CWI News – April 14, 2023
Spotlight
Thank you to all who participated in CWI Giving Day this week! Whether you donated, spread the word, or came to our Launch Party Wednesday afternoon — your support helped the College raise nearly $45,000 to assist students and future opportunities! More than 190 donors made gifts to campus clubs, programs, and resources during the Giving Day campaign.
For those who missed the Giving Day deadline and are still interested in making a donation, please contact CWI Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu.
News Highlights
Fulfilling Her Dreams by Helping Others
If you were to ask a healthcare worker why they got into their field of work, many would reply it is simply because they want to help others. That is the case for College of Western Idaho (CWI) Registered Nursing (RN) student, Sarah Tuffield, who says her time in the program has solidified this is exactly what she wants to do and where she wants to be in life.
“I have always loved helping people in my life,” Tuffield said. “Whether that be holding the door open for someone who has their hands full or listening to someone talk about a bad day. We’re helping people at times they didn't foresee coming or when they get news that was unexpected. Nurses are the people who sit there and say, ‘I'm here to listen. What's going on?’”
With more than 100,000 Registered Nurses in the U.S. leaving the industry between 2020 and 2021, according to American Association of Nursing, Tuffield hopes to help fill in the gaps for the current demand.
Tuffield is on her way to graduating from CWI with her Associate of Science in Nursing in Spring 2024, where she plans to transfer to another institution to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. From there, she hopes to begin work as a Registered Nurse in the hospital setting.
Having graduated from CWI’s Practical Nursing (PN) program and working in the healthcare field as a Licensed PN at the Idaho State Veterans Home, Tuffield is excited to begin her next endeavor because she knows firsthand how the College sets students up for success professionally.
“The program may be a challenge because it is a lot of work, but it’s rewarding when you reach your goal of starting that job or continuing in your nursing journey. One of my favorite memories in the RN program has been working in the simulation labs because we are able to treat a scenario as real as possible but also make mistakes that won’t hurt a patient. It allows us to build our confidence and skills as we move forward in the program.”
Tuffield also adds the encouragement from her instructors have helped contribute to the success she has seen in the classroom and labs. She believes they have a passion to teach students how to become caring and well-rounded individuals.
“The instructors are unique and diverse because of their nursing backgrounds — plus most of them are learning while we learn because nursing is ever-changing. Many nurses feel that if they aren't learning they aren't furthering their experience.”
While Tuffield feels her education has prepared her for the “real world” as a working professional, she also attributes the success she has seen so far to her drive for wanting more learning opportunities in the industry. She would often interact with professionals in a clinical setting and ask for more hands-on experiences.
“When I was in my clinical once, I saw the nurse I was paired with had a busy day and seemed stressed, so I asked if I could spend the day with the phlebotomist to practice blood draws. It was a great learning experience, and it gave me the confidence to interact with others.”
It is that self-confidence that helped get her to where she is today and make her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse a possibility.
“With a belief in yourself, you can do hard things and you can reach the goals and tasks that you have.”
Applications for CWI’s Registered Nursing program are open through Friday, May 19. For more information on the application process and requirements, please visit the Registered Nursing page, or contact Allison Baker at allisonbaker2@cwi.edu or 208.562.2307.
Connections Project — April 20
Plan to join College of Western Idaho (CWI) for the eighth-annual Connections Project Thursday, April 20. A showcase of the hard work and accomplishments of our students, this annual event celebrates culture, collaboration, education, innovation, and achievement.
Posters
Students posters will debut on Thursday, April 20, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building on the second-floor atrium from 2 – 4 p.m. Student posters will then be on display throughout the Nampa Campus Academic Building and Ada County Center Pintail Building April 21 – 28.
Juried Art Exhibition
Art submissions for the 2023 Juried Art Exhibition will be on display Thursday, April 20, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building outside Room 206. Cassandra Schiffler, the Arts and Culture Coordinator for the City of Meridian, was chosen as this year’s juror. The winner of this year’s exhibition will be announced at the Connections Project Awards Ceremony. Details on the ceremony are below.
Mini Talks
Join CWI students on Thursday, April 20, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building in Room 106 and 102E at 2 – 4 p.m. for their Mini Talk presentations. Topics for the talks include Myths in Popular Psychology, the How and Why of Campus Involvement, Humanities and Social Science Tutoring, Children’s Play and Occupational Therapy, and more.
Reception
Immediately following Connections Project there will be a reception at Nampa Campus Academic Building and West Patio from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Guests are welcome to pizza and cake while celebrating the hard work and achievements of the students.
