CWI News – Oct. 24, 2025

Since launching in fall 2023, College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Z-degree initiative has provided students with an affordable, accessible path to completing their education, saving them more than $2 million in textbook costs. 

Z-Degree courses utilize Open Educational Resources (OER), free, digital learning materials embedded directly into course sections, to eliminate the need for costly textbooks. These materials have been accessed over 31,000 times by CWI students since the program began, ensuring that every learner in a Z-degree course has immediate, first-day access to the materials they need to succeed. 

“From the start, the goal of the Z-degree was to remove barriers and make education more accessible,” said Associate Professor of Communications, Johnny Rowing. “By using OER, students don’t have to wait for financial aid or worry about textbook costs. They’re ready to learn on day one.” 

Z-degree classes are available to all students, regardless of their chosen major, providing an affordable alternative to traditional textbook costs. In addition to classes, Communication, General Studies, Philosophy, and Studio Art programs offer a Z-degree Pathway with zero- or low-cost textbook options for every class required to complete an Associate of Arts degree within those areas of study. 

When registering, classes offering a Z-degree option will be marked with the Z-degree icon. 

For those with questions or in need of more information about Z-degree classes, please contact your advisor or email academicadvising@cwi.edu. 

Z-degree 

When Cody Phelps first enrolled at College of Western Idaho (CWI) in 2011, the College was still in its infancy.  

Fresh out of high school and new to the Treasure Valley, he came to CWI like many community college students looking for direction and opportunity. What he found was a launchpad that would carry him through Ivy League classrooms, industry leadership roles, and ultimately back to the same halls he once walked as a student. 

“It’s kind of surreal,” Phelps said. “Fifteen years ago, I was sitting in these chairs as a business student. Now I’m the one up front teaching.” 

During his time as a student, Phelps became CWI’s first elected Vice President of the Associated Students of CWI (ASCWI). Being part of the College’s earliest days gave him a sense of connection that has stayed with him. 

“It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come and we’re only just scratching the surface,” Phelps said. 

He also found mentorship from faculty like Economics Instructor, John Nordstrom, who encouraged him to pursue the subject further. That influence led Phelps to Boise State University, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in Economics, before heading to Cornell University for a master’s degree in Healthcare Informatics. 

After graduating with his degrees, Phelps built a career across healthcare and business. He worked in consulting, led teams at PacificSource, and became one of the youngest directors at Albertsons Companies. Currently, he leads pharmacy analytics at Terry Reilly Health Services, where his work supports underserved communities across the Treasure Valley. 

“The work that Terry Reilly does for the community and underserved populations, people who are often at or below the poverty level, really brings purpose to what I do,” Phelps said. “It’s about finding ways to stretch every dollar to provide access to healthcare for those who need it most.” 

While his professional path in industry was well established, an unexpected invitation by a former instructor in 2019 brought Phelps back to the CWI classroom.  

“I had no idea honestly if that teaching  would be a calling for me or something I’d even be good at,” he said. “I entertained it and said, you know, I’ll try it. I started with a class or two and went from there. I fell in love with it.” 

Phelps now teaches Economics, Business Law, Statistics, and Management, both as an Adjunct Faculty at CWI and at Boise State.

The best part of teaching for Phelps is connection. Having once been in his students’ shoes, he works hard to remove what he calls the “invisible wall” that can exist between student and teacher. 

“I tell them, ‘Ten or fifteen years ago, I was you,’” he said. “Whether you’re certain about your degree path or just figuring it out, I want students to know I’m happy to be a resource and help guide them to ultimately get that footing that allows them to accelerate their academic and professional careers.” 

Looking back, Phelps credits CWI with accelerating both his academic and professional journey. He also reflects on how the College prepared him for continued success: 

“As someone that has gone forward from community college to a traditional four-year to an Ivy League master’s, I can confidently speak to the level of education here and the capabilities of instructors,” Phelps said. “If you put in the work and do well here, you’ll be ready for anything.” 

From student to industry professional and now faculty member, Phelps has seen CWI from nearly every angle. For him, it all comes down to the same mission that drew him in years ago: meeting students where they are and helping them take the next step. 

“That’s the beauty of CWI. There isn’t one path. Every student comes with their own goals, and we’re here to help them get there,” Phelps said. 

Join College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Student Engagement on Wednesday, Oct. 29, for a Día de los Muertos Celebration at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) Student Lounge, Room 122. Come together as a community to honor life and remember loved ones through an afternoon of culture, creativity, and connection.  

Enjoy a workshop exploring the history and significance of Día de los Muertos, followed by an interactive craft activity, photo booth, and delicious tamales and pan dulce. Whether you are familiar with the tradition or learning about it for the first time, this event offers an inclusive and engaging way to celebrate.  

