CWI Compass Connect - April 23, 2021
News Highlights
Grad Fest 2021
Congratulations, 2021 graduates! You made it! Gather your family and friends, decorate your car, and plan to join us for this year’s Grad Fest, Thursday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB)! This drive-by celebration will be complete with music, balloons, confetti, and an exclusive Grad Fest gift bag full of CWI swag and alumni keepsakes – all to celebrate YOU!
Register
Graduates planning to attend are asked to register for the event by May 11. The first 200 graduates to attend will receive a diploma cover in addition to a gift bag. Grad Fest gift bags and diploma covers will not be sent to graduates not in attendance.
Attend
Graduates can attend Grad Fest any time between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. the day of the event. Enter the NCAB parking lot at the intersection of Idaho Center Blvd. and Birch Lane. Please remain in your vehicle, and follow signs to the Grad Fest area upon your arrival.
We cannot wait to honk, wave, cheer, and celebrate you and all you have accomplished!
Contact Chad Trisler, Dean of Students, at dos@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
History Students Search Idaho State Archives
Students from College of Western Idaho (CWI) recently visited the Idaho State Archives to do historical research as part of their History Capstone (HIST 290) class.
Research of the day included looking through documents from the USS Boise Collection, a World War II light cruiser; reading firsthand accounts of the Northern Shoshone tribe recorded by early pioneer, John E. Rees; and searching through the personal papers of World War I soldier, Sergeant Ralph Atherton, of Eden, Idaho.
"Many times History majors are not introduced to archival research until graduate school,” said History faculty and Dean of Arts and Humanities, Justin Vance. “At CWI, we try to get students into a physical archive which puts them ahead of their peers when they transfer onward or gives them that skill set even if they don't go on to study more history."
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.
Fall 2021 Registration
Go BOLD, and register for classes this fall at College of Western Idaho (CWI)! With a variety of resources, flexible course options, and caring instructors, CWI is here to help you on your pathway to success every step of the way.
Continuing Students
Priority registration at CWI for the Fall 2021 semester begins Monday, April 12. Priority registration allows continuing students a chance to enroll in classes ahead of open registration, helping students stay on track for graduation.
Following are a few tips for current students:
- Be sure to meet with your Student Success Advisor prior to registering. Once advising is completed, students can register online any time on or after their assigned registration time.
- Registration times are assigned based on cumulative credits earned. Students can check myCWI and their CWI email for their assigned time.
- Continuing students are considered those who enrolled and attended classes any semester since fall 2019.
- Dual Credit students will register during open registration.
New and Returning Students
Open Registration for all students, including new and returning, begins Monday, April 19.
- All new, degree-seeking students must participate in New Student Orientation prior to registering for classes.
Contact One Stop Student Services or visit us online to learn more about applying to CWI, orientation, and registering for classes.
Congratulations, 2021 Graduates!
In acknowledgement of our 2021 graduates, College of Western Idaho will live stream its 12th commencement ceremony Friday, May 14, beginning at 6 p.m. on CWI's Live Events page, Facebook page and YouTube channel! Plan to celebrate with us in recognition of this year’s degree and certificate and Workforce Development apprenticeship graduates.
Graduates are invited to participate in the live-streamed ceremony by submitting a photo and quote for their personalized slide. Each graduate will receive an email from noreply@marchingorder.com on behalf of the CWI’s Registrar’s Office with directions for submissions which are due April 27. Phonetic pronunciation submissions are due April 20. Regalia is available to purchase online through the Bookstore.
In addition to the ceremony, CWI is hosting a Grad Fest. This curbside, pick-up event for graduates will be held Thursday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nampa Campus Academic Building.
Graduates are encouraged to check their student email account, the CWI newsroom, the College’s social media channels, and the Graduation webpage regularly for announcements and up-to-date information. Please email registrar@cwi.edu with any questions.
Congratulations to all our 2021 graduates! You made it!
2021 Connections Project
Mark your calendars for College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) sixth-annual Connections Project event Thursday, April 29, at noon on CWI's Facebook page and YouTube channel. This year’s live-streamed event will recognize winners of the Connections Excellence Awards, Juried Art Show, and President’s Writing Awards.
For additional information or questions about this year’s event, visit the Connections Project page online or email connections@cwi.edu.
Facebook Link: 2021 Connections Project
YouTube Link: 2021 Connections Project
OTA Program Application Now Open to May 7
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) new Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program has extended the application deadline until May 7, 2021.
The Occupational Therapy Assistant degree provides a holistic and client-centered approach to improve the quality and functionality of the clients they serve.
“We are very pleased to offer Occupational Therapy Assistant at CWI,” said Cathleen Currie, Dean of Health. “It offers students another opportunity to be in healthcare, coming from a different perspective of working with patients in acute and out-patient care settings.”
Current and future students interested in starting the OTA program are encouraged to complete their pre-requisites prior to applying.
Upon completion of the two-year program, students will have received the education, skills, and training necessary for the national certification exam to become a certified and licensed occupational therapy assistant.
