CWI News – March 7, 2025
In the Spotlight
Idaho State Representative Clay Handy visited the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Automotive program to see how students are preparing for careers in the evolving automotive industry. Hosted by Automotive Department Chair JohnD Thompson and Instructor Brian Proehl, the visit highlighted CWI’s hands-on training in electric vehicle technology. Representative Handy had the opportunity to examine a Tesla battery removed by CWI students—a 1,000-pound, liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery with over 350 volts and 57.5 kWh of power.
President's Message
Greetings CWI Faculty and Staff,
I hope you are having a great spring semester.
Last week, I had the privilege of presenting to the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee to discuss our budget and highlight the impact our college has on students, our workforce, and our community.
Your dedication and passion were at the heart of that presentation. Whether in the classroom, in student support services, or behind the scenes, each of you contributes to the success stories that define CWI. We have a critical mission, and we need to continue to meet the needs of our growing community.
I also want to give a shout out to our Automotive Technology program for visiting the Capitol. Thanks to Alex Beal, Assistant Dean in Industry, Engineering & Trades, as well as JohnD Thompson, Department Chair of Automotive Service and Collision Repair, and the students. They all did it great job of sharing their passion for the program while showcasing a state-of-the-art Tesla we use to train students.
I can't say it enough: thanks to each of you for your commitment and exceptional work. Your dedication to student empowerment and your innovative spirit has enriched our learning environment and positioned us well for success.
Respectfully,
CWI in the News
Idaho Statesman: Boiseans have long awaited changes for this underdeveloped part of town. What happened?
KIVI: College of Western Idaho integrating AI literacy and AI tools for students
KTVB: College of Western Idaho launches AI Literacy Center
KTVB: Viewpoint: College of Western Idaho, featuring President Gordon Jones
News Highlights
College of Western Idaho Partners with GuardRailz AI to Enhance Student Learning
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) is taking a bold step into the future of education with an innovative partnership with GuardRailz AI, a local startup focused on responsible, educator-driven artificial intelligence solutions. This collaboration is set to transform the way faculty and students engage with AI, offering customized learning experiences that enhance comprehension, skill development, and AI literacy.
Unlike generic AI tools, GuardRailz AI empowers faculty to build course-specific AI assistants that align directly with their curriculum. These tools allow instructors to monitor student engagement, personalize learning, and guide AI usage responsibly within the classroom. For students, this means access to AI-powered resources that support their learning journey while helping them develop essential AI skills for the modern workforce.
“Artificial Intelligence is clearly a transformative advancement that will shape all our lives,” said CWI President Gordon Jones. “As a college dedicated to student learning, we strive to provide not only traditional knowledge but also the latest insights from emerging technologies like AI. We’re excited to lean into how AI can inform, educate, and advance the work of our students and faculty.”
Brian Jagger, Founder of GuardRailz AI, highlighted the platform’s unique advantage for educators.
"The key difference with GuardRailz AI is that it’s designed for educators first,” he said. “Other AI platforms give students access to a chatbot, but we built a system that puts faculty in control — allowing them to create AI-driven experiences that adapt to each student and align with coursework.”
Expanding AI Education at CWI
Beyond this partnership, CWI is making AI education a priority by launching new courses and resources that equip students and the community with the tools they need to thrive in an AI-driven world:
- Applied Associate Degree in Artificial Intelligence and Cloud Computing — A career-focused program preparing students for high-demand jobs in AI and cloud technology.
- AI Foundations Course — A one-month, non-credit course (developed in partnership with GuardRailz) designed to teach participants how to effectively use AI tools and write better prompts.
- CWI’s AI Literacy Center — Housed within the CWI Writing Center, this new initiative will serve as a campus-wide resource for AI support, education, and ethical discussions. Students can access guidance on AI policies, responsible AI usage, and strategies for integrating AI into their learning.
As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, CWI remains at the forefront, ensuring students are prepared to navigate and leverage this evolving technology.
For more information about AI at CWI, visit cwi.edu or email ai@cwi.edu.
CWI Alert - Nampa Campus Academic Building Road Detour
As part of the CapEd Student Success Center construction, the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) parking lot road (formerly Opportunity Drive), will be closed and traffic will be detoured.
This change will begin Monday, March 10 through Friday, May 16. Signage will be posted for access to NCAB parking. Valley Regional Transit (VRT) bus service will continue.
Please see map below and if you have any questions or concerns, please contact Facilities Planning and Management at 208-562-2354.
Visit CWI’s website to learn more about ongoing campus development projects.
