CWI Compass Connect - Oct. 31, 2023
Spotlight
College of Western Idaho had a great showing at the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) College Fair on Oct. 19!
Our incredible Enrollment Counselors and representatives from Career & Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit team interacted with high school juniors and seniors from around the Treasure Valley and introduced them to the different programs and services CWI has to offer. Prospective students got the chance to learn about the different options they have for colleges, as different institutions from around the world came to Boise to participate in the Fair.
News Highlights
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.
Schoenherr Awarded Wayne Weiten Teaching Excellence Award
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Professor of Psychology, Heather Schoenherr, who was named the recipient of the 2023 Wayne Weiten Teaching Excellence Award given by the Society for the Teaching of Psychology (Division 2 of the American Psychological Association). The award recognizes teaching excellence for individuals currently teaching at two-year colleges and is widely considered the highest honor for members of the Society.
The selection criteria for the Wayne Weiten Teaching Excellence Award broadly focus on instructional effectiveness and encompass three key areas: effective teaching, service, and scholarship of teaching and learning.
According to the award’s criteria, effective teaching requires the development of outstanding teaching methods, materials, and courses, as supported by innovative approaches, student evaluations, supervisor and colleague feedback, and prior teaching accolades. The service criterion encompasses local, regional, and national contributions aimed at fostering student interest in psychology and using psychological principles to improve society, such as mentoring, community outreach, and collaboration efforts. Finally, the scholarship of teaching and learning puts a focus on professional engagement in teaching-related publications, conferences, and activities, fostering student research, and furthering graduate-level training for enhanced instructional effectiveness.
“It is an honor to be a recipient of the Wayne Weiten Teaching Excellence Award,” said Schoenherr. “Teaching is a privilege and a responsibility that I hold in high regard. I share this recognition with my incredible students, who inspire me daily, and with my colleagues who diligently dedicate themselves to this noble profession. As community college educators, we are uniquely positioned to facilitate the development of academic self-efficacy and identity in our students giving them the encouragement and tools to continue their education or transition to the workforce. Community colleges truly hold transformational power. I am deeply humbled to be among the outstanding educators who have received this award in the past.”
A founding faculty member at CWI, Schoenherr has educated students at both ends of their CWI journey for the last 15 years. This includes those on the verge of graduating in the Social Sciences Capstone course (SOC 290) and those embarking on their first semester at the College, enrolled in Introduction to Psychology (PSYC 101).
In addition to teaching, Schoenherr is also the advisor for the Psychology Club and Psi Beta Honor Society, which recently garnered recognition with the Chapter Excellence Award. Under Schoenherr's guidance, the CWI chapter's primary focus revolves around equipping students with invaluable research experience, bolstering their competitive edge when they transition to universities or enter the workforce.
The Society for the Teaching of Psychology promotes excellence in the teaching and learning of psychology. The Society provides resources and services, access to a global collaborative community, and opportunities for professional development. It endeavors to promote equity and social justice for teachers and students of psychology with marginalized, racially minoritized, and intersecting identities. The Society also strives to advance the scholarship of teaching and learning; advocate for the needs of teachers of psychology; promote diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the teaching and learning of psychology; foster partnerships across academic settings; and increase recognition of the value of the teaching profession.
CWI's Biology Club Takes Flight at World Center for Birds of Prey's Fall Event
College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Biology Club recently explored the world of raptors at the World Center for Birds of Prey's popular Fall Flight event on Saturday, Oct. 14. Students, and Biology Instructor, Gary Heller, got the opportunity to witness awe-inspiring birds of prey in action and gain insights into vital conservation efforts.
Fall Flight Days, hosted by the World Center for Birds of Prey, is a popular annual event that celebrates the various species of birds of prey. During the event, these magnificent birds are allowed to take to the skies, captivating the audience with their aerial prowess. It's not just a spectacle, it's an educational experience. The event's hosts provide valuable information about the birds, their history, the challenges they face, and how the World Center for Birds of Prey contributes to their conservation.
The World Center for Birds of Prey is unique in that it doesn't limit its collection to native species and houses birds from various countries, including the impressive Harpy Eagle.
"For biology enthusiasts, like the members of CWI's Biology Club, understanding how human actions impact these birds is vital for devising strategies to protect and conserve them,” said Biology Club President, Elliot Johnson.
