CWI Compass Connect - May 31, 2023
News Highlights
College of Western Idaho Expands in Nampa
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to announce new buildings and facilities on our main Nampa Campus, enhancing opportunities for the more than 30,000 students we serve. The investment in new infrastructure in Nampa will expand CWI’s presence significantly — supporting students and the community. The expansion projects include:
- Health & Sciences Building: This new 45,000 square-foot building will consolidate several programs to our Nampa campus, providing ease of access for students. This will be Phase I of this project and serve many of CWI’s most in-demand programs including nursing, biology, and medical assistant.
- Student Learning Hub: This 35,000 square-foot facility is Phase I, and positions CWI as a destination for employers and community to engage students in a central location. Additionally, the building will be the home to several resources to support student success.
- Agricultural Science and Horticulture Buildings: The new agricultural science and horticulture buildings will have over 30,000 square feet of classroom, lab, greenhouse and shop spaces. Phase I of this project will include an orchard and plots for production to provide students with hands-on learning experiences.
“CWI is expanding our main campus in Nampa to increase the delivery of practical skills and education that our students want and our community needs,” said CWI President Gordon Jones.
“CWI is an incredibly important asset to the Treasure Valley, providing the needed skillsets to students of all ages,” said Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling. “I’m so excited to see the continued investment at the Nampa Campus.”
The College has partnered with local companies, ESI and Cushing Terrell, for the new buildings on the Nampa Campus. The Health and Sciences Building, as well as the Agricultural Science and Horticulture buildings, are planned to open for classes in the Fall 2025. These projects are the first phase of CWI’s Nampa Campus expansion, with new buildings and services to follow soon. The Student Learning Hub will open in the Fall 2026. For more information and to stay up to date about the College’s future plans for growth, visit CWI’s website.
More than 1,700 Honored at 14th Commencement
Families and friends came together Friday, May 12, to honor the bold achievements of the more than 1,700 College of Western Idaho (CWI) graduates. CWI’s 14th Commencement Ceremony, held at ExtraMile Arena in Boise, celebrated graduates as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.
“It is exhilarating to witness the electricity in this room, to witness the power, passion, and purpose of you, the graduates, who have toiled valiantly, to reach this hallmark moment in your lives: graduation,” said Vice Chair of CWI’s Board of Trustees, Cherie Buckner-Webb. “I feel the energy, excitement, and pride in this place. I honor your sacrifice and preparation.”
“I see before me men and women from a wide range of disciplines, with a multiplicity of perspectives and expertise, ready to build communities where all can flourish. It’s an amazing time in Treasure Valley!”
The 2022-2023 academic year saw 1,763 CWI students graduate from the College, ranging in age from 17 to 75 years old, and earning 1,911 degrees and certificates. Other highlights included:
- 603 Graduates with Honors
- 302 Graduates with Multiple Degrees
- 111 Veteran Graduates
- 3.277 Average Graduate GPA
- 251 Apprenticeship Graduates
- 47 Associate of Arts Degrees Awarded to Dual Credit Students
- 41 GED Graduates
The success of this year’s graduating class prompted remarks from Idaho State Board of Education President, Dr. Linda Clark. She reinforced the message to graduates they are ready for what comes next in life, thanks to the education and resources they received at CWI.
Clark urged graduates to continue to support higher education in the future.
“Support the College through its programs and outreach,” she said. “Share your success story at CWI with others. Let them know the life-changing differences that post-secondary training and education make in one’s life. Your continued personal commitment and support for education will make it possible for others to enjoy access to the world of opportunities that your CWI education has opened for you.”
CWI President Gordon Jones shared his immense pride and gratitude to be able to have been witness to the graduates’ hard work and dedication. The stories of the thousands of students who attend CWI to better themselves and those around them are what move him.
“Today, we celebrate not just your academic achievement but also your resilience and determination,” he said. “We are a community college. Community is at the heart of what we do, and we are defined by those of you whom we serve.”
