CWI News – July 25, 2025
In the Spotlight

The Idaho Lottery presented a $75 million dividend check to Governor Brad Little for the State of Idaho at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) on July 15, supporting education and infrastructure projects across the state, including improvements at College of Western Idaho. Following the check presentation, Gov. Little and other dignitaries were led on a tour of the College’s soon-to-be-completed Health & Science Building by CWI President Gordon Jones and Planning and Construction Director, Aaron Whitman.
CWI in the News
Boise Dev: Nampa, CWI answer questions on possible Idaho Center transfer
Boise Dev: Nampa to discuss public vote on Idaho Center transfer, funding
KBOI: Snake River Stampede responds to potential new Ford Idaho Center ownership
KTVB: Kling: Transfer will give Ford Idaho Center a chance to shine
Idaho Press: Idaho Lottery dividend presented at CWI; $75M is 3rd-largest total in lottery history
Idaho Press: Nampa and CWI talk Ford Idaho Center transfer
Idaho Education News: Lottery pays out $75 million dividend for state buildings, school funding
News Highlights
CWI Students Medal at National SkillsUSA Championships
Twelve College of Western Idaho students took their talents to the 2025 Skills USA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia from June 23 – 27, bringing home four medals – two gold and two bronze.
SkillsUSA is a nonprofit organization serving middle school, high school, and college students. In partnering with students, teachers, and industry, the organization works to provide a skilled workforce in America. Competitors who win gold in their state competitions have the opportunity to compete in The National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC). NLSC gathers over 16,000 attendees from all over the country with students competing in 110 different competitions. For the first time, CWI took part in the Web Design and Development event and students Ryan Posey and Matthias Barnes each earned bronze medals.
Gold Medal
- Tony Ha – Telecommunications Cabling
- Zyen Logan – Internetworking
Bronze Medal
- Ryan Posey – Web Design (Team)
- Matthias Barnes – Development (Team)
Also attending from CWI
- Ashton "Nyxx" Little – Mechatronics
- Autumn Harvey – Collision Repair
- Cody Toone – Computer Programming
- Eli Escobar – Power Sports
- Frank "Frankie" Ramirez – Welding Sculpture
- Gavin Thompson – Diesel Equipment Technology
- Irma Parks – Mechatronics
- Paula Bingham – CNC Machining
Also in attendance was CWI Alum Jessica Crowley, who graduated from the the Collision Repair Technology program and won both Silver and Gold medals while a student. Crowley remains active in SkillsUSA and runs the Spot Repair sections at both the State and National competitions.
Additionally, Meridian Technical Charter School brought home the gold medal for the High School division, and Dennis Technical Education Center brought home a bronze medal for Idaho in this competition. Both schools are educational partners of CWI.
When students were not competing, they were welcome to partake in various workshops, browse the vendor expo, and watch other competitions. This provided chances for students to build connections with others from across the country and network with potential future employers.
Congratulations to all of the CWI students who provided such a strong presence at NLSC this year! To get involved in SkillsUSA, reach out to CWI’s Skills USA Advisor, James Groat, at jamesgroat@cwi.edu.
Summer Bridge Sparks Passion for Skilled Trades and Technology
This summer, 22 high school juniors from across the Treasure Valley stepped into the world of Career and Technical Education (CTE) during College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) CTE Summer Bridge Program. Held annually, the weeklong event offers students a unique opportunity to explore in-demand careers, gain hands-on experience, and make lasting connections — all before their senior year of high school begins.
Students were divided into two learning tracks based on their interests. Track one introduced the students to hands-on training in Automotive Technology, Powersports and Small Engine Repair, Collision Repair Technology, Heavy Equipment Technician, Heavy-Duty Truck Technician, and Machine Tool Technology. Track two focused on Cisco Networking and Security Technologies, Drafting Technology, and Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology. Each program area provided interactive, skills-based learning in state-of-the-art labs, guided by CWI faculty and staff.
In addition to career exploration, students visited CWI’s Entrepreneurship Lab to learn how to turn ideas into business ventures and attended workshops hosted by the College’s Work-Based Learning Center, Admissions, and Financial Aid teams to help them plan their future educational pathways.
