Bert's Alerts—March 19, 2021
In the Spotlight
Medical Assistant students were privileged to hear from representatives from Primary Health this week. As the students are working to prepare themselves for job interviews, the presentation provided them with information on career opportunities currently available to them at Primary Health.
News Highlights
Nominate a 2021 Emerging Scholar
The Emerging Scholar Committee is excited for the opportunity to select another group of Emerging Scholars! Faculty are encouraged to nominate students based on perseverance, innovative thinking, and professionalism both in and outside the classroom—not primarily on academic status.
"This very meaningful award could bring encouragement and truly make a difference in a student's life, especially now" said Brenda Fisher, Department Chair of Visual and Performing Arts.
Students selected as 2021 Emerging Scholars will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to be applied toward their tuition for the 2021-2022 academic year. Students must plan to enroll in six or more credits for the 2021-2022 academic year in both fall and spring semesters and have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Nominations are being accepted through April 12, 2021.
Faculty Engage in Professional Development and Innovation
Faculty at College of Western Idaho (CWI) participated in annual professional development workshops and Center for Teaching and Learning’s Innovation in Action awards ceremony March 5 – 12. The 2021 professional development theme focused on creating safe learning spaces and connecting with students.
Participants had the pleasure of hearing from keynote speaker, Adrienne Evans, of United Vision for Idaho, who engaged faculty in a conversation on how to help students maintain curiosity in a time of perceived cultural and political divisions. The conversation was followed by an opportunity for faculty to hear from the CWI Latinx community leaders, learn why pronouns matter in the creation of a more inclusive environment for the LBGTQ+ community, and set goals for implementing ideas learned over the week into their classrooms.
“The sessions encourage timely, critical discussion of ways for CWI faculty to engage with and support our diverse student body in a time of division and misinformation,” Joy Palmer, English Department Chair and Associate Professor.
The event culminated with the annual Innovation in Action awards presentation, which celebrates the rich contributions faculty make within our classrooms and communities.
2021 Innovation in Action Winners
- Scholarship of Research: Heather Schoenherr, Social Sciences for "Research + Appreciation = Student Success"
- Scholarship of Application: Stephanie Ritchie Breach, Public Safety for "George Floyd, Mass Incarceration, and Racial Inequalities in the Criminal Justice System"
- Scholarship of Integrative Learning: John Rosato, Physical Sciences for "Using Artificial Intelligence as a Tool to Develop Research Skills"
- Scholarship of Teaching and Learning: Janel Holt, Modern Languages for "'Under Eight' Videos"
Congratulations to the School of Social Sciences and Public Affairs for winning the overall Innovation in Action award for the second year in a row!
The Center for Teaching and Learning wants to thank all of the presenters, panelists, and participants for a great week of learning.
One Stop Spring Break Hours
Planning to visit One Stop Student Services during Spring Break? College of Western Idaho’s One Stop locations will be open reduced hours during the week of Spring Break, March 22 – 27.
Monday, March 22 – Thursday, March 25
8 – 5 p.m.
Friday, March 26
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday, March 27
Closed
Regular business hours will resume Monday, March 29. Visit One Stop Student Services online to view additional hours and locations.
CWI Hires New VP for Human Resources
President Bert Glandon announced Ryan Herring has been chosen as the incoming Vice President for Human Resources for the College of Western Idaho (CWI).
“We are so fortunate to have Ryan for his expertise in the many intricate nuances of today’s complex world of human resources,” said Glandon. “He leads by example and embodies the CWI spirit in all he does.
Herring has been serving as the Executive Director of Human Resources and has worked at the College since 2014. He graduated from the University of Idaho in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Human Resources and worked for Simplot, Xerox, and The Adecco Group before joining CWI. Herring has a background in workforce management and development, Title IX, and is certified as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) from the Human Resource Certification Institute and has a Strategic Workforce Planning Certification from the Human Capital Institute.
“I am thrilled,” said Herring. “CWI is such an amazing institution, and to have the opportunity to continue our work here in the support of our faculty, staff, and students, there is simply nothing better for me!”
Herring is filling the role following Lillian Talley's retirement in December, and he will assume his new position beginning March 15.
2021 Performance Evaluations
Human Resources (HR) is excited to announce employee performance evaluations will now be completed through the College’s PageUp platform. Performance evaluations, required of all full-time and part-time benefited employees and faculty, are completed on an annual basis and will open Monday, March 1, 2021.
Please refer to the email sent Friday, Feb. 26, from hr@cwi.edu which provides instructions along with a short tutorial on the evaluation process in this new system.
Contact HR at hr@cwi.edu with any questions or if you experience any difficulties with the new process.
Martell Named Staff of the Month for February
Congratulations to Hailie Martell, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for February 2021. A CWI Elementary Education graduate, Martell began her journey at the College working in the Testing Center as a work study, was hired as a part-time student worker, and is now a Specialist in Assessment and Testing. She has been with the College for more than three years.
“The positive energy and environment at CWI drew me here,” Martell said. “It is a great place to work because of the staff, faculty, students, and the community we serve.”