Stories like Liberal Arts graduate, Megan Hall, who was identified at an early age as hard of hearing, inspire Jones.
At Commencement, Hall shared about herself and how asking for help had always been one of her biggest struggles in life. She was often met with belittlement or rejection every time she reached out for assistance — that was until she came to CWI and interacted with faculty and staff.
Through accommodations at the College, Hall felt academically engaged like never before and she could see new possibilities that had once been too far out of reach. Hall said her experience at CWI gives her hope for other students who share similar stories to her, and for those who need other types of support.
“For some of us, we are continuing our education, others are ready to start their careers, and some have just completed what was necessary to further a career they are already in,” Hall said. “Nonetheless, CWI has given us a basic foundation to further our aspirations. I will take these experiences with me as I continue to reach for my goals and hope you all do as well.”
Before Commencement came to a close, Jones reminded graduates they are not just walking away with a degree or certificate, but with the power to shape their own future.
“You have the tools, the knowledge, and the skills to take on whatever challenges come your way,” Jones said. “Whether you choose to continue your education, enter the workforce, or pursue other passions, you have the ability to make a difference in the world. You are not alone, and you now have a community that supports you every step of the way.”
‘You are the Frontline of Healthcare’: 2023 Nurse Pinning Ceremony
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Registered Nursing program celebrated and honored its 2023 graduating class during a pinning ceremony at the Nampa Civic Center Thursday, May 11. Graduates were surrounded by family, friends, and their support systems as they marked the end of a chapter in their lives and began a new one.
Kicking off the ceremony, Department Chair of Nursing, Allison Baker, welcomed and congratulated graduates for getting to this point in their education and careers. She explained the ceremony gives faculty the chance to not only acknowledge the graduates’ hard work and perseverance over the last few years but to recognize them as peers in the field of nursing.
“Congratulations to each one of you. Nursing school is tough, and you did it,” said Baker. “The long hours of studying, practicing skills, and preceptorship have culminated into this moment. Your faculty and I are extremely proud of you for forging ahead and successfully completing this program. The determination and flexibility you’ve demonstrated during this time will serve you well into your careers.”
Following Baker, graduates and guests heard remarks from CWI Provost Denise Aberle-Cannata, Adjunct Faculty and CWI Nursing alumna, Jessica Watson, and graduating Nursing student, Cayla Butler.
Butler shared memories over the last two years, from the stress of applying and being accepted into the program to their early morning clinical times in their final semester. She thanked her and her fellow graduates’ loved ones and faculty for their support through it all.
Lastly, Butler shared her appreciation for “the best cohort ever.” While they may have started this journey as strangers, she is proud and happy to call them lifelong friends with whom she shared incredible memories with.
“It has been a privilege to do nursing school with this exceptional group of people,” Butler said. “Now that we have officially documented the last two years, we can officially say that we’ve done it. Congratulations Class of 2023!”
The ceremony then honored graduate, Stephanie Opper, as the winner of the 2023 Nightingale Award. Opper was nominated by classmates for depicting the best of the nursing profession in knowledge, professionalism, ethical behavior, compassion, and dedication.
Faculty then transitioned into the pinning portion of the ceremony, which symbolizes the nursing graduates’ hard work and dedication toward their education and profession. Forty-five graduates were honored during the pinning ceremony.
Upon the conclusion of the pinning, faculty, graduates, and guests held a moment of silence in remembrance of student, Margie Lluellyn, who passed away. Lluellyn began the Nursing program in 2021 with this year’s graduates.
Faculty then honored graduates with the traditional candle lighting portion of the ceremony. It commemorates Florence Nightingale, also known as the “lady of the lamp,” which referred to how she would carry a lamp at night to make rounds on the injured soldiers during the Crimean War.
“The lighted lamp came to symbolize a nurse’s dedication to caring for patients’ needs,” said Nursing Faculty, Jen Mimish.
