CWI Compass Connect - December 17, 2015
In the Spotlight
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) is proud to present its annual holiday greeting. Every year CWI wishes happy holidays to employees, students, and community supporters by sharing a festive video. This year’s greeting features 15 student and employee groups experiencing the chaos of preparing for the holidays. We hope you enjoy the video, which can be seen at cwi.edu/holiday.
News Highlights
CWI Holiday Schedule
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will be changing its hours of operation surrounding the upcoming holidays. Here are some of the important dates and times to note.
- Dec. 24-26 – closed
- Dec. 31 – close at 5 p.m.
- Jan. 1-2 – closed
For more information on CWI’s hours of operation please visit cwi.edu/info/hours-operation.
CWI’s Fall 2015 Facts Released
College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Fall 2015 Facts at a Glance is now available to view online. The annual publication provides a statistical overview of the College and is a valuable resource for learning more about CWI. The information included in Facts at a Glance supports the messages being shared about who the College serves and the impact CWI is making in the community.
CWI Marketing and Advancement will be delivering hard copies to each campus location in the next couple weeks. Visit cwi.edu/info/facts-glance to view Facts at a Glance online.
College of Western Idaho Proceeding Forward with Purchase of Property in Boise
Upon completion of due diligence for the property at the corner of Main Street and Whitewater Blvd. in Boise, the College of Western Idaho Board of Trustees has decided to waive conditions and continue forward with the intent to purchase the land as amended with a reduction of $150,000. The Board made their decision based on a thorough review of factors such as cost, environmental test, land surveys, audits, development options, comments from city officials, and community input.
“After reviewing all the factors associated with long-term development on the property, we believe it will be the best solution for a permanent Ada County Campus,” stated Guy Hurlbutt, CWI Board Vice Chairperson. “The property offers great access and the capacity to build a campus that meets the needs of our community, with the added potential to be a great anchor for Boise’s West End.”
At this time, CWI will continue providing classes in the leased facilities in the Black Eagle complex while the College continues work on programming and design for the permanent campus.
“The process of community input through the insight and visioning session conducted by CTA Architects Engineers was a great start that will aid us in our continued exploration of programming and designing a campus,” notes Vice Chair Hurlbutt. “Currently, the College has completed programming for two additional buildings on the College’s main campus in Nampa for a Health Sciences building and a Student Success Center, a mixed use building that includes student support services. Consolidation of leased building and development in both Ada and Canyon Counties will ensure educational offerings are accessible to students throughout our community.”
CWI’s enrollment has grown to more than 20,000 students a year being served through academic and workforce training. To keep up with the demand for an educated and career ready workforce, the College has assumed leased spaces in business complexes that cost more than $2 million a year. These locations are not ideal for long-term sustainability and program growth. To continue to help bridge the skills gaps of individuals and businesses of Ada and Canyon Counties, CWI is planning for the future by investing in permanent campus facilities in Boise and Nampa along with robust online tools.
POST Designation Granted to CWI Law Enforcement Program
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Law Enforcement program has received an important designation, being granted full certification by the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The POST Assessment Team conducted a site visit on Dec. 1 and recommended full certification at the organization’s quarterly meeting on Thursday (Dec. 10).
The certification is for one year initially and will move to a two year accreditation cycle following another assessment in December 2016.
Law Enforcement Program Chair, LeRoy Forsman, said the Assessment Team, the Deputy Director of POST, and numerous Council members were highly complementary of CWI’s program. “They were impressed that we started building our program less than one year ago and have been so successful in so little time.”
Mexican Consulate Awards $6,000 for CWI Scholarships
The effort to expand educational opportunities for Hispanic students attending College of Western Idaho (CWI) is getting a financial boost. On Friday, Nov. 20, CWI was invited to participate in an official awarding ceremony at the Consulate of Mexico in Boise. During the ceremony, the Consul of Mexico, Celso Humberto Delgado Ramirez, presented the CWI Foundation with a $6,000 donation to be used for scholarships.
CWI is one of four local organizations chosen to receive funding from the Institute for Mexicans Abroad (IME) Scholarship fund. This marks the fourth consecutive year the College has received the donation. During the official presentation, each organization was recognized for its contributions to education in the Treasure Valley. During Consul Ramirez’s speech, he emphasized the importance of the education sector saying it is a fundamental pillar in the foundation and development of Mexico.
