CWI News – Nov. 3, 2023
Spotlight
Earlier this week CWI celebrated Día de los Muertos with a Celebration event on campus. The event featured a rich tapestry of traditions, art, and community unity. Attendees enjoyed interactive activities, presentations, a movie screening of Coco, and indulged in delicious tamales and pan dulce — making it an inclusive and joyful celebration of life and remembrance.
Thank you to our Siempre Unidos Student Club and Student Engagement team who put together the wonderful event!
News Highlights
Advanced Mechatronics: Bridging Passion and Career Success
Growing up, Nathan Ralston always had an interest in technology. He found himself constantly engaged in various tech-related projects, such as 3D printing, computer-aided design, programming, and fixing devices – the list was endless.
Ralston realized that because many of his interests and desired jobs required specialized knowledge, he needed to attend college to further his education and skills. He decided to enroll at College of Western Idaho (CWI) because of its affordability and numerous trade programs. He knew it was the path to help him discover a career he enjoyed and at half the time compared to a traditional four-year degree.
In his first semester at CWI, on a whim, Ralston enrolled in a Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) course taught by Department Chair of Engineering, Robert Novak, where he was introduced and first discovered his passion for Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology.
“After hearing more about his career history as a technician and engineer, it helped me become more certain that this is the field I want to be in," Ralston said.
The term mechatronics is a combination of “mechanisms” and “electronics,” but a degree in mechatronics incorporates so much more. CWI's Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program offers students a comprehensive education, equipping them with a wide array of knowledge and skills. This program delves into the basics of electricity, electronics, motor fundamentals, automation controllers, mechanical adjustments, wireless communications, and much 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. Graduates are prepared for careers in industries such as manufacturing, product distribution, biomedical, U.S. defense, research and development, and more.
Ralston, now in his second semester at CWI and working full-time as a Lab Assistant for the Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program, has big plans once he earns his Associate of Applied Science.
“I plan to go work for a company like Micron that will pay for continued education and get an Electrical Engineering or Computer Science degree.”
As a Core Education Partner for Micron Technology, Inc., CWI delivers top-level education and skills training to students, like Ralston, to help support the company in its $15 billion expansion. The Advanced Mechatronics program qualifies for Micron's Registered Apprenticeship Program, which allows students to “earn while they learn,” meaning the company will pay for their degree while they earn valuable hands-on experience at their world-class Fab in Boise.
Ralston gives big praises to Novak for helping him get his start in the program and even landing him his Lab Assistant role, where he supports instructors and other mechatronics students in labs by purchasing supplies, maintaining, and repairing equipment, setting up labs, and managing the inventory and supply room. He also attributes each instructor he has come across for leaving a significant impact on his life.
“I get to see a different side of the instructors than most students do. They each have a lifetime of experience and wisdom to share.”
He’s grateful for the close-knit community and strong friendships he’s made through the program. Instructors create a fun and interactive learning environment, where they actively support students' post-program success by adapting course material to industry needs.
“Because of CWI, I was able to narrow down the specific career I want to go into, and I have the resources I need to be employable in that field, all at a low cost.”
Visit the program page or contact Robert Novak at robertnovak@cwi.edu to learn more about CWI's Advanced Mechatronics program.
CWI Receives Grant Funding from Idaho Workforce Development Council for Semiconductor Training
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.
Dual Credit Connections
Are you a Dual Credit College of Western Idaho (CWI) student wanting to find your place on campus? CWI's Beta Sigma Pi Honor Society, a chapter of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), wants to help! The club will host Dual Credit Connections, a series of workshops geared towards helping Dual Credit students feel more integrated on campus and make the most out of their time while at CWI, on Saturday, Nov. 4.
The half-day event invites students and their parents to attend workshops and information sessions on topics, such as resources on campus, scholarships, transfer opportunities, and more. Students will also have a chance to interact with faculty, staff, and fellow Dual Credit students.
The event is free and open to the public. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB)
RSVP to Dual Credit Connections
For those with questions or in need of more information, contact ptk@cwi.edu.
Register for Spring 2024 Classes and Get Rewarded!
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.
CWI Faculty Author Open Educational Resource for AI Integration
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.”
CWI Nights at Idaho Steelheads – Nov. 15
Enjoy a night of hockey, and support students at the next CWI Night!
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is proud to partner with the Idaho Steelheads to SCORE Big for scholarships as the Steelheads take on the Allen Americans. Students, alumni, employees, family, friends, and members of the CWI community are all invited to attend.
