Bert's Alerts—May 3, 2019
Celebrating 10 Years!
Don't miss out on the 10-year celebration as we share stories of amazing students, talented faculty, and quality programs!
News Highlights
2019 Connections Excellence Award Recipients
The 2019 Connections Project was a huge success, with more than 100 student participants! The event, held April 25 at College of Western Idaho’s Nampa Campus Academic Building, showcased a wide variety of student work including posters, art work, videos, websites, and presentations.
The following students were recipients of this year’s Connections Excellence Awards which included a cash prize:
Posters – Inspire Category
Posters that inspire others to learn more or take action.
- 1st Place – Charity Watson, "Social Media Distractions Affect Traits Differently Across Generations"
- 2nd Place – Jennifer Herrera, "Clostridioides Difficile"
- 3rd Place – Ashley Bryant, "Hantavirus and You"
Posters – Connect Category
Posters that explore existing connections between or within communities, cultures, or disciplines.
- 1st Place – Charity Watson, "Instagram's Global Impact on Pathology of Vulnerable Populations"
- 2nd Place (tie) – Cassie Woodard, "The Hula Girl's Impact on Hawaii" and Timothy Lobb, "Nike Campaigns for Gender Equality Saudi Arabia"
Mini-talk Category
- Brianna Tomaskovich-Valdez, "Selected Poems"
- Elizabeth Carter, "Social Media and Its Effects on Mental Health"
Other Cool Stuff Category
- Ashley Hughes, website and presentation "Let's Talk About Sex"
Congratulations to all of the participants on a job well done!
Adventure Race Brings Learning to Life
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Anthropology Club proudly rolled out their signature project, “Adventure Race: Anthropology and Ecology”, on April 19 to students at Compass Public Charter School in Meridian. The event, more than eight months in the making, was a collaboration with Bureau of Land Management’s, Evan Worthington.
Contacting Anthropology Club Advisor, Nikki Gorrell, in summer of 2018, Worthington proposed the idea that middle-school students in the Treasure Valley could benefit from learning about anthropology, ecological stewardship, ‘leave no trace’ principles, and Native American heritage. To bring these concepts to life in an engaging and informative way, Gorrell and Club members acted on Worthington’s proposal developing a series of stations and activities where points and tokens are earned to inspire healthy competition among teams of students.
Approximately fifty 7th and 8th grade students at Compass Public Charter School participated in the Club’s inaugural Adventure Race, which Gorrell and Worthington hope to continue during the upcoming academic year.
“An event like this helps to inspire potential future CWI students and promotes the classes and programs offered here at the College,” commented Gorrell. “It also highlights the importance of collaboration with local partners and gives Club members a chance to demonstrate effective teamwork and leadership – especially Anthropology Club President, Anne VanWassenhove, and Vice-President, Charlee Draper, who were integral to the success of this project!”
VanWassenhove received the Trailblazing LEADership Award for her work on this project during the 2019 Student LEADership Recognition Banquet. This award honors leaders who have engaged in a significant leadership role on campus.
To learn more about the Adventure Race or to get involved in Anthropology Club, contact Nikki Gorrell at 208.562.3403 or nikkigorrell@cwi.edu.
Stonecrop Launches Second Issue
Stonecrop, College of Western Idaho’s student-run literary magazine, is hosting a launch party for the unveiling of its second issue, May 9, 2019. Join us at the Ada County Campus Pintail Center from 7 – 8 p.m. as contributors read poetry, fiction, and nonfiction for this year’s magazine. While you’re there, get your very own copy of Stonecrop, take part in the book raffle, and enjoy a complimentary nacho bar! The event is free and open to the public.
Finished Degree Furthers Career
Hometown: Kuna, Idaho
Major: Biology, Biology-Natural Resources
Graduation: 2014, 2015
“I was able to get my job because I went back to college and finished my degrees,” said College of Western Idaho alumna, Karen Gregory.
More than a decade of time spent with Idaho Fish and Game as a volunteer allowed Karen an opportunity to truly identify where she wanted to focus her career aspirations. Over time, she realized one key element was missing – a college education.
“One day, I sat down with a Conservation Officer. He told me I wouldn’t be hired if I didn’t finish my college degree. I enrolled at CWI the next week and started in the summer of 2011.”
Intended as merely a stepping stone to her education, attending CWI became a life-changing decision for Karen. Guidance from passionate instructors led her to gain an appreciation for different subjects and fields of work, join the Biology Club, get paid for doing research as part of the INBRE Summer Scholars program, and make life-long friends.
“CWI has the greatest professors I have ever known! As I worked closely with them, I felt empowered to work hard and gained confidence in my skills.”
Graduating from CWI with two degrees – Biology and Biology-Natural Resources – Karen went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from American Public University. She is currently a graduate student at Oregon State University studying Fisheries and Wildlife Management. She now works for the Idaho Department of Fish and Game as a Fisheries Technician in Nampa.
“Without CWI, I would have never gone as far in my academic career as I have. Because of CWI, I am where I am today.”
Business Student Wins $2,500
Wayne Ebenroth, a College of Western Idaho Business student, recently competed in the Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge held March 27 and 28 at Boise State University. The event is a live pitch competition where aspiring entrepreneurs explain their business idea to a panel of judges in the hopes of winning cash prizes.
Ebenroth and his team took second runner up in the Technology, Consumer Product, or Service category with their business idea, United Federation of Gamers, winning them $2,500! The idea, which seeks to create a fun and engaging gaming space where teams or individuals can compete in leagues and tournaments with games such as League of Legends, Fortnite, and Counter-Strike.
