CWI Compass Connect - October 14, 2015
In the Spotlight
More than 200 Treasure Valley leaders came together on Wednesday (Oct. 7) to support College of Western Idaho (CWI) students at the CWI Foundation’s second-annual scholarship fundraising dinner. The Opening Doors Benefit Event, which was held at the Zions Bank Building in downtown Boise, brought together community supporters for an impactful evening that included dinner and student guest speakers. Guests also had the opportunity to bid on items during a live auction and participate in a scholarship paddle raise. Thanks to all the attendees as well as the countless volunteers that helped make the event highly successful once again.
News Highlights
CWI Speech and Debate Top Community College at Fran Tanner Invitational
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Speech and Debate started the 2015-16 competition season with a strong showing at the Fran Tanner Invitational hosted by the College of Southern Idaho, Sept. 25-26. CWI brought home the top community college honors at the event, as well as a second place finish among all schools. In addition to the team awards, CWI’s 11 competitors received nine individual awards across both speech and debate events.
CWI Speech and Debate will look to build up its success at the Fran Tanner Invite as it now focuses on the Mahaffey Memorial held Nov. 13-15 at Linfield College in Oregon.
CWI Clubs Enjoy Olympic Experience
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Entrepreneurs Club and Exercise and Health Science Club recently collaborated for a once in a life-time trip to Salt Lake City, Utah. The CWI students joined a group of athletic training majors from Boise State University in a visit to Olympic training facilities, which included interaction with athletes and support staff from the United States Speedskating team.
During the trip students had the opportunity to speak with U.S. Speedskating Director of Communications, Matt Whewell, Director of Sports Science, Shane Domer, and several athletic trainers and athletes. Students commented on how much they appreciated the opportunity to speak with people working at the highest levels of their fields and that it was inspirational and informative.
The experience continued with a visit to the U.S. Olympic Legacy Museum and U.S. Aerials team practice grounds in Park City, Utah. Finally, students had the opportunity to skate on the U.S. Olympic Oval where the Speedskating team practices daily.
This unique trip provided a great chance for students from both institutions to connect and network. It also opened discussions for new internship opportunities.
EmpowerMe Brings Student Leaders Together at CWI
Every school year brings with it new educational aspirations, both inside and outside the classroom. This year brought something new for student leaders at College of Western Idaho (CWI); the EmpowerMe Student Leadership Workshop. The workshop provided an opportunity for leadership discovery and discussion with peers and College administrators. Facilitated through the CWI Student Life office, over seventy-five students took the opportunity to discover and develop their leadership abilities while learning how they can apply it to their CWI student experience.
The workshop featured a presentation on student success and a special presentation by CWI Trustee, Emily Walton. Students participated in activities and discussions that explored their purpose, helped them to realize their potential, and to ultimately disrupt for good. The leadership workshop touched on ideas behind inspiring and connecting a group through a common passion. Students discussed how leadership can be an everyday experience through simple yet often overlooked acts that may have a profound impact on another person or even a community.
“This isn’t a workshop designed to be a ‘teach-all-do-all’ in one day,” says CWI Student Life Coordinator, Hing Potter. “My hope is that students will either begin or even progress forward in their leadership abilities by learning, re-learning, being inspired, or re-inspired from within or through others.”
Guest speakers included CWI staff from various departments who presented how their areas support students in their leadership journey through the resources they offer. Assistant Dean of Enrollment and Student Services, Dr. Eric Studebaker, highlighted what “T.R.U.E.” leadership looks like and how it can be applied across CWI. EmpowerMe was capped with heartfelt presentation by Trustee Walton, who spoke of her experience as a non-traditional student at Boise State University that got involved as a student government officer, joined clubs, and explored student life. She shared how her involvement connected her with a broad range of people and opportunities that have led to her personal success.
Following the workshop students expressed feeling an increased connection with each other as well as with the CWI campus community. “Today’s workshop was awesome,” said Jacqueline Correnti. Mokoma Musa also shared “[it was] one of the most engaging leadership meetings that I've ever been at.”
“The event was awesome," Potter adds. "I truly appreciated the students coming out to EmpowerMe for their own success.”
