CWI News – Oct. 13, 2023
Spotlight
Business Faculty, Richard Sotto, Lindsay Wallgren, and Joe Welker, hosted Expedia Group, Inc. Chief Operating Officer (COO), Brad Bentley, to speak to Business program students. With an expansive career spanning the technology, entertainment, and clean energy sectors, Bentley shared insights into various industries and answered student questions about how to grow and succeed in their career.
President's Message
Greetings CWI Community,
As the leaves begin to change on campus, I hope you had an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful weather and explore the outdoors over the past week.
I am filled with gratitude for the CWI community. We have so many generous community members who contribute to our college because of the work you all do to support our students.
This year's Opening Doors wasn't just a testament to our commitment to affordable and high-quality education but also the power of community and collaboration. The event raised more than $220,000, opening countless doors for our students, and paving the way for brighter futures.
I would like to extend a special thanks to our students, faculty, and staff who worked on Opening Doors. Their dedication and passion for CWI were evident throughout the event.
A standout among these excellent students was Idaho State Police Trooper and 2022 Law Enforcement program graduate Emily Daniels. Her story was an inspiration as she pursued her dream of working in public safety after starting a family. Thanks to a CWI Foundation scholarship, it helped to pay for her education and she is in a fulfilling career, serving our community.
Additionally, I would like to give a shout out to CWI faculty, Andrea Schumaker, and everyone who supported the Farm to Fork dinner. The sold out event raised over $5,000 to support CWI’s Campus Garden.
I hope you have a great rest of your week, and thanks again for all you do to support our students and community.
Respectfully,
CWI in the News
News Highlights
Opening Doors Raises $222K to Support Students
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation's Opening Doors Benefit Event was a fantastic night filled with community support and fun. The 10th-annual event and online auction, Sept. 27 – Oct. 8, raised more than $222,000* for student scholarships.
The live event, hosted Oct. 4 at the Galaxy Event Center in Meridian, came alive with CWI leaders, success stories, and a lively auction. It was a night to remember, celebrating education and local generosity. The night featured former CWI Foundation Board President, Ivan Castillo, as emcee. Guests heard remarks from current CWI Foundation Board President, Mike Peña, CWI Vice President of Advancement, Mark Arstein, and CWI President, Gordon Jones.
Joining the event were several current students and scholarship recipients representing a wide range of major areas including Law Enforcement program 2022 graduate, Emily Daniels. Daniels, now a Trooper with the Idaho State Police safeguarding the Idaho State Capitol, shared her CWI journey.
Having not been in a classroom since graduating high school in 2000, Daniels, a non-traditional student who embarked on a public safety career after raising a family, praises CWI for its unwavering support. She emphasized how the College, along with its Law Enforcement program and dedicated instructors, played a pivotal role in equipping her with the education and skills necessary to complete the Peace Officers Standards Training (POST) without the burden of student debt.
“The Treasure Valley is booming, and we are 100% in need of more technical jobs and first responder jobs,” Daniels said. “The students of today are the future of tomorrow. They're going to be our nurses, our doctors, our Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) just as my son is pursuing right now. They're going to be the ones providing care for you and your family. Investing into the students today is monumental in determining the success of tomorrow for our society and our community.”
Guests at the in-person event enjoyed dinner, drinks, and dessert as well as the chance to participate in a silent and live auction, the latter of which was conducted by auctioneer, Kevin Seward.
This year's auction had several unique items, including exquisite metal art crafted by CWI students, stunning wall art by a CWI graduate, captivating experience packages generously contributed by community members, tickets to sporting events that set hearts racing across the region, and much more.
To close out this year’s in-person event, Castillo invited guests to participate in a paddle raise, where supporters of CWI pledged various amounts of money to donate to the CWI Foundation. The activity saw pledges as high as $5,000.
Money Raised for CWI Foundation
Total: $68,450*
Total: $7,826*
Total: $146,500
Grand Total Raised: $222,776*
*The numbers are an early estimate before finalized expenses.
“Opening Doors is a great tradition at CWI,” Arstein said. “This year's remarkable event has not only brought our community together but has also raised an astounding $220,000 in support of the College's mission. It's a testament to the dedication and generosity of our donors and supporters who understand the impact CWI has on the lives of our students. Thank you to all who contributed. We're now one step closer to opening doors to brighter futures for thousands of students."