As an Assessment and Testing Specialist, Martell provides assistance to students, faculty, staff, and community clients through email, phone, and in-person interactions. Her duties include entering, auditing, and maintaining student information and test scores in a database; collaborating with other institutions of higher education to facilitate student testing; and working with a diverse student base including those with disabilities to assist them with testing as a reader and a scribe.
“There isn’t one experience or moment that makes Hailie so deserving, rather, countless, consistent moments over the past few years,” said Maddi Allsop, Senior Specialist in Assessment and Testing. “Hailie is a person you can always depend on – whether it’s contacting students, rescheduling tests, covering a shift, proctoring a test offsite, a happy partner in the daily grind, or someone to make us laugh, she is the one! Over the past year, CWI’s Testing Center has changed and many new tests have been introduced. Throughout the changes, Hailie has been innovative in ensuring our processes are the very best for students while continuing to adhere to testing rules and regulations. As a student herself, currently attending Lewis-Clark State College, she understands the stress, fright, and anxiety that may often accompany testing and helps students start off their exams right.”
Martell grew up in Homedale, Idaho. An older sister, achieved by a mere six minutes, she and her twin brother also have a younger brother and sister.
“My family is super important to me, and I know I wouldn't be who I am today without them. We love anything sports and spend a lot of time cheering on my little brother and our favorite teams.”
Outside of work, she enjoys fitness, lake days, spending time with her family and friends, and taking on all of life's opportunities.
Visiting Artist Series Welcomes Damian Rodriguez
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series is proud to welcome guitarist and vocalist, Damian Rodriguez, for virtual lecture and guitar workshop April 1 and 2.
Rodriguez is a beautiful guitar player and singer of classic rancheras and boleros, as well as an advocate for social issues in southern Idaho. He helped to (re)start Radio Voz Latina in Burley and still hosts a weekly Tejano show. Formerly, he wrote on Latino issues for the Times-News in Twin. He was a Rehabilitation Counselor for the Idaho Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and was posted in Afghanistan while serving in the Idaho Air National Guard. Now retired, he is still very much involved in the MX music scene through his work at the radio station, helping out in various bands, and as a guitar teacher.
Damian Rodriguez Artist Lecture
Thursday, April 1
7 – 8 p.m.
All are invited to join us virtually, via Zoom, as Rodriguez shares his work and interest in Latino and Tejano music. He will be playing and singing classic rancheras and boleros as well as sharing his professional development and journey as an artist.
Zoom Link: Damian Rodriguez Virtual Lecture
Passcode: 389431
Guitar Workshop with Damian Rodriguez
Friday, April 2
Noon – 1 p.m.
Learn practical ways to play and use chords for accompaniment as Rodriguez introduces basic chord progression, three notes per string scales, and sight chord reading. Attendees are not required to know how to read music to attend the workshop.
Zoom Link: Guitar Workshop with Damian Rodriguez
Passcode: 556292
CWI’s Visiting Artist Series is made possible through a grant from Idaho Commission on the Arts, which is supported by National Endowment for the Arts. Visiting Artist Series workshops, featuring visual and performing artists, are free and open to the entire CWI community.
Contact Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu to learn more or with questions.
April Wellness Challenge: Hike and Bike
Sign up to participate in April’s Employee Wellness Challenge, the Hike and Bike Challenge by Wednesday, March 31! As a participant of this challenge, your goal will be to get outside in the beautiful, Idaho spring by either hiking or biking and to complete as many miles as possible in 21 days. Participants will track mileage for each activity separately.
Visit the Culture and Employee Engagement Committee site on myCWI for all the details including:
- how to sign up
- participation requirements
- tracking resources
- submission information
- valuable tips, information, and resources to get started
Submit your participation data by Friday, April 30, for your chance to win some awesome prizes including Idaho hiking books and Ridge to Rivers trail maps.
Remember, for each 21-day challenge in which you submit your participation data, you receive 1 entry for the grand prize drawings at the end of April (eight possible entries total). Grand prizes include Apple AirPods and Garmin watches!
Stay tuned for information about a virtual fun run and walk this May in celebration of all the things we have learned through the 21-day challenges!
2021 Juried Art Show
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visual and Performing Arts department is proud to be hosting its fifth-annual Juried Art Show. Entries, open to currently registered CWI students, are open now through Friday, April 2. This year’s juror is Alice Vinson, Department Chair of Art at The College of Idaho. One artist’s work will receive a $150 cash prize, in addition to a Connections Excellence Award.
For full submission details, visit the Connections Project page in myCommons on Blackboard. Contact Karen Brown at karenbrown@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
CWI Trustee Opening
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Board of Trustees announced during their monthly meeting on Thursday, March 11, the opening of the application process to fill a recently-vacated trustee position.
If you live in CWI’s Zone 3 district and would like to apply for the Board opening – visit the Board of Trustee Vacancy and Appointment Process webpage highlighting the eligibility criteria, application materials, and the submission process. Applications will be accepted through April 30, 2021. Applications are subject to Idaho’s Public Records Law.
“The Board is excited to receive applications from those interested in serving as a trustee,” said Board Chair Molly Lenty. “We know there are many dedicated leaders within Zone 3 who strive to serve students and our community, and we welcome additional skills and expertise to the College through their service on the Board.”
Please contact 208.562.2222 or trustees@cwi.edu with any questions.
