CWI News—Feb. 4, 2022
In the Spotlight
Harrison Watts, left, Natalia Rojas, Althessa Jones, and the rest of the Student Affairs team wish to thank all who participated in the Spring 2022 Student Resource Fair on Tuesday and Wednesday this past week. During the fair, students were able to discover resources on and off campus, learn about ways to get involved and stay connected, and enjoy a burrito from Pantera Market #2 in Nampa.
President's Message
The future success of our Treasure Valley workforce, I believe, lies with all of you continuing to serve as leaders in providing high-value, affordable, and accessible education to empower students. I realize the important work you all are doing and embrace the opportunity to share this work with our community.
The community at large recognizes the tremendous work you are doing and appreciates the role the College plays in our region. I had the opportunity to speak with the Kiwanis Club of Nampa this past week. The members nailed our fast-fact questions highlighting students served, positive placement for CTE students, and the incredible value of the College. Three winners walked away with new, CWI-branded mugs.
Additionally, during a recent podcast interview with Kevin Richert, from Idaho Ed News, I had another chance to share our exciting campus visioning process, our plans for a new Health Science Building, and our vision to train more healthcare professionals in the Treasure Valley.
I am excited to be here and wake up every morning enthusiastic about sharing the mission of CWI. Thank you for taking the time to read along, and I wish you all a wonderful weekend.
CWI in the News
Idaho Ed News: A conversation with CWI President Gordon Jones
Local News 8: Crapo welcomes 3 interns for Spring 2022 term
News Highlights
2022 Connections Project Logo Reveal
Congratulations to Business major, Brianna Daniels, winner of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) 2022 Connections Project Logo Contest! Daniels’ logo submission was chosen out of 23 entries earning her the $150 cash prize.
Karen Brown, Assistant Professor of Art History and Humanities, helped create the Connections Project logo design competition four years ago.
“This annual logo contest provides a way for students to gain experience and understanding of the marketing process at the College, in addition to some of the complexities of designing a logo and presenting it to the public,” Brown said.
“Creating a logo for Connections was part of a signature assignment in an Art class I was in,” said Daniels. “Since I have a lot of experience in graphic design, I submitted a couple of entries for fun.”
The inspiration for Daniels’ design was people.
“A lot of the previous logos focused on a lot of the same ideas. I wanted to do something different to break that boundary. The best way to create connections is through people whether that be online, through a project, problem solving, or shared experiences.”
The logo selection process begins when student submissions are sent through an anonymous jurying process. The jurors consist of members of the Connections Project team including staff, faculty, and past logo winners. Finalists are determined, and the group votes on their favorites. Once a design is selected, the winner has an opportunity to work with the College’s Graphic Designer, Cody Sprague, to refine the design and create several iterations of the logo for t-shirts and digital promotion.
“Brianna’s level of talent was obvious when reviewing the final submissions,” said Sprague. “Chosen unanimously by the selection group, her logo definitely stood out above the rest. Given how difficult things have been lately, I think the fun and upbeat nature of her logo conceptually was a huge factor for our votes. Brianna has outstanding design and illustration skills!”
Save the date for this year’s Connections Project event Thursday, April 28. Visit the Connections Project online for more information and ways to get involved.
Amazon’s Black Employee Network Donates to CWI Food Pantries
Two carts overflowing with food and personal hygiene items were wheeled into the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, Wednesday, Feb. 2, for the College’s food pantries courtesy of Amazon’s Black Employee Network (BEN).
Amazon’s BEN was established 2005 to provide a support structure for Black employees and to champion diversity throughout the company. The mission of Idaho’s BEN, launched on June 16, 2021, is to foster and maintain a positive work environment and support the development of under-represented employees in the Treasure Valley. This mission is achieved through recruitment, empowerment, advocacy, community, and the exchange of diverse perspectives. The Idaho BEN node includes Amazon’s BOI2 Fulfillment Center in Nampa, the BOI5 Sort Center in Boise, and, later this year, local Amazon delivery stations.
Tasha Wiegand, a General Manager Assistant at Amazon in Nampa and local BEN president, facilitated this month’s pantry sponsorship.
“Our Black Employee Network is sponsoring CWI’s pantries in honor of Black History Month,” shared Wiegand. “Serving our community is important to us. We wanted to use our funds in a meaningful manner while making sure students have what they need."
Thank you Amazon and BEN for your generous support of CWI students!
Learn more about CWI’s food pantries and food security by visit the College’s Food Security page online.
Mental Health First Aid Training Comes to CWI
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Counseling and Wellness Services department is proud to announce 15 CWI employees are now certified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructors thanks to funding through the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF II).
MHFA, a course provided through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, teaches individuals skills necessary to help someone who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. This research and evidence based program promotes mental health literacy to help the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness. The course introduces participants to the MHFA Action Plan, ALGEE, a five-step plan that can be used to provide support to someone in distress. Additionally, participants learn the risk factors and warning signs for mental health or substance abuse, engage in experiential activities to build understanding of the impact of illness on individuals and families, and discuss evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies.
“Having College employees trained to offer assistance in a mental health situation is an important step in creating a culture of care on the CWI campus and in our communities,” said Jodi Hickenlooper, Assistant Director of Counseling and Wellness Services. “As certified MHFA instructors, these individuals will be able to share their expertise in mental health to provide training to fellow faculty and staff members on an ongoing basis, which we are very excited about.”
CWI employees interested in MHFA training are encouraged to register for virtual and in-person sessions scheduled throughout spring semester.
