CWI News—April 15, 2022
President's Message
I am excited about the future growth at CWI following the Board of Trustees meeting yesterday, April 14. Our Board unanimously approved the campus vision allowing CWI to enhance our learning spaces with first-rate facilities including a new Health and Science building, relocating the Horticulture program to our Nampa Campus, and more. I want to congratulate Executive Vice President, Craig Brown, and the rest of the team who have worked on the Campus Visioning and Planning process over the past nine months.
I am happy to report Board of Trustees Chair, Molly Lenty, and the rest of the board were very complimentary of the process and are looking forward to the next phase as we work to make this vision a reality.
I believe it is critical the College pursues continuous improvement. I think a sign of strength is admitting we are not perfect but also striving to be our best each day. I am not a perfect president, but I know I am driven to discover how I can improve and make my contributions to CWI even better. As CWI strives to deliver affordable, accessible education that empowers our students, what impact do we each bring to make this mission a reality? This new chapter for CWI will challenge us all – we all have an innate drive to have more impact in our community and be the best that we can be, while striving to empower our students.
As we enhance our congregated learning facilities in the years to come, this marks a big strategic shift for CWI, and I want to challenge all of you to continue evolving to meet the needs of our students. I take enormous pride in the ability of our faculty and staff to adapt and overcome challenges to support our growing community. These are days we can all be proud of our contributions to the success of CWI and leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.
Thank you for all you do to help our students thrive, and I hope you enjoy the weekend!
News Highlights
CWI Board Approves Campus Visioning Plan
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Board of Trustees unanimously voted on Thursday, April 14, to approve the strategic direction proposed through the Campus Visioning and Planning process. The strategic approach consolidates CWI into two primary campus locations, residing in Nampa and Boise, supported by key strategic centers.
Nampa Campus would include developing a new Health and Science building, relocating the Horticulture program, and expanding and consolidating student support services through construction of a student learning center.
“CWI Board of Trustees are excited to take the next step in Campus Visioning at the College,” said Molly Lenty, Chair of the Board. “We value the inclusive process that occurred and believe the engagement from our stakeholders in the community speaks to the support for CWI continuing to meet the needs of the growing Treasure Valley.”
Additionally, CWI previously invested in a property located in downtown Boise at Main Street and Whitewater Park Boulevard to serve Ada County students. CWI’s strategic direction includes investing in the Boise-owned site and developing a mixed-use project.
“I am thrilled to work with our Board of Trustees as CWI moves into the next phase of campus development – consolidating and expanding campus services and programming will ensure the College remains an innovative leader in delivering high-quality, affordable, and accessible opportunities to more students,” says CWI President Gordon Jones.
The campus consolidation will be accomplished through a phased process capitalizing on a diversified approach to funding. Strategies to fund this development include utilizing state appropriations through the State of Idaho Permanent Building Fund and using CWI development funds, as well as donor support.
The College’s next steps will focus on operationalizing the strategic direction and working to create timelines to assist in the subsequent phases of planning as CWI continues to develop buildings to optimize training and educational opportunities for students.
Please visit CWI's Campus Visioning webpage to learn more about the process and for the most up-to-date information.
CWI Takes the Stage at Annual Entrepreneur Challenge
More than 100 teams of college and university students from across Idaho entered the eighth-annual Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge (IEC), hosted this spring by Boise State University’s Venture College and College of Innovation and Design. Four teams with students from College of Western Idaho (CWI) were among the 24 selected as finalists to compete for more than $50,000 in prize money and services to advance their startups during the April 7 event at Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP) in downtown Boise.
Congratulations to CWI Business major, Ethyn Williams, and his teammates, Luke George, a student at Boise State University, and Emily House, from Idaho State University, who finished first in the Services Track earning them $5,000 for their business, Lower Gear Cycles. Established in 2020, Lower Gear Cycles is a full-service, mobile cycle repair and tuning shop. The team plans to use the money to complete their mobile shop trailer.
“The competition was awesome! We met a lot of great people, made fantastic business connections, and got to raise awareness about the importance of cycling in Idaho and it’s accessibility to all,” said Williams. “Completion of our mobile shop will allow us to visit races, sponsor youth teams, offer coaching, and more while also providing additional space for us to stock parts, work on more bikes, and carry more specialized tools. By the way, we offer a 10% discount to college students! Find us Facebook or Instagram @lowergearcycles.”