HR Resources, One Click Away
College of Western Idaho’s Human Resource (HR) department is excited to announce the launch of the new HR SharePoint page! Designed with employees in mind, the new site makes it easier than ever to find the information and support you need.
The new HR SharePoint is organized into dedicated sections for each area of HR — including benefits, compensation, employee relations, learning and development, Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS), and workers’ compensation — so you can quickly navigate to the right resources without searching through multiple links. Whether you need to update benefits, find information on performance management, or explore professional development opportunities, everything is now in one easy-to-access place.
This update reflects our commitment to providing a better user experience for team members across the College. We encourage you to explore the new site and see how it can help you get the information you need, when you need it.
Visit the new HR SharePoint now!
An Event-Full March at the CWI Entrepreneur Lab
March is packed with events hosted by College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Entrepreneur Lab, designed to spark your entrepreneurial spirit and equip you with valuable knowledge. Get ready for a month filled with exciting opportunities to learn, connect, and grow your business!
Idea, Set, Go
Have a new business idea but unsure where to start? Join our Idea, Set, Go cohort! Over 4 weeks, we’ll help you validate your business idea through experiments and research to determine if it’s ready for launch. Don't spend valuable time and energy without a solid plan—let us guide you to success!
Next-Level Accelerator
Already have a business in motion? Take it to the next level with our Next-Level Accelerator. This 8-week program will provide you with the tools and support to refine your value proposition, dig deeper into your business’s details, and execute hands-on experiments that’ll elevate your business to new heights.
First Steps
Wednesday, March 12
Noon – 1 p.m.
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, Room 100B
Register for First Steps
Ryan Stewart will be our featured speaker this month. He’s a seasoned entrepreneur from Middleton, Idaho, who has built a diverse business portfolio, including a franchised tire shop, car washes, and a Moxie Java franchise, all while balancing family life with his wife and three sons.
Business Basics
Wednesday, March 19
3 – 4 p.m.
The Idaho Hispanic Community Center
Register for Business Basics
Christina Reyes will deliver her presentation titled, “Empowering Minority Entrepreneurs: Access to Financing and Support for Minority Business Owners.” In it, she will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing minority entrepreneurs, focusing on access to financing and community support.
Field Trip: Unbound at Meridian Library
Friday, March 21
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Meridian Library – Unbound
Register for the Field Trip
Join us for this exciting field trip to Unbound at Meridian Library where we explore cutting-edge tools and skill workshops on marketing, coding and business.
Don’t miss out on these incredible opportunities to learn, connect, and grow your business! Stay tuned for more updates and details on upcoming events.
Smith Wins 2025 Connections Project Logo Contest
College of Western Idaho (CWI) student Megan Smith’s artistic vision will take center stage at this year’s Connections Project. Smith, a Studio Art student, was selected as the winner of the 2025 Connections Project Logo Contest, an annual competition inviting students to create a design representing CWI’s annual academic and creative showcase.
Smith, who earned her first Associate of Arts degree in Studio Art from CWI in 2024, is currently working toward a second Associate of Arts degree in Elementary Education. She plans to transfer to Boise State University (BSU) to complete a bachelor’s degree. When she learned about the contest through art classes, she saw it as an opportunity to challenge herself.
“In at least two of my classes we had the option to submit something for extra credit,” Smith said. “I did it for the class at first and didn’t think too much about it, but then an idea popped into my head, and I got excited.”
To develop her concept, Smith explored the Connections Project website and consulted with her professor, April Vandegrift. She was inspired by the event’s mission to highlight student talent across disciplines.
“My original idea featured a plant with leaves and people climbing them,” Smith shared. “After working through different concepts with my professor, we decided this version was the strongest.”
A passionate artist from a young age, Smith enjoys working with oil paints and charcoal but has recently explored digital and graphic art. She found creating the winning logo to be a satisfying experience and a new way to express her creativity.
For Smith, CWI has been an ideal place to pursue her education.
“I’ve been paying for college out of pocket and taking as many classes as I can each semester,” she said. “CWI was the best option for me in high school, even compared to other schools that offered scholarships. I’m sad to leave soon because it’s been such a great experience.”
The Connections Project, set to take place in spring 2025, celebrates student achievements in research, creative work, and innovation across multiple disciplines. The annual showcase invites students, faculty, and the community to explore and engage with CWI’s vibrant academic and artistic community.
Smith’s logo will serve as the official branding for the event, appearing on promotional materials, event signage, and more.
Visit the Connections Project page for more information and to learn how to participate.
