CWI Compass Connect - July 16, 2020
Spotlight
To celebrate the accomplishments of our 2020 graduates, CWI hosted a curbside pick-up event complete with giveaways, confetti, and fanfare at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center June 17 and 18. Watch the College’s first-ever, virtual commencement ceremony at cwi.edu/graduation.
News Highlights
CWI Launches New Fire Service Opportunities
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Public Safety programs are excited to announce the arrival of opportunities for new firefighters and seasoned professionals now offering Basic Technical Certificates and Associate of Arts degrees for Fire Service Technology and Fire Service Management.
“We at CWI are fully invested and enthusiastic for the opportunities this program offers to our students,” said Darrin Raskopf, Director of Fire Service Technology.
The Fire Service Technology program, ideal for people looking to formalize their structural fire training, will prepare students to work as a full-time or volunteer firefighter.
Fire Service Management, developed for individuals in the field who want to advance, will cultivate future leaders in the fire and emergency services. CWI’s curriculum is based on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards and International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) certified program requirements.
Students in both programs will be presented with the highest level of classroom instruction and hands-on demonstrations.
“This has been a collaborative effort with various professionals from the surrounding fire service and educational institutions,” said Raskopf. We are looking forward to welcoming our next semester of students back into classes with our newly-designed fire service programs.”
“We want Idaho students from CWI getting Idaho fire jobs throughout the state who are trained by the very best local Idaho firefighters and fire command staff,” said Kevin Platts, Director, Public Safety programs.
Basic Technical Certificates can be completed in six months for the Fire Service Technology program and 12 months for the Fire Service Management program. Associate of Arts degrees in both programs will take 24 months to complete. Certificate or degree, these programs are a great way to empower your future while developing the skills you need to excel in the fire service industry.
Drop-in(to) Advising – July 18
Join College of Western Idaho’s Student Success Advisors during their first-ever virtual advising event, Drop-in(to) Advising. The event, held Saturday, July 18, will be hosted via Zoom. Students are encouraged to “drop in” any time between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. that day to meet with their advisor and ask questions about degrees, registration, and next steps in preparation for fall semester.
Contact academicadvising@cwi.edu to learn more or with questions.
Drop-in(to) Advising Zoom Link
Important Dates: Fall 2020 Semester
Fall 2020 Admission Deadline Approaching
Empower your future at College of Western Idaho (CWI) – your community college! Earn a degree in-person*, online, or a combination of both. CWI offers a wealth of options for all lifestyles and schedules, allowing you time to focus on what matters most.
Important Dates, Fall 2020 Semester
- July 25 – Financial Aid Priority Deadline
- July 31 – Scholarship Application Deadline
- Aug. 15 – Admission Deadline
- Aug. 21 – Registration Deadline, Tuition and Fees Due
- Aug. 24 – Fall 2020 Classes Begin
Get started today!
Complete your application, register for classes, and apply for financial aid and scholarships.
- Applications and necessary documentation must be received prior to the admission deadline in order to be accepted for fall semester.
- All new, degree-seeking students must also participate in New Student Orientation prior to registering for classes.
Contact One Stop Student Services or visit us online with questions or to learn more.
*Additional information regarding CWI’s safety protocols for fall classes is available at cwi.edu/COVID19.
Inspiring Mom's Next Move
In partnership with 107.9 Lite FM and Michelle Heart, College of Western Idaho (CWI) awarded Rebecca Sharp as the winner of this year’s Mom’s Next Move on-air scholarship promotion.
A mother of four, Sharp went back to school in 2012 when her youngest began kindergarten wanting to have something to fall back on if anything were to happen. Three years in, she realized her chosen path was not going to work out as it would require them to move to a large city. While she was ultimately successful and completed her degree, it was not in the way she intended.
Struggling financially their entire married life, Sharp and her husband are still paying on her student loans and find themselves without a drop of retirement. While her husband has been trying to make a go of it as a business owner, she had been working odd jobs until she was unexpectedly laid off in March due to COVID-19 which ultimately prompted her decision to, once again, go back to school.
Sharp will receive a full-tuition, full-year scholarship to CWI which she plans to use toward a degree in Nursing with the ultimate goal of becoming a Certified Nurse Midwife.
“At 43, I probably won’t reach my goal of becoming a nurse until I’m nearing 50,” Sharp said, “but I intend to go for it as much as I can. This scholarship will be a large part of making that happen!”
In addition to Sharp, five additional moms each received a $500 scholarship. Stay tuned for CWI’s next on-air scholarship promotion, “Career Makeover”, in partnership with Mix 106, coming this July.
CWI Announces Three New Programs
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to announce three, new degree programs. Fire Service Management, Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Social Work programs will begin in the coming months, adding to the more than 100 programs already offered at the College.
