CWI Compass Connect - June 14, 2016
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) welcomed students back to campus on June 6 for the start of summer semester classes. The new semester means a rush of activity around campus, including CWI’s various support services. Seen here is the Math Solutions Center (MSC) located at the College’s Nampa Campus Academic Building. Faculty in the MSC are already busy helping students work on completing their Math 095 requirements this semester.
News Highlights
CWI Adds Classes to Meet Workforce Demand
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is continuing to help meet the needs of local employers by expanding its offerings for five professional-technical programs. Based on high requests, both from students and employers, CWI will be adding sessions over the next year for Automotive Technology, Machine Tool Technology, Perioperative Nursing, Software Development, and Welding and Metals Fabrication. The expanded training opportunities will accommodate an additional 90 students.
All five programs train for careers that are projected to grow by 15-26 percent in Idaho from 2012 to 2022, according to the Idaho Department of Labor. Four of the programs will now offer classes that run in the afternoon and evening, providing more flexibility for students. CWI’s new Perioperative Nursing program, meanwhile, is the only training of its kind in Idaho.
New Course Offerings and Start Dates
- Fall 2016 - Machine Tool Technology and Automotive Technology afternoon/evening sessions.
- Fall 2016 - First public Perioperative Nursing program day session.
- Spring 2017 - Welding and Software Development afternoon/evening sessions.
“CWI is excited to be able to make a difference for student access and workforce demand,” says Will Fanning, CWI’s Dean of Professional Technical Education. “The new options are a great opportunity for those already employed to have the ability to advance their career training and skillset while continuing to work.”
Registration is currently open for CWI’s fall semester. Visit cwi.edu/go for more information on programs and applying to CWI.
Explore CWI - Special One Day Event
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. Anyone applying to CWI at the Explore CWI event will have the $25 application fee waived.
The Explore CWI event will take place June 29 (Wednesday) from 2 to 7 p.m. at CWI's Micron Center for Professional Technical Education. 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 CWI programs and services
- Tour various locations, classrooms, and labs
- Meet with advisors and faculty
- Apply, be accepted, and register for Fall 2016
- 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 29
2 to 7 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
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
Have questions? Contact the CWI Enrollment team at enrollment@cwi.edu.
Learning How to Read, Write, and Succeed
Reading, writing, and arithmetic. Commonly known as the three Rs, children begin to learn these basic skills the minute they start school. But imagine if you never went to school, and never learned how to read or write. That’s how Liz Driml went through life—that is until she decided to earn a GED utilizing free courses offered at College of Western Idaho (CWI). Five years and one scholarship later, she is steadily working her way toward completing CWI’s Heavy-Equipment Technician program.
“I come from a unique background where I didn’t go to grade school, and I didn’t want to be left behind,” she said. “The only way to get where I wanted was to get a GED. Employers won’t hire you without an education, so your options are limited.”
Her goal of obtaining a GED quickly turned into the goal of earning a two-year degree. She chose the Diesel Technology program because the professional-technical education path would provide her with the structure she needs. She also says it will also support her goal of owning her own beef cattle business in the future.
“I grew up on a dairy farm which led me to fall in love with agriculture,” she said. “My parents own a farm and I have been around cattle all of my life.”
To help pay for her education, Liz sold around 20 head of cattle from her own herd. She also received a scholarship through the CWI Foundation from the Nampa Industrial Corporation. It helped her pay for the tools she needed for her classes.
“The opportunity for receiving this scholarship has been such an awarding experience for me,” she said. “It alleviates some of my financial worries, and allows me to spend time focusing on my studies.”
Liz recently finished the first year of her program and received her Heavy-Equipment Technician certification. She begins the home stretch to receiving her associate degree this fall.
“I feel a great sense of accomplishment in what I have been able to achieve so far,” she said. “I’ve spent a lot of time going to office hours and tutoring. I’ve had to convince myself to take it one step at a time, and that is what I’m doing.”
In addition to her studies, Liz is active in CWI’s Art Club and choir. She looks for opportunities to interact with her classmates and peers to improve her growth socially.
From Recovery to Academic All-Star
Addiction is a strong word. Surrounded with stigma, it’s a word people try to deny, ignore, and avoid being associated with. But Andrew Barrios is very different. Open and honest, he is the first to admit he was once heading down the wrong path. Now a self-driven individual, he has successfully turned his life around and he has College of Western Idaho (CWI) to partially thank.
