Bert's Alerts - May 2, 2014
In the Spotlight
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Anthropology and Biology Clubs went dumpster diving, Thursday (May 1), as they teamed up to host the first-ever CWI Garbology Day at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. The goal of the event was to raise awareness for proper recycling practices, reducing consumption, and re-purposing rather than disposing of material. The featured activity involved sorting two days of trash to determine what could have been recycled, as well as what is being consumed on campus. Informational posters were also on display providing facts and tips on how individuals and households can reduce consumer waste and decrease their carbon-footprint.
News Highlights
Upgraded CWI Program Pages Launched
The CWI Marketing and Advancement Department is excited to announce the launch of upgraded Program pages on cwi.edu. Marketing has been collaborating with instruction for several months to create more robust features that will provide a better user experience for prospective and current students. The new online features provide options to search across all CWI programs and create the consistency needed to compare program options side-by-side.
Some of the new features include:
- The All Programs and Classes page features text search and filtering
- Filters include – transferable credits, program length, locations, and more
- Text search – by careers, skills and other description information
- Dynamically connected to program information
- Unique search URL’s – send a prefilled search to prospective students. Example: Transferable Programs
- Program pages include updated look with expanded features
- Consistent page layouts – better experiences during program research and comparison
- Connections to program related clubs, instructors, news, and locations
- Dynamic PDF’s with always up-to-date program information directly on the site, available from download from every program
- Updates are managed by Department Chairs, allowing for easier maintenance of content
All of the new program features have been enabled and are available to the public. Feedback about the new Program features can be provided using the website’s feedback button located near the right hand scrollbar. Please contact CWI Marketing and Advancement at communications@cwi.edu with any questions.
CWI Prepares for Important Accreditation Milestones
As the College of Western Idaho (CWI) continues along the progression of seeking independent accreditation, two important milestones are fast approaching. This August the College will submit its Year Three Self Evaluation Report and on Oct. 8-9, 2014 representatives from The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) will arrive for the commission’s second visit to CWI.
The NWCCU granted CWI candidacy status for accreditation in January 2012 at which point the College entered a thorough review phase to demonstrate its potential for attaining accreditation within five years. The report submission and fall visit are critical update points in the process. Information on CWI’s accreditation process including copies of correspondence is available on the CWI website.
The College will send out additional information regarding the NWCCU visit including meetings and agenda details once provided by the commission.
Dental Assisting Joins Elementary School Fair
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Dental Assisting Program visited Koelsch Elementary in Boise, April 23, in support of the school’s annual Health/Career Fair. The goal of the event was to help promote awareness of healthcare career opportunities and positive attitudes toward work.
CWI Dental Assisting students provided a brief presentation with volunteers from each of the elementary classes that explained what a visit to the dental office entails. They were also given a description of the roles of the Dentist and Dental Assistant. Students were divided into smaller groups where they were educated about sugar content in common foods. The information sessions concluded with one-on-one, hands-on instruction on brushing and flossing.
Saint Alphonsus provided the supplies for 288 students this year to promote oral health. Each of the elementary students was given a pack that contained a toothbrush, floss, tongue scraper, toothbrush timer, and toothpaste.
Third Annual LibART Winners Picked
The third annual "LibART: Art Inspired by Libraries" contest and exhibition, sponsored by the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Library and Art Department, concluded this week and was a big success. This year's LibART show was the biggest and most attended to date with over 20 incredible submissions.
Three winning art pieces were chosen and purchased to be displayed in the CWI Library.
Popular Vote Winner
“Lost My Head in a Book”
Samantha Haskell
Art Department Choice Winner
“‘The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page’ -Saint Augustine”
Brittany Bishop
Library Staff Choice Winner
“Quintessence”
Manuel Garcia
Honorable Mentions
“Reading Window”
Amy Harbin
“Mind’s Eye”
Lila Rae
The three winning pieces can be seen on display at the CWI Library located in room 105 in the Nampa Campus Multipurpose Building.
Inaugural Solar Viewing Event Coming to CWI
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Physics and Astronomy Department is excited to welcome the public to campus, May 3, for a solar viewing event at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. The event will mark the first opportunity for the public to utilize CWI’s new solar telescope, which was made possible by a mini-grant from the CWI Foundation and the Department of Physical Sciences.
The solar viewing will take place on the west lawn of the Academic Building at 1 p.m., weather permitting. Come learn about the Sun from CWI Astronomy Instructor, Dr. Irwin Horowitz, and marvel at the views of our home star through this instrument.
CWI Spring Candidate Forums Conclude May 8
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) School of Social Science and Public Affairs is sponsoring a series of political candidate forums between now and the election in November. These forums are intended to give candidates, students, faculty, and the community a chance to present and discuss the critical issues in this year's election cycle.
The second forum, which is the final event of the Spring semester, will be held May 8. The forum will include Shirley Ringo (U.S. Congress District 1), Richard Stallings (U.S. Congress District 2), and Nels Mitchell (U.S. Senate).
Thursday – May 8
6:00-7:30 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building
Second Floor Common Area
Final Nampa Campus Master Plan Workshops Coming in May
In May, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) will host the final workshops to give CWI students, faculty, staff, and administration an opportunity to provide feedback on the College’s Nampa Campus Master Plan update. The workshops are helping gather input on ways to enhance the campus experience, better serve needs, strengthen connections, and align the College’s future.