"The Summer Bridge Program is more than just a peek into CTE programs — it's about equipping students with experiences that help them envision their future," said Denise Aberle-Cannata, CWI Provost.
Students also had plenty of opportunities to build friendships and team skills through a series of challenges and icebreakers, including Tug-of-War, the Hula Hoop Pass, a Rock Paper Scissors Showdown, and a Balancing Nail and Circuit Board STEM challenges.
The week also included exciting industry tours to Micron, Lyle Pearson Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Dealership, and Greyloch, giving students a firsthand look at local employers and the real-world application of the skills they explored.
To wrap up the event, students gathered for a celebratory BBQ, DJ-hosted dance party, and volleyball game. The program concluded with remarks from Provost Aberle-Cannata and a Dual Credit presentation to help students understand how they can earn college credit while finishing high school.
The CTE Summer Bridge Program is designed to inspire students to pursue education and careers in high-demand, high-wage fields, while supporting their transition from high school to college.
Start Your Journey with CWI’s Apprenticeship Open House
Join us to explore in-demand careers and training available through College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Workforce Development's Electrical, HVAC, and Plumbing Apprenticeship programs. The Apprenticeship Open House is a great opportunity to talk with instructors, students, and employers, ask questions, and learn more about a career in these in-demand fields.
APPRENTICESHIP OPEN HOUSE
Tuesday, Aug. 5
5 – 7 p.m.
Canyon County Center (CYNC), Room 152
Apprenticeship programs at CWI allow students to earn a living while completing training in their desired careers. Classes are taught online and in-person, providing flexibility as students learn the skills for today’s workforce. Once students complete their apprenticeship program, there are multiple areas of focus that they may choose in each industry.
These four-year apprenticeship programs prepare students for the journeyman test to become a licensed Electrician, HVAC Technician, or Plumber. Students will learn and work with industry experts inside and outside the classroom for on-the-job training.
For those with questions or in need of more information about the Open House or Apprenticeship programs, please contact 208.562.2700 or wd@cwi.edu.
Electrical Apprenticeship HVAC Apprenticeship Plumbing Apprenticeship
CNA Program Receives Grant to Boost Hands-On Learning
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Workforce Development Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program has received a $21,659 grant from Capital Matrix to enhance the program’s training capabilities. This award will fund the purchase of advanced simulation equipment, including life-like nursing skills manikins, giving students access to realistic, hands-on learning experiences designed to prepare them for the demands of today’s healthcare settings.
The CNA program plays a vital role in addressing the growing demand for skilled caregivers in long-term care and hospital environments, especially as the Treasure Valley’s aging population contributes to a rising need for chronic disease management and long-term care services. With this new grant funding, the program is set to grow both in reach and impact.
“Students benefit tremendously from training with the same kind of equipment used in modern clinical environments,” said leadership from CWI’s Workforce Development team. “This support from Capital Matrix allows us to elevate our curriculum with high-quality manikins and simulation tools that make learning more interactive, more engaging, and more effective.”
These manikins will allow students to practice a wide range of skills including activities of daily living, use of personal protective equipment, and caregiving techniques — critical competencies required in assisted living and hospital settings. The equipment is expected to boost student confidence, engagement, and certification pass rates, ultimately helping more students transition directly into the workforce.
Beyond enhancing student outcomes, the grant will also allow CWI to build towards offering more CNA course sections throughout the year, training more students and supporting the region’s growing healthcare workforce needs. The timing was especially ideal as the College prepares to expand its healthcare offerings with the opening of its new Health and Science Building.
Capital Matrix, a nonprofit certified development company based in Boise, supports economic development across Idaho by partnering with small businesses and organizations to fund projects that contribute to community growth. Their investment in CWI’s CNA program reflects their ongoing commitment to building stronger communities through targeted, impactful support.
This new investment in simulation training represents a major step forward for healthcare education at CWI, offering students a clear path from certification to career in a field that continues to grow in need and opportunity.
Ready to start your career in healthcare? Learn more and apply to CWI’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program
CWI Students Help Bring “Hearts Across the Valley” to Campus
A colorful new heart sculpture is now on display at College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), part of the community-wide “CBH Hearts Across the Valley” public art initiative presented by CBH Homes.
