CWI Compass Connect - July 31, 2023
Spotlight
This year’s CWI INBRE Scholars immersed themselves in scientific research working with Assistant Professor of Biology Suzanne Oppenheimer as part of the Idaho INBRE Research Program. Their project investigated test anxiety in students. After analyzing and interpreting the results, they designed and presented a scientific poster at the INBRE Research Conference last week in Moscow, Idaho.
News Highlights
Become a Medical Assistant and Make a Difference
Are you looking for a fulfilling, rewarding career in the healthcare industry? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of those around you while working in a fast-paced and constantly evolving field? College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Medical Assistant – Credit program may be the perfect fit.
Medical Assistants are key members of a healthcare team working alongside doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to provide essential patient care. They play a dual role in both administrative and clinical tasks.
These roles are also in high demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of Medical Assistants from 2021 to 2031 will grow 16 percent, with about 123,000 openings per year over the next decade. Opportunities may be found in a wide variety of settings, including physician offices, clinics, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and more.
"With the healthcare and social assistance industry world continuing to grow, our Medical Assistant – Credit program can help prepare those interested in these careers and fill the demanding needs," said Department Chair of Health Professions and Associate Professor, Dr. Sabina Omair. "We have incredible faculty and staff with resources and connections around the Treasure Valley who can help students become employed soon after they graduate."
Medical assistant roles offer an excellent starting point for those seeking a career in healthcare with many opportunities for advancement and growth for students, just ask Alexia Lopez.
“Ever since I was young, I knew when I grew up I wanted to help people,” said Lopez. “I always wanted to be a doctor and I still want to be. I knew going to college would help me further my education to pursue those dreams.”
Lopez enrolled in the College’s Medical Assistant – Credit program because it was a way to get her foot in the door to start helping patients and expand her medical knowledge.
Once she began the program, Lopez knew she made the right choice by choosing CWI because of its hands-on instruction that prepared her and her classmates for the real-world challenges of a Medical Assistant's role. She was able to learn critical skills in administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and maintaining medical records, as well as clinical tasks like taking vital signs, collecting patient histories, and assisting with exams.
The program also included a clinical-practice component, where students complete 180 hours of supervised experience in a healthcare setting to gain practical experience and build their skills. Lopez was able to work her externship at a Saint Alphonsus obstetrics and gynecology office in Boise which helped her solidify that this is the career path for her.
“I have felt a new sense of motivation and love for having access to education,” Lopez said. “I am so thankful I am able to attend college and follow my dreams.”
With her Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) earned from CWI's program, Lopez will pursue her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Sciences at Boise State University, while working as a licensed Medical Assistant. Her ultimate goal is to attend a Physician Assistant school and further her career in the medical field.
She is grateful for the knowledge and experience she earned at CWI which has inspired her to continue to follow her dreams.
“CWI has helped me reach my goals!”
Don't miss out on the opportunity to earn your ITC quickly with CWI's revamped two-semester Medical Assistant – Credit program, starting Fall 2023. No application is required, and registration is open throughout the registration period. Pre- and co-requisite classes are no longer necessary.
CWI’s Medical Assistant – Credit program offers classes in both fall and spring semesters. For Fall 2023, CWI will offer two different sections students may enroll in.
9 a.m. – noon
5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
To learn more about CWI’s Medical Assistant – Credit program, please contact Sabina Omair at sabinaomair@cwi.edu.
Learn About In-Demand Careers at Apprenticeship Open House
Explore in-demand careers and training available through College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Workforce Development (WD) Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing Apprenticeship programs! WD is inviting the community to visit and learn more about the programs through information sessions at its Apprenticeship Open House Monday, Aug. 14.
Canyon County Center (CYNC), Room 152
Apprenticeship Programs through CWI WD allow students to earn a living while completing training in their desired careers. Classes are taught online and in-person, providing flexibility as students learn the skills that will make them in demand in today’s workforce. Once students complete their apprenticeship program, there are multiple areas of focus that they may choose in each industry.
The four-year Apprenticeship programs prepare students for the journeyman test to become a licensed Electrician, HVAC Technician, or Plumber. Students will learn and work with industry experts inside and outside the classroom for on-the-job training.
Instructors, students, and employers will be at the open house to talk with attendees and answer any questions they may have about getting into one of these in-demand careers.
CWI Apprenticeship Programs, both online and in person:
For those with questions or in need of more information about the Open House or Apprenticeship programs, please contact 208.562.2700 or wd@cwi.edu.
Getting a Head Start on His Dreams Through CWI
College of Western Idaho (CWI) graduate, Rigdon Reddish, has always known he wanted to have a career in Law Enforcement.
“Growing up with family in Law Enforcement was very inspiring and sparked a desire,” Reddish said. “I remember being in a situation where I got to see Law Enforcement officers in action and right then it clicked, and I knew it was what I wanted to do.”
Pursuing his dream career as soon as he could is what brought the 20-year-old to CWI and enroll in the College’s Law Enforcement Program in Fall 2022.
With over 200 years of combined law enforcement experience, CWI’s instructors prepare students to make a difference in their community and reach their career goals using state-of-the-art facilities, and hands-on training.
“My expectation of the program is to provide the best training possible and prepare students to go out and be successful in whatever they do,” said Law Enforcement Program Director, LeRoy Forsman.