Awards Ceremony
This year’s Awards Ceremony will be live at the Nampa Campus Academic Building on Friday, April 21, at the CWI Student Leadership Banquet at the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho. The ceremony will recognize winners of the Connections Logo Competition, Connections Excellence Awards, Juried Art Exhibition, and President’s Writing Awards.
For those with questions or in need of more information about this year’s event, contact Cathy Carson at cathycarson@cwi.edu.
CWI Students Showcase Talents at SkillsUSA Competition
College of Western Idaho (CWI) students showcased their talents at the 2023 SkillsUSA Idaho State Leadership and Skills Conference! The event, hosted at Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC) on April 6, saw CWI students from various programs participate in both the leadership and skills competitions where they brought home 17 medals — two bronze, seven silver, and eight gold.
SkillsUSA is a nonprofit organization serving middle school, high school, and college students. In partnering with students, teachers, and industry, the organization works to provide a skilled workforce in America. Lab Materials Manager, Kelly McDaid, serves as CWI’s SkillsUSA advisor and is joined by several CWI instructors who act as competition-specific SkillsUSA advisors; JohnD Thompson, Sean McConnachie, Justin Moore, Scott Didriksen, Jake Weber, Vince Palagi, Robert Novak, Jared Hemley, and Malcom Diamond.
Both high school and college students from all over the state of Idaho competed in these events and many industry partners assisted in running competitions. This gave CWI an opportunity to showcase the equipment, lab space, and student experience to a variety of prospective students and industry partners.
Students competed in several different categories, including Diesel Technology, Information Technology, CNC Machining, Welding Fabrication and Sculpture, Collision Repair, Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair, Robotics, Electronics, Mechatronics, and Drafting.
GOLD
- Jessica Tilford – Automotive Refinishing
- Martin Kay – Electronics Technology
- Sara Ives – Internetworking
- Ben Morgan – Job Skill Demonstration
- Ben Morgan – Power Equipment Technology
- Michael Hertel & Malachi Pender – Mechatronics (team)
- Kiel Skaggs, Cameron Vaughn, Jordan MacDonald – Welding Fabrication (team)
- Cambridge Ward – Welding Sculpture
SILVER
- Ronan Stewart – CNC 3-Axis Milling Programmer
- Nathan Hobbs – Diesel Equipment Technology
- Nathan Hobbs – Job Interview
- Eric Proksch – Electronics Technology
- Jacob Skeen – Extemporaneous Speaking
- Benjie Kallberg – Mechatronics
- Quinlan Solleder – Mechatronics
BRONZE
- Austin States – Diesel Equipment Technology
QUIZ BOWL (TEAM)
- Jessica Tilford
- Omar Salazar
- Nicholas Williams
- Nolan Czapiewski
- Eric Proksch
- Tobias Leib
Students who received gold medals in their events secured a place at the SkillsUSA National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, this June.
Best of luck to our CWI student delegation traveling to nationals!
Dual Credit’s Pop the Trunk Seeing Success
College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Career and Technical Education (CTE) Dual Credit Coordinators' Pop-the-Trunk Initiative is seeing great success around the Treasure Valley!
The Pop-the-Trunk Initiative, introduced in 2021-2022 academic year, involves teaching trunks that include lesson plans, program-specific materials and equipment, software, tools, and other information to help alternative high school students explore and learn about CTE. Materials were purchased using grant money, and the program is available at no cost to students or teachers.
Dual Credit Coordinator, Jessica Concie, stopped by Bennett Alternative School in Mountain Home the other week to see how the initiative is impacting students and saw lots of excitement coming out of the classroom. Not only were students enjoying and learning with the Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology and other CTE teaching trunks, but it has inspired other teachers to expand on their lessons.
"The history teacher is also going to be teaching his fifth-grade students about when motor vehicles were invented," Concie said. “He’s seen the positive impact that the Automotive teaching trunk has had on the Alternative High School students and believes it’s a great idea for them to share their experience and knowledge with their younger peers.”
For those with questions or in need of more information about CWI’s CTE Dual Credit programs, contact jessicaconcie@cwi.edu or osterhernandez@cwi.edu.
Congratulations, 2023 Graduates!
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will celebrate its 2023 graduating class in a commencement ceremony Friday, May 12, at 7 p.m. The ceremony, held at ExtraMile Arena in Boise, will recognize degree, certificate, GED, and Workforce Development apprenticeship graduates. In addition to in-person attendance, the ceremony will also be streamed on the College’s website - cwi.edu/live.
