CWI Compass Connect - July 26, 2016
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) graduate and alumni, Amy Shore, completed her Liberal Arts degree this last May and did it debt free. After concerns about the cost of college, Amy discovered CWI, the affordable classes, and scholarship opportunities that made college work for her on her terms. Read Amy’s Story
News Highlights
Development Plans Unveiled for CWI's Nampa Campus
College of Western Idaho (CWI) welcomed local business and community leaders to its main campus in Nampa on Wednesday (July 13), to share the vision for a new Health Science Building and a Student Success Center in Nampa. The event, which was held on the lawn of CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building, highlighted the demand and plan for campus growth through 2040.
CWI President Bert Glandon explained the historic growth and accomplishments of the college, and shared work that has been completed to identify the projected needs of the community in the future. Glandon said, “CWI is at a pivotal point in its development. We have moved from a brand new institution addressing the pent-up demand in the Treasure Valley, to a college that is evolving into an economic catalyst for our region.”
Programming has been completed for two buildings on the Nampa Campus. The Health Science Building will help consolidate programs like Nursing, Surgical Technology, Phlebotomy, and emergency responder programs to better utilize resources. The Student Success Center, meanwhile, will house counseling, tutoring, library, veteran support, transfer services, and other critical services students need to be successful in completing their degree.
President Glandon was joined by Nampa Mayor Bob Henry, Nampa Chamber of Commerce CEO Debbie Kling, Nampa School District Superintendent David Peterson, and CWI alumna Crystal Villanueva in sharing personal stories about CWI’s impact on the community. In addition to talking about development plans, Glandon also shared about an update of the College’s Strategic Plan. The nearly completed plan outlines the vision and inspiration for the College.
Glandon added, “We know that the Treasure Valley is expected to see significant growth in the next 25 years in both people who live here and the growing economic development for the region. And, it is critical that we have affordable access to high quality career and transfer degree opportunities. We must prepare now for what is coming in the next five to ten years.”
CWI is planning to host a similar event on the Boise property located at the corner of Whitewater Park Blvd. and Main Street to share its vision for a permanent Ada County Campus in Boise on August 9, 2016.
Leaps and Bounds Ahead Thanks to Dual Credit
When Katie Kelly graduated from high school, she accomplished an amazing feat. Not only did she receive a diploma, she also crossed the stage with an associate degree from College of Western Idaho (CWI). Now, as she steadily works toward her future career in healthcare, she is leaps and bounds ahead of her peers thanks to CWI’s Dual Credit program.
“Dual credit provided me the opportunity to get a huge head start toward my college goals at half the price,” she said. “Plus, the program I am interested in pursuing is very competitive. This will help me get ahead in that process.”
Katie started the program by taking courses online. Between her junior and senior year, she took a microbiology class on campus. The experience gave her a taste of college life; providing her with an easier transition.
“What I really like about physically taking classes at CWI is that it encourages a deeper sense of learning and increased problem solving,” Katie said.
Katie didn’t let the dust settle after graduating from Vallivue High School in Caldwell. She enrolled in summer courses at CWI, and is currently taking an anatomy and physiology class at the Canyon County Center in Nampa. She is working her way toward a second degree that will help her be more competitive when she applies to Boise State University’s radiology program.
“Taking dual credit was a really great opportunity for me,” Katie said. “It took a lot of dedication and responsibility to take college-level courses while still in high school, but it was definitely doable and well worth it.”
Katie is on track to graduate from CWI with her second associate degree in May 2017.
The CWI Foundation has scholarship opportunities for Dual Credit students. For more information, contact the Foundation office at 208.562.3100, or email foundation@cwi.edu.
CWI Healthcare Job Fair - August 5
On Aug. 5, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Career Services is inviting students, alumni, and the community to discover employment opportunities at CWI's Healthcare Job Fair. This event will bring over 30 local health care employers to the College's campus to meet with job seekers.
Job seekers at the event will have the opportunity to learn about resources from CWI and Idaho Department of Labor that can help them land a career in health care.
Friday, Aug. 5
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
CWI Aspen Classroom Building, Room 102/104
6002 Birch Lane, Nampa – View Map
(NW corner of Idaho Center and Birch)
Why Attend?
- Employers all across the Treasure Valley will be there from hospitals to private facilities
- Opportunity to network with health care employers
- Gain valuable experience, FREE!
- Door prizes!
For more information on jobs available through CWI Career Services or to post an open position visit the CWI myCareerNetwork website.
July Staff of the Month - Courtney Colby Bond
Courtney Colby Bond has been selected as College of Western Idaho's (CWI) July Staff of the Month for 2016.
Bond has been with CWI for three years and is the Director for the Center for Teaching and Learning. She has a master’s degree in Adult and Distant Education. She exhibits the core values, Innovating for the 21st Century and Serving all in an Atmosphere of Caring.
Her nomination notes that she has been a tremendous asset at CWI and is quick to recognize the needs of instructors, staff, and students and then take proactive steps to develop programs, training, and opportunities to improve and grow. An example was her dedicated effort in building a web-based training program on Title IX which was provided to all employees at CWI. In addition, she developed extensive training on the transition of curriculum to CWI's current General Education standards. Her training is timely, professionally developed, and provided in a manner that allows for thorough understanding and application.
With the departure of the previous online facilitator, Courtney quickly stepped up to oversee this important program but didn’t just assume the title of the position, rather she sought to understand how online instruction was currently being provided to CWI instructors, what was needed to ensure the best training possible, and how she could best meet the needs of CWI staff, instructors, and students. With that knowledge she expanded the responsibilities of the current instructional designers, revamped the training to be modular based, and worked to align the curriculum with proven pedagogy in higher education. She is always willing to give advice on creative ways to meet the many objectives our courses seek to achieve and does all of this with a willing attitude and infectious laugh.
Bond has been married for 12 years and has a seven year old daughter and nine year old son. She tries to stay active in supporting their education, running the Sienna Book Fair and as a Cub Scout Den Leader over the last year. She and her husband are typically found working on their “fixer-upper”, which may or may not be finished anytime soon.
