CWI News—April 22, 2022
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho’s Enrollment Team visited Vallivue High School this week to help students complete admissions, register for classes, and give away two $1,000 scholarships. The visit was one of many the Enrollment Team hosts each spring at high schools throughout the community.
President's Message
This week, I wanted to share a few thoughts on my first 100 days. My headline for everyone is “CWI is super special” (you already know that, I’m sure). I see, feel, and experience the energy, commitment, and opportunity represented in our College and the people who make up our campus community. I have enjoyed listening to stories of personal empowerment, and I am constantly invigorated during visits with students on campus – it’s their drive that affirms “My Why for CWI.” It is a privilege leading CWI, and I thank each of you for all you are doing to make CWI better every day.
Joining the CWI community to pursue educational opportunities is a smart choice for our students. They understand receiving high-quality instruction at a fantastic value does not mean sacrificing quality. It is your dedication and hard work as faculty and staff that transforms students’ dreams into reality. This alignment among all of you ensures we fulfill our promise to students by providing the educational opportunities they need to have agency throughout their life.
I am proud of our culture at CWI as we continue to adapt and balance changes in the higher education landscape while remaining laser-focused on better serving students. With just three weeks left before graduation, I know you all are committed to finishing the semester strong!
I hope you enjoy the sunny skies this weekend with family and friends.
CWI in the News
Boise Metro Chamber: Interview with Gordon Jones
Idaho Press: Good Day: Idaho youth continue growing through Idaho Job Corps
News Highlights
Annual Banquet Celebrates Student Leadership
Students at College of Western Idaho (CWI) were recognized and celebrated for their leadership on campus and in the community at the Student Leadership Banquet Friday, April 15, at Wahooz Galaxy Event Center in Meridian.
Student Leadership Award Winners for 2021-2022
Community Service Program of the Year
The Community Service Program of the Year award honors a program that has engaged students in service while encouraging students to selflessly serve beyond this one experience.
- Biology Club for their Pollinator Garden Maintenance event, which brought individuals together to gain important knowledge on the environment while doing incredible things for the community.
Social Program of the Year
This award recognizes a program that has contributed to the sense of community on campus by encouraging students to come together and meaningfully engage with one another and/or the Ada County/Canyon County communities.
- Art Club for their Self-Care Art Night which created a safe space for students to engage with each other and take care of themselves.
Student Organization of the Year
This award is presented to an organization that demonstrates excellence in all areas of community engagement, collaboration, diversity, and inclusion, and leadership development.
- Gaming Club for positively affecting the lives of students.
Student Organization Advisor of the Year
The Student Organization Advisor Award honors an advisor who has excelled in providing support and assistance to a club/organization. The recipient has devoted time and service that has played a key role in the organization’s success.
- Annie Estvold from the Social Work Club for going above and beyond in every aspect to make sure the club and her students are taken care of.
Outstanding Officer/Representative of the Year
The Outstanding Officer/Representative of the Year Award honors a student who has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout their term of office and has enhanced participation and involvement within their organization, the campus, and the community as a whole.
- Tawa Giwa from the International Club for being a key leader holding multiple positions, leading dynamic conversations about important topics, coming up with creative ideas for engagement, and helping others feel welcome and engaged.
Quiet Influence Award
This award honors an individual student who has contributed to their organization and campus community in a meaningful yet behind-the-scenes way.
- Mili Smith from the International Club for completing their behind-the-scenes responsibilities seamlessly contributing to the club’s success.
Rising Leader Award
This award honors a student who does not need a title in order to fill a leadership role. This student has shown throughout the year a newfound commitment to serve the Ada and Canyon County campuses and communities side-by-side with the elected student leaders and administration of the campus. This student can be found helping to complete any task needed while helping to model the core values and mission of the College.
- Jacob Highburger from the Gaming Club for contributing to the success of the club by building connections with students and driving the formation of eSports at the College.
Trailblazing Leadership Award
This prestigious award honors a second-year or graduating student leader who has engaged themselves in a significant leadership role on campus. The Trailblazing Leadership Award includes those students who have come to CWI with leadership experience or have developed leadership skills through the many opportunities the campus offers. Through their involvement, recipients of the Trailblazing Leadership Award have shown ambitions to improve campus life and strengthen the Ada and Canyon County communities.
- Craig Petersen from the Psychology Club for his ambition, natural leadership skills, and willingness to do all he can to help others and improve the community.
Latinx Scholar of the Year
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and contribution to student development, leadership, and success in the Latinx Scholars program in the CWI community.
- Alexis Lopez for his academic achievements, commitment to responsibilities, and encouragement and motivation to others.
Navegando Mentor of the Year
This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated outstanding dedication and contribution to student development and success in the Navegando Mentoring program in the CWI community. This student embodies CWI inclusivity by ensuring every student at socials/workshops, etc. is treated with dignity and worth without any bias.
- Joevannie Fajardo for being a friendly and familiar face at mentor trainings, workshops, events, and around campus and for being respectful, inclusive, positive, hardworking, and more.
