CWI Compass Connect - December 30, 2015
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) celebrated cultures from around the world on Dec. 10 with the inaugural World Village Day event at CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building. Hosted by the CWI Art Club and English as a Second Language program, World Village Day included student presentations and performances that showcased cultural diversity. Performance groups included Ballet Folklorico, Hombres Derancho, and Boise’s Bosnian Dancing group.
News Highlights
Helping Single Parents Achieve Their Academic Dreams
For some people, a scholarship can mean the difference between going to college or not. Nikki Houston has witnessed the struggle firsthand in her job as an enrollment advisor at College of Western Idaho (CWI). Believing everyone should have the ability to go to school, Nikki has created a scholarship through the CWI Foundation that will help single parents achieve their academic dreams.
“I am in no way rich, but I felt strongly enough about this cause that I had to do something,” she said.
Nikki has worked at CWI since 2011. She started as the Foundation’s administrative assistant then transferred to Facilities for a few years before landing in Student Services. Her job involves visiting local high schools and talking to potential students about the benefits of going to college. Many of the people she talks to are at-risk students. She says a conversation with a single, pregnant teenage girl pushed her over the edge. The girl knew she wanted to go to college but thought she couldn’t afford it.
“It absolutely broke my heart,” she said. “Growing up, I never saw that side before. But when I heard her story, and several others like it, I could relate.”
Although Nikki is a high school and college graduate, she knows what it’s like to struggle. She escaped a relationship that left her physically abused, broke, and without a place to live.
“I had a job and a degree, but I still had nothing,” she said. “I lost absolutely everything. And I was homeless... with a baby.”
With her infant son Logan, Nikki turned to her parents for help. They took her in and she started to rebuild her life. It has taken a few years. Through it all, she has never lost sight of what it means to be a single parent—something else that drove her desire to create a scholarship.
“Shortly after I started my new job, I talked to my family about what I was seeing,” she said. “I asked them to match my $250 donation to establish the scholarship, and they did it.”
The “LTH Don’t Give Up” Scholarship is named after her son; Logan Thomas Houston—a bright-eyed, wide-smiled, two year-old.
“I named the scholarship after him because he makes me want to do better,” she said. “I wouldn’t be where I am without him.”
Nikki left the scholarship open hoping others will add to the donation. Her hopes are becoming a reality as fellow CWI employees have contributed to the fund. Her ultimate wish is to grow the scholarship to become self-sustaining as an endowment.
CWI Publishes New Career Focus Magazine
The spring 2016 edition of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Career Focus Magazine is available online after more than 50,000 copies hit Treasure Valley mailboxes in December. The magazine can be viewed online at cwidaho.mycareerfocus.org. Please email communications@cwi.edu for hardcopies.
Healthcare Partners Provide Valuable Experience for CWI Students
Students from College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Multicultural Nursing Assistant class had a tremendous real-world learning opportunity on Dec. 12, conducting practice interviews with local healthcare providers. CWI partnered with 15 local businesses to conduct mock interviews for students graduating from the program this month.
Pam Hodges, CWI’s Nursing Assistant program manager, joined forces with CWI’s Basic Skills Education program to host the event. The goal of the mock interviews was to help students learn skills needed to successfully complete a job interview and gain employment in the healthcare industry.
Each participating organization spent seven minutes with a student to provide insight into interviewing with their organization and feedback on the students’ interviewing skills. Upon completion of the two hour mock interviews the students walked away with feedback from each interview, including strengths and opportunities for improvement.
The exercise was incredibly valuable for the class as the students come from all over the world with varying backgrounds. The program helps students learn English at the same time they are learning the skills to become Certified Nursing Assistants in the healthcare industry.
Special thanks to the groups that volunteered:
- CWI Career Services
- A Better Care Home Health
- Emerson House
- Kindred Rehabilitation and Healthcare
- Avamere Rehabilitation and Healthcare
- Good Samaritan Rehabilitation and Healthcare
- Genesis Rehabilitation and Healthcare (Meridian and Apex in Boise)
- Bright Star Home Health
- Heart N Home Hospice
- Brookdale Assisted Living
- Touchmark Assisted Living
- Overland Court Assisted Living
- ComForCare Homecare
- Progressive Nursing
Monroe Selected for December Staff Award
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month honor has been awarded to Kris Monroe.
Monroe has been with CWI since 2010. She started as a work study student and was hired as a computer lab monitor and tutor while obtaining her associate degree. She is currently working in the Business Office as a student accounts receivable specialist and was previously a financial aid specialist. She holds an associate degree in Applied Accounting.
Monroe embraces the core values; Serving in an Atmosphere of Caring and Acting with Integrity. Her nomination notes that she worked diligently to make the Fast Forward Funding for Dual Credit a great success. Her attention to detail and follow through are impressive. She is an irreplaceable asset and has helped the program through its infancy and tremendous growth. The tasks she has taken on have been time consuming and complicated, but she remains dependable, efficient, and friendly. She makes herself available to answer questions and does so with a warm and cheerful attitude. Her coworkers could not get their work done without her. She is truly an asset to the CWI family.
Prior to returning to school at CWI, Monroe worked at Micron for over 18 years as a technician and trainer. As a result of the economic downturn and layoffs she was able to return to college with the help of Trade Adjustment Assistance and now has the pleasure of assisting students and organizations in utilizing this program and many others. In addition, as a parent of a high school senior, CWI’s Dual Credit students hold a special place in her heart. She enjoys facilitating their use of the various Advanced Opportunity programs.
In her personal life, Monroe loves spending time with her son and husband. Whether it is taking a road trip, visiting family, or hanging out at home. Big changes are coming to her family as her son, Phillip, is turning 18 and will soon be graduating from high school and going to college.
Please join in congratulating Kris on her accomplishment.
Honorable Mention
Matthew Barber
Reese Receives December Faculty Award
Please join in congratulating Randy Reese for being selected College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) December Faculty of the Month.
Reese is an assistant professor in the Communication program. He devotes time to his students both inside and outside the classroom. His nomination states, “Randy recently attended a two-day weekend workshop with students from the CWI Media Professionals Club on how to make low-budget movies. He has also written and produced short films for students to star in and work as crew. Last year Reese, along with students from the Media Professionals Club, produced two short films.
In addition, he serves as a board member at Treasure Valley Community Television and helps maintain the local access cable channel for the community. Students benefit from this resource as classes are held at the station, giving them a real-world setting to learn production skills. Reese is also highly skilled at conflict management and relational communication, giving colleagues a valuable resource for ideas, lesson plans, and solutions. He always has great advice and ideas for making the workplace more productive and enjoyable.
Thank you Randy for your hard work and dedication to CWI.
