CWI Compass Connect - August 20, 2019
Spotlight
The 10-year Celebration isn’t over yet! Be sure to visit our Mighty Profiles page highlighting stories of our amazing students, talented faculty, and quality programs. Thank you for all you do every single day to empower futures and change lives. YOU are appreciated!
News Highlights
2019 College Address
CWI Year In Review 2018 - 2019
The sound of cowbells and maracas filled the Nampa Civic Center, as College of Western Idaho (CWI) faculty and staff gathered to celebrate and kick off the 2019-2020 academic year at the annual Fall Address.
The address began with a welcome from CWI Board of Trustee Chairperson, Skip Smyser, followed by President Bert Glandon presenting the new governance structure and strategic planning, which included the new institutional priorities.
A highlight for the day is employee awards and recognition. Years of service awards were presented to faculty and staff; thirty-seven individuals were recognized for five years of service to the College, and one hundred and thirty individuals received recognition for 10 years of service. Staff of the Month and Faculty of Distinction awardees from the past year were additionally highlighted. Congratulations to Laura Bagley, Staff of the Year for 2019, and Jana McCurdy, the 2019 Faculty of Distinction!
Following the presentation of awards, a highlight video, celebrating the success of faculty, staff, and students during the past year, showcased the College’s impact in the community. Additional recognition of the year’s accomplishments were then presented by Provost Denise Aberle-Cannata. The address wrapped up with a Q&A session with members of President’s Cabinet.
"I was impressed to see the number of faculty and staff at CWI so committed to improving student outcomes," said Brian Cuttlers, Manager of Institutional Research and Effectiveness.
Thank you to all who attended this year’s address, and best of luck to all as we launch another amazing academic year and another ten years of student success!
Apprenticeship Programs Receive Statewide Award
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Apprenticeship programs, who were recognized for their incredible work during the annual Career and Technical Education Reach Professional Development Conference on Tuesday, Aug. 6, in Boise.
Program coordinators Chris Miller, HVAC, Jim Webb, Electrical, and Steven Bennett, Plumbing, received the 2019 Idaho CTE Exemplary Postsecondary Program award during a celebration at the Boise Train Depot.
“I was so proud to see the dedication, passion, and enthusiasm this team has demonstrated for years being recognized by their peers,” said Provost Denise Aberle-Cannata. “A proud moment for mighty CWI!”
The three instructors have a wealth of knowledge, with more than 120 years of experience, which empowers students with the real-world knowledge they need to excel in the workforce.
Assistant Vice President of Economic and Workforce Development, Christi Rood, praised the work of her team. “Jim, Chris, and Steve are amazing classroom teachers and mentors to their students. They epitomize career technical education and allowing a classroom format that provides an opportunity for students to earn while they learn.”
Cultivating Hope
Hometown: Nampa, Idaho
Major: Psychology
Graduation: 2015
“Getting an education empowered me to be a better person and gave me the motivation to help others know they can do it, too,” said 2015 graduate, Jessica Concie.
For years, Jessica struggled to find happiness and stability in her life.
“I was in and out of abusive relationships and struggled with addiction and homelessness. For years, I felt completely hopeless. I honestly thought I was going to die from abuse or overdose, and I didn’t care.”
With the assistance of community organizations, Jessica was given the tools to turn her life around. In the process, she was inspired to go back to school in hopes that someday she could pay it forward and help others the way she had been helped.
“When I started the admissions process at College of Western Idaho (CWI), I was nervous and scared. I honestly thought I would take a couple classes, fail, and quit college. I really didn’t think I could do it.”
Class after class, Jessica began exceeding her own expectations and realizing her potential. A solid support network of people who believed in her gave her the determination she needed to be successful.
“Because of CWI, I don’t question my future anymore. CWI gave me a new perspective, appreciation, and understanding of life. Education has made me into the person I dreamed about being when I was a little girl. I couldn’t have done it without so many cheering me on.”
Following CWI, Jessica transferred to Boise State University where she received a bachelor’s degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Psychology and Gender in 2017. Returning to her alma mater, she is now spreading her message of hope as a One Stop Representative in Admissions at CWI. Her ultimate goal is to assist students as an advisor.
“I never gave up, and I did it! Even when life feels hopeless, there is hope. Without programs that helped me stay clean, find housing, and get an education – I really don’t think I would be alive. Now, as a thriving member of the community, I am achieving my dreams and inspiring others to do the same. If I can do it, ANYONE can.”