At College of Western Idaho (CWI), students in the Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program gain hands-on experience from instructors who bring years of real-world expertise across multiple industries. From telescope operations and satellite tracking to robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing, CWI’s Mechatronics faculty have built careers applying the same concepts they now teach. Their experience helps students connect classroom theory with practice, preparing them to step confidently into high-demand, high-tech careers. 

Robert Novak began his path with a simple curiosity by taking things apart just to see how they worked. That curiosity grew into a global career in electronics, including telescope operations, satellite tracking, and industrial automation. As Department Chair, he leads the Mechatronics program, designing the curriculum and selecting instructors to ensure students develop practical, industry-relevant skills. 

“We designed the Mechatronics program to meet real-world industry needs,” Novak said. “Bringing in instructors with hands-on experience gives students a chance to learn directly from professionals who have lived the work.”  

Novak also emphasizes the importance of passion, persistence, and personal mentorship, understanding that life outside the classroom shapes academic success just as much as what happens inside.  

Jim Jozwiak, Assistant Professor, Mechatronics Technology 

Drawing on decades of experience in both industry and academia, Assistant Professor, Jim Jozwiak, brings a unique perspective to his classroom. He has worked in automation, robotics, and complex mechanical systems, giving him firsthand insight into how Mechatronics concepts are applied in professional settings. His students benefit from his ability to connect abstract principles into real-world scenarios, showing them not just how to use the tools but why they matter. 

To complement his Industrial Tools and Fabrication class, Jozwiak published Industrial Hand and Power Tools, a textbook designed specifically for the program. 

“Students need a resource that matches what we do in the lab,” he said. “There wasn’t a good book, so I wrote one myself. It gives students a reference they can use alongside hands-on learning, bridging theory and practice.” 

Sam Barker’s career spans the military, information technology, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing. He has worked as a manufacturing process engineer and manager at House of Design Robotics, where he helped implement large-scale automation systems, including those at Autovol, an automated modular construction company.  

After years in high-stakes manufacturing, Barker transitioned to teaching as a way to stay connected to the field while helping shape its future workforce. 

"Teaching at CWI lets me stay in the industry I love while training the very people I would have hired, helping them succeed in real-world settings," he said.  

Barker focuses on hands-on learning, critical thinking, and troubleshooting, giving students practical strategies and lessons from his career. He also emphasizes applied mathematics, helping students understand not just how tasks are performed, but why processes work the way they do. 

Together, CWI’s Mechatronics faculty create a learning environment that combines technical rigor with personal mentorship. Students explore complex systems in the classroom and labs, while gaining insight from instructors who have faced the challenges and successes of the professional world.  

By focusing on hands-on experience, real-world applications, and supportive teaching, the program prepares graduates to enter high-demand fields with confidence and skill. 

Learn more about Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program

College of Western Idaho (CWI) is proud to partner once again with Idaho Steelheads for CWI Nights during the 2025-2026 Season! 

Students, alumni, employees, families, and friends are invited to join the CWI community at the arena for an evening of hockey, school spirit, and scholarship support. For just $25.44, fans will receive admission to the game along with a meal voucher for a Double R Ranch hot dog, chips, and a small drink. Even better, $5 from every CWI Night ticket goes directly back to the SCORE Big Scholarship Fund, helping students achieve their goals. 

Each CWI Night will also feature opportunities for students to win big. CWI’s outreach team will be hosting a table on the concourse where current and future students can enter to win a $1,000 SCORE Big Scholarship, awarded during the second intermission right down on the ice. One lucky winner will also walk away with a CWI hockey jersey making the evening even more memorable. 

CWI Nights

• Oct. 29 – Idaho Steelheads vs. Tahoe Knight Monsters

• Dec. 3 –  Idaho Steelheads vs. Trois-Rivières Lions 

• Feb. 4 – Idaho Steelheads vs. Greenville Swamp Rabbits 

• Feb. 25 – Idaho Steelheads vs. Wichita Thunder

• March 25 – Idaho Steelheads vs. South Carolina Stingrays 

Games begin at 7 p.m. at Idaho Central Arena. 

Discounted Tickets

The fun doesn't stop at CWI Nights! Discounted tickets are available to the CWI community for all Steelheads home games during the 2025-2026 season for just $18. Tickets must be purchased at least 24 hours prior to the event and are subject to availability.

Purchase Discounted Tickets

Stay tuned for future announcements to learn how students and employees may be able to win free tickets to upcoming games through involvement at campus activities and registration events. Be sure to show up at the games in Otter fashion and school spirit with college-branded clothing — available at the CWI Bookstore online or in person at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC). 

Contact communications@cwi.edu with questions or for more information.