Hearts Across the Valley is a celebration of local artists, businesses, and public spaces throughout Idaho. The project aims to spark joy, encourage exploration, and highlight the creativity and unity that exists across the Treasure Valley. From Caldwell to Boise and beyond, dozens of unique heart sculptures are now on display, each one designed to inspire connection and showcase local talent.
CWI’s “Heart” was painted by a group of student artists, many of which are in the Studio Art program. The sculpture represents both their creative expression and their pride in contributing to a larger community effort. Student contributors include Ellie Wilson, Thordis Boeker, Dally McEwen, Isabel Dominguez, Megan Smith, Crow Hardin, Kaleb Belknap, Judas Ivey, Izack McMillan, Marcus Hernandez, Nalani Roberts, and Avery McDonald.
“I visited Kansas City over a year ago, when I saw their Parade of Hearts and how loved they were by the community, I knew we had to do it here,” said Ronda Conger, Vice President of CBH Homes. “At CBH, we believe that love wins, and CBH Hearts Across the Valley is our way to say thank you and give back to this amazing place we call home.”
CWI is proud to join schools, businesses, and cities throughout the region in participating in this creative showcase. The heart sculpture at NCAB serves as a reminder of the power of collaboration, the importance of public art, and the value of student voices.
Visitors to campus are invited to stop by the west side of NCAB to see the sculpture in person and take part in celebrating the hope, unity, and creativity Hearts Across the Valley represents.
Cultivated Success: How CWI Helped Ramiro Villafana Grow His Future
As a young boy who immigrated from Guanajuato, Mexico, to Idaho at the age of 10, Ramiro Villafana quickly learned the value of resilience and hard work. The transition wasn’t easy, despite coming to the United States legally with his family — learning English, adapting to a new environment, and navigating the unfamiliar world of American schools often left him feeling isolated.
“I would rather spend time in the bathrooms at lunch because I had no one that I knew or that I could understand,” he shared. But through it all, his parents’ unwavering belief in the power of education served as his guiding light.
After high school, Villafana enrolled at Boise State University to study Mechanical Engineering. But life had other plans. As he started a family in his third year, balancing school, work, and parenting became increasingly difficult. Ultimately, he made the choice to step away from college and return to a familiar trade — landscaping.
“Working as an adult and having gained discipline from life’s responsibilities, I found myself getting better at what I was doing day by day,” he recalled.
That work eventually blossomed into entrepreneurship. Alongside a few partners, Villafana co-founded Luxury Lawn Care, a landscaping company dedicated to quality and service. Around the same time, he was ready to return to school — this time with a clear purpose. He enrolled in the Horticulture Technology program at College of Western Idaho (CWI).
“I chose the Horticulture Technology program because I became part owner of a landscape company, and I wanted to excel my knowledge to provide accurate information to customers,” said Villafana.
Through courses in soil science, irrigation, plant health, and landscape design, he gained not just technical expertise, but the confidence to position himself as a true professional in the field.
“Anything that I learned I was able to use almost right away in my company.”
Villafana’s passion for the outdoors runs deep.
“What I am most passionate about is being outside and providing a connection back to nature for all of our customers,” he explained. “I like that I can be a mediator of nature and people. Connecting with nature is very important, and having a professional knowledge thanks to CWI gives me confidence that I can go as far as I want to go.”
Earning his degree took nearly four years of part-time study while working full-time and raising four children. Studying science in a second language presented its own set of challenges, but late nights and the support of his wife helped him persist.
“My goal of being a role model for my kids when they go to college kept me going,” he said.
Villafana credits his professors, particularly Casey O’Leary, for helping him succeed.
“She built me up to become a better and more confident person,” he said.
Now a proud graduate, Villafana continues to grow Luxury Lawn Care with the skills and knowledge gained at CWI. His advice to students just beginning their journey is simple but powerful: “Always do assignments no matter how big or small they are because everything counts at the end.”
A unique opportunity presented itself for Villafana in 2024. As work steadily progressed on CWI’s new Agricultural Sciences Complex, Luxury Lawn Care found itself bidding for a contract to complete irrigation systems and more for the student-designed Arboretum — a primary feature of the Complex’s landscape design and located at the northern entrance of the College’s Nampa Campus.
