CWI News – Nov. 18, 2022
President's Message
Greetings CWI Community,
As we wrap up a difficult week for many in our community, and prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, I want to turn and share some exciting updates for College of Western Idaho (CWI). It was an honor to join Micron Technology, Inc. in celebrating National Apprenticeship Week with several events across the Treasure Valley and CWI's campus. During one of the events, I had the opportunity to talk with U.S. Labor Secretary Marty Walsh, and he was thrilled to hear about CWI’s mission to empower students in the Treasure Valley. I know we all share that sentiment, and we are incredibly proud to serve as Micron's core education partner to educate and train skilled employees for the company's new memory fab being built in Boise.
As we approach the holiday next week, I like to reflect on all that I am thankful for – and I cannot thank you all enough for the incredible work you do to support our students and community. We have made so much progress this year in critical areas, including campus development and partnerships in the business community. It is an exciting time at the College, and I hope you all enjoy time with family and friends next week.
I wish you all a happy Thanksgiving!
Sincerely,
News Highlights
Micron Visits College of Western Idaho to Discuss Career Pathways
College of Western Idaho (CWI) celebrated National Apprentice Week by hosting Micron Technology, Inc. to showcase future opportunities and possible career pathways made possible through the Micron and CWI partnership. Named a Micron core education partner, CWI is excited to lead efforts in delivering top-level education and skills training to students in support of the company’s recently announced Boise expansion.
On Wednesday, Nov. 16, Micron team members explored the types of instruction CWI Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology students receive and the roles apprenticeships will play in their learning. Executives from the company also met with students to share tips about finding a job, and more information about their new Registered Apprentice Technician program, a new Earn and Learn path to semiconductor technology roles for students in rural and underserved communities.
“I was excited to hear about the apprenticeship,” said CWI Advanced Mechatronics student and Micron Equipment Technician, Casey Stiers. “It sounds like a great opportunity for other students who are in their third or fourth semester to learn in depth about how Micron works and explore if this type of field is for them.”
The registered apprentice technician program allows students to enroll in CWI’s Advance Mechatronics Engineering program, work part time at Micron and receive tuition assistance. In addition to the technician apprenticeship, CWI is expanding the mechatronics program to meet the need for additional skilled workers. Expansion plans include investing in more equipment, faculty, and lab space to accommodate more students for the Spring 2023 semester.
“I have been in this industry for a long time. This type of partnership makes me proud and validates what we do,” said CWI Department of Engineering Chair, Robert Novak. “This is huge to have a company like Micron come out to our campus and say, ‘We want your technicians. We value them and we need them.’ With this opportunity we get to raise these students to one day become engineers. That makes me proud.”
Guests from Micron went on a VIP tour of Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, where they experienced real-time student activity happening throughout a variety of mechatronics lab spaces. Micron executives then joined CWI Mechatronics students and faculty for a ‘fireside chat’ event. Fireside chat panelists, which included Micron’s Corporate Vice President of US Expansions, Scott Gatzmeier, CWI Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Denise Aberle-Cannata, and Boise State University Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, Don Plumlee, shared information about Micron future careers, apprenticeships, pathways, and how CWI can help them achieve their goals through programs they offer and support to prepare for these types of careers.
Closing out the event, attendees were able to network with one another over lunch. Micron’s Talent Acquisition team also set up a booth where students were able to try out virtual reality googles and take a virtual tour of Micron and learn more about available career pathways.
Read about CWI's partnership with Micron, explore the Mechatronics program, or contact Robert Novak at robertnovak@cwi.edu to learn more.
Watch Nov. 16's Fireside Chat
View KTVB's Coverage of the Event
Otto Recognized as Outstanding Postsecondary Educator of the Year
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Cybersecurity Professor, Dr. Linda Otto, who was awarded the 2022 Idaho Business Education Association (IBEA) Outstanding Postsecondary Educator of the Year Award.
Otto was announced as this year’s recipient at the IBEA Conference held in Sun Valley, Idaho, Oct. 27 – 29. The conference unites business and marketing teachers from around the Gem State to network and learn new strategies and techniques for the classroom.
The Outstanding Postsecondary Educator of the Year Award aims “to recognize outstanding professionalism in business education through classroom involvement, curriculum development, student organization contribution, administrative responsibilities, and/or publications by a business technology and marketing teacher at the postsecondary level (technical, community college, or university).”
“I am very honored to have even been nominated for the award,” said Otto. “I was in total shock I won the award. When they called my name, I just about fell right out of my chair! It means a lot that one of my peers nominated me for this award as well.”
Otto is also an advisor to CWI’s Business Professionals of America (BPA) chapter, where she helps promote and introduce the club to groups and organizations around the Treasure Valley and helps train the club for competitive events, where they apply real-world business skills and problem-solving abilities in finance, management, IT, and computer applications.
