CWI News – May 19, 2023
President's Message
Greetings Faculty and Staff,
As we wrap up the semester, I invite you to watch this video message focused on my appreciation to all of you for your hard work and dedication in completing another successful semester!
I hope you all enjoy some time off with family and friends this summer and get a chance to recharge.
Respectfully,
News Highlights
More than 1,700 Honored at 14th Commencement
Families and friends came together Friday, May 12, to honor the bold achievements of the more than 1,700 College of Western Idaho (CWI) graduates. CWI’s 14th Commencement Ceremony, held at ExtraMile Arena in Boise, celebrated graduates as they embark on a new chapter in their lives.
“It is exhilarating to witness the electricity in this room, to witness the power, passion, and purpose of you, the graduates, who have toiled valiantly, to reach this hallmark moment in your lives: graduation,” said Vice Chair of CWI’s Board of Trustees, Cherie Buckner-Webb. “I feel the energy, excitement, and pride in this place. I honor your sacrifice and preparation.”
“I see before me men and women from a wide range of disciplines, with a multiplicity of perspectives and expertise, ready to build communities where all can flourish. It’s an amazing time in Treasure Valley!”
The 2022-2023 academic year saw 1,763 CWI students graduate from the College, ranging in age from 17 to 75 years old, and earning 1,911 degrees and certificates. Other highlights included:
- 603 Graduates with Honors
- 302 Graduates with Multiple Degrees
- 111 Veteran Graduates
- 3.277 Average Graduate GPA
- 251 Apprenticeship Graduates
- 47 Associate of Arts Degrees Awarded to Dual Credit Students
- 41 GED Graduates
The success of this year’s graduating class prompted remarks from Idaho State Board of Education President, Dr. Linda Clark. She reinforced the message to graduates they are ready for what comes next in life, thanks to the education and resources they received at CWI.
Clark urged graduates to continue to support higher education in the future.
“Support the College through its programs and outreach,” she said. “Share your success story at CWI with others. Let them know the life-changing differences that post-secondary training and education make in one’s life. Your continued personal commitment and support for education will make it possible for others to enjoy access to the world of opportunities that your CWI education has opened for you.”
CWI President Gordon Jones shared his immense pride and gratitude to be able to have been witness to the graduates’ hard work and dedication. The stories of the thousands of students who attend CWI to better themselves and those around them are what move him.
“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.”
Stories like Liberal Arts graduate, Megan Hall, who was identified at an early age as hard of hearing, inspire Jones.
At Commencement, Hall shared about herself and how asking for help had always been one of her biggest struggles in life. She was often met with belittlement or rejection every time she reached out for assistance — that was until she came to CWI and interacted with faculty and staff.
Through accommodations at the College, Hall felt academically engaged like never before and she could see new possibilities that had once been too far out of reach. Hall said her experience at CWI gives her hope for other students who share similar stories to her, and for those who need other types of support.
“For some of us, we are continuing our education, others are ready to start their careers, and some have just completed what was necessary to further a career they are already in,” Hall said. “Nonetheless, CWI has given us a basic foundation to further our aspirations. I will take these experiences with me as I continue to reach for my goals and hope you all do as well.”
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.”
‘You are the Frontline of Healthcare’: 2023 Nurse Pinning Ceremony
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Registered Nursing program celebrated and honored its 2023 graduating class during a pinning ceremony at the Nampa Civic Center Thursday, May 11. Graduates were surrounded by family, friends, and their support systems as they marked the end of a chapter in their lives and began a new one.
Kicking off the ceremony, Department Chair of Nursing, Allison Baker, welcomed and congratulated graduates for getting to this point in their education and careers. She explained the ceremony gives faculty the chance to not only acknowledge the graduates’ hard work and perseverance over the last few years but to recognize them as peers in the field of nursing.
“Congratulations to each one of you. Nursing school is tough, and you did it,” said Baker. “The long hours of studying, practicing skills, and preceptorship have culminated into this moment. Your faculty and I are extremely proud of you for forging ahead and successfully completing this program. The determination and flexibility you’ve demonstrated during this time will serve you well into your careers.”
Following Baker, graduates and guests heard remarks from CWI Provost Denise Aberle-Cannata, Adjunct Faculty and CWI Nursing alumna, Jessica Watson, and graduating Nursing student, Cayla Butler.
Butler shared memories over the last two years, from the stress of applying and being accepted into the program to their early morning clinical times in their final semester. She thanked her and her fellow graduates’ loved ones and faculty for their support through it all.
