CWI News – Feb. 23, 2024
In the Spotlight
Three new Teslas have been acquired by CWI via an Idaho Division of Career Technical Education grant. The state-of-the-art electric vehicles will used for training students in the Automotive Technology and Collision Repair programs.
President's Message
Dear CWI Community,
I hope you all are having a wonderful week and enjoyed the holiday weekend.
We had a fantastic celebration this week in our Automotive Technology and Collision Repair programs. Thanks to the generous support of a Leading Idaho grant, we have purchased three cutting-edge Tesla vehicles, furthering our commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities for our students.
The new Teslas are an excellent asset for hands-on training, offering our students a unique opportunity to work with electric vehicles (EVs) at the forefront of automotive innovation.
The Idaho Division of Career Technical Education grant underscores the state's dedication to support CWI's educational programs that drive economic development and job creation.
I want to thank JohnD Thompson, Department Chair of Transportation Technology, and our team for making this event possible — as well as our guests from Tesla, and Clay Long, State Administrator for Idaho CTE.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our mission of excellence in education.
Respectfully,
News Highlights
CWI Automotive Programs Innovate with Electric Vehicles
The Automotive Technology and Collision Repair programs at College of Western Idaho (CWI) have welcomed a delivery of three new Tesla vehicles. Facilitated through the support of an Idaho Division of Career Technical Education grant, the College is maintaining speed in the left lane as it continues offering top-tier educational opportunities for students.
The state-of-the-art Teslas will be dedicated to hands-on training, offering an excellent chance for students to work with electric vehicles (EVs) at the forefront of automotive innovation.
"The EVs are more than just an upgrade to our training fleet — it's a testament to our commitment to prepare students for an adapting industry," said CWI President Gordon Jones. "Our students are the future of the automotive industry, and by providing them with access to cutting-edge technology today, we are empowering them to lead the way tomorrow."
“Having the ability to provide these modernization and expansion grants to Idaho’s career technical education programs ensures we continue to accomplish our mission of preparing Idaho’s youth and adults for high-skill, in-demand careers,” said Clay Long, State Administrator for the Idaho Division of Career and Technical Education. “We are grateful to Governor Little and the State Legislature for ongoing support and advocacy for growth of career technical education programs throughout our great state.”
This initiative has been made possible through an Idaho Division of Career Technical Education grant — highlighting the state's support for educational programs that drive forward economic development and job creation. CWI's strategic investment in Tesla vehicles underlines the institution's role as a pioneer in adapting to and embracing the changes shaping the automotive sector.
The CWI community joined the celebration of this milestone, which not only represents a leap forward in educational excellence but also reinforces the College's dedication to its students' success in the rapidly evolving automotive industry.
Visit CWI’s website for more information about the Automotive Technology and Collision Repair programs.
Save the Date: Support Higher Education on the College of Western Idaho’s Annual Giving Day
Putting your resources into education is one of the most effective methods for facilitating positive transformations. At College of Western Idaho (CWI), we are dedicated to empowering students and laying solid foundations for the future. We are excited to invite our alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and the community to participate in our annual CWI Giving Day, March 13 and 14.
CWI Giving Day is focused on supporting students, programs, and opportunities that amplify the positive impact of our campus and community. Any contribution, regardless of its size, opens doors to affordable education, turning dreams into reality and champions students and programs of the College that significantly influence our community’s lives. Discover more about these programs and resources on the CWI Giving Day page.
“CWI is thrilled to announce our second Giving Day,” stated CWI President Gordon Jones. “As the largest higher education institution in the state, CWI is proud to deliver affordable, high-quality, and empowering educational opportunities designed to help our students find good paying jobs. CWI Giving Day is an opportunity for you to see and support the amazing work of our students and faculty. Community members can show their generosity by supporting a student club, program, or scholarship with a gift today.”
CWI Giving Day will allow convenient, online access for donors to support a variety of programs and initiatives within the College. A donation to CWI Giving Day grants current and future students the opportunity to aim high and fulfill their ambitions.
Automotive Technology student, Ryan Hael, is grateful for the boost of a scholarship, made possible through generous donations, that has helped him pay for his education.
"Receiving a scholarship has relieved so much stress off my back of having to try to apply for loans and struggling to find funds," he said. "It is also helping me be able to stand out in the automotive field by having tools that will help me work faster and do jobs that other technicians won’t be able to do without those tools."
“The Foundation Board is deeply committed to the belief that education has the power to transform lives,” said CWI Foundation Board President, Mike Peña. “Through this support, students are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve success in their chosen careers and build a solid foundation for their future.”
CWI Giving Day launches on Wednesday, March 13 at 9:30 a.m. and will close on Thursday, March 14 at 3:30 p.m. A great way to participate, beyond donating, is to share the CWI Giving Day page with their friends, family, coworkers, and community members.
For any inquiries or if more information is required about CWI Giving Day, please reach out to CWI Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu.
CWI Night at the Idaho Steelheads – Feb. 28
Get ready for another exciting night of hockey and help us support students at the next CWI Night!
