CWI News – Feb. 6, 2026
In the Spotlight
Work-Based Learning and Student Engagement hosted the Spring 2026 Job and Career Fair across three campuses, connecting students with employers from throughout the Treasure Valley. Attendees explored job opportunities, received career tips, and built professional connections while enjoying free food and prizes!
News Highlights
CWI Celebrates Career and Technical Education Month
Governor Brad Little has declared February as Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month in Idaho, recognizing the important role CTE plays in preparing students for in-demand careers and strengthening the state’s workforce. At College of Western Idaho (CWI), this proclamation reflects the College’s ongoing commitment to workforce-connected learning and student success.
With 45 CTE programs, CWI provides hands-on, career-focused training designed to meet the evolving needs of Idaho’s industries. From technical skills to real-world application, CTE programs equip students with the knowledge, experience, and credentials needed to enter the workforce with confidence.
CWI’s impact is reflected in strong student outcomes and meaningful employer partnerships. CWI graduates have a 94.3 percent positive placement rate, demonstrating the effectiveness of programs aligned with workforce demand. During the 2024-2025 academic year, more than 2,245 students were enrolled in CTE programs, gaining hands-on experience connected directly to industry needs.
Committed to empowering the community through CTE, CWI partners with businesses across Idaho to deliver hands-on, workforce-aligned training. These partnerships allow students to build industry-specific skills, earn certifications, work while they learn, and access flexible schedules and tuition assistance.
Governor Little signed the CTE Month proclamation on Tuesday, Feb. 3, alongside CWI Law Enforcement student Anna Johnson, Dean of Industry, Engineering, and Trades Pat Neal, Idaho Division of Career Technical Education, and other CTE students from across the state. For Johnson, CTE programs have opened new doors and helped shape her path forward.
“CTE Month means a great deal to me because it highlights the value of hands-on learning and the direct pathways CTE programs create toward meaningful careers,” said Johnson. “Through the Law Enforcement program, I’ve gained real-world skills, mentorship, and confidence that go far beyond the classroom and have helped shape me both professionally and personally.”
“Representing CWI during CTE Month was truly an honor,” Johnson added. “Being able to share my experiences and advocate for the impact of CTE programs reinforced how important these opportunities are for students who are passionate about serving their communities and pursuing careers with purpose.”
In addition to Law Enforcement, CWI offers a wide range of CTE programs, including Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology, Automotive Technology, Cybersecurity, Digital Photography, Practical Nursing, and many more. For students looking to advance their careers, CWI’s Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration builds on technical training and is tailored for those already in the workforce. These programs are designed to provide hands-on training, access to industry-standard equipment, and instruction from faculty with real-world experience.
Interested in exploring hands-on, comprehensive career training? Discover how CWI’s CTE programs provide the skills and competitive edge today’s employers are looking for.
Crafting Confidence Through Welding
On a Friday afternoon, long after his classes have ended, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Welding and Metal Fabrication student Frank Ramirez is still hard at work at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), carefully shaping a welding sculpture for this year’s SkillsUSA competition.
This year, he is building a human bust, combining realistic facial features with a mechanical upper body that exposes the brain, heart, lungs, ribs, and backbone.
“This one took about six months to make,” Ramirez explained. “My thought process is mostly pictures. I constantly reference images in my head as I design and follow the instructions.”
Last spring, Ramirez competed in the state-level SkillsUSA welding sculpture competition, earning first place in Idaho and later placed eighth at the national level. The recognition came with a scholarship and marked a major milestone in his educational journey.
“It was really rewarding,” Ramirez said. “It made me realize I’m doing something right. This is what I’m meant to do.”
Ramirez first discovered welding during his freshman year of high school through agriculture classes and his involvement in Future Farmers of America. What began as an introduction quickly became a passion.
“I really enjoyed it,” Ramirez said. “It just clicked for me, and I knew it was something I wanted to keep doing.”
Now a second-year student at CWI, Ramirez has found that welding is more than just a technical skill. It’s a way to focus, create, and see results with his own hands. With access to CWI’s state-of-the-art labs, hands-on projects, and supportive instructors, he’s been able to explore those skills fully.
“The tools and equipment I use in the lab every day are helping me build the skills I’ll need in the workforce,” Ramirez said. “Since coming to CWI, the welding instructors have introduced me to a variety of tools and shown me how each one is designed for a specific task. Practicing with them has given me experience and confidence that will help me tackle any welding project in the future.”
Ramirez’s classes aren’t just helping him grow his welding skills, they’re also helping him build his confidence. Living with autism and Tourette’s syndrome, Ramirez experiences and processes the world differently, a perspective that has shaped how he learns and works.
“Because I think in pictures, sometimes I need things explained a little differently, or I have to look at it from another angle,” he said.
