CWI News – Nov. 11, 2022
Spotlight
College of Western Idaho honors all those who have served our country. Thank you, veterans.
CWI Patriot Range is on display at the west lawn of Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) now through Monday, Nov. 14, at 4 p.m. The Patriot Range is a flag display that includes 200 American flags and each branch of the military’s flag.
President's Message
Greetings CWI Community,
In honor of Veterans Day, I want to thank everyone who has served in the U.S. armed forces. Your contributions to the country and CWI are incredibly valuable, and we are so proud to have veteran students, faculty, and staff on campus.
As many of you heard, the election on Tuesday was significant for CWI’s Board of Trustees, with four open seats. I want to congratulate Chair Molly Lenty and Trustees Annie Hightower and Jim Reames on their re-election, and welcome newly elected Nicole Bradshaw to the Board. If you would like to see results from the election, visit the Idaho Secretary of State’s website.
Additionally, this week I had an opportunity to meet with Mountain Home School District Superintendent James Gilbert and explore expanding our partnership with the district. I also met with the city’s economic development team for an interview that will be featured on the Mountain Home Stories podcast in the coming weeks. Mountain Home is a growing community, and I am excited to develop closer ties with the city and the greater Treasure Valley service area.
CWI is also making progress with Campus Development – the evaluation committee selected ESI Construction and Cushing Terrell to design and build the Health Sciences Building and complete the Horticulture relocation.
These are just some of the highlights as we continue to provide affordable, accessible, and high-quality educational opportunities for the region. I want to thank all of you for your incredible dedication and hard work, and I hope you have a fantastic weekend.
Respectfully,
Bold Appreciation
It's time for another employee ticket giveaway!
Enter for your chance to win two reserved seats to the final Boise State Football home game of the season by entering a number between 1 and 500 via the link below. Employees closest to the number, chosen at random, will each receive two tickets to the BSU Football game.
Entries must be received by noon on Wednesday, Nov. 16. Winners will be announced the afternoon of Wednesday, Nov. 16. Tickets must be picked up by noon on Friday, Nov. 18 or they will be given to the next eligible winner who is closest to the chosen number.
Members of President’s Cabinet, Executive Operations Team, and Work-Study Students are not eligible. Limit one entry per CWI employee.
Contact hr@cwi.edu with questions.
News Highlights
National Science Foundation Awards $5M to Support Idaho Schools
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is excited to be part of a new partnership with other Idaho higher education institutions, which will open new opportunities for recruitment, retention and career pathways for engineering and computer science students.
National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded nearly $5 million to create a higher education consortium with CWI, College of Southern Idaho (CSI) and will be managed by Boise State University. The focus of the consortium is to support the retention and graduation of high-achieving, low-income students with demonstrated financial need.
This project hopes to fill a national need for scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and technicians through funding scholarships for more than 150 full-time students pursuing associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in engineering and computer science. Transfer students will receive a two-year scholarship at a partner community college, like CWI, and will continue to be funded for their bachelor’s degree at Boise State.
"It is my hope this partnership will allow Idaho’s prospective engineering students to see that Boise State and the College of Western Idaho are working together as one entity, with one goal in mind," CWI's Department of Engineering Chair, Robert Novak. "That goal will be to provide Idaho’s future engineers the educational pathway they will need beginning at the College of Western Idaho then Boise State University and ultimately their Bachelor of Science in Engineering.
The grant will also allow first-year students at CWI and CSI to connect in a seminar course with Center for Advanced Energy Studies (CAES), which will prepare them for careers in in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) fields with targeted mentorship, self-discovery and development of their career aptitude and professional identity.
"We have a lot of students at CWI who struggle making ends meet and are doing their best to find a better future for themselves and their families," said CWI Math Instructor, Willard Pack. "Often, they have to divide their time between work and education and their education suffers because of it. By allowing our students to get a scholarship that covers their education costs, they can reduce the amount of time they have to dedicate to work and can focus much more attention on their studies."
The six-year award is the largest Scholarships in STEM grant awarded to the state of Idaho.
Explore Advanced Mechatronics Classes & Careers
Explore a future in Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology by attending a Program Exploration Event at College of Western Idaho (CWI). Current and future students and community members are invited to learn more about the program, meet faculty and industry leaders, tour the College, and more.
