CWI News – October 25, 2024
News Highlights
CWI Counseling Services Awarded $300k Federal Grant
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has received a significant boost in its mission to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention. Jodi Hickenlooper, Assistant Director of CWI's Counseling and Wellness Services, has been awarded a three-year federal grant totaling $306,000. The grant will fund an additional licensed counselor to increase mental health support as well as suicide prevention services on the college campus.
Named the Garret Lee Smith Campus Suicide Prevention Grant, it is awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The grant's goal is to promote a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to enhance mental health services for all students, particularly those at risk for suicide, depression, serious mental illness, and substance use disorders. It also seeks to prevent mental and substance use disorders, promote help-seeking behavior, and reduce negative public attitudes. Lastly, the grant aims to improve the identification and treatment of at-risk students, enabling them to complete their studies.
Counseling and Wellness Services applied for the grant to augment their capacity to improve mental health and substance use prevention and treatment services for their students. A significant part of their planned implementation involves hiring an additional mental health counselor to directly serve students and coordinate program initiatives.
Under the grant, the focus will be on supporting low-income, first-generation students and other high-risk groups like veterans. Some of the grant goals include the creation of a Care Council — a body that includes community stakeholders to address the need for coordination and community linkages. They also aim to increase help-seeking behavior among CWI students through outreach and training, promote social connectedness, and maintain ongoing data collection to identify student needs and guide future mental health initiatives.
In winning the grant, CWI was ably supported by the team at McAllister & Quinn. The team played a crucial role in keeping the grant application process on schedule, gathering required data, meeting all the grant requirements, and writing the project narrative. Their guidance ensured that CWI had a strong application.
Thanks to this federal grant, CWI stands to make significant strides in enhancing mental health and suicide prevention efforts on its campus, contributing to a safer, healthier college community.
For any questions, please contact Counseling and Wellness Services at counselor@cwi.edu or 208.562.2200.
Celebrate Día de los Muertos
Día de los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead, is a vibrant holiday that honors and celebrates the lives of those who have passed away. With this colorful and lively tradition, communities come together to commemorate their loved ones in a beautiful and symbolic manner. This year's Día de los Muertos at College of Western Idaho (CWI) celebration event will be a spectacular and heartfelt experience, filled with traditions, art, and appreciation of this unique holiday right here on our campus.
Join CWI Student Engagement and the Siempre Unidos Student Club on Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) Student Lounge, Room 122, as we come together as a community to celebrate life and remember loved ones.
Whether you're familiar with the tradition or new to it, this event offers an inclusive and joyful way to participate in a celebration of life and remembrance. Come and attend a workshop exploring more about what the holiday entails, followed by an interactive crafting activity, pictures at the photo booth, and enjoy some good tamales and pan dulce.
There will also be week-long viewing of the community altar located in Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Room 122, from Oct. 28 – Nov. 1.
Día de los Muertos Celebration
Wednesday, Oct. 30
1:00 – 3:30 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) Student Lounge, Room 122
Nampa Campus Día de los Muertos Community Altar
Oct. 28 – Nov. 1
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) Student Lounge, Room 122
For more information about the Día de los Muertos Celebration, please contact Jeanette Orozco at jeanetteorozco@cwi.edu.
SCORE Big with CWI Nights and Idaho Steelheads Hockey
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is proud to partner with Idaho Steelheads for CWI Nights in the 2024-2025 Season!
Students, alumni, employees, family, friends, and members of the CWI community are all invited to attend each CWI Night at a discounted price of $20, which, in addition to a seat, will include 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.
Plus, representatives from CWI will host a table on the concourse to enter current and future students in a drawing for a chance to win a $1,000 SCORE Big scholarship or CWI hockey jersey — awarded that night on the ice!
CWI Nights at the Idaho Steelheads
(Click the date to purchase tickets for that game.)
Nov. 13 – Idaho Steelheads vs. Rapid City Rush
Dec. 11 – Idaho Steelheads vs. Tulsa Oilers
Jan. 8 – Idaho Steelheads vs. Florida Everblades
Feb. 5 – Idaho Steelheads vs. Rapid City Rush
March 19 – Idaho Steelheads vs. Allen Americans
All games start at 7 p.m.
Idaho Central Arena
Get Discounted Tickets
The fun doesn’t stop at CWI Nights! Through the partnership, CWI also offers a limited amount of discounted ticket price of $18 to all Steelheads home games for the 2024-2025 season.
Tickets must be placed at least 24 hours prior to the event or subject to availability.
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.
Plus, the CWI community can check out an Idaho Steelheads game in Otter fashion and school spirit with college-branded clothes — available online or at the CWI Bookstore located at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC).
For those with questions or in need of more information, contact communications@cwi.edu.
Hollie Leavitt Receives GEM Idaho Innovative Educator Award
At the College of Western Idaho (CWI), students are exposed to innovative education methods that stimulate critical thinking, adaptability and self-direction. One exceptional educator leading the wave of this educational revolution is Professor Hollie Leavitt.
