CWI Compass Connect - Dec. 29, 2020
News Highlights
My Journey to Success
For generations, my family worked as farmers in Myanmar, a country in Southeast Asia, in the rice paddy fields. There was a conflict between Karen people and the Burmese government which led to the Civil War. The Karen had to fight the Burmese in their own country, and many villages were destroyed. Many were killed, people’s homes were taken away, and many people were hurt. Since the Burmese had been at war with Karen, they both hated each other. This made it very difficult for my family to live in their own country. My family immigrated to a Thailand refugee camp because they didn’t feel safe in Myanmar.
While growing up, my family lived a hard life in the Thailand refugee camp. My parents were not legally allowed to work or leave the camp except for specified reasons. There was a lack of many resources and opportunities including the most important thing, an education. Living life in a Thailand refugee camp was difficult, but my parents made the best of the situation. My parents decided to come to America, which is known as a third country for us. They wanted to have an opportunity to pursue happiness for a lifetime. The most important thing is an education. My parents believe that education is the first door of success for my siblings and me.
When I was in Thailand, other people were scurrying around like roaches. When I arrived in America, it seemed as if everything slowed down to a snail's pace, and suddenly the streets outside were quiet and so was the inside of my house. My whole world changed, and everything was new. I came to Idaho when I was about nine years old. Coming to a new country with a new language was very difficult and terrifying. I remember my first day of school and not knowing any English. I wanted to use a restroom but couldn’t ask my teacher because I didn’t know how to speak English. I had faced many challenges such as not knowing how to read or write. I felt uncomfortable whenever I spoke with my teacher because she didn’t understand what I was saying. I had to repeat myself every time I tried to speak to her. As the years go on, I continue to overcome the challenges.
Currently, my brothers and sisters work very hard jobs to make money. My older brother works in a meat packing plant, and my sister works in a cafeteria. I have seen them struggle, and this makes me want to get an education and help them out financially. My parents are currently unable to work due to their health problems, so I want to be able to take care of them. My mom has diabetes, and my dad has heart disease. I see them struggle and in pain every day. Their medication is the only thing keeping them alive.
My parents told me I have the greatest opportunity, and I must use it. Hearing these words from my parents makes me want to work harder than I sometimes can, and it motivates me to study more. As the youngest of six children, I have had the greatest opportunity to get an education and learn how to adapt to American culture. This year will be my second year at College of Western Idaho. I’m currently majoring in Sociology. After I get my associate degree, I plan to transfer to Boise State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work.
After the struggles I've been through and seen, I am determined to make the most of all that is offered here in America. I know receiving an education is the key to my success. I have come this far, and I am excited to get a degree I’m passionate about so I can help myself, my family, and others.
Written by Kaw Paw
Paw is a CWI student studying Sociology. Following graduation, she plans to attend Boise State University.
2020 Emerging Professionals
The Emerging Professionals program exists to recognize outstanding Career Technical Education students for commitment to learning, demonstration of talent in their program, and potential to excel in their chosen industry. Students are nominated by their instructors, and selection is based on academic integrity, innovation, and professionalism both in and outside the classroom. The $1,000 scholarship is designed to help pay for students' second or fourth semester of their program.
Manuel Orozco, a student in the Auto Body Technology program at the College, was nominated as one of this year’s Emerging Professionals by Associate Professor, Sean McConnachie.
“Manuel was very deserving of this award,” said McConnachie. “One of the greatest joys in being an instructor is seeing a student excel and knowing you will be seeing them in the industry in the future. Watching a student grow and become successful is the best reward a teacher can get.”
“This is the first scholarship I have ever received, so it means a lot to me,” said Orozco. “It reaffirms I am doing good in the class and that my efforts are being noticed. I was really surprised when I received it.”