“CWI is committed to contributing to economic growth, strengthening our community, and developing future leaders to serve in the state of Idaho,” says Provost, Denise Aberle-Cannata. “As part of our commitment, we are very excited to announce these new programs at the College.”
Fire Service Management, developed for individuals in the field who want to advance, will cultivate future leaders in the fire and emergency services. CWI’s curriculum is based on the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, and International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) certified program requirements. Students will have a choice between the Associate of Arts (AA) degree and Basic Technical Certificate (BTC).
The Occupational Therapy Assistant degree provides a holistic and client-centered approach to help improve the quality and functionality of the clients they serve. Upon completion of the two-year program, students will have received the education and skills training necessary for the national certification exam to become a certified and licensed occupational therapy assistant.
The Social Work program helps students develop diversity-competent social work skills while preparing to transfer to a four-year institution. Graduates can work in various fields including healthcare, government organizations, and nonprofit support services.
CWI is proud to add these high-quality programs to the list of options we provide, as we serve more than 30,000 students in our community. To learn more about these programs and apply, visit the Future Students page on cwi.edu.
2020 Law Enforcement Graduation
CWI Class 8 Law Enforcement Graduation 6 30 2020
In a large empty garage, the size of a football field, 18 Law Enforcement program graduates gathered sporting face masks and practicing social distancing to celebrate the moment at the Nampa Police Department on June 30.
LeRoy Forsman, Law Enforcement program Director, led the graduates and visitors in the Pledge of Allegiance to kick off the event.
“We are very pleased with how well the ceremony went,” said Forsman. “Our students and guests made this possible by respectfully following safety protocols. These graduates are bravely taking a major step toward their careers. They have committed to an ethical and professional future as guardians of their communities.”
Following remarks by Kevin Platts, Director of Public Safety programs, President Bert Glandon addressed the graduates expressing his gratitude to them as they embark on their careers.
“You are going to make a difference,” he said. “You need to know that. We support you and really appreciate your commitment.”
The keynote speaker at this year’s ceremony was Stacy Mowry, Senior Program Coordinator in the Law Enforcement program. He highlighted the significant changes in law enforcement over the decades and the amount of equipment and training students receive today, compared to his grandfather, a police officer in the 1950s. He also underscored the importance of never lying and be an ethical police office.
“Be the best officer and citizen you guys can be,” said Mowry. “Help who you can when you can. You are starting a profession that will absolutely leave the world a better place than you found it.”
CTL Wins Blackboard Catalyst Award
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Center for Teaching and Learning team has been named winners of the Blackboard Catalyst Award for Optimizing Student Experience, which honors those institutions whose educational and administrative innovations have markedly improved the total learner experience. This includes their addressing of new and changing dynamics in fields such as student recruitment, financial aid, enrollment, retention and assessment, graduation, and beyond.
Founded in 2005, the annual Catalyst Awards recognize and honor innovation and excellence in the Blackboard global community of practice, where millions of educators and learners work every day to redefine what is possible when leveraging technology. Winners are selected by a cross-functional team of Blackboard experts.
As a geographically-separated community college serving a non-residential population, CWI is continuously seeking ways to utilize Blackboard to create community and learning beyond the classroom. During the Fall 2018 semester, Center for Teaching and Learning released myCommons, a collaborative, extended instruction opportunity for students, housed in Blackboard. Providing a centralized location for students to engage in extended learning opportunities independently or as a requirement by their faculty, the goal of myCommons was to grow overall student engagement and increase retention and graduation rates.
myCommons contains twenty badges, representing the expertise of eight departments at the College from the Library to Business and Biology to Counseling. During the first year, myCommons awarded 10,669 badges with 3,342 unique users actively participating in the site. As a central location for students to engage in educational contests and events, utilization and participation has since grown nearly 40%.
“With the complex schedules of both faculty and students, scheduling in-person or synchronous instruction is not always feasible. myCommons has been an invaluable solution in helping us reach our audience for foundational instruction by providing on-demand modules for specific content. This approach has led to deeper conversations during meetings and classtime about content because we can assume base knowledge. Furthermore, at the instruction level, it has created consistency across courses in terms of the expectations instructors can hold students to,” said Heather Schoenherr, Associate Professor of Psychology.
"We’re pleased to honor this year's Blackboard Catalyst Award winners for their commitment to improving the educational experience for all learners through EdTech and sharing these insights with the broader community," said Lee Blakemore, Chief Client Officer and President, Global Markets at Blackboard. "We’re proud to partner with institutions who are innovating to advance student success.”
The Center for Teaching and Learning team will be announced alongside other Blackboard Catalyst Award winners during BbWorld 2020, Blackboard’s annual user conference to be held virtually July 21 and 22.
Blackboard is the leading provider of learner success-focused technology solutions and services. Its product portfolio is unmatched in the marketplace, spanning teaching and learning, analytics, community engagement, and student services.
For more information on the Blackboard Catalyst Awards, please visit: https://community.blackboard.com/catalystawards.
