CWI News – Nov. 3, 2023

College of Western Idaho (CWI) was recently awarded a grant from the Idaho Workforce Development Council (IWDC) to support the training and expansion of the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing workforce in Idaho.

The $4.2 million grant will expand the College’s Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program. This program trains technicians, who will be a critical part of the workforce for Micron’s $15 billion investment through the end of the decade to expand leading-edge memory manufacturing in Boise, as well as several other local companies that depend on this program for skilled workers.

“The Workforce Development Council is excited to help double the capacity of CWI’s Advanced Mechatronics program,” said Wendi Secrist, Executive Director of Idaho Workforce Development Council. “This program provides a pathway for individuals to excel in the advanced manufacturing industry that is so critical to Idaho’s economy.”

“This funding will help us deliver quality education and training to even more students, as well as provide the workforce for an industry that is vital to the Treasure Valley and Idaho,” said CWI President Gordon Jones.

CWI's Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program provides hands-on, quality training in mechanical, electrical, computer, and software skills needed for working in the advanced manufacturing industry. Students in the program are eligible to apply for an apprenticeship with Micron Technology, Inc., where students can earn while they learn and gain hands-on, on-the-job training at the company’s global headquarters.

Visit CWI’s website to explore and apply to the Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program and learn more about the Program Exploration event on Thursday, Nov. 16. Spring 2024 Open Registration all all students opens Monday, Nov. 6 – apply early to save your spot.

Struggling to figure out which classes to take this spring at College of Western Idaho (CWI)? You’re in luck! Current and future CWI students have an opportunity to get their questions answered and course load finalized for the upcoming semester, while enjoying some fun activities at the College’s Spring 2024 Registration Party.

CWI's Student Advising and Success team is hosting a two-day Registration Party event to help students register for classes, meet with their advisors through drop-in appointments, review their progress toward graduation, and more. Advisors will also be handing out treats and raffle prizes to those who register or have already registered for spring classes while supplies last.

Students who attend the event also have a chance to win a pair of Idaho Steelheads tickets for the team's Wednesday, Nov. 15 game! 

Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Student Lounge

Ada County Center Pintail Building (APIN), Student Commons

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to get questions answered and your courses picked out before CWI’s Fall Break. For those with questions, contact Lindsey Zahller at 208.562.2354 or lindseyzahller@cwi.edu.

With Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered tools and platforms becoming increasingly prevalent, the educational experience is evolving in new ways — from providing instant feedback to brainstorming new ideas. However, this powerful new tool also raises questions about ethics, privacy, and the future of traditional teaching methods.

To help guide teachers and students in this new world of learning, College of Western Idaho (CWI) faculty members, Department Chair of Integrated Studies, Joel Gladd, Ph.D. and Assistant Professor of English, Liza Long, Ed.D., authored five chapters about Writing and Artificial Intelligence in the Open Educational Resource, Write What Matters. The new chapters are used in many of the College’s Writing and Rhetoric and Literature course sections and at many colleges nationwide.

When generative AI was first introduced to the world, Gladd and Long recognized the tool and software would change how educators teach and assess writing in higher education. It forced them both to think more about what they were teaching and assessing in a writing classroom.

“In some ways, ChatGPT and other generative AI tools have the potential to level the playing field — but they also have the potential to increase the digital divide,” Long said. “I want to prepare my students to use these tools ethically and responsibly in school and in the workforce.”

The new chapters have been useful as assigned readings in other courses as students and faculty grapple with what generative AI means to the future of academic writing and to higher education in general. The chapters cover topics that include How Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT Work, Getting Started with AI Platforms, How to Prompt AI Chatbots, Acknowledging and Citing Generative AI in Academic Work, and Ethical Concerns with Generative AI Tools. The book includes instructor resources, general resources, articles, and videos for use in the classroom and professional development and training opportunities.

“AI has arrived at colleges, ready or not, and this is an outstanding resource to help students and faculty understand and even leverage the new resource in a positive way,” said Dean of the School of Arts and Humanities, Justin Vance, Ed.D.

The overall text, Write What Matters, was created by Gladd, Long, and Lewis Clark State College English Professor, Amy Minervini, as part of their fellowship through the Idaho State Board of Education’s Openness Pedagogy Advocacy Leadership (OPAL) program. 

Since the new chapters were added in August 2023, the book has had more than 175,000 page views and 683,000 views since the book’s initial publication. Gladd and Long presented their work to CWI English and Dual Credit faculty in September and will present a webinar for the Academic Senate for California Community College OER Initiative (ASCCC OERI) on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Long will present at Open Education Conference 2023 about AI to create a textbook for her Literary Analysis course (ENGL 211) on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

“I personally am grateful to have the opportunity to share something that I am passionate about with the wider community,” Long said. “I’ve been using generative AI extensively in my own scholarship and have seen my students succeed by using AI tools.”

College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Connections Project celebrates culture, collaboration, education, innovation, and achievement. We are calling upon current CWI students to showcase their talent in design to incorporate this mission statement into the new 2024 Connections Project logo! Submissions for the Logo Contest will be accepted through Friday, Nov. 17.

The winning logo will be chosen by the Connections Project committee. The selected student will have the opportunity to work closely with CWI’s Communications and Marketing team to bring their vision to life, ensuring their design aligns perfectly with the project's goals. In addition, the winner of the Connections Project Logo Contest will receive a monetary award of $150.

