CWI News—Aug. 20, 2021
President's Message
In preparation for classes to start, and in consideration of current COVID-19 cases continuing to be on the rise, the COVID-19 Response Team met to review guidance and has updated the following:
- Masks or face coverings required while indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
Masks will be available at building entrances/security desks. Updates will be in effect Monday, Aug. 23, and are subject to change. Managers met during a town hall this week to discuss the updates in order to provide the best guidance possible to their employees and to ensure a safe return to campus.
Additional guidance remains in place. The Be Safe, Be Mighty webpage is updated with all current guidance, resources, and communications. Thank you for taking time to stay informed.
If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to COVID19_Questions@cwi.edu.
Stay safe, and best regards!
News Highlights
A Bold New Future
College of Western Idaho (CWI) faculty, staff, leadership, and trustees gathered via Zoom, Wednesday, Aug. 18, for the Fall 2021 College Address. The address, emceed by Communications Representative, Ashley Smith, kicked off with a welcome from Interim President Denise Aberle-Cannata who introduced guest speaker, Michael Mathews.
Mathews is the Vice President of Technology and Innovation at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His presentation, Accelerating Your Imagination to Design a Future for Success, underscored the importance of teaching from the heart to spark a passion for learning while using technology to connect students to the curriculum.
Mathews was followed by a video presentation celebrating the past academic year and looking forward to a bold future at the College and a word from Board of Trustee Chair, Molly Lenty.
“I am so proud of CWI’s success over the past year. We never lost sight of our focus, advancing student success, and we launched and completed a number of initiatives all through extraordinary times.”
Comparing these extraordinary times to the Blue Angels flying at 400 miles an hour feet apart from each other while staying in formation, she continued, “Our faculty and staff continue to adapt and move as one. Similar to anything in life, we can anticipate encountering turbulence. However, without a doubt, I know collectively we will most definitely soar boldly into the future.”
Congratulations to Juanita Manzo, Project Manager for Instruction, who was named Staff of the Year and Heather Schoenherr, Professor of Psychology, who was name Faculty of the Year, as well as all the employees who received five- and 10-year service awards.
The event concluded with a live Q&A session with members of President’s Cabinet.
Thank you to all joined the address and to those who participated in the polls. Be sure to read CWI News next week where the winners will be announced.
Giving Back
“Because of College of Western Idaho (CWI), I am in a position to give back to my community and be a role model to those around me,” said 2018 graduate, Marcos Serratos-Garcia.
Through the immigration policy DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), Marcos has been able to realize his dream of a college education beginning his pursuit in the College’s Heavy Duty Truck Technician program.
“Both my dad and uncle have been driving big rigs all their life. They use to take me on road trips as a kid. I have never had the desire to drive them but always wanted to know how they work. CWI’s diesel program was the best I found Idaho and California.”
As a student, Marcos was mentored by his instructors in life-changing ways.
“CWI taught me the importance of communication. I had the opportunity to reflect on years of damaging, self-fulfilling prophecies in my life giving me the confidence to develop my talents to be the best I can possibly be. Many of the people I have met at CWI continue to be mentors, motivators, and friends.”
One of the College’s very first Navegando Mentors, Marcos had the opportunity to share his knowledge and experiences with fellow students which he continues to do today as an instructor in CWI’s Heavy Duty Truck program.
“As a mentor, Marcos was an ideal student and such a pleasure to work with,” said Latinx Student Services Coordinator, Javier Garcia. “His commitment to developing as a leader and supporting his mentees contributed to the program’s overall success. I am excited for the work he will do at CWI and confident in his ability to connect with students and help them grow and reach their goals.”
“During my first year at CWI, I was hired as a Diesel Technician at Freightliner in Nampa,” said Marcos. “This is just one example of how CWI empowered me with the necessary tools I needed to be successful. Today, as an instructor myself, I have the opportunity to empower and serve others by educating individuals in the community so future generations can thrive.”
Staff of the Month – July 2021
Congratulations to Gary Brennan, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for July 2021. An employee at the College for nearly nine years, Brennan is currently an HRIS Administrator in Human Resources (HR).
“What drew me to CWI, and keeps me here, is our students and the culture,” Brennan said. “Knowing I played a role in helping someone achieve their goals and make a better life for themselves and their family, no matter how small this role may be, makes everything I do worth it.”
Brennan earned two Computer Science certifications as a student at CWI and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management through Western Governors University. Beginning his journey at CWI in 2012 as a Security Officer, Brennan has also been a Building Specialist and Mail Courier. In 2019, he encountered what he refers to as a “chance of a lifetime” when offered a Coordinator position in HR.
“I had spent years applying for different positions and going to school to better myself. I felt stuck in my career and just didn’t think I really had a chance at anything more. Being hired to work in HR showed me someone believed in me and my potential. Because of CWI, I have a career I am proud of.”
Now, as an HRIS Administrator, Brennan oversees the input, maintenance, and accuracy of HR data and metrics which includes personal and confidential employee information regarding benefits, staffing, compensation, and diversity.
"Gary is a key contributor to the HR team, and I’m happy to see him recognized by others for the work he does," said Vice President of Human Resources, Ryan Herring. "Gary is passionate about what we do at CWI, and it shows in his work."
“When I joined the CWI HR team, Gary went above and beyond to ensure my training and onboarding went smoothly,” said HR Coordinator, Toen Phothisane. “He was always available, took time out of his day to answer questions, and saw that I understood my new role before moving on. Even though he's been with the college since 2012, he still loves what he does. We have done a few New Hire Orientation presentations together welcoming new CWI staff, and when Gary speaks about his experience working at the College, he beams with pride.”
“As an employee, I appreciate the value, respect, and inclusion I feel,” said Brennan. “This is truly the only place I have ever worked where I feel excited to wake up and go to work. CWI is a second family to me.”
Spending most of his life in Idaho, Brennan has also lived in Texas and Georgia. Two of his family members also work at the College – his mother, Renee Brennan, and nephew, Tyler Price. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and two sons, taking his Jeep out to explore, playing Xbox, and is an avid gun collector.
Patrick Tanner Receives Endorsement from AACRAO
Patrick Tanner, Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services at College of Western Idaho (CWI), has earned the Strategic Enrollment Management Endorsement from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers (AACRAO).
“The most valuable aspect of the experience was connecting with colleagues from across the country to learn more about making every aspect of a student’s engagement with CWI both seamless and meaningful,” Tanner said. “Yes, we can use data to track student success metrics, but we need to keep the individual student experience at the center of every discussion – that is how we deliver the value of the CWI education that is already known as high quality. I’m eager to continue to work with partners on campus to address processes and procedures to make sure that they are designed and executed from a ‘one student at a time’ perspective.”
Tanner is the 50th graduate of this endorsement and signifies that he has developed skills in the field of strategic enrollment management to meet the current and future challenges in the industry. Proficiencies in a variety of aspects of enrollment management have been achieved. This endorsement is an international acknowledgment of enrollment management professionalism.
AACRAO is a non-profit, voluntary, professional association of more than 11,000 higher education professionals representing approximately 2,600 institutions in more than 40 countries.
