CWI Compass Connect - August 29, 2024
News Highlights
The 2024 State of the College Address Recap
College of Western Idaho (CWI) President, Gordon Jones, delivered the 2024 State of the College Address to faculty, staff, and community on Wednesday, August 14, at the Galaxy Event Center in Meridian, ID.
Preceding the Address, well-deserved recognition was awarded to outstanding staff and faculty. The 2024 Staff of the Year Award was presented to Sara Matson, Senior ERP Analyst in IT, and the 2024 Faculty of Distinction Award went to Belenda Snow, Nursing Simulation Faculty. Additionally, 160 employees who reached their 5, 10, and 15 years of service were applauded as their names were displayed.
A new honor — the Pillar Award — was presented to two employees who have steadfastly supported and given to the CWI Foundation since its inception in 2009: Jana McCurdy and Courtney Ronan.
The State of the College Address was then delivered by President Jones and served as launching pad for the new school year, an opportunity to welcome faculty and staff, celebrate highlights from the past year, and provide vision moving forward. His presentation showcased several of CWI’s transformational programs, including Workforce Development and Dual Credit, the BAS degree, and Farm to Fork among many others.
Also introduced was the new Artificial Intelligence (AI) Committee, a group of 18 faculty and staff whose focus will be to ethically and safely integrate AI into CWI’s academic programs and operations. Leadership will be provided by Jillana Finnegan as well as important contributions from faculty, including AI innovators Liza Long and Joel Gladd, both of whom have been recognized by the Idaho State Board of Education.
President Jones provided updates about the impressive progress being made on campus development projects. This included the recent news that, thanks to a major gift, Ag students will soon be doing their work in what will now be known as the Simplot Agriculture Building.
Culture and collaboration were a central focus of the address. “As we continue to elevate our focus, we must also recognize the significance of culture – specifically a culture that collectively commits to our mission and which understands that getting our work done together is equally important as the work itself,” President Jones said. “We are working towards the greatest good for CWI as a team. It’s not about any one department or person; it’s about the collective success of our entire community.”
Lastly and with fanfare, the new CWI mascot — the Otter — was unveiled to celebrate a new chapter in CWI’s history. Those wanting a closer look can check it out on the website, across campus on posters, and on new items available in the bookstore.
Those unable to make the address can view it on our YouTube channel, linked below.
Let's Go Otters
The new College of Western Idaho's (CWI) mascot was launched on August 14 during 2024 State of the College Address. Through an inclusive and collaborative journey and in partnership with our campus community, the Otter was established as CWI’s official mascot.
The Otter serves as a symbol for our thriving community to rally around while also paying tribute to the accomplishments and growth at CWI. This mascot will embody the curious, resilient, dynamic, and collaborative spirit of the College, mirroring our students’ ability to thrive and innovate in any field or environment.
You can learn about River the Otter at cwi.edu/mascot and follow the inspiration and creative journey that went into it's development. Explore a behind-the-scenes look at logo and wordmark designs, the anatomical analysis, and the brand guide for usage.
Ready to sport your Otter spirit? Visit the CWI Bookstore to find Otter gear such as t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, and more.
If you have any questions about the mascot, reach out to Marketing & Communications at communications@cwi.edu.
Let’s Go Otters!
Veterans Gain a Degree Pathway Through CWI Partnership with Mission43
College of Western Idaho's (CWI) mission to provide an affordable and accessible education for all has new support from Mission 43, a charitable organization that serves retired military veterans and their spouses in the state of Idaho.
Mission43 had been looking for an educational partner to create an easy-to-navigate path for veterans to receive college credit for past military training. CWI stepped up to the plate and created an Associate of Applied Science degree in Management, which can be completed in as little as one semester for qualified veterans. With a generous scholarship from Mission43 for their members, the degree provides an excellent opportunity for veterans.
Support from Mission43 also allowed CWI to hire a dedicated Veterans Services Coordinator. Shannon Kerr began working for the College in January of this year.
Mission43, an initiative of the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, is committed to supporting Idaho's post-9/11 servicemen, women, and their spouses by providing the resources they need for a successful transition after leaving the military, allowing them to excel academically, in their next career, and within their communities.
CWI and Mission43 have worked together closely to level up support for veterans, with College staff attending a coffee hour at the Mission43 Fieldhouse and traveling to Boise to record a podcast.
Additionally, roughly 60 CWI students and staff veterans attended a luncheon in May where they heard from the Mission43 Director, Dan Nelson; Education Director, Alison Garrow; and Idaho Backcountry Veterans.
The College also attended the Gowen Field Education and Employment workshop with Mission43 — an event that provided opportunities for students to meet and learn about other organizations that support veterans.
