CWI News—Dec. 10, 2021
In the Spotlight
Looking for some holiday cheer? Head over to the HR office at the Administration Building! This awesome sugar skull metal wall art, all decked out for Christmas, was an auction item bid on by Vice President of HR, Ryan Herring, during the CWI Foundation’s annual Opening Doors Benefit Event. Donated by the Welding department, the art helped raise money during the event for student scholarships.
News Highlights
CWI Presidential Announcement
In alignment with a transparent and inclusive presidential search process and in accordance with public meeting laws, the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Board of Trustees approved a motion during the Board’s monthly meeting today, Dec. 9, to extend an offer to Gordon Jones to serve as the next president of the College.
The Board of Trustees contracted Summit Search Solutions to assist with the search process. Focus groups were held earlier this spring to help provide input on the presidential profile, and individuals representative of the college’s Broad stakeholder groups were identified to participate on the search committee. Over seventy applications were received, and after the committee interviewed an impressive list of semifinalists, four finalists were identified to invite on to campus to participate in a series of individual stakeholder forums.
Board Chair, Molly Lenty said, “The Board is excited to make this announcement following an extensive and comprehensive process to find a new president who will lead CWI boldly into the future, ensuring the College continues to empower students and the community.”
Once an agreement of terms of employment and a start date is established, more details of CWI's next president will be released. Visit CWI’s Presidential Search page to learn more about the search process.
Finish Fall in Fashion and Sprint into Spring Semester
As College of Western Idaho (CWI) prepares to wrap up Fall 2021 semester, we look forward to continuing to serve students this spring. Go BOLD with classes to fit your life, programs that make a difference, and support every step of the way.
Important Dates
Fall 2021 Semester
- Dec. 13-18 – Finals Week
- Dec. 18 – Last Day, Fall 2021 Semester
- Dec. 24-27 – Winter Break (Offices Closed)
- Dec. 24 – Fall 2021 Grades Available on myCWI
Spring 2022 Semester
- Dec. 18 – Financial Aid Priority Deadline
- Dec. 31 – New Year’s Day Observed (Offices Closed)
- Jan. 8 – Admission Deadline
- Jan. 14 – Registration Deadline, Tuition and Fees Due
- Jan. 18 – Spring 2022 Classes Begin
Get Started Today!
Complete your application, register for classes, and apply for financial aid.
- Applications and necessary documentation must be received prior to the admission deadline in order to be accepted for spring semester.
- All new, degree-seeking students must complete New Student Orientation prior to registering for classes which is available online once a student has been accepted to CWI.
Contact One Stop Student Services with questions or to learn more.
Increase Your Skills in Cloud Computing
Looking to increase your skills in cloud computing? Give yourself a competitive edge by registering for College of Western Idaho’s new course, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Cloud Foundations. With so many organizations relying on AWS cloud networking, now is a great time to get started in this exciting industry!
AWS is a widely adopted cloud platform across a broad spectrum of organizations including startups, enterprise companies, and government agencies. This three-week, 20-hour course, offered through a combination of in-person and online learning, will lay a foundation and understanding of cloud computing including:
- Cloud concepts
- AWS core services
- Security
- Architecture
- Pricing
- Cloud network support
Additionally, the AWS courses can prepare you to pursue an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification, which is applicable to many IT careers including:
- IT Technician
- Network Analyst
- Cloud Software Engineer
- System Integrator
- Cloud Developer
- Operational Support Engineer
Registration is open year-round. Contact Workforce Development at wd@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
Nordstrom Named Faculty of Distinction
Congratulations to John Nordstrom, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for November 2021. Nordstrom is an Assistant Professor of Economics and was one of the first full-time instructors hired at the College. He was additionally one of the first department chairs leading the Business department from 2009 to 2016.
“That very first semester we were open in the spring of 2009 was magical,” Nordstrom recalled. “Everybody knew everybody else, and we all helped each other get things done. As the College has grown, we have specialized in our discrete areas, but everybody was a part of everything that first semester. I love startups, and the startup of CWI showed me how special those first hires of the College were in terms of kindness, patience, and flexibility.”
Nordstrom’s professional background encompasses a vast array of experiences from journalism, design, manufacturing, international business, technology businesses and startups, government, marketing, economic development, banking, sales, and more.
"I am an avid learner. I have always been curious and like trying to figure out how things work. Whether it be people, science, business, or history, I've just wanted to discover more.”
While attending Northwest Nazarene University, he switched majors nearly every semester.
“I was interested in almost everything and had a hard time narrowing it down. I finally graduated with an English-Education degree so I could teach, but it wasn't too long after that I was back and getting my Masters of Business Administration. Business has always fascinated me because the goal is to solve somebody's problems. When you buy a product or a service it is usually to solve some issue that you have that it simpler to give up your money for rather than your own time and effort."
Now, as Economics faculty at CWI, Nordstrom uses his knowledge and experience to teach others.
"Economics pervades almost everything. It's the study of how we make choices. How well an individual makes choices has a great impact on them personally, but also the people they interact with. The ripple effect can be awesome. So many people think economics is about money, but money is simply one of the variables that helps you make an informed decision. Economics includes philosophy, psychology, political science, education, business, banking, crime, religion, and just about anything that involves people."
Above all, his passion lies in helping others.
“While my main job as faculty is to facilitate learning, I also enjoying mentoring people, both as students and after they leave. I tell my students I am a professor of life and a professor for life. Passion for learning is contagious. If I can infect other people with it and get paid to do it, it seems like a decent life.”
“John Nordstrom is one of the finest educators I have had the pleasure to learn from,” said one of his students. “He does a great job of incorporating interesting topics, videos, readings, and lectures in his teaching and has a wonderful balance of high expectations and patience with each of his students. Many, like myself, may need a little extra push or someone to believe in what they are capable of. I truly cannot express how grateful I am for John and how it has connected me to this institution. He is truly a point of difference in the CWI faculty. Thank you for employing one of the finest educators in the state of Idaho at CWI!”
Nordstrom grew up in Kelso, Washington. He and his wife have been together for 31 years, married for 26. Outside of teaching, he enjoys playing board games with friends and playing a variety of musical instruments. On Tuesday nights, he can be found hosting Last Call Trivia at the Flying M Garage in Nampa. He is a lifelong Seattle Mariners fan, which, he said, has not been a great choice so far.
Week of Welcome Volunteers Needed
Faculty and staff are invited to help welcome students back to campus for the Spring 2022 semester during Student Engagement’s Week of Welcome activities. Volunteers are needed Tuesday, Jan. 18, and Wednesday, Jan. 19, between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. Activities will take place at the following campus locations:
- Nampa Campus Academic Building
- Ada County Campus Pintail Center
- Nampa Campus Micron Education Center
- Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building
Don’t Get Locked Out!
In May, College of Western Idaho announced the rollout of new ID cards for all students and employees. On-campus building access will expire for employees who have not updated their ID card on Dec. 31, 2021.
Steps to update your card, including how to schedule an appointment with One Stop Student Services to do so, can be accessed through the link below.
