CWI Compass Connect - March 10, 2021
Spotlight
College of Western Idaho Department Chair of Health Professions, Sabina Omair, left, along with Occupational Therapy Assistant Instructor, Angela Zaugg, trying out isolation gowns donated to the College by SMHeuristics. The donation of 2,400 gowns will be used by students in the Dental Assisting, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Medical Assistant, and Professional Nursing programs.
News Highlights
MATH 095 at CWI a Winning Pathway to College
In the past three years, College of Western Idaho (CWI) has developed an exceptional bridge to help high school students complete their math requirements to graduate and launch their college careers.
The key to this success is CWI’s Dual Credit team using the College’s Math Solutions Center framework for MATH 095, and replicating the curriculum in high schools across the region.
“Math is a subject that causes anxiety for many students,” said Randi Smith, Senior Coordinator in Dual Credit. “It can be the reason students choose not to continue their education. By taking MATH 095 in high school, students are gaining confidence in their math skills and the courage to face their fears, pursue their education, and be successful at it.”
The program’s success is evident, CWI’s Enrollment and Student Services tracked a 14% matriculation rate to CWI, in the fall of 2020, for high school students completing MATH 095.
One of CWI’s partners in delivering this course is Compass Public Charter School in Meridian.
"Despite dealing with COVID-19 and the fact we only see half of our students a week at a time during our hybrid schedule, our students have been very successful this year in MATH 095,” said Courtney Fletcher, a math teacher at the school. “In the fall, we actually had all 28 of our students complete and pass their unit tests!”
MATH 095 is designed to allow students to complete college-prep mathematics in an instructionally-supported, individualized, learning-lab structure to help them meet prerequisites to enroll in transfer-level mathematics courses more quickly in their higher-education careers.
Students in the Compass Honors program spend time at the beginning of the year researching the college and degree they want to pursue after high school, and the students use this information to set a goal for the year.
“It is so nice to have a math class tailored to the needs of each of our students where they can go at their own pace and fill in gaps of knowledge to prepare for their senior year math course,” added Fletcher. “I am so lucky to be able to be involved in the implementation of MATH 095 in the school."
CWI’s Dual Credit program serves more than 12,000 high school students in the state, and another partner delivering the valuable math curricula is Kuna High School (KHS).
“Even my students who generally struggle with math find the program and tools easy to use and understand,” said Jaymie Quigley, who teaches at KHS. “One of my students walked in after taking the SAT and said she’d never felt more confident on the math portion of any standardized test than after being in CWI's Dual Credit MATH 095 class.”
The growth of this opportunity for students highlights the collaborative effort between CWI’s Office of Dual Credit and the Math Solutions Center to benefit the community.
“We are excited to give high school students a head-start toward earning a CWI degree or certificate,” said Carol Crothers, Manager of the Math Solutions Center. “Completing CWI course prerequisites while still in high school allows students to minimize or eliminate time spent in a college prep mathematics course and launches students on a course to meet their CWI degree requirements.”
To learn more about MATH 095 in high school please e-mail Carol Crothers at carolcrothers@cwi.edu and Randi Smith at randismith@cwi.edu.
Scholarships Open for Spring 2022 Semester
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation scholarship application period for the Spring 2022 semester opens Nov. 1. One application makes applying for scholarships at CWI easy providing students automatically-generated scholarship matches, in addition to allowing students to self-select scholarships of interest. More than 200 scholarships have already been awarded to students in both academic and career-technical programs at the College for the 2021-2022 academic year!
Students interested in applying for scholarships must have the CWI admission application completed, be accepted, and have myCWI login information. The application closes Nov. 30, 2021.
Visit the Grants and Scholarships page to learn more or apply.
Baylon-Mendoza Resigns from Board
College of Western Idaho Board of Trustees met Monday, March 8, 2021, in an emergency session to accept the resignation of April Baylon-Mendoza as trustee for Zone 3.
“The Board will be focused on identifying someone from Zone 3 who is committed to upholding the values and ethics that we as an institution and a board hold ourselves to,” said Board Chair Molly Lenty. “We are deeply dedicated to the very important work of advancing the College and to serving our students and communities here in the Treasure Valley.”
Persons interested in the open seat, and who live in Zone 3, mid-Meridian, Kuna and portions of Nampa (see map for zone boundaries) should contact the Board at trustees@cwi.edu.
Summer 2021 Registration
Registration for new, continuing, and returning students for College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Summer 2021 semester begins Monday, Feb. 22. Summer classes, which begin June 7, will be delivered in-person with online options to accommodate students’ learning and life styles.
New Students
New to CWI? The Summer 2021 admission deadline is Saturday, May 29. All, new, degree and non-degree seeking students must apply to CWI prior to registering for classes. Visit Applying to CWI for a complete list of steps to get started.
Non-Degree Seeking
- Upon completion of the application process and once accepted to CWI, new, non-degree seeking students can immediately register for classes.
Degree Seeking
- Upon completion of the application process and once accepted to CWI, new, degree-seeking students must participate in New Student Orientation prior to registering for classes.