It is never too late to give the gift of education. Visit the CWI Foundation online to learn more and donate today.
Contact the Foundation at 208.562.3100 or foundation@cwi.edu for more information and ways to get involved.
Applications for CWI’s Surgical First Assistant Now Open
Applications for the inaugural Surgical First Assistant class at College of Western Idaho (CWI) are now open! Don't miss this exciting opportunity to launch your career in the field of surgery.
Elevate your career in the fast-growing healthcare industry with CWI's Surgical First Assistant program. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the need for Surgical Assistants and Technologists will grow five percent over the next decade, which is faster than average. About 8,600 job openings nationally for the occupations are projected on average each year.
Join our elite program, which is one of only thirteen in the United States and one of just three in the Western region.
Surgical First classes at CWI can help enrich your skill set and broaden your professional scope as a Surgical Technologist to prepare you to carry a more advanced role, have greater involvement in surgical procedures, and ensure optimal patient results.
Earn an advanced credential as a Surgical First Assistant with proficiency in:
- surgical field visualization
- tissue handling
- patient positioning
- trocar insertion
- injection of local anesthetics
- placement and securing of wound drains
- and more!
Surgical First Assistant's level of involvement in the surgical procedure and their scope of practice increases compared to a Surgical Technologist. In the Surgical First Assistant program, students will acquire the skills to arrange surgical instruments, administer and distribute medications, deliver hands-on patient care, uphold sterility, and configure surgical equipment in an operating room setting. In addition to those skills, they will also gain a great understanding of the application of sterile and aseptic techniques, human anatomy, surgical procedures, and more.
The Surgical First Assistant program covers three semesters: spring, summer, and fall. Students will enjoy the advantage of in-person skills labs led by experienced Certified Surgical First Assistant instructors during the first semester, prior to beginning clinical rotations. The hybrid program format permits students to fulfill their didactic coursework online learning.
Applications for the 2024 Spring will be accepted through Friday, Dec. 1. For more information on the application process and requirements, please visit CWI’s Surgical First Assistant program page.
NOTE: The Surgical First Assistant program at the College of Western Idaho has a site visit scheduled for pursuing initial accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org). This step in the process is neither a status of accreditation nor a guarantee that accreditation will be granted.
Visiting Artist Series Welcomes Flamenco Idaho
Join College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series in welcoming the performing group, Flamenco Idaho, to the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) on Friday, Oct. 27, for a performance and a workshop.
Flamenco Idaho is a performing group that draws inspiration from classical guitar, contemporary dance and art performance, cultural music, and the art form of Flamenco. Their focus is on performing new and traditional works that represent the artists that comprise the group. The group comes from varying backgrounds, including classical, cultural, and experimental music, numerous dance forms, visual art, and poetry. Many of its members have studied in Spain and strive to maintain the country's traditional background. In their presentation, you will see and hear their musical style and be introduced to a brief history of Flamenco.
Following a performance from Flamenco Idaho, the group will host a workshop that will allow participants to learn basic rhythmic patterns through the handclapping style of palmas and learn some introductory movements that incorporate signals and sequences used for communication with the musicians.
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 performance and workshop are both free and open to the public. For those with questions or in need of more information, contact Goran Fazil at goranfazil@cwi.edu.
Lee Published in National College Learning Center’s Learning Assistance Review
The world of education has experienced a seismic shift in recent years, with the rise of remote learning and the necessity of adapting to new methods of teaching and support during unprecedented times. Amid these changes, educators and institutions have had to come up with innovative ways to ensure the success of their students. One such innovation is embedded tutoring, a concept that has been around for a while but gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Interested in learning about how embedded tutoring is implemented in other colleges and universities, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Assistant Director of Tutoring Services, Valerie Lee, along with several other higher education professionals from institutions around the country, surveyed and researched data about best practices and program effectiveness. Lee and her colleagues wrote an article based on their data and findings entitled, An Embedded Tutoring Model, which was recently published in the National College Learning Center’s Learning Assistance Review Vol. 28, # 2.
Lee began her research in July 2022. She conducted a survey through the University of Florida’s Learning Center’s listserv. The mailing list connected her to thousands of learning center professionals around the United States to gather insights and information on embedded tutoring.
