Bert's Alerts - November 18, 2016
In the Spotlight
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College of Western Idaho (CWI) employees and students were out supporting the community on Saturday (Nov. 12) as groups from around the College participated in the annual Rake Up Boise event. CWI’s Culture and Employee Engagement Committee brought together a team of 18 hard-working volunteers to rake leaves at two Boise locations. The home owners expressed incredible gratitude for the service. Thank you to all of the volunteers who supported this tremendous outreach effort and continue to be a shining example of the CWI community.
News Highlights
Student Steps Forward With Unexpected Gift
Without a doubt, scholarships have the ability to change lives. Not only do they provide students with much-needed financial support, they have the power to inspire people to finish what they start. The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation recently received one of these life-changing gifts, but this time, it came from an unexpected source. Mitch Coats became the first CWI student to invest in another student. He created a scholarship to inspire others who share his passion for education, excellence, and Idaho’s future.
Going to college is a big deal. Coats dropped out of high school his senior year and later earned a GED. He found success in martial arts and being a cowboy. Now a black belt, he has owned and operated a Jiu-Jitsu studio in Boise for the past 10 years. The two-time national title holder has literally fought for everything he has.
“I can’t fight forever,” he said. “So now I am making hay while the sun shines.”
Coats’ journey at CWI started nearly two years ago. His interest in cattle genetics and seedstock production led him to enroll in Agriculture Science; a program offered through the University of Idaho that allows him to stay local. While he goes to school full time and consistently earns straight As, he somehow finds the time to stay involved with his studio and manage a herd of cattle on a 55-acre ranch in Emmett. Coats is investing the money he has made on the mat into his ranch, education, and a special breed within his herd; Japanese beef cattle called Wagyu.
“Wagyu are a fad right now,” he said. “They are considered the ‘black gold rush.’ I’m trying to do what I can to preserve the breed through genetics. My goal is to become an elite breeder.”
When asked why a successful business owner would choose to go to college at this point in his life, Coats said the answer could be found in his now 19-month-old son.
“I did it for him,” he said. “I want him to know that his dad had the discipline to graduate from college. I need to be the example and prove to him that he needs to finish.”
Coats created the Mitch & Stephanie Coats Excellence in Agriculture Scholarship in order to help fill a need. Much of Idaho’s livelihood is based on agriculture. It is his goal to help a fellow student who shares his interest in protecting Idaho’s natural resources and becoming a steward of the land.
“I chose to invest in CWI because that’s where the need is,” he said. “When we move ahead, we’ll need people who can fill the jobs. This is a way to help do that.”
Coats plans to graduate from CWI next spring. His life goal is to complete a master’s degree in international agriculture through Oklahoma State University.
Boise Educators Share Insight with CWI Class
A group of College of Western Idaho (CWI) students recently had a special learning opportunity thanks to a guest presentation from three Boise School District (BSD) educators. On Thursday, Nov. 17, Dr. Teri Theamert, Mathematics Supervisor for the BSD, and Sharon Tennent and Suzanne Wolfkiel, Math Coaches with the BSD, spoke with about 30 students regarding the teaching of mathematics in the elementary classroom. Key topics were the implementation of the Common Core, changes in the methods used to teach – especially modeling and using manipulatives, training of teachers, and student success.
The CWI students are approximately 1-2 years away from student teaching and having their own classrooms. Many of the students said they felt more reassured about the training they will receive and about the methods being used in the elementary classrooms.
CWI Assessment Center Offers Free Employee Service
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Assessment and Testing Services is happy to provide free proctored testing for CWI employees testing for other institutions. Employees can now schedule free proctored exams using CWI’s online scheduling system at cwi.edu/exam. To schedule, choose a testing site, Proctored Test for Outside Institution, For CWI Employees Only, then pick a date and time.
Please contact either Assessment Center location with any questions or issues completing the scheduling process.
Construction Starting on Idaho Power Substation
Construction work will soon begin for a new Idaho Power substation near College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Nampa Campus. The substation will be located on Idaho Center Blvd, just north of the train tracks. Construction will start on Monday, Nov. 21, and proceed roughly through the end of April 2017, at which time the substation will be ready for Idaho Power’s equipment. Racks, gear, and transformers will likely be installed by August/September of 2017.
The substation will provide upgraded service capacity to the area, while allowing the frontage along Idaho Center Blvd to remain free of transmission lines. The new substation will also provide CWI’s Nampa Campus with increased reliability for electrical services. The area around the substation will be screened with permanent, stained concrete panels and appropriate landscaping to conceal the site as much as possible. CWI is thankful to Idaho Power, Boise State University, and the Union Pacific Railroad for their assistance in helping to make this project a reality.
November Staff Award Goes to Grayson
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is happy to recognize Heather Grayson as CWI’s November Staff of the Month award winner.
Grayson is a Coordinator for Student Disability Services and has been with the college for almost five years. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Boise State University in 2009 and is planning to start a masters in Adult Organization and Learning at University of Idaho. Heather’s other roles include being a part of our Safety Committee, the CARE team, and a board member of Idaho Partnership of Higher Education and Disability.
Her nomination notes, “Heather Grayson exemplifies the core values of CWI. Heather often times has to make difficult decisions on what accommodations she can provide a student, so she always has to act with integrity. As new technology comes along Heather has to stay up to date to provide students with the best services possible, she thinks of innovative ideas, and is innovating for the 21st century. Heather helps [students] navigate the path to success and helps to leave a legacy of learning. “
Grayson spent 17 years in South Korea, were her parents were stationed in the military. She loves music and traveling. Grayson just got back from vacation in Reykjavik, Iceland where she attended the Iceland Airwaves 2016 Music Festival and got to travel around the country for nine days. In her free time, she is mostly hanging out with friends or downtown catching a show at the smaller concert venues.
Please join in congratulating Heather for this honor.
Honorable Mention:
Lori Yellen
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.
HR Updates
Employment Opportunities
There are no new job postings at CWI this week. Employees can access internal job postings by visiting cwinternal.silkroad.com/ or view all external listings on cwijobs.silkroad.com. Jobs are posted as they open throughout the week. Upon application submittal, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive an email, check your "Junk/Spam" folder, then email HR@cwi.edu to verify receipt of your application.
Note: This is the official communication newsletter for the College. Content is driven by contributions gathered from all areas of CWI. If you have news you would like to submit for this, please use a Marketing Help Desk ticket.