To conclude the ceremony, Nursing Faculty, Balenda Snow, reminded graduates of the importance of the role nurses play in the lives of others.
“You are the frontline of healthcare,” Snow said. “You are the ones who will provide comfort, support, and hope to patients and their families in times of some of their most vulnerable and darkest moments. The wise Maya Angelou once said, ‘As a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the mind, soul, heart, and body of our patients. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.’”
WATCH: 2023 Nurse Pinning Ceremony
Applications for CWI’s Registered Nursing program are open through Friday, May 19. For more information on the application process and requirements, please visit the Registered Nursing page, or contact Allison Baker at allisonbaker2@cwi.edu or 208.562.2307.
Registration for Fall 2023
For those starting out or starting something big — register for classes this fall at College of Western Idaho (CWI)! With a variety of resources, flexible course options, and caring instructors, CWI is here to help you on your pathway to success every step of the way.
Let’s get started!
Important Fall 2023 Dates
- Priority Registration Opens – Monday, April 10
- Open Registration Opens – Monday, April 17
- Admission Deadline for 16-Week Class Session – Saturday, Aug. 12
- Registration Deadline for 16-Week Class Session – Friday, Aug. 18
- First Day of Classes for 16-Week Class Session – Monday, Aug. 21
Continuing Students
Priority registration at CWI for the Fall 2023 semester for 16-week class session begins Monday, April 10. Priority registration allows continuing students a chance to enroll in classes ahead of open registration, helping students stay on track for graduation.
Following are a few tips for current students:
- Be sure to meet with your Advisor prior to registering. Students can register any time on or after their assigned registration time.
- Registration times are assigned based on cumulative credits earned. Check myCWI and your student email for your assigned time.
- Continuing students are considered those who enrolled and attended classes any semester since Fall 2020.
- Dual credit students will register during open registration.
New Students
Open registration for all students, including new and returning, begins Monday, April 17.
New to CWI? The Fall 2023 admission deadline for 16-week class session is Saturday, Aug. 12. 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 may 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.
Course offerings can be viewed in Student Planning for all continuing and returning students.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Contact Financial Aid at financialaid@cwi.edu to learn more about options available for students in need of financial assistance.
The scholarship application period for the 2023-2024 academic year is now open. Apply for a variety of scholarships through a single application. Students interested in applying for scholarships must have the CWI admission application completed, be accepted, and have student account login information.
Students are encouraged to watch for emails and texts with important next steps for the completion of the registration process. Contact One Stop Student Services or your Advisor with any questions or concerns.
Fall registration for the 16-week class session will be open through Friday, Aug. 18, and classes will begin Monday, Aug. 21.
Register for Fall 2023 Classes
For those interested in learning about other dates and deadlines for Fall 2023 semester, including 8-week class session, please visit CWI's academic calendar.
Schoenherr Named 2023 Innovative Educator
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Professor of Psychology, Heather Schoenherr, who was awarded a GEM Award for Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing by the Idaho State Board of Education and CapEd Credit Union!
Schoenherr began her CWI journey in Fall 2008 as one of the founding faculty members at the College, where she was able to help other faculty and staff, set up classrooms, and create the culture for CWI when the College opened its doors to students for Spring 2009 semester.
For the last 15 years, Schoenherr has been able to teach students on either end of their CWI journey — those about to graduate in the Social Sciences Capstone course (SOC 290) and those who are in their first semester at the College enrolled in Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101).
Schoenherr believes the best way to prepare students to become lifelong learners is to help give them insight into themselves and how they process information. To do this, she emphasizes three themes when teaching: challenges, connections, and processes.
First, she stresses that growth comes from challenges. She immediately dispels the myth that if you are struggling, you do not belong. Because of the many different students and backgrounds she works with, she believes it is important to recognize that feeling challenged does not mean you are in the wrong place, instead, you are where you need to be to grow.
