CWI News – Feb 21, 2025
News Highlights
CWI Launches Public Phase of $138 Million Powering the Treasure Valley Campaign
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has taken a significant step toward shaping the future of education in Idaho with the launch of the public phase of its $138 million Powering the Treasure Valley campaign. This ambitious initiative is designed to expand student scholarships, enhance academic programs, and fund critical capital projects to support workforce development across the region.
With 89% of the campaign’s funding already secured, CWI is now inviting the community to play a role in shaping the future by contributing to the final $13.1 million needed to reach its goal. The campaign’s public phase was announced following the recent groundbreaking of the CapEd Student Success Center, a cornerstone of the initiative on CWI’s Nampa Campus.
“This campaign is about more than just building facilities—it’s about building futures,” said Mark Arstein, Vice President of Advancement at CWI. “We are calling on the community to partner with us in empowering students and strengthening the economic foundation of the Treasure Valley.”
The Powering the Treasure Valley campaign prioritizes projects that will expand access to education and provide state-of-the-art learning environments to meet the region’s growing needs. Key initiatives include:
- CapEd Student Success Center – A dedicated space to support students in achieving their academic and career goals.
- Health and Science Building – Modern facilities to train students for in-demand careers in healthcare and medical sciences.
- Agricultural Sciences Complex – Innovative learning spaces to support Idaho’s critical agricultural industry.
- Boise Campus Expansion – A flexible learning hub for programs such as Information Technology, Business, and Adult Education.
Beyond these capital projects, the campaign will also increase scholarships and strengthen academic programs to ensure students have the support they need to succeed.
CWI’s initiative is not just about expanding its physical footprint — it’s about fostering economic growth by aligning education with the evolving needs of local industries. By providing affordable, high-quality education, CWI is preparing students for careers that will drive the future of the Treasure Valley.
The College encourages individuals, businesses, and organizations to contribute to this transformative effort. With community support, CWI can create a lasting impact on students, businesses, and the region.
To learn more about the Powering the Treasure Valley campaign or to make a donation, visit CWI’s website.
Summer 2025 Registration
Summer is calling! Whether you want to get ahead, catch up, or explore something new, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Summer 2025 semester is the perfect way to make the most of the season.
Registration opens Monday, Feb. 24 — don’t miss out!
- Accelerate Your Degree: Advance your academic and career goals by completing credits in less time.
- Lighten Your Workload: Spread out your classes to make fall and spring semesters more manageable.
- Make Up for Lost Time: Catch up on missed class time to maintain your academic progress.
- Improve Your GPA: Smaller classes mean more instructor support.
Important Dates
- Admission Deadline: Saturday, May 24
- Classes Begin: Monday, June 2
- Registration Deadline: Wednesday, June 4
Registration Details
Continuing & Returning Students
Class offerings can be viewed in your Self-Service Toolkit in myCWI. Visit Registering for Classes for instructions.
New Students
New to CWI? New degree and non-degree seeking students must apply to CWI prior to registering for classes. Visit Apply to CWI for a complete list of steps to get started.
- Upon completion of the application process and once accepted to CWI
- New non-degree seeking students can immediately register for classes.
- New degree-seeking students must participate in New Student Orientation prior to registering for classes.
Financial Aid
Contact Financial Aid at financialaid@cwi.edu to learn more about options available for students in need of financial assistance.
Students are encouraged to contact One Stop Student Services or their Advisor with any questions or concerns. Classes begin Monday, June 2!
Faculty of Distinction for January 2025 is Lynne Tucker
Lynne Tucker, an Assistant Professor in the English Department at the College of Western Idaho (CWI), has been recognized as the Faculty of Distinction for January 2025. Since joining CWI as an adjunct instructor in 2011 and then transitioning to full-time in 2016, Lynne has made a profound impact through her dedicated teaching and her contributions to the CWI community.
Lynne teaches a range of courses, including rhetoric and composition classes, specialty courses like Shakespeare and Introduction to Literary Studies, as well as CWI 101. Her deep commitment to literature and her innovative teaching methods have not only enriched her students’ educational experiences but also earned her high regard among her peers.
Abby Wolford, a colleague in the English Department, praises Lynne for her thoughtful and provocative teaching approach: “Lynne is a joy to work with. She is always thoughtful, always responsive and prompt, and is well-loved by students. She clearly and thoughtfully pushes students to think outside of their comfort zones. She also teaches very thought-provoking books that continue to be mentioned in other classes as students continue on in their education.”
Lynne’s educational and professional background includes a Bachelor's degree in English with a minor in Education and a Master’s in English (literature), enriching her ability to engage with and inspire her students. Her approach to teaching is particularly impactful, as described by student Nilam Adhikari Kunwar: “She is amazing. She is cooperative, understandable, guides you as many times as you need without frustrating. She explains well. She taught me the way of studying and way of doing research.”
Lynne’s influence extends beyond academic success. Her dedication to creating a supportive and inclusive environment has profoundly affected her students’ lives, making CWI a welcoming place for learners from diverse backgrounds. Kunwar adds, “She was very kind and understanding and helpful. I come from a background of an abusive home and going back to school was a huge leap for me, and she has seriously made it a welcoming environment no matter how stupid my questions may have been.”