Beta Sigma Pi Introduces New Officers
Beta Sigma Pi, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) chapter of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, swore in the 2020-2021 officer team Saturday, June 13, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. Former President, Laura Baldwin, and Vice Presidents, Nicole Johnston and Rheanna Palmer, handed their responsibilities over to Jody Ayers, continuing as Vice President of Scholarship; Jackie Romero, Vice President of Leadership; and Becca Shelman, Vice President of Fellowship.
Meeting together for the first time since March, the previous officer team was able to offer advice and encouragement to the new officer team who will be continuing the chapter's quest to maintain its Five Star Status.
Faculty of Distinction—May 2020
Congratulations to Beth Hyle-Worbets, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for May 2020. Worbets, an instructor in the Professional Nursing program, has been with the College for three years teaching Nursing Skills, Medical-Surgical Nursing, and clinical courses.
“I teach because it is the way I can make the most impact on the world,” Worbets said. “As a nurse I make a difference to patients and their families, but as a nursing instructor I can help shape and mold compassionate, caring, and competent nurses.”
Worbets completed her bachelor’s degree in Nursing with an emphasis in Public Health in British Columbia, Canada. While working in a variety of nursing positions throughout the United States over the past 18 years, her passion for community nursing emerged.
“I enjoy the individualized care and patient education aspects of this type of nursing. I have had the privilege of working with at-risk youth in Texas and New Mexico, with elderly on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in New Mexico, with workers who experienced catastrophic work injuries, and with high-risk patients in a Methadone treatment in rural Montana.”
As a member of the College’s Professional Nursing faculty, Worbets is proud to be part of a program that provides students with the knowledge and skills needed to enter a trusted and respected profession while also allowing them to help others and provide for their families.
“CWI has the most caring and compassionate staff and faculty imaginable! Students consistently comment on how supported they have felt during their time here. Recently, my husband had a minor procedure done. The nurse who worked with him was a former student. Since I work with first year students, I rarely have an opportunity to see their skills and competence develop past the first year of the program. This particular student was in my clinical group for her very first clinical day. I remember how timid and nervous she was that day. To see her enter the room as a compassionate, competent nurse really reaffirmed why I do what I do. CWI truly empowers students to attain their dreams, provide for their families, and make the world a better place.”
Originally from Oklahoma and after living in several places within the United States and Canada, Worbets said she has developed a true love of the northwest. She and her husband, Jon, have been married for 21 years and have two teenage children and two dogs.
Staff of the Month – May 2020
Congratulations to Stacy Hardy, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for May 2020. Hardy, a Web Developer for the Division of College Relations, has been an employee for nearly four and a half years, but began her journey at CWI as a Software Development student. As a student, she worked as an intern for the College’s web team where she was officially hired upon graduation in 2016.
“After graduating from North Idaho College with an associate degree in Commercial Art in 1999, I worked as a graphic designer for the Coeur d’Alene Press, Spokane Nickel Nik, and the Idaho Press,” Hardy said. “Once all my kids were in school, I was having a hard time finding a job. I decided to attend CWI to pursue software development as it would fit nicely with my graphic design experience.”
As a web developer, Hardy’s duties include providing support and training for content contributors on cwi.edu, moderation of new and updated content, as well as web design and accessibility for new components and features in development.
“CWI is a great place to work because we all work together to make a difference in students’ lives and help them to achieve their goals. I am very fortunate to work with an amazing team and a part of many projects. One project that really stands out is the accomplishment of improving web accessibility on cwi.edu from 78% to 99.5% accessible.”
“Stacy approaches all of her work with a strong sense of integrity,” said Audrey Eldridge, Executive Director of Communications and Marketing. “She does an excellent job of balancing goals of the project, best practices, timelines, and best interests of the team and institution. She is the first to sign up to help, show up to volunteer, or lead any special effort. She not only cares on a professional level but also a personal one. She takes interest in everyone and finds the positive in every person, every situation, and does this with a smile. She is even tempered, yet passionate about her work and doing what is best for our students. As a CWI graduate, she has become a fantastic role model for all.”
“Stacy is a valuable asset to our team and the CWI community,” commented Bryson Caldwell, Web Services Manager. “She fearlessly meets challenges head-on, regularly taking on new objectives navigating them with organization and grace. It has been a pleasure to work with her over the years.”
Hardy grew up in Cove, Oregon, and moved to Council, Idaho, her junior year of high school. Her and her husband, a Senior Press Operator at Idaho Press, have lived in Caldwell for the past 19 years. Together the couple has four children and two granddaughters. Outside of the office, she enjoys painting, dancing, gardening, camping, riding her motorcycle, and skiing.
“Because of CWI, my life as transformed from a stay-at-home mom to a full-time employee while showing my children that it can be rewarding to step out of your comfort zone and try new things.”