Graduates are encouraged to check their student email account, the CWI newsroom, the College’s social media channels, and the Graduation page regularly for announcements and up-to-date information. Please email registrar@cwi.edu with any questions.
Congratulations to all our 2023 graduates! You made it!
2023 Commencement Seeking Volunteers
College of Western Idaho's (CWI) 2023 Commencement ceremony is right around the corner! The ceremony, held at ExtraMile Arena in Boise, will take place on Friday, May 12, at 7 p.m. Employees are encouraged to share in the success of CWI students by volunteering to help staff the event.
Volunteer times are based on assignment. Volunteers are welcome to stay for the entire ceremony or leave when volunteer duties are complete. The volunteer shifts are as follows:
- 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
- 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
- 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.
To volunteer, email registrar@cwi.edu by Monday, April 24, at 5 p.m. In your email, please indicate the shift you would like to work. Although volunteer times cannot be guaranteed, preferences will be taken into consideration.
Thank you to all who are willing and able to help at this event. Commencement would not be possible with you!
Plan for Your Future at Fall 2023 Registration Party
Stuck trying to figure out what classes to register for this fall? You’re in luck! College of Western Idaho (CWI) is hosting a two-day Fall 2023 Registration Party to provide support and help students sign up for classes ahead of the fall semester.
The Registration Party invites students to get their questions answered and course load finalized. CWI Advisors will be around to meet one-on-one with a student to review their academic progress and goals. They will also be handing out treats and raffle prizes to those who register or have already registered for fall classes (while supplies last).
Nampa Campus Academic Building(NCAB)
Ada County Center Pintail Building (APIN)
Priority registration for Fall 2023 is already underway, so don’t miss out on this opportunity to get questions answered and your courses picked out before the end of spring. For those with questions, contact Lindsey Zahller at 208.562.2354 or lindseyzahller@cwi.edu.
Registration for Fall 2023
For those starting out or starting something big — register for classes this fall at College of Western Idaho (CWI)! With a variety of resources, flexible course options, and caring instructors, CWI is here to help you on your pathway to success every step of the way.
Let’s get started!
Important Fall 2023 Dates
- Priority Registration Opens – Monday, April 10
- Open Registration Opens – Monday, April 17
- Admission Deadline for 16-Week Class Session – Saturday, Aug. 12
- Registration Deadline for 16-Week Class Session – Friday, Aug. 18
- First Day of Classes for 16-Week Class Session – Monday, Aug. 21
Continuing Students
Priority registration at CWI for the Fall 2023 semester for 16-week class session begins Monday, April 10. Priority registration allows continuing students a chance to enroll in classes ahead of open registration, helping students stay on track for graduation.
Following are a few tips for current students:
- Be sure to meet with your Advisor prior to registering. Students can register any time on or after their assigned registration time.
- Registration times are assigned based on cumulative credits earned. Check myCWI and your student email for your assigned time.
- Continuing students are considered those who enrolled and attended classes any semester since Fall 2020.
- Dual credit students will register during open registration.
New Students
Open registration for all students, including new and returning, begins Monday, April 17.
New to CWI? The Fall 2023 admission deadline for 16-week class session is Saturday, Aug. 12. All, new, degree, and non-degree seeking students must apply to CWI prior to registering for classes. Visit Applying to CWI for a complete list of steps to get started.
Non-Degree Seeking
- Upon completion of the application process and once accepted to CWI, new, non-degree seeking students may immediately register for classes.
Degree Seeking
- Upon completion of the application process and once accepted to CWI, new, degree-seeking students must participate in New Student Orientation prior to registering for classes.
Course offerings can be viewed in Student Planning for all continuing and returning students.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Contact Financial Aid at financialaid@cwi.edu to learn more about options available for students in need of financial assistance.
The scholarship application period for the 2023-2024 academic year is now open. Apply for a variety of scholarships through a single application. Students interested in applying for scholarships must have the CWI admission application completed, be accepted, and have student account login information.
Students are encouraged to watch for emails and texts with important next steps for the completion of the registration process. Contact One Stop Student Services or your Advisor with any questions or concerns.
Fall registration for the 16-week class session will be open through Friday, Aug. 18, and classes will begin Monday, Aug. 21.
Register for Fall 2023 Classes
For those interested in learning about other dates and deadlines for Fall 2023 semester, including 8-week class session, please visit CWI's academic calendar.