Outside of the classroom, Lynne is an active participant in her community, particularly in local theater, which adds a dynamic layer to her teaching by incorporating her creative passions into her educational practice.
Lynne Tucker’s recognition as Faculty of Distinction for January 2025 celebrates her exceptional dedication, her capacity to inspire students and colleagues alike, and her commitment to the educational values of CWI. Her work truly embodies the spirit of community and lifelong learning that CWI strives to foster.
Shaping Metal, Defying Odds: A CWI Graduate’s Path to Success
Reagan Heffelfinger is no stranger to metal. A recent graduate of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Machine Tool Technology program, Heffelfinger began working with her dad on his Volkswagen as a 3-year-old. By the time she was 16, she was performing regular maintenance on her own car.
Her road to becoming a machinist — the same trade as the storied Rosie the Riveter of World War II fame — may seem like it would have been a straightforward one. However, Heffelfinger’s path, full of roadblocks and detours, has been representative of a common experience for many students at CWI where “traditional” fully embraces the untraditional.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
In high school, Heffelfinger began experiencing troublesome symptoms more common to adults twice her age, including shortness of breath, a racing heartbeat, and dizziness. Traumatically, she found herself going from cardiologist to emergency room to heart surgery, all within the span of three months. “That year was hard. I went from what I thought was healthy to having three heart conditions, two of which are chronic.”
Forks in the Road
After graduating high school during the pandemic, Heffelfinger enrolled at Arizona State University to study mechanical engineering online, but she quickly realized that a four-year degree wasn’t a good fit.
She then enrolled in CWI to study health sciences, with the goal of becoming a nurse. However, as she waded through microbiology and similar courses, she again understood that this career path wasn’t for her.
Heffelfinger’s dad, always her biggest supporter, gently nudged her to explore machining and reminded her that her uncle had been a machinist in the Navy. After more research, she eagerly joined the two-year Machine Tool Technology program at CWI.
“It just clicked”
In the first year of the program, students go from learning the fundamentals of machining to manually crafting a small-scale working motor. Once again, however, Heffelfinger’s health presented her with complications by making attendance difficult and causing her to fall behind. Despite these limitations, CWI’s uniquely supportive culture — exemplified by encouragement from her instructors and classmates — helped Reagan complete her first year.
Things began looking up in year two as students learned how to program and use machines for cutting. “Once I learned how to talk to and use the machine, it was a night and day difference. I saw that I actually could make an engine, and I did.”
Shaped by Metal
“When I first started the Machine Tool program, all I saw were blocks of super hard metal, and I had no idea how to go about making anything. Toward the end of my second year, I was able to look at a bar stock and know exactly how to make the parts I needed,” she said reminiscing. “I knew how to face it and how to cut it and how to machine it.”
When she started the program, Heffelfinger’s dad and grandfather made her a leather apron made of different colored squares. It became a source of pride and reflective of her untraditional experience becoming a journeyman machinist. Looking back, Reagan recalls that “this road has made me more durable and resilient as a person because metal doesn’t want to be carved. My job is to make it into something beautiful or something useful, and I’m good at it.”
Master machine tooling and turn your passion for precision into a career through our Machine Tool Technology program.
CWI Breaks Ground on CapEd Student Success Center
College of Western Idaho (CWI) marked a major milestone in its ongoing commitment to student success with the groundbreaking of the CapEd Student Success Center on the Nampa campus. Made possible through a generous gift from CapEd Credit Union, the center will become a dynamic hub for students, offering centralized services, flexible classrooms, and collaborative spaces designed to enhance both academic and personal growth.
CapEd Credit Union’s support underscores the power of community partnerships in expanding access to education and workforce development. Todd Christensen, Chief Marketing Officer of CapEd, expressed their enthusiasm for this initiative. “CapEd has a legacy of supporting education in our community. The new CapEd Student Success Center is a continuation of this commitment. The credit union is excited to partner with CWI to help power the Treasure Valley’s workforce with accessible and affordable higher education — education that prepares individuals for successful employment and careers.”
CWI President Gordon Jones emphasized the lasting impact of CapEd’s contribution, noting that the center will be a cornerstone of the College’s mission. “This center represents our shared commitment to empowering students,” Jones said. “CapEd’s generous gift helps ensure our students have the resources they need to succeed in one convenient location, furthering our mission to transform lives through education.”
Once completed, the CapEd Student Success Center will serve as a hub for essential student resources, including a student store, technology commons, and flexible spaces designed to foster collaboration. The facility will streamline access to services for CWI’s growing student population, creating an environment that supports learning and career readiness.
The groundbreaking event also marked the public launch of CWI’s Powering the Treasure Valley campaign, a $138 million initiative aimed at expanding campus facilities, increasing student scholarships, and driving workforce development. The campaign has already secured $123.4 million in funding, including a major gift from the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation.
“CapEd is a leader in this campaign,” Jones said. “They are one of the first to show faith and confidence in CWI’s mission and have stepped up to help us power the Treasure Valley.”
With construction underway, the CapEd Student Success Center is expected to open in 2026, ushering in a new chapter of opportunity for CWI students and the greater Treasure Valley community.
