CWI News—Aug. 13, 2021
In the Spotlight
The Student Affairs team got a jump start on fall semester this afternoon welcoming students to the Nampa Campus Academic building for a Welcome Picnic. During the event, students were able to tour campus, learn about services available on campus, enjoy food from Dickey’s BBQ, pick up some CWI swag, and make new friends!
News Highlights
Save the Date – Fall 2021 College Address
College of Western Idaho (CWI) employees are invited to join the Fall 2021 Virtual College Address, A Bold New Future, Wednesday, Aug. 18, beginning at 1 p.m., via Zoom. To kick off the campus-wide address, Interim President Denise Aberle-Cannata will fittingly address all attendees sharing a message of ‘The Future We Design’.
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2021
Time: 1 - 4 p.m.
Zoom Link: Fall 2021 Virtual College Address
This year's address will also feature Michael Mathews, one of higher education’s leading academic technology leaders, to bring a bold message of transformation. Mathews will deliver a message entitled ‘Accelerating your Imagination to Design a Future for Success.’ Currently Vice President for Technology and Innovation at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Matthews has created numerous teaching and delivery models, which have resulted in five invitations to the United States White House and the U.S. Department of Education. These innovative methods received over 12 national education and technology awards.
During the address, be sure not to miss your opportunity to engage virtually and win newly-branded SWAG!
We move forward fearlessly and with confidence! Let's embrace the future, celebrate the challenges we conquered, and look to the new opportunities ahead. We will accomplish all of this – together! We came together from a distance accomplishing things we never thought possible when uncertainty and gloom challenged us. We strived to be the best for our students and for each other, and together we persevered. This is who we are, and this is what our students deserve. As we kick off a new academic year, let’s welcome the future BOLDLY with that same drive and dedication.
Contact College Relations at communications@cwi.edu with questions.
Welcome Back Events Usher in Fall Semester
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is anxiously awaiting the arrival of students for Fall 2021 semester! Plan to join us for some great food, fun, and new CWI swag as Student Affairs makes sure your semester starts off with a bang.
Welcome Back Picnics
Get to know campus in-person, and take a tour led by a current CWI student. Bring your friends and family, and enjoy some fresh BBQ!
Friday, Aug. 13
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building, Room 122
Friday, Aug. 20
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ada County Campus Pintail Center
Week of Welcome
During the first week of classes, stop by and grab some coffee and a bite to eat on your way in. Student Affairs will be there to assist you, help you find your classes, and will be giving away some new CWI swag!
Monday, Aug. 23, and Tuesday, Aug. 24
Donuts and coffee beginning at 9 a.m.
- Nampa Campus Academic Building
- Nampa Campus Micron Education Center
- Ada County Campus Pintail Center
Wednesday, Aug. 25, and Thursday, Aug. 26
Bagels and coffee beginning at 9 a.m.
- Nampa Campus Academic Building
- Nampa Campus Micron Education Center
- Ada County Campus Pintail Center
Contact Amber Eubanks at ambereubanks@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
Ready for the Future
“College of Western Idaho (CWI) empowered me to become a more confident version of myself,” said 2021 graduate, Justina Sexton.
Justina, a first-generation college student, originally from Oklahoma, came to Idaho in 2017 looking for a change.
“After completing an associate degree in English Education in 2016 at a small community college in Oklahoma, I moved to Idaho with some friends. Moving here has been one of the best opportunities of my life because it has given me the direction I was searching for, along with an amazing support system.”
Drawn to CWI for its smaller class settings, Justina chose to continue her education – this time in Media Arts.
“I have always had a knack for media production. Before CWI, I had seven years of freelance video editing experience. I knew Media Arts was where I belonged.”
From running through the halls of the Canyon County Center shooting video to taking the lead on class projects, Justina valued encouragement from her instructors to always be her best.
“Through happy and sad tears, Dan Garrity helped me find my voice and become the storyteller I am today. Anna Gamboa helped me define my path and be confident in the skills I have. I have loved being in their classes!”
In her last semester at CWI, Justina was able to use her talents to directly impact the community, a cause she invests her heart in.