Rising Star Award
This award recognizes a student who is an active contributor to the Latinx programs. This student works hard to enhance personal leadership skills within an organization on campus or in the community, has established co-curricular involvement at CWI, and exhibits the potential and desire for continued leadership within the college community.
- Denise Merino for creating welcoming environments anywhere she is, establishing genuine relationships with her peers, and motivating others to participate and get involved.
Trailblazing Leadership Award, Presidential Ambassador
The Trailblazing Award honors a second-year or graduating student leader who has engaged themselves in a significant leadership role on campus. Through their involvement, recipients of the Trailblazing Leadership Award have shown ambitions to improve campus life and strengthen the Ada and Canyon County communities.
- Ana Rodriguez for always stepping up to volunteer, engaging during events, asking fabulous questions, and on top of it all consistently.
Thank you, and congratulations to all our student leaders, clubs, organizations, advisors, staff, and faculty who have helped make the 2021-2022 academic year a success!
ASCWI Announces 2022-2023 Leadership
Associated Students of College of Western Idaho (ASCWI) is excited to announce incoming student government for the 2022-2023 academic year. This select group of driven and passionate leaders will advocate for and represent the student body to ensure their voices are heard and enhance the overall student experience at CWI.
2022-2023 ASCWI Leadership
Flora Koenig
ASCWI President
Mariah Roy
ASCWI Vice President
Senators:
- Cameron Snively
- Sadie Skorjanc
- Raquel Valdibieso
- Maria Zavala
- Kevin Chase
“I am incredibly excited and thankful to have been elected ASCWI President for the 2022-2023 academic year,” said Koenig. “Being a student myself, I feel strongly compelled to advocate for the needs and well-being of my peers and promote student welfare in all capacities. I strongly resonate with the mission of ASCWI and believe representation is a channel to create lasting change. Since I began serving on ASCWI in the fall of 2021, I have learned so much and cannot wait to take the experience I have gained into this position.
Koenig and her team hope to establish a solid foundation for ASCWI to build upon in the future.
“The Covid-19 pandemic stalled a lot of the significant progress and headway being made by previous ASCWI administrations,” she said. “I hope to restore some of that momentum and rebuild ASCWI into a strong, functioning body. To achieve this goal, the new ASCWI executive team hopes to institute traditions that can be carried forward, such as recurring events or club partnerships.”
Congratulations to the new officers! Learn more about ASCWI and how you can get involved by visiting the ASCWI page.
Criminal Justice Students Tour Juvenile Corrections Facility
Students in Criminal Justice Instructor, Chris Cozzolino’s, Criminology (CRIJ 270) and Victimology (CRIJ 280) classes at College of Western Idaho (CWI) had the opportunity this semester to see first-hand how juveniles in Canyon County are living, learning, and working toward release and reintegration into the community during a tour of the Juvenile Corrections Center in Nampa.
Students were impressed with the living conditions, treatment programs, and caring staff at the facility.
“The tour was super interesting,” said student, Benjamin St. Michell. “I didn't know we sent kids all over the state for different programs. I was impressed with the rehabilitation they offer and surprised by how the environment felt – it didn't feel like a jail but more like a school. I can tell the staff wanted to treat the kids less like criminals and more like kids while also holding them accountable for the crimes they committed."
“The Idaho Department of Juvenile Corrections implements a trauma-based approach to helping reform incarcerated youth,” said Cozzolino. “As we discuss in class, many offenders are also victims. Addressing the reasons behind their offenses is a great starting point for change.”
Learn more about the Criminal Justice program at CWI by visiting the Criminal Justice program page.
Brown Wins International Award in Continuing Education
Congratulations to Tyler Brown, Director of Operations for Economic Development, first place winner of the Learning Resources Network’s (LERN) Operations Leader Award, an international award in continuing education. The award is one of six given at LERN’s annual Contract Training and Operations conference recently attended by over 450 professionals in continuing education from five countries.
“The award recognizes an Operations leader who has demonstrated exceptional vision, drive, innovation, and support of direct or indirect staff in 2021,” noted LERN Assistant Vice President, Travette A. Webster. “These awards enhance the quality and involvement in continuing education, an absolutely critical component to individual and community quality of life and prosperity in this century. With more than 100 award nominations every year, gaining an International Award is an outstanding achievement.”
Hired at the College in 2018, Brown hit the ground running. His made immediate impacts as he quickly developed methods for collecting and disseminating data creating monthly, quarterly, semi-annual reports and a process for effectively analyzing data which helped to resolve long-experienced challenges with course scheduling, class locations, and instructor assignments.
Brown developed duties grids and cross-functional training to create deeper bench strength. This proved critical when COVID shutdowns resulted in periods of staff unavailability and shortages. Because of his leadership, hundreds of students and teachers were personally contacted within five days. When the college re-opened, the personal touch communication continued. Also, amid the pandemic, he spearheaded the implementation of Augusoft Lumens registration database.
