CWI News—April 8, 2022
In the Spotlight
Crews were spotted last Friday, March 31, updating the exterior signage at College of Western Idaho’s Canyon County Center. Just like this sign, employees across the College have been busy transitioning to the new brand. It has truly been a team effort, and we thank you all for being part of it. Go BOLD!
President's Message
Many of you won't know, but I have been on medical leave this week for a pre-planned surgery. All went well, but as I have been convalescing at home, I have had a chance to reflect on CWI, our awesome faculty and staff, and our shared effort to impact the students and communities we serve. While there are always challenges, I prefer to focus and get excited about our future.
The current CWI Strategic Plan ends on June 30, 2022, and the new plan will be implemented on July 1, 2023. CWI is beginning to design our new Plan, and will have a transition year while the Plan is being created. The new CWI Strategic Plan must be in place prior to the next Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness onsite visit in Fall 2023.
I will provide an update to the CWI community during the Fall 2022 Address on the next CWI Strategic Plan development progress. Employees will have an opportunity to help inform the next CWI Strategic Plan this fall and provide input on CWI's future strategic direction. I strongly encourage employees to participate in the strategic planning process to develop the next CWI Strategic Plan.
I look forward to working collaboratively to make CWI a best-in-class community college.
News Highlights
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
Horticulture Students Gain Hands-On Irrigation Experience
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI's) Landscape Management Irrigation (HRTC 254) class has been hard at work this semester gaining irrigation design, renovation, and installation skills assisting with projects right here in our community. Projects have included installation of a greenhouse drip irrigation system for Boise Urban Garden School, installing new irrigation zones at the Idaho Botanical Garden, and renovating an irrigation system for the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley.
“The class’s work for the Land Trust of the Treasure Valley will allow the organization to water native plants produced by local schools through the Treasure Valley Native Plant Network,” said Horticulture instructor, Casey OLeary. “These plants will be used in restoration work along the Boise River as part of the Golden Eagle Audubon Society's Boise River ReWild Project.”
"My confidence, now, is miles from where I first began,” shared Horticulture Technology major, Tyler Aguilar. “I have been able to take what I learned in class and apply it to my new job in plant production!"
Interested in a career in horticulture? CWI's Horticulture Technology program can help you get started!
Hardy Selected for National Adult Education Fellowship
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) employee Trevi Hardy, selected by the Coalition on Adult Basic Education (COABE) as a 2022 State Advocate for Adult Education Fellow (SAAEF) representing Idaho. Hardy has been at CWI since 2010 working in various roles within the College’s Adult Education program.
Focused on the development of leadership, advocacy skills, research capacity, and network of influence for adult educators, educational staff, and/or administrators, the purpose of this fellowship is to help build a robust network of leaders and advocates focused on the advancement of adult literacy across the country.
During the part-time, year-long fellowship, fellows will engage in national and regional policy discussions and join a growing number of peers dedicated to building advocacy. The COABE State Advocacy Fellowship comprises a series of federal- and state-related training sessions focused on building advocacy and leadership skills.
“This program has proven success increasing funding and visibility at the state level”, said Sharon Bonney, Chief Executive Officer for the Coalition on Adult Basic Education. Bonney cited the recent Collective Impact Report that was published by COABE noting the accomplishments of the first cohort of the Fellowship.
“I am thrilled for the 2022 SAAEF Fellows as they spend the next year learning how to become better advocates for adult education across the country and better leaders, with the ultimate goal of providing the best adult education systems for our students. We are mindful that legislators do not make policy, the stories of our students and our teachers do,” says Jeffrey Abramowitz, Chair of the SAAEF Fellowship Program.
“I am excited to participate in training opportunities provided through this fellowship and learn from professionals across the country how to advocate for adult education,” said Hardy. “Idaho has more than 90,000 working-age adults without a high school credential. Many of these adults are students in Adult Education here at CWI where they are accessing math, reading, and writing literacy; GED preparation; English language instruction; digital skills classes, college and career preparation; and other workforce training. CWI’s Adult Education students often continue their journey at CWI in Workforce Development, career-technical, and academic transfer programs. As an advocate for adult education, I would like to increase awareness of and commitment to adult education in our state which is what I hope this fellowship can help me accomplish.”
History Students Tour State Archives
Students in their final semester of College of Western Idaho’s History program enjoyed a behind-the-scenes tour of the Idaho State Archives facility in March.
During the tour, students were able to gather research needed for their capstone projects. History major, Amanda Moorhouse, is one such student.
“The tour was very informative, insightful, and unnerving in some ways,” she said. “While there, I was able to gather sources for my essay, Reconstruction Slavery: Prison Systems in the Jim Crow South. Reading scholarly sources and primary documents online does not compare to seeing them in person! Holding the intake book of prisoners and seeing the racially-motivated incarcerations, segregation, and blatant inequality in the United States carceral system was painful and impactful.”