For Ramirez, tics can be frustrating and interrupt tasks like holding and reading a book, but he has learned ways to work with them rather than against them. However, in the welding booth everything shifts.
“When I’m welding, I become hyper-focused,” Ramirez said. “My Tourette’s is suppressed and naturally calms down. It gives me a break, physically and mentally.”
Building something with his hands has become therapeutic. The shop is a place where he can fully immerse himself and feel confident in what he’s creating.
“If you’re doing something you enjoy, your attitude is going to affect the way you learn or the way you do things and perform,” he said.
At CWI, Ramirez discovered a community that helps him grow. Instructors provide patient guidance and adapt explanations to how he learns best, classmates are quick to collaborate, and staff across campus offer encouragement that keeps him motivated. These resources have given him the tools, not just for welding, but for learning how to navigate challenges.
Ramirez has learned to advocate for himself where he’s been able to ask for clarification when needed and breaking tasks into smaller steps. Those skills have strengthened both his schoolwork and his self-confidence.
“I honestly think each faculty or staff member I've encountered had a big role in my journey as a CWI student,” Ramirez said.
Beyond his own learning, Ramirez has stepped into a leadership role and has begun mentoring other students in the welding program for SkillsUSA this year. He draws on his first-year experiences and shows them tips and tricks for creating their welding sculptures.
For Ramirez, one of his greatest accomplishments is simply being in college. As a child, a teacher told his parents that he would never graduate from high school or attend college. Through his parents’ determination to find the right resources and his own hard work, Ramirez got the support he needed to succeed in school and reach this point.
“I’m happy to say I’m proving them wrong,” Ramirez said. “Just because I have these so-called ‘disabilities’ doesn’t mean I’m not able to do it.”
Now looking ahead to graduating in May 2026, Ramirez is grateful for the support he has and has found at CWI, as well as the confidence he has gained along the way. He is looking forward to what comes after graduation. He is interested in Gas Tungsten Arc Welding and hopes to one day pursue a career in aerospace welding.
“My advice to other students is to not give up,” he said. “Ask for help when you need it, don’t be too hard on yourself, and try to enjoy your time here. It goes by fast.”
Through persistence and determination, Ramirez is building more than a future career. He is building proof of what is possible through hard work.
Important Update: 2026 Commencement Date & Venue
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to share an important update to the 2026 Commencement Ceremony.
Beginning this year, Commencement will be held on campus at the Ford Idaho Center, creating a more community-centered experience that celebrates our graduates on CWI’s home stage. The addition of the Ford Idaho Center to CWI’s portfolio provides an incredible opportunity to honor students' achievement in a venue deeply connected to both the College and the western Treasure Valley.
2026 CWI Commencement Ceremony
Tuesday, May 19
7 p.m.
Ford Idaho Center
“This represents an exciting step forward for our students to celebrate this milestone in a venue on CWI’s main campus,” said CWI President Gordon Jones. "This inaugural class will begin what we anticipate a long-lasting tradition for years to come."
Additional details related to the 2026 Commencement ceremony are being finalized and will be shared as soon as they become available. Please visit CWI’s Commencement webpage for the most current information and continue to watch CWI email account for updates.
We look forward to celebrating the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 together!
Students Showcase Talent at CWI Regional SkillsUSA Diesel Competition
College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted high school and college students for a Regional SkillsUSA diesel competition, giving participants the opportunity to test technical skills, connect with industry professionals, and explore career pathways in the skilled trades.
Dozens of students from across the Treasure Valley and Magic Valley competed in hands on stations that reflected real world diesel and heavy equipment work on Thursday, Jan 22. Events included precision measuring, engines, transmissions, hydraulics, electrical diagnostics, parts identification, oxyacetylene cutting, and mock job interviews. Ten judges from industry evaluated student performance throughout the competition.
“SkillsUSA encourages people in high school and post-secondary education to get plugged into the skilled trades,” CWI Dual Credit student, Joseph Elzinga said. “This program is great. The instructors care, and they want to make sure you leave here with a job you enjoy.”
Elzinga began in automotive classes during high school before discovering a passion for agricultural and heavy equipment. He shared this competition reinforced his decision to pursue the Heavy Equipment Technician program at CWI.
First year students also saw the event as a chance to grow and gain exposure. Capitol High School student, Elias Hargrett, said the event allowed him to explore new skills while building confidence.
“It feels like an opportunity to show that I am willing to learn and take on challenges,” Hargrett said. “Even if you are new, you are always going to learn something.”
Industry and education leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration between high schools, colleges, and employers. Boise School District Heavy Duty Diesel Instructor, Ronnie Martinez, shared events like this help build the future workforce.
“This is not a challenge for students. It is an opportunity,” Martinez said. “What CWI is doing here brings industry, high school, and college together to help students grow and find a career they will love.”
