CWI Compass Connect - Nov. 30, 2023
Spotlight
Our Class 5 of CWI Fire Academy just completed their live burn day drills and proved how resilient they are in the face of immense heat!
The burn drills are designed to give Fire Service Technology students first-hand experience of what it is like to combat an actual fire. The drills taught students how well their turnout gear, or protective firefighter clothing, works in fires and how to face temperatures as high as 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
News Highlights
CWI SCORES Big for Student Scholarships
Idaho Steelheads celebrated a huge win over the Allen Americans with a final score of 6-2 on Wednesday, Nov. 15. College of Western Idaho (CWI) scored big too as the College kicked off its first of FIVE CWI feature nights at Idaho Central Arena! Nearly 150 group sales tickets were sold for the CWI section totaling $740 to help fund student scholarships!
Students, faculty, and staff from around campus came out to support the Steelheads and CWI, where they saw President Gordon Jones and the College’s Presidential Ambassadors students kick off the game with the puck drop where special guest Idaho Lieutenant Governor Scott Bedke joined them on the ice.
Throughout the game, there were noticeable signs CWI was in the arena — from new advertisements on the scoreboard to Steelheads’ mascot, Blue, sporting some CWI swag to CWI staff throwing out t-shirts. The College’s Dual Credit and Marketing team were also set up with a booth at the Arena to meet and engage with prospective students signing several future and current students up for a chance to win the SCORE Big Scholarship and a new CWI hockey jersey.
The impressive win for the Steelheads and great turnout from CWI wasn’t the only thing to celebrate as CWI Finance student, Jiar Machuca, was randomly chosen as the $1,000 SCORE Big Scholarship recipient for the night. Machuca was awarded the scholarship by President Jones and CWI Foundation Board members on the ice during the game’s second intermission.
“The $1,000 SCORE Big scholarship is a huge support for my education,” Machuca shared. “It eases financial stress and shows confidence in my potential. This scholarship helps me get closer to my career goals and opens doors to opportunities that match my aspirations. I appreciate the investment in my future and the recognition of my dedication to learning and growing.”
CWI and Steelheads fan, Henry Crumrine, won the CWI hockey jersey — one he can wear to FOUR more CWI Nights this season. Those interested in getting their hands on a CWI-branded jersey of their own still have the chance! The CWI Bookstore is fully stocked with jerseys, offering a great selection of various sizes.
The next CWI night will take place on Dec. 13, followed by three more nights on Jan. 31, Feb 28, and March 13. Visit CWI Nights to purchase group tickets and for more information. Keep in mind, $5 from every group ticket goes to support student scholarships!
The fun doesn’t stop at CWI Nights! The College also offers a discounted ticket price of $18 to all Steelheads home games for the 2023-2024 season as part of being the Steelheads’ official education partner.
Micron Signs 13 New Students into Registered Apprenticeship Program
Thirteen College of Western Idaho (CWI) Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology students have signed on to be the next cohort in Micron Technology’s Registered Apprenticeship Program. The signing event on Monday, Nov. 13 helped kick off National Apprenticeship Week, a nationwide celebration where industry, labor, equity, workforce, education, and government leaders host events to showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeships.
The second cohort of Registered Apprentices will begin their new journey with Micron in January 2024.
Micron’s Registered Apprenticeship Program provides students with the opportunity to gain experience in the industry, providing hands-on training and technical instruction designed for aspiring technicians. Apprentices will work closely in partnership with Micron’s production and engineering team members from various areas, in and out of the world-class Fab. Micron will place the Apprentices in three key roles: Manufacturing Technician, Equipment Technician, and Lab Technician.
The company also covers the cost of a student’s education and pays them a competitive wage, while offering a schedule that is flexible based on their current school schedule – allowing students to earn while they learn.
The Apprenticeship Program is made possible by a collaboration with CWI, Micron, and Idaho Manufacturing Alliance (IMA).
"Apprenticeships play a special role in workforce development, and these students serve as clear examples of the positive outcomes that result from collaborative efforts," said CWI President Gordon Jones. "By working together with the community and employers, community colleges can create exceptional opportunities to ensure employability for all students."
