CWI Compass Connect - December 2, 2014
In the Spotlight
On Nov. 8, College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted the STEM Out! Into PTE event sponsored by CWI and the Idaho Career Pioneer Network. Over 100 participants attended the event hosted at CWI’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education. The goal of the program is to introduce sixth through ninth grade girls to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations in Professional Technical Education (PTE). Throughout the day each attendee participated in six hands-on workshops—presented by CWI faculty and students—showcasing nearly all of the College’s PTE programs. The event was a huge success thanks to the creativity and participation of the faculty. Incredibly, the number of girls expressing interest in a STEM or non-traditional career rose from 27 percent at the beginning of the event to 65 percent at the end of the day.
News Highlights
CWI Facts at a Glance Updated
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fall 2014 Facts at a Glance is now available. CWI Facts at a Glance provides a statistical overview of the College and is a valuable resource for learning more about the CWI. CWI Marketing and Advancement will also have hard copies available this month at each campus location. Visit cwi.edu/info/facts-glance to view Facts at a Glance online.
CWI Returns to Festival of Trees
College of Western Idaho (CWI) returned to the Canyon County Festival of Trees, Nov. 28 – Dec. 1, with an entry in the annual fundraising event for the second consecutive year. The event, hosted at the Ford Idaho Center, serves as a benefit for Canyon County Meals on Wheels. The CWI tree was sponsored by the College’s Fun and Culture Committee and designed by the CWI Horticulture Club. This year’s theme was Silver Bells.
Speech and Debate Finishes Fall Slate with Win
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Speech and Debate continued a successful start to the 2014-15 season with a first-place Division III victory at the 84th-annual Mahaffey Memorial hosted by Linfield College in McMinnville, Ore. The competition, held Nov. 14-16, included 34 schools from the Northwest Forensics Conference. This marks the second consecutive year CWI has captured top Division III honors at the event.
“I cannot overstate how honored I am to be a part of this team” says Assistant Director of Forensics Jim Gatfield. “Of the 22 competitors, 19 are in their first year of college forensics, making this a truly impressive victory.”
CWI Speech and Debate will now focus on preparing for the spring semester of competitions.
CWI’s Micron Center Receives National Recognition
The renovation of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Micron Center for Professional Technical Education has received national attention, as CWI and Hummel Architects have been recognized in Outstanding Designs by American Schools and Universities Magazine. The publication recently released its 2014 Educations Interiors Showcase, which features the Micron Center in its Vocational/Industrial arts category.
Bettencourt Recognized with Staff of the Month Honor
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is pleased to announce CWI’s November Staff of the Month honor has been awarded to Kim Bettencourt.
Bettencourt joined CWI in May 2008 and is currently a Manager at the One Stop Student Services location at Ada County Campus. In her time at CWI, Bettencourt has served as One Stop Coordinator, One Stop Advisor, One Stop Manager at Canyon County Center, and Manager of Recruitment.
“Acting with integrity” is a Core Value that Bettencourt applies every day in her work with fellow employees and with students. This includes recognizing that she is a model for those whom she leads and that honesty and fairness in all relations with others is very important.
Bettencourt has a bachelor’s degree in Childcare Administration from the State University of New York. She has lived in Idaho since 1993. Bettencourt says she, her husband, and three children love spending their free time fishing, camping, hiking, and skiing. Most recently, they have enjoyed introducing her two grandchildren to all the beauty and adventure Idaho has to offer. In December she will welcome another grandson to her family. Bettencourt says she also enjoys photography and sitting down with a good book in her free time.
Please join in congratulating Kim. Thank you for your commitment and continued dedication to CWI and its faculty, staff, and students.
