CWI Compass Connect - August 8, 2019
Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) announced a new partnership in July focused on empowering educators with knowledge to teach SWIFT coding to students across the Treasure Valley. The Onramp Program, a partnership between CWI, Boise State University, Idaho Digital Learning Academy, and Apple, will be piloted in the Boise and Wilder school districts. The College is excited to be involved in this innovative program and looks forward to the opportunities it will provide to students.
10-Year Celebration
Listen as faculty, students, and graduates – each with a unique story of determination, desire, fear, motivation, and accomplishment – share how CWI has empowered their lives.
CWI in the News
Idaho Matters: CWI considers new funding options for expansion
KIVI Channel 6: College of Western Idaho hosts town hall on upcoming capital projects
Idaho Press: CWI considers levy, other ways to fund expansion
News Highlights
Uncovering Talent
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Major: Communication
Graduation: 2014
“CWI empowered me to know my voice matters – that I matter,” said 2014 alumna, Hawley Williams. “CWI gave me a chance to better myself and realize all I was capable of.”
Following high school, Hawley struggled to find a college that was the right fit for her. Attempting her education first at a university, then online, she was left feeling overwhelmed, unsatisfied, and not knowing where she belonged. She came to College of Western Idaho (CWI) to find what was missing.
“I wanted to do something meaningful with my life and do something for ME and only me. I wanted my degree so bad! I knew I needed to be back in an actual classroom and around people.”
At CWI, Hawley chose to study Communication.
“I wanted a degree I could use in a variety of ways both in my career and personal life. I fell in love with the way we communicate as humans and how communication is different all over the world and in different families, relationships, and aspects of life.”
As a member of the College’s Speech and Debate team, she found a home away from home.
“Our team was more than a team, they were family to me. Speech and Debate did something for me that I will never be able to repay. It helped uncover a talent and light in me I didn’t fully know was there.”
Following her time at CWI, Hawley transferred to Boise State University graduating in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in Communication. She is currently the Office Coordinator and Swag Manager for Clickfunnels, a software company based in Eagle, Idaho, that helps grow businesses online.
“Because of CWI, I was able to grow educationally and personally. My instructors pushed me to be who I am today. I have friends and memories I will have forever and experiences I will never forget. Thank you, CWI, from every inch of my heart!”
Town Hall Meeting a Success
There was a full house on Tuesday, July 16, with more than 100 people attending College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Capital Project Town Hall. Three scenarios, for different building and funding options, were presented to meet current and future educational needs of CWI students.
“I would like to thank all of the faculty, students, staff, and taxpayers who attended the meeting,” said Skip Smyser, Chairperson of CWI’s Board of Trustees. “Craig Brown, Executive Vice President of Operations, gave an excellent presentation highlighting the options for capital improvement projects at CWI!”
Explore the various building options discussed during the presentation in the attached PDF.
Contact College Relations at 208.562.2222 or communications@cwi.edu with questions.
Collins Named Idaho Writer in Residence
Malia Collins, an Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing at College of Western Idaho, was named Idaho Writer in Residence by the Idaho Commission on the Arts.
“Collins writes splendid prose full of warmth and vivid imagery," said a panel of judges who reviewed her work.
According to a press release from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, Idaho’s Writer in Residence is the highest literary recognition accorded an Idaho writer and those selected embody preeminent quality in the literary field, complemented by the ability to deliver compelling readings.
Collins joins literary luminaries such as Diane Raptosh (2013), Brady Udall (2010), Anthony Doerr (2007), and Kim Barnes (2004). She will receive $10,000 and serve a two-year term, beginning July 1.
Students SCORE Big at the Ballpark
Thank you to the students, alumni, family, and friends of the College of Western Idaho (CWI) community who joined us at the ballpark for a night of baseball and fundraising during CWI Night at the Boise Hawks Thursday, June 27. The evening kicked off with a ceremonial first pitch thrown by CWI student, Juan Gurrola. Gurrola, a Computer Science major, returned to school to learn new skills and create more opportunities for advancement in his career.
Congratulations to Zach Douglas, winner of a $1,000 SCORE Big Scholarship awarded during the game. Douglas recently graduated from Borah High School and plans to attend CWI this fall to study Psychology. Nine additional students who attended the event will each receive a $500 scholarship as part of the SCORE Big 2.0 Scholarship giveaway.
"I'm very excited about this scholarship," Douglas said. "It means so much and will help me fund my education. Go CWI!"
Group ticket sales for the event raised nearly $350. The funds, presented to the CWI Foundation by the Boise Hawks mascot, Humphrey the Hawk, will go directly back to the SCORE Big Scholarship fund.
Join us next February for CWI Night at the Idaho Steelheads – stay tuned for more information!
