CWI News—Oct. 15, 2021
Bold Appreciation
Congratulations to Andy Diehl, Research Analyst for Institutional Effectiveness, and Business Office Quality and Contract Control Analyst, Jennifer Pope, who both guessed closest to the number this past week winning themselves a pair of tickets to the Boise State vs Air Force game tomorrow night!
Be sure to read future issues of CWI News for your chance to win tickets.
Go BOLD!
News Highlights
Opening Doors Event Raises Nearly $80k for Student Scholarships
Thank you to all who joined the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation’s eighth-annual Opening Doors Benefit Event and auction, Sept. 29 through Oct. 10, to raise nearly $80,000 for student scholarships!
The livestream event, hosted Oct. 6 from CWI’s Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology lab at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, featured 2015 CWI Communication graduates, Shane Larson and Andde Mendez, as emcees, and special guest, Dr. Tommy Ahlquist, a prominent business leader and developer in the Treasure Valley.
“The minute CWI Foundation Board President, Ivan Castillo, asked me to speak at this event, it was a very easy yes for me,” commented Ahlquist. “I sincerely appreciate what CWI does for this community in providing a line of site connecting Idaho people to Idaho jobs. This is significant!”
“The impact your donations to CWI make is amazing,” said Foundation Board President, Ivan Castillo. “For our students who receive scholarships, sometimes this gift is all it takes to help them reach their goals, empower their dreams, and believe the sky is the limit!"
It is never too late to give the gift of education. Visit the CWI Foundation online to learn more and donate today.
2022-2023 Financial Aid Application Now Open
Are you planning to attend College of Western Idaho during the 2022-2023 academic year? If so, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is now open. Completing your FAFSA gives you access to more than $120 billion in Federal Student Aid from the U.S. Department of Education to help pay for college, and we are ready and here to help you along the way!
Various forms of financial aid are available:
- Grants
- awarded to students based on need
- do not need to be repaid
- Scholarships
- awarded based on merit, skill, unique characteristics, or other criteria
- eligibility and restrictions may apply
- Student Loans
- borrowed funds
- must be repaid
- Work Study Programs
- need-based employment opportunities for students
Ready to apply?
- Visit Financial Aid online for additional information and instructions on how to complete your FAFSA.
- Apply for financial aid from your mobile device with the myStudentAid app.
- Find information on and apply for scholarships.
- Contact One Stop Student Services with questions or to meet with a Financial Aid representative.
Next Steps Idaho Month Encourages Higher Education
Thousands of Idaho high school seniors will be submitting their college applications to various Idaho institutions, including College of Western Idaho (CWI), through Apply Idaho on the Next Steps Idaho website during the month of October.
Idaho Governor Brad Little has proclaimed October at Next Steps Idaho Month to help raise awareness about high school students being able to apply to any of Idaho’s higher education institutions in a matter of minutes and do it free of charge.
CWI is participating with Apply Idaho in October to support Idaho high school seniors in taking advantage this opportunity in their school while learning about their college opportunities and the process to apply for college in Idaho. Embedded in these efforts will be CWI representatives at many Treasure Valley high schools over the next few weeks assisting students with questions about applying for college and helping students with additional opportunities from financial aid to understanding program offerings.
No matter what lies ahead, students can find support for their journey through higher education at CWI. Students may also find resources for life after high school at Next Steps Idaho.
Future Student Resources
Grapes Named September Staff of the Month
Congratulations to Samantha Grapes, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Staff of the Month for September 2021. Grapes is the Senior Coordinator of Course and Curriculum Management in the Registrar’s Office and has been with the College for nearly 12 years.
Whether she is taking classes, reading a book, or watching a documentary, Grapes has always enjoyed learning. Earning a Bachelor of Science in English from Brigham Young University-Idaho in 2007, she has more recently completed an Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice at CWI and has started taking classes for a Master of Arts degree in History through Idaho State University.
“Criminal justice has been a passion of mine since having a sibling spend time in the criminal justice system,” she said. “I am currently working to combine my degree in criminal justice with a degree in history by focusing my graduate portfolio on the historical roots of our prison system and the impact of racial bias on our drug laws.”
