- 2020-2021: Ana Rodriguez of the International Club for her enthusiastic and supportive involvement bringing students from all walks of life together to learn and share with each other.
Rising Leader Award
The Rising Leader Award honors a first-year, returning student who does not need a title in order to fill a leadership role. This student has shown throughout the year a new-found commitment to serve the campus communities side-by-side with the elected student leaders and administration of the campus. This student can be found helping to complete any task needed while helping to model the core values and mission of the College. The student shows promise in continuing to exemplify growth and development as a leader.
- 2019-2020: Allison Halsey of the Queers and Allies club for her work holding a new event hosted by the club.
- 2020-2021: Tawa Giwa of the International Club for being a source of joy and for her willingness to share her story and work to build a community of friendship at CWI.
Trailblazing LEADership Award
The Trailblazing Award honors a second-year or graduating student leader who has engaged themselves in a significant leadership role on campus. The Trailblazing LEADership Award includes those students who have come to CWI with leadership experience or have developed leadership skills through the many opportunities the campus offers. Through their involvement, recipients of the Trailblazing LEADership Award have shown ambitions to improve campus life and strengthen the college community.
- 2019-2020: Alexis Burlile of the Student Nurses Association for being an essential part of carrying out events and community partnerships.
- 2020-2021: Joevannie Fajardo of the Veteran Students Association for his involvement on campus making sure a student voice is represented in ASCWI and during College Council meetings.
Congratulations to all!
Social Work Students Partner with Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections
Social work students in Shelly Conley-Durkin’s class have been busy this year helping youth in custody during a partnership with the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections.
The students’ projects included creating newsletters and collecting donations of toiletries, encouraging notes, and job applications for youth preparing to leave the system and enter the workforce.
The Social Work 101 students delivered the items they collected after their last class to the Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections facility in Nampa.
"Working together as a team really made it fun and meaningful,” said Conley-Durkin, CWI instructor. “We were all able to feel good about the contribution we made."
2021 Onramp Spring Showcase
College of Western Idaho (CWI) joined Boise State University and other educators from around the region on May 6 to celebrate the success of students during Onramp's 2021 Spring Showcase.
Visit Boise State's Onramp webpage to watch six videos highlighting the program's achievements during the past year, including a video featuring CWI's Sarah Strickley, who runs the Onramp program at the College. She is joined by Dan Garrity, Marketing Communications faculty at CWI, as well as Jeff Simmons from Idaho Digital Learning Alliance.
Additionally, you can watch Garrity talking with students about the impact of their COMM 261 Multimedia Storytelling class. They documented stories from the community using an element of the Onramp program known as Everyone Can Create - to generate thought-provoking stories with Apple's media platforms on iPads.
We Otter Get Moving Virtual Fun Run and Walk
As we prepare to wrap up the last 21-day challenge of the academic year, the Employee Wellness Challenge series has one more opportunity for you to push yourself and be a part of the CWI community! The We Otter Get Moving Virtual Fun Run and Walk brings together what we have learned from each 21-day challenge to celebrate all we have accomplished.
Participation is easy!
- Sign up by Wednesday, May 19
- Choose your distance – 5k or 10k
- Complete your run or walk any time on Saturday, May 22
- Use an app or device to track your 5k or 10k distance and time
- Submit your participation by Tuesday, May 25, including a picture of the device showing the completion of your run or walk including distance and time. If you do not have a smartphone or watch to track your distance and time, see the We Otter Get Moving site on myCWI for alternative options.
Participants who submit their participation showing completion of their run or walk will be entered to win a variety of prizes. The first 50 employees who submit their participation on May 22 will receive a free CWI t-shirt with the new CWI branding! Want to get your family involved? Submit a picture of your family completing the event together and be entered to win a fun activity pack from the Discovery Center.
More details, instructions, and training resources can be found on the We Otter Get Moving site on myCWI.
Muldoon Named Staff of the Month for April
Congratulations to Sean Muldoon, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for April 2021. Muldoon is a Nursing Technician for the Professional Nursing department and has been with the College for 11 years. Prior to CWI, Muldoon worked as a central supply technician for Mercy Hospital in Nampa.
“When I was hired, CWI had only been around for a short while, and I knew nothing about the College,” Muldoon said. “I remember getting a call from Cathleen Currie who told me about a position in the simulation and skills labs. After talking with her, I knew it was what I wanted to do and where I needed to be."
As a Nursing Technician, Muldoon’s role is to maintain the College’s Professional Nursing skills and simulation labs and manage the program’s supplies and equipment. His work helps support faculty in facilitating hands-on learning experiences for more than 100 students each semester.
“Sean has been vital to the growth of our Professional Nursing program and our success in providing students with the highest quality of nursing education,” said Assistant Professor of Nursing, Jennifer Mimish. “Nursing is dependent on providing experiences that simulate the clinical experience. Our program utilizes a skills lab and simulation lab to provide this learning experience for students. I am grateful and honored to work with such a spirited, dedicated, and supportive individual. Sean is a pleasure to work with, and I look forward to our continued partnership to support our future CWI Nursing students.”