Lastly, Butler shared her appreciation for “the best cohort ever.” While they may have started this journey as strangers, she is proud and happy to call them lifelong friends with whom she shared incredible memories with.
“It has been a privilege to do nursing school with this exceptional group of people,” Butler said. “Now that we have officially documented the last two years, we can officially say that we’ve done it. Congratulations Class of 2023!”
The ceremony then honored graduate, Stephanie Opper, as the winner of the 2023 Nightingale Award. Opper was nominated by classmates for depicting the best of the nursing profession in knowledge, professionalism, ethical behavior, compassion, and dedication.
Faculty then transitioned into the pinning portion of the ceremony, which symbolizes the nursing graduates’ hard work and dedication toward their education and profession. Forty-five graduates were honored during the pinning ceremony.
Upon the conclusion of the pinning, faculty, graduates, and guests held a moment of silence in remembrance of student, Margie Lluellyn, who passed away. Lluellyn began the Nursing program in 2021 with this year’s graduates.
Faculty then honored graduates with the traditional candle lighting portion of the ceremony. It commemorates Florence Nightingale, also known as the “lady of the lamp,” which referred to how she would carry a lamp at night to make rounds on the injured soldiers during the Crimean War.
“The lighted lamp came to symbolize a nurse’s dedication to caring for patients’ needs,” said Nursing Faculty, Jen Mimish.
To conclude the ceremony, Nursing Faculty, Balenda Snow, reminded graduates of the importance of the role nurses play in the lives of others.
“You are the frontline of healthcare,” Snow said. “You are the ones who will provide comfort, support, and hope to patients and their families in times of some of their most vulnerable and darkest moments. The wise Maya Angelou once said, ‘As a nurse, we have the opportunity to heal the mind, soul, heart, and body of our patients. They may forget your name, but they will never forget how you made them feel.’”
WATCH: 2023 Nurse Pinning Ceremony
Applications for CWI’s Registered Nursing program are open through Friday, May 19. For more information on the application process and requirements, please visit the Registered Nursing page, or contact Allison Baker at allisonbaker2@cwi.edu or 208.562.2307.
Ceremony Honors 2023 Law Enforcement Graduates
Class 12 of College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Law Enforcement program was honored during a ceremony Wednesday, May 10, at the Nampa Civic Center.
Program Director, LeRoy Forsman, began the evening by welcoming in Nampa Police Department Pipes and Drums and graduates into the ceremony and leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Forsman then shared his appreciation to program leadership, staff, and instructors, past and present, for making the program such a success.
Following Forsman’s welcome, graduates and guests heard from CWI Provost Denise Aberle-Cannata, who applauded the students’ dedication, hard work, and commitment that got them to this moment.
“Before I came here, I looked up Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s definition of ‘Hero,’” said Aberle-Cannata. “It’s a person noted for courageous act or nobility of character. I would say everyone sitting here today meets that definition.”
Forsman approached the podium again to celebrate the students’ success and academic achievement over the last year. He shared words of encouragement and reminded students things do not always go the way people think they should or the way people plan for them to go — that is just the average day of being a police officer.
“The big lesson that you may or may not fully appreciate yet is the importance of flexibility and adaptability,” Forsman said. “This will be a critical piece in your policing career. Many of you have learned that you will need to continue learning to be thicker-skinned, but I implore you to achieve that without sacrificing even the slightest bit of humanity.”
Graduates were presented with completion certificates, challenge coins, and awards for top achievements:
- Top Shooter – Holland Ahern
- Top Driver – Travis McQueary
- Top Academic – Alexandra Crane
Forsman then led the graduates through the Law Enforcement Code of Ethics, which ensures that all peace officers are fully aware of their individual responsibilities to maintain their own integrity, and that of their agency.
At the time of the Law Enforcement Ceremony, 11 out of 15 of Class 12’s students were either hired or in the process of being hired with several agencies around the Treasure Valley, such as Caldwell Police Department, Garden City Police Department, Mountain Home Police Department, Parma Police Department, Ada County Sheriff’s Office, Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Payette County Sheriff’s Office, and the Idaho Department of Corrections.
To conclude the ceremony, Forsman left graduates with one more thought.
“We talk about the three E’s: ethics, empathy, and energy, and now I’ll leave you with the three ‘Be’s.’ First of all, be smart. Be smart with your life, your training, your career, your money, your love. Be smart and make good choices. Second, be courageous. Although you’ll be dealing with difficult situations — do the right thing every time, and you’ll be fine. Ultimately it might be an unpopular decision that you make, but you will have to face yourself every morning in the mirror. Third and above all, the biggest ‘Be’ is just to be nice. Take care of each other. How much better would this world be if we treated each other just a little bit better, just a little bit nicer? Congratulations, Class 12. Welcome to the family, you’re dismissed.”
