CWI News – June 14, 2024
President's Message
I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy some time off, relax with family and friends, and return refreshed as we kick off the summer semester this week. I am told that summer enrollment is up. Thank you to our enrollment staff and our teaching faculty for creating what looks like will be a very successful summer term!
This week, we had the pleasure of hosting members of the State Legislature's Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee (JFAC) on our campus. We were able to include them in a live teaching demonstration, introduce them to faculty and select programs in our Micron Education Center, show off the progress on the new Health & Science Building, and discuss our accomplishments and challenges serving this community. It takes a small army to prepare and execute an event like this and I deeply appreciate the hard work and dedication from our team, including faculty and staff from Welding, Automotive Technology, Law Enforcement, Mechatronics, Marketing & Communications, Audio Video, Operations, and the President's Office. This visit was an excellent opportunity to showcase the vital role CWI plays in preparing students for successful careers and contributing to our community's growth.
Once again, thank you all for all that you do on behalf of CWI.
Sincerely,
CWI in the News
Idaho Press: 'This is therapeutic to me': College of Western Idaho, Interfaith Sanctuary partner to offer construction class
KTVB: CWI partners with Interfaith Sanctuary to provide construction classes for the homeless
Idaho Education News: Lawmakers get a glimpse into CWI’s growth — and the challenges that come with it
Idaho Capital Sun: Lawmakers get a glimpse into CWI’s growth — and the challenges that come with it
Idaho Capital Sun: As Idaho revenues fall short, hopes for another big budget surplus dwindle
Idaho Education News: Is Launch reaching a new group of graduates? It’s possible
Idaho Education News: In-depth: After a year of uncertainties, the summer of Launch begins
CBS2 IdahoNews: Nonprofit continues supporting Idaho foster youth through woodworking with $50k grant
News Highlights
CWI Tutoring Achieves New International Tutor Training Certification
The Learning Commons is excited to announce that the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Tutoring and Writing Center team has been awarded certification as a Level 2 tutor training program by the internationally recognized College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). CRLA has been a leader in learning assistance and academic support programs for over 30 years and offers more than 2,000 certified training programs worldwide.
Last year alone, CWI served students in almost 9,000 appointments — 1,500 were outsourced to Upswing tutors while our own CWI tutors completed 7,500 — earning a stellar rating of 4.9 out of 5 from students based on their experiences with CWI tutors. Supporting the students we serve, and training tutors with the caliber of expertise to do what they do well, are the brick and mortar in the Learning Commons mission. We dig deeply into how to help students persist and succeed, and we train tutors to set into motion an engaging, impactful support environment that’s made for helping students cross the finish line. With CRLA’s backing, we’re taking student support to the next level.
Tutoring leadership have worked hard to evolve our tutor training program, and obtaining advanced certification was a multi-year process that involved building systems for tutor selection, training, direct service, and evaluation. Designed by our leadership team, CRLA 2 training is comprised of an online course as well as in-person workshops. We cover a range of topics, from multiple teaching strategies to needs assessments and durable skills — a breadth that speaks volumes about the professionalism and expertise CWI’s academic support service is proud to uphold.
"CRLA's standards are high and the certification process is rigorous, so this is a notable achievement!” says Kim Reed, Dean of Learning Commons. “Be sure to high-five any tutoring staff you see on campus.”
Learn more about CWI’s Tutoring Services and the Writing Center at the link below.
Don’t Wait! Register Now for CWI Summer Camps
Do you have a middle or high school student that’s passionate about computing, cybersecurity, and STEM? College of Western Idaho (CWI) has a range of fun and engaging summer camps that help kids level up their technology skills, but spots are filling up fast. Here are the details you need to know!
Micron Chip Camp
Dates: June 24 – 26
Time: 9 a.m – 3 p.m.
Location: Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC)
Age(s): Students in Grades 6 and 7
Cost: Free — breakfast, lunch and snacks provided
Sponsored by the Micron Foundation, Chip Camp is a no-cost day camp filled with hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) activities so students can see and experience what engineers and scientists do at a semiconductor company.
You can find more about Micron's global Chip Camp program by visiting Micron.
Cyber Summer Camp
Dates: July 22 – 26
Time: 9 a.m – 3 p.m.
Location: Ada County Center Pintail Building (APIN), room 1425
Age(s): High school
Cost: $200 per student
This week-long, daytime event is aimed at teaching high school students the basics of computing, cybersecurity, and information technology through a hands-on, fun, and engaging experience. Students will learn about CWI Dual Credit opportunities, Cyber Blue Teams, operating systems, gamified cybersecurity education, and computer hardware.
Raspberry Pi Summer Camp
Option 1: July 8 – 12
Option 2: July 15 – 19
Time: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Ada County Center Pintail Building (APIN), Room 1425
Age(s): High school
Cost: $200 per student
The week-long event is aimed at high school students and will be focused on teaching the basics of computing and cybersecurity through hands-on experience using Raspberry Pi's. Students will learn how to build a Raspberry Pi and about Programming, Circuit Design, and Cyber-Physical Systems.