Top performers from the regional competition will advance to the state SkillsUSA contest at Modern Machinery, where they will continue competing and connecting with industry partners. The event showcased the growing demand for skilled diesel technicians, and the role CWI and partnerships play in preparing students for high wages and high skill careers.
Yadlin Selected to Idaho Humanities Council Board
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Honors Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Humanities, Michal Yadlin, who has been appointed to the board of the Idaho Humanities Council (IHC) as an academic member.
IHC is a nonprofit organization and state-based partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council promotes public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the humanities for Idaho communities statewide.
IHC advances humanities programming by awarding grants, partnering with local organizations, and sponsoring Council-led initiatives. These include summer institutes for K-12 teachers, library reading and discussion programs, traveling Smithsonian exhibitions, a Humanities Speakers Bureau, Distinguished Humanities Lectures, and other programs designed to engage Idahoans of all ages.
At CWI, Yadlin serves as Honors Program Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Humanities, where she supports high-impact learning experiences and encourages critical thinking, civic engagement, and interdisciplinary learning. Her work aligns closely with the mission of IHC to strengthen communities through humanities-based programming.
“I've always been a huge supporter of the Humanities and Humanities programming in the Treasure Valley, especially now in a time where the need to be human is so vital,” said Yadlin. “Being a member of the board will allow me to have a more focused role in supporting Humanities programming and development not just here in the Treasure Valley but around the entire state. I'm looking forward to collaborating with the other board members and supporting small organizations across the state in expanding the impact of the Humanities for people of all ages.”
Yadlin began her term in January 2026 and will serve through 2028.
Spring 2026 Club Fest
Looking for ways to connect, make new friends, and get more involved at College of Western Idaho (CWI)? Look no further — Club Fest is here! This exciting event is your gateway to discovering active Student Clubs, learning about upcoming initiatives, and finding out how to join groups that align with your interests.
Club Fest offers both new and returning students the chance to explore opportunities on campus and even learn about starting a new club. It’s the perfect way to engage with Campus Life, meet others who share your passions, and create lasting connections beyond the classroom.
Enjoy tasty food, fun prizes, and a lively atmosphere while you discover everything campus life has to offer.
Wednesday, Feb. 11
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB)
Unable to attend or need more information? Connect with Coordinator for Student Engagement and Programs, Molly Strout at mollystrout@cwi.edu.
CWI Faculty to Host Big Read Poetry Workshop
As part of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Big Read initiative, the community is invited to a special Poetry Workshop led by English Instructor, Dzevad Vrabac. This engaging event will take place on Thursday, Feb.12, upstairs at The Flicks in Boise.
Known for his thoughtful approach to teaching and deep appreciation for language, Vrabac brings a passion for discovering beauty even in dark or challenging moments. His encouraging philosophy that everyone is a poet creates a welcoming space for participants of all experience levels to explore poetry as a form of personal expression.
During the workshop, attendees will discuss poetry and learn how to express emotions and ideas that may be difficult to capture in any other way. Whether you are an experienced writer or simply curious, this interactive session offers a supportive environment to connect, create, and be inspired.
Thursday, Feb. 12
6 p.m.
The Flicks, upstairs
Vrabac holds a Bachelor of Arts from Boise State University and a Master of Fine Arts from Saint Mary’s College of California. He has lived and worked in Boise since 1998 and enjoys reading, writing, playing guitar, walking, and spending time with friends.
Funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, Big Read is a nationwide program that sparks conversation, connection, and discovery. Join us to explore new perspectives, celebrate creativity, and connect with others through engaging events, cultural activities, and meaningful dialogue.
Learn more about Big Read and the supporting events coming up.
Visiting Artist Series Welcomes 2026 Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Join College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series in welcoming Idaho Shakespeare Festival back to campus on Tuesday, Feb. 17, for a performance of The Tempest and an acting workshop.
Idaho Shakespeare Festival will present William Shakespeare’s final play, The Tempest, a story of magic, betrayal, and redemption. Tempted by spirits, teased by sprites, and tormented by a monster, a shipwrecked king and his party face the wrath of the betrayed conjurer Prospero, a man they marooned on an enchanted island years earlier. Along the journey, passions are unleashed, villainy is thwarted, and a family is reunited in a comedic and cathartic tale of romance and renewal.
The performance will be American Sign Language (ASL) interpreted and is open to the public.
Idaho Shakespeare Festival Performance: The Tempest
Tuesday, Feb. 17
6 – 7 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Room 122
Following the performance, Idaho Shakespeare Festival artists will host an acting workshop focused on performance and theatrical techniques. The workshop is open to all experience levels.
Acting Workshop
Tuesday, Feb. 17
7 – 8 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Room 122
CWI’s Visiting Artist Series is made possible through a grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, which is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. All events are free and open to the public.
For those with questions or need more information, please contact Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu.