Grape has been able to extend her love of learning and education into her career at as the Senior Coordinator of Course and Curriculum Management at CWI. In this capacity, her primary responsibilities include oversight and creation of the annual college catalog, assisting faculty with updating and creating course and program curriculum, and serving as the primary administrator the College’s online catalog and curriculum inventory management system.
“Through supporting our faculty and helping guide them in creating curriculum, I feel like the work I do contributes to improving the lives of our students through education, even if it’s in a small, non-direct way. Because of CWI, I have found a profession that gives me a feeling of accomplishment and allows me to help others in our community.”
As a member of the Registrar’s Office, Grapes has had the opportunity to work at each of CWI’s commencement ceremonies from the very beginning.
“Our commencement ceremonies are always a highlight of my year! I remember setting up hundreds of chairs on the lawn at the Nampa Campus Academic Building for our first CWI commencement ceremony in 2010. That ceremony was the only one the College has held on campus. No matter the venue, being a part of that celebratory atmosphere is always enjoyable!”
“Samantha embodies all five of CWI’s core values,” said Dean of Health, Cathleen Currie. “She is always available to support faculty and staff and share her wealth of knowledge in a patient and generous way. Most recently, she assisted the Professional Nursing department in developing an entirely new program. She is well respected throughout the College. CWI is blessed to have her expansive positive energy – she is contagious!”
“CWI is a great place to work because of the people I work with,” said Grapes. “Yes, this statement may seem cliché, but it’s true! Everyone here is so supportive and appreciative of each other. There is a real sense of community, especially with those of us who have been here since (nearly) the beginning.”
Outside the office, Grapes enjoys getting out in nature and taking photos, listening to podcasts, and watching movies. She is a self-proclaimed spinster and has two cats.
Data Governance Committee Launches CWI Enterprise Data Warehouse Data Mart
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) analysts and report writers will begin utilizing a new data source for reporting, analytics, and business processes. Through the collaborative efforts between members of the Data Governance Committee and IT, the initial iteration of CWI’s new data mart is now available for use in reporting and analytics.
Data marts provide data prepared for reporting and analysis. These data sources are based on the definitions published in CWI’s data catalog. CWI’s data mart is developed in an iterative process by functional area or business process.
This initial rollout of the data mart includes college credit enrollment information and student demographics. Upcoming expansion of CWI’s enterprise data warehouse and data mart include data from Admissions, Financial Aid, Registrar’s Office, and Human Resources.
A new reporting tool, Power BI, is also available to connect and build reports from the data mart. Power BI is a collection of software, services, applications, and connectors which facilitate the creation of reports and dashboards, and the visual analysis of information.
Please contact the Data Governance Committee Chair, Brian Cuttlers, or your solution owner to learn more how your department’s report writers and analysts can begin using this resource.
Access to Booster Vaccines for Higher Education Employees
COVID-19 booster vaccines are now available for higher education employees who have completed their initial series of vaccines at least six months ago.
In partnership with Saint Alphonsus and Micron, College of Western Idaho is hosting free, COVID-19 vaccination clinics on campus as outlined below.
Tuesday, Oct. 19
Ada County Campus Pintail Center (APIN), Common Area
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Register for the Tuesday, Oct. 19 Clinic
Tuesday, Oct. 26
Canyon County Center (CYNC), Main Lobby
9 – 11 a.m.
Register for the Tuesday, Oct. 26 Clinic
Those interested in receiving a vaccination are encouraged to pre-register, however, walk-ins are also welcome. Micron is providing $25 gift cards to the first 50 who pre-register and receive a vaccination at each location. CWI employees wishing to participate in the clinics are asked to communicate with their manager for pre-approved release time.
According to guidance provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID-19 vaccines are effective at helping protect against severe disease and death from variants of the virus that causes COVID-19, including the Delta variant. To learn more about COVID-19, the vaccine, and benefits of receiving a booster shot, please visit the CDC site.
Name Your Story
Do you want to learn more about your mental health? Are you concerned about a loved one, colleague, classmate, or friend? College of Western Idaho's Student Engagement team is excited to welcome therapist, speaker, and author, Dr. Lauren Cook, to campus for Name Your Story, a thought-provoking presentation and educational workshop on mental health.
On average, one in four people experiences a mental health challenge. Even if you have not personally experienced depression, or another mental health concern, chances are likely that someone you love has.
