CWI News – March 21, 2025

This year, College of Western Idaho (CWI) faculty from the Studio Arts program, including April VanDeGrift, Goran Fazil, and Eric Mullis will have their work featured in installations throughout the 2025 Treefort Music Fest, taking place across downtown Boise, ID March 26 – March 30.  Their work will be featured as part of the “Back Rooms” pop-up installation series tucked into the hidden corners and forgotten edges of the festival.

These liminal spaces, created by collaborative teams of artists, are immersive experiences designed to elicit wonder, grant rest, and baffle on-lookers as they enjoy the extensive programing and live music. “Back Rooms” features experiences crafted by artists Kelly Cox, Eric Mullis, Annette Isham, Becky Blue, April VanDeGrift, and Goran Fazil.

CWI Students enrolled in the Studio Arts capstone course including Jessica Fisher, Dally McEwen, Isabel Dominguez, and Kaleb Belknap have been awarded assistantships through a competitive application process and will be participating in the “Back Rooms” pop-up installation series. Studio Art student Kaleb Belknap is also a featured musician at the fest with his band Ghost Beach.

You can check out the “Back Rooms” pop-up installation series and Ghost Beach at the following venues and times:

Back Rooms
Wednesday, March 26 – Sunday, March 30
Shrine Social Club 4 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Modern Hotel 4 - 9 p.m.
Lost Grove Brewing 12 - 9 p.m.

Ghost Beach
Thursday 3/27
The Shredder 6 - 6:40 pm

Ready to take your retirement savings to the next level? In 2025, you can contribute even more toward your financial future with updated limits for 401(k), 403(b), and 457(b) plans. The annual contribution limit has increased to $23,500 — $500 more than last year. If you’re 50 or older, you can take advantage of an additional $7,500 catch-up contribution, helping you save even more. And here’s a bonus: employees ages 60 to 63 are now eligible for a “super catch-up” contribution of up to $11,250.

What's New:

• Beginning April 1, 2025, Fidelity Investments will be a new record keeper option for the 457(b) plan. To enroll, complete the Voluntary Retirement Enrollment Form.  

Why Participate?

These voluntary retirement plans are a flexible way to invest in your future — on your terms. All employees are eligible, including part-time employees (excluding student employees), and you can change your contribution amount at any time throughout the year. While employer matching isn’t available, the real power lies in starting early and contributing consistently.

A Few Reminders:

• Contribution limits are shared between 401(k) and 403(b) plans.
• All employees are eligible to participate, including part-time (excluding student employees).
• Contribution amounts can be adjusted any time during the year.

Explore CWI's Voluntary Retirement Plans and start saving today!

Questions? Contact Human Resources Benefits at hrbenefits@cwi.edu or 208.562.3287.

Faculty at College of Western Idaho (CWI) hosted their annual Professional Development Day at the Nampa Civic Center. This year’s theme focused on “AI in Higher Education: Being the Humans in the Room,” with interactive workshops designed to equip faculty with practical AI integration strategies. Organized by the College’s Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL), the event provided faculty with opportunities for collaboration, professional growth, and celebration of achievement.  

Keynote Presentations: Thoughtful AI Integration 

Joel Gladd, Department Chair of Integrated Studies, opened the day with “Digital Learning at CWI: Where are We?” Gladd examined AI’s impact on faculty roles, course design, and industry alignment. “Many faculty are eager to explore how AI can challenge students to be more critical thinkers, enhance productivity, and create new learning opportunities,” Gladd noted. “We see AI enabling faculty to develop resources they previously couldn’t, like custom apps and websites without coding. That’s truly incredible.” Gladd explained that CWI is committed to providing resources and training for faculty to leverage these tools effectively. 

Liza Long, Associate Professor of English and Idaho State Board of Education Generative AI in Higher Education Fellow, followed with “Course Design and Academic Integrity with AI,” sharing best practices for AI integration. Long emphasized embedding ethical discussions into coursework, using AI to refine assignments, and designing assessments that push students beyond AI-generated content. “AI should be used to augment human work, not replace it. We need to think intentionally about when — and whether — to introduce AI into our courses,” Long stated. 

