Bert's Alerts - June 24, 2016
In the Spotlight
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Culture and Employee Engagement Committee (CEEC) would like to thank everyone who participated in the recent donation drive for Advocates Against Family Violence (AAFV). The CEEC hosted the donation drive across four campus locations. The success of the donation drive allowed an entire room in AAFV’s Hope’s Door shelter to be filled. Seen here (left to right) is Melissa Mallory, Nikki Houston, and Brittney Trimmer dropping off donations at the shelter. Donations included clothes, books, food, diapers, hygiene products, and more. For more information on AAFV visit www.aafvhope.org.
News Highlights
Explore CWI - Special One Day Event
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) will host a special event perfect for anyone who has started the admission process at CWI or is just thinking about starting college. In just one day, future students will be able to explore all the opportunities CWI offers as well as complete the enrollment process—from applying to registering for classes. Anyone applying to CWI at the Explore CWI event will have the $25 application fee waived.
The Explore CWI event will take place June 29 (Wednesday) from 2 to 7 p.m. at CWI's Micron Center for Professional Technical Education. Extra assistance will be available to help future students complete the steps to become a college student at CWI this fall.
Attendees will be able to:
- Explore CWI programs and services
- Tour various locations, classrooms, and labs
- Meet with advisors and faculty
- Apply, be accepted, and register for Fall 2016
- Apply for financial aid
No appointment is needed. Sessions will start throughout the day for future students to join as they walk in. This is a great opportunity for students to do everything in one day. Don’t miss this opportunity!
When:
Wednesday, June 29
2 to 7 p.m.
Where:
Nampa Campus - Micron Center for Professional Technical Education
5725 E. Franklin Rd., Nampa – View Map
Recommended items to bring:
- High school transcripts, or official GED transcript, or official college transcripts
- Math/Writing placement:
- ACT or SAT
- Placement exams – CWI Testing and Assessment Centers
- College Math/English transfer credit
- Photo identification
If these items are not available for the event, CWI encourages future students to come and advisors will help them through the process.
Applying for financial aid? Check here for a list of items to bring. – Financial aid list
Have questions? Contact the CWI Enrollment team at enrollment@cwi.edu.
The Opportunity of a Lifetime
A College of Western Idaho (CWI) graduate has received the opportunity of a lifetime. Shawn Gayner, who graduated from the Horticulture Technology program in May, will soon begin her studies at Dartmouth College. She will be attending the Ivy League School as one of 30 students in the nation to be selected as a Veterans Posse Scholar.
“An Ivy League school was never in my plans,” she said. “But this is an opportunity I could not pass up.”
The Posse Foundation, which is a nonprofit organization, launched its veterans program in 2012. The organization scours the country looking for military veterans who would excel at completing select private colleges. Scholars are then chosen from a pool of applicants. This year that pool was 1,000. The recipients’ tuition, books, fees, and some housing costs are covered.
“I thought maybe I would go on to a (regional) college, earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree, become a master gardener or plant breeder, and then go to work,” she said. “Instead, I will now be starting over as a freshman majoring in biology.”
Shawn’s story is not what you would call typical. She graduated from Meridian High School in 2009. Less than a year later she enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. She would spend the next five years stationed in sunny Southern California—working indoors as a telecommunications repair technician.
“It was always my intent to go to college after the military,” she said. “But I wanted to serve my country first. After working in a building with no windows for all of those years, I knew I wanted to choose a field where I could work outside and in nature.”
After becoming a mom and fulfilling her obligation as a U.S. Marine, Shawn volunteered to return to civilian life as part of the military’s downsizing measures. She returned home to Idaho and quickly rediscovered her passion for science. CWI became her college of choice.
“Horticulture is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) program,” she said. “Science-based classes that are fun because they are hands-on. I absolutely loved the program. It was rigorous, demanding, and opened a lot of doors for me. Even though I will be starting over, I certainly don’t feel like I wasted any time. If I hadn’t gone to CWI, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to attend Dartmouth.”
Shawn is currently wrapping up a summer-long research project at College of Idaho. For the past three months, she has been participating in the project as an INBRE (Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence) scholar; studying the possibility that sagebrush can be used in the future as a pharmaceutical. She plans on putting her horticulture background to use at Dartmouth’s organic farm and greenhouse.
CWI’s Caloca Recognized for Hispanic Youth Development Work
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Director of Enrollment Management, Luis Caloca, has been recognized for his dedicated work with Hispanic youth in Idaho. On June 15, the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce presented Caloca with its Sembrador del Futuro (Sower of the Future) award at the organization’s scholarship luncheon. Each year the honor is given to someone who displays an extraordinary investment of time and effort fundraising, developing, and empowering the state’s Hispanic youth. Caloca was nominated for the award by members of the IHCC Board.