Contact Jodi Hickenlooper at jodihickenlooper@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
Chapple Named Staff of the Month for January
Congratulations to Jessica Chapple, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for January 2022. Currently a Student Success Advisor, Chapple began at CWI as a Degree Specialist in the Registrar’s Office and has been at the College for nearly six years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Boise State University and has been working in higher education for nearly a decade.
“Knowing how beneficial CWI was going to be for the community is what attracted me to want to work here, she said. “I remember voting for the CWI campus in the same year I was graduating from Boise State. While I did not have access to a community college in Montana, it would have been a much better choice for me. After working at a proprietary college, it became obvious to me that I, personally, would have a more fulfilling career working for a college that puts its students over profits. I made it a goal to work at CWI did not stop until I got a position!”
As a Student Success Advisor, Chapple supports students in the Cisco Networking and Security Technologies, Computer Science, Computer Support Specialist, Cybersecurity, Network and System Administration, and Software Development programs.
“I like to think of myself as the glue between CWI, instruction, and students. I motivate and educate students by connecting them to a variety of resources and references. I strive to build meaningful relationships so students know they always have someone they can refer back to when needed. I try to cut out all the minutia and give students a clear representation of all their options so they can make the most informed decision for themselves and their educational pursuits.”
“Jessica works hard every day to support Information Technology (IT) students at CWI and deserves recognition for her outstanding commitment to excellence,” said Jenny Wokersien, Associate Professor in the Software Development program. “She visits our classrooms each semester to encourage students individually and as a group. She spends as much time as needed to find workable solutions to challenges and to ensure students understand their options. Her support, kindness, and resourcefulness make a big difference and directly affect students’ abilities to complete assignments, classes, certificates, and degrees. Several students have communicated their appreciation and respect for Jessica. She is a valued member of our team.”
“At CWI, we all share the same goal – supporting students,” said Chapple. “Whether working directly with students or supporting those who do, it is an incredibly rewarding work environment. Because of CWI, I get the privilege to witness the power of education on a daily basis.”
Chapple grew up in Laurel, Montana, where she was part of a high school graduating class of 70 students. While attending Montana State University Billings, transferred to Boise State and moved to the Treasure Valley sight unseen. She and her husband were married seven years ago in Las Vegas with her brother officiating. She loves all things food and beverage including cooking, dining out, and visiting wineries, breweries, coffee roasters, and cheese factories. She also enjoys traveling, reading, crafting, sewing, music, concerts, and dance parties in her living room (or office).
2022 President’s Writing Awards Submissions Now Open
Get paid to do your homework! College of Western Idaho (CWI) students are invited to submit their writing to this annual contest for a chance at publication on the College’s website and a cash prize. First-place winners in each category receive $500, second-place winners receive $350, and third-place winners receive $200.
Submission categories include:
- Fiction
- Poetry
- Creative Nonfiction
- Critical Analysis
- Literature-Based Research
- Original Research
- First-Year Writing
- Workplace Writing
The submission deadline is 11:59 p.m. March 4, 2022. You must be a CWI student to submit, and the writing must have been completed for coursework at CWI. Previously published writing will not be accepted. One submission per category is allowed. Submissions may not be submitted to more than one category.
Visit the President’s Writing Awards webpage for submission link and guidelines. Contact Dave Nicholas at davenicholas@cwi.edu or Heather Schoenherr at heatherschoenherr@cwi.edu with questions.
Global Gardens Volunteer Event – Feb. 5
Associated Students of College of Western Idaho (ASCWI), in partnership with CWI’s departments of Biological Sciences and Agricultural Science and the Biology and Horticulture clubs, invite you to join them to give back to the community.
Students will be assisting Idaho Office for Refugees’ Global Gardens project to prepare greenhouses for spring. Created to provide access to greenhouses and community gardens, the Global Gardens project offers Idaho refugees both financial opportunity and food security.
Get involved, and help make a difference in our community. Sign up to volunteer today! No experience necessary – just show up with a mask, gloves, and water.
Global Gardens Volunteer Event
Saturday, Feb. 5
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
2908 S. Pond St. in Boise
Global Gardens Volunteer Event Registration
Contact ASCWI Chief of Staff, Kaylee Peterson, at kayleepeterson@my.cwi.edu, or email ASCWI@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
Colleague Integration Initiative – Next Steps
During Fall 2021 semester, College of Western Idaho (CWI) business units met with contracted vendor, Ferrilli, to discuss business processes as they relate to the College’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) application, Ellucian Colleague. These assessments were finalized mid-December giving time for the consultants to compile their notes and deliver CWI a comprehensive report of their findings.
Ferrilli has shared their findings with the established Steering Team, comprised of executives and project sponsors; the Executive Operations Team (EOT); and the established workgroup comprised of Academic Enterprise Tactical Advisory Committee (AETAC) members, CORE members, and subject matter experts identified from 11 business areas throughout the College. With these findings, CWI is now in position to begin prioritizing and implementing the identified recommendations.
The Colleague Integration Workgroup will review recommendations and refine the work with respective areas. Work will be prioritized within CWI’s current governance structure based on value delivered and business unit capacity and availability.
Workgroup Representatives
Functional Leads
- Admissions/One Stop Student Services – Kim Bettencourt
- Advising – Erica Compton
- Financial Aid – Kari Meyers
- Registrar’s Office – Autumn Brackley
- Human Resources –Jamie Marquez
- Student Accounts/Finance – Cami Johnson
- Information Technology (IT) – Sara Matson
- CWI Foundation/Economic Development – Tyler Brown
- Student Affairs – Chad Trisler
Consumers of Colleague Data
- Institutional Research – Brian Cuttlers
- Instruction – Juanita Manzo
Please reach out to IT Program Manager, Brittney Trimmer, at brittneytrimmer@cwi.edu or one of the workgroup representatives listed above with questions.
