CWI News—June 25, 2021
News Highlights
CWI Introduces Microsoft Teams
Microsoft is phasing out Skype for Business on July 31, and College of Western Idaho's (CWI) IT team will be launching Microsoft Teams as a replacement.
The College will be using Teams, an all-in-one collaboration and communication solution, integrating chat (IM), online meetings, and calling – the IT team will be rolling out additional features for Teams in the future. Over the coming weeks, CWI will shift to Teams as our primary chatting solution. Until then, you will have access to both Teams and Skype for Business, enabling you to get comfortable with Teams while retaining the familiarity of Skype for Business.
How can I use Teams to chat with others?
- Send a chat to any contact in your Outlook contact list or Skype for Business, even when they are offline
- Initiate and participate in group conversations to quickly share ideas
- Make and receive calls anywhere, anytime and across devices
- Insert memes and giphys, making communication fun and interactive
- Capture and share an image with contacts quickly for simplified sharing of visuals
- Access persistent conversation history to easily pick up a conversation at any time
Expected timeline:
- June 28 – Teams will be available for download. You will need to either be on campus or using VPN in order to install. See FAQ 255 if you have never configured your VPN. Communication will come out on June 28 with more details.
- June 28 - July 31 – Get comfortable using Teams while still having the capability of using Skype. You will only be able to utilize Team chats with others who have also downloaded Teams.
- July 31 – Skype for Business functionality for all users will be shut off.
As with all communications at the College, messages sent on Microsoft Teams are subject to Idaho’s Public Records Law.
Learn more about chatting in Teams by reviewing the Microsoft Quick Start Guide or by attending a live training. An email was sent on Monday, June 28, with more information about downloading Microsoft Teams.
Wildland Fire Training
Fifty wildland fire recruits spent the week of May 24 at College of Western Idaho (CWI) training and learning new skills to battle fires this summer.
The Southwest Idaho Fire Training (SWIFT) program is a partnership between the National Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the Idaho Department of Lands.
Students spent the first two days in the classroom learning the fundamentals of fighting wildland blazes. The classes were held in lecture halls that featured new technology purchased from CARES Act funds to optimize the learning experience.
On Wednesday, May 26, the students completed five stations at the College’s Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) to get hands-on experience with fire shelters, fire engines, and tools to quickly dig fire lines.
“I love doing this training. It is super rewarding, and this group is very engaged,” said Chris Weaver with Bureau of Land Management, who helped run the training.
Monica Hulse, who will join a BLM Boise District fire engine crew, paused while inspecting a fire engine with classmates in the parking lot of NCAB.
She added, “It’s been great – our group has been asking a lot of good questions, so it makes me feel good about the team I’m working with.”
The recruits wrapped up the week of training with a practice burn near Idaho City before they joined their fire crews throughout the state for a busy summer.
Ankeny Named Staff of the Month for May
Congratulations to Tami Ankeny, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for May 2021. Ankeny is a Student Success Advisor for Enrollment and Student Services and has been with the College since 2019.
“I have spent much of my professional career in higher education,” Ankeny said. I love being in an academic setting and being a part of the growth and transformation students experience during college. CWI offered me the opportunity to do that in a new way as an advisor and in a new setting as a part of the community college model with a more diverse student demographic.”
As a Student Success Advisor, Ankeny provided support, guidance, and advocacy in order to help students reach their academic and professional goals.
“During my short time here, I have found CWI to be student-centric and innovative with a distinct mission that seeks to provide the best possible services to meet the individual needs of students. In Enrollment and Student Services we operate with a ‘one student at a time’ philosophy. This mentality helps me remember each student’s story and experience is essential to understand and take into consideration as I advise and support them.”
In addition to helping students and celebrating their achievements, Ankeny is also proud of her work with the College’s Culture and Employee Engagement Committee creating Employee Wellness Challenges.