“This sets the tone to embrace vulnerability and remove shame surrounding perceived shortcomings in learning,” said Schoenherr. “My focus is always to equip students with an effective knowledge base that allows them to succeed at the content level and promotes an intentional mental framework about themselves as students and professionals.”
Schoenherr has students create connections with others to achieve a connection with the material. In class, students work together in groups to collaborate and evaluate information successfully through her lectures and skill development work.
Lastly, Schoenherr demonstrates the value of falling in love with the process versus the product. She believes this pushes a student to embrace growth and to be purposeful with the skills they are developing. She encourages students to look at failure as a learning opportunity and not a defining character moment.
Through Schoenherr’s guidance, students can achieve more than they imagined possible.
“Heather was an amazing teacher," said one of Schoenherr’s former students. “She was very attentive to her students and grades were always available in a timely manner. For an online class, I was impressed with how present she was. Any question I asked was answered on the same day, and she was supportive and informational. I would recommend Heather to any student. Loved this class.”
Schoenherr has a passion to teach. The profession has allowed her to facilitate connections which then empowers students to strengthen who they are as individuals and as members of society. Being at CWI, she is able to support the mission of a community college to create access to education for all!
“I am privileged to work alongside talented faculty and dedicated students who inspire me to be a better educator,” said Schoenherr. “This award represents my passion for facilitating students’ understanding of human behavior and experiences to serve them in their education, personal life, and careers.
Schoenherr and five other higher education faculty members across the state were recognized earlier this month for their efforts to improve student success in general education courses at Idaho’s public higher education institutions at the General Education Summit in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, held Oct. 12 – 13. The award winners were invited to give a presentation to Summit attendees describing practices they use in the classroom that benefit students.
“I was excited that most of the recipients talked about how they used open educational resources (OER) to help students access materials free of charge to improve learning,” said Dr. TJ Bliss the State Board of Education’s Chief Academic Officer. “The State has invested over $1 million so far to promote increased access and affordability for students through innovations like OER.”
Palmer Named May 2023 Faculty of Distinction
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) English Department Chair and Professor, Joy Palmer, who was named Faculty of Distinction for May 2023!
Palmer has been part of the CWI community since Fall 2009, where she has since taught various classes such as English 101 (ENGL 101), Persuasive Writing (ENGL 201), Introduction to Shakespeare (ENGL 235), and much more.
For Palmer, teaching is a way for her to continue to learn — something she hopes to never stop doing. Whether it is from her students and what they are able to bring into the classroom or through assignments or from her colleagues around the College who share their time and resources with her. She also acquires knowledge every day through her job by reflecting on her own teaching and other work and seeking out information to help continue to better herself.
“I think even more importantly, I've learned so much about how I want to be in the world by seeing so many people, such as students, faculty, and staff, who are so remarkable and inspiring and caring, and they push me to be better,” Palmer said. “I teach because it is the most rewarding thing I've ever done.”
Approaching 14 years at CWI, Palmer chooses to continue to teach at the College because it provides affordable, accessible education to everyone — no matter their background. She also enjoys working alongside the faculty and staff who are dedicated to that mission, and supporting students working toward their educational goals.
“We talk about students learning how to learn, and I absolutely believe that is something we do and something of enormous value,” Palmer said. “But I think, more importantly, we help students bring their own expertise into the course content — to see themselves as people with something valuable to say. My goal is for students to leverage what they're already good at and find ways to transfer those strengths to new situations. If they make excellent TikToks, then they know about audience and genre, and those things are key to being a successful communicator in and out of academic settings.”
Being able to see students succeed and blossom in what they love is what fuels Palmer. One of her favorite memories at the College has been teaching and working alongside CWI alumna, Ana Karen Arizmendi.
“Ana Karen never chose easy topics or angles, but she was committed to doing excellent work; she dug deep for research, made multiple revisions to better meet audience expectations, and produced one of the most unique essays I've seen in 18 years teaching first-year writing,” Palmer said.