CWI has been actively working on its Hispanic community outreach initiatives for the past few years. As a result, more than 2,000 Hispanic students attend CWI each year for Basic Skills Education and college credit courses.
- 1,274 are credit-seeking students
- 988 are enrolled in Basic Skills Education classes
“We have done a lot to increase college access for Hispanic students, and there is more to be done,” says Luis Caloca, CWI’s director of enrollment management. “Right now, we are focusing our efforts on creative, non-traditional ways to reach the Hispanic community. We are also working with parents to help educate them on the importance of preparing their children for college.”
Caloca, who attended the ceremony with the Foundation’s Executive Director Mitch Minnette, spoke at the event—publicly thanking the Consulate for its generous donation.
Grant Opens Doors for Health Science Students
More doors are opening for students in health science programs at College of Western Idaho (CWI). The CWI Foundation received a $2,000 grant from the John William Jackson Fund (JWJF). The grant, which was awarded through the Idaho Community Foundation (ICF), will be used to support four $500 scholarships.
The JWJF was created in 2000. It is named in honor of Meridian, Idaho native John Jackson; a Centennial High School and Georgetown University graduate. Jackson was conducting graduate research at the University of Montana when he died in a climbing accident in Central Asia. The Fund awards projects that support education, the performing arts, and outdoor sports for Idaho youth.
“The JWJF is dedicated to providing academic opportunities to Idaho students who show a strong potential for being integral members of our communities,” Virgi Blaine, the Fund’s Vice President of Community Relations, said. “CWI makes higher education accessible and provides fundamental instruction for students to succeed. We are proud to support CWI, its staff and its students as we work to advance academic excellence in Idaho.”
The scholarships will be available to full-time, second-year students with a 3.0 or higher grade point average who are able to demonstrate that they would not be able to attend college without financial assistance. Students in the following health science fields who meet the requirements will be eligible to apply;
- All areas of nursing (pre-, practical, registered)
- All areas of surgical technology
- All areas of dental assisting
- Medical (assistant-credit and certificate- and administrative support)
- Pre-pharmacy
- Physical therapy
- Biology – Healthcare
The scholarship application period begins February 1. Once awarded, the scholarships will be disbursed in $250 increments for the Fall and Spring semesters.
CWI Groups Volunteer for Shop with a Cop
On Saturday, Dec. 5, students from the College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Law Enforcement Program and Criminal Justice Club spent the morning at a local Kmart wrapping presents for 87 children. The volunteer effort was all in support of the Shop with a Cop program.
Officers from Canyon County, Owyhee County, Nampa Police, Parma Police, Wilder/Greenleaf Police, and Homedale Police met with children for breakfast at a local church. They proceeded to Kmart with lights and sirens in a low speed procession where they were greeted by nearly 100 volunteers and Santa. Each child shopped for gifts for their families with an officer before meeting with Santa and receiving a personal gift.
The CWI students participated by wrapping gifts, locating special items on the gift lists, and helping shoppers navigate the store. This marks the third consecutive year CWI students have taken part in the event. Many of them have described the morning as eye opening and life changing.
CWI Law Enforcement Program Chair LeRoy Forsman, who volunteered as Santa, adds that the event is amazing each year. “I’ve been involved in this almost every year since it started, first as an officer and now as Santa. The kids truly have the Christmas Spirit. As Santa, I’ve been asked for everything from gifts for their siblings, to getting their divorced parents reunited, to making people just be nice to each other. It really tugs at your heartstrings”.
The program has been in place locally for nearly 25 years. Children in need are identified through schools and other means. The officers volunteer their time for the event. Shop with a Cop is financed through community and civic organization donations as well as law enforcement organization donations.
POW/MIA Flag Presented to CWI Veteran’s Association
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) student Veteran’s Association was the recipient of a meaningful presentation this week. On Monday, Nov. 30, the group was given a POW/MIA flag by the Boise Valley POW/MIA Corporation. They offered this gift to the Veteran’s Association as a token of appreciate for the students’ faithful and dedicated service to veterans, service members, and their families in the community. This flag is particularly special as it flew over the Idaho State Veteran’s Cemetery for two years. Thank you to the Boise Valley POW/MIA Corporation for providing this generous gift to CWI.