Optum Idaho Donates $15K to CWI Student Emergency Fund
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is truly grateful to receive $10,000 from Optum Idaho as part of CWI Giving Day. Optum Idaho has also made a promise to provide an additional dollar-for-dollar match of up to $5,000 for Giving Day donations — making, in total, a $15,000 pledge from Optum Idaho.
Optum Idaho’s donation will support CWI’s Student Emergency Fund, which supports the College’s students when they need it the most. Support through this fund can be provided for students in need of immediate assistance with childcare, healthcare, housing, or other emergencies that may result in them dropping out of school.
More than 98% of students who received funding assistance in 2021 came back to school during the next two semesters.
“Knowing that non-medical factors, such as housing, transportation, and food insecurity, can negatively impact the physical and behavioral health of Idahoans, Optum Idaho is proud to help support the CWI’s Student Emergency Stabilization Fund”, said Optum Idaho Executive Director, Georganne Benjamin. “We know from CWI’s own research that students who have access to the emergency fund are far more likely to stay in school, and by helping to remove barriers to educational attainment, Optum Idaho and CWI are partnering together to make sure Idaho can meet its future workforce needs.”
Optum Idaho manages outpatient behavioral health benefits for Idaho Medicaid members and provides free resources to promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma for all Idahoans.
"I believe in the power of CWI to deliver affordable and quality educational opportunities to students from all backgrounds across the Treasure Valley,” said CWI President Gordon Jones. “CWI is committed to providing access to resources that will make a difference to students throughout their time in college. Optum Idaho’s donation and matching challenge to the Student Emergency Fund is a powerful way to support this mission and help students overcome the challenges they face in pursuing their education.”
CWI invites alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and community members to join our first-ever CWI Giving Day — a 24-hour campaign — Wednesday, April 12, and Thursday, April 13. CWI Giving Day supports students and areas of the College that make a difference in our community’s lives, like the Student Emergency Fund.
To get involved, people can do so by donating and sharing the CWI Giving Day page with friends, family, colleagues, and others in their community.
CWI Giving Day will launch on Wednesday, April 12 at 12 p.m., MST, and close on Thursday, April 13 at 12 p.m., MST.
For those with questions or in need of more information about CWI Giving Day, please contact CWI Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu.
Albertsons Companies Foundation Donates $12K to CWI Campus Garden and Food Pantries
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is truly grateful to receive $6,000 from Albertsons Companies Foundation as part of CWI Giving Day. Albertsons Companies Foundation has also made a promise to provide an additional dollar-for-dollar match of up to $6,000 for Giving Day donations — making in total a $12,000 pledge from the Foundation.
Albertsons Companies Foundation has donated $1,000 to support CWI’s Campus Garden and $5,000 to support CWI Food Pantries. According to a CWI student survey, 40% of CWI students suffer from some form of food insecurity — both the Campus Garden and CWI Food Pantry help provide resources to help feed students in need.
CWI’s Campus Garden supports Agricultural Science students’ coursework by providing them with a hands-on experience and introducing them to local food options, where it comes from, and how it is grown. During harvest season, the produce from the garden is collected and distributed to students at CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB).
The College has five Food Pantries located throughout CWI’s campuses, where CWI students and employees experiencing food insecurity are welcome to help themselves to what they need. The pantries also contain hygiene products for people to take and use. Research shows supporting students with on-campus food pantries helps promote positive student development, retention, and graduation rates.
One thousand dollars of the Foundation’s pledged dollar-for-dollar match will also be donated to the Campus Garden and the other pledged $5,000 match will be donated to CWI Food Pantries.
“Every student deserves a chance at a bright future, but many in our own community face a serious disadvantage because they experience food insecurity,” said President of Albertsons Companies Intermountain Division, John Colgrove. “We are thrilled to partner with CWI to support their campus food pantry and campus garden and ensure all students have access to nutritious food.”
“We are so thankful for Albertsons Companies Foundation’s support of CWI’s Campus Garden and Food Pantries, which provides hands-on learning opportunities for our students and access to fresh food,” said CWI President Gordon Jones.
CWI invites alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and community members to join our first-ever CWI Giving Day — a 24-hour campaign — Wednesday, April 12, and Thursday, April 13. CWI Giving Day supports students and areas of the College that make a difference in our community’s lives, like the Student Emergency Fund.
To get involved, people can do so by donating and sharing the CWI Giving Day page with friends, family, colleagues, and others in their community.
CWI Giving Day will launch on Wednesday, April 12 at 12 p.m., MST, and close on Thursday, April 13 at 12 p.m., MST.
For those with questions or in need of more information about CWI Giving Day, please contact CWI Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu.
