CWI Compass Connect - January 14, 2022
Spotlight
Planning a visit to the Nampa Campus Academic Building? Be sure to stop on the second floor to view the fantastic student art on display from April Vandegrift’s Painting 1 class. Front and center is a self-portrait painted by Associate Professor of Math, Maia Kelley. Committed to lifelong learning, Maia chooses a new class to take every semester. “Can’t wait to see what I learn next,” she said.
News Highlights
Greetings from President Jones
To kick off Spring 2022 semester and in-service week, College of Western Idaho’s new president, Gordon Jones, greets staff and welcomes faculty back to campus.
Greetings from President Jones
Scholarships Open for 2022-2023 Academic Year
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation scholarship application period for the 2022-2023 academic year is now open. Nearly 300 scholarships were awarded to students in both academic and career-technical programs at the College for the 2021-2022 academic year.
CWI's scholarship application provides students automatically-generated scholarship matches, including over 10,000 external scholarship opportunities, allowing students to self-select scholarships of interest.
2022-2023 Scholarship Application Periods
Scholarships without an essay requirement:
- Jan. 1 – Nov. 15
Scholarships with an essay requirement:
- Jan. 1 – March 31
- May 1 – July 15
- Oct. 1 – Nov. 15
Students interested in applying for scholarships must have the CWI admission application completed, be accepted, and have myCWI login information. Visit the Grants and Scholarships page to learn more!
Gordon Jones to Serve as College of Western Idaho’s Next President
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Board of Trustees unanimously voted to hire Gordon Jones as the College's third president, following a nationwide search process. Jones succeeds President Bert Glandon, who retired in May, and will begin assuming his duties on Monday, Jan. 10.
Jones states, “I’m thrilled to serve students and brighten the future of our communities as the next president of CWI. As growth in the Treasure Valley continues to accelerate, I’m honored to join faculty and staff to deliver transformative learning opportunities and skills that empower students to thrive in our community and beyond.”
Jones is the founding dean of Boise State University’s College of Innovation + Design and has been at the University since 2015. Prior to Boise State, Jones was the Evans Family Foundation Managing Director for the Harvard Innovation Lab at Harvard University, helping thousands of students translate their education and ideas into new ventures and jobs within the technology, health sciences, consumer and non-profit fields. In addition, he worked as an executive for 15 years focusing on innovation, marketing, and sales growth with mid-sized and Fortune 500 companies, including The Gillette Company.
Jones has over five years of teaching experience in design thinking, business, and leadership at several colleges. He has a Master’s in Business Administration from Stanford University School of Business.
“The Board is enthusiastic to welcome President Jones to the College, his expertise in leveraging education and innovation to connect students with the workforce is exceptional," said Board Chair Molly Lenty.
Jones and his wife reside in the Treasure Valley, along with their four children, ages nine to fifteen. Jones stays active in the community through various board positions, coaching youth sports, and is an avid fly fisherman and outdoorsman.
Learn more about the presidential search process and campus visioning.
Help Us Design CWI’s Future Mascot
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has identified the otter as its official mascot. It is now time to bring the otter to life with a creative identity including a name and design!
To kick off the mascot development research phase, we want to hear from you. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to share their input and opinions about the new mascot via the survey linked below. Results of the survey will be used to guide the naming and design process.
Please complete the survey by Friday, Jan. 28. Stay tuned for additional opportunities to provide input which will be shared in the coming months. Unveiling of the new mascot is currently scheduled for Fall 2022.
Thank you for taking time to engage in this important process.
CWI Night at the Steelheads – Feb. 9
Enjoy a night of hockey, and support students at the next CWI Night!
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is proud to partner with the Idaho Steelheads to SCORE Big for scholarships as the Steelheads take on the Tulsa Oilers. Students, alumni, employees, family, and friends of the CWI community are invited to attend.