Palmer believes through the College she is able to help empower students to achieve their goals and help them become lifelong learners.
That love for teaching and helping students grow in their talents does not go unnoticed among Palmer’s peers. CWI Arts and Humanities Dean, Justin Vance, calls Palmer “professional” and “respectful,” and commends her ability to adapt to any environment to maintain focus on student success.
“Her work impacts not only the English department but the entire institution,” said Vance. “Of great significance, Joy is the leader of perhaps the largest department at CWI and performs that duty at the highest level. Largely due to her leadership and successful delegation of duties to her supervisees, about 70% of students complete a college-level English course within one year of enrollment.”
Outside of the classroom, Palmer enjoys spending time with her husband, Zeb, her eight-year-old son, Ian, and their Goldendoodle, Ruby.
She also likes to spend her free time knitting, crocheting, hiking, fishing, and reading (some of her favorite genres are science-fiction, fantasy, and romance). For the last four years, she has been taking music lessons for several different instruments such as violin, ukulele, piano, and guitar.
2023 Summer Hours
College of Western Idaho (CWI) campus buildings and One Stop Student Services locations will be operating under special hours during the summer between Monday, May 15, and Friday, Aug. 18.
One Stop Student Services Summer Hours:
Monday – Thursday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Summer 2023 Building Hours:
Ada County Center Pintail Building
Monday – Thursday
7:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Ada County Center Mallard Building
Monday – Thursday
7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Ada County Center Quail Building
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Ada County Center Lynx Building
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Monday – Thursday
7:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Nampa Campus Academic Building
Monday
7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tuesday – Thursday
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Friday
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Nampa Campus Administration Building
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building
Monday (through June 12)
8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center
Monday – Thursday
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Friday
7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday
7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Nampa Campus Multipurpose Building
Monday – Friday
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Visit Locations & Maps for up-to-date One Stop Student Services and campus building hours.
Environmental Science Lab Steps Outside Classroom for Lesson on Sustainability
Have you ever heard of a house made from mud and straw? Do you think you’d be able to live in one?
College of Western Idaho (CWI) students in Biology Instructor, Gary Heller’s, Environmental Science Lab (ENVI 100L) got the chance to visit a Northeast Boise home constructed of exactly those materials to see what a truly sustainable home looks like and learn about the lifestyles of those who live in it.
The 980-square-foot solar home, owned by Dr. Mark Lung, is constructed from straw bales. The home has a year-round interior temperature of 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and a zero annual energy bill due to the orientation of the house on the lot from the appropriate winter angle of the sun, the insulation afforded by the "mud"-covered straw bales, the solar water system, and the solar photovoltaic system.
Students were able to walk away from the field trip with the “three-legged stool” concept, which are environmental, social, and economic. They understand if a solution does not address all three of those areas, then it is likely, not sustainable over the long term. Lung’s home is environmentally sustainable in that it has a very low carbon footprint in its construction because it uses the “waste" material of straw and previously used materials and uses very little carbon-based fuel, socially sustainable in that is constructed with the assistance of neighbors, and economically sustainable since it is a very affordable living structure.
“Sustainability is a large part of what we discuss in Environmental Science, but it most helps students to understand this concept when they see it in action in the real world and in someone's everyday life,” said Heller. “Also, they realize it is not some far-fetched ‘tree hugger’ lifestyle, but is equivalent to their current lifestyle and probably, in the long run, more affordable.”
Heller’s Environmental Science lab goes on several field trips throughout the semester that teaches students about topics, like sustainability or water quality. Throughout the Spring 2023 semester, Heller and his classes visited the West Boise Renewal Plant, the Boise River in Star, and the Ada County Landfill.
For those interested in learning about Biology programs at CWI, contact Gary Heller at garyheller@cwi.edu or visit the program page.