Congratulations as well to CWI Cybersecurity student, Cameron White, and his teammates, Alex Mitchell and Tatum Jones, students at Boise State University, who finished as runners-up in the Software Track winning them $1,000 for their business, TAC Security.
“The IEC was an amazing event,” shared White. “We had the opportunity to learn from and make valuable connections with several successful business people and startups and businesses founded by college students across the state. We competed against students from Boise State, College of Idaho, University of Idaho, Brigham Young University-Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, and others. In pitching our business idea, we were provided with mentorship, feedback, and resources that will help us expand our network and move these ideas forward.”
Shout out to all the CWI students who were part of this year’s event!
Fall 2022 Registration
Go BOLD, and register for classes this fall at College of Western Idaho (CWI)!
Important Fall Dates:
Application Deadline Aug. 13
Registration Deadline Aug. 19
Classes Start Aug. 22
Register for Fall 2022 Classes
Continuing Students
Priority registration at CWI for the Fall 2022 semester began Monday, April 11. 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 Student Success 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 18.
New to CWI? The Fall 2022 admission deadline is Saturday, August 13. 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 can 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 on myCWI 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 2022-2023 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 myCWI login information.
Students are encouraged to watch for emails and texts with important next steps for completion of the registration process. Contact One Stop Student Services or your Student Success Advisor with any questions or concerns. Fall registration will be open through Friday, August 19. Fall classes begin Monday, August 22.
Learn how CWI uses texting to keep you on track Register for Fall 2022 Classes
McCurdy Named Faculty of Distinction for March
Congratulations to Assistant Professor and Department Chair of Social Sciences, Jana McCurdy, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for March 2022. McCurdy has been at CWI for 12 years teaching primarily Psychology classes.
“The social and behavioral sciences help us understand ourselves and one another better,” she said. “Being able to apply research from psychology improves emotional intelligence which positively impacts our families, communities, and careers.”
As her students work toward their academic and personal goals, she enjoys being a voice of encouragement.
“I truly care about the success and excellence of my students. What students learn and the skills they develop at CWI can be used immediately and fuel them as both individuals and professionals. The future begins now, and I am so fortunate to be here and be a part of their journey.”
McCurdy is known by students and colleagues alike for her contributions across the College.
“I could not find the words to describe Jana McCurdy, and then one day, a student called her ‘salt of this earth’. That student is 100% right,” shared Professor of Psychology, Heather Schoenherr. “What resonates most with Jana is her ethical integrity that follows her in all areas of life. She is willing to use all her social capital to ensure we are doing right by our students and our disciplines and shares her skills and talents throughout the College without hesitation.”
Schoenherr added, “I feel grateful she is the voice for our department because I know she will protect education and advocate the value faculty bring to a college. She brings this same integrity into her classroom. She is respectful of the resources it costs students to be in class. She ensures every minute of her time with students is an opportunity to learn about the discipline, themselves, and society. Jana will meet students where they are at in the education and interpersonal skills to ensure they walk away more educated and self-aware. She is an excellent model of professionalism for faculty and students modeling curiosity and vulnerability to all around her, creating the perfect environment for growth.”
McCurdy was born in Pocatello and grew up in Idaho on fish hatcheries in Grace, Mullan, and Pahsimeroi near Challis. She and her husband have a daughter and a son who are both married and two grandchildren. Outside of the classroom she enjoys reading, playing games, watching movies, and being outdoors.
“I love the mountains and the beach. My husband and I enjoy hiking, biking, and swimming. We have fun traveling together to new places and camping during the summer.”
Congratulations, 2022 Graduates!
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will celebrate its 2022 graduating class in a commencement ceremony Friday, May 13, 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.
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 2022 graduates! You made it!
Commencement Seeking Volunteers
College of Western Idaho's (CWI) 2022 Commencement ceremony is right around the corner! The ceremony, held at ExtraMile Arena in Boise, will take place on Friday, May 13, at 7 p.m. Employees are encouraged to share in the success of CWI students by volunteering their time that day.
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 Elizabeth Ortiz Dominguez at elizabethdominguez@cwi.edu by Monday, April 25, 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!
