CWI News – Feb. 9, 2024
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho students had two opportunities to explore the different organizations on-campus and how to get involved at this week's Club Fest and the Student Resource Fair! Off-campus partners were also on site to help students find resources to basic needs.
There were also plenty of activities for students to play and win some sweet prizes, including a $50 Amazon gift card.
President's Message
Greetings CWI Faculty and Staff,
Last week, I had the chance to join our Provost, Denise Aberle-Cannata, and Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Alexis Malepeai-Rhodes, for the final step of the process at a meeting in Seattle. During the review of NWCCU's onsite visit in October, members of the commission were complimentary of the terrific work we have done to support students. We expect to receive an official approval letter in 30-45 days.
As we stand on the cusp of a significant milestone, I am filled with pride, gratitude, and excitement. The journey to NWCCU Year-Seven Comprehensive Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness was challenging, reflective, and, ultimately, a testament to our collective commitment to excellence in education.
I can't say it enough: thanks to each of you for your unwavering commitment and exceptional work. Your dedication to student empowerment and your innovative spirit have enriched our learning environment and positioned us well for success.
Respectfully,
News Highlights
Bank of Idaho Continues Generosity
College of Western Idaho (CWI) received a significant boost to its scholarship endowment fund thanks to the generosity of the Bank of Idaho.
In a heartwarming gesture of support, Bank of Idaho Chairman, President, and CEO, Jeff Newgard, presented the donation, underscoring the College's commitment to fostering education and community development. Newgard emphasized Bank of Idaho's long-standing partnership with CWI and reiterated the importance of investing in education as a means of driving progress and opportunity within the community.
Bank of Idaho's leadership and commitment to philanthropy serve as a shining example of corporate citizenship, inspiring other businesses to prioritize giving back to the communities they serve. For more information on how to support CWI scholarships and make an investment in students’ education, contact the CWI Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu.
Visiting Artist Series Welcomes Back the Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Join College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series in welcoming the Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s (ISF) Shakespearience program as they perform the play, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and host an acting workshop on Tuesday, Feb. 13.
Students and community members are invited to take part as the Idaho Shakespeare Festival breathes life into one of Shakespeare’s timeless classics, A Midsummer Night's Dream, with a captivating blend of tradition and modernity to present the beloved tale.
Synopsis:
“The course of true love never did run smooth”
In one of William Shakespeare’s most popular works, we follow two couples into the Forest of Athens, where they unknowingly become caught up in the magic and mischief of the Fairies who call it home. While hilarity ensues, a rag-tag group of wannabe actors also use the forest to rehearse their upcoming play for the Duke’s wedding, only making matters worse! Taking place all in one summer night, this timeless tale is filled with magic, love, and a whole lot of laughs along the way!
Following the performance, the ISF cast and crew will host a free hour-long acting workshop for audience members.
The performance is suitable for all ages and will be sign-interpreted (ASL).
Shakespearience: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Tuesday, Feb. 13
- 7 – 8 p.m.
Performance
- 8 – 9 p.m.
Acting Workshop
Nampa Campus Academic Building, Room 122
CWI’s Visiting Artist Series is made possible through a grant from Idaho Commission on the Arts, which is supported by National Endowment for the Arts. Visiting Artist Series events, featuring visual and performing artists, are free and open to the public.
For those with questions or need more information, please contact Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu.
Food for Thought – Spring 2024
Join College of Western Idaho (CWI) and Tutoring Services for Food for Thought, a two-day event where tutors and campus staff will be available to share information, answer questions, and connect with new students who may be interested in finding additional resources to succeed in their courses.
Tutoring Services is dedicated to empowering students to master course content and succeed in classes. While this on-campus resource is open and available to all enrolled students at CWI, many may not know how to connect with tutors. To help spread the word, Tutoring Services has partnered with Student Engagement to host this event and invite the entire campus to learn about Tutoring Services and the Writing Center.
Participants will be given a checklist of certain questions to ask staff. Those who complete the checklist will earn free food and win CWI swag, courtesy of Student Engagement.
Wednesday, Feb. 21
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building, Tutoring Center, Room 209
Thursday, Feb. 22
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Ada County Center Pintail Building, Tutoring Center, Room 1304
CWI tutors routinely work with students to help them better understand coursework and prepare for exams and papers. Services include appointments for math, sciences, writing, foreign languages, certified technical programs, and more. Tutors also lead study groups and academic skill-building workshops throughout the semester.
Connect with Tutoring Services and The Writing Center in one of the following ways:
- Visit Tutoring Services.
- Book a tutoring appointment, or watch a short video on how to book an appointment.
- Email tutoring@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.