Dr. Cook’s Name Your Story presentation and workshop will give participants the opportunity to not only learn about the signs and symptoms of the most common mental health concerns affecting people today, but will also provide training on how to talk about these experiences with one another. Participants will also get an opportunity to learn about self-care and how to prioritize their wellbeing.
Name Your Story with Dr. Lauren Cook
Presentation
Monday, Oct. 18
5 – 7 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building, 2nd Floor Atrium
Workshop
Tuesday, Oct. 19
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building, Room 122
Contact Student Engagement at studentengagement@cwi.edu to learn more or with questions.
Drug Take Back Day at CWI
Did you know unused and expired prescription medications are a public safety issue which could lead to accidental poisoning, overdose, and abuse?
As part of National Drug Take Back Day, College of Western Idaho’s Student Affairs team has partnered with the Nampa Police Department to provide a safe, convenient, and responsible means of disposing prescription drugs. Plan to attend the drive-through, drop-off event hosted at the College’s Nampa Campus Micron Education Center parking lot on Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Acceptable Items:
- all solid dosage pharmaceutical products and liquids in consumer containers
- liquid products, such as cough syrup, sealed in the original container
Unacceptable Items:
- Intravenous solutions, injectables, inhalers, syringes, chemotherapy medications
vaping devices with batteries that cannot be removed
medical waste
Contact Amber Eubanks at ambereubanks@cwi.edu to learn more or with questions.
CWI Trunk-or-Treat Oct. 28
Looking for some fun this Halloween? College of Western Idaho (CWI) students, employees, and their families are invited to participate in a Trunk-or-Treat at the Nampa Campus Academic Building parking lot on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 5 – 7 p.m.
The event, put on by the College’s Student Engagement team, Culture and Employee Engagement Committee (CEEC), and ASCWI, is currently looking for groups to host a trunk! Get together with your, department, club, coworkers, and/or classmates to host a trunk or table and pass out candy and treats at this exciting event. Each participating group will be provided with small decorations and candy, however, going above and beyond and all out with trunks and treats is certainly welcome and encouraged!
Sign up to participate by Monday, Oct. 25, to secure your spot! Visit the CWI Trunk-or-Treat Event Page to learn more, or contact ceec@cwi.edu with questions.
2021 Halloween Costume Contest
Something is brewing! It is time to showcase your creative costuming and spooky talents by participating in College of Western Idaho’s Culture and Employee Engagement Committee’s annual Halloween Costume Contest.
Contest categories are:
- Best Group Photo
- Best Individual Costume
- Best CWI Team Spirit Costume – You “otter” do this one!
- Best Dressed Pet
- Most Creative Zoom Halloween Story
To enter, send your photo(s) along with the category you would like to enter to ceec@cwi.edu by end of day Thursday, Nov. 4. Employees will be given the opportunity to vote for their favorites!
Cybersecurity Awareness: Passwords
The length and strength of your password can make a huge difference in how long it takes for hackers to crack the code! Cybercriminals can crack weak passwords in seconds and that’s why it is important that each online account (especially the important ones) have slight differences. However, having and remembering different passwords for each online account may seem overwhelming.
Below are recommended guidelines for creating new passwords:
- Use strong, unique passwords. Secure passwords are those that are easy to remember, but hard to guess. Never use the same password for multiple online accounts. If your password is compromised during a breach, hackers can gain access to all of your accounts.
- Size does matter. Passwords should be at least eight characters long, using:
- UPPERCASE characters (A to Z)
- Lowercase characters (a to z)
- Numbers (0 to 9)
- Symbols (! $ # % @ &*[ < >)
- Use this trick to create a strong password:
- Step 1 – Think of a phrase or the name of a song i.e. “Can’t you see, oh can’t you see,”
- Step 2 – Take the first letter of each word Cys,ocys
- Step 3 – Add numbers and characters, i.e. #2008Cys,ocys!
- Use a password stem to remember unique passwords. Add a different pre- or post-fix to your password per account. It makes remembering multiple unique passwords easier.
- Avoid using any of the following; special dates such as birth and anniversary dates, pet names, spouse, and children’s name, or even your address. Most of this information can be found on social networking sites.
Contact Mike Wilson at mikewilson1@cwi.edu or 208.562.3193 with questions or for more cybersecurity tips, questions, and information.