In addition to her duties with the College, Otto also serves as the Post-Secondary BPA Classroom Educators Advisory Council for Idaho and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Research Ethical Leadership trainers for Idaho.
CWI Law Enforcement Students Help Rake Up Caldwell
Multiple groups of Idahoans across the Treasure Valley came together Saturday, Nov. 12, for Rake Up Caldwell, including College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Law Enforcement program! Students, faculty, and staff joined forces with the Canyon County Sheriff’s Office to help rake and clean up around homes.
Rake Up Caldwell is a community volunteer effort to assist elderly and disabled citizens in the city to clean up their yards in preparation for the winter months.
Several students from CWI's Law Enforcement class volunteered in this year's event and even brought some of their family to join in on the effort. While it was cold and windy, those who volunteered walked away feeling proud, especially after seeing how thankful the homeowners were to receive the help.
"My favorite part of the day was seeing my family work side-by-side with our students and their families and members of the Sheriff’s Office, as everyone selflessly gave their Saturday to help those in need within our community," said Law Enforcement program Senior Coordinator, Kelli Crawforth. "One of the students stated she could have been at home sitting on the couch doing nothing, but she was so happy to bring her children out to share in this opportunity and was thankful she participated."
Students with CWI's Law Enforcement program are required to participate in two community volunteer events each year. This year, students will be required to participate in Shop-With-A-Cop and will take a day to clean up a section of a highway the program has adopted for Adopt-A-Highway.
However, Rake Up Caldwell was not mandatory, and was optional for students to participate.
"As public servants, it is important for our students to be out assisting the communities in which they serve, especially in a volunteer role," Crawforth said. "The communities and people we serve need to know we care about them and we’re there for them on all levels of their needs."
Visiting Artist Series Welcomes Theodore Collatos
Join College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series in welcoming artist, Theodore “Teddy” Collatos, to the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) on Thursday, Dec. 1, and Friday, Dec. 2, for a workshop and film screening.
New York-based artist, Collatos, studied fine art, photography, and filmmaking at the School of Art Institute of Chicago and Columbia Chicago. His work exhibited across the country and internationally, and has been featured in publications such as Marie Claire, Mic, Screen Daily, Field of Vision, Filmmaker Magazine, and No Film School. His shorts have been profiled on Short of the Week, Omeleto, and Filmmaker Magazine.
Collatos is an editorial contributor to Talkhouse Film, Filmatique, and Fandor and is a features programmer at Bushwick Film Festival. He also works as a film director.
His feature films have won grand jury prizes from New Fest New York City, Indie Memphis, Sidewalk, Philadelphia Latino, Bushwick, Wicked Boston, Flickers Rhode Island, and The Athens Film Festival.
Join us for a hands-on workshop as Callatos casts attendees as cast and crew members to film a television scene.
Thursday, Dec. 1
4:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Room 206
In addition to the workshop, Collatos will be screening his award-winning film, Tormenting the Hen, followed by a question-and-answer session.
The mystery-thriller follows a woman named Monica as “mind-bending paranoia” overtakes her when she joins her fiancé, Claire, on an artists’ retreat in the middle of nowhere. The couple isn’t prepared for the chilling consequences when confronted with a mysterious groundskeeper, sending Monica spiraling toward a psychotic break.
Some topics explored by the artist contain adult content and language. Film screening is not suitable for children.
Friday. Dec. 2
7 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Room 102E
CWI’s Visiting Artist Series is made possible through a grant from the Idaho Commission on the Arts, which is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Contact Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu with questions or to learn more.
2022 Fall Break Hours
College of Western Idaho (CWI) campus buildings and One Stop Student Services locations will be open reduced hours the week of Fall Break, Nov. 21 – 26.
Campus buildings and One Stop Student Services locations will be open Monday, Nov. 21, through Wednesday, Nov. 24, during the hours listed below. Campus will be closed Thursday, Nov. 24 through Saturday, Nov. 26.
7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
7:00 a.m. – 9 p.m.
7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
-
One Stop Student Services
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
-
One Stop Student Services
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Regular business hours will resume on Monday, Nov. 28.
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.
Car Rental Discounts for Employees
Heading out of town for the holidays and want to save some money before you leave? College of Western Idaho (CWI) employees are eligible to take advantage of renting a car at a discounted rate through the State’s contract with Enterprise Holdings (Enterprise Rent-A-Car) or Hertz.
To rent a car through Enterprise Holdings or Hertz, you’ll need the following discount code:
- Enterprise Holdings (Enterprise Rent-A-Car) – 47id187
- Hertz – 2243660
Check out other discounts available to CWI employees.
For questions, please reach out to Human Resources at hrbenefits@cwi.edu.