“This program is for someone who likes to work with their hands, has an interest in electronics and technology,” said CWI Advanced Mechatronics student, Jacob Schott. “There are tons of new technology and tools coming out, which the College always tries to bring into the program, especially the equipment we will use in the industry.”
The term mechatronics is a combination of “mechanisms” and “electronics,” but a degree in mechatronics incorporates so much more. CWI's mechatronics engineering technology program gives you a broad range of knowledge and skills, such as basics of electricity, electronics and motor basics, automation controllers, mechanical adjustments, wireless communications, and more.
Mechatronics engineering technologists use a combination of mechanical, electrical, computer, and software skills to work with smart technologies, such as robots, automated guided systems, and computer-integrated manufacturing equipment.
Advanced Mechatronics’ Program Exploration night will have those in attendance learn about possible future careers, understand the importance of education in this career field, introduce the program and what to expect from faculty, tips on how to prepare for a successful start, and a personal tour of the lab space and technology.
“Our instructors help set us up for success,” said CWI Advanced Mechatronics student, Mark Rust. “[CWI Engineering Department Chair] Robert Novak will bring in companies to present what they do, what they sell, or manufacture. It gives us opportunities to get interviewed and learn skills for interviews. If we want to pursue this career instructors help give us connections. Our faculty’s goal is to have every student have a job offer and a successful job career ahead of them after graduating.”
Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology hosts several Program Exploration Events throughout the year at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center. Visit the program page or contact Robert Novak at robertnovak@cwi.edu to learn more and RSVP.
14th-Annual Giving Tree
Help bring holiday cheer to children in the Treasure Valley by participating in College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) 14th-annual Giving Tree. This year, the College’s Psychology Club, Psi Beta, Veteran’s Association, Student Nurses Association, and Social Work Club are partnering with CASA of Southwest Idaho, an independent non-profit organization representing the best interests of children in foster care.
“This is a great way to show kids in the foster system they are cared for, they are supported, and there are people out there who are hoping the best for them,” said Psychology Club Co-Chair, Jessicca Astle.
Last year, the event was able to collect more than 600 toys and presents for foster children.
Unwrapped gifts will be collected now through Dec. 6 at trees located near the security desks at the following campus locations:
- Ada County Center Pintail Building (APIN)
- Canyon County Center (CYNC)
- Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB)
- Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building (NASP)
Contact Heather Schoenherr at heatherschoenherr@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
Cybersecurity Team Advances to Finals of Nationwide Cybersecurity Competition
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Cybersecurity team who advanced to the finals and placed fourth at the Future of Work Academy cybersecurity incubator nationwide competition on Friday, Oct. 28.
The five-person competition answered questions about how to create the best cybersecurity team in an increasingly difficult battle against bad actors in the digital space.
Initially given second place, the CWI team competed against schools from around the nation including Denmark Technical College, St. Philips College, Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC), Red Rocks Community College, and others. However, after being announced as the second-place winners, CWI was then edged out at the last minute by NVCC.
The CWI team also competed in a spirit of cooperation and professionalism that showed CWI’s values of Excellence, Innovation, Integrity, Respect, and Caring.
Please join the College and the school of Computer Science and Information Technology in congratulating Baiden Jones, Stanley Ward, Sarah Ives, Lane Edwards, and team captain, Spencer McConnell, in their successful representation of the College!
The Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft sponsored event brought in industry experts who spoke about cybersecurity and practical career paths for current students. Guest speakers also shared best practices to help combat scammers and hackers who are creating new ways to steal personal data and infrastructure every day.
For more information on CWI's Cybersecurity team and school of Computer Science and Information Technology, contact David Kerr at davidkerr1@cwi.edu.
Social Work Club Making Difference in Lives Around Community
College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Social Work Club is helping make an impact on lives affected by abuse around the Treasure Valley through a community partnership.
Over the last year, the club has partnered with the Nampa Family Justice Center, a local organization that supports survivors of abuse. Club members have participated in events to raise funds and awareness of the Center to community members.
This past April, CWI Social Work Club took part in the 8th Annual Superhero Walk, an event shining light of ongoing issues with child abuse, as well as celebrating the brave young individuals who come forward to share their story and those who listen to them and take proper action.
The walk began at the Caldwell Police Department and ended at the Canyon County Courthouse. Once arriving at their destination, participants were invited to plant blue pinwheels in the Courthouse’s front lawn. The blue pinwheels are a national symbol of child abuse prevention and many businesses across the valley can be seen displaying them during the month of April.
