CWI News – June 30, 2023

Ten College of Western Idaho (CWI) students took their talents to the 2023 Skills USA National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, and represented the school well. From June 19 - 23, CWI students competed in seven different competitions and brought home five medals – four bronze and one silver. Additionally, three CWI students received Skill Point certificates which are given only to students who achieve a threshold score defined by the industry associated with their competition.

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. CWI students competed in seven of these competitions; Automotive Refinishing, Electronics Technology, Internetworking, Power Equipment Technology, Mechatronics, Welding Fabrication, and Welding Sculpture.

Competitions CWI students competed in at NLSC

• Jessica Tilford — Automotive Refinishing, fourth place and Skill Point certificate
• Martin Kay — Electronics Technology, third place and Skill Point certificate
• Sarah Ives — Internetworking, second place
• Kiel Skaggs, Cameron Vaughn, Jordan MacDonald — Welding Fabrication, third place
• Ben Morgan — Power Equipment Technology, ninth and Skill Point certificate
• Michael Hertel and Malachi Pender — Mechatronics, sixth place
• Cambridge Ward — Welding Sculpture

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.

Sarah Ives, CWI’s silver medalist in Internetworking, said, "simply being able to compete at NLSC was an honor, but placing second in the nation was the cherry on top of this incredible experience."

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, Kelly McDaid, at kellymcdaid@cwi.edu.

Through its resources and equipment, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Law Enforcement program helps provide officers and students with the technical skills and operational knowledge in tactical medical (TAC-MED) training to save lives. The College offers unique equipment no other agency in the region has, which has become critically important in this life-saving training. The opportunity to train on this technology and the expertise of CWI's instructors, not only benefits students but has inspired officers from around the state to travel on to campus for this certification, they will then be able to train those on their team, helping save lives in their own communities. 

CWI’s hemorrhaging mannequin is a $52,000 piece of equipment that simulates someone who has multiple wounds on their body from a shooting or an explosion and is bleeding out different limbs. Trainers can control the bleeding on the mannequin through a phone application. The equipment gives students hands-on training on what to do and how to handle a real-life situation.

Students are instructed to assess the mannequin all over the body for different injuries and perform the correct life-saving measures, such as tourniquets, applying a chest seal to a chest wound, managing the airway, and more. At the same time, a simulated chaotic scene goes on around them like emergency vehicles’ lights and sirens going off and sounds of gunshots and screams.

The program uses a female mannequin. According to Law Enforcement Program Director, LeRoy Forsman, some estimates indicate that females may be up to 80% more likely to die in combat because of male combat medical personnel who did not properly assess the injured female’s body for fear of being inappropriate. The mannequin is designed to look like a female, so students can overcome that worry and not miss a life-threatening injury.

During the week of June 5, CWI’s Law Enforcement Program hosted 10 Idaho Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) student instructors for a five-day TAC-MED training course. New trainers were able to utilize the mannequin and gain skills and an understanding to then instruct field officers around Idaho on the skill set of recognizing, assessing, and treatment of life-threatening injuries.

“POST really values our relationship with CWI, it is such a huge benefit. This TAC-Med training is a great program,” said POST Regional Training Manager, Jeff Sklar.

“Because of this type of training, we have seen several law enforcement officers save lives here in the Treasure Valley,” Forsman said.

The mannequin was purchased with money from a Perkins V grant, which aids opportunities for Career and Technical Education in Idaho. Forsman has plans to apply for another grant to increase the capacity of training classes.

Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Enrollment Counselor, Maria Zavala, who was named the College’s Staff of the Month for May 2023.

Zavala works alongside CWI’s One Stop Representatives to help a student begin life at the College. She is an expert at helping students navigate through the admissions process, providing information about the different programs CWI offers and applying for financial aid. Zavala also often visits local high schools, Southwest Idaho Juvenile Detention Center, Idaho State Correctional Institution, and community events and gives tours to share information about the College with prospective students.

Prior to CWI, Zavala worked the night shift at an assisted living facility. She credits her brother, Jesus, who is a former employee, for encouraging her to kick-start her CWI journey and come back to school to finish her Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts. Once she was at CWI, Zavala become a Presidential Ambassador and found out about an opening as a One Stop Representative at Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, her first position at the College she began a year ago.

Her favorite memories at CWI are being able to help students. Whether it is helping those apply for school and seeing the relief on their faces once everything is completed, to witnessing a student’s joy after letting them know their school expenses will be covered by scholarships.

Zavala also shares great memories of life with her coworkers at the College because of their encouragement and dependability.

“CWI is a great place to work because of my co-workers from the Admissions and Enrollment teams,” said Zavala. “One Stop has continued to be my rock in supporting me and motivating me to be my best. The Enrollment team has welcomed me with open arms and through storytelling we have all built a strong bond and deeper understanding of each other.”

Those who work alongside Zavala hold her in high regard because of her strong dedication, willingness to go above and beyond, and positive attitude toward her duties. Assistant Director of Admissions and Recruitment, Jamie Barajas-Zepeda, said Zavala has become one of the easiest employees he ever supervised in his 20 years of experience supervising employees.

“Maria is an individual who has lots of heart and is very passionate about any student’s education, family, and culture,” said Barajas-Zepeda. “Maria is one of those individuals who always has a winning attitude and embraces all challenges especially those which encourage collaboration amongst students, staff, and faculty.”

Zavala truly enjoys working at CWI and continuing to work alongside those who have a passion for helping others and changing lives.

“Because of CWI I was able to earn my degree, which many thought I wouldn't accomplish. I have been able to switch careers, doors have opened, and I have made genuine connections and have the best friends I could ever imagine,” Zavala said. “Ranging from department to department I know I can rely on them to lift me during the hard times and celebrate the good times. CWI has truly changed my life.”

Originally from Malta, Idaho, Zavala is the youngest of four children. Her parents immigrated from Mexico to the United States to give her and her siblings, “the American dream.”

Outside of the College, Zavala enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching television shows, and exploring Idaho’s beautiful scenery, like going to hot springs, camping, and hiking to waterfalls.