The signing event also honored the previous and inaugural Micron Registered Apprenticeship cohort. Micron shares the first cohort of Apprentices and the program, which launched last year, are pivotal in Micron’s success story as the company continues to grow in Idaho and across the United States.
Three student apprentices were awarded the President’s List for obtaining a 4.0 GPA while enrolled in the Advanced Mechatronics program and Apprenticeship: Peter Schaffer, Bailey Guthrie, and Daniel Lam.
CWI student and former Micron Apprentice, Olivia Zierenberg, shared a few remarks about her experience in the program, the tools she was able to take away, and gave advice to the second cohort.
To be eligible for the Micron Registered Apprenticeship Program students must be enrolled in or planning to enroll in CWI’s two-year Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology Applied Associate of Science (AAS) degree program.
For more information, please contact Robert Novak at robertnovak@cwi.edu or visit the Advanced Mechatronics program page to learn more.
Women in Trades: CWI HVAC Apprentice Shares Career Journey
In honor of Women in Registered Apprenticeship Day and National Apprenticeship Week, Idaho Department of Labor, U.S. Department of Labor Women’s Bureau, and Apprenticeship Idaho will host a panel of women to discuss and answer questions about careers and knowledge of apprenticeship programs on Thursday, Nov. 16. Featured panelist includes College of Western Idaho (CWI) HVAC Apprenticeship student, Charity Nicholson, who will share her experience of being a woman in a trade.
“I strongly feel like we would benefit greatly from having more females in the trades,” shared Nicholson. “We need to get the word out there that it is possible.”
Nicholson’s journey into apprenticeships began unexpectedly with a chance encounter with a technician from HVAC contractor, Western Heating and Air. Inspired by the company's reputation for employee care and customer satisfaction, she started her career as a Customer Service Representative and quickly climbed the ranks to become a Commercial Accounts Coordinator and Dispatcher.
Feeling the need for more knowledge, Nicholson expressed her interest in becoming a Service Technician and found herself in the field a few months later — a decision she describes as the best move she's ever made.
To continue to improve her knowledge and further her career, Nicholson enrolled in CWI’s four-year HVAC Apprenticeship Program. The College and Western Heating and Air have a strong partnership that includes a tuition reimbursement program, where her employer covers 50% of tuition for her first year and up to 100% for the following three.
CWI's online flexibility and exceptional communication have been instrumental in her ability to manage a full-time job and attend school simultaneously as well as balance life as a single mother of four boys. The supportive environment, with dedicated instructors and staff available to guide her through the online learning process and support on standby, has made her educational journey smooth.
“Time is not on my side. I can complete assignments when I have time available. If you miss an assignment, someone will reach out to make sure you have everything you need.”
When Nicholson initially began her career in the field she was concerned about customer and coworker reactions as a female HVAC technician. However, she quickly discovered that her fears were unfounded. In her role with Western Heating and Air, she found that many customers, particularly women, welcomed and appreciated having a female technician in their homes.
“It’s been an amazing and empowering experience.”
Nicholson's experience has been both amazing and empowering, where she has been able to dismiss stereotypes and showcase the value of diversity in the industry. She loves her role as an HVAC Technician with Western Heating and Air and plans to continue learning and advancing within the company. Eventually, she hopes to take on a role where she can train new technicians and encourage more women to join the HVAC profession.
“The world needs more tradeswomen!”
The free webinar Nicholson will participate in is Thursday, Nov. 16, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. Panelists also include representatives from the Idaho Transportation Department and the Idaho Department of Labor. Apprenticeship Idaho Supervisor, Gina Robison, and Regional Administrator of the Women’s Bureau’s Western Region, Kelly Jenkins-Pultz, will facilitate the event.
To learn more about CWI's Apprenticeship Programs, please visit cwi.edu/apprenticeship-programs.
Register for Spring 2025 at CWI!
At College of Western Idaho (CWI), we're gearing up for an exciting Spring 2025 semester, and we invite you to be part of it! Whether you're continuing on, looking to earn an associate degree, pursue a certificate, prepare to transfer, enhance your skills, or simply take classes for the joy of learning — CWI is your destination for endless possibilities.