“Justina was selected by her classmates to be the Executive Producer of a class project in my Multimedia Storytelling class. She made it a goal to make sure her fellow students knew she cared about them as much as she cared about the project’s success,” explained Garrity. “The sky is the limit for her, and I am very proud and grateful to have been along for this part of her ride.”
“Justina eats, sleeps, and breathes media,” said classmate, Tehani Schnupp. “Her passion for the media industry is matched only by her determination to find creative ways to utilize that passion to make a positive impact on the world. Working alongside her in class is empowering! She willingly shares her knowledge and locks arms with you to plow through and learn right beside you.”
Now a CWI graduate, Justina has already started her journey at Boise State University where she is studying Multidisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Media Content and Communication Management.
“In fine-tuning my skills and knowledge, I have achieved personal and professional milestones giving me more than I ever thought possible. Because of CWI, I am ready for the future.”
New Merchandise Hits CWI Bookstore
As College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Bookstore is busy loading in books and supplies for students ahead of the start of Fall 2021 semester, the bold look of CWI’s new brand is here with updated signage, apparel, and a variety of cool merchandise. CWI's new brand colors of river and moss can be seen throughout the store in program signs, sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, mugs, tumblers and much more!
"We are excited for the new brand and to be able to offer the CWI community some new options in college gear,” said Bookstore Manager, Jason Stokes. “We are looking forward to more inventory arriving soon, this is just the first round of items."
Employees are eligible for a 10% discount on purchases of gifts and apparel at the Bookstore with their employee ID. Visit the CWI Bookstore online for hours and location.
CWI Releases New Mobile App
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to announce the release of a new mobile app with updated features including optimized Blackboard performance.
Put CWI in your pocket – use the app to help you navigate campus locations, view your schedule, receive important notifications from the College, and learn about news and events on campus. A highlight of the new app is its ability to better serve students and faculty with improved functionality with Blackboard, creating a better mobile experience.
Additionally, the app includes a link to our Be Safe webpage for up-to-date information related to COVID-19 procedures and guidelines, campus safety measures, student services availability, and resources.
Already have the app? You still need to download the new version from the App Store or Google Play, and delete the outdated version from your mobile device.
CWI Upgrading to Microsoft Teams
As of July 31, 2021, Skype functionality has been turned off. Employees will no longer be able to login to Skype for Business and will use Microsoft Teams for chat and collaboration.
What to expect once you are upgraded:
- You will no longer be able to sign into Skype for Business
- You will receive all chats (IMs) in Microsoft Teams
- You will no longer be able to create new Skype for Business meetings, however, you can still join existing Skype for Business meetings.
What will happen to all my Skype for Business data (contacts, conversation history, etc.) once my account is upgraded to Teams?
- Your past conversations, calls, and voicemails can be viewed from your Conversation History folder in Outlook (dependent on user’s settings)
- Your Skype for Business contacts will be available in Teams under the Calls tab
- Your Skype for Business meetings can be accessed from your Outlook calendar or from the Meetings tab in Teams.
Call to Action:
- Use Teams as your primary tool for chat
- Utilize FAQ 444 in order to initiate your first chat!
- View the Microsoft Quick Start Guide and online training for help using Teams
- Initiate all chats (IMs) in Teams
- (Optional) Reschedule any Skype for Business meetings to Teams
As with all communications at the College, messages sent on Microsoft Teams are subject to Idaho’s Public Records Law.
If you have questions about this upgrade, please contact the HelpDesk or call 208.562.3444.
Overnight and Long-Term Parking on Campus
College of Western Idaho (CWI) provides free parking for students, staff, faculty, and guests for college-related events and business. According to CWI's Operations Policy, campus property exists to serve primarily the educational mission of the College. Activities occurring on campus property must be an appropriate use of that space at all times.
In order to maintain adequate parking space in campus parking lots for authorized individuals, unauthorized vehicles will be ticketed and face possible physical removal. Therefore, when the need arises for you to park your car in a CWI parking lot overnight or for an extended period, please notify Campus Security at security@cwi.edu. In the email give your name, make, model, and color of the vehicle as well as the license plate number. This way, CWI security personnel will be able to identify your vehicle as being authorized.
Thank you for your cooperation in this matter. Contact Security Director, Jim Ellington, at jimellington@cwi.edu with questions.
