CWI Compass Connect - March 10, 2015
In the Spotlight
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Biology Club hosted a bird education and conservation event recently aimed at raising awareness about the American Kestrel. The club collaborated with the American Kestrel Partnership and MK Nature Center to host the event at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. Activities included a live bird presentation and a question and answer session. The day concluded with the building of nesting boxes that will be placed on and near Nampa Campus to promote population recovery in the area.
News Highlights
CWI Speech and Debate Wins Fourth National Title
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Speech and Debate team has added another achievement to its storied history, winning the top two-year college award at the Pi Kappa Delta (PKD) National Comprehensive Tournament for the fourth time in five years. The 49th annual PKD championship was held at Ohio University in Athens, March 4-8.
The trophy adds to the College’s incredible run of first-place finishes at nationals in 2011, 2012, and 2013, along with a runner-up finish in 2014. CWI has only been competing in Speech and Debate since 2009.
“Success like this is unheard of for such a young college,” notes CWI President Bert Glandon. “Not only is the CWI Speech and Debate team bringing the top recognition home to Idaho, but they have done it four times in just five years. We are now nationally recognized as the college to beat, and I couldn’t be more proud of this team and our coaches.”
This year’s tournament featured 79 schools from across the nation, including both two-year and four-year schools. Of the 14 students representing CWI, seven were first-year competitors and 13 were competing in their first national tournament.
"As a leader on this team, it has been an honor to not only watch my teammates grow, but to also learn from them," says Justin Fields, president of the CWI Pi Kappa Delta chapter. "I'm proud that we rallied together to bring the national championship back to CWI."
Individually, CWI students earned awards in both speech and debate events. In speech events, Natalie Streight received a silver award in Broadcast Journalism, while Streight and Mallory Clark took second in Duo Interpretation. In debate events, Roger Johnston received gold for his performance in IPDA debate.
The CWI Speech and Debate team will now turn its attention to another national competition – the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) National Tournament – hosted by Boise State University, March 27-29.
CWI Launches New Law Enforcement Program
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has announced it is accepting applications for a new Law Enforcement program, which has been approved by the Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Council. The program, which is part of CWI’s Professional Technical Education division, will welcome its first class of students in the fall 2015 semester.
All classes will be taught by certified POST academy instructors at CWI’s Canyon County Center in Nampa. Retired Nampa Chief of Police, LeRoy Forsman, has been appointed Program Chair.
Through the program, students can choose to complete a two year Associate of Applied Science degree or an 11 month technical certificate. The program will offer two areas of concentration; patrol officer and jail. Because of the POST designation, graduates from CWI’s Law Enforcement program will not be required to complete basic police academy training prior to challenging the POST certification exam.
“CWI will provide students with a top quality education while preparing them to enter the law enforcement field with a strong skillset,” says Forsman. “Law enforcement agencies throughout the region have a need to fill open positions. Our goal at CWI is to provide these agencies with educated, well trained people who will be the next generation of peace officers.”
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of patrol officer jobs is projected to grow six percent from 2012 to 2022, both in Idaho and nationally. Similarly, correctional officer and jailer jobs are expected to see a five percent increase during the same period.
CWI plans to accept 25 students into the program each fall semester. May 1 is the application deadline for the fall 2015 class. All Law Enforcement program applicants are required to complete an extensive back ground check and a competitive entry application, in addition to applying to CWI for general admission. Students may start the program prior to 21 years of age, but must be 21 to test for fitness, firearms, and the POST exam.
CWI will host information sessions on March 18 and 19 for anyone interested in learning more about the program. Visit cwi.edu/program/law-enforcement for more details on the information sessions and the program.
CWI Horticulture Students Win Industry Scholarships
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is celebrating a pair of students from its Horticulture Technology program who were recently awarded $750 scholarships from the Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association (INLA). Lindsey Dejuncker and Jacqueline Correnti were chosen for two of three statewide scholarships presented at the INLA Horticulture Expo in January. Dejuncker and Correnti were selected among applicants from the University of Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, and Brigham Young University-Idaho.
Dejuncker, of Boise, and Correnti, from Star, are both in their second year of the program. They were selected by INLA Board members based on applications that considered faculty recommendations, service, and commitment to the horticulture profession. In addition to the program, both students are heavily involved in the Horticulture Club, as well as other volunteer opportunities in the community.