His team says, “Through all this change, integration and implementation, Tyler maintains a cool head, a sense of humor and a commonsense attitude. Economic Development truly became an integral and valued part of the College with the development of an operations team and the beginning of Brown’s tenure.”
Over the past 18 months, the Economic Development department experienced internal expansion to include the CWI Foundation, Adult Education, and the first Work-Based Learning Center at a taxpayer-funded institution in the state of Idaho. Brown provides support to these areas with graphical user interfaces that make the data easily accessible and understandable for the rest of the department.
“We have a great team of people in Economic Development all working together to help students achieve gainful employment,” said Brown, “and I’m excited to be recognized for the great work we are doing. It’s great to see we are helping to establish CWI as a leader in this field, and I am happy to be a part of it.”
Law Enforcement Students Adopt a Highway
Law Enforcement students from College of Western Idaho (CWI) could be spotted along Interstate 84 between mile markers 36 and 38 picking up trash in early April as part of Idaho’s Adopt-a-Highway program. The College’s Law Enforcement program has dedicated time to this effort for the past six years as part of their spring community action project.
“I was surprised at how much trash there was, especially the amount of car parts there were, along the road,” said Ty Kinghorn, one of nearly 20 students who volunteered their time.
“We take this opportunity seriously and want to work to improve our local area,” said Law Enforcement Program Director, LeRoy Forsman. “This has been one of many projects we participate in on an annual basis to teach our students the importance of giving back to the community and building public service character. We are very proud of our students and their efforts to make a difference.”
Law Enforcement students participate in a community action projects each fall and spring semester as well as during the Christmas holiday season.
Learn more about CWI’s Law Enforcement program by visiting the Law Enforcement program page. The program’s application period is now open for Fall 2022 semester start. Contact LeRoy Forsman at leroyforsman@cwi.edu with questions.
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!
New Narratives: CWI Capstone Collection
Celebrate the artistic and academic achievements of College of Western Idaho’s Studio Art graduates at the exhibit, New Narratives, on display beginning Saturday, April 23, Boise State University’s Student Union Building.
View New Narratives: CWI Capstone Collection
New Narratives features artwork by 2022 Studio Art graduates:
- Robert Blihovde
- Emilee Brugger
- Khanh Dang
- Clara Geise
- Cassima Grimes
- Ashley Hansen
- Matias Haramoto-Pete
- Miyuki Henry
- Jadon Hensley
- Donnie Charles
- Lizzy Martinez
- Mykayla Panchenko
- Angelika Papasodora
- Maximus Skeen
- Mikayla Telfer
- Scott Walker
- Bella Wildt
The exhibit will run through May 8 and can be viewed between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. In addition, students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to an opening reception Tuesday, April 26, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The event is free, and light refreshments will be served.
Contact Goran Fazil at 208.562.2117 or goranfazil@cwi.edu to learn more about the College’s Studio Art program or this year’s exhibit.
Local Speaker Series Welcomes Bradley Wiskirchen
The Local Speaker Series, presented by College of Western Idaho’s Business Department, is excited to welcome eCommerce expert and entrepreneur, Bradley Wiskirchen, to campus Tuesday, April 26. Wiskirchen is the founding CEO and now Senior Vice President and General Manager at Kount, the premier fraud prevention solution for card-not-present transactions.
Tuesday, April 26
4 – 5 p.m.
Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building
Rooms 102/104
All are welcome to attend to meet this thought leader in the eCommerce industry and see an example of a local business that has become a worldwide contender.
Contact Richard Sotto at richardsotto@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
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.
Connections Project – April 28
Plan to join College of Western Idaho (CWI) for the seventh-annual Connections Project Thursday, April 28. A showcase of the hard work and accomplishments of our students, this annual event celebrates culture, collaboration, education, innovation, and achievement.
Posters
Student posters will be on display throughout the Nampa Campus Academic Building and Ada County Center Pintail Building April 25-29. Posters will bring attention to topics such as social work resources, mental health and the pandemic, elementary education resources, durable skills, and more.
Juried Art Exhibition
Art submissions for the 2022 Juried Art Exhibition will be on display beginning Monday, April 25, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building outside Room 206. Randy Van Dyck, a Boise-based artist and owner of Capitol Contemporary Gallery, 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 Sawyer Ellis, Mercades Nelson, and Craig Petersen, Thursday, April 28, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building in Room 106 at 1:30 p.m. for their Mini Talk presentations. Topics for the talks include Plato’s Virtues, Minidoka’s Relocation Camp, Peer Mentoring, and Assessing Students’ Understanding CWI-101. Recorded Mini Talk presentations will be shown directly following the live talks.
Awards Ceremony
This year’s Awards Ceremony will be live streamed from the Nampa Campus Academic Building on Thursday, April 28, beginning at 3 p.m. The ceremony will recognize winners of the Connections Excellence Awards, Juried Art Exhibition, and President’s Writing Awards. All are invited to tune in via the College’s Live Events page.
For questions about this year’s event, contact Connections Project Committee Lead, Michal Yadlin, at michalyadlin@cwi.edu with questions or more information.
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!
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!
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.