“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
LGBTQ+ Panel Discussion
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Social Work Club is excited to present a community education panel and Q&A event focused on LBGTQ+ identities and experiences. Featuring a diverse panel of LGBTQ+ community members, the purpose of the event is to promote knowledge, awareness, and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals and foster healthy communication and growth within the CWI campus community.
Tuesday, April 26
6 – 8 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building, Room 122
The evening will begin with a brief moderated discussion during which panelists will discuss various topics such as what the letters LGBTQ mean to them, the difference between sexual and gender identities, and the whys and hows of pronoun usage. A Q&A session will follow allowing participants a welcome space to ask questions about LGBTQ identities and experiences. Audience members and panelists are invited to stay for light refreshments and continued conversations following the Q&A.
2022 Graduates – Let’s Celebrate YOU!
Congratulations, 2022 graduates! The time has come to celebrate your accomplishments and prepare to graduate! Gather your friends, family, and classmates, and plan to join us for a good time and good food as we kick off the countdown to College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) 2022 Commencement Ceremony with Grad Fest, Wednesday, May 4.
Grad Fest
Wednesday, May 4
4 – 7 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building, west lawn
The event will feature:
- Food from BIG Daddy’s Barbeque
- Photo ops courtesy of Alpha-Lit
- Caps, gowns, and CWI swag for purchase from the CWI Bookstore
- Clothing consultations and coupons from Macy’s
- Giveaways and grand prize drawings
- Giant yard games and an obstacle course
- Music and a DJ provided by Rocky Mountain Roll
- and more!
We can’t wait to celebrate you and look forward to seeing you there!
FY23 Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for medical, dental, and flexible spending accounts (FSA) will be held April 25 through May 13, 2022, for all benefit-eligible College of Western Idaho (CWI) employees. The new plan year begins July 1, 2022.
New premiums rates and summaries of benefits and plan types will be posted to the Office of Group Insurance website in the next week and will also be sent out via email.
Open enrollment is your chance to:
- Enroll or re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for the 2023 fiscal year.
- FSA plans do not automatically renew year-to-year. A new form must be submitted to continue FSA contributions.
- Click here to learn more about Flexible Spending Accounts.
- Change your medical plan type (PPO, Traditional, High Deductible).
- Add dependents to dental care coverage.
- Switch premium deductions from post-tax to pre-tax or vice-versa.
- Newly enroll or decline medical and dental benefits without a qualifying life event. If you miss the deadline you will not be able to enroll or decline benefits until next Open Enrollment without a qualifying life event.
Open enrollment forms:
- Forms will be available Monday, April 25, on the Human Resources Employee Resources site on myCWI and will also be sent out via email.
- Forms can be signed electronically.
- Forms cannot be signed or submitted before April 25.
- Open enrollment forms will be due Friday, May 13, at 5 p.m., and will be accepted via email or in-person at the Human Resources office located at the Nampa Campus Administration Building.
- Exceptions will not be made for those who miss the May 13 deadline.
Have a quick question about your benefits?
During the open enrollment period, Human Resources will be holding drop-in Q&A forums via Zoom for those with questions about open enrollment and/or CWI’s benefits.
Save the date!
Learn more about the benefits available to you by attending CWI's Virtual Benefit Fair, April 25 – May 13. At the virtual benefits fair you can access updated plan and rate information for the new plan year, view informative videos, attend webinars, review FAQs, and access open enrollment forms.
Contact Human Resources at HRBenefits@cwi.edu with questions.
Built-in Brand Templates Now Available
Updating and creating documents with the College’s new brand is now easier than ever with built-in CWI templates in Word and PowerPoint that include brand fonts, heading styles, and colors. Templates can be accessed by creating a new document and selecting the template you would like to use.
Word Templates
- CWI_Sidebar_Letterhead_Template
- CWI_General_Document_Template
- CWI_Standard_Form_Template
- CWI_Standard_Letterhead_Template
PowerPoint Templates
- CWI_PPT_Template_AngleTheme
- CWI_PPT_Template_CompassTheme
- CWI_PPT_Template_GemTheme
For more information about the new brand or access to brand resources, visit the Communications and Marketing Resources page on myCWI. Email communications@cwi.edu with any questions or additional assistance.