The survey identified five colleges, including CWI, that had embedded tutoring in more than 25 courses per semester. Intrigued by this data, Lee initiated a working group involving four other college professionals to delve deeper into the subject. The working group included Lee; Learning Center Manager at Pima Community College in Arizona, Seana Chaves; Learning Center Writing Content Specialist at Pima Community College, Sarah Morris; Director of Library and Academic Support at Chesapeake College in Maryland, Ann Reinecke; and Integrated Tutoring Coordinator at Harrisburg Area Community College in Arizona, Austin Tome.
Lee and the collaborative group decided to share their knowledge with a wider audience. They began by conducting a free webinar for the listserv, which attracted a significant number of participants. They were then contacted by Innovative Educators, an organization that specializes in educational webinars. and invited to present a paid webinar.
For Lee, the intention of the publication is to serve as a resource and training manual for new tutoring professionals. She believes it guides readers on starting and managing a tutoring program, offering insights on recruitment, training, and program development.
“My favorite part of this process is how much I’ve been able to learn from these other schools,” Lee said. “I feel like I have a more solid understanding of what emerging tutoring practices are and the innovation happening at other schools.”
For more information on CWI’s Tutoring Center, please visit their webpage or contact tutoring@cwi.edu.
CWI Staff Senate Fall 2023 Meeting
College of Western Idaho (CWI) staff members gathered virtually for the first Staff Senate meeting of the 2023-2024 Academic Year on Tuesday, Oct. 10. The meeting featured a lineup of engaging guest speakers who shared valuable insights and updates happening around the institution and departments.
Enrollment and Student Services: Assistant Vice President of Enrollment and Student Services (E&SS), Tyler Brown, provided an informative discussion on E&SS and delved into the intricate aspects of the student lifecycle. His presentation shed light on the comprehensive support offered to our students.
Inclusive Excellence Committee: Representatives from the Inclusive Excellence Committee, Tutoring Services Supervisor, Liz Fleshman; Associate Professor of English, Abby Wolford; and Assistant Professor of Social Work, Annie Estvold, presented exciting information and highlighted upcoming events that promote diversity and inclusivity at CWI.
Join the Inclusive Excellence Committee
Learning Commons: Executive Director of Learning Commons, Kim Reed; Assistant Director of Tutoring Services, Valerie Lee; and Assistant Director of the Writing Center, Gigi Smith, took the stage to discuss the array of services offered by the Learning Commons. Their presentation underlined the invaluable support provided to our students throughout their academic journeys.
CWI Library CWI Tutoring Services
A special highlight of the meeting was a delightful slideshow, showcasing the summer memories of our staff members. These photos were submitted as part of the Staff Connections Committee's Fifth Friday Fun initiative, designed to enhance the sense of belonging and community among CWI staff.
For September, the Staff Connections Subcommittee organized a drawing for staff members who shared their summer photos, with three lucky winners receiving $50 gift cards to the CWI Bookstore. Congratulations to Financial Aid Officer, Jessa Walker; Tutoring Services Supervisor, Liz Fleshman; and Registrar Analyst, Austin Hansen, on their wins. Staff Senate extends a heartfelt thanks to everyone who shared their cherished summer memories with us.
If you'd like to enjoy the fantastic slideshow of these summer memories, it's now available for viewing on the Staff Senate page of myCWI. Staff Senate looks forward to more exciting initiatives and community-building events throughout the academic year.
For those with questions or in need of more information about Tuesday's meeting or Staff Senate, please contact staffsenate@cwi.edu.
Take Part in the 2023 Trunk-or-Treat
Associated Students of College of Western Idaho’s (ASCWI) annual Trunk-or-Treat is back and better than ever! Join us on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) east parking lot for a fun and family-friendly evening of trick-or-treating, games, and more.
If spooky fun is what you're looking for, come join us for this year's trunk or treat. This year, we'll have even more decorated cars, more candy, and more fun! Come dressed in your best costume and trick-or-treat from the trunks of “spook-mobiles!” There will be fun games for all ages, music, and tacos from Tin Roof Tacos!
Come share candy and enjoy the Halloween festivities with your CWI community. We encourage everyone to come out and have a good time!
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), east parking lot
Please remember, masks that cover your full face and full face paint are not allowed due to safety precautions. People are also not allowed to carry any weapons or props that resemble any sort of weapon (gun, knives, swords, bows and arrow, etc.). Any item or prop that is brought onto campus will be asked to be put back in your vehicle, even if it is a part of your costume as these are prohibited by CWI.