The Social Work Club supported the Nampa Family Justice Center, and many other organizations in the community, by helping with distributing food, goodies, and prizes with the participants.
“As future social workers, we share in the core values that drive our profession. Namely, we believe in the dignity and worth of every person. We celebrated the child survivors of abuse, their families, and the multiple other agencies in our community who continuously seek justice on their behalf," said Social Work Club President, Kristi Spalding.
In October, Social Work Club participated in a fundraising event called Sips for Hope, where guests were able to wine taste and snack while listening to speakers, live music, and participate in basket raffles.
The funds raised went to support survivors of many types of domestic abuse, child abuse, sex abuse, and elder abuse at the Nampa Family Justice Center.
“The entire team from the CWI Social Work Club have become such an asset to the Nampa Family Justice Center as some our best and brightest volunteers," said Nampa Family Justice Center's Coordinator of Volunteer Services, Kelly Garcia. "They have proven to be excellent in all areas of service, everything from communication about the event, to readiness and dependability, to professionalism, executing their assigned position and beyond. Each volunteer has had an amazing and positive attitude. Their love for people and their passion to serve shines through. We count it as a privilege and an honor that the CWI Social Work Club has chosen the Nampa Family Justice Center as a place to serve.”
For those interested in learning more about CWI Social Work Club, contact the Club’s advisor, Annie Estvold, at annieestvold@cwi.edu.
Hultner Named Faculty of Distinction for October 2022
Congratulations to Professional Nursing Instructor, Jolie Hultner, who was named College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Faculty of Distinction for October 2022.
Hultner has been a nurse for 20 years, where most of her time was spent in the emergency department. She was first introduced to teaching while she was working in the hospital setting as a nurse educator for the hospital staff. After she graduated with her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) she decided to pursue teaching nursing in an academic community, which is ultimately what brought her to CWI in 2021.
“As a nurse, I have been always committed to seeing new nurses grow as they strive for excellence in both patient care and safe nursing practice,” Hultner said. “I love watching students have ‘aha’ moments when they begin to put together the concepts and apply them in case-based scenarios or in clinical situations. I am so thankful to be able to see them become proud of themselves as they have accomplishments throughout the program.”
Hultner can see just how much her students’ progress within their time at CWI because she teaches courses for Nursing students who are in their first and last semesters.
“Seeing their progress from brand new to almost graduating makes me proud of our program here at CWI,” Hultner said.
Through the educational resources, tools, and partnerships at CWI, Hultner believes she, and other instructors, are able to help prepare students for success as they enter the workforce and the reality of working in the health care industry.”
“CWI provides practical educational experiences for the students,” Hultner said. “Students I see are introduced to clinical experiences from their first semester in the Nursing program to the end of the program.”
When it comes to working with students, Hultner’s teaching style can be described in two words: caring and respectful. Department of Nursing Chair, Allison Baker, has been able to work alongside Hultner in Nursing and Health Assessment Skills Lab and Clinical (NURS 103) and is able to witness first-hand how devoted her colleague is to their students’ success.
“Jolie works hard to meet a student’s individual needs,” Baker said. “She is willing to rearrange her schedule to meet with students and accommodate their specific needs.”
Baker remembers an instance of Hultner’s caring nature during the first few weeks of Fall 2022 semester when a student fell ill and had issues with financial aid, preventing them from attending class. When the student was able to return, Hultner made time to catch them up on four weeks of missed work and skill practices.
“She cares about the students and that they achieve high standards and realize their personal goals,” Baker said.
One of Hultner’s favorite parts about working at CWI is the Nurse Pinning Ceremony where she is able to celebrate her students accomplish their goals.
“The first nursing pinning I attended in May 2022 was absolutely heartwarming,” Hultner said. “Seeing the students celebrate their achievements with their family and friends there to support them made me so proud to be a part of their learning journey.”
Hultner is married with two children. She spends a lot of her free time watching her kids play sports, notably softball and lacrosse, and “loves every minute of it.” She also enjoys camping, hiking, paddleboarding, and being outside.
She and her husband grew up in Southern California, where she worked at a hospital in Orange County for most of her adult life. She and her family moved to the Treasure Valley in 2021 and are ecstatic to begin growing roots in “such a beautiful place.”