“I would like to thank my family for their understanding when I am away on evening and weekends,” said Caloca after receiving the award. “I would also like to thank College of Western Idaho, for their support in reaching out to our diverse community.”
Along with his work helping connect the Hispanic community to opportunities at CWI, Caloca also serves in a number of public volunteer roles. He has been a board member for the Idaho Latino Scholarship Foundation since 2013; serving most recently as Treasurer and Scholarship Coordinator for two years. Since 1997 he has also acted as State Advisor for a regional high school Latino organization called Future Hispanic Leaders of America.
Caloca has worked at CWI since July 2008. He graduated from Boise State University with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and a master’s degree in Public Administration.
CWI Receives Grant to Help Fill High-Demand Jobs
The nation’s top machine tool builder has stepped forward to financially help students at College of Western Idaho (CWI). The Gene Haas Foundation has awarded a $17,500 grant to the CWI Foundation. The funding will be used to provide scholarships for students in the College’s Machine Tool Technology program.
“This scholarship opportunity will help get more students trained for this highly lucrative career,” Pat Neal, CWI’s Assistant Dean of Trades and Technical Programs, said.
Gene Haas originally started his Foundation to help fund local community projects. As his company, Haas Automation, grew into the billion dollar company it now is, his Foundation’s efforts have grown to include millions of dollars in funding to community colleges and vocational schools nationwide. Right now, the Foundation is focused on helping to fill the high number of manufacturing jobs that are going unfilled due to a lack of skilled workers.
“Manufacturing jobs are in high demand,” Neal said. “These positions offer a high wage and good working conditions. We are contacted constantly by local industry looking for employees who have skills to operate a manual or CNC mill or lathe. We are only able to fill a small number of these positions.”
The skills taught in CWI’s Machine Tool program offer opportunities in a diverse field of specialized occupations such as;
- Machine Operator
- Tool and Die work
- Automotive Machinist
- Field Work
- Machine Maintenance Mechanic
- CNC Programmer
- Quality Control
In addition to providing funding for scholarships, the grant also covers a student’s cost of obtaining NIMS (National Institute for Metalworking Skills) accreditation. Scholarships will be awarded to students currently enrolled in, or will be enrolling in, a machining-based training/education program.
Putting the Unity in Community
A true community effort is helping a special group of students achieve their dreams of going to college. Thanks to generous contributions from the Mexican Consulate in Boise and matching funds from the Wells Fargo Foundation, seven Hispanic students received scholarships this past year through the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation. Five of those students were recently honored at a luncheon sponsored by CWI and the Idaho Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
One-by-one the students stepped up to the microphone and expressed their gratitude for receiving the financial support. While each recipient told a different story, they all have one thing in common. As Mexico natives, none of them qualify for federal financial aid.
“It feels so great when people say, ‘Hey, I’ve got your back. I believe in your dreams’,” Libna Luevanos, a Biology-Healthcare student, told the crowd. Luevanos, whose ultimate life goal is to become a doctor, works two jobs to pay for college.
Hispanic students at CWI currently make up 22 percent of the College’s student population. More than half are credit/degree-seeking students. The remaining students are enrolled in the College’s Basic Skills Education program; learning English as a Second Language and other college prep and life skills.
Students honored at the luncheon are all seeking degrees. They are studying to become accountants, educators, radiologists, doctors, and law enforcement experts. All are first generation students and, thanks to these scholarships, they are all debt free.
“Wells Fargo is proud to support CWI’s Hispanic student scholarship and mentoring program again this year,” Molly Lenty, the Vice President of Wells Fargo Idaho Region Community Relations, said. “We realize the importance that a strong support system provides to first generation, low-to-moderate income, and minority students who are pursuing their college and career goals.”
Wells Fargo contributed $10,000 to help fund CWI’s Hispanic Student Initiative.
“Education is the top priority focus area in which Wells Fargo funds across the state,” Lenty said. “We commend the work that CWI is doing to make college accessible and successful for students of all backgrounds.”
IT Finalizes FY17 Work Plan
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Information Technology (IT) Executive Council has finalized the fiscal year (FY) 2017 list of IT projects.
Twenty software implementation ideas, along with their business justifications were submitted during FY16. Those ideas, along with the six projects currently underway, were prioritized according to their importance to the college. The Executive Council decided that 12 of those ideas are high priority software projects for the college staff during the new fiscal year, which starts July 1.
Some of these software projects are to improve access security for software, implement electronic forms use, improve recruitment efficiency, streamline registration, and improve degree planning.
In addition to the software projects, 12 technology infrastructure and user services projects will be worked on during FY17. Those projects include instruction and administrative desktop computer replacements, classroom technology updates, data backup improvements, and wireless access upgrades.
View the FY17 IT Annual Work Plan
As in the past, CWI staff are continually working to improve the technology that will give students and faculty the best support possible.
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.
