CWI News—April 1, 2022
In the Spotlight
More than 500 students across the state are competing in SkillsUSA Idaho's 2022 State Leadership and Skills Conference today. Students competing in Automotive Refinishing Technology, Welding, and Architectural Drafting are hard at work at College of Western Idaho’s Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, one of the host sites for this year’s competition.
President's Message
As mentioned last week, I love this time of year as we ramp up for the final sprint to the end of the semester and graduation.
I had the pleasure to join the Staff Senate’s Zoom meeting this week to speak with many of you. I am so proud to work with all of you as you continue to provide exceptional support to our students as CWI empowers them with the skills to thrive in life.
Speaking of our outstanding students, I would like to highlight the Emerging Scholars program. This is a great opportunity for CWI faculty to recognize outstanding students for their commitment to learning, demonstration of excellence in their discipline or program, creative approaches to assignments, and more. Each student will receive a $1,000 scholarship to be applied toward their tuition at CWI for the 2022-23 academic year. Get your submissions in by April 11!
Lastly, please take time to complete the CWI Mascot Developing Naming Survey. We would love to hear your feedback as we move forward with this historical process.
I hope you had a fantastic week back on campus!
CWI in the News
Original Research Article by Aaron von Lindern: Reduction of Feedback Availability Limits Self-Control Effects
News Highlights
What’s in a Name?
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has identified the otter as its official mascot. The mascot development research phase kicked off in January with a survey allowing students, faculty, and staff to share their input and opinions about the new mascot.
In continuing this development, it is now time to bring the otter to life with a name! Tell us what you think by participating in the CWI Mascot Development Naming Survey by Friday, April 8. Unveiling of the new mascot is currently scheduled for Fall 2022.
Thank you for taking time to engage in this important process.
McKay Named 2022 New Century Transfer Scholar
College of Western Idaho Media Arts graduate, Karina McKay, has been named a 2022 New Century Transfer Scholar through Phi Theta Kappa and will receive a $2,250 scholarship.
New Century Transfer Scholars are selected based on their academic accomplishments, leadership, activities, and how they extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom. Over 2,200 students were nominated from more than 1,200 college campuses across the country. Only one New Century Transfer Scholar is selected from each state. The program is sponsored by The Coca-Cola Foundation, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, Phi Theta Kappa, and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
“We congratulate Karina for receiving this prestigious scholarship, and we are honored to partner with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, The Coca-Cola Foundation, and the AACC to recognize these outstanding achievements,” said Phi Theta Kappa’s President and CEO Dr. Lynn Tincher-Ladner. “Scholarship programs like this are integral for creating opportunities for two-year college students to succeed and for putting college completion within reach.”
Complete the CWI Student Satisfaction Survey and WIN
Help make College of Western Idaho (CWI) a better place by completing this year’s Student Satisfaction Survey. Information gathered through this survey will allow the College to learn more YOU, our students, and help us provide the types of programs and services you would like to see offered.
Please check your student email for an email titled CWI Student Satisfaction Survey to get started. The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and does not have to be completed all at once. Your name, email, or other identifying information will not be collected making your responses completely anonymous.
Enter into a drawing for one of 50 prizes at the end of the survey including:
- Apple AirPods
- Alexa Enabled Smart Watches
- Anker Bluetooth Waterproof Speakers
- Portable Wireless Cell Phone Chargers
- $25, $50, and $100 Amazon Gift Cards
Thank you, in advance, for your participation.
Contact Dean of Students, Chad Trisler, at chadtrisler@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
Global Gardens Volunteer Event – April 2
Associated Student of College of Western Idaho (ASCWI) invites you to join them, once again, in giving back to the community.
Students will be assisting Idaho Office for Refugees’ Global Gardens project to prepare garden plots for planting. Created to provide access to greenhouses and community gardens, the Global Gardens project offers Idaho refugees both financial opportunity and food security.
Get involved, and help make a difference in our community. Sign up to volunteer today! No experience necessary – just show up with a mask, gloves, and water. Friends, family, and kids are welcome.
“We are hoping for an even higher turnout this time,” said ASCWI Chief of Staff, Kaylee Peterson. “We had 35-45 people show up for the last volunteer event and were able to accomplish so much so quickly! finishing in under two hours rather than the expected four.”
Global Gardens Volunteer Event
Saturday, April 2
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Intersection of Morris Hill and Liberty St. in Boise
(empty lot across from the baseball fields)
Global Gardens Volunteer Event Registration
Email kayleepeterson@my.cwi.edu or ASCWI@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
Nominate a 2022 Emerging Scholar
The Emerging Scholar Committee is excited for the opportunity to select another group of Emerging Scholars! Faculty are encouraged to nominate students based on perseverance, innovative thinking, and professionalism both in and outside the classroom.
“It has been a challenging year,” said Brenda Fisher, Department Chair of Visual and Performing Arts. “This award could truly make a difference in a student’s life by offering tangible support encouraging them to persist with their education.”
Students selected as 2022 Emerging Scholars will each receive a $1,000 scholarship to be applied toward their tuition for the 2022-2023 academic year. Students must plan to enroll in six or more credits for the 2022-2023 academic year in both fall and spring semesters and have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Nominations are being accepted through April 11, 2022.
