CWI News—May 6, 2022
President's Message
I hope you are all having an excellent end to your week as we begin finals. On Wednesday, I had a fantastic time during Grad Fest at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. It was great to see so many students picking up their cap and gowns, signing up to win merchandise, and sharing their ‘Why’ for CWI – it was truly a fun celebration. I had a chance to talk with several students and hear their inspiring stories. I cherish opportunities like this to be on campus and meet first-hand those who have entrusted us with their future.
We have one week left until Commencement, so let’s finish the semester strong and get through finals week as we continue to celebrate CWI next Friday at ExtraMile Arena during graduation.
On an administrative note, I am pleased to announce we have named an Interim Vice President of Finance who will be joining College of Western Idaho to lead our Business Office and financial operations. William “Bill” Reuter will be starting Monday, May 9, and is excited to bring his ability to provide added value through his years of experience and expertise in higher education financial and administrative operations. Bill understands the unique dynamic of serving in an interim position and appreciates the importance of someone in this role supporting the needs of the team and the College. Bill believes in a strong work ethic and is confident his extensive history in college finances and strategic financial planning will allow him to hit the ground running with a minimal learning curve during this five to six-month interim period.
Please join me in welcoming Bill to CWI and onto campus this next week. I thank you for doing your part to assist in his onboarding and support our Business Office through this transition.
See you next Friday if not before the big graduation day!
News Highlights
Graduates Get the Party Started at Grad Fest
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Class of 2022 graduates kicked off the countdown to graduation with a good time and great food during Grad Fest, May 4, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building. With more than 200 people in attendance, this long-awaited in-person event provided a perfect opportunity for graduates to celebrate with their friends, family, and classmates.
The event featured food from BIG Daddy’s Barbeque, a photo op courtesy of Alpha-Lit, clothing consultations and coupons from Macy’s, giant yard games, music and a DJ provided by Rocky Mountain Roll, merchandise from the CWI Bookstore, giveaways, a grand prize drawing for an iPad, and more.
Final Mascot Survey Now Open
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is gearing up to introduce the College’s first mascot, the otter, and needs your help!
The mascot development phase began in January with a survey allowing students, faculty, and staff to share their input and opinions on the characteristics of the new mascot. This was followed by a second survey, launched this spring, seeking input on the mascot name. Thank you to all who have participated up to this point. Feedback gathered was helpful and insightful.
Finalizing development of the CWI Otter, the College is now opening up feedback on the name and design concepts to the entire CWI community. Tell us what you think about the Otter’s name and look by Friday, May 27!
Communication Showcase Inspires Conversations for Change
An eclectic evening centered around how communication can make the world a better place was created and hosted by students from Associate Professor of Communication, Johnny Rowing’s, Multimedia Storytelling (COMM 261) class Thursday, April 28, at College of Western Idaho's Canyon County Center. Presented with help from Rowing’s Mass Communication (COMM 271) and Audio Production (COMM 269) students, the evening was just the right mix of beauty, weirdness, sadness, and joy making a memorable impression on all in attendance.
Students were challenged to build a showcase applying the technical skills they learned throughout the semester to share their joys, passions, and unique perspectives. Difficult issues related to war, refugees, racism, domestic violence, and mental health were addressed through presentations encouraging the audience to create change by starting conversations.
“This showcase highlighted the best of everyone's creativity and skills,” said student, Allison Hoashi. “For such a large range of mediums, I'm thrilled the night still felt cohesive. I'm blown away by my peers' courage and vulnerability in tackling some heavy and nuanced topics. I think the showcase handled the evening with the gravity and professionalism these topics deserved while still leaving people feeling challenged and hopeful. The showcase left me feeling elated and moved.”
“It has been a joy to watch students work collaboratively to address important issues that can be positively impacted by communication,” said Rowing. “Students generated artifacts in a wide variety of ways. Among these were stop-motion animation, podcasts, public service announcements, readers' theater, photography, logo design, scriptwriting, songwriting, etc. Their courage in sharing their messages and art with others is inspiring.”
Give to Support Students
The College’s open enrollment period for benefit-eligible employees is up on us! The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation would like to remind faculty and staff about the opportunity we all have to support students through employee giving.
Since 2011, employee giving has raised more than $200,000 in support of students and programs at the College. So far this academic year, employee giving contributions have reached nearly $10,000. Now is the perfect time to review your current giving status and payroll deductions. Not only are your donations tax deductible, they are an investment in the people, programs, and ideas that strengthen our community.
