CWI Compass Connect - February 18, 2014
In the Spotlight
A number of College of Western Idaho (CWI) programs attended the 2014 Nampa Health Fest on Feb. 8 for a chance to interact and share information with the community. Members of Dental Assisting, Surgical Technology, Nursing, Medical Assisting, and Nursing Assistant were on-hand providing free screenings, giveaways, drawings, and coordinating various activities.
News Highlights
College of Western Idaho Helps Alternative High School Students Gain College Credit
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Dual Credit program has launched a ground breaking new initiative, which has already helped Spanish speaking students from local alternative high schools acquire 272 college credits. The new initiative funded through the J.A. & Kathryn Albertson Foundation’s College Readiness grant is utilizing College Level Examination Program (CLEP) testing to help at-risk students earn college credits.
“Our goal with this initiative is to change the culture of alternative high schools by empowering students who have been often underserved so they might see their potential as they move beyond the secondary system,” says CWI Dual Enrollment Director, Dr. Eric Studebaker. “We want to advocate for students to the best of our ability. We knew these students could benefit from securing the credits, therefore it was our responsibility to support the initiative.”
The CLEP exam, which is recognized by 2,900 colleges and universities nationwide, provides an opportunity to earn college credit through proficiency testing. Through the new College Readiness CLEP initiative, CWI has already helped facilitate the exam for 25 students from two Nampa high schools. In January, 15 students from Ridgeline High School and 10 students from Parkview High School participated and their results were tremendous, as they earned 144 and 128 college credits, respectively.
“The opportunity for these students to take the CLEP and succeed at the rate they are will only help to strengthen the bridge between high school and postsecondary education,” says Coordinator for the CWI College Readiness Project, Stephen Crumrine. “The CLEP has now become an instrument of motivation for students who, realistically, were not considering college. We could not be more proud of their success.”
In total, 11 students have earned 16 college credits (Spanish 101, 102, 201, and 202), and another 12 students have received eight college credits (Spanish 101 and 102).
In addition to paying for students to take the exam, the College Readiness Project also provided transportation, lunch, and a campus tour. CWI’s goal is to continue providing these opportunities for all 10 of the alternative high schools currently served through the College Readiness grant.
The CLEP testing initiative is the latest success story for the College Readiness Project. This past fall, in just the fourth year of the program, CWI helped 162 alternative school students earn credit in college-level courses. The College has also received data from the first College Readiness class, which has seen 23 percent of its students continue on to college; which is higher than the state average.
In January, CWI received a one-year funding extension to the grant. Due to the overwhelming success of the initiative, CWI is actively working to make the College Readiness Project sustainable beyond the life of the grant. For more information on the program please visit the CWI Dual Credit website, and if you are interested in supporting the program please contact the CWI Foundation at 208.562.3100.
CLEP Exam Participant Feedback:
“I was able to earn 16 college credits, which made me feel incredible,” says Parkview student, Stephanie Almeida. “The opportunity was truly awesome.”
“Earning college credits through the [CLEP] test changed my thoughts about college,” says Ridgeline student, Daniel Gomez. “I never thought about college before but now it feels possible.”
“Thank you to the Albertson Foundation and CWI for encouraging us and walking us through this amazing opportunity,” says Parkview Counselor, Jodi Endicott. “The possibility of earning college credit while still in high school has completely changed the mindset of many of our students.”
“I was not really thinking about college before I started taking dual credit classes,” says Parkview HS student, Lisa Villarreal. “Taking the CLEP test and being successful was really exciting for me. It makes me feel more responsible for my future. I think it provides me with so many new opportunities.”
College of Western Idaho Looks to Expand its Ada County Center
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) is acquiring additional leased space in Boise’s Blackeagle Center at the corner of Overland and Maple Grove roads. The College has been leasing space in the Pintail Center of the complex since 2008; the expansion will add space in the Lynx Center, Quail Court, and Mallard Place buildings.
A growing student demand in Ada County and the opportunity to consolidate three ancillary facilities into a more central location are key factors in CWI expanding its footprint in the Blackeagle Center. The additional space will allow CWI to move two more programs off the Boise State University campus and relocate programs offered at the Eagle River and Oak Park Centers.
“We are committed to ensuring access to quality of instruction to the communities we serve and providing exceptional opportunities to succeed beyond CWI,” notes CWI President Bert Glandon. “The expansion of our Ada County Center will better serve the students of Ada County with increased support services in a central location. Long term, CWI is moving to a two campus concept that supports students from both Ada and Canyon counties. This consolidation effort in the Blackeagle Center will help meet the immediate needs while the College continues to explore a permanent location that would be owned by CWI.”
In total, the College will lease more than 81,000 square feet in the complex that will act as the primary location for the 7,000 students CWI currently serves in Ada County each year. CWI will begin tenant improvements in the spaces as soon as possible in preparation for moves occurring later in the spring and into summer. A variety of professional-technical and workforce development courses including healthcare, business, and information technology will be offered at the Ada County Campus. Additionally, the campus will provide Basic Skills Education and increase student support services including a career services, testing and assessment, library, computer lab, bookstore, tutoring, enrollment, and advising. The facilities will be leased through June 2019 with options to extend.
For more information on CWI’s Ada County Campus including a complete directory of services and directions please visit cwi.edu/locations.