Raspberry Pi Summer Camp – Option 1 Raspberry Pi Summer Camp – Option 2
For additional information about CWI summer camps, contact Sara Hoyt, Cyber Defense Center Director at sarahoyt@cwi.edu or 208.562.2553.
Graduates Celebrated at the 2024 CWI Commencement Ceremony
Families and friends came together Friday, May 10, to honor the perseverance and achievements of more than 1,700 College of Western Idaho (CWI) graduates. Held at ExtraMile Arena in Boise, CWI’s 15th Commencement Ceremony celebrated graduates as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.
“Graduates, you have pushed yourselves, worked hard, and uncovered the potential within you,” said Chair of CWI’s Board of Trustees, Molly Lenty. “Today, we celebrate your achievements and look forward to the incredible future that awaits you.”
“I'm reminded of one of Idaho’s most celebrated athletes, Picabo Street. As an Olympic skier, she demonstrated exceptional courage, perseverance, and determination. Her story is a testament to the extraordinary things that can happen when we set our sights high and pursue our dreams with passion.”
The 2023-2024 academic year saw 1,478 CWI students graduate from the College, ranging in age from 17 to 76 years old, and earning 1,798 degrees and certificates. Other highlights included:
- 594 Graduates with Honors
- 229 Graduates with Multiple Degrees
- 100 Veteran Graduates
- Average Graduate GPA 3.215
- 277 Apprenticeship Graduates
- 40 Associate of Arts Degrees Awarded to Dual Credit Students
- 41 GED Candidates
The success of this year’s graduating class prompted remarks from Idaho State Board of Education Executive Director, Matt Freeman. He reinforced the message to graduates they are ready for what comes next in life, thanks to the education and resources they received at CWI.
Freemen emphasized the positive impact and far-reaching effects of earning a college certificate or degree.
“Education is foundational to the future of our state, communities, and families. I want to personally thank each one of you and your families for the tremendous personal and financial sacrifices made to earn a credential of value that sets you up for success.”
CWI President Gordon Jones shared his immense pride and gratitude to be able to have been witness to the graduates’ hard work and dedication.
“Today, we celebrate not just your academic achievement but also your resilience and determination,” he said. “We are a community college. Community is at the heart of what we do, and we are defined by those of you whom we serve.”
"Today marks both an ending and a beginning. It is the culmination of years of hard work, late nights, and countless exams, but more significantly, it is a journey you took into the unknown when you started at CWI — a journey where you soared to new heights and found success.
Before Commencement came to a close, Jones reminded graduates they are not just walking away with a degree or certificate, but with the power to shape their own future."
“You have the tools, the knowledge, and the skills to take on whatever challenges come your way,” Jones said. “Whether you choose to continue your education, enter the workforce, or pursue other passions, you have the ability to make a difference in the world. You are not alone, and you now have a community that supports you every step of the way.”
CWI Students Garner Multiple Awards at National Business Professionals of America Conference
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) chapter of Business Professionals of America (BPA) attended the annual BPA National Leadership Conference in Chicago, Illinois.
6,500 students, ranging from middle school- to college-level and from around the globe, participated in competitions and service events, with CWI students demonstrating business and information technology skill proficiency — gained from CWI’s Career and Technical Education programs. Nine students from CWI participated, eight of whom achieved top ten finishes in multiple competitions.
Business Professionals of America is a career and technical student organization providing opportunities for students to progress in and expand their professional and technical skills, giving them opportunities not provided simply by obtaining a degree. The College's local chapter is guided by advisors from the Computer Science and Information Technology department, Seth Akers (Assistant Professor, Network Administration) and Linda Otto (Professor, Cybersecurity).
Students achieved the following awards:
First Place
Connor Betz – Computer Network Technology
Ben McCoubrey – Device Configuration and Troubleshooting
William Young – Information Technology Concepts
Second Place
Ken Blankenship – Server Administration using Microsoft
Ken Blankenship – Network Administration using Cisco
Third Place
Cody Ibarra – Server Administration using Microsoft
Andrew Toombs – Intermediate Word Processing
Andrew Toombs – Basic Office Systems & Procedures
Connor Betz – Device Configuration and Troubleshooting
Top 10
Cody Ibarra – Computer Security
Cody Ibarra – Computer Network Technology
Cody Ibarra – Information Technology Concepts
Connor Betz – Device Configuration and Troubleshooting
Connor Betz – Information Technology Concepts
Ken Blankenship – Linux Operating System Fundamentals
Ken Blankenship – Administrative Support Concepts
Reese Murphy – Intermediate Word Processing
Reese Murphy – Basic Office Systems & Procedures
Stanley Ward – Server Administration using Microsoft
Stanley Ward – Linux Operating System Fundamentals
Stanley Ward -Information Technology Concepts
William Young – Linux Operating System Fundamentals
William Young – Computer Security
William Young – Administrative Support Concepts
William Young – Computer Network Technology
Students Receiving Industry Certifications as Part of Competitions:
Cody Ibarra
Connor Betz
Ken Blankenship
Ben McCoubrey
Reese Murphy
Andrew Toombs
William Young
