CWI Compass Connect - Dec. 8, 2020

Students listened as Luis Granados described a Pythagorean triangle when a group of visitors arrived in his classroom at Breaking Chains Academy of Development in Nampa.

Granados, Executive Director of the organization helping youth break the chains of gang violence and provide educational opportunities; surprised by the visit, took a step back from the whiteboard and greeted the guests.

Nampa City Council member, Jean Mutchie, highlighted the life-changing work being done at Breaking Chains Academy and introduced Patrick Tanner, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services, who presented Granados with a full-ride scholarship to the College for a year. The sound of clapping filled the room as students and visitors celebrated the announcement.

“It’s an honor to further my education, not only to effectively run our organization, but also to set the bar for the youth we have here,” said Granados. “People say, ‘you can’t be what you can’t see,’ so when they’re finally able to see someone from their neighborhood who looks like them, talks like them, and knows their family attending College, that bar gets set higher and they realize they can achieve it.”

CWI is a resource for students and is pleased to assist in their continued education.

“He is often the very inspiration that his students need,” said Tanner. “This is why we at CWI are so pleased to support Luis and the students. While they may have faced some tough circumstances in the past, they are committed to being a part of a new community of leaders in the Treasure Valley.”

In addition to Mutchie and Tanner, Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling; Nampa Council member, Victor Rodriguez; and Nampa Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Mitch Minnette, were in attendance along with a videographer from Idaho Public Television – working on a documentary of the organization.

”I have big dreams for these guys. I have big dreams for the school – dreams of expanding growing adding services; adding longer education hours to support teenagers who work during the day to support their parents and grandparents,” Granados added. “I’m just dreaming big; I dream big not just for the school, but for the community to build bridges.”

On Oct. 30, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) International Club hosted its second-annual Cultural Meet and Greet. Held virtually via Zoom this year, the event gave club members an opportunity to share their different cultures and customs with attendees as well as give away gift certificates to local ethnic restaurants.

The event featured interviews and a Q&A session with two, foreign-born CWI students, Kaw Paw and Tawa Giwa. Kaw Paw, a second-year student studying Social Work, came to the United States with her family from a Thailand refugee camp when she was nine years old.

“I remember my first day of school not knowing how to speak English,” Paw recalled. “Things were difficult and challenging because of the language barrier. After the challenges and struggles I've been through, 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 came this far, and I am excited to earn a degree I’m passionate about so I can help my family, my community, and others.”

The second interviewee, Tawa Giwa, is an Engineering student and the International Club’s Vice President. Originally from Nigeria, she is attending CWI on an F1 Visa as an international student.

“I have had a unique experience at the College,” said Giwa. “It has been great because of the professors, friends, the International Club, and everything that makes it feel like a community I belong to. The International Club has helped me build a close community of people I can learn and share about myself while having fun.”

“Although the club has struggled to gain momentum from COVID last spring,” said International Club Co-Advisor, Erica Compton, “students are determined to show up each week and think of ways to engage with one another and others in a safe format. While we may be lacking human connection, connecting virtually last month at the Cultural Meet and Greet gave students and staff a chance to connect and celebrate our diversity.”

Learn more about CWI’s International Club, and get involved!

College of Western Idaho (CWI) will conduct a test of its alert notification system, CWI Alerts, to help ensure the CWI community is notified of any potential emergency situations. The test will occur on Thursday, Dec. 10, at approximately 3 p.m. CWI uses Rave Mobile Safety to inform students, employees, and the extended College community of critical situations.

Employees and students are automatically enrolled to receive alerts to their CWI email and any phone numbers provided when joining the College. To ensure the safety of the CWI community and provide timely emergency messages, it is important that current contact information is provided. Students and employees can update their contact information by visiting cwi.edu/alerts.

CWI partners and friends may also sign up to receive CWI Alerts. The service is free, but text messaging fees may be charged from cellular providers.

CWI Alerts are only used for critical circumstances including severe weather, snow closures, utility failure, hazardous material spills, violent incidents, and other situations with the potential to affect the health or safety of people on campus. Please email communications@cwi.edu with any questions.