Scoring big for scholarships, College of Western Idaho (CWI) and the Idaho Steelheads continue their partnership as the Steelheads face off against the Utah Grizzlies. We invite the entire CWI community to join us, including students, alumni, staff, families, and friends.
The game between the Idaho Steelheads and Utah Grizzlies will take place:
Wednesday, Feb 28
7 p.m.
Idaho Central Arena
Your $20 ticket game ticket includes a seat in the CWI section and a meal voucher for a Double R Ranch hot dog, chips, and a small beverage. For every CWI group ticket sold during CWI night, the SCORE Big Scholarship fund will receive $5.
Stop by the CWI table on the concourse for a chance to win a $1,000 SCORE Big Scholarship or a CWI hockey jersey, which will be awarded that night on the ice!
The thrill of hockey is available beyond CWI Nights! As part of the College’s partnership, CWI also provides a discounted ticket price of $18 for all Steelheads home games for the 2023-2024 season.
Tickets must be placed at least 24 hours prior to the event or subject to availability.
Support Your Teeth During Dental Assistant’s Week
Dental assistants strengthen dental practices and enhance patient satisfaction around the world. March 3 – 9 has been designated by the American Dental Assistants Association as Dental Assistants Recognition Week.
As integral members of a practice, Dental Assistants support dentists and patients during procedures and perform essential administrative duties. They play a key role in educating patients about oral hygiene best practices, preparing people for dental procedures, taking impressions, exposing radiographs, infection control, recording patient notes, and scheduling appointments.
Come join CWI’s Dental Assisting program for dental presentations ranging from brushing and flossing techniques to new technology used in dental offices.
Monday, March 6
9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC)
2024 Juried Art Exhibition
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visual and Performing Arts department is excited to host the eighth-annual Juried Art Exhibition, which takes place during the College’s Connections Project.
This year’s juror is Sue Latta, a determined and intuitive sculptor who creates visually poignant and skillfully executed artwork utilizing a variety of processes, including welding, woodworking, carving, casting, and photography. With over 20 solo exhibitions, Latta’s work is found in collections throughout the United States and Canada. In addition to being a lecturer at Boise State University, she has served as an artist in residence for the City of Boise, the Livestrong Foundation, and the Visual Studies Workshop in Rochester, New York.
For more information or to view Latta’s work, visit her website.
Submissions are being accepted for the 2024 Juried Art Exhibition through March 22, and can be entered via the Connections Project Portal section on Blackboard. Students will be notified of results by April 12, with art being placed in the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) 2nd floor gallery before April 18. All currently registered students are encouraged to participate — the winner will receive $150!
CWI’s Connections Project event is Thursday, April 18. For those with questions or in need of more information, please contact Karen Brown at karenbrown@cwi.edu.
Nominations Open for 2024 Student Leadership Awards
Do you know student leaders, student clubs, or a club advisor deserving of recognition for their passion, compassion and accomplishments? Nominate them for a Leadership Award!
Nominations for College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Student Leadership Awards are now open! These awards seek to recognize the achievements of outstanding student leaders for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to CWI and the community. There is also an award for a club advisor! Through these awards, CWI hopes to acknowledge and celebrate inspiring people who have made a meaningful impact on campus life and in the community, while creating a lasting legacy.
This year’s awards are:
- Club of the Year Award – This award is presented to an organization that has demonstrated excellence in all areas of community engagement, collaboration, diversity and inclusion, and leadership development.
- Community Service Program of the Year Award – This award recognizes a program that has engaged students through service while it encouraged them to selflessly serve beyond the program.
- Outstanding Officer of the Year Award –This award recognizes a student leader who has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout their term of office and has enhanced participation and involvement within their club, the campus, and the community.
- Quiet Influence Award –This award recognizes a person who has contributed to their club and campus community in a meaningful yet behind-the-scenes way.
- Rising Leadership Award – This award will honor a first-year student who does not need a title to fill a leadership role. Throughout the school year, this student has shown a new-found commitment to serve the CWI campus and community side by side with the elected student leaders and administration/employees of the campus. This student can be found helping to complete tasks while modeling the core values and mission of the College. The student shows promise in continuing to exemplify growth and development as a leader.
- Social Program of the Year Award – This award recognizes a program/event(s) that has contributed to a sense of community on campus and has encouraged students to come together and meaningfully engage with one another and/or the Ada County/Canyon County communities.
- Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award – This award recognizes an advisor who has excelled in providing support and assistance to a club. The recipient has devoted time and service that has played a key role in the club’s success.
- Trailblazing Leadership Award – This award will recognize a second-year or graduating or transferring student leader who has engaged themselves in a significant leadership role on campus. This award is for a student who has come to CWI with leadership experience or has developed leadership skills through the many opportunities the campus offers. Through their involvement, recipients have shown ambition to improve campus life and strengthen the Treasure Valley community.
Nominations will remain open through Tuesday, March 14. Award recipients will be announced at the 2024 Student Leadership Banquet on Friday, April 26, at the Jack’s Urban Meeting Place (JUMP).
For those with questions or in need of more information, please contact Sitlaly Hernandez at sitlalyescamilla@cwi.edu.