CWI clubs and organizations along with CWI departments and offices are invited to host a trunk or table. Sign up to secure your spot!
For more information about Trunk-or-Treat, please contact ASCWI at ascwi@cwi.edu.
Mental Health Tidbits: Mental Health First Aid Brown Bag Discussions
Discovering the right techniques to manage stress and prioritize mental health is crucial for maintaining your well-being. Whether it's the demands of school, family, work, finances, or relationships, College of Western Idaho (CWI) understands the overwhelming pressures life can throw your way. Our CWI Mental Health First Aid trainers are offering monthly Mental Health First Aid Brown Bag discussions to all campus community members to help broaden their knowledge on mental health topics.
The second discussion planned for the Fall 2023 semester will be led by Program Manager and Certified Strength Coach, Christie Cremer, and Director of Student Support Services, Heather Grayson. They will host a conversation about using your inborn strengths, gifts, and talents to help strengthen yourself and those around you with Mental Health.
Eleven CWI employees are certified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructors. MHFA teaches individuals the skills necessary to help someone who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. This research and evidence based program promotes mental health literacy to help the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness.
The course introduces participants to the MHFA Action Plan, ALGEE, a five-step plan that can be used to provide support to someone in distress. Additionally, participants learn the risk factors and warning signs for mental health or substance abuse, engage in experiential activities to build an understanding of the impact of illness on individuals and families and discuss evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies.
CWI employees interested in attending MHFA training can visit the Fall 2023 MHFA training article to learn more.
For those with questions or interested in learning more about the MHFA Brown Bag Discussions, please contact Christy Babcock at christybabcock@cwi.edu.
Idaho LAUNCH at College of Western Idaho Helps Fund Tuition & Fees for Idaho Seniors
Attention Idaho high school seniors graduating in Spring 2024! The State of Idaho has an incredible opportunity for you. Introducing Idaho LAUNCH, a program designed to help Idaho students fulfill their college dreams and attend College of Western Idaho (CWI) in Fall 2024.
With Idaho LAUNCH, you can receive 80% of your tuition and fees covered, up to $8,000 per student; nearly covering completion of a two-year degree or certificate. And the best part? There are no GPA or financial need requirements. Plus, everyone who applies to CWI is accepted!
Imagine starting your journey towards a degree or certificate at CWI, knowing that most of your tuition and fees will be taken care of. Plus, if you qualify, you can also apply for scholarships and financial aid to help cover any remaining costs.
We believe in giving every student the opportunity to create a better future through education and personal empowerment. At CWI, you'll have access to over 100 programs that will equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for today's in-demand careers.
Whether you're passionate about technology, healthcare, business, or any other field, CWI has got you covered. Don't miss out on this amazing chance to start your career right here in Idaho.
Applications for the Idaho LAUNCH program open Tuesday, Oct. 3, and will run through the end of November. High school students are highly encouraged to apply early.
Take the first step towards a bright future by learning more about Idaho LAUNCH and how you can get started on an affordable pathway to success. Sign up for CWI Idaho LAUNCH Link and visit the Resource Library on Next Steps of Idaho for additional Idaho LAUNCH program details. CWI is here to support and guide you every step of the way.
NWCCU Accreditation Visit and Open Forums
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU or the Commission) and must comply with NWCCU Accreditation Standards. NWCCU will be conducting an accreditation visit at CWI related to the Year-Seven Comprehensive Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness on Oct. 18 – 20, 2023.
During the visit, NWCCU will be conducting open forums to meet with CWI faculty and staff. The open faculty and staff sessions are intended for operational faculty and staff only. High-level supervisory personnel should not attend these open sessions. Examples of high-level supervisory positions include Department Chair, Assistant Dean, Dean, Provost, Director, Executive Director, Assistant Vice President, Vice President, Executive Vice President, President, etc.
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), Room 139AB
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), Room 139AB
CWI recently submitted to NWCCU the Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review (PRFR) Report and the Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness (EIE) Report. The EIE Report covers NWCCU Accreditation Standard #1 and the PRFR Report covers NWCCU Accreditation Standard #2.
Both accreditation standards will be covered during the NWCCU onsite accreditation visit in October 2023. Employees are strongly encouraged to read the PRFR and EIE Reports in preparation for the NWCCU accreditation visit.
Additional information and resources are available at:
For those with questions or in need of additional information, please email communications@cwi.edu or call 208.562.2222.