Generous Gift of $50,000 Establishes a CWI Speech and Debate Endowment
On Feb. 4, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation received a $50,000 gift from an anonymous donor to establish the CWI Speech and Debate Endowment, which will help fund regional travel expenses and scholarships for the three-time defending national championship program.
“On behalf of CWI, the Speech and Debate program, and our students, I would like to extend my utmost gratitude for this incredible gift,” says Speech and Debate Director, Johnny Rowing. “We truly believe that speech and debate holds the promise to change student lives. This gift will undoubtedly help the program continue to change lives and make dreams come true.”
The contribution comes as CWI Speech and Debate continues to build upon its already rich tradition. In just five years of existence, the College has quickly risen to the pinnacle of the national collegiate speech and debate scene. CWI captured community college national titles in 2011, 2012, and 2013 and will look to bring home its fourth-consecutive championship this March.
In addition to the competitive success, the Speech and Debate program has prided itself on creating a support system for its students while helping prepare them for success after graduating from CWI.
“Speech and debate has saved my college career,” says CWI Speech and Debate co-Captain, Matt Mudd. “I had considered dropping out until the team rejuvenated my drive and love for education. I have seen it do the same for many others. This program is not only important to all of us but to the school and the community as well.”
“Speech and Debate has given me so much,” adds student, Lisa Webb. “There is stress and hard work involved, but I have a team of people who support me to a degree that I have never had before in my life.”
For more information on supporting CWI programs and students including this endowment please visit the CWI Foundation website.
Nursing Program Announces Changes
Effective Fall 2014, new College of Western Idaho (CWI) students with Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) status will enter the CWI Nursing program in a synergistic cohort model covering four semesters. This model will improve collaboration and support in covering the rigorous curriculum – benefiting all nursing students.
Previously, new LPN students did not attend the first semester of the program which led to challenges in adjusting to the academic setting and connecting with fellow students who were entering the second semester.
“We believe that this change will ultimately help students succeed in an inclusive learning environment,” notes CWI Nursing Program Chair Allison Baker. “Our goal is to provide nursing students with the best in education while at CWI so that they are successful in their nursing career.”
As part of the change, the Nursing program will increase the number of spots available in the program to 40 students, up from 32 in previous years. Additionally, LPN students will receive three bonus points toward the Associate of Science in Nursing application (37.9 total points available) increasing the opportunities to be accepted into the program.
For more information on CWI’s Nursing program please visit cwi.edu/academics/nursing or contact One Stop Student Services at 208.562.3000.
Join CWI Night at the Stampede Feb. 28
College of Western Idaho (CWI) and the Idaho Stampede are teaming up to make Feb. 28 CWI Night at the Stampede, providing a fundraising opportunity for student clubs. This is a great opportunity for the College community to take part in an event full of fun and camaraderie, while enjoying a night of basketball downtown and supporting CWI student clubs. The Stampede, Boise’s affiliate of the NBA Development League, will take on the Santa Cruz Warriors at 7 p.m. at CenturyLink Arena. CWI student clubs are selling discounted $10 tickets to the game and the clubs will receive 100 percent of the proceeds.
Tickets must be purchased through a CWI student club representative. More information on CWI Night at the Stampede can be found at cwi.edu/studentlife or by contacting Michelle Cain at michellecain@cwi.edu.
Carson Selected as January Faculty of Distinction
Congratulations Cathy Carson for being selected College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for January.
Carson has done a tremendous job serving as the Faculty Senate President and the faculty representative on numerous committees, including co-chair for CWI College Council. She has excellent leadership skills and is detailed with her communication to constituents on Faculty Senate issues, College Council topics, and Board of Trustee meetings. Along with her extra-curricular service, Cathy is an excellent professor in the classroom. Her energy, positivity, and enthusiasm are contagious, and her focus is always directed to student success.
Congratulations Cathy and thank you for continued dedication to CWI and its students.
February Faculty of Distinction Goes to Kelley
Maia Kelley deserves congratulations for being named February Faculty of Distinction at College of Western Idaho (CWI).
As a new faculty member and Department Chair at CWI, Kelley has shown significant dedication to both the math faculty and student success. She has recently spent a great deal of time working with the new IncludEd model for delivering course materials to students directly through their Blackboard environment. Kelley has worked tirelessly to learn the CWI methods and processes, forge a new path as the first mathematics department chair, as well as begin work on a complete developmental mathematics curriculum redesign. Kelley has a never-give-up attitude and willingness to spend extraordinary amounts of time on behalf of her math faculty.
Please join in congratulating Maia as February Faculty of Distinction. Thank you for all you do.
February Staff of the Month Named
Please join in congratulating Kristin Clovis, who has been named February Staff of the Month at College of Western Idaho (CWI).
Clovis has been with CWI since October 2011 as part of Business Partnerships/Workforce Development. Starting as an Administrative Assistant, Clovis’ financial talents were quickly recognized. She is now the Finance Specialist for BPWD. Currently, Clovis has taken on a lead role in the migration of Aceware to Colleague. Her attention to detail and dedication has already proved to be an asset as she helped compile a comprehensive list of the courses offered while also working on a common naming convention for when courses are entered into Colleague.
Clovis received a bachelor’s degree in Accountancy from the University of Idaho. In her free time, she says she enjoys hanging out with her friends and her adorable dog Stanley.
Congratulations Kristin and thank you for all you do!