Interactive Workshop: Leveraging AI for Faculty 

Jillana Finnegan, Executive Director of Strategic Products, led “Make AI Work for You,” helping faculty identify instructional and administrative tasks AI could support. Participants discussed task prioritization, comfort levels with AI integration, and concrete steps for departmental adoption.  

Recognizing Faculty Excellence 

The event also honored faculty achievements based on student nomination, with Greg Wilson, Assistant Dean of General Education, presenting the 2025 General Education Outstanding Instructor Awards: 

• Leslie Schwartz-Leeper, Adjunct Instructor of English – GEM 1: Written Communication 

• Johnny Rowing, Associate Professor of Communications – GEM 2: Oral Communication 

• Cathy Carson, Professor of Mathematics – GEM 3: Mathematical Ways of Knowing 

• Emily McIntier, Instructor of Chemistry – GEM 4: Scientific Ways of Knowing 

• Sean Gould, Adjunct Instructor of Philosophy – GEM 5: Humanistic and Artistic Ways of Knowing 

• Chris England, Assistant Professor of Political Science – GEM 6: Social and Behavioral Ways of Knowing 

• Aurora Mehlman, Instructor of Adult Education – CWI-101 Outstanding Instructor Award 

Wilson highlighted “These awards recognize the important work that General Education instructors do every day, delivering hundreds of sections with high-impact practices and equipping more than half of our students with durable skills each semester.” Recognized faculty will be considered for statewide General Education awards in the fall by the Idaho State Board of Education. 

Open Education Resource (OER) and Faculty Senate Recognitions 

OER Creation Award 

• Michal Yadlin, Assistant Professor of Humanities and Coordinator of Honors Program 

• Karen Brown, Adjunct Instructor of Art 

OER Impact Award 

• Jim Gatfield, Department Chair of Communications 

• Johnny Rowing, Associate Professor of Communications 

OER Sustainability Award 

• Joel Gladd, Department Chair of Integrated Studies 

Faculty Senate President, Abby Wolford, recognized Senate officers and members for their contributions, including Janel Holt, Professor of Spanish; Lynne Tucker, Assistant Professor of English; Tom Turco, Adjunct Instructor of Health Sciences; Gary Heller, Assistant Professor of Biology; Michal Yadlin, Assistant Professor of Humanities; Christian Purvis-Aldrich, Composition Coordinator of English; and Annie Estvold, Department Chair of Social Work. 

2025 Innovation in Action Awards 

Courtney Colby Bond, CTL Dean, announced the Innovation in Action Award winners for instructional excellence based on faculty voting: 

• Enhancing Student Learning with AI and Digital Innovation: Bryan Krouse, Assistant Professor of Geography, From Syllabus Q&A to Exam Prep: Leveraging AI Chatbots for Online Learning. 

• Advancing Student Engagement and Classroom Community: Dan Garrity, Instructor of Marketing, What’s Wonderful: The Question That Turns Your Classroom into a Learning Community. 

• Transforming Learning Through Active and Experiential Strategies: Jen Mimish, Associate Professor of Nursing, and Balenda Snow, Simulation Faculty of Nursing, Escaping Ordinary Learning: Using Gamification to Enhance Clinical Decision-Making. 

• Reimagining Assessment and Creative Student Work: Mari Harris, Instructor of History, Beyond the Research Paper: Creative Projects for Historical Inquiry. 

Reflecting on his award, Garrity remarked, “The most rewarding part is knowing that my colleagues valued my efforts to create a classroom community and a sense of belonging for students. Learning thrives in an environment where people feel they matter.”  

Additionally, Social Sciences and Public Affairs won the school-wide Innovation in Action trophy for the highest faculty participation.  

Looking Ahead 

CWI faculty left Professional Development Day 2025 inspired to explore AI’s potential while ensuring human connection remains central to education. CTL will continue supporting faculty via Zoom during drop-in hours on Friday’s. Liza Long, Associate Professor of English, is also available on Wednesday evenings.  

For more information, faculty can visit the CTL SharePoint site or contact ctl@cwi.edu.