CWI Compass Connect - Sept. 19, 2018
Spotlight
With carne asada on the grill, more than 80 students and staff attended Convivencia Familiar hosted by College of Western Idaho’s LatinX Student Services. The events, at Micron Education Center and Ada County Pintail Center, provided an opportunity for current and future students to meet with instructors from career and technical programs as well as One Stop Student Services staff!
News Highlights
CWI Board of Trustees Vote on Plant Facilities Levy Resolution
College of Western Idaho Proposed Health Science Building Introduction
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Board of Trustees voted unanimously, on Tuesday, Sept. 4, to place a $39 million plant facility levy on the ballot this November.
The funds would be combined with the $10 million appropriation from the Idaho State Legislature and funded through the Permanent Building Fund to build a state-of-the-art Health Science Building on CWI’s main Nampa Campus. This building will provide a critical increase in capacity to address the skills gap, in the Treasure Valley, within the health care workforce. An additional 2,500 students would have access to credit and short-term training in health and science programs.
CWI enjoys a strong partnership with Saint Alphonsus, St. Luke’s, Norco, as well as other medical organizations in the region. The new building will act as a conduit for these institutions and help to train staff.
A new Health Science Building aligns with the College’s vision to transition away from leased buildings and increase owned facilities.
“The Health Science Building would be an amazing addition and enhance CWI’s ability to train thousands of future health care workers in the Treasure Valley — as the population grows and ages,” said Mark Dunham, CWI board chairman. "This facility will provide tremendous synergy for our health and science programs at the College.”
Visit the CWI Difference webpage for more information, building renderings, and to explore a virtual video tour.
Dental Assisting Students Volunteer at Free Health Clinic
Members of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Dental Assistant program spent Wednesday, Sept. 12, volunteering during the Amen Free Clinic at Expo Idaho!
Sixteen students from the College’s program helped to sterilize dental equipment, hand out supplies, and assist with teeth extractions during the free health clinic.
The event provided a great opportunity for students to get hands-on training while helping people in the community. Students benefit from experiential learning during their first semester while they learn in the classroom about lab materials and skills. Additionally, students gain valuable experience helping and interacting with patients.
“That’s my heart, to serve people in our community – so helping people who can’t do day-to-day things because of the pain they are in, is life changing,” said Monica Satake, Associate Professor in the Dental Assisting program. “During training for this event, one of the directors said, ‘We may only get to see these patients for five minutes, but for those five minutes, we want them to know they are the center of the world.’”
Geology Student Designs Museum Exhibit
Over the summer, College of Western Idaho (CWI) student, Westin Juarez, combined his passion for geology and anthropology by teaming up with CWI professor, Ander Sundell, and the Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology (IMMG).
Westin worked with IMMG staff to research and design their newest exhibit that communicates the evolution and use of personal mine safety equipment as the fulfillment of his geology internship credit. The exhibit displays specific pieces of safety equipment worn by miners such as helmets, lights, boots, safety belts, gloves, and personal respirators. For each piece of safety equipment Westin researched an accident that could have been prevented had the miners been using that safety gear.
The exhibit is currently open at the IMMG located in the Old Penitentiary in Boise at 2455 Old Penitentiary Road.
Kevin Platts to Lead Public Safety Programs at the College
Kevin Platts has been named the new Director of Public Safety Programs at College of Western Idaho. His new role will oversee the implementation, maintenance, and evaluation in the areas of Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement and the development of the College’s fire programs. Platts supervises a team of very dedicated faculty who deliver these programs and help students achieve success.
Platts has a master’s degree from the University of Louisville in the Administration of Justice, a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida in Criminology, and attended Hillsborough County Community College.
Platts has more than 29 years of experience with the United States Marshals Service as a Chief Deputy U. S. Marshal, Assistant Chief, Supervisory Criminal Investigator, Inspector for the Federal Witness Protection Program, Criminal Investigator, Combat Firefighter, and a nationally registered Emergency Medical Technician. During his college years, he was a Reserve II Deputy Sheriff in the patrol, detective, and jail bureaus. Additionally, Platts is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and was the President of the Idaho Chapter of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association for 10 years.
