CWI Compass Connect - September 29, 2015
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to welcome a unique musical group to campus in October with the latest installment of its Visiting Artist Series. Marimba Boise, a group that specializes in Zimbabwean-style marimba music, will host workshops, a concert, and a meet-and-greet reception at the Nampa Campus Academic Building, Oct. 9-10. All events are free and open to the public. For more information on the event view the full announcement.
News Highlights
Workshops Conclude Conceptual Process for Potential CWI Boise Campus
CTA Architects Engineers hosted a series of workshops, Sept. 22-23, providing a chance for input on potential development of a permanent College of Western Idaho (CWI) campus in Boise. CWI has contracted CTA to develop a conceptual campus design as part of the College’s due diligence process to determine whether to move forward in purchasing land at the corner of Main Street and Whitewater Boulevard in Boise.
CTA hosted the first visioning workshop on Tuesday (Sept. 22) at Whittier Elementary School. The group then held two workshops on CWI’s campus, Wednesday (Sept. 23), for faculty, staff, and students. CTA presented three different campus concepts that were created based on input from previous community sessions and discussions with various local, county, and state agencies. CTA reported great engagement from participants at this round of workshops and felt the feedback was incredibly valuable for the process.
The conceptual design process is scheduled to wrap up in the next several weeks. CTA will present its findings to the CWI Board of Trustees at its next monthly meeting on Oct. 15.
Zions Bank Provides On-Going Support to CWI Program
Gifts to the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation are given in all shapes and sizes; from employees who donate out of their own pockets and paychecks to companies like Micron and Hewlett-Packard which recently donated phones and filing cabinets to support the College’s Administrative Specialist program. While all gifts make an impact, an on-going donation from Zions Bank is helping a group of people who want to learn something many people take for granted; the ability to read, write, and speak English.
Denise Sukkar’s Conversations class is part of CWI’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program. It is comprised of one of those groups who are benefitting from Zions Bank’s annual $6,000 grant. This is the fifth year CWI has received the grant; which is used to help fund the program’s instruction and materials costs.
The impact of the donations can be seen in Sukkar’s class every day. Recently, the group was learning how to construct sentences using the proper tense: past, present, and future. They were also working on pronunciation and fluency. Using one of the student’s life as an example, the class built a timeline so they can practice. One-by-one, the students asked questions—using proper English—to fill out the timeline. The example student also gave responses in proper form. Once the timeline was filled out, they each took a turn at telling the student’s life story using all of the different tenses.
“That’s right,” Sukkar repeated to the class—echoing a student’s words, “Lucia arrived in Idaho on May 11. She was studying psychology in Peru when she met her husband in 2013.”
Her students come from many different places: El Salvador, Mexico, Peru, and the Philippines. Differences aside, all agree that learning English is hard; especially when they find out one word—using nursery as an example—can mean many different things. Most thought it meant being a nurse.
“A nursery is a place where you can grow plants,” Sukkar told the students. “It is also a place for a baby. It’s like our forefathers couldn’t make up their minds when they put the English language together.”
As confusing as it is, the students smile a lot and take a lot of notes. They nod when they understand and keep the conversations strictly English. By using real-life applications, Sukkar guides them all through what they are there to learn.
“They really want to know how to speak properly,” Sukkar said. “They want to go out, get jobs, and learn. We are truly thankful for Zions Bank’s donation in helping us help them.”
Open House for New Masonry Apprenticeship Program
On Sept. 29, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Workforce Development is inviting the community to explore the in-demand careers accessible through fast-track training programs at an upcoming open house.
This month will feature the newly launched Masonry Apprenticeship program, which is serving an industry that is experiencing a significant need for trained workers in these well-paying careers. Between 2012 and 2022 the Idaho Department of Labor estimates over a 40 percent growth in masonry jobs in Idaho.
Not only will you be able to learn more about the feature program, but representatives and information will be available from all of CWI’s Workforce Development program areas.
The College will host an open house:
Tuesday, Sept. 29
5-7 p.m.
CWI Micron Center for Professional Technical Education, Room 1602
5725 E Franklin Rd. Nampa – View Map
The Masonry Apprenticeship Program through CWI Workforce Development allow students to earn a living while completing training in their desired career. Classes are taught one night a week and one Saturday a month, providing flexibility as students learn the skills that will make them in-demand in today’s workforce.
Instructors, and employers will be at the open house to talk with attendees and answer any questions they may have about getting into this in-demand career.
Registration is now open for the new Masonry Apprenticeship program:
Interested in other Workforce Development training options?
- Customized Training
- Healthcare & Emergency Medical Services
- Online Courses
- Technology and Business Solutions
- Trades, Manufacturing, and Construction
Please call 208.562.2700 or email wd@cwi.edu for more information about the event or with any questions about training through Workforce Development.
Calip Named September Staff of the Month
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) September Staff of the Month goes to Tessa Calip.
Calip is an Academic Advisor at CWI’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education and has worked for the College for a little over a year. She has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from San Jose State University. CWI is Calip’s first experience in higher education but she says that now that she has worked with students and experienced the mission of the College, she knows her career is paved in higher education.
Her nomination mentioned that she upholds all of CWI’s Core Values, but most recently with leaving a legacy of learning. In the last few weeks the College has experienced an influx of student’s attending orientations and she has stepped up to the plate, willingly giving up her Saturdays and evenings for students to experience in-person orientations. She is ensuring the students she serves experience CWI in a positive and professional manner.
Since moving to Idaho almost five years ago, she spends the vast majority of her time with her sister, brother-in-law, and nephew. They laugh a lot and enjoy taking family vacations together. Calip loves to travel and plans to someday venture to Costa Rica.