“I moved to Idaho about two and a half years ago,” he said. “I had no friends, no family, and I was in an all-new environment. I was just starting the recovery process. It has been a journey ever since.”
The first in his family to go to college, Andrew has always done well in school—that is when he attended. He dropped out of high school shortly before he was supposed to graduate and decided to go it alone. He says he supported himself by selling drugs.
“Rebellion got the best of me,” he said. “I was supposed to graduate in 2009, but ended up getting my GED two years after that. The weird thing is that everyone saw the greatest within me way before I ever did.”
After realizing he needed help, a family friend recommended the recovery program at Lighthouse Rescue Mission. Two days later, he arrived in Nampa from Arizona. Part of Andrew’s long-term recovery plan included going to college. He found CWI through research, and discovered it was the best fit for him due to its convenience, scheduling, and cost. It also allowed him to work full time and stay involved with his church and community. Today, he is an academic all-star.
“I never thought I’d be here—just months away from graduating,” he said. “I’m a sophomore majoring in Biology. I have a 3.89 grade point average. I’m a member of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and I have been awarded two scholarships.”
Andrew recently received the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Scholarship through the CWI Foundation. The first scholarship he received was the Nampa Industrial Corporation. Both awards have helped him support himself as an independent adult while he lives a clean life.
“In this day and age, we’re supposed to have our lives together,” he said. “What has kept me on this path is believing in myself, and knowing I’m an example as a leader in my community. I am entrusted with responsibility and I don’t want to fail—myself or those who look up to me.”
Andrew now surrounds himself with like-minded people and healthy relationships. His life goal is to become a pediatrician. He has already been accepted to Northwest Nazarene University; where he will transfer after graduating from CWI in December.
CWI to Connect with Community through Summer Events
While summer-time means fun-time it also means College of Western Idaho (CWI) is taking the message of education to the streets. The CWI Street Teams are gearing up to hit the streets at summer community events around the Treasure Valley. Participation in the Street Team effort provides a chance for students to raise funds for their club or organization.
Since 2012, student-led Street Teams have been promoting opportunities available at CWI through concerts, fairs, sporting events, and more. Their goal is to raise awareness, engage, and create excitement about educational opportunities at CWI.
Street Teams will also be joining forces with CWI’s Presidential Ambassadors to promote the Community. Workforce. Innovation. campaign aimed at educating the community on CWI’s value and impact on the community. In support of both the recruitment and awareness campaign new events have been added to the busy schedule. Be sure to join CWI at these upcoming events:
- June 10, Silver Screen on the Green
- June 22, Alive After Five
- June 25, Boise Music Festival
- June 25, Meridian Speedway
- June 29, Explore CWI
- June 30, Boise Hawks Baseball
- July 4, Boise Fireworks Display
- July 8, Silver Screen on the Green
- July 16, Meridian Speedway
- July 20, Alive After Five
- July 30, Canyon County Fair
- August 6-7, Bam Jam Basketball Tournament
- August 13, Nampa Festival of Arts
Please contact CWI’s Marketing and Advancement Department at 208.562.3100 or email communications@cwi.edu with any questions.
Fall 2016 Career Focus Magazine Published
The Fall 2016 edition of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Career Focus Magazine is available online as more than 80,000 copies hit Treasure Valley mailboxes in early June. The magazine can be viewed online at cwidaho.mycareerfocus.org. Please email communications@cwi.edu for hardcopies.
CWI Enrollment Advisor Named Rising Star
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Enrollment Advisor, Oster Hernandez, has earned a distinguished honor from his peers with the Pacific Northwest Association for College Admission Counseling (PNACAC). Hernandez received the Rising Star Award at the association’s 50th annual conference hosted May 25-27 at Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Washington.
The Rising Star Award is given by PNACAC each year to one secondary school or college admissions counselor. Nominees must have five years or fewer experience in the profession and display exceptional dedication to their job. Hernandez was nominated by CWI’s Assistant Director for Outreach and Enrollment Management, Kellen Willis, and Director of Admission and One Stop Operations, Luis Caloca. He was selected for the honor by a committee of admission and secondary education counselors.
Hernandez has worked at CWI since February 2014. He spent one year working in the College’s Assessment and Testing Department before transitioning to the Enrollment team. Hernandez has a bachelor’s degree in Communication with an emphasis in marketing and sales from University of Phoenix.