Farm to Fork Dinner
Get a taste of the Treasure Valley and College of Western Idaho (CWI) during the Farm to Fork Dinner hosted by CWI agriculture faculty and students. Proceeds from the five-course meal will support CWI’s campus garden, which provides students access to fresh produce and supports their agriculture coursework.
The garden was created in the spring of 2018, from a Wishing Well award by the CWI Foundation.
“When I found out that 40 percent of CWI students experience food insecurity, I wanted to take action,” said Andrea Schumaker, Department Chair of Physical and Agricultural Sciences, who worked on the team to start the garden. “My passion is to feed people and to better educate people on where their food comes from.”
Guests will experience a true farm to fork dinner from produce grown in the garden, within eyeshot of the dinner table, and delicious Wagyu beef from locally-owned Coats Cattle Company. Other partners include McCall Brewing Company, Stella’s Ice Cream, Koenig Distillery, Williamson Orchards and Vineyards, and The Tower Grill. All proceeds will go back to the garden to purchase plants for coming years, repair irrigation, purchase tools, and amend the soil.
SOLD OUT
Farm to Fork Dinner
Friday, Sept. 13, 2019
7 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building, 2nd Floor Atrium
$75 a ticket
New Buildings Arrive at Nampa Campus
Don’t be surprised if you see a 27,000-pound section of building flying through the air, north of the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), as a crew from Pacific Mobile Structures wraps up the installation of three new buildings on Friday, Aug. 16.
Facilities Planning and Management, Enrollment Student Services, and faculty offices supporting Math and Science will use the structures for office space. Each building provides 3,600 square feet, for a total of 10,800 square feet of office space for the College of Western Idaho (CWI).
Moving office space into these buildings will provide an additional classroom in NCAB, as well as needed science preparation space on the second floor. The current student life space at NCAB will be converted into a student lounge and meeting space, to facilitate student engagement and club meeting space. CWI's Facilities Planning and Management team worked on the project from its inception, selecting the design and finishes used in the structures to ensure they are efficient and aesthetically pleasing.
“It is exciting to see new space occurring for the first time on the Nampa campus," said Craig Brown, Executive Vice President of Operations. "Although we elected to use a modular construction format for these buildings, we were very intentional in their location and design to ensure they fit in architecturally and can serve the campus community for years to come."
Faculty and staff are anticipated to move into the buildings after Thanksgiving.
CWI Mobile App
Put CWI in your pocket with our app! The CWI mobile app offers features to make navigating locations, courses, events, and all aspects of CWI convenient.
Once you download the app, follow the link, and enter to win an iPad Mini. The giveaway runs until Jan. 26, 2020.
Discovering a Career Path
Hometown: Meridian, Idaho
Major: Biology
Graduation: 2014
“CWI empowered me with a degree,” said 2014 graduate, Anjulie Thompson. “I wouldn’t have the job I have without it.”
Anjulie was inspired to attend college after her sister enrolled at College of Western Idaho (CWI).
“I was working at a tractor dealership and was not happy with my job. I wanted to find a better job, but was not sure what I wanted to do for a career. I decided to take a few classes at CWI to find out what I really wanted to do with my life.”
She soon discovered her love for Biology.
“My favorite class was Microbiology. In this class we were given the opportunity to grow a colony of bacteria off of any surface we wanted. I chose the bottom of my shoe. Throughout the semester, we performed tests on our colony and recorded the results. At the end of the semester we took all of the data we had collected and worked to decipher what type of bacteria we had been working with. As far as I could tell, I had Cilium bacterium, which can be found in the soil of East Africa or in dog feces. Since I have never been to East Africa, the only conclusion was I had dog poo on the bottom of my shoes. When I gave my presentation, I received a lot of laughs for my results. My project, called The Pet Project, was the most fun I had in college.”
Today, Anjulie uses the skills of transferring bacteria and keeping a colony alive she learned at CWI in her career as a Media Production Technician at Udder Health Systems Inc, a company that provides milk quality and food testing services for the dairy industry.
“I make agar or media to grow bacteria on – the very thing I used for The Pet Project. I love starting with simple ingredients, adding waters, then seeing the end product. It’s really a lot of fun.”
Planning to remain in the biology field long-term, Anjulie is happy to have discovered a career she enjoys.
“Because of CWI, I found confidence in myself and know I can do anything I want. I absolutely love CWI!”
