Bert's Alerts - September 19, 2014
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) gave a nod to the trucking industry this month by celebrating National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Students and instructors from CWI’s Professional Truck Driving program were treated to breakfast with members of the College’s professional-technical administration. CWI’s Dean for Professional Technical Education, Will Fanning, also used the opportunity to thank the group for their commitment to the program and industry.
News Highlights
PHOTOS: CWI and Western States CAT Celebrate Partnership
On Monday (Sept. 15), College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted a celebration event to introduce the new Western States CAT Technician program. The event was held in the Diesel Technology lab at CWI’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education. Included below are photos from the event.
Applications Open for New CWI Medical Assistant Program
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is now taking applications for its new Medical Assistant – Credit program, which will start classes in the Spring 2015 semester. The professional-technical program will allow students to earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. CWI is accepting applications through Oct. 10 for 20 students in the first semester.
The College has added the program to meet a growing demand for medical assistants both nationally and in Idaho. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is projected to grow 29 percent from 2012 to 2022. Medical assistants work alongside physicians, primarily in outpatient or ambulatory care facilities, such as medical offices and clinics. They are cross-trained to perform clinical and administrative responsibilities.
CWI has appointed Dr. Tabinda Omair, M.D., as program chair to lead the new Medical Assistant – Credit program. In addition to previously working as a Medical Director in OB/GYN in Pakistan, she has experience teaching medical and nursing programs. Dr. Omair moved to the United States in 1998. She has three children.
Anyone interested in learning more about all of CWI’s Healthcare programs are invited to attend one of the College’s bimonthly Healthcare Information Sessions. A schedule of upcoming information sessions can be found at cwi.edu/events.
Career Fair and Workshops Coming to CWI
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Student Enrichment will host a Career Fair for current students in September. The fair will be held at Ada County Campus Pintail Center on Sept. 23 and Nampa Campus Academic Building on Sept. 24. Both days are scheduled to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Career Fair will feature local businesses and organizations with job openings, internships, and volunteer opportunities.
To help students prepare for the event, Student Enrichment presented a pair of Career Fair Prep Workshops on Sept. 15.
CWI to Share College Spirit
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fun & Culture Committee (FCC) is sponsoring a College Spirit Day on Friday, Sept. 26. CWI employees are encouraged to support their alma mater or favorite college by wearing a t-shirt, sweatshirt, or other gear. The FCC wants to share all of the fun, so please be sure to email photos from College Spirit Day to fcc@cwi.edu.
Staff Senate Hosting Brown Bag Lunches
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff Senate will host a Brown Bag Lunch Series starting Tuesday, Sept. 23. The lunches will be held from noon to 2 p.m. at various campus locations. Staff members are invited to attend all or part of one of the following sessions:
- Canyon County Center, Room 112 A/B, with Victor Villanueva and Tony Tine
- Micron Center for Professional Technical Education, Room 1701 A/B, with Joel Beesley, Andrea Schumaker, and Shannon Chapman
- Nampa Campus Academic Building, Room 201, with Brittney Kaercher and Christine Ward
- Ada County Campus Pintail Center, Room 1313, with Josee Ward and Erica Compton
During the two hour session, the representing Staff Senators will provide updates and discuss the following topics:
- weapons on campus;
- conflict resolution proposal;
- 2014 Employee Survey and the recommendations that have developed from it;
- tuition waiver proposal (from the 2013 Employee Survey);
- leave bank;
- Core Values and The Valuable to the Core Initiative;
- way finding project;
- future Campus Forums.
Staff Senate is looking forward to talking with colleagues about these important topics and is planning to host more Brown Bag Lunches in the future. Employees are encouraged to participate with questions and feedback.
Rake Up Nampa Volunteers Needed
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fun and Culture Committee (FCC) would like to invite employees to join them this fall to support the 2014 Rake Up Nampa event. The event is scheduled to be held on Saturday, Nov. 15. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Lindsay Reynolds at lindsayreynolds@cwi.edu by Oct. 10.
FCC to Light the Night
Members of the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fun and Culture Committee (FCC) are organizing a group of volunteers to help staff the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual Light the Night Walk. The event, which serves as a nation-wide fundraiser for the organization, will be held Oct. 2 at Ann Morrison Park in Boise. Registration is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. There will be a remembrance ceremony at 6 p.m. and the walk will begin at 7 p.m. More information on the event can be found at www.lightthenight.org/oswim.
Volunteers are needed to help with set up, clean up, first aid stations, and more. CWI employees interested in joining the FCC volunteer team should contact Sean Muldoon at seanmuldoon@cwi.edu or Lindsay Reynolds at lindsayreynolds@cwi.edu before Sept. 26.
