CWI Compass Connect - June 1, 2016
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted its annual Wildland Fire Academy, May 16-20, which transformed CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building into a training ground for firefighting professionals. The College’s Workforce Development division partners with the Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, and Idaho Department of Lands to host this important training. The week includes refresher courses as well as a five day Basic Fire School.
News Highlights
CWI Alum Wins National Video Contest
A College of Western Idaho (CWI) alum is receiving national recognition for acing a phone interview. While people often associate phone interviews with employment, Casey Bosse actually created an award-winning video using his cell phone. He entered the video into the American Psychological Association’s (APA) nation-wide Student Video Award contest, and won the top honor for community college student submissions.
Bosse, who recently graduated with an associate degree in Psychology, entered the contest on a whim. His task was to interview a psychology-degreed professional working in the field. He chose former CWI student Michelle Prince; a developmental specialist in Boise.
“I love making videos,” Bosse said. “I can visually see things in my head. If I can see it, I can create it.”
Casey’s natural ability to see things hasn’t always worked in his favor. He graduated from Mountain View High School in Meridian—more than a decade ago—with below-average grades. After bouncing between a variety of jobs and a stint with Job Corps, he ultimately ended up at CWI in January 2014.
“As soon as I got here, everything just clicked,” he said. “I knew going in I wanted to study psychology and that was it.”
A year into his studies, Casey was diagnosed with high-functioning autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. The diagnosis explained his highly-acute ability to visualize things. The discovery hasn’t stopped him from working toward his goal of becoming a psychiatrist. If anything, he is more determined than ever. This spring he graduated from CWI with a 3.95 grade point average, served as the College’s Psi Beta Honor Society chapter president, and recently started taking courses through Lewis–Clark State College.
“People are people regardless of a diagnosis,” he said. “I’ll be working in a field that’s made a lot of progress in helping kids with special needs—like myself.”
Casey’s experience at CWI enlightened him in many ways, and created a turning point in his life.
“CWI offers intimate relationships with instructors and student peers,” he said. “Everything has worked out perfectly, which is exactly what I needed. It’s amazing when (everything) clicks—when I can look back at accomplishments and say ‘I did it.’”
Casey will receive $500 for his award-winning video. He has also been invited to attend the APA’s Annual Convention in Denver in August.
Volunteers Provide Free Tax Service Again
College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted its annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program during the spring semester, which helped prepare over 200 individual income tax returns over three months. More than 10 CWI students and graduates took part in the volunteer program hosted at CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building and Ada County Campus Pintail Center. The service provided a savings of more than $51,500 based on average return cost by the internal revenue service.
In addition to providing a community service, the program also offers CWI students an opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience. The program was led by Assistant Professors Joe Welker and Michel Boldt. Volunteers included Lisa Farnam, Christopher Henderson, Wade Aldridge, Marcie Pyorie, Debora Golling, Ronald (Mark) Smith, Juan Garatea-Bollar, Terri Sullivan, Diana Devorce, and Kory Knight.
CWI Updates Tour Schedule for Summer
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Outreach team has modified the schedule for campus tours and appointments, based on demand during summer months. Throughout the year these tours bring approximately 4,000 students to campus. As high schools around the valley go on summer vacation, Outreach sees smaller daily tour groups. In response to the change, campus tours will now be held:
Tuesdays – 11 a.m.
Ada County Campus and Micron Center for Professional Technical Education
Wednesdays – 1 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building
Thursdays – 11 a.m.
Ada County Campus and Micron Center for Professional Technical Education
In addition to the day-time tours, Outreach will also provide limited evening tours throughout the summer. Tours starting at 5 p.m. will take place:
- First week of month – Ada County Campus
- Second week of month – Micron Center
- Third week of month – Canyon County Center
- Fourth week of month – Nampa Campus Academic Building
The new summer schedule will run through Aug. 7. Outreach will continue to offer tours on-demand at all locations. Prospective students can sign up for a tour online. Please contact Katie Price at katieprice@cwi.edu with any questions.