Admissions and Registration
Mark your calendar! Registration for ALL (continuing, new, or returning) students at CWI for the Spring 2025 semester opens Monday, Nov. 4.
The admissions deadline for the Spring 2025 semester is Saturday, Jan. 11. CWI students have through Thursday, Jan. 23, to register for classes, with tuition and registration fees due by Friday Jan. 17.
Current Students
- Be sure to meet with your Student Advisor prior to registering. Once advising is completed, students can register online any time on or after their assigned registration time.
- Registration times are assigned based on cumulative credits earned. Students can check myCWI and their CWI email for their assigned time.
- Continuing students are considered those who enrolled and attended classes any semester since Spring 2020.
- Dual Credit students will register during open registration.
New and Returning Students
- All new, degree-seeking students must participate in New Student Orientation prior to registering for classes.
Contact One Stop Student Services or visit us online to learn more about applying to CWI, orientation, and registering for classes.
Law Enforcement Students Help Rake Up Nampa
Communities across the Treasure Valley, including College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Law Enforcement Program, came together Saturday, Nov. 11, for Rake Up Nampa. Students, faculty, and staff joined forces to help rake and clean up around homes.
Rake Up Nampa is a community volunteer effort to assist elderly and disabled citizens in the city to clean up their yards in preparation for the winter months. The annual event helps more than 150 people around Nampa each year.
CWI Law Enforcement students take part in several community service events throughout the year, including Canyon County’s upcoming Shop-With-A-Cop on Saturday, Dec. 9.
"This gives our students an initial opportunity to see the importance of giving back and helping those in need,” said Law Enforcement Program Director, LeRoy Forsman.
Applications are now open for the CWI’s 2024-2025 Law Enforcement Program class. For more information on the program and application, please visit the program page or contact LeRoy Forsman at leroyforsman@cwi.edu.
Honors Program Applications Open for Spring 2024
Maximize your educational experience and become a leader in the classroom and out in the community as a member of College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Honors Program. Applications are open for first-time, full-time CWI students who are interested in joining the College’s Honors Program in the Spring 2024 semester.
Complete your degree while engaging in academic, social, and civic opportunities created to expand the depth and scope of your knowledge and develop interpersonal and professional skills. Supplement your chosen degree program with diverse course opportunities, connect with classmates who share similar, high-achieving goals, learn from distinguished faculty in specifically designed honors courses, and receive a $1,000 scholarship!
This two-year program is open to academic transfer, career technical education, and continuing dual credit students. As an Honors Program student, you will complete specific degree requirements as well as honors-designated courses culminating in the creation and presentation of a project related to your chosen major.
“My favorite part about the program is the other individuals who are also in it. They are exceptional people, and they help drive me to be a great person myself,” said 2022-2023 Honors Program student, Jeff Jenks. “Coming out of high school, I was worried I would not make friends because it was a whole new environment. But on the first day, I was immediately connecting with everyone in the Honors Program.”
Applications for CWI’s Honors Program are currently being accepted. For those in need of more information about the Honors Program requirements or have questions, visit the program’s page or contact Michal Yadlin at michalyadlin@cwi.edu.
CWI Board of Trustees Endorse Bachelor of Applied Science, Business Administration Degree
On Thursday, Nov. 9, the Board of Trustees for College of Western Idaho (CWI) unanimously approved a resolution supporting CWI offering a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degree in Business Administration in Fall 2024.
The BAS degree in Business Administration would offer all students, with a focus on adult learners and Career Technical Education (CTE) graduates a highly affordable and convenient option for continuing their education at CWI. These students could pursue career opportunities in the more than 18,000 business-related job openings in CWI’s service area that require a bachelor's degree.
“Offering a BAS in Business Administration at CWI would be a great opportunity for our college and the community to meet the workforce needs of the Treasure Valley,” said Board Chair, Molly Lenty.
CWI plans to offer a BAS in Business Administration in Fall 2024, pending approval from the Idaho State Board of Education.
“This effort underscores CWI’s commitment to providing accessible, quality education that meets the needs of our students and the Treasure Valley," said CWI President Gordon Jones.
