CWI News – Feb. 24, 2023
News Highlights
CWI SCORES Big for Scholarships
It was another triumphant evening Wednesday, Feb. 22, as the Idaho Steelheads clinched a victory over the Maine Mariners, 3-1. The impressive win was not the only reason to celebrate at Idaho Central Arena, as the College of Western Idaho community came together to raise $1,700 in student scholarships marking another successful CWI Night!
The game kicked off with President Gordon Jones joined by several Health Science students and the department supporters on the ice for the puck drop.
Throughout the game, there were plenty of signs letting the crowd know CWI was in the arena— from Steelheads’ mascot, Blue, sporting some CWI swag to CWI staff riding on a Zamboni with a College pennant. The College’s Enrollment team was also set up with a booth at the Arena to meet and engage with prospective students signing several future and current students up for a chance to win the SCORE Big Scholarship and a new CWI hockey jersey.
A big congratulations goes to Emergency Medical Technician student, Alexander Lacy, who was randomly chosen as this game’s $1,000 SCORE Big Scholarship winner! Lacy was awarded the scholarship by President Jones along with CWI staff, faculty, and other leaders in our community.
"I'm super privileged to receive this scholarship and am excited about how it will help me in my studies," said Lacy. "I've been through CWI's EMT program in my pursuits of firefighting and am looking forward to using this scholarship money to go through CWI's Fire Academy as well"
Studio Art student, Hannah Wilson, won a CWI hockey jersey — something she can wear to one more CWI Night this season. Those interested in getting their hands on a CWI-branded jersey of their own still have an opportunity to do so! The CWI Bookstore is fully stocked with jerseys, offering various sizes at a special discount of 25% off.
Students, staff, and faculty have one more chance to take part in an upcoming CWI Night on Mar. 15 and take part in another scholarship giveaway! Visit the CWI Nights web page to purchase group tickets at a discounted price of $15! Keep in mind, $5 from every group ticket for a CWI Night goes to support student scholarships!
The fun doesn’t stop at CWI Nights! The College also offers a discounted ticket price of $16 to all Steelheads home games for the 2022-2023 season as part of being the Steelheads’ official education partner.
Using the Power of Creativity to Inspire
As College of Western Idaho (CWI) Studio Art student, Caleb Chereji, waits for his next class to begin, he sits and studies at a table on the third floor of Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB). Right across from his study area hangs a blank whiteboard, which, in just a couple of hours will turn into one of Chereji’s latest art murals.
"I grab an energy drink, grab my whiteboard markers, put my earbuds in, and I just begin to draw,” Chereji said. “It is a lot of fun.”
About two and half hours later, that same whiteboard is now covered inch-to-inch in different characters of students, faculty, and staff you would see around CWI doing various activities. Chereji’s idea for the mural was inspired by the original reason he draws and creates — to help build a positive, encouraging environment around him.
“People come and pass by, take pictures, and smile and laugh when I make funny ones. To me, it’s all about what I can do with my artwork to help raise up an environment for students to feel creative and not pull back from creative pursuits. I do it because I can and because I want to. But most of all, I do it because I have so much support and so many people that love it and support me. That’s what CWI is, and with the friends and instructors I’ve made so far at school, I have felt only that.”
The whiteboard murals around campus began one day last semester as Chereji and his sister were killing time between classes. He looked up at, what he calls now, his 'favorite whiteboard” near room 319 in NCAB and decided to draw on it.
“This is a new skill I have adapted to. I love doing large-scale art now. Instead of a sketchbook, I can just take a step back to see it, and it is so much more. I get enraptured in it.”
Chereji’s love for drawing and the arts dates back as early as he can remember.
“It is like therapy for me. Whenever I am having a bad day, I run to the nearest canvas and start drawing. I see everything as a canvas, I even draw on myself sometimes. I can’t stop creating.”
What started out as something to do between studying and class, has turned into multiple murals around campus with different messages and images — some of which can take up to four hours to complete.
“I made a mural last semester that was a public service announcement on mental health and was about feeling out of character and not like yourself in the world that we live in today. Everything is digital, and there is a lot of anxiety and insecurity. I tried to convey to people they are worth so much more than they think.”
These murals have received a lot of positive attention. From people reaching out to Chereji over social media saying his art pieces have made their day to campus security sharing ideas about his next work of art — even building custodians have shared with him that they won’t erase his artwork because they enjoy it so much.
All the positivity he has received means the world to him.
“I am not going to stop now. It is just so much fun, and as long someone sees it and it makes their day, that is all I need to keep going.”
Chereji’s work around campus has even presented him with several opportunities outside of school, such as being commissioned to create a 50-foot mural on a wall at a local church.
He hopes to continue his murals long after his time at CWI and keep sharing his creativity all over the world, where he wants to wear different hats, such as animator, illustrator, graphic designer, and creative director. He plans to do everything he can with his talents and bring people together through creativity.
Stepping Outside Her Comfort Zone to Find Success
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Business student, Viviane Akingeneye, has a strong desire to help those around her.
“I want to give back to my community,” Akingeneye said.