Date: Wednesday, Feb. 9
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Idaho Central Arena
Your $15 ticket to the game includes your seat as well as a hot dog, chips, and drink. $5 of each CWI group ticket sold goes directly back to the SCORE Big Scholarship fund. Two, lucky CWI students will be awarded $1,000 SCORE Big Scholarships during the match.
Purchase Tickets: CWI Night at the Steelheads – Feb. 9
Username: CWI
Password: STEELHEADS
View Idaho Central Arena's COVID-19 Updates
Fall 2021 Facts at a Glance
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Fall 2021 Facts at a Glance is now available to view online. This annual publication provides a statistical overview of the College and is a valuable resource for learning more about CWI.
Offering premier programs and degrees that make a difference, CWI remains a top choice for higher education in the Treasure Valley. Empowering the community one student at a time, CWI moves fearlessly forward paving the way to bold new futures with flexible options, exceptional tuition value, and support every step of the way.
Hard copies of this year’s Facts at a Glance are available by contacting College Relations at communications@cwi.edu.
Spring 2022 Checklist for Success
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to welcome students back for the Spring 2022 semester! Below are a few important reminders as well as a checklist for a successful start to the semester.
Be Prepared
- View your schedule in myCWI to review the location and format of your courses.
- Learn about course formats and how to view them on your schedule in this video.
- Check your CWI student email.
- Not sure how to login to your email account? Check out these instructions, or contact the Help Desk.
- Download the CWI Mobile App.
- Connect with CWI on social media.
- Email your instructor(s) with any course-specific questions.
- One Stop Student Services is available in-person, online, and by phone with questions or if you are in need of any assistance.
Start the Semester Strong
- Login to Blackboard.
- All courses will be live and available in Blackboard the morning of Tuesday, Jan. 18.
- Do your part to keep yourself and others around you healthy.
- Follow health and safety protocols on campus including wearing a mask.
- In the ongoing interest in the safety and security of our campus community, the College is providing convenient, free, and voluntary access to COVID-19 test kits.
- Emergency grant funding is available to currently enrolled students who are and/or have been affected by the pandemic.
- Visit Be Safe, Be Mighty for comprehensive and up-to-date guidance and communication related to COVID-19.
Get Involved
- Grab a bagel, and find out about all the resources available to you on campus – including Counseling Services, Advising, and Tutoring – during Student Affairs Week of Welcome events happening the first week of classes.
Tuesday, Jan. 18 | Wednesday, Jan. 19
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ada County Campus Pintail Center
Nampa Campus Academic Building
- Learn about upcoming events and ways to get involved.
Here is to a bold and mighty semester!
COVID-19 Test Kits Available for CWI Students and Employees
As part of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Be Safe, Be Mighty campaign and ongoing interest in the safety and security of our campus community, the College is providing convenient access to COVID-19 test kits.
Two types of test are available. Testing is voluntary and free of charge.
- Vault Health
- PCR (Saliva) Test
- Results in 24 – 48 hours
- Instruction card included in kit
- Indicaid®
- Rapid Antigen (Nasal Swab) Test
- Results in 15 minutes
- Instructions provided via QR code on kit
Test Kit Distribution
Students
Students may obtain a free, COVID-19 test kit at the following campus locations. Please be prepared to show your student ID.
- One Stop Students Services
- Campus Security Desks
- Ada County Campus Pintail Center (APIN)
- Canyon County Center (CYNC)
- Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB)
- Nampa Campus Administration Building (NADM)
- Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC)
Contact Chad Trisler, Dean of Students, at chadtrisler@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
Employees
Test kits have been distributed to each member of the Executive Operations Team (EOT). Employees may obtain a test kit from their EOT representative or from one of the designated locations listed above. For further guidance on obtaining a test kit, speak with your immediate supervisor or EOT representative.
Please continue to report positive or probable COVID-19 cases by calling the 24-hour, self-reporting call center at 813.699.3551.
For questions about CWI’s response to COVID-19, contact COVID19_Questions@cwi.edu or visit Be Safe, Be Mighty.
