CWI News – Jan. 6, 2023
Spotlight
College of Western Idaho's International Club checked out the 'Winter Garden aGlow' at the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise before Winter Break. Students were able to check out many different light displays and decorations arranged around the Garden.
CWI International Club is made up of American, international, and refugee students. They focus on educating others on diversity and promoting friendship with a diverse student membership. The visit to the Winter Garden aGlow was a great way to share some American holiday traditions with some of CWI's international students.
News Highlights
Bank of America Supports Multicultural Nursing Students in Overcoming Obstacles
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Multicultural Nursing Assistant (MNA) program once again has been selected to receive an $85,000 donation from Bank of America. CWI is honored to be a grant recipient and is thrilled with Bank of America’s desire to continue supporting this life-changing program.
Bank of America works with nonprofit partners in the Treasure Valley to help drive economic mobility for vulnerable populations. This work included helping create a CWI Multicultural Nursing Assistant program in 2011. The program, now in its 12th year, generates career pathways in nursing for students whose primary language is not English, and has provided critical healthcare workforce training and employment to more than 115 students.
“CWI continues to play a vital role in breaking down barriers for immigrant and refugee students in Idaho,” said Kurt Walsdorf, President of Bank of America Idaho. “Their innovative Multicultural Nursing Assistant courses prepare English language learners for a career in healthcare – helping them achieve their own career and economic success – while also supplying our state with a skilled medical workforce as we see ongoing, high demand for these services.”
“Some students in the Multicultural Nursing Assistant program come to the United States with years of experience as doctors, nurses, radiologists, and healthcare administrators,” said Adult Education Supervisor, Trevi Hardy. “This program is often a first step in those students’ ability to reclaim their careers and to serve our community as healthcare workers. Other students are just starting out, and this program is a first step in their professional or academic journey. In either case, the Bank of America gift reduces barriers to participation in this critical career pathway, and our community benefits from this linguistically skilled, culturally diverse, and extraordinarily dedicated talent pool.”
Shahpoor Motawakil is currently a student in the MCNA program. He came to the United States more than a year ago as a refugee from Afghanistan, where he previously worked as a doctor of radiology. Currently he is studying to become a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA).
Through Bank of America’s support, students, like Motawakil, receive the language and job training needed to support themselves and their families.
“I enjoy CWI’s education and teachers. They have been very supportive and have helped teach me the English language,” Motawakil said. “I hope to one day continue my career in radiology and become a radiologist again, but my main goal right now is to find a job so I can bring my family in Afghanistan to the United States. Thank you to Bank of America for helping make this one day possible.”
The grant is aligned to the bank’s broader efforts to help advance racial equality and economic opportunity through a $1.25 billion commitment over five years focused on health, jobs and reskilling, affordable housing, and small business.
To learn more about CWI’s Multicultural Nursing Assistant program, visit the Adult Education page on the CWI website or contact Trevi Hardy at trevihardy@cwi.edu. The next cohort of classes begins in March.
CWI Bookstore Collecting Donations for Nampa School
As a new school semester begins around the Treasure Valley, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Bookstore wants to help relieve some of the load for back-to-school purchases for a local elementary school. CWI Bookstore will be collecting donated school supplies through the end of January to support students at Central Elementary School in Nampa.
CWI Bookstore sees a high number of students and faculty members visit their location at Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC) as they get ready for the upcoming Spring semester. Bookstore Manager, Stephanie Walker, thought it would be a great idea to start a donation drive to present an opportunity for the entire CWI Community to purchase school supplies for younger students, as they buy supplies for themselves.
Supplies needed:
- Crayons, 24 Count
- #2 Pencils, 12 Pack
- Scissors 5" Kids - blunt/rounded
- Glue Sticks
- Loose Leaf/Filler Paper, Wide Ruled 100 sheets or more
- Eraser(s), Paper Mate® Pink Pearl
- Scissors
- Composition Notebook (no spirals)
- Pocket Folders
- School Supply Box / Pencil Box (Plastic or bag)
- Dry Erase Markers, Low Odor, Thin/Fine Tip, black, and one chisel tip
- Boxed Colored Pencils
- Highlighters, Assorted Colors
- Pens, Blue or Black
- 1" - 2" 3-Ring Binder
- Loose Leaf/Filler Paper, College Ruled 100 sheets or more
Used items cannot be accepted. Students may not utilize federal financial aid to purchase items to donate.
CWI Bookstore will also donate backpacks to fill up with the collected supplies to give to students at Central Elementary School.
Students, faculty, and staff are all invited to participate in donating items to the Bookstore’s drive.