Akingeneye currently works in CWI’s Tutoring Services as an Embedded Tutor and an English Language Learning (ELL) Tutor where she works with students of various backgrounds, such as international and refugee students.
As an Embedded Tutor and ELL Tutor, Akingeneye attends class alongside students who are learning English as a second language or another language to provide them support. She also meets with students outside the class for help with homework, brainstorming processes, writing, and how to meet the academic requirements for their classes. She also works closely with instructors to provide the student with meaningful support.
“I want to help encourage students not to give up. Especially our ELL students who may not know about all the help and support around them at CWI.”
The difficulties international and refugee students experience when arriving in a new country along with a language barrier is something Akingeneye knows first-hand.
Originally from the Republic of Congo, Akingeneye and her family came to Idaho three years ago. While in her home country, she began college but was not able to finish because she had to leave and come to the United States. After living in Idaho for a year and always having the drive to continue her studies, Akingeneye enrolled at CWI for Spring 2021. In her first semester, she took four courses, but college was not what she remembered it to be like in the Republic of Congo — it was a lot more overwhelming.
“I was struggling and didn’t know where to ask for help. Because of the language barrier, the idea of going up to an instructor or classmate for help felt awkward.”
Fortunately, the opportunity to take part in the Bridge Program through CWI’s Adult Education program presented itself, and things began to look up. The program supports ELL students’ reading, writing, math, and language acquisition before entering the community college credit courses. Some students, like Akingeneye, take the Bridge Program concurrently with credit classes
“It helped me learn more about the College, academic requirements, writing an essay, and how to use materials, like email and Blackboard.”
While learning more about the College, Akingeneye discovered there was an opportunity for even more help in and outside the classroom through CWI’s Tutoring Services. She was paired with an Embedded Tutor in her Communication class.
“The tutor helped me with not only communicating in that class but with homework from any class I had that semester.”
Akingeneye’s first semester at CWI had some ups and downs, but after finding help and confidence in herself, she was able to pass her classes and meet new classmates.
“I’ve been able to open myself up to other students where we get together and have had group study sessions. My English and communication with others has gotten better. I am able to express myself more and not feel awkward like I used to.”
Proud of her accomplishments and grateful for the resources that got her there, Akingeneye felt compelled to give back and become a Bridge Program Peer Mentor, which ultimately led her to work in Tutoring Services. Akingeneye's goal is to let other international and refugee students know they are not alone.
“English is my second language, and there can sometimes be a communication barrier with faculty and other students. If I kept myself closed off, not open to others, and did not reach out for help, I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have today. I just had my best semester so far.”
Akingeneye plans to graduate from CWI this semester and transfer to Boise State University in the fall, where she would like to major in Supply Chain Management and Minor in Information Technology. Post-grad, she would like to become a project manager where she can lead an entire operation from the beginning materials to the final product.
Additionally, Akingeneye would like to continue to help those just like her to learn and find the resources they need to succeed.
“I wasn't expecting to be a part of a community that helps others so soon in my life, but I'm glad I am here doing what I do.”
For those interested in learning more about the Bridge Program, contact Adult Education Supervisor, Trevi Hardy, at trevihardy@cwi.edu. Those in need of more information about CWI’s Tutoring Services are asked to contact tutoring@cwi.edu.
Take Part in 2023 Connections Project!
Plan to join us in April as College of Western Idaho (CWI) celebrates culture, collaboration, education, innovation, and achievement during its eighth-annual Connections Project! This year’s event will feature poster displays on campus, in-person mini-talks, a juried art exhibition, President's Writing Awards readings and panel, and a social hour on Thursday, April 20. A live awards ceremony for award winners will be on Friday, April 21. CWI students, faculty, and staff are invited to participate.
Student Submissions
Showcase your hard work and accomplishments! The wonderful projects and signature assignments you have completed or are currently working on can easily be entered in the Connections Project. Any project or assignment completed during Spring 2022, Summer 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023 semesters is eligible.
Submissions may include, but are not limited to, class projects, art, research, service learning, and community projects or collaborations. Individual or group work submitted in the categories of posters, recorded or live mini talks, or club projects or presentations. A Connections Excellence Award and cash prizes will be given to the top entries in each category. Submissions are due by Friday, March 31.
Submit your work, learn more about the event, and view past submissions and winners by visiting myCommons on Blackboard or the Connections Project page.
Volunteer Opportunities
Take part in this year’s event by sharing this opportunity with students, volunteering as a judge, helping to hang posters, or joining the Connections Project Committee.
Volunteer opportunities are available for employees and students.
For those with questions or in need of more information, please contact Cathy Carson at cathycarson@cwi.edu.
ASL Club Collecting Candy for Easter Egg Hunt
As the Easter holiday approaches, College of Western Idaho’s ASL Club plans to take part in a local Easter egg hunt and can use the help from the CWI community gathering prizes!
As the Easter holiday approaches, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) ASL Club plans to take part in a local Easter egg hunt and can use the help from the CWI community gathering prizes!