“It is great to get students into a historical archive early in their academic career,” said Justin Vance, Dean of Arts and Humanities. “The Idaho State Archives is an incredible example of how an archive should be run. Their preservation methods and support to research is truly top-tier.”
Leinberger Named Staff of the Month for March
Congratulations to Information Technology Manager, Cory Leinberger, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for March 2022. Leinberger began his career at CWI nearly 13 years ago on the first day of the College’s second semester during the fall of 2009.
“When I found out there was a position open to start a technical support team at a brand new community college, I was giddy,” he said. “It checked all the boxes for me. I had been part of a few startups and loved the energy and the unknown, but to be able to build a department from scratch was a real selling point.”
Leinberger was initially hired at CWI to be the College’s very first Help Desk Manager.
“My first day on the job, I learned my new department was staffed by one, full-time employee on loan from the Information Technology (IT) Operations team. This one employee was taking all the IT support calls on his personal cell phone, and his voicemail inbox was full! This realization was both frightening and exciting as it provided me an opportunity to build something from the ground up and create the best user experience possible. Attracting people to create that experience was challenging, but half of the team I hired is still here today.”
Today, as the Information Technology Manager, Leinberger and his User Services team of nearly 20 oversee end-user technology and software support on computers and in classrooms throughout campus. This includes support through CWI’s Help Desk call center, available to employees and students.
“I love technical support and the challenges that come along with providing end users with technology,” he said. “Every day is an adventure! My hot button is managing teams of geeks to deliver a consistent, high-level of service to those they support while working to meet their personal and professional needs.”
IT Technical Support Specialist, Keith Peterson, has experienced Leinberger’s professional and personal support firsthand.
“I was diagnosed with major depression as a teenager and bipolar disorder in my 20s, all of which I have been handling well until last spring,” explained Peterson. “I began having issues with anxiety and stress causing me to slack in my duties and miss work. Noticing this change in me, Cory made it possible for me to take time to focus on my mental health and recover. I was falling fast when he caught me, and his actions literally saved my life. Many of my past jobs would have just cut their losses and let me go. Cory stood up for me, held me up, and made sure I had the support and help needed to succeed.”
“Cory really does care about the people who work under him,” added Technical Support Specialist, Robert Healea. “He never tries to bring attention to himself for lifting people up. If all managers were like him, no one would ever quit a job, no matter where they worked or what they did. He instills kindness and compassion, shows us how to look deeper into issues, and how to step into the other person’s shoes and see an issue from their point of view. He sees the value in a person and is willing to work through the thorns to get to it. People are not disposable to Cory, they are an asset that he helps to grow.”
Leinberger was born and raised in Boise along with two younger siblings. He and his wife of nearly 40 years met while working together at Shakey’s Pizza. Together, they have six children (three boys and three girls) and 11 grandchildren (10 of which are boys) with another on the way. In the little time he has to himself he enjoys hunting, fishing, golf, hiking, mountain biking, and brewing beer.
“It’s a wonderful trade off when you have a large family – your hobbies dwindle, and your attention is focused on the beauty and experiences of the lives around you.”
Free Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Increase your awareness in cybersecurity by participating in a free, online training provided through Amazon. This 15-minute training covers secure communication, data classification, phishing, physical security, social engineering, data privacy, third-party/application security, laptop standards, data protection, and acceptable use.
All current, College of Western Idaho (CWI) students are encouraged to participate in the training and can do so by visiting myCommons in Blackboard. Others interested in participating can do so directly through Amazon. A certificate may be downloaded upon completion of the training.
CWI Students: Earn a Cybersecurity Awareness Badge
Participate in Amazon’s Cybersecurity Awareness Course
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.
Shakespearience to Perform Romeo & Juliet
College of Western Idaho’s Visiting Artist Series is proud to welcome Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s Shakespearience to campus Thursday, April 14, for their performance of Romeo & Juliet.
Considered one of Shakespeare’s most iconic works, Romeo & Juliet tells the powerfully poetic and tragic tale of love and loss will steal your heart and leave you breathless. Attempting to transcend the hatred of their warring families, two "star-crossed lovers" make the ultimate sacrifice to be together. Can the same passion that stirs our lovers' hearts also fuel forgiveness and healing among their parents? What happens to future generations when a community's civil grievances go unchecked?
Romeo & Juliet
Thursday, April 14
7 – 8 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building, Room 122
The performance is free and open to the public and will be sign interpreted (ASL). Immediately following the performance, plan to stay for the acting workshop beginning at 8 p.m.
CWI’s Visiting Artist Series is made possible thanks to a grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, which is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Contact Goran Fazil at goranfazil@cwi.edu with questions.
“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