“I think the most beneficial thing about this event is the education about these birds,” said Biology Club Secretary, Cheylee Corle. “Those of us in Biology Club do care about all things biology, and knowing how humans have affected these birds can help with knowing how to protect and save them in the future.”
“Idaho is home to so many amazing raptors that are vital to our ecosystem, as well as most ecosystems around the world,” said Biology Club Vice President, Sierra Lee. “By doing outreach events like these, Birds of Prey are able to educate the public about how important the birds are and ways we preserve them whether it is by eliminating the use of pesticides or using lead-free ammunition.
This outing to the Fall Flight event marked a memorable experience for the Biology Club members. The event provided a unique educational experience, fostering a deeper understanding of the magnificent birds of prey and the need to protect them. This outing for the Club was not only about learning but also about building a stronger sense of community among biology enthusiasts. With plans for more events soon, the club is ready to promote education and conservation in the field of biology.
For more information about CWI's Biology Club, contact Gary Heller at garyheller@cwi.edu.
CWI Nights at Idaho Steelheads – Nov. 15
Enjoy a night of hockey, and support students at the next CWI Night!
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is proud to partner with the Idaho Steelheads to SCORE Big for scholarships as the Steelheads take on the Allen Americans. Students, alumni, employees, family, friends, and members of the CWI community are all invited to attend.
Your $20 ticket to the game includes a seat in the CWI section and a meal voucher for a Double R Ranch Hot Dog, chips, and a small drink. Five dollars of each CWI group ticket sold for a CWI Night goes directly back to the SCORE Big Scholarship fund.
Visit the CWI table on the concourse for your chance to win a $1,000 SCORE Big Scholarship or CWI hockey jersey — awarded that night on the ice!
The fun doesn’t stop at CWI Nights! Through the partnership, CWI also offers a discounted ticket price of $18 to all Steelheads home games for the 2023-2024 season.
Tickets must be placed at least 24 hours prior to the event or subject to availability.
Visiting Artist Series Welcomes Flamenco Idaho
Join College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series in welcoming the performing group, Flamenco Idaho, to the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) on Friday, Oct. 27, for a performance and a workshop.
Flamenco Idaho is a performing group that draws inspiration from classical guitar, contemporary dance and art performance, cultural music, and the art form of Flamenco. Their focus is on performing new and traditional works that represent the artists that comprise the group. The group comes from varying backgrounds, including classical, cultural, and experimental music, numerous dance forms, visual art, and poetry. Many of its members have studied in Spain and strive to maintain the country's traditional background. In their presentation, you will see and hear their musical style and be introduced to a brief history of Flamenco.
Following a performance from Flamenco Idaho, the group will host a workshop that will allow participants to learn basic rhythmic patterns through the handclapping style of palmas and learn some introductory movements that incorporate signals and sequences used for communication with the musicians.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Room 206
CWI’s Visiting Artist Series is made possible through a grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, which is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
The performance and workshop are both free and open to the public. For those with questions or in need of more information, contact Goran Fazil at goranfazil@cwi.edu.
Farm to Fork Dinner Raises $5,000 for the Campus Garden
From the savory embrace of squash soup and sourdough bread to the mouthwatering delight of pumpkin pie ice cream, College of Western Idaho's (CWI) annual Farm to Fork dinner was a culinary adventure through a variety of delightful flavors and tastes! Eighty people from across the College and around the Treasure Valley devoured a tasty, five-course meal at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) Friday, Oct. 6, to support CWI's Campus Garden.
The 2023 Farm to Fork dinner raised more than $5,000 for the garden, which provides CWI students access to fresh produce and supports agriculture coursework. Hosted by Agricultural Sciences faculty and students, showcases an authentic farm-to-fork meal featuring ingredients harvested from CWI's Campus Garden and specialties sourced from local partners in the Treasure Valley.
"It’s great to facilitate an event that supports the campus garden, highlights our local community, and brings people together to share a wonderful meal," said Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Agricultural Sciences, Andrea Schumaker.
The evening commenced with Schumaker leading guests, and volunteers on a tour of the Campus Garden located east of the NCAB parking lot. People were able to see where much of the night’s meal came from.
The meal started with a zucchini garlic fritter and a cheese sauce, from the Campus Garden and Eden Creamery, prepared by Schumaker, the Tower Grill Chef, Nate Lindskoog, and 10 Barrel Brewing Chef, Keith Moreno. This course was paired with Par Terre’s Albarino white wine. Following was a salad greens, pears, tomatoes, and cukes from the CWI Campus Garden, a culinary creation by Moreno. This was paired with Sunny Tom Mint Kombucha from Idaho Kombucha.