“Tami has been going above and beyond this past year to create a series of monthly health challenges for employees,” said Courtney Santillan, Dean of Social Sciences and Public Affairs. “The high level of results are a testament to her expertise and deep passion for helping others succeed. What started as an idea has become a true outlet for so many as we find ourselves working in solitary situations. Tami's efforts have created a way for so many of use to engage in something positive and keep ourselves healthy! She has done a TON of work and we applaud her for this level of dedication.”
Ankeny grew up on a farm outside of Homedale, Idaho. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Outdoor Recreation from Asbury University in Wilmore, Kentucky, and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, she spent 20 years in Portland, Oregon, before moving back to Idaho to be closer to family. Much of her spare time revolves around planning her next outdoor excursion – the next of which she has left her position at CWI to pursue.
“Over the past two years, I have been working on my pre-requisites for an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. This past spring, I began applying for programs. I am still waiting to hear back from some of my top choices of schools, so until we know more, my partner and I have decided to hike the Idaho Centennial Trail this summer. It is definitely bittersweet to be leaving CWI, but I am excited about my future endeavors!”
Welker Named Faculty of Distinction for May
Congratulations to Joe Welker, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for May 2021. Welker is an Associate Professor of Accounting and has been teaching at the College for over a decade.
“I am passionate about the content I teach,” he said. “I teach for my students. I enjoy inspiring, mentoring, and giving them opportunities they might not have had prior to taking my courses. I love celebrating my students’ successes – it is inspiring!”
“Joe cares about the success of his students,” said his student, Tanya Coles. ”I appreciate his willingness and ability to help students when needed making sure each student understands the material. He is, hands down, the best professor I have ever had!”
In addition to teaching at CWI, Welker has a master’s degree in Accountancy and has been practicing public accounting for 15 years. His professional experience in and out of the classroom has allowed him to provide real-world advice to his students as they pursue careers or transfer to other institutions.
“Professor Welker has a wealth of knowledge and current expertise in the accounting field,” said student, Erin Christophel. ”He is passionate about teaching his students and helping them in their college career and beyond. He is one of those professors a student learns a lot from during their time in class.”
“CWI empowers students to succeed,” said Welker. “Because of CWI, the Treasure Valley is a better place with more access higher education. With this access, students become college graduates and have the opportunity to change their lives.”
Outside of teaching, Welker enjoys spending time in the outdoors hiking, biking, snowboarding, or golfing. He is the Assistant Varsity Coach of the Centennial High School Mountain Bike Team and Head Coach for a YMCA/AAU basketball team.
Workforce Development Announces New Streamlined Registration System
College of Western Idaho’s Workforce Development (WD) is excited to announce a new, streamlined registration process for students to quickly find and enroll in WD and Basic Skills Training at the College.
“We offer a wide variety of skills-based courses for those starting in a new field including healthcare, tradesman apprenticeships, and manufacturing,” said Tyler Brown, Director of WD Operations. “We regularly upgrade our programs to offer more convenient access to content, providing students a better experience as they gain the qualifications they need to begin a new career.”
Classes offered through WD and Basic Skills Training are an excellent way for students to increase their knowledge, and quickly gain the skills to obtain employment and apprenticeship training or retrain for new opportunities. There are more than 30 short-term, credit-free programs to choose from, ranging from eight hours to four years to complete. Visit the College’s WD website to learn more about offerings.
If you have questions, please email wd@cwi.edu or call 208.562.2700.
Joan Smith Announces Retirement
One of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) founding staff members, Joan Smith, has announced her retirement at the end of June. A Senior Assistant in the Library, Joan has been at the College since it opened.
“For over twelve years, Joan has served the college with dedication, enthusiasm, and humor," said Learning Commons Director, Kim Reed. "While much of her work has happened behind the scenes, the impact of her million little interactions with students, faculty, and staff has been tremendous. From getting laptops into students' hands to delivering obscure research documents to our faculty, Joan has shown a tireless commitment to our Library and College. While we wish her the best in her retirement, she will be deeply missed at CWI."
Faculty and staff are invited to join a celebration in her honor on Tuesday, June 29, at the Nampa Campus Multipurpose Building Library from 2 to 5 p.m.