Visiting Artist Series Welcomes Jill Storey
Join College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series in welcoming artist Jill Storey to the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) on Feb. 26 – 27.
Jill Storey is an American pastellist whose work is inspired by the complexities of the human form and the Northwest landscape. Through subtle details and the interplay of light and shadow, her work explores how mood and perception are shaped within a composition.
Storey earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts from Saint Mary’s College in Indiana and continues to refine her practice through workshops and online sessions. She has received grants and scholarships from the Alexa Rose Foundation and the Idaho Commission on the Arts. Her work has been featured in juried exhibitions nationwide, including the Galleries of the National Arts Club in New York, the Sun Valley Museum of Art in Idaho, and the Brea Gallery in California.
An award-winning pastellist, Storey has earned recognition in numerous regional and national exhibitions and competitions. Honors include Best of Show at the Northwest Pastel Society’s Members Show, Second Place in Contemporary Impressionism at the PSWC Pastels USA – 99 Voices International Juried Exhibition, and Second Place overall at the Art and Soul of the Magic Valley National Art Competition.
Storey is a Signature Member of both the Northwest Pastel Society and the Pastel Society of the West Coast. She is also a member of the Pastel Society of America, the New Orleans Drawing Group, and the Boise Open Studios Collective. Her work is held in the permanent collection of the Idaho State Historical Society and in private collections across the country. She currently lives in Boise, Idaho.
Join us as Storey presents a lecture on her artistic practice and creative process.
Artist Lecture
Thursday, Feb. 26
6 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), room 206
In addition to the lecture, Storey will host a hands-on workshop focused on the foundational materials and techniques of pastel painting. Participants will work from a simple still life using a limited palette of dry pastels, ranging from hard to very soft, on papers with varying textures. The workshop encourages experimentation and exploration of how pastels interact with different surfaces and with one another.
Pastel Workshop
Friday, Feb. 27
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), room 206
CWI’s Visiting Artist Series is made possible through a grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, which is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. Events are free and open to the public.
For those with questions or in need of more information, contact goranfazil@cwi.edu.
Recognizing Excellence: 2026 Student Leadership Award Nominations Open
Nominations are now open for the 2026 College of Western Idaho (CWI) Student Leadership Awards. These awards recognize the achievements of outstanding student leaders for their hard work, dedication, and commitment to CWI and the community.
Through this annual celebration, CWI honors individuals and organizations that inspire others, strengthen campus life, and leave a legacy. Multiple student leaders, one student organization, and one club advisor will be recognized.
This year’s awards include:
- Community Service Program of the Year — This award recognizes a program that has engaged students through service while it encouraged them to selflessly serve beyond the program.
- Social Program of the Year Award — This award recognizes a student club program that enhances the campus community and demonstrated creativity, exceptional planning, and fosters connections among students.
- Student Organization of the Year Award — This award is presented to a student club that has demonstrated excellence in all areas of community engagement, collaboration, and leadership development.
- Student Organization Advisor of the Year Award — This award recognizes a student club 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.
- Outstanding Officer of the Year Award —This award recognizes a student leader who has demonstrated exceptional communication, collaboration, and decision-making, inspiring others to get involved and make a difference.
- 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.
- Trailblazing Leadership Award — This award will recognize a second-year or graduating student leader who has exemplified outstanding leadership on campus. Through their involvement, they have demonstrated creativity, innovation, and initiative while creating positive, lasting change.
- Rising Leader Award — This award recognizes a first-year student (including those returning from a break) who does not need a title to fill a leadership role. They exemplify the college’s core values of integrity, respect, responsibility, and excellence.
Nominations for all awards will remain open through Sunday, March 8. Award recipients will be announced at the 2026 Student Leadership Awards Banquet on Friday, May 1 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.
New Password Reset Service
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is taking another step to strengthen account security and improve the user experience by transitioning to a new password reset management service.
The updated service is more reliable, easier to use, and better integrated with CWI systems. Most importantly, it provides added protection for personal and institutional data while supporting a smoother login process moving forward.
What to Expect
Beginning the week of Feb. 16, CWI users will be prompted to add an additional contact method when logging in. This step supports the new service and ensures each account has at least two ways to verify identity.
This update is required for all users and must be completed at the time of login.
For example, if a phone number is already associated with an account, users will be asked to select a different option, such as an email address, to meet the two-method requirement.
Time Impact
For users who already have Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) set up, the process should take no more than five minutes.
New users will complete this step as part of their initial account setup.
Why It Matters
The new provider offers enhanced security, improved usability, and broader integration with CWI services. This transition is a key part of CWI’s ongoing security strategy and helps safeguard both individual accounts and college systems.
Users are encouraged to complete the update promptly to avoid any disruption to account access.
For those with questions or in need of more information, please contact support@cwi.edu or 208.562.3444.