CTA Architects and SRG Partnerships, which was selected to complete Phase II of the CWI Nampa Campus Master Plan, will be hosting workshops for CWI students and employees:
Tuesday, May 6
9-11 a.m. and Noon-2 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building, Second Floor Common Area
CTA Architects and SRG Partnerships hosted workshops in March and April and have created Visioning and Assessment Reports that are available to view on myCWI under College Resources>Facilities Management. The reports include feedback from students, staff, education partners, and infrastructure partners.
A presentation of the updated master plan is currently scheduled to take place in June. Please contact Nikki Houston at 562.3545 or nikkihouston@cwi.edu for information.
Employee Giving Increases 45 Percent
In an effort to increase participation in the Employee Annual Giving Campaign, members of the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Advancement office visited various campus locations this week. There has been great feedback on what areas employees are interested in supporting and the ‘wish list’ is growing with each visit. This year’s goal is to increase participation to 250 employees by June 30. So far the response has been tremendous, with 26 additional participants this week bringing the current total to 83. (I22)
Employees are being reminded that strong participation in employee annual giving is a great example of how dedicated the CWI community is to supporting student success. It’s not the size of the gift that is important. If every employee gives a little it will truly equal a lot.
As part of the campaign there are ‘open door’ cards being placed on walls around the College. Any current participants who have not received a card please contact the Advancement office. If you are interested in joining employee annual giving or have any questions, please contact Morriah Marks at morriahmarks@cwi.edu or 208.562.3238.
Participants Wanted for CWI Concert Band Club
A group from College of Western Idaho (CWI) is looking to form a Concert Band Club in the fall of 2014 and is inviting faculty and staff to join. Does that musical instrument in your closet keep calling your name? Did you play an instrument back in high school and want to start back up? Be sure to share your interest in joining the Concert Band Club.
Anyone interested in participating can email robwalker@cwi.edu with their name, instrument, cell phone number, and email. The plan is to hold an exploratory meeting in the fall to activate the club and discuss options for the formation of the CWI Concert Band. (G55)
Heller Receives April Faculty Honor
Please join in congratulating Gary Heller, who was named College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) April Faculty of Distinction.
Heller is an adjunct faculty with CWI Physical and Natural Sciences. He is known as an energetic instructor who works diligently to help students succeed. His enthusiasm inspires students to interact with each other to work on complex problems and he leads his students by example.
Heller has worked to make CWI’s Environmental Science labs more applicable and interesting to students, often times revising the entire lab. His efforts to invite outside speakers and arrange field trips for environmental science and professions in natural resources and agriculture have both increased community engagement and improved the overall student experience.
He has recently been an active participant and promoter of the special environmental education film series. Not only did Heller rally his students to attend and learn about import and environmental and conservation issues, he contributed greatly to the post film discussions. He sets a great example for participation and service to CWI, regularly participating in department meetings and attending events put on by other faculty members to show support.
Gary's efforts certainly have enriched the lives of the students at CWI. Thank you Gary and congratulations on this well-deserved honor.
Beal Earns May Faculty of Distinction
Alex Beal has been selected as College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for May.
Beal is an assistant professor in the CWI Heavy-Duty Truck Technician Program. He was nominated for the award for his overall performance and service to the College and its community. Beal is always willing to step up to help other faculty members.
In addition to his course load, Beal is currently serving as advisor to CWI SkillsUSA, chair of the Faculty Promotion Committee, and as a member of the ad-hoc committee working on rank revisions. Over the last two years he has served as a member of the Faculty Promotion Committee and taught at least one session at each in-service. He is currently serving his fourth year as the SkillsUSA State Conference coordinator.
In addition to his service to the College and the community, he was nominated for and completed a 27 month Professional Technical Education (PTE) Leadership Institute program last fall – which qualifies him to be a PTE administrator. He has also worked each summer in industry internships and taught courses through the Idaho Department of Education.
Congratulations Alex and thank you for your continued hard work and dedication to CWI, its students, and your colleagues.
May Staff of the Month Goes to King
Kurtis King has been named College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for May.
King will celebrate five years at CWI in July. He joined the Boise State University Selland College staff in April 2009 and transitioned to CWI with the Professional Technical Education programs. Starting as a One Stop Student Services Specialist, King's ability to work well with students proved to be valuable and he is now an Advisor for Student Enrichment. His willingness to go above and beyond in assisting his students has led to compliments being given to other advisors on his knowledge and enthusiasm for student success. He even helped a student turn her low grades to "B"s by the end of the semester through assistance and encouragement.
King graduated from the University of Idaho in May 2006 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts with an emphasis in Graphic Design and Printmaking. He and his wife Christine have three pets including a dog, Deimo, and two cats, Akasha and Belia. King is currently learning how to brew beer and he says so far the brews have turned out enjoyable but do have some room for refinement.
Thank you Kurtis for sharing your great personality with the CWI community and showing such strong commitment to helping students succeed.
Two Bingo Winners Announced
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fun and Culture Committee (FCC) has announced the first two winners of its ongoing game of Bert’s Alerts Bingo, which will continue through the end of May. Erica Compton and Piper Skoglund are the first employees to check off a Bingo on their boards.
Employees can keep playing the same Bingo cards while the game continues. Numbers will continue to be announced every Friday in Bert’s Alerts, which means there are still plenty of chances to win. (B5)