Continuing and Returning Students
Course offerings can be viewed on myCWI.
Financial Aid
Contact Financial Aid at financialaid@cwi.edu to learn more about options available for students in need of financial assistance.
Students are encouraged to contact their Student Success Advisor with any questions or concerns. Registration for summer will be open through Friday, June 4.
Register for Summer 2021 Classes
2020-2021 Academic Calendar
Course Delivery Options
Local Veterans Chapter Gives to Help Students
Jim Curtis and Richard Cordero, representatives from the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 2 in Boise, met with College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation Board President, Ivan Castillo, in January to present the Foundation with a $1,600 donation for student scholarships.
The DAV Chapter 2 Boise scholarship fund, created for CWI students who are American veterans or are an immediate family member of an American veteran, awards a $1,000 scholarship to one student each academic year. While the fund was established in 2018 by Chapter 2, all Idaho chapters can contribute.
“DAV Chapter 2 donates to CWI in order to give disabled veterans and their dependents an opportunity to start or continue their education and help them achieve their goals,” said Commander Curtis.
The CWI Foundation scholarships application period is now open for the 2021-2022 academic year. Students interested in applying for scholarships must have the CWI admission application completed, be accepted, and have myCWI login information. The application closes March 31, 2021.
Visit the Grants and Scholarships page to learn more or apply.
CWI to Hold a Virtual Ceremony for 2021 Graduates
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will honor and celebrate 2021 graduates with a virtual commencement ceremony. Although the College takes great pride in our traditional, in-person ceremony, the safety of our students and the CWI community remains a top priority as we continue to navigate circumstances surrounding COVID-19.
While a virtual format may not be ideal for some, CWI is eager to create a memorable, unique, and personal experience for our graduates to share with family and friends. The virtual ceremony will take place in May. Graduates are encouraged to check their student email account, the CWI newsroom, and the Graduation webpage regularly for announcements and up-to-date information.
Spring 2021 Transfer Fair
Are you a College of Western Idaho student interested in learning more about transfer options?
Connect with different colleges and universities, and discover various transfer opportunities available to you during the College’s Spring 2021 Transfer Fair. Beginning March 2, students can access the Transfer Fair virtually via Blackboard in the MyCommons section at any time throughout the semester to learn about available programs, admission requirements, scholarship options, contact information, and more.
Contact Brittney Hernandez in Student Advising and Success at 208.562.2406 or brittneyhernandez@cwi.edu with questions or for more information.
Miner Named Faculty of Distinction for February
Congratulations to Eric Miner, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for February 2021. Miner taught his first class at the College in 2010 and teaches Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101), Human Relations for Success (PSYC 140), and CWI: Your Life Story (CWI 101).
“I get great pleasure from helping students orient themselves in the world – from helping them figure out who and where they are in life and where they want to go to how they can actualize their own potentials,” Miner said. “I love to see the light of comprehension go on in a student's eyes! This is my retirement; working to keep up with these sharp, young people helps me stay young (at least mentally).”
Miner holds a bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Leadership from George Fox University, a master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and doctorate in Educational Psychology from Capella University in Minnesota, and a master’s degrees in Educational Leadership and in Curriculum and Instruction from Boise State University. Prior to CWI, he worked as an engineer and manager at Hewlett-Packard in Boise for more than 30 years, as well as an instructor, associate dean, and dean at Stevens-Henager College.
“It is inspiring to watch Dr. Miner engage with students,” said Adjunct Faculty member, Danya Krueger. “In observing him teach, I especially like his methodology for appropriately connecting his previous professional experiences to the course discussion. I find self-disclosure like this allows students to see their instructor outside of just being an instructor modeling to them they can be and do many things in life. This connection has allowed Dr. Miner’s students to relate to him in a new light which, in turn, prompts them to actively engage in the classroom. Thank you, Dr. Miner, for being you and doing all you do for both your students and colleagues! It has been a great pleasure and honor to work with and learn from you!”
“CWI provides an important place for students to begin building the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for academic and professional success. People of all ages can come to CWI to learn more about themselves and take their lives in new, more-fulfilling directions,” said Miner. “Because of CWI, I get to spend time with people who teach me far more than I can ever teach them! I have to tell you, sometimes I wonder how I can make myself worthy to serve people as fine as these.”
A Boise native, Miner graduated from Borah High School in 1971. He and his wife of 47 years have four children (three of whom have served in the U.S. military), 12 grandchildren, and are expecting their first great grandchild. He loves 1940s music, 1950s cars, movies of all kinds, and documentary films on just about ANY subject.
Schoenherr Chosen as Leadership of National Honor Society
During the 2020 national convention of the American Psychological Association (APA) last fall, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Associate Professor, Heather Schoenherr, was appointed as the Rocky Mountain Regional Vice President on the Psi Beta National Council.
Psi Beta is the national honor society in psychology for community colleges and is a member of the Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS). Psi Beta is an affiliate of the APA and the American Psychological Society (APS). The Psi Beta mission is to professionally develop outstanding psychology students at two-year colleges through promotion and recognition of excellence in scholarship, leadership, research, and community service.