CWI’s program offers two areas of study — patrol and detention officer. The program has been approved by the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council and eliminates the graduates’ need to attend the basic police academy before taking the certification exam.
“We do the training upfront rather than the agencies having to hire students and then pay to send them away for several months to get trained,” Forsman said. “The students get an education, in both patrol and detention, then they can go to work for agencies right away.”
Students in the program must also go through a polygraph test, background check, and other vetting processes as they would if hired at a department.
From having students undergo physical training to bringing in officers to share personal stories of what can go on in the field, the program offers a good idea of this career and how it may be in the real world.
For students under the age of 21, like Reddish, CWI’s Law Enforcement program also allows them to get a head start in their careers.
Most Law Enforcement departments in Idaho require people to be 21 years old to work as an officer who has arresting authority or to even enroll in their academics. CWI’s program allows students as young as 18 to enroll, where, upon completion of the course, they can then work as Detention or Correctional Officers in Idaho jails and prisons or get the training to then begin work as sworn officers as soon as they turn 21.
Because of his training at CWI, Reddish has already been hired for his dream job — before he is even 21. He will begin work as a Patrol Officer for the Caldwell Police Department this September, after his 21st birthday.
“I wanted this career, and I went and got it. I was determined,” Reddish said.
Reddish is one of 11 from his graduating class of 15 who were either hired or in the process of becoming employed with local law enforcement agencies before graduation in May 2023. Others were hired at local agencies, such as Canyon County Sheriff’s Office, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Department of Corrections, and more.
There are some agencies who still require recruits to go through their own police academy training, but Forsman said students coming from CWI “fly through it.” He added it is more of a refresher course for CWI graduates.
“This is a great program,” said Reddish. “I would recommend to others who know this is the career for them and wish to pursue it, then they come in ready to learn and stay focused. You must work hard for what you want and stay disciplined.”
Applications for Fall 2023 are being accepted through Friday, July 28. For those interested in applying or in need of more information, please visit the Law Enforcement program page or contact LeRoy Forsman at leroyforsman@cwi.edu.
NMEC Closures Continue For Upgrades
As construction projects at Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC) continue, including the replacement of the HVAC equipment on the roof, College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Facilities Management will partially close the building on Tuesday, Aug. 15. Occupancy of NMEC is limited to specific areas of the building during partial closures. Scheduled classes, events, and services affected have been relocated or rescheduled.
Administrative Offices, CWI Bookstore, One Stop Student Service, Testing Center, Tutoring Services, and select classrooms and labs will remain open and operational during the partial closure (please see floor plan).
Please note that the planned partial closure on Wednesday, Aug. 16, has been canceled, and NMEC will operate as normal.
Those with questions or in need of more information are asked to contact Brian Dunaway at briandunaway@cwi.edu.
Jump Into the World of Cybersecurity through Raspberry Pi Summer Camp
Calling all high school students! Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey into the world of computing and cybersecurity? College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Cyber Defense Center is hosting Raspberry Pi Summer Camp, a five-day program designed to introduce high school students to the growing field of cybersecurity through hands-on activities.
Campers will receive their own Raspberry Pi and learn the basics of programming, circuit design, and cyber-physical systems through knowledgeable instructors. Students will also get to interact with peers and mentors and explore the possibilities of a challenging and rewarding career path.
The weeks’ worth of learning and activities leads up to the final day of camp, where campers will put their new skills to the test to solve challenging puzzles and participate in a “capture the flag” cybersecurity activity facilitated by the Idaho National Laboratory.
Ada County Center Pintail Building (APIN)
Register for Raspberry Pi Summer Camp
The cost to enroll in the exciting five-day camp is $150, which covers the cost of supplies and lunch each day. Students may be able to qualify for a scholarship. For those interested in learning more about scholarship opportunities, please contact sarahoyt@cwi.edu.
No prior knowledge or skills are required to enroll.
Learn more about CWI’s Cyber Defense Center and Cybersecurity opportunities by visiting the program’s page.
Global Data Breach Potentially Affects Higher Education Institutions in Idaho
A recent worldwide data breach involving the MOVEit Transfer tool has affected the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC), as well as other businesses and organizations. Additionally, the Teachers Insurance Annuity Association of America (TIAA), and Corebridge Financial were involved. This data breach may have impacts to Idaho higher education institutions, including College of Western Idaho (CWI).
CWI is taking the issue seriously and is actively monitoring the situation and will promptly share any pertinent updates received from the companies. It is important to note that CWI's own IT systems remain unaffected by this data security event.
The College was notified that unauthorized access to student data occurred during a breach of NSC's file transfer system. NSC utilizes this tool for accepting data transfers, which includes financial aid compliance data from numerous colleges across the country, including CWI and other higher education institutions in the state. Personally identifiable information such as dates of birth and social security numbers may have been accessed. However, NSC has yet to determine the sensitive information that was compromised, and the company stated it could take a few weeks to determine which students may have potentially been affected by the breach.
To learn more about the data breach and Clearinghouse's response, visit their website. Students are encouraged to monitor the website regularly for further information from the Clearinghouse.
In addition, both of CWI’s Optional Retirement Plan providers, TIAA and Corebridge Financial have been impacted by the MOVEit breach. The personal information of institution employees may have been compromised. CWI’s Human Resource Department will communicate with employees who participate in TIAA and Corebridge Financial.
