CWI Compass Connect - March 18, 2014
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) welcomed two inspirational events to campus, March 12-13, as the Associated Students of the College of Western Idaho (ASCWI) presented the fourth-annual St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraiser at CWI. Events were held at Nampa Campus Academic Building and Ada County Center where volunteers shaved their heads to help raise money for childhood cancer research. ASCWI has helped collect over $2,900 for the cause already this year and still has one more event remaining. Stop by the Micron Center for Professional Technical Education on Wednesday, March 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to join the effort. More information on the St. Baldrick’s activities can be found a cwi.edu/studentlife.
2014 CWI St. Baldrick's Fundraiser
News Highlights
CWI Speech and Debate Eyes Fourth Consecutive National Title
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Speech and Debate will look to continue its incredible run of success, next week, with a trip to Indianapolis, Ind. to vie for the College’s fourth-consecutive national championship. CWI is set to compete in the Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament, March 21-23, which will feature 80 colleges and universities from around the country.
CWI is sending 12 students to represent the College with hopes of adding to its unbelievable run of first-place finishes in the Community College Division in 2011, 2012, and 2013. CWI is following up another top showing at nationals in 2013, which included a fourth-place overall finish out of 89 colleges and universities. The title was powered by 17 gold and silver finishes in individual competitions.
“Our students are very excited to see if all their hard work will translate into another national championship,” says Director of Speech and Debate, Johnny Rowing. “The competition continues to get better, so we know it won’t be easy. But we do believe our 12 competitors are among the best in the nation. If we keep our focus on us, being the best we can be, the awards will come as a result.”
Public Input Welcome on Nampa Campus Master Plan
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is seeking input on its Nampa Campus Master Plan update and will be holding a series of public workshops this spring with CTA Architects and SRG Partnerships to help prepare for future growth. The workshops are intended to help gather input on ways to enhance the campus experience, better serve needs, strengthen connections, and align the College’s future. The public is welcome to attend the following upcoming sessions, see what the architects are working on, and share thoughts and ideas:
Thursday, March 20
Business Partner Listening Session
1:30-3:00 p.m.
Micron Center for Professional Technical Education RM1701 A/B
Education Partner Listening Session
3:30-5:00 p.m.
Micron Center for Professional Technical Education RM1701 A/B
Friday, March 21
Infrastructure Partner Listening Session
9-11 a.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building RM322
Public Partner Listening Session
1-3 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building RM206
CTA Architects and SRG Partnerships were selected to complete Phase II of the CWI Nampa Campus Master Plan. Idaho Division of Public Works is coordinating and administering all aspects of the project. Last fall, the State Permanent Building fund approved CWI’s request for funds to further work on the current master plan to address new priorities and reflect the growth and changes surrounding Nampa Campus.
Skills On Wheels Car Show Returns to CWI
College of Western Idaho (CWI) SkillsUSA will be hosting the second-annual Skills On Wheels Car Show, April 5, to fundraise for students to travel to the organization’s national competition this summer. The car show, which will be held at the CWI Micron Center for Professional Technical Education in Nampa, features modified, import, muscle, and stock cars, trucks, eighteen wheelers, and motorcycles.
Admission to the event is $5 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. All proceeds from the event go to CWI SkillsUSA.
To register a vehicle, become a sponsor, or reserve a booth space visit www.cwiintc.net. Please contact Alex Beal at alexbeal@cwi.edu or Michael Tamas at michaeltamas@my.cwi.edu with questions.
CWI Night at the Steelheads
College of Western Idaho (CWI) invites employees, students, alumni, friends, and family to support student scholarships by taking in CWI Night at the Steelheads, Friday (April 4), at CenturyLink Arena. CWI has partnered with the Idaho Steelheads hockey team to offer discounted $15 tickets, of which $5 will be donated to the CWI Foundation for student scholarships. The puck drops at 7:10 p.m. and the game is sure to provide a fun night in downtown Boise. To purchase tickets, visit:
www.igrouptix.com/idahosteelheads
Username: CWI
Password: TICKETS
Workforce Development Launches Newsletter
In March, Workforce Development at College of Western Idaho (CWI) is launching a new monthly newsletter titled, Workforce Times. Workforce Times will provide up-to-date information related to short term career focused training, including new and upcoming classes, local community impacts, and quick links to more information.
Interested in signing up for the newsletter? Visit cwi.edu/wd and click the signup for the Newsletter link.
IT Programs Announce Competitive Entry Process
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Information Technology programs have announced they are transitioning to a Competitive Entry Application for the Fall 2014 semester. Computer Support Specialist, Cisco Networking and Security Technologies, Information Security and Digital forensics, Network Administration, and Web Development will begin accepting applications through the new process March 15. In preparation for the change to Competitive Entry Applications, information sessions are being held throughout March that will highlight the concentrations of each program, degrees, and career opportunities.
More information on the new competitive entry process, information session details, and applications can be found on each of the IT program web pages.
New Licensed Counselor Joins CWI
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Student Enrichment Department is pleased to announce the addition of a valuable new student resource, as Nate Bonovitz has joined the staff as the College’s first Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Bonovitz is tasked with developing a crisis counseling program at CWI and will also be providing resources to students and staff involved in student success. Students experiencing serious life concerns or mental health problems are encouraged to contact Nate at natebonovitz@cwi.edu or 208.562.2547.
Collins Named March Staff of the Month
Please join in congratulating Georgiana Collins, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) March Staff of the Month.
Since joining CWI Tutoring as a writing consultant in August of 2012, Collins has been an incredible asset to CWI’s students. The students give overwhelming amounts of positive feedback about her expertise and her willingness to help. Her dedication to student success is incredible, but she also shows dedication to her department. She volunteers for as much as she can take on while still finding time to help mentor the new writing consultants.
Collins currently holds an Associate of Arts in Political Science from CWI, and is a junior at Boise State University pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Economics. She is fluent in both Romanian and English, having been born in Romania before moving to the United States in 1990. Collins says that being part of the Writing Center has been an incredible opportunity that has expanded her academic possibilities in ways that she never could have anticipated and she feels truly blessed to work with such an amazing team.
Thank you Georgiana for your hard work and continued dedication in supporting student success.
March Faculty of Distinction Goes to O'Hanahan
Patrick O’Hanahan has been named College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for March.
O’Hanahan has been an instructor in the Business and Information Technology Network Administration program since 2009. He has earned numerous industry certifications, and brings over 32 years of IT industry experience and 14 years of community college teaching experience into the classroom. O’Hanahan is a dedicated and collaborative faculty member who consistently develops new classes and implements new labs and outcomes to meet the needs of the industry. He regularly reviews industry requirements for employment and adjusts material presented to students accordingly.
O’Hanahan is involved in many capacities at the College. He recently participated in the spring 2014 All-Faculty In-service by co-presenting a workshop entitled “My student just did WHAT!!?” with Amy Sharp. He serves on the CWI Student Conduct Board that meets weekly and has been tasked with creating a Student Conduct Philosophy statement, a comprehensive Student Conduct Manual for CWI, and training materials for CWI faculty. Pat also serves on Faculty Senate as a representative for the Professional Technical Education Business and IT department.
Other service includes maintaining the independent computer network and department computer server room for the IT programs. He also assists in classroom setup, mentoring new faculty, and troubleshooting IT related issues. He recently served on the State Division of Professional Technical Education alignment committee that is working to align high school curriculum with entry-level college courses. His primary task was to develop the statewide Networking exam required of high school students for entry into a college-level program.
Please join in congratulation Pat for this distinction. Thank you for all that you do.