A warm and tasty soup followed made from a variety of squashes from the Garden, prepared by Lindskoog and served with sourdough bread from Hudson Bakery Co. paired with 10 Barrel Brewing's Witching Hour beer. The main course was delicious tri-tip from Hoagland Meats, with a delicious side of sautéed mushrooms from Ferg's Fabulous Fungi, mashed taters, and beans paired with Chicken Dinner Red Wine from Huston Vineyards.
Guests then wrapped up their meal with a sweet treat — pumpkin pie ice cream from Stella’s Ice Cream made from pumpkin puree created by Schumaker from pie pumpkins grown in the Campus Garden. Several also enjoyed pairing their dessert with Apple Cider Whiskey Smash from Centerfire Distillery in partnership with Craft Lounge.
This year's event was extra special as Schumaker, Tower Grill employees, and Farm to Fork guests were able to spotlight and recognize the event's longstanding chef, Lindskoog. Lindskoog has been a major supporter of the annual Farm to Fork event and has a deep appreciation for supporting and spotlighting his local community.
"He embraces what Farm to Fork is all about," said Schumaker.
Farm to Fork feature: Tower Grill's Nate LindskoogFarm to Fork feature: Hannah Wilson
Thank you to all who made this year's event a success!
Speech and Debate Team Secures Victory at Steve Hunt Classic
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Speech and Debate team returned triumphant from the Steve Hunt Classic at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, on Oct. 14 and 15, after securing a tournament championship. This victory was a remarkable repeat performance for the CWI team, despite having only a two-week gap between the last tournament competition to make adjustments and enhance their pieces.
The Steve Hunt Classic at Lewis and Clark College is the inaugural designated tournament of the year, distinguishing itself as a significantly larger competition with a larger number of participating schools and formidable teams. The level of competitiveness at this event is nothing short of intense.
Speech events:
- Novice Impromptu
- First place – Orion Logan
- Junior Impromptu
- Sixth place – Will Guererro
- After Dinner Speaking
- Fourth place – Noelle White
- Novice Informative
- Fourth place – Trace Van Sickle
- Novice Persuade
- Sixth place – Asha Muhingi
- Junior Extemporaneous
- Sixth place – Kennedy Karr
Debate events:
- Junior International Public Debate Association (IPDA) Division Debate
- Quarterfinalist – Noelle White
- Octofinalist winner – Alex Norris
- Junior Speaker Points Division
- Third place – Alex Norris
- Novice IPDA Division Debate
- Quarterfinalist – Josephine Beasley
- Octofinalist – Orion Logan
- Octofinalist winners – Jared Kartel and Kyle Morgan
- Novice Speaker Points Division
- Second place – Orion Logan
- Third place – Asha Muhingi
- Division III Debate Sweepstakes
- First place – College of Western Idaho
Overall Sweepstakes
- Division III
- First place – College of Western Idaho
“I am beyond impressed with this team’s dedication and performance. It’s hard to explain to people who don’t compete in this arena how much work goes into getting ready for a competition, and it’s borderline impossible to explain what is required of the students to earn an award," said CWI Assistant Professor and Director of Forensics, Luke Yeates. "Community colleges are always fighting uphill against teams that have four years to work and hone their craft. For our team to be able to compete and even win against such talented competition speaks to their tenacity, intelligence, and drive. Every single member of this team deserves CWI’s respect.”
For those with questions, or in need of more information about CWI’s Speech and Debate team, contact Luke Yeates at lukeyeates@cwi.edu.
Explore Advanced Mechatronics Classes & Careers
Explore a future in Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology by attending a Program Exploration Event at College of Western Idaho (CWI). Current and future students and community members are invited to learn more about the program, meet faculty and industry leaders, tour the College, and more.
“This program is for someone who likes to work with their hands, has an interest in electronics and technology,” said CWI Advanced Mechatronics student, Jacob Schott. “There are tons of new technology and tools coming out, which the College always tries to bring into the program, especially the equipment we will use in the industry.”
The term mechatronics is a combination of “mechanisms” and “electronics,” but a degree in mechatronics incorporates so much more. CWI's mechatronics engineering technology program gives you a broad range of knowledge and skills, such as basics of electricity, electronics and motor basics, automation controllers, mechanical adjustments, wireless communications, and more.