Congratulations to Orozco and the following students nominated as Emerging Professionals for the 2020/2021 academic year:
Manuel Orozco, Auto Body Technology
Nominated by Sean McConnachie
Nathan Acuff, Auto Body Technology
Nominated by Sean McConnachie
Rick Pow, Drafting Technology
Nominated by Rob Green
Alexandra Edwards, Fire Service Technology
Nominated by Darrin Raskopf
Joshua Oquendo, Heavy Duty Truck Technician
Nominated by Rocky Church
Peter Harcey, Horticulture Technology
Nominated by Dan Schultz
Jordan Sellars, Law Enforcement
Nominated by LeRoy Forsman
Carissa Nelson, Law Enforcement
Nominated by LeRoy Forsman
Kimmer Jackson, Law Enforcement
Nominated by LeRoy Forsman
Seth Bright, Network and System Administration
Nominated by Mindy Young
The next group of Emerging Professionals will be selected in November of 2021. Contact Pat Neal, Dean of Industry, Engineering, and Trades, at patneal@cwi.edu to learn more.
Bookstore Gears Up for Spring Semester
While service may look different than it has in the past, College of Western Idaho’s Bookstore is geared up and ready for fall book rental returns and to help students prepare for Spring 2021 semester.
Fall 2020 Semester
The rental book return deadline is Monday, Dec. 21. Books can be returned by mail or in the Bookstore lobby at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, open limited hours through Dec. 23.
Fall Rental Returns and Lobby Hours
Spring 2021 Semester
Please note the following updates to the Bookstore’s service to students, new for Spring 2021 semester:
- Beginning Dec. 28, books and other bookstore items will be available to order online. Online orders will be shipped at no cost Jan. 4 – 28. Students are encouraged to order early to ensure books and items needed for classes arrive on time.
- Financial aid charging will begin Monday, Jan. 4.
- Students wishing to visit the Bookstore in person can make an appointment by email.
Spring Online Ordering, Appointments, and Financial Aid
Learn more by visiting the Bookstore online, emailing bookstore@cwi.edu, or calling 208.562.2401.
Get RAD Challenge Encourages Effective Conversations on Race
Communication and Marketing students at College of Western Idaho (CWI), in partnership with Media students from Boise State University, are challenging you to Get RAD! The Get RAD Challenge is an effort to create and encourage effective conversations about race.
"Launching the #getRADchallenge was a collaborative effort,” said CWI student and Get RAD Lead Marketing Coordinator, Thea Jordan. “More than 80 minds went into making this student project a success. People of all races, backgrounds, and situations worked together to address the question, ‘How do we have effective conversations on race?’ It is grassroots projects like this that make lasting impacts. Students are exploring what makes these conversations challenging and what we can do right now in our own lives to change the narrative."
Bringing this project to life are students in Dan Garrity’s Multimedia Storytelling (COMM 261), Intro to Video Production (COMM 268), and Introduction to Marketing (MRKT 125) classes at CWI, as well as his Studio Television for Community (MEDIA 116) class at Boise State. On Dec. 5, students launched a #getRADchallenge social media campaign on Facebook and Instagram encouraging followers to make personalized changes to the way they listen, communicate, talk about, and deal with discomforts that may accompany discussions on race. Each day during the week of Dec. 7, #getRADchallenge posts prompted followers with a series of challenges encouraging them to get RAD, or radically diverse.
“This is truly their expression,” Garrity said. “I had given them some challenges, but the choice of how to solve the challenges is completely up to them. Along with being an exercise in applying storytelling skills to social justice issues, students also get an exploration of leadership. Each class selects its own Team Lead, and each Lead has very real decisions to make. Teachers are often concerned with providing just the right way to motivate their students; with this project they take care of that all on their own and become completely invested in the project. I’m very proud of their effort this semester, especially how they’ve come up with creative, effective ways to coordinate (5 classes, 80 students) in a remote environment.”
The Get RAD Challenge website, launched Dec. 12, provides an additional platform with resources and information aimed at helping change the narrative about race.
College Partners to Provide Live Fire Training to Local High School Students
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Fire Service Technology program went on the road, Dec. 1 and 2, to Renaissance High School in Meridian for two days of outside of the classroom live, fire-behavior training to support the Renaissance Fire Services programs and their new dual credit offering through CWI, FIRE 120 – Principles of Emergency Services.