“As staff, I don’t always have a direct connection to students,” said Director of User Services, Mark Westcott. “Giving is a personal way to know I’m directly impacting a student’s life in a positive way.”
“I give because I believe in the mission of CWI and how it helps students,” said Director of Adult Education, Jac Webb.
Whether you choose to give to Greatest Needs, CWI Foundation scholarships, the SCORE Big Scholarship, Wishing Well Fund, a specific program, or want to create a scholarship of your own – your donations directly support student success opening doors to opportunities and the future.
Contact the CWI Foundation at 208.562.3100 or foundation@cwi.edu to learn more about employee giving opportunities.
New Narratives: CWI Capstone Collection
Celebrate the artistic and academic achievements of College of Western Idaho’s Studio Art graduates at the exhibit, New Narratives, on display beginning Saturday, April 23, Boise State University’s Student Union Building.
View New Narratives: CWI Capstone Collection
New Narratives features artwork by 2022 Studio Art graduates:
- Robert Blihovde
- Emilee Brugger
- Khanh Dang
- Clara Geise
- Cassima Grimes
- Ashley Hansen
- Matias Haramoto-Pete
- Miyuki Henry
- Jadon Hensley
- Donnie Charles
- Lizzy Martinez
- Mykayla Panchenko
- Angelika Papasodora
- Maximus Skeen
- Mikayla Telfer
- Scott Walker
- Bella Wildt
The exhibit will run through May 8 and can be viewed between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. daily. In addition, students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to an opening reception Tuesday, April 26, from 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. The event is free, and light refreshments will be served.
Contact Goran Fazil at 208.562.2117 or goranfazil@cwi.edu to learn more about the College’s Studio Art program or this year’s exhibit.
Congratulations, 2022 Graduates!
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will celebrate its 2022 graduating class in a commencement ceremony Friday, May 13, at 7 p.m. The ceremony, held at ExtraMile Arena in Boise, will recognize degree, certificate, GED, and Workforce Development apprenticeship graduates. In addition to in-person attendance, the ceremony will also be streamed on the College’s website.
Graduates are encouraged to check their student email account, the CWI newsroom, the College’s social media channels, and the Graduation page regularly for announcements and up-to-date information. Please email registrar@cwi.edu with any questions.
Congratulations to all our 2022 graduates! You made it!
FY23 Open Enrollment
Open enrollment for medical, dental, and flexible spending accounts (FSA) will be held April 25 through May 13, 2022, for all benefit-eligible College of Western Idaho (CWI) employees. The new plan year begins July 1, 2022.
New premiums rates and summaries of benefits and plan types will be posted to the Office of Group Insurance website in the next week and will also be sent out via email.
Open enrollment is your chance to:
- Enroll or re-enroll in the Flexible Spending Account (FSA) for the 2023 fiscal year.
- FSA plans do not automatically renew year-to-year. A new form must be submitted to continue FSA contributions.
- Click here to learn more about Flexible Spending Accounts.
- Change your medical plan type (PPO, Traditional, High Deductible).
- Add dependents to dental care coverage.
- Switch premium deductions from post-tax to pre-tax or vice-versa.
- Newly enroll or decline medical and dental benefits without a qualifying life event. If you miss the deadline you will not be able to enroll or decline benefits until next Open Enrollment without a qualifying life event.
Open enrollment forms:
- Forms will be available Monday, April 25, on the Human Resources Employee Resources site on myCWI and will also be sent out via email.
- Forms can be signed electronically.
- Forms cannot be signed or submitted before April 25.
- Open enrollment forms will be due Friday, May 13, at 5 p.m., and will be accepted via email or in-person at the Human Resources office located at the Nampa Campus Administration Building.
- Exceptions will not be made for those who miss the May 13 deadline.
Have a quick question about your benefits?
During the open enrollment period, Human Resources will be holding drop-in Q&A forums via Zoom for those with questions about open enrollment and/or CWI’s benefits.
Save the date!
Learn more about the benefits available to you by attending CWI's Virtual Benefit Fair, April 25 – May 13. At the virtual benefits fair you can access updated plan and rate information for the new plan year, view informative videos, attend webinars, review FAQs, and access open enrollment forms.
Contact Human Resources at HRBenefits@cwi.edu with questions.
Spring 2022 Fire Drill Results
Fire drills have been completed at each of the College’s campus locations for the Spring 2022 semester. These drills are to prepare students, faculty, and staff for an organized evacuation in case of a fire or other emergency.