They won the contract.
For Villafana, education wasn’t just a stepping stone — it was a transformation. With roots planted firmly in knowledge and a future cultivated through passion and perseverance, he’s blooming in every sense of the word.
Ready to grow your future in horticulture? Learn more about the Horticulture Technology program at CWI.
Idaho Lottery Supports CWI and Idaho Campuses with $75 Million Dividend
College of Western Idaho (CWI) recently played host to a celebration marking 36 years of the Idaho Lottery and its impact on education and infrastructure across the state. During the ceremony, Idaho Governor Brad Little accepted a $75 million dividend check on behalf of the people of Idaho, underscoring the Lottery’s continued investment in public education and college campus improvements.
This year’s $75 million contribution is the third largest in the Idaho Lottery’s history. Funds from the dividend are now being used to pay down voter-approved bonds and levies, helping to reduce property taxes for Idahoans while supporting educational infrastructure statewide.
“Equally important, Lottery dividends provide critical resources for our infrastructure of state-owned buildings, the bulk of those being on our college campuses,” said Governor Little. “Lottery dividends are paying down bonds and levies at a record pace, reducing taxpayer burdens to provide quality education for our youth.”
At CWI, this investment is already making a visible difference. As noted by Idaho Lottery Director Andrew Arulanandam, the CapEd Student Success Center currently under construction on campus is a real-world example of how these funds are being put to work.
“Today’s dividend announcement, and this past year’s achievements during a difficult, but improving economy, are the result of smart work from a dedicated team of professionals at the Idaho Lottery,” Arulanandam said. “The results can be seen in projects like the CapEd Student Success Center.”
In total, the Idaho Lottery’s 2024 dividend includes $46.8 million designated for public education and $28.1 million for the Permanent Building Fund. Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield emphasized how these dollars enhance safety and integrity across educational facilities.
“The direct impact that these improvements can make on the experiences that students and staff have in our schools cannot be understated,” Critchfield said. “We’re grateful to the Idaho Lottery Commission for making this contribution possible.”
For colleges like CWI, these investments go beyond brick and mortar — they help shape environments where students can thrive.
Following the check presentation, Gov. Little and other dignitaries were led on a tour of the College’s soon-to-be-completed Health & Science Building by CWI President Gordon Jones. With three new facilities under construction across CWI’s campuses, generous support from the Idaho Lottery and others continue to pave the way for quality and affordable education for Idahoans.
Win Big with CWI at the Canyon County Fair
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to continue its tradition of community involvement as a proud sponsor of the 2025 Canyon County Fair. As the title sponsor of the CWI Show Ring, the College is honored to support this long-standing local event celebrating agriculture, entertainment, and community spirit.
Fairgoers are invited to stop by the CWI Show Ring on Friday, July 25, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to enter to win a $1,000 CWI SCORE Big scholarship and CWI apparel. This is a great opportunity to see this year’s livestock shows, learn more about the College, connect with CWI representatives, and discover how we can help you achieve your educational goals.
In addition to on-site activities, CWI is giving the community a chance to win admission and concert tickets to this year’s fair through giveaways on the College’s social media channels.
Visit CWI’s social channels to stay up to date on all the excitement happening, and learn how you can join in the fun!
HR Updates
New Hires / Position Changes
- Nathan Newton – IT Systems Administrator, Information Technology
- Sunday Adah – Entrepreneur Lab Engagement Representative, Strategy & Operations
- Jennifer Weddel – Market & Program Analyst, Employer Education, Strategy & Operations
- Karla Cardenas Siano – Sr. Coordinator, Student Accounts, Business Office
- Dominic Martinez – Specialist, Lab Materials, Horticulture, Science, Technology, and Math
Employment Opportunities
Employees can access Internal Job Postings or visit Careers at CWI to view all external listings. Upon application submission, you will receive a confirmation email. If you do not receive an email, check your "Junk/Spam" folder, then email recruiter@cwi.edu to verify receipt of your application.
Note: This is the official communication newsletter for the College. Content is driven by contributions gathered from all areas of CWI. If you have news you would like to submit for this, please use a Marketing Help Desk ticket.