WATCH: 2023 Law Enforcement Ceremony
Applications for the Fall 2023 Law Enforcement program are now open through June 30. Entry into this program is highly competitive, and a limited number of spots are available. To apply for the program, please visit the Law Enforcement program page. For those with questions or in need of more information, please contact LeRoy Forsman at leroyforsman@cwi.edu.
Palmer Named May 2023 Faculty of Distinction
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) English Department Chair and Professor, Joy Palmer, who was named Faculty of Distinction for May 2023!
Palmer has been part of the CWI community since Fall 2009, where she has since taught various classes such as English 101 (ENGL 101), Persuasive Writing (ENGL 201), Introduction to Shakespeare (ENGL 235), and much more.
For Palmer, teaching is a way for her to continue to learn — something she hopes to never stop doing. Whether it is from her students and what they are able to bring into the classroom or through assignments or from her colleagues around the College who share their time and resources with her. She also acquires knowledge every day through her job by reflecting on her own teaching and other work and seeking out information to help continue to better herself.
“I think even more importantly, I've learned so much about how I want to be in the world by seeing so many people, such as students, faculty, and staff, who are so remarkable and inspiring and caring, and they push me to be better,” Palmer said. “I teach because it is the most rewarding thing I've ever done.”
Approaching 14 years at CWI, Palmer chooses to continue to teach at the College because it provides affordable, accessible education to everyone — no matter their background. She also enjoys working alongside the faculty and staff who are dedicated to that mission, and supporting students working toward their educational goals.
“We talk about students learning how to learn, and I absolutely believe that is something we do and something of enormous value,” Palmer said. “But I think, more importantly, we help students bring their own expertise into the course content — to see themselves as people with something valuable to say. My goal is for students to leverage what they're already good at and find ways to transfer those strengths to new situations. If they make excellent TikToks, then they know about audience and genre, and those things are key to being a successful communicator in and out of academic settings.”
Being able to see students succeed and blossom in what they love is what fuels Palmer. One of her favorite memories at the College has been teaching and working alongside CWI alumna, Ana Karen Arizmendi.
“Ana Karen never chose easy topics or angles, but she was committed to doing excellent work; she dug deep for research, made multiple revisions to better meet audience expectations, and produced one of the most unique essays I've seen in 18 years teaching first-year writing,” Palmer said.
Palmer believes through the College she is able to help empower students to achieve their goals and help them become lifelong learners.
That love for teaching and helping students grow in their talents does not go unnoticed among Palmer’s peers. CWI Arts and Humanities Dean, Justin Vance, calls Palmer “professional” and “respectful,” and commends her ability to adapt to any environment to maintain focus on student success.
“Her work impacts not only the English department but the entire institution,” said Vance. “Of great significance, Joy is the leader of perhaps the largest department at CWI and performs that duty at the highest level. Largely due to her leadership and successful delegation of duties to her supervisees, about 70% of students complete a college-level English course within one year of enrollment.”
Outside of the classroom, Palmer enjoys spending time with her husband, Zeb, her eight-year-old son, Ian, and their Goldendoodle, Ruby.
She also likes to spend her free time knitting, crocheting, hiking, fishing, and reading (some of her favorite genres are science-fiction, fantasy, and romance). For the last four years, she has been taking music lessons for several different instruments such as violin, ukulele, piano, and guitar.
Wilkett Named March 2023 Staff of the Month
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) One Stop Student Services Representative, Miranda Wilkett, who was named Staff of the Month for March 2023!
Wilkett is one of the first people students meet when they are applying and registering for classes at CWI. She helps answer community members’ and students’ questions about a wide array of subjects including Admissions, Registrar, student accounts, Financial Aid, Workforce Development, and much more. She knows a lot of the information students are looking for and can point them in the right direction to get even more answers.
Helping students each day are some of Wilkett’s favorite moments working at the College. She enjoys being able to connect with and encourage those looking to take classes at CWI and help start them on their higher education journey.
“On those days I always go home with a big smile on my face," Wilkett said,
Wilkett has been part of the CWI community since Fall 2017 when she enrolled at the College as a Business student. That following semester, she was presented with an opportunity to become a Work Study for One Stop and begin helping others who are interested in enrolling at CWI. Since then, she has been able to transition to part-time and then full-time work for CWI’s student services.