The winner of the contest will be announced at the beginning of the Spring 2024 semester.

Submit an entry:

1. Log into Blackboard.
2. Navigate to "Organizations" and select "My Commons."
3. Find the "Events and Opportunities" tab
4. Click on "2024 Connections."
5. Choose "Submit Your Work" and select "Logo Submissions."

Because the winning logo design will be used on official promotional materials for a CWI event, it is important the design reflects the Brand Standards of the College.

The committee looks forward to seeing the innovative and inspiring logo designs that students will submit. For those with questions, please contact Karen Brown at karenbrown@cwi.edu.

Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Communications Instructor and Assistant Director of Forensics, Julia Bennett, Ph.D., who was named Faculty of Distinction for October 2023.

Bennett has been part of the CWI community since 2018, where she has taught various Communications courses, such as Fundamentals of Oral Communication (COMM 101), Interpersonal Communication (COMM 221), Communication and Culture (COMM 160), Intercollegiate Speech and Debate (COMM 114), as well as Connecting with Ideas (CWI 101). As Assistant Director of Forensics, she helps coach the College’s award-winning Speech and Debate team. She also serves as a C­­o-Advisor for CWI’s newly formed Theatre Club and welcomes any students and interested community to join in on the fun.

Bennett brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role at CWI. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from University of Kentucky, and her academic journey continued with a Master of Fine Arts in Acting and a PhD in Performance Studies/Communication from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Bennett has also worked professionally in theatre as a director, actor, producer, and designer.

Having an impact on others and helping transform lives is what ultimately inspired Bennett to begin teaching. She refers to the profession as a long game — you may not always see results right away, but you know good things can and will happen. Through teaching, Bennett aims to inspire students to identify and value their unique strengths, passions, and vision so, in turn, they can give those things back to the world in a meaningful way.

That interest in giving back is what ultimately drew Bennett to CWI.

“CWI is a land of hope and possibility for a diverse population,” Bennett said. “The staff and faculty work hard to provide an environment that ensures students are seen, supported, and strengthened – and the faculty rock! They are well-credentialed and competitive. They could work anywhere but choose CWI because they love teaching."

Bennett has countless memories she shares with her students at CWI. She fondly recalls a student who gave her a tree to plant as a symbol of sowing the seeds of knowledge. They shared with her, “I want you to look out in your yard every year and know that you plant seeds — what you do bears fruit."

She also lives for the days in class when her students face their fears by giving a speech or drop by her office with small tokens of appreciation. Bennett also highlights the joys of traveling with the Speech and Debate team, where she has witnessed dozens of students experience the magic of pride, shock, and joy when their hard work is recognized.

“There's nowhere else I'd rather be.”

Many of Bennett’s colleagues at CWI notice her dedication to her students and her skills as an educator. Whether that may be through her assistance in leading the College’s Speech and Debate team to unprecedented levels of success or her contributions as lead faculty member for CWI’s Interpersonal Communication course, where her efforts to adopt an Open Educational Resource (OER) text have supported the Z-degree initiative.

“Simply put, Julia Bennett makes CWI a better place,” said Department Chair of Communications and Marketing, Jim Gatfield. “Her commitment to student success in the classroom and on the competitive circuit is remarkable. She is a faculty of distinction in every sense of the word.”

Outside of the College, Bennett works with local theatre companies — including the Treasure Valley Children’s Theatre where she is an Artist-Educator and directs, acts, and teaches young artists aged 6-18. When she is not working, Bennett enjoys crocheting, hanging with friends or her husband, gardening, or helping with the drama program at her church.

In an era where mental health concerns are on the rise, taking care of our well-being is more important than ever. At College of Western Idaho (CWI), we understand the importance of supporting the mental health of our students, faculty, and staff. The College is continuing to offer free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for the 2023-2024 academic year.

MHFA training consists of online modules completed in advance of the training date and either a Zoom or in-person meeting to practice the action plan. Gaining skills in non-judgmental listening, empowering people to promote help-seeking skills, and reducing stigma around mental health challenges, participants will enter a community of helpers at the College upon completion.

The certification lasts for three years.

Eleven CWI employees are certified MHFA instructors. So far approximately 200 CWI staff and faculty have taken the course and instructors hope to train at least 100 more this school year.

“Having College employees trained to offer assistance in a mental health situation is an important step in creating a culture of care on the CWI campus and in our communities,” said Jodi Hickenlooper, Assistant Director of Counseling and Wellness Services.

At CWI, we believe that investing in the mental health of our faculty and staff is not just a priority but a responsibility. We are proud to offer MHFA training as a valuable resource for our community. 

Faculty and staff are encouraged to complete MHFA training. It's a step towards fostering a campus environment that values mental health as highly as physical health. Together, we can make CWI a place where everyone feels supported, valued, and empowered.

CWI employees interested in MHFA training are encouraged to register for virtual and in-person sessions scheduled throughout the 2023-2024 academic year.

Zoom

Ada County Center Pintail Building, Room 1318

Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Room 106

Register for a MHFA Training 

For departments interested in booking a group training, MHFA instructors are happy to make that happen.

For those with questions or interested in learning more about MHFA trainings, please reach out to Jodi Hickenlooper at jodihickenlooper@cwi.edu or mhfa@cwi.edu.