As Psi Beta’s Rocky Mountain Regional Vice President, Schoenherr is excited for the opportunity this role provides to bring a community college voice to associations both regionally and nationally.
“It is essential faculty at two-year institutions are part of the conversation regarding the development of curriculum and outcomes for psychology majors,” said Schoenherr. “Psi Beta is a great way for students to network with other students and professionals interested in psychology while creating a pathway for them to transfer to four-year institutions and the workforce successfully.”
To date, Schoenherr’s work has included helping to develop a peer-reviewed journal to recognize research community college students’ conduct and an award for emerging researchers.
“I am passionate about engaging students outside of the classroom through research and professional development,” she said. “I know the power connection has to transform students both intellectually and interpersonally. Our chapter at CWI focuses on collaboration with other clubs and institutions, engagement with professionals in the field, and various service activities and research activities, including our latest research project exploring appreciation and well-being.”
"Psi Beta created a space for me to explore exciting research on a national level,” said CWI graduate, Charity Watson. “Because of Psi Beta, I got to present research with my team at the Idaho Psychological Association conference, an enriching experience that landed us a first place prize for our poster presentation. Working with my talented peers alongside our brilliant and inspiring faculty mentor, Heather Schoenherr, has instilled a passion for research that continues to edify me in my work as a research assistant for Boise State University."
Psychology students interested in learning more about CWI’s Psi Beta chapter are encouraged to contact Schoenherr at heatherschoenherr@cwi.edu.
2021 President’s Writing Award Submissions
Get paid to do your homework! College of Western Idaho (CWI) President, Dr. Bert Glandon, invites all students to submit their writing to his annual contest for a chance at publication on the College’s website and a cash prize. First-place winners in each category receive $250, second-place winners receive $175, and third-place winners receive $100.
“This award is a celebration of the power of writing and its importance in to all academic disciplines,” Glandon said. “My wife and I look forward every year to this opportunity to review this amazing writing and great academic work that is done.”
Submission categories include:
- Creative Nonfiction
- Poetry
- Fiction
- Critical Analysis
- Literature Based Writing
- Original Research
- First-Year Writing
- Technical Writing
The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. March 6, 2021. You must be a CWI student to submit, and the writing must have been completed for coursework at CWI. Previously published writing will not be accepted. One submission per category is allowed. Submissions may not be submitted to more than one category.
Visit the President’s Writing Awards webpage for submission link and guidelines.
Student Nurses Association Thrives Despite Curve Balls
Members of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Student Nurses Association (SNA) have persisted through the curve balls of a global pandemic continuing their dedication to fostering the professional development of Professional Nursing students and giving back to the community.
Transitioning their meetings to an online format, the group meets regularly via Zoom to learn from leaders in the nursing industry as well as explore opportunities available to them following graduation. Guest speakers have included hiring managers, cancer care nurses, a traveling nurse, recruiters, and a diabetic educator.
“I love having the guest speakers attend our SNA meetings," said SNA member and first-year CWI student, Jordan Schwartz. “It is so nice to get different perspectives from those currently working in the field as well as from recruiters regarding what to expect as a new nurse!”
“Second-year SNA officers put our brains together to bring in contacts that could assist in teaching topics we know we struggled with in our first year as students,” said SNA Project Chair, Lizzie Glafke. “Our goal was to have guest speakers join us who could provide perspective and context to complex topics and to show how versatile and exciting the world of nursing can be.”
This year, in partnership with Family Advocates in Boise, SNA is gathering backpacks full of supplies for children in foster care. At the beginning of Fall 2020 semester, each member of the group was challenged to grab a backpack and add items, such as personal toiletries, books, and socks, to the backpack each month with the goal of delivering their filled backpacks to Family Advocates this April.
“We wanted to reach out to those in need while also maintaining responsible social distancing practices,” said Glafke. “Individually filling backpacks with items for these children was the perfect solution. As a former child in the foster care system, it warms my heart to see SNA taking a huge interest in ensuring we provide as many children as possible with the opportunity to feel loved and cared for.”
Individuals interested in contributing to SNA’s backpack project can drop off filled backpacks to the CWI Professional Nursing department located at the Canyon County Center or to Family Advocates directly. Contact Lizzie Glafke at lizzieglafke@my.cwi.edu to learn more or with questions.
Beta Sigma Pi Chapter Earns Five Star Status
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho's Beta Sigma Pi Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa for achieving 5-Star Status for the third year running, the highest rank for chapters nationwide.
The team, led by officers Jody Ayers, Rebecca Shelman, and Yaquelin Romero, spent the last year participating in regional and national PTK events, promoting local activities, and developing their leadership skills.
The two hallmarks of this achievement are the College Project and the Honors in Action Project, both of which were completed despite having to meet, plan, and execute the projects over zoom. The College Project included a slideshow with a summary of minority experiences in Idaho and included a survey about understanding these experiences. The data informed their Honors in Action Project, which is a badge program about learning and practicing strategies of empathy. Both of these projects provided useful information to help empower students.
