CWI News – Sept. 1, 2023
Spotlight
The 2023 issue of the College’s magazine, Elevation, has arrived! Stop by the Marketing and Communications Office to pick up a copy, or be sure to check your mailboxes for the latest issue! Featured on the cover is Ryan Morrison, a 2023 graduate of the Registered Nursing program. Visit cwi.edu/Elevation to subscribe, view past issues, and more.
News Highlights
CWI Celebrates Arts and Culture at the Nampa Festival of the Arts
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Studio Art students and faculty left their mark at the 36th Annual Nampa Festival of the Arts at Lakeview Park as they judged the event’s Juried Arts Competition!
Associate Professor of Art, Goran Fazil, along with five students, observed many different art pieces, chatted with the artists, and asked them questions, such as how the piece was made, what methods were used, and what their inspiration was. The judges evaluated a diverse range of art forms, from sculptures to paintings, pottery to metalwork, and more!
After visiting each artist and their piece, the students and Fazil convened and discussed which five of the entries would be awarded grand prize, gold, silver, bronze, and runner-up. The judges said they looked for originality and innovation in each piece.
"The students get to think about the different concepts and ideas they learn in class and apply them," said Fazil. "An interesting thing about the pieces is they are all different types of media and techniques. The students get to talk to artists and get an understanding of the different processes. They also get to understand how competitive these juried events are and what sets certain works aside from others. "
CWI has been teaming up with the Nampa Festival of the Arts to judge the Juried Arts Competition since 2012. The Nampa Parks and Recreation Department, which organizes the Festival each year, says they appreciate the partnership and commitment from the students and Fazil who take the time to share their expertise and knowledge with the community.
“It’s nice to have individuals who are not only interested in learning about the arts, but also budding artists themselves available to give their opinion and most accurately judge what makes a good piece of art,” said Diego Estrada, the City of Nampa Recreation Programs Coordinator.
Beginning in 1986, the Nampa Festival of the Arts at Lakeview Park is a longstanding event created by the Nampa Parks and Recreation Department and the Nampa Art Guild to present an opportunity for local artists to showcase and sell their art. About 200 artists take part in the Festival each year, drawing more than 18,000 community members from around the Treasure Valley.
Living with Alzheimer's
In partnership with the Greater Idaho Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Workforce Development is proud to offer a certificate course, Living with Alzheimer’s. This course is made for professional, family, or individual caregivers with a goal to provide education, resources, and support for those caring for a person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
According to the Alzheimer's Association, an estimated 50 million people worldwide are currently living with dementia, including more than 5 million Americans. Without changes in prevention or treatment, this number could reach nearly 14 million by 2050. The disease also affects the 16 million Americans who provide unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer’s or Dementia. More than 80% of care provided at home is delivered by family members, friends, or other unpaid caregivers.
This one-day in-person course will provide attendees with practical answers to questions that arise in the early, middle, and late stages of Alzheimer’s. It will also feature information on what it means to receive a diagnosis, how to recognize warning signs, tips for communication, and caregiving techniques.
Those enrolled will get the chance to hear from those directly affected and learn what resources, support, and connections exist in the community.
The inaugural six-hour course will be held in person at CWI’s Canyon County Center on Saturday, Oct. 7 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
For those interested in learning more about the course or have questions, please visit the course’s webpage, or contact Workforce Development at wd@cwi.edu.
Equity Tid Bit: Trauma Informed Practices
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Inclusive Excellence Committee is proud to host Equity Tid Bit: Trauma Informed Practices presented by CWI Counselor, Christy Babcock. This informative training will provide participants with a deeper understanding of trauma and how to best respond when working with students or colleagues who have experienced it.
Attendees will gain insight into the nature of trauma and learn how to recognize potential responses. They will also discuss the best ways to respond to support individuals impacted by trauma in their lives.
Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building (NASP) or via Zoom
Those interested in attending are asked to please register for the event prior. The event is free and open to all CWI faculty and staff.
The Inclusive Excellence Committee's Tid Bit Series aims to offer easy-to-understand and practical education on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The Inclusive Excellence committee works to help realize the College’s mission to empower students to succeed by providing affordable and accessible education to advance the local and global workforce by fostering an inclusive educational community of engagement, respect, and accountability. The committee believes success is driven by the power of an inclusive culture based on utilizing our differences to stimulate and encourage social justice, multicultural competence, and effective and engaged citizenship.
For those with questions or in need of more information, please contact the Inclusive Excellence Committee at inclusiveexcellence@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.
Prospective Students Gain Access to View Class Offerings
Exciting news! College of Western Idaho (CWI) now offers guest access to easily view current and future class schedules.
Guest access gives prospective students and members of the community the same detailed view of class schedules as a student with a CWI login. From the external website, visitors can see real-time information and full details of the current class schedule, including the number of enrolled seats, available seats, waitlist status, course fees, sections with zero or low-cost textbooks, and more.
Class Search can be accessed from the Academic Catalog. CWI students with a login should continue to access the class schedule from the Self-Service Toolkit in myCWI where they can continue to registration.
NWCCU Plans Visit to CWI
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU or the Commission). NWCCU recently provided feedback on CWI’s Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review Report in February 2023. The Commission will be conducting an onsite visit at CWI related to the Year-Seven Comprehensive Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness during Oct. 18 – 20, 2023.
Constituents are invited to submit comments directly to the Commission office related to College of Western Idaho. Comments must be received no later than ten (10) days prior to the onsite visit and can be submitted to NWCCU in the following ways:
- United State Postal Service Mail or Courier Service:
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
8060 165th Ave. NE, Suite 200
Redmond, WA 98052
- Electronic Submission: https://nwccu.org/member-institutions/upcoming-evaluations/
If you have additional questions or would like to reach out to CWI directly, please email communications@cwi.edu or call 208.562.2222.