“OTA is a hands-on discipline working with patients to reestablish skills and abilities that may have been lost due to injury, stroke, and other traumas,” Currie added. “It takes a holistic approach to the patient.”
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, from 2018 to 2028, the job market for occupational therapy assistants will increase by 21%, much faster than average.
“This will be another high-quality nationally accredited program at CWI,” Currie said. “There are very few OTAs in the Treasure Valley, and our program is the only one in the region – so there is a demand for these professionals.”
Looking to transfer your healthcare course credits from another institution? Contact us today to find out if you fulfill the prerequisite requirements.
The Bridges to Baccalaureate Program Enters its Final Year
The Southwestern Bridges to Baccalaureate program (SWID B2B) is entering the fifth and final year of NIH support for our students. Four cohorts of Bridges Fellows have successfully transferred to Boise State University, engaged in the Summer Research Experience, and established themselves as serious scholars among the undergraduate research community at BSU.
There is still an opportunity for you to become a Bridges Fellowship award winner! We are currently accepting applications for the fifth and final cohort of students to be awarded Fellowships in this grant cycle. Visit our website to view a short video on the program or click here for more information and to apply.
Students must meet certain eligibility requirements and be transferring to Boise State as a full-time student for the fall 2022 academic term. If you have questions about the program, pre-requisite coursework at CWI, or your eligibility, please reach out to Dr. Steve Lysne (stevelysne@cwi.edu) or Prof. Holly Paquette (hollypaquette@cwi.edu).
Take charge of your future! Apply to the SWID B2B program today or get involved with any of the opportunities available to CWI students found in the Math & Science Hub on Blackboard. If you do not have access to the Math & Science Hub and would like to be added, contact Prof. Dusty Perkins (dustyperkins@cwi.edu).
Go Otters!
Visiting Artist Series Welcomes The Disbelievable Domain of Zee
Join College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series for a thrilling modern adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as they welcome Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s Idaho Theater for Youth, Saturday, May 1, for a recorded performance of The Disbelievable Domain of Zee followed by a live Q & A session all are sure to enjoy!
To participate, plan to watch Idaho Theater for Youth’s recorded performance of The Disbelievable Domain of Zee at any time prior to the Q & A session on May 1. The performance is 45 minutes in length and will be closed captioned.
Watch The Disbelievable Domain of Zee
Following your viewing of the performance, join The Disbelievable Domain of Zee’s creative team and cast members for a Q & A session. The session will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 1, and will be interpreted in American Sign Language. Enrich your experience with The Disbelievable Domain of Zee Viewing Guide linked below.
Zoom Link: The Disbelievable Domain of Zee Q & A Session
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.
Oquendo Named New Century Workforce Scholar
Joshua Oquendo, a Heavy Duty Truck Technician student at College of Western Idaho (CWI), has been named a 2021 New Century Workforce Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship.
“Scholarships have helped me with my mortgage and to pay bills, so I was able to work less and focus on my school and continue to get good grades,” Oquendo said.
Oquendo enjoys the challenge of diagnosing and repairing big trucks and mega engines.
“I like solving problems, and taking things apart and fixing or finding the broken piece and putting them back together and watching them run,” he added. “My classes gave me a lot of exposure to the different systems that we are going to work with on the job. The instructors are great, they really care for the students and want us to succeed in the program, and the curriculum is extensive and detailed.”
New Century Workforce Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,000 students were nominated from more than 1,200 college campuses across the country. Only one New Century Workforce Scholar was selected from each state.
This scholarship is the first of its kind to support students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon the completion of a degree or certificate. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society.
“We congratulate Joshua for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with The Coca-Cola Foundation to recognize his outstanding achievements,” said Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO Dr.
Next month, Oquendo graduates from the Heavy Duty Truck Technician program and he recently started a new job at Western States Cat.
Peterson Named Staff of the Month for March
Congratulations to Keith Peterson, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for March 2021. Peterson is a Technical Support Specialist for Information Technology (IT) User Services and has been with the College for three years.
“I take care of staff and faculty computers and classroom technology for the Nampa Campus Administration, Multipurpose, and Aspen Classroom Buildings,” Peterson said. “Because of CWI, I am accomplishing my goal of establishing a career and working toward an associate degree in Media Arts.”
“Keith is terrific at understanding and meeting each user at their needs,” said his supervisor and IT User Services Manager, Cory Leinberger. “He is methodical in his troubleshooting approach and purposeful in the way he communicates with those he serves. He’s a valuable asset to IT User Services and CWI.”
“Keith is always pleasant and prompt to respond to any concern,” said Mary Jo Hayes, Comptroller in the Business Office. “I can only imagine it must continue to be overwhelming trying to keep equipment needs met, things running smoothly, and customers happy as many of us continue to work remotely. Keith is flexible in accommodating times to meet with employees, communicating often to keep requests up to date, and ensuring problems are resolved promptly. He always provides excellent customer service with an attitude we should all strive to mirror.”
Peterson has lived in Idaho his entire life and currently resides in Caldwell with his wife. The couple has two grown kids and a German Shepard they are training. In his spare time he enjoys playing World or Warcraft and reading.