Your $20 ticket to the game includes a seat in the CWI section and a meal voucher for a Double R Ranch Hot Dog, chips, and a small drink. Five dollars of each CWI group ticket sold for a CWI Night goes directly back to the SCORE Big Scholarship fund.
Visit the CWI table on the concourse for your chance to win a $1,000 SCORE Big Scholarship or CWI hockey jersey — awarded that night on the ice!
The fun doesn’t stop at CWI Nights! Through the partnership, CWI also offers a discounted ticket price of $18 to all Steelheads home games for the 2023-2024 season.
Tickets must be placed at least 24 hours prior to the event or subject to availability.
Enter the 2024 Connections Project Logo Competition
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:
- Log into Blackboard.
- Navigate to "Organizations" and select "My Commons."
- Find the "Events and Opportunities" tab
- Click on "2024 Connections."
- 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.
Visiting Artist Series: John Flores
Join College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series in welcoming artist, John Flores, to the Nampa Campus Academic Building on Tuesday, Nov. 14 and Wednesday, Nov. 15 for a lecture and a workshop.
Flores is a contemporary ceramic artist who lives and practices in Yucca Valley, California. He acquired his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a focus in Ceramics at California State University, Fullerton in 2019.
"My work revolves around a notion of sacredness that I associate with nature,” Flores said. “An interconnectedness between plants and animals, I like to believe that every living thing has a spirit. These notions are always at the core of my work, I then build off of that and I will plug in everyday innate life experiences and tell a story. Stories that deal with life, death, ephemerality, awe, wonder, love, growth, and transformation. Love the planet more."
Join us for a lecture where Flores will discuss more about his art practice, his own ceramic process, techniques, and the evolution of his artwork.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Room 206
In addition to the lecture, Flores will host a hands-on workshop where he will explore silicone caulk rubber mold making. Participants will learn how to make a two-piece silicone mold.
Materials will be provided.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Room 206
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.
The lecture and workshop are both free and open to the public. For those interested in attending the workshop, please RSVP to Goran Fazil at goranfazil@cwi.edu.
Bennett Named October 2023 Faculty of Distinction
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.
Register for Spring 2025 at CWI!
At College of Western Idaho (CWI), we're gearing up for an exciting Spring 2025 semester, and we invite you to be part of it! Whether you're continuing on, looking to earn an associate degree, pursue a certificate, prepare to transfer, enhance your skills, or simply take classes for the joy of learning — CWI is your destination for endless possibilities.
Admissions and Registration
Mark your calendar! Registration for ALL (continuing, new, or returning) students at CWI for the Spring 2025 semester opens Monday, Nov. 4.
The admissions deadline for the Spring 2025 semester is Saturday, Jan. 11. CWI students have through Thursday, Jan. 23, to register for classes, with tuition and registration fees due by Friday Jan. 17.
Current Students
- Be sure to meet with your Student Advisor prior to registering. Once advising is completed, students can register online any time on or after their assigned registration time.
- Registration times are assigned based on cumulative credits earned. Students can check myCWI and their CWI email for their assigned time.
- Continuing students are considered those who enrolled and attended classes any semester since Spring 2020.
- Dual Credit students will register during open registration.
New and Returning Students
- All new, degree-seeking students must participate in New Student Orientation prior to registering for classes.
Contact One Stop Student Services or visit us online to learn more about applying to CWI, orientation, and registering for classes.
CWI Offering Free Mental Health First Aid Training to Employees
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
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.
Fall 2023 CWI Fire Drill Results Available
Fire drills have been completed at each of the College’s campus locations for the Fall 2023 semester.
Each campus evacuated quickly and efficiently utilizing the evacuation routes specific to their area. The Floor Captains did an outstanding job of clearing their assigned areas and reporting to the centralized location in a calm professional manner.
Fire drills are used to identify various elements in our process, such as:
- Allowing occupants to familiarize themselves with drill procedures, the location of fire exits, and the sound of the fire alarm.
- Allowing occupants to familiarize themselves with exit routes and safe assembly areas.
- Identifying problems with the fire alarm components.
- Identify any weaknesses in the evacuation strategy, communications, and procedures.
- Determining if additional equipment is necessary in certain areas of the building.
- Monitoring individual’s response time to the alarms.
- Observe any hazards that were overseen.
- Observe if additional training is needed to individuals.
- Monitoring the amount of time, it takes to evacuate a building.
- Observe which exits are generally used.
- Note any suggestions/ideas for future drills.
These drills are to prepare students, faculty, and staff for an organized evacuation in case of a fire or other emergency.
Familiarize yourself with how to respond to other emergencies by reviewing the Emergency Handbook.