“After being a Work Study and seeing all the amazing work our school does, I knew I wanted to work here. My values align with CWI's, and I am grateful to be a part of helping students achieve their goals.”
With a way to give back to the community, help others, and work alongside positive people who share her same values, Wilkett truly enjoys what she does for a living.
“The community CWI has built is unlike anything else. I love showing up to work every day and talking to my coworkers and the students. The environment is overwhelmingly positive.”
Those in One Stop feel similar about Wilkett — describing her as a positive light who is always ready to help others when needed. Most recently, she stepped up to assist with training and even took over some of the responsibilities of their floor lead while they were away.
“She is so kind and knowledgeable about our services and deadlines,” said One Stop Representative, Jazlyn Escamilla. “You can always count on her for any questions you may have. Even if she has other tasks to complete, she is always willing to help to best serve the students. She knows how to lighten our day with her sense of humor and offers so much care in making sure we're all doing well throughout the day. She is greatly appreciated!"
Through CWI Wilkett has been able to earn her Associate of Arts in Business degree and has made lifelong memories and friends.
Wilkett was born and raised in Canyon County. She currently lives in Caldwell with her family and two dogs. Outside of school, Wilkett enjoys spending time with her family, especially her nieces and nephews, hiking, camping, going to the gym, or playing video games.
In addition to her degree at CWI, Wilkett recently earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Boise State University.
13 CWI Faculty Receive Promotions
Thirteen College of Western Idaho (CWI) faculty members hold new faculty rank titles of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor. Like most colleges and universities, four full-time faculty ranks exist at CWI which include the previously mentioned titles as well as Instructor.
"It is with great pride that President Jones and I announce the promotion and rank of these faculty members, whose passion and commitment to CWI will continue to empower our students to reach their full potential,” said CWI Provost, Denise Aberle-Cannata. “Please join me in celebrating the exceptional achievements of our faculty members, who have reached this milestone.”
In addition to demonstrating excellence in teaching, institutional engagement, and professional development, faculty members must be recommended for promotion. Prior to applying for Associate Professor, faculty must teach for three years at the College as an Instructor, four years as an Assistant Professor before applying for Associate Professor, and five years as an Associate Professor before applying for Professor.
Amy Vassar – Spanish
Sabina Omair – Health Professions
Greg Wilson – Integrated Studies
The new title ranks are effective August.
We congratulate these faculty members on their well-deserved promotions. This achievement is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and talent. The College is proud to have them as members of our faculty.
Idaho Center and Cherry Intersection Closed for Summer
Heads up for those traveling to College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Nampa Campus locations this summer! The Idaho Center Boulevard and Cherry Lane intersection will be closed starting Tuesday, May 16 to construct a new multi-lane roundabout.
Throughout the project traffic will be detoured around the area (see detour map attached), to intersections such as Ustick Road and Idaho Center Boulevard or Franklin Road and Idaho Center Boulevard, however local access to residential properties and businesses around the project will be available.
The City of Nampa identified this as a priority project for regional connectivity and to increase capacity through the intersection. In addition to a roundabout, the project will also include enhanced pedestrian crossings, connection for future pedestrian pathways, street lighting to illuminate the roundabout and crossings, and installation of new stormwater facilities.
For those who travel through the Idaho Center and Cherry intersection, please plan accordingly. This project is anticipated to be finished by early September 2023.
For those with questions or in need of more information, you are asked to contact the City of Nampa at 208.465.2221 or projects@cityofnampa.us.
2023 Summer Hours
College of Western Idaho (CWI) campus buildings and One Stop Student Services locations will be operating under special hours during the summer between Monday, May 15, and Friday, Aug. 18.
One Stop Student Services Summer Hours:
Monday – Thursday
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Friday
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Summer 2023 Building Hours:
Ada County Center Pintail Building
Monday – Thursday
7:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Ada County Center Mallard Building
Monday – Thursday
7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Friday
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Ada County Center Quail Building
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Ada County Center Lynx Building
Monday – Friday
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Monday – Thursday
7:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Friday
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Nampa Campus Academic Building
Monday
7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tuesday – Thursday
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Friday
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Nampa Campus Administration Building
Monday – Friday
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building
Monday (through June 12)
8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tuesday – Friday
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center
Monday – Thursday
7:00 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Friday
7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday
7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Nampa Campus Multipurpose Building
Monday – Friday
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday
Closed
Visit Locations & Maps for up-to-date One Stop Student Services and campus building hours.