Welcome aboard, Kevin. We are pleased to have you join our team!
Semana Cultural and Fiesta Cultural Return for 2018
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is celebrating Hispanic Heritage this year with the second annual Semana Cultural. This exciting celebration will start, Monday, Sept 24, with a week of cultural activities and conclude on Saturday, Sept. 29, with the daylong Fiesta Cultural at the CWI Nampa Campus Academic Building.
As part of the National Hispanic Heritage month, Semana Cultural will showcase the diversity of Latin American countries that are represented here in Idaho and recognize the contributions made by Latinos in America. The activities at CWI will highlight and celebrate the history, heritage, and culture through a series of on-campus events.
Activities will include debates, speakers, documentaries, and educational opportunities for the community and students at the CWI Nampa Campus Academic Building from Sept. 24 to 28. Learn more and check out the schedule of events.
On Sept. 29, CWI will celebrate the conclusion of Semana Cultural with the third-annual Fiesta Cultural. This year’s event will offer the community a chance to experience, engage, learn, and have fun attending a multi-cultural event. Numerous cultures will be represented in music, dancing, games, art, and demonstrations.
Activities will range in age and interests; there will be something for the entire family to enjoy. Experience folkloric dancing performances, live music, soccer, and boxing. Kids will love the face painting, coloring, and more! Enjoy a diverse variety of food from local food trucks and vendors.
Scholarship Spotlight – Melissa D.
Hometown: Nampa, Idaho
Major: Health Science
Anticipated Graduation: 2019
Because of CWI: “I have been able to fulfill my dreams and become a role model for my children!”
Melissa D., a Nampa native and recent scholarship recipient, does not take being a student at College of Western Idaho for granted. While she always wanted to attend college this was not possible for her until recently. For years she battled rheumatoid arthritis, dealing with this condition consumed her and she put going to college on hold. However she fought to overcome this and never lost sight of pursuing her education.
“I had been dreaming of this for a long time,” she said. “My disease was under control, and the timing seemed perfect. I have loved every minute of attending CWI.”
Her experience with rheumatoid arthritis prompted her to pursue a career in the medical field, eventually to be a nurse. She wants to be able to work with patients to help them overcome their health issues with the use of her personal experience and love.
Melissa is a recipient of the Brandt Bridge Scholarship and the Follett Bookstore Scholarship.
“These scholarships help to ease our financial burdens and relieve my family of the stress of making ends meet. The funds will go directly towards purchasing my textbooks.”
Her most memorable moment at CWI was attending the cadaver lab for Anatomy and Physiology class. She describes her experience as profound and she was “in awe of the respect and dignity the instructors had for the donors. It is something I will never forget.”
Scholarship Spotlight – Kim L.
Hometown: Greenleaf, Idaho
Major: Health Science
Anticipated Graduation: 2021
Because of CWI: “I can be more than I ever dreamed possible.”
Kim L. has been wanting her college degree, originally, to become a teacher, but recently found her calling in the medical field. She sought out an education from College of Western Idaho (CWI) for the support she would find here and the services the College offers its students, including free tutoring. Shortly after starting, she realized tutoring isn’t the only plus to attending CWI.
“The professors really care about us as students and we are not just a number,” she said. “I believe more in myself because the tools CWI offers here have helped me pass all my classes. That kind of self- esteem is rare, and I am so appreciative of it.”
Kim is the proud recipient of a Brandt Bridge Scholarship and a CWI Foundation Scholarship which she said has helped her pursue her dream of becoming a nurse.
“Scholarships have helped me pay for classes I would not have been able to take otherwise,” she said. “I try and always remember how blessed I am and strive to be the best I can every single day.”
Kim is a hard-working, fun, and unique individual who loves helping others. Working with kids for nine years, she is currently working with dementia patients on improving their lives. She wants to be a surgical nurse by the year 2021 in hopes that someday she can be a civilian contractor on the front lines helping soldiers.