Mechatronics engineering technologists use a combination of mechanical, electrical, computer, and software skills to work with smart technologies, such as robots, automated guided systems, and computer-integrated manufacturing equipment.
Advanced Mechatronics’ Program Exploration night will have those in attendance learn about possible future careers, understand the importance of education in this career field, introduce the program and what to expect from faculty, tips on how to prepare for a successful start, and a personal tour of the lab space and technology.
“Our instructors help set us up for success,” said CWI Advanced Mechatronics student, Mark Rust. “[CWI Engineering Department Chair] Robert Novak will bring in companies to present what they do, what they sell, or manufacture. It gives us opportunities to get interviewed and learn skills for interviews. If we want to pursue this career instructors help give us connections. Our faculty’s goal is to have every student have a job offer and a successful job career ahead of them after graduating.”
Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology hosts several Program Exploration Events throughout the year at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center. Visit the program page or contact Robert Novak at robertnovak@cwi.edu to learn more and RSVP.
Día de los Muertos Celebration Events
Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a vibrant holiday that honors and celebrates the lives of those who have passed away. With this colorful and lively tradition, communities come together to commemorate their loved ones in a beautiful and symbolic manner. This year's Día de los Muertos at College of Western Idaho (CWI) celebration event will be a spectacular and heartfelt experience, filled with traditions, art, and appreciation of this unique holiday right here on our campus.
Join CWI Student Engagement and the Siempre Unidos Student Club on Wednesday, Nov. 1, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) Student Lounge, Room 122, as we come together as a community to celebrate life and remember loved ones.
Whether you're familiar with the tradition or new to it, this event offers an inclusive and joyful way to participate in a celebration of life and remembrance. Come and attend a workshop exploring more about what the holiday entails, followed by an interactive crafting activity, pictures at the photo booth, and watch a movie while enjoying some good tamales and pan dulce.
There will also be week-long viewing of the community altar located in NCAB, Room 122, from Oct. 30 – Nov. 3.
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
NCAB Student Lounge, Room 122
Oct. 30 – Nov. 3
NCAB Student Lounge, Room 122
For more information about the Día de los Muertos Celebration, please contact Jeanette Orozco at jeanetteorozco@cwi.edu.
In addition to the Celebration event at the Nampa Campus, Associate Professor of Spanish, Janel Holt’s, Elementary Spanish 1 (SPAN 101) will host an altar display for Día de los Muertos at Ada County Center Pintail Building (APIN), Student Commons, from Oct. 26 – Nov. 3.
In the weeks leading up to Día de los Muertos, students learn about the rites, traditions, and beliefs connected to the Day of the Dead in Mexico. Students then paint skulls, an activity central to this celebration, and display them on the altar, another important element of this holiday. They also translate passages explaining the customs of this holiday from Spanish to English, which are shown on the altar.
“These activities not only provide students an opportunity to learn about this celebration and its traditions but also to consider the similarities and differences surrounding the concept of death in Mexico and the United States,” said Holt.
Oct. 26 – Nov. 3
APIN Student Commons
For more information about the altar display, contact Janel Holt at janelholt@cwi.edu.
Construction Updates
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Nampa Campus is kicking off a new phase of expansion. We are excited to share that infrastructure work for the new Agricultural Science and Horticulture Building will start the week of Oct. 23.
Overview of the work during this phase:
- A new bridge is being built over the Phyllis Canal, connecting our current campus to the new buildings. Starting on Oct. 23 and continuing through March 2024, the Phyllis Canal pathway, roadway, and the Purdam Gulch ditch bank will be closed for bridge construction.
- Piers for the bridge will be driven into the ground around the canal area, leading to significant noise levels during the week of Oct. 23. Students, faculty, and staff in the Nampa Campus Willows Buildings – as well as residents in surrounding neighborhoods should expect to hear noise during this portion of construction.
- The project will include extending a sewer line from East Terra Linda Way to Cherry Lane. A detour on East Terra Linda Way will be in place to ensure the road remains accessible.
The Agricultural Science and Horticulture Building, as well as the Health and Science Building will open in Fall 2025. For the most up-to-date project information, please visit CWI's Campus Development.
Our CWI community's continued patience and understanding during this initial phase of construction are greatly appreciated. Together, we are shaping the future of CWI, and your support is integral to our growth.
If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to our project team at facilities@cwi.edu.