“Something I always find funny is comparing how I was when I first started to how I am now,” Muldoon said. “There are a variety of topics covered in healthcare, some of which can make a person blush. Many times in the beginning I did blush… a lot! Now, nothing really phases me.”
Each year, the Professional Nursing students Muldoon has the pleasure of working with are recognized during a pinning ceremony.
“I remember the feeling I had at our first nursing pinning ceremony. I had never been a part of anything like it. Seeing the way students reacted and how emotional everyone was for what our students had accomplished made feel like we are really changing lives and doing great work. That feeling will always stay with me. I truly felt proud to be a part of it.”
Muldoon was born and raised in Canyon County. Outside of work, he enjoys going up to the mountains to get away and relax. He is a huge sports fan and enjoys golfing, reading, and writing.
“Because of CWI, I have a second home and family. I have met and gotten to know some of the greatest people in my life here. I didn't know it at the time, but joining the CWI family is honestly one of the best choices I have ever made.”
CWI Updates Mask and Face Covering Protocol
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has updated its current mask and face covering protocol to optional, effective May 19, 2021. This change is in response to the latest CDC guidance. CDC’s guidance is based on strong encouragement to get vaccinated. Individuals who have not received a COVID-19 vaccine are still encouraged to wear a mask or face covering. For those who choose to continue wearing a mask or face covering, please feel free to do so. Campus safety measures have been updated on the CWI Be Safe webpage to reflect this new guidance.
In addition, CWI has taken action to invest in a number of initiatives to assist in our response to COVID-19. These action items will also help ensure our campus locations continue to be a safe and healthy environment to work and learn in.
Following are a few of the most recent items either purchased or installed:
- Disinfectant fogging equipment
- Complete building ionization
- Touchless faucets/towel dispensers/toilets
The College will continue to monitor the situation and adjust accordingly for fall. This update brings hope and a renewed excitement we are moving in the right direction and will be able to safely experience a new normal again. Thank you to all for your continued commitment dedication to be safe and be mighty!
Questions related to CWI’s updated mask and face covering protocol can be emailed to covid_19Questions@cwi.edu.
Celebrating President Glandon
After 12 years leading College of Western Idaho, the time has come to bid farewell to President Bert Glandon. The tremendous amount of work Bert has done for both the College and community during his time in leadership is worth celebrating. All are invited to share memories, stories, gratitude, and well wishes with Bert as he transitions into retirement via Flipgrid.
To leave your message for President Glandon, use one of the two options below:
Computer and Webcam
- Visit Flipgrid online.
- Select “Enter Your Guest Password”.
- Enter the password, BertGlandon.
- Click “Record a Response” to record your message.
Mobile Device
- Download the Flipgrid app through the App Store or Google Play.
- Open the app, and select “Guest”.
- Enter the Join Code, 640d69fd.
- Select “Enter Your Guest Password”.
- Enter the password, BertGlandon.
- Click “Record a Response” to record your message.
Messages will be collected through June 18, 2021, then packaged together as part of a farewell message for President Glandon. Please note, submissions will be moderated and are not visible to others.
Contact College Relations at communications@cwi.edu with questions or assistance.
CWI Rolls Out New ID Cards
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is transitioning to the new BOLD branding for ID cards at the College.
Faculty and staff can update their ID cards at the One Stop Student Services Ada County and Nampa Campus Micron Education Center locations beginning Friday, May 7, and are encouraged to complete the process before the end of spring semester.
Staff are asked to get their new ID cards either before July 31 or wait until after Oct. 1 to help representatives focus on students and the start of the Fall semester.
To update your card:
- Reserve a 15-minute appointment online
- Appear in person at your selected One Stop Student Services location to update your ID card
- Enter the ID card’s 5-digit serial number in an online form. After your appointment, a link will be emailed to you from CWI facilities. Enter the ID card’s 5-digit number to change your building access to your new card. It may take up to 48 hours for the card to become active.
When arriving at One Stop Student Services, employees are asked to sign in using the kiosk before being helped. Bring your current ID card to the appointment to verify your Employee ID number. You will not be required to hand in your card, but keep your old card’s 5-digit card serial number accessible to complete the form you will receive to activate building access on campus.
Staff and faculty will need to get a new card before Dec. 31, 2021, when building access expires for all existing ID cards. Please continue to watch your email for updates surrounding rollout of the new ID cards.
Catch the News This Summer
Our internal newsletter, formerly known as Bert’s Alerts, will assume a summer distribution schedule of every other Friday. Look for the next issue on Friday, June 11. This schedule will continue through the summer with weekly distribution beginning again in August.
Please keep in mind, news and stories will still be published on the website and shared on social media in a timely manner. The internal newsletter is just one of the many channels available to communicate the great things happening at the College. We highly encourage you to continue sending content to Communications and Marketing through the Help Desk, and remember to visit the CWI website often to view newsroom and current job openings.
Contact Communications and Marketing at communications@cwi.edu with questions.