Those interested in donating can purchase supplies from CWI Bookstore or drop off supplies at the Bookstore located at NMEC. Visit the Bookstore’s webpage for the latest days/hours of operation.
For those with questions or in need of more information, contact Stephanie Walker at stephaniewalker@cwi.edu.
Surber Named NACADA’s Region 8 Excellence in Advising — New Advisor
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Advisor, Callie Surber, who was named the National Academic Advising Association’s (NACADA) Region 8 Excellence in Advising — New Advisor.
Surber has been an Academic Advisor with the College since June 2021 and primarily works with students in the School of Social Sciences and Public Affairs. She comes from University of Wyoming (UW), where she worked as a peer advisor and was first introduced to NACADA. Through her courses and work as a peer advisor at UW, she discovered she wanted to continue to down this career path and help students in higher education.
“My Bachelor’s degree is in social work and I believe academic advising and social work are directly related which made this a great fit for me,” Surber said. “My favorite moments have been seeing the success of students I work with — big and small. Everything from graduation to passing an exam they were nervous about brings me joy. It is a privilege to be a witness to their successes and hear their stories.”
While only having been part of the College for the last year and a half, many of Surber’s colleagues agree she has already made a lasting impact on CWI. Director of Student Advising, Erica Compton, commends Surber for being able to establish strong connections with both faculty and leadership around the school. Surber is often included in program evaluations, curriculum feedback, and transfer partner requirements and has been offered the Social Work Club co-advisor position.
“Callie is just light, and it is reflected in her dealings with students, peers, and others in the community,” said Compton. “I am so glad she is formally being recognized for it. We appreciate Callie’s drive to learn more about the advising profession through NACADA. Thank you, Callie, for all you continue to do at CWI!”
“When I found out I received this award I felt grateful to my colleagues,” Surber said. “It is due to the kind words and time spent by my supervisors and two faculty members that I was nominated at all. I am very lucky to have their above-and-beyond support.”
NACADA is the leading association globally for the advancement of student success through excellence in academic advising in higher education. Surber will be honored at an upcoming region conference.
Spring into the Semester
With Spring 2023 semester approaching at College of Western Idaho (CWI), it presents a new opportunity for students to learn about life at the College, in and out of the classroom!
CWI Student Advising and Student Affairs are hosting Spring into the Semester, a two-day event that invites new and returning students to explore campus, learn about academic resources on campus, meet with advisors, faculty, and other students, and find out what else CWI has to offer.
DROP-IN ADVISING
Student Advising will be hosting a two-day drop-in advising event for students at Ada County Campus Pintail Building (APIN) Room 1207, Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC) Room 201, and over Zoom.
9 a.m. — 7 p.m.
10 a.m. — 4 p.m.
WELCOME BACK PARTY
Students can come out to CWI’s Ada County and Nampa campuses to explore the College’s resources and take a tour. Bring your friends and family, and enjoy some free burritos.
Ada County Campus Pintail Building (APIN) student commons
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC) lobby
To learn more about Spring into the Semester, contact Amber Eubanks at ambereubanks@cwi.edu. For those with questions or in need of more information about CWI Student Advising, contact academicadvising@cwi.edu.
Fall 2022 Facts at a Glance
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Fall 2022 Facts at a Glance is now available to view online. This annual publication provides a statistical overview of the College and is a valuable resource for learning more about CWI.
CWI provides amazing value to those seeking an affordable, accessible, high-quality education. The College serves more than 30,000 students each year and in turn, is fueling the economy with educated and highly-skilled employees. The competitive advantage students develop while attending CWI ensures they help advance the local and global workforce, find a sense of agency, and support economic viability.
CWI is extremely dedicated to its mission and believes staying committed to this mission provides a strong return on investment for all.
Hard copies of this year’s Facts at a Glance are available by contacting College Relations at communications@cwi.edu.
2022-2023 Winter Break Hours
College of Western Idaho (CWI) campus buildings and One Stop Student Services locations will be operating under special hours during the holidays and winter break, starting Dec. 17 through Jan. 16.
Campus buildings and One Stop Student Services locations will be closed on Dec. 23 – 26, Jan. 2, and Jan. 16.
One Stop Student Services Winter Break schedule:
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Closed
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Closed
9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
9 a.m. – noon
9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Closed
Winter Break Building Hours
7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
7 a.m. – 6 a.m.
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Closed
7:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Closed
7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed
7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Closed
7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed
7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Closed
Regular business hours will resume on Tuesday, Jan. 17.
Visit the Locations & Maps page for more CWI building information.