CWI’s Director of Public Safety programs, Kevin Platts, and Director of Fire Service Technology, Darrin Raskopf, provided a live demonstration in fire behavior using a recently purchased Fire Dynamics Training Prop providing students with a hands-on experience learning real fire behavior. Producing plenty of smoke, the fire prop simulates a real fire in a simulated room to illustrate how fast fire temperatures can rise and how fire travels from room to room or can “flashover” to a fire in a room without flames present when doors or windows are open or closed. The room also has vents that can open and closed to simulate a firefighter cutting a hole in a hole in the roof of a structure to ventilate the building which could endanger firefighters in the building with smoke or a “flashover” by introducing fresh oxygen to the existing fire in the building.
Renaissance Fire Services students enjoyed the live fire training and seeing real flames in a simulated building, which their teacher said they had not been exposed to prior.
“We hope to see some of these students bridge over from the Renaissance High School Fire Services programs to the CWI Fire Service Technology program to earn an associate degree or basic technical certificate,” commented Platts. “The dual credit fire classes will give them a leg up on reaching their goals of becoming firefighters using their Fast Forward funds for dual credit while in high school.”
Students Join Local Law Enforcement for Shop With a Cop
Members of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Law Enforcement program joined local law enforcement Saturday, Dec. 12, to participate in the Canyon County Shop with a Cop. This year’s event, hosted at the Walmart near the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa, provided nearly 70 local children in need an opportunity to shop for gifts for their families.
CWI Law Enforcement students, participating for the fifth year, had a great time visiting with the kids and local law enforcement while helping wrap gifts.
"In these strange times, it was nice to put away the uncertainty for a few hours and be able to make kids smile," said Law Enforcement student, Carissa Nelson. "It was an honor to be apart of tons of groups that want to make a difference and spread joy in what should be a wonderful time of year."
To top the day off, Santa dropped in, via Zoom, from the North Pole.
Finish Strong and Spring Into Next Semester Successfully
As College of Western Idaho (CWI) prepares to wrap up fall semester, we look forward to continuing to serve students this spring. With five course delivery styles and multiple campus locations to choose from, you can get the education you want, when and where you want it.
Important Dates
Fall 2020 Semester
- Dec. 14-19 – Finals Week
- Dec. 19 – Last Day, Fall 2020 Semester
- Dec. 24-25 – Winter Break (No Classes, Offices Closed)
- Dec. 25 – Fall 2020 Grades Available on myCWI
Spring 2021 Semester
- Dec. 19 – Financial Aid Priority Deadline
- Jan. 1 – New Year’s Day (Offices Closed)
- Jan. 9 – Admission Deadline
- Jan. 15 – Registration Deadline, Tuition and Fees Due
- Jan. 19 – Spring 2021 Classes Begin
Get Started Today!
Complete your application, register for classes, and apply for financial aid.
- Applications and necessary documentation must be received prior to the admission deadline in order to be accepted for spring semester.
- All new, degree-seeking students must complete New Student Orientation prior to registering for classes which is available online once a student has been accepted to CWI.
Contact One Stop Student Services with questions or to learn more.
CWI Introduces New Campus Wi-Fi Network
Beginning Dec. 28, during Winter Break, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Information Technology (IT) team will change the Wi-Fi network connections of CWI-STUDENT and CWI-GUEST, combining them to CWI-PUBLIC.
People visiting campus who historically would have logged into CWI-STUDENT or CWI-GUEST will no longer see these options. Those on campus wanting to sign-in will now see the option to connect to CWI-PUBLIC.
Students and Guests
- Select CWI-PUBLIC from the network list.
- Enter your username and password and agree to the Terms of Use on the login page.
- Guest who do not currently have a username and password can select a link on the Wi-Fi logon page to create an account.
Employees
- Continue to use the CWI-WIFI network.
Please contact the Help Desk with any questions at 208.562.3444.