New Fire Service Technology Program
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to announce the arrival of a new Fire Service Technology program.
The Fire Service Technology program will prepare students for opportunities as a full-time or volunteer firefighter. The curriculum is based on National Fire Protection Association standards and the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress requirements.
Staff from local fire departments, including the Nampa Fire Department, assisted in the development of curriculum and will also instruct in the program.
“This is a dream come true, not just for CWI, but for area fire departments,” said Nampa Fire Chief, Kirk Carpenter.
The program focuses on teaching students to analyze and solve problems in firefighting based on real-world situations and scenarios. Students will receive high-quality classroom instruction and participate in hands-on demonstrations, live burns, as well as a co-requisite physical fitness course designed specifically for firefighters.
“CWI’s program will provide a great chance for students to network with instructors, who work at fire departments across the Treasure Valley,” said Kevin Platts, CWI Director of Public Safety programs. “Instructors are going to go back and say ‘Hey, let's look at this student, I know how hard they work and I want them in my truck,’” he added.
Visit the Fire Service Technology program webpage to learn more.
Local Medical Professionals Share Expertise with Students
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Medical Professional’s Club welcomed nine local, medical professionals to campus Saturday, April 27, for a panel discussion. The event, held at the Nampa Campus Academic Building, was organized and sponsored by the Club’s Co-Presidents, Misha Keen and Amanda Weber; Vice-President, Desmond Ouckama; Treasurer, Yasir Subhi; Secretary, Lauren Steenbeeke; and Club member, Joanna Beck. With over 45 students in attendance, the panel engaged in spirited discussions, met with students, and responded to questions.
Guest panelists included:
- James Whitaker – Osteopathic Physician, Idaho Joint and Spine
- Stephanie Hodson – Medical Oncologist, Summit Cancer Centers
- Laura Marji – Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, All Valley Animal Care Center
- Monica Gerhart – Physical Therapist, Focus Physical Therapy
- Curt Ater – Pharmacist (currently on sabbatical)
- Heidi Peters – Family Nurse Practitioner, Boise Valley Asthma and Allergy
- Marvin Sparrell – Associate Director and Clinical Assistant Professor at Idaho State University
- Anntara Smith – Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator at Idaho State University
- Tea Draganovic – Student in Idaho State University’s Physician Assistant program
Congratulations to the Medical Professional’s Club for another great event! The CWI community is so proud of you and excited for future events!
Business of Robotics Symposium Welcomes Industry Experts
Nearly 100 students and community members gathered on April 19, 2019, to attend College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Business of Robotics Symposium. The event, organized by the College’s Business department and Advanced Mechatronics Engineering program, was held at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center. In addition to a live robotics demonstration and tour of the building, attendees had the opportunity to hear from industry experts on how robots are changing the way companies and industries operate.
Guest presenters included:
- Mona Bourbonnais – Associate Professor, CWI Surgical Technology program
- Fred Goins – Plant General Manager, Fiberon Decking
- Dan Bohren – Senior Manager of Shift Operations, Micron Technology
- Rick Murdock – CEO and Co-Founder, Autovol
Thank you to all who made the symposium a great success!
Staff of the Month—April 2019
Randi Smith has been recognized as College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for April 2019. Smith began her career at CWI as a One Stop Representative in November 2017. She transitioned into her current role as a Dual Credit Coordinator, working with ambitious students to help them receive college credits in high school, in August 2018. She is known to be caring, respectful, genuine, and punctual.
Smith received her Bachelor of Science in Sports Administration from Lewis-Clark State College in 2016, where she was recognized as the Most Distinguished Student. She was recently accepted into graduate school at Idaho State University and will be beginning her Masters of Education in Educational Leadership this summer.
Born and raised in the small town of New Meadows, Idaho, she currently lives in Nampa with her handsome man, Eddie. Together they are raising their very independent 2-year-old, Lucas. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, watching baseball and Tennessee Vols basketball, hunting, fishing, camping, and appreciating the outdoors.
Smith is grateful to have the support from her incredible Dual Credit team and all the wonderful high school faculty, administration, counselors, parents, and students she gets to work with. She feels blessed to be able to help provide this opportunity for students!
Please join us in congratulating Randi on her accomplishment!
Volunteers Wrap Up 2018 Tax Season
Volunteer’s in College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) completed more than 200 tax returns for the 2018 tax season saving tax payers nearly $50,000 based on the average return rate calculated by the Internal Revenue Service. The program, coordinated by Associate Professor, Joe Welker, and Assistant Professor, Michel Boldt, helped students and members of the community file their income taxes at no charge.
“This year was a unique and challenging year for our students,” said Welker. “Two major factors contributed to do this challenge. The first was the major changes in the tax code. Second, some of the contributing partners shut down their VITA sites, adding tax returns to CWI’s locations.”
Thank you to this year’s program volunteers which included students from the College’s Business and Bookkeeping programs as well as alumni.
Virtual Benefits Fair
Human Resources invites you to a Virtual Benefit Fair April 30 – May 14. View informative videos, attend webinars, access FAQs and forms, and enter a drawing to win prizes! Attend from any location and at any time throughout the fair.
Open Enrollment is April 29 – May 17. Open Enrollment is the only time you can:
- Change from one plan type to another
- Add previously declined dependent dental insurance
- Enroll in a new FSA plan or enroll to continue your FSA plan
Contact Human Resources or visit the Human Resources Employee Resources site on myCWI for more information.
Fire Drill Results—Spring 2019
Fire drills have been completed at each of the College’s campus locations for the Spring 2019 semester. These drills are to prepare students, faculty, and staff for an organized evacuation in case of fire or other emergency.