Leavitt, a professor of Biology at CWI, was recently presented with a GEM Idaho Innovative Educator award in Scientific Ways of Knowing, an accolade sponsored by CapEd and the Idaho State Board of Education at the General Education Summit in Boise. The award spotlights educators from state schools in Idaho that demonstrate remarkable innovation in teaching general education classes.
Leavitt's innovative approach to teaching Human Anatomy and Physiology (Biol 227) played a big role in her nomination for this award. She deploys the "flipped" classroom model, where students familiarize themselves with daily material at home through various resources, such as reading assignments, video lectures, and simple activities. During class, students engage in problem-based learning in groups, employing case studies.
Leavitt's dedication to fostering learning extends beyond classroom walls. She has authored and published several case studies with the National Science Teaching Association to enhance learning.
When asked about her feelings towards her achievement, she expressed gratitude in being acknowledged alongside other exceptional colleagues around the state. However, Leavitt's true pride comes from nurturing her students to develop durable skills.
"A big goal that I have for my classes is that my students will learn to be self-directed learners, think critically, and be adaptable. Those skills will take them further in their future careers than their ability to recite all the steps in the coagulation cascade or identify every bone marking on the skull,” said Leavitt.
Leavitt's approach to teaching is not just theoretical but is also deeply rooted in practical learning experiences. She shared a memorable incident that occurred when she was away at a conference and the substitute teacher missed class. Students autonomously organized themselves into groups, worked through the day's case study, and even took attendance, demonstrating their development into self-directed learners. “These guys completely blew me away, and I felt like we had really succeeded in developing durable skills in the class — the students had become such self-directed learners that apparently, they didn't really need me as a guide, organizer, or facilitator anymore,” said Leavitt.
Leavitt employs high impact practices with an emphasis on active and collaborative learning. She believes students learn best when they engage actively with the material and peers, as opposed to passive learning.
Professor Hollie Leavitt isn't just another decorated academic at CWI – she embodies the innovative spirit that sets CWI education apart. Her commitment to shaping students into self-reliant, adaptable, and critical thinking professionals prepares them to adapt to the challenges and opportunities the future holds.
Over 100 Winners in Otters Mascot Giveaway
Since being unveiled at the 2024 State of the College Address, enthusiasm for the new College of Western Idaho (CWI) mascot, River the Otter, has been widespread. As part of the announcement, the College held a giveaway for the CWI community, with prizes ranging from baseball hats to backpacks and sweatshirts to puffer coats. The grand prize was a custom cooler featuring high-tech insulation as effective as… an otter.
Many participated and below are some statistics that demonstrate a clear result — the CWI community is very excited about our new mascot!
RESULTS
Entries
- Total unique entries: 1,004
- Students: 565
- Staff: 250
- Faculty: 164
- Community: 50
- Alumni: 25
Winners
- Total: 137
- Students: 49
- Staff: 38
- Faculty: 33
- Community: 9
- Alumni: 8
Dental Assisting Program Partners with Love Heals
College of Western Idaho (CWI) partnered with nonprofit Love Heals and others in the community to provide free dental services in Boise, ID on Friday, Sept. 27. Students and faculty from the Dental Assisting program, the HUB 365 Community Center, local healthcare providers, and healthcare students from 2 other academic institutions provided over 500 collective hours and an estimated $62,079 value of services — critical care for those in need.
Love Heals, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity based out of Garden City, provides professional medical, dental, and vision services at no cost to underserved individuals and communities.
Here are some impressive statistics that demonstrate the impact of their service:
- 500+ Volunteer Hours
- Estimated value of services provided: $62,079
- Number of Professional Healthcare Volunteers: 23
- Number of Healthcare Student Volunteers: 53
- Number of Community Volunteers: 35
- 114 Medical Clearance Checks (blood pressure, blood glucose, allergies, & family history)
- 34 Dental X-Rays
- 30 Dental Procedures (fillings & extractions)
- 73 Dental Cleanings
Entrepreneur Lab Kickoff Event Success!
The Kickoff Event for the new College of Western Idaho (CWI) Entrepreneur Lab was a resounding success! Held on Oct. 10 at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), the celebration featured an exciting ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Nampa Chamber of Commerce and officially opened the brand new Entrepreneur Lab space in room 100B.
Prior to cutting the ribbon, Kenton Lee, Director of Entrepreneur Lab, and President Jones inspired guests with their remarks while emphasizing the importance of innovation and collaboration in our community.
The space has been designed to give entrepreneurs a place to experiment with ideas. The expert staff aims to impart what it means to be an entrepreneur, grow essential skills, develop business ideas, monetize hobbies, enhance side hustles, and start and grow businesses.
Embark on a journey where ideas are empowered, aspirations are supported, and entrepreneurial spirit thrives. Visit the Entrepreneur Lab page for additional information and to learn about upcoming events.
