CWI Compass Connect - June 13, 2017
Spotlight
Seven talented students, chosen through a competitive application process, participated in an exciting undergraduate research opportunity through INBRE (IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence). CWI is one of ten institutions in the state to partner with INBRE and offer this unique learning experience. Students were responsible for every step of the process from designing the research strategy to the presentation of their findings. Under the guidance of Suzanne Oppenheimer, Assistant Professor in the Biology Department, the INBRE Scholars spent their summer break studying the effects of water contamination on crayfish.
They look forward to sharing their results during the 2017 Idaho INBRE Summer Research Conference July 31 through August 2 in Moscow, Idaho.
News Highlights
Tony Meatte to Lead CWI’s Finance and Administration Department
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) has named current Comptroller, Tony Meatte, to its leadership team; Tony will assume the role of Vice President of Finance and Administration (VPFA).
The VPFA serves as the chief financial officer and as the primary financial strategist to the President, Administration, and the Board of Trustees. This position is responsible for directing and managing CWI’s financial affairs and ensuring that the organization makes sound decisions on the application of its financial resources. Tony will report directly to President Bert Glandon and play a pivotal role within the executive management and senior leadership teams.
Tony replaces Founding Vice President Cheryl Wright, Cheryl will be retiring at the end of June. Tony states, “I am honored to be selected as the second VPFA for the College of Western Idaho. Cheryl Wright has been a stable force at the College since its inception. Her mentorship during these last three years has given me a great foundation to take on this new role.”
Tony joined CWI as the Comptroller in 2014. Responsibilities as comptroller included management of the Business Office Department. During this time, Tony was the first chair of the newly created Executive Team, championed efficiencies in processing and led improvements focused on customer service. In addition, Tony assisted with the integration of new technologies to support these enhancements. Prior to CWI, Tony spent close to six years as the Division Chief, Management Services for Idaho Department of Correction, close to ten years at Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections and thirteen years in the Idaho State Controller’s office, as well as a short period with URS Corporation.
Tony is a proud alumnus from Boise State, earning his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting and is often seen sporting the blue and orange spirit.
Tony and his wife Teresa have two daughters and love to spend time mountain biking, golfing, playing tennis and following Boise State Football.
May Faculty of Distinction — Dusty Perkins
Dusty Perkins was selected as the Faculty of Distinction for May. He has been teaching biology and ecology at College of Western Idaho (CWI) since 2009, and loves the opportunities it has given him to work alongside a diversity of amazing students, staff, and faculty. Perkins coordinates research and internship activities for CWI’s NSF-supported undergraduate research program. He also mentors several undergraduate research students on projects at CWI that focus on conservation biology and organismal habitat suitability. This work seeks to understand how anthropogenic landscape alterations affect biological communities and ecosystem services. Perkins hopes his actions and work inspire others to embrace the value of life and to protect the diversity of nature that supports all life on earth.
Perkins was nominated by a colleague who appreciates the time, effort, and caring that he puts into mentoring students involved in undergraduate research. His nominator talked to each of the students that worked under him during the summer, and they all said they have found new avenues for interest and success under Perkins’ mentorship.
On a personal level, he is fascinated with nature and loves to connect it to life through gardening, hiking, rock climbing, and being outside with his family and friends. Please congratulate Perkins for being selected as the May Faculty of Distinction.
Catch the Winning Spirit with the Boise Hawks during CWI Night
Mark your calendars for CWI Night at the Boise Hawks on Wednesday, July 26! The Hawks will battle the Hillsboro Hops as they roll into the second half of their winning season.
CWI is proud to partner with the Boise Hawks for a fun night of baseball and fundraising. During the game, you will have a chance to play Baseball Bingo and one lucky future CWI student will be presented with the employee sponsored, $1,000 SCORE Big Scholarship.
Visit boisehawks.com to purchase tickets to the game. Each $15.75 ticket includes a hot dog, soda, and a third-base seat at the game. For each ticket sold, $5 goes toward CWI’s SCORE Big Scholarship. Faculty, staff, student, friends, and family of the CWI Community are encouraged to participate!
#CWINight
Visual Arts Collective Features CWI Faculty
April VanDeGrift, who teaches painting and drawing at the College of Western Idaho (CWI), has curated an exhibition entitled "Terrarium" which opened on June 2 at the Visual Arts Collective (VAC). In addition, art instructor Eric Mullis was also featured in this exhibition! More than 50 artists from the area showcased their work during the exhibit. Venues stretch from the Riverside Hotel to the Midtown Business Park and the North End Organic Nursery.
Additional information can be found in the link below or by contacting April at aprilvandegrift@cwi.edu
This event is part of a Garden City First Friday event, for more information visit,
https://www.facebook.com/events/208375156338730/?ti=icl
CWI Explore Event Returns for 2017
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) will host a special event perfect for anyone who has started the admission process at CWI or is just thinking about starting college. In just one day, future students will be able to explore all the opportunities CWI offers as well as complete the enrollment process—from applying to registering for classes.
The Explore CWI event will take place June 21 (Wednesday) from 3 to 6 p.m. at the CWI Micron Center. Extra assistance will be available to help future students complete the steps to become a college student at CWI this fall.
Attendees will be able to:
- Explore starting at CWI
- Tour various locations, classrooms, and labs
- Meet with advisors
- Apply for FREE, be accepted, and register for Fall 2017
- Apply for financial aid
No appointment is needed. Sessions will start throughout the day for future students to join as they walk in. This is a great opportunity for students to do everything in one day. Don’t miss this opportunity!
When:
Wednesday, June 21
3 to 6 p.m.
Where:
Nampa Campus - Micron Center for Professional Technical Education
5725 E. Franklin Rd., Nampa – View Map
Recommended items to bring:
- High school transcripts, or official GED transcript, or official college transcripts
- Math/Writing placement:
- ACT or SAT
- Placement exams – CWI Testing and Assessment Centers
- College Math/English transfer credit
- Photo identification
- 2016 Tax Returns for FAFSA completion
If these items are not available for the event, CWI encourages future students to come and advisors will help them through the process.
Applying for financial aid? Check here for a list of items to bring. – Financial aid list
For more information visit cwi.edu/explore.
Have questions? Contact the CWI Enrollment team at enrollment@cwi.edu.
2017 CWI Listening Tour Concludes
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Board of Trustees and Administration visited eight communities to gather input on the future direction of the College.
CWI Board of Trustees and Administration concluded the first Listening Tour with the final event at Kuna High School on June 1. During the three week, eight-session tour, trustees engaged with constituents in Boise, Nampa, Parma, Middleton, Caldwell, Eagle, Meridian, and Kuna.
Members of the community asked questions ranging from programs to partnerships and shared suggestions on locations, funding, future direction, and more.
The Trustees and Administration will now review all of the input collected, and use it to help set a path for the future.
Recordings of the events are available on CWI’s YouTube channel.
The community is encouraged to stay engaged as the College continues to evolve serve the communities in Ada and Canyon counties.
How to stay engaged:
- Attend CWI Board of Trustee meetings – Meeting Schedule
- Share ideas and questions to listeningtour@cwi.edu
- Like CWI on Facebook
- Follow CWI on Twitter
