CWI News – April 26, 2024

The College of Western Idaho (CWI) chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the National Honor Society, inducted 15 new members on Saturday at the spring Induction Ceremony. Provost Denise Aberle-Cannata and former officer and CWI alum Breanna Upchurch spoke at the event, with inductees learning about the history of Phi Theta Kappa. The ceremony was led by Vice President of Leadership, Andy Del Toro Obeso, Vice President of Scholarship, Keith Castillo, and Vice President of Fellowship, William Soltau.

To be involved in PTK at CWI, students need to have earned 12 credits and have a 3.25 GPA. Members have access to scholarships and have the opportunity to contribute to several projects over the course of the year. To learn more about PTK, visit ptk.org or email ptk@cwi.edu.

The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Law Enforcement program hosted a charity golf tournament on April 15 at the Centennial Golf Course in Nampa. All proceeds raised went directly to the Nampa Family Justice Center (NFJC), which provides services that promote safety, self-sufficiency, hope and healing to those affected by abuse.

Law Enforcement program students chose this fundraiser during the fall semester as their spring community service project, with each student recruiting sponsors, players, and raffle items to benefit the Center. 44 players participated and over 40 raffle items were donated. The tournament raised more than $1,400 and was featured on the local television news.

The NFJC assists victims of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault, as well as elder abuse, stalking, and human trafficking. Since its opening in 2005, the Nampa Family Justice Center has grown exponentially has served as a model program for other cities looking to open their own Center. Last year alone, more than 4,400 women and children in abusive situations received critical support.

Law Enforcement program students participate in a minimum of three service projects each year. Besides the golf tournament, students take part in Rake-Up-Nampa and Shop with A Cop. “These opportunities give our students an understanding of the importance of giving back,” said program director LeRoy Forsman. “We are a service-oriented career field, and we want to impress this on our future law enforcement officers very early in their careers.”

Learn more about our Law Enforcement program.

Congratulations, 2024 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) 2024 Commencement Ceremony with Grad Fest, Friday, May 3.

Grad Fest
Friday, May 3
4:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB)

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
• Cap decorating
• Giveaways and grand prize drawings
• Giant yard games
• Inflatable obstacle course
• Caricature Artists & Face paintings
• Music and a DJ provided by Rocky Mountain Roll
• and more!

CWI’s Workforce Development will also host a ceremony for Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing apprenticeship graduates, where there will be guest speakers and students will be presented with their certificates of completion. The certificate ceremonies will be held at Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) in room 102E.

Electrical Certificate Ceremony
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), room 102E
6:00 – 6:45 p.m.

HVAC Certificate Ceremony
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), room 102E
7:00 – 7:30 p.m.

Plumbing Certificate Ceremony
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), room 102E
5:00 – 5:30 p.m.

GED Completion
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), room 105
6 – 7 p.m.

Nuestra Celebración
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), room 122
5:30 – 6:45 p.m.

We can’t wait to celebrate you and look forward to seeing you there with your friends, family, and support system!

The event is free and open to the entire CWI community.

For those with questions or in need of more information, please contact Amber Eubanks at ambereubanks@cwi.edu. Visit CWI's graduation page for more information about the 2024 Commencement Ceremony.

Are you interested in a career in healthcare? College of Western Idaho (CWI) has a variety of Health Science programs available to prepare you for an exciting and rewarding career in this growing industry.

Applications are now open and must be submitted by their respective deadlines. All programs listed below are competitive entry and require a supplemental application process. Visit individual program pages linked below for information, application instructions specific to each program, and assistance.

PROGRAM APPLICATION PERIODS

Opening Dates

• Surgical First Assistant – Sept. 2
• Practical Nursing – Sept. 27
• Surgical Technology – Nov. 1
• Occupational Therapy Assistant – February 2025
• Physical Therapist Assistant – March 2025

Deadlines

• Registered Nursing – Oct. 25
• Practical Nursing – Nov. 1
• Surgical First Assistant – Dec. 13

Have questions or need help?

• Current students are encouraged to meet with their Advisor to discuss options.
• Visit CWI's Health Sciences page for more information and program contact information.

Healthcare Career Opportunities

Careers in the healthcare field have some of the greatest need as our communities continue to grow. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Overall employment in healthcare occupations is projected to grow 13 percent from 2021 to 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations; this increase is expected to result in about 2 million new jobs over the decade. In addition to new jobs from growth, opportunities arise from the need to replace workers who leave their occupations permanently. About 1.9 million openings each year, on average, are projected to come from growth and replacement needs.”