CWI Compass Connect - February 23, 2017
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) welcomed the public to campus on Thursday (Feb. 16) for an interactive look at CWI’s Career and Technical Education programs. The College hosted its annual Program and Career Expo (PACE) event at the Micron Center for Professional Technical Education. Attendees were able to explore CWI while engaging in hands-on activities and demonstrations from CWI’s career-technical programs. Thank you to everyone involved for helping make this another great event.
News Highlights
CWI Granted Independent Accreditation
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is pleased to announce it has been granted initial accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). While pursuing independent accreditation, CWI has delivered college credit instruction, certificates, and degrees through a memorandum of understanding with the College of Southern Idaho. CWI’s initial accreditation status is effective Sept. 1, 2016.
“I am overjoyed at the news from our colleagues with the NWCCU,” says CWI President, Dr. Bert Glandon. “This decision is the result of tireless work from so many people. It lays the foundation for tremendous opportunities for the College moving forward.”
The NWCCU made the decision following CWI’s year seven self-evaluation report and site visit this past October. CWI has been recognized by the NWCCU as a candidate for accreditation since February 2012.
Independent accreditation will allow CWI more flexibility to modify curriculum and add new degree programs to best meet the needs of the local community and students. Accreditation is also required for CWI and its enrolled students to continue accessing federal funds to support teaching, research, and student financial aid. Finally, regional accreditation provides a way for post-secondary institutions to ensure quality instruction and service, as well as institutional improvement, by voluntarily submitting to a regulatory process.
CWI will now enter the Commission’s seven-year accreditation cycle, which includes periodic evaluations and site visits.
Scholarships Application Open for 2017-18 School Year
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) online scholarships application opened Feb. 1 for the 2017-18 academic year. There are currently over 30 scholarship opportunities available to students in CWI’s academic and career-technical programs. Current CWI students and future students who have finished the admission process are eligible to apply.
CWI’s online scholarships application is now easier than ever. Once applicants submit the General Application, the Associate Degree or Career and Technical Degree/Certificate application consists of only three questions that are used to match a student to all scholarships they are eligible for. Most scholarships have a component of demonstrated need that determines scholarship recipients. Students should also make sure the FAFSA is completed so they do not miss out on being considered for all awards.
The application closes April 30. Visit cwi.edu/scholarships for more information.
CWI Signs Transfer Agreement with Southern New Hampshire University
College of Western Idaho (CWI) and Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) have announced an agreement that provides direct transfer opportunities between the two institutions. Through the partnership, CWI graduates can fully transition their associate degree into an online bachelor’s degree program at SNHU with the confidence that their CWI coursework will transfer. In addition, CWI employees and their immediate family members are offered a 10 percent tuition reduction at SNHU.
“Community college graduates often look for opportunities to continue their education by transferring credits to a bachelor’s degree program,” explains William Hartglass, Vice President of Undergraduate Marketing at SNHU’s College of Online and Continuing Education. “Partnerships, like this one with the College of Western Idaho, alleviate that concern by creating a direct pathway from an associate degree to a bachelor’s degree. We are always eager to work with community colleges that are looking to help students find ways to continue their education and achieve their personal and professional goals. This gives us the opportunity to share our resources and further our commitment to students.”
SNHU is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, as well as several other accrediting bodies. With more than 200 certificate, undergraduate, and graduate programs offered, SNHU has one of the lowest tuition rates in the nation that has remained the same over the past four years.
“We are pleased to finalize this articulation agreement with Southern New Hampshire University, which provides tremendous value for our students and employees,” said David Shellberg, CWI’s Executive Vice President of Instruction and Student Services. “We couldn’t be happier to provide transfer opportunities to SNHU and the high quality online bachelor’s degree programs they offer.”
CWI currently offers six associate degrees fully online, along with hundreds of courses available online. The College is seeking to further expand transfer opportunities to online bachelor’s degree programs at four-year institutions.
Faculty Pick Purvis Aldrich for February Award
Christian Purvis Aldrich is College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for February.
Purvis Aldrich grew up in the Treasure Valley and attended the University of Idaho, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English. She then attended University of Colorado (CU) Boulder. After finishing her master’s in English Literature at CU, Purvis Aldrich began teaching in the Bay Area at De Anza College where she earned tenure. She has been teaching for over twenty years and continues to be inspired by her students every day.
She was nominated by three separate faculty members who appreciated her leadership in the English department. They cited her development of the Global Perspectives curriculum, her kindness to both students and faculty, her mentoring of new instructors, and her ability to gracefully and productively lead tough conversations where there is much opportunity for dissent. Purvis Aldrich says one of her favorite projects at CWI is developing the English placement website. She also gets excited about humanities. This summer she visited London and the highlight was a treasure hunt in The British Museum to find all the artifacts discussed in her HUMA 101 textbook.
Outside of her work at CWI, Christian enjoys time with her family, dancing tango, studying yoga, and gardening. Having spent four years as the head coach of Santa Clara University’s women’s rowing program, she is looking forward to celebrating their tradition of Black Velvet; the first row of the year after the ice melts.
Please join in congratulating Christian on this well-deserved recognition.