“The CWI Horticulture Technology program is proud of Lindsey and Jacqueline,” says CWI Horticulture Instructor, Dan Schults. “Their selection shows the quality of students in our program. Such recognition by statewide programs like the Idaho Nursery and Landscape Association also gives legitimacy and prestige to the CWI Horticulture Technology program.”
CWI Free Application Week Returns
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is helping future students take the first step in starting college this fall with Free Application Week, March 23-30. Anyone who applies to CWI during Free Application Week will have the $25 application fee waived.
Free Application Week is intended to encourage future students to apply now so they are ready to register for the fall semester when class registration opens in April. Students who register early have a greater opportunity to get classes before they are full as well as complete other important steps like applying for financial aid and scholarships.
Anyone interested in applying to CWI can fill out the online application at cwi.edu/apply. For more information on becoming a student at CWI, visit cwi.edu/go.
FAFSA Completion Night at CWI
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will host a FAFSA Completion Night in Boise and Nampa on March 24, 2015. The events will help future students complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application which is necessary to receive federal financial assistance for college.
CWI will have academic and financial aid advisors available to answer questions, provide direction, and give tips on best practices. In addition they will discuss the importance of being responsible with financial aid during college and in loan repayment.
Space is limited. Anyone planning to attend should RSVP to reserve a spot. There are four sessions to choose from between two locations.
March 24 – Sessions start at 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Reasons to Attend:
- Complete Your Application for Financial Aid
- Understand Your Financial Aid Options
- Learn to Manage Your Financial Aid
- Advisors On-Hand to Help
In addition to FAFSA Completion Night, CWI is offering to waive the $25 application fee for anyone applying to CWI during FREE Application Week, March 23 and 30.
Ceramic Artist Featured in CWI’s Visiting Artist Series
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to welcome ceramic artist Alison Reintjes to campus, March 12-14, as the next guest in its Visiting Artist Series. On Thursday, March 12, Reintjes will give a public lecture beginning at 6 p.m. with a reception planned immediately following her presentation. She will also lead a hands-on workshop Friday and Saturday (March 13-14). Materials will be provided and the workshop is free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. All events will be held in room 206 of CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building.
Reintjes lives in Missoula, Mont. Her work includes functional objects, wall based sculpture, and design concepts. She first moved to Montana in 2001 for a residency at the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts. Reintjes studied at Kent State University, the Canberra School of Art in Australia, and Northern Michigan University. She has completed numerous residencies, taught widely, and exhibited both nationally and internationally.
For more information please contact Goran Fazil at goranfazil@cwi.edu or Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu.
Upgrade U.0 Campaign Unveiled by College of Western Idaho
College of Western Idaho has launched a new college-wide marketing campaign – Upgrade U.0 [you-point-oh!], which focuses on connecting people to life upgrades achievable through higher education. Upgrade U.0 plays off the constant technology upgrades promoted to people every day. Who doesn’t want “the latest-and-greatest?” From new technology to better equipment and faster processes, it seems the focus is always on what’s next; but despite a desire for constant upgrades of the material gadgets in our lives, we often neglect the personal knowledge upgrades we need to stay sharp and marketable. CWI’s Upgrade U.0 campaign uses familiar technology lingo as a way to communicate the benefits of college.
The people illustrations in the campaign represent CWI student personas who are benefiting from “upgrades” at CWI. From a student graduating high school unsure of his future, to a recent graduate with a long road of college ahead, to an older adult looking to update her skills in support of a career change; CWI connects with the “you” of now and offers an Upgrade U.0 – the new version of you.
The messages speak to those interested in earning an associate degree, a professional certificate, or targeted training courses to improve specific skills. Some of the campaign’s new taglines include:
- Boost Your Knowledge
- Power Your Potential
- Recharge Your Career
CWI is built upon the idea of serving students who take an active role in this idea of personal upgrades. It should come as no surprise; after all, community colleges are open access, inclusive, and market driven. The very nature of a community college lends well to serving a melting pot of diverse individuals gathering to complete extraordinary journeys and upgrade their lives.
With tuition nearly half the cost of public four-year universities and a third the price of private institutions, an upgrade at CWI is a great value. For people still searching for direction the cost makes it an ideal environment for discovery. Whether transferring to another college or into a career, CWI is the smart way to upgrade.
For more information on your personal Upgrade U.0 visit www.collegeofU.com.