Visiting Scientist Series Welcomes Jason Barnes
Join College of Western Idaho’s Visiting Scientist Series in welcoming University of Idaho professor, Jason Barnes, to campus April 13. Barnes is a founding member and Deputy Principal Investigator of the University’s Dragonfly space mission, a project to launch a robotic, drone-like rotorcraft lander to explore Titan, Saturn’s largest moon.
In his lecture, Barnes will discuss the specific scientific experiments the Dragonfly lander will enable, as well as the instrumentation and exploration strategies the science team will use. Dragonfly is set to launch 2025 and arrive at Titan in 2034. Its primary mission will last more than two years.
Wednesday, April 13
3 – 4 p.m.
NCAB, Room 106
There will be pizza!
Unable to attend in-person? Join the lecture via Zoom!
Meeting ID: 972 5304 9777
Password: 575106
Read more about Dragonfly:
U of I Researcher Part of Team to Send Robot Copter to Saturn Moon for NASA Mission
Dragonfly: Flights of Exploration Across Saturn’s Moon Titan
CWI’s Visiting Scientist Series brings world-class Idaho scientists from colleges and universities across the state to share research and experiences with students and discuss how to be engaged with faculty, graduate students, and peers in exciting research.
Contact Associate Professor, Ehab Marji, at ehabmarji@cwi.edu to learn more.
“Can I Kiss You?”
Join College of Western Idaho (CWI) Wednesday, April 20, as we raise awareness on issues relevant to dating, intimacy, and sexual assault with nationally-renown author and expert, Mike Domitrz. As Founder of The Center for Respect, Domitrz’s approach to handling intimacy is blunt, thought-provoking, and entertaining – while being sensitive to this important topic. Domitrz has traveled the world for over a decade offering real solutions to talking about sex and boundaries. Using humor and hard-hitting emotion, he provides individuals with skills they can implement into their lives instantly.
Sessions, offered throughout the day for employees and students at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), will additionally feature Title IX Coordinator and Dean of Students, Chad Trisler, and Counseling and Wellness Services.
FACULTY & STAFF SESSIONS
- Let’s Talk About SEX-ual Assault
presented by Title IX Coordinator and Dean of Students, Chad Trisler
9:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
NCAB, Room 309
- Building your Sexual Assault Support Toolkit
presented by Mike Domitrz
10 – 11 a.m.
NCAB, Room 122
- Respect in the Workplace Training
presented by Mike Domitrz
11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
NCAB, Room 122
STUDENT SESSIONS
- Let’s Talk About SEX-ual Assault
presented by Title IX Coordinator and Dean of Students, Chad Trisler
1:30 – 2:15 p.m.
NCAB, Room 122
- Can I Kiss You?
presented by Mike Domitrz
2:30 – 3:45 p.m.
NCAB 122
When it comes to intimacy and sex, how do you know how far your partner really wants to go? How do you let your partner know what you want without being too subtle, too bossy, or the mistake of just ‘going for it’? Learn specific how-to skills for consent, respect in relationships, bystander intervention, and addressing sexual assault.
- Relationships: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly
presented by Counseling and Wellness Services
4 – 5 p.m.
NCAB 122
Guarantee your spot by registering to attend a session today! Contact Assistant Director of Student Engagement, Amber Eubanks, at ambereubanks@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
"Can I Kiss You?" Event Registration
Hike and Bike Challenge 21-Day Challenge
Sign up to participate in April’s Hike and Bike Employee Wellness Challenge by Monday, April 4! As a participant of this challenge, your goal will be to get outside in the beautiful Idaho spring by either hiking or biking completing as many miles as possible for 21 days. Participants will track mileage for each activity separately.
Visit the Culture and Employee Engagement Committee site on myCWI for all the details including:
- how to sign up
- participation requirements
- tracking resources
- submission information
- valuable tips, information, and resources to get you started
Submit your participation data by Saturday, April 30, for your chance to win some awesome prizes.
Employee Training Opportunities: April 2022
The beginning of 2022 marked the launch of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Virtual Learning Center (VLC) for employees. In addition to mandatory trainings, employees are encouraged to take part in optional, professional development opportunities offered each month through the VLC. Below is a preview of trainings available in April.
Manger Workshop: Effective Recruiting, Interviewing, and Hiring
Unravel the mystery of hiring the best candidate for the job!
Tuesday, April 19
2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Zoom
Tuesday, April 26
8:30 – 10:00 a.m.
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, Room 1701A
This workshop includes three learning modules to assist hiring managers in:
- Identifying tools and resources for hiring the best candidate
- Utilizing the PageUp job posting process successfully
- Managing an effective interview panel
- Preventing illegal practices during the interview process
- Successfully managing job offers
- Providing the best onboarding process for new hires
Sign up for this training and more by visiting the VLC accessible through the PageUp User Dashboard under "My Community". Please share this opportunity with members of your teams and departments. Contact Human Resources Business Partner, Casey Brown, at caseybrown@cwi.edu with questions.