ASL Club will take part in Idaho Educational Services for the Deaf & Blind (IESDB) and Idaho Association of the Deaf’s (IAD) Easter egg, which invites children and families who are deaf and hard of hearing to participate at Chateau Park in Meridian on Saturday, April 8. About 30 – 40 families take part in the annual Easter egg hunt, making it one of the Treasure Valley’s biggest Deaf community events of the year.
To help make the day even more special for those children and families, CWI ASL Club will be collecting candies to use as prizes. They are collecting small, wrapped candies that can fit into plastic Easter eggs, such as small chocolate eggs, small Reese’s cups, etc.
Jellybeans or unwrapped candies cannot be accepted.
CWI ASL Club is also looking to collect new and unused toys to give away as prizes.
People can drop off donated candy and toys at an upcoming ASL Club Game Night on Wednesday, Mar. 17 or contact ASL Club Secretary, Emily Anderson, at emilyanderson2@my.cwi.edu to coordinate a time and location to pick them up. Donations are due by Thursday, March 30.
The Club has also volunteered to help put candies in each egg, set up the event, and manage food and prize tables for the event.
For those with questions, interested in volunteering, or in need of more information, contact Emily Anderson at emilyanderson2@my.cwi.edu.
Spring 2023 Job & Career Fair
Looking for employment? Join College of Western Idaho March 29 and 30 for the Spring 2023 Job & Career Fair to meet with employers from across the Treasure Valley who are ready to put your skills to work! Employers are looking for office managers, CNAs, social workers, construction workers, equipment operators, mechanics, and more.
Wednesday, March 29
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building
Employers:
- AAROW of Idaho, PLLC
- Ada County Sheriff's Office
- Centurion
- City of Caldwell
- Commercial Tire
- Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain
- Edgewood Healthcare Assisted Living
- GoGo SqueeZ
- HDR
- Home Instead Boise 707
- Idaho Air National Guard Recruiting Office
- Idaho Arts Charter School
- Idaho Central Credit Union
- Idaho Community Health Center Assoc.
- Idaho Democratic Party
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Idaho Division of Veterans Services
- Idaho State Tax Commission
- Idaho Transportation Department
- On Demand Solutions Inc.
- Personnel Plus Inc.
- Piedmont Airlines
- Saint Alphonsus
- Shaw Mountain of Cascadia
- The Key
- The Sherwin-Williams Company
- Treasure Valley Family YMCA
- Valley County
- Vibra Hospital of Boise
- and MORE!
Thursday, March 30
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ada County Center Pintail Building
Employers:
- AAROW of Idaho, PLLC
- Ada County Sheriff's Office
- Boise State University
- Boise State University Human Resource Services
- Centurion
- Easterseals-Goodwill Northern Rocky Mountain
- Idaho Air National Guard Recruiting Office
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- On Demand Solutions Inc.
- Piedmont Airlines
- Saint Alphonsus
- Shaw Mountain of Cascadia
- The Sherwin-Williams Company
- Treasure Valley Family YMCA
- Vibra Hospital of Boise
For those with questions or in need of more information, contact Center for New Direction Coordinator, Roberto Trinidad, at robertotrinidad@cwi.edu.
Spring 2023 Transfer Fair
So, you’re a College of Western Idaho (CWI) student who is approaching graduation and interested in learning more about transferring to a university or college to continue your education. You are in luck! CWI invites those interested to the Spring 2023 Transfer Fair on Tuesday, March 7.
College and university representatives will be on campus to discuss programs, majors, and transfer requirements. This is a one-day event that will take place at both campus locations, Ada County and Nampa, throughout the day.
Visit with representatives from schools, such as Boise State University, University of Idaho, Idaho State University, College of Idaho, and more! You can find the full list of participants on the Transfer Fair webpage.
Ada County Center Pintail Building (APIN), Student Commons
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), first floor lobby
For those interested or who have questions, please contact Brittney Hernandez at brittneyhernandez@cwi.edu.
Vote in Upcoming Spring 2023 ASCWI Election!
As Spring 2023 semester gets into full swing, students at College of Western Idaho (CWI) are gearing up for an important annual event: the Associated Students of College of Western Idaho (ASCWI) elections. This tradition gives students the opportunity to have a say in the leadership of their college and help shape the policies and programs that will affect their lives on campus.
This semester, CWI students will be encouraged to vote on the ASCWI President, Vice-President, Senators, and a Referendum.
Spring 2023 Ballot
ASCWI President & Vice-President ticket
- Casey Dudley and Raquel Valdibieso
ASCWI Senator
- Travis Raney
Referendums
- Establishment of a Student Services & Activities Fee – Referendum #01-2022-2023
For more information on the candidates and Referendum, please visit the ASCWI elections web page.
Students who wish to write in other students will also have the opportunity to nominate them by providing the student's full name and CWI email address.
Voting will begin on Friday, March 10, at 5 p.m. and will stay open until Thursday, March 16 at 11:59 p.m. More voting details will be sent through CWI student email closer to the polls opening. To vote in the student body election, you must be a currently enrolled student at the College.
Election results are expected to be announced on Friday, March 17, at noon.
For those with questions or in need of more information, please contact Amber Eubanks at ambereubanks@cwi.edu.
