CWI News – Sept. 15, 2023
Spotlight
We have been feeling the positive energy on campus this whole week! A big thanks to Student Affairs for organizing the Fall 2023 Student Resource Fair which brought students, employees, and members of the community together. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the College and get connected with helpful resources.
President's Message
Greetings CWI Faculty and Staff,
I want to thank all of you for your hard work and dedication in a successful start to Fall 2023 semester.
Your commitment has played a crucial role in our enrollment efforts. I am pleased to share that fall enrollment, as of the census on Sept. 1, shows an increase. This growth reflects the collective efforts of our entire campus community.
As you may have heard at the Fall 2023 Address a couple of weeks ago, we have an incredible opportunity on the horizon with Idaho Launch. This program will provide $8,000 or 80% of tuition and fees for 2024 Idaho high school graduates. We will be providing more information soon about this transformational program and how we can all play a part in sharing it with our community. In the meantime, please visit CWI’s Idaho Launch page to learn more and watch for additional details in the coming weeks.
Again, I thank you for your dedication and determination to serve our students and community.
Respectfully,
News Highlights
CWI Fire and Law Enforcement Students Honor Heroes and Victims of 9/11
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Fire Service Technology and Law Enforcement students paid tribute and honored the lives affected by the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. Together, alongside Nampa Fire and Police Departments, and other community leaders and members, CWI students and faculty gathered at the Nampa Fire Station 1 to take part in the City of Nampa’s 9/11 Memorial Ceremony Monday morning.
“It is always an honor to be included in this tribute and has a tremendous impact on our students and CWI,” said Director of Fire Service Technology, Darrin Raskopf.
CWI Fire Service Technology and Law Enforcement students have taken part in the event for past several years to learn more about the events of 9/11, the importance of public safety, and the impact these types of tragic events have on their professions. It is also a way for the students and faculty to foster relationships with their community partners and agencies.
“Our participation is key in developing ongoing relationships with our community partners and agencies,” said CWI Law Enforcement Program Director, LeRoy Forsman. “I spoke with numerous elected officials who each spoke about how impressed they were with our students and their participation. These are the people who are decision-makers that will be employing our students in the future.”
2023 Farm to Fork Tickets Sold Out!
Get a taste of the Treasure Valley and College of Western Idaho (CWI) during this year's Farm to Fork event, Friday, Oct. 6. Hosted by the College's Agricultural Science department, this true farm-to-fork meal will feature produce grown in CWI's Campus Garden and specialties from local partners.
"We are thrilled to engage with our community to support the Campus Garden," said the Department Chair and Assistant Professor in Agriculture Sciences, Andrea Schumaker. "This project is a true labor of love, and it brings us immense joy to provide students the opportunity to harvest vegetables, educate them about agriculture, and contribute to the availability of fresh, nutritious food for them and their families."
$80/person
- Take a tour of the garden, meet the chef, and talk with local partners contributing to the event.
- Dinner includes a five-course meal paired with delicious beverages.
Tickets for 2023 Farm to Fork are sold out!
Those still interested in supporting the Campus Garden can make a monetary donation by visiting CWI’s Give Now page, selecting Other with Campus Garden as the gift designation.
2023 Opening Doors Online Auction Now Open!
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation will host its tenth-annual Opening Doors Benefit Event. Plan to join the CWI community as we raise money for student scholarships.
This year’s event will kick off with an online auction. The entire CWI community is invited to join this year's online auction featuring one-of-a-kind metal art created by CWI students, experience packages donated by community members, and more!
The online auction is open now through Sunday, Oct. 8, at 5 p.m.
In addition to the auction, the CWI Foundation will host a sold-out, live event at Galaxy Event Center on Wednesday, Oct. 4. The live event will recognize donors and scholarship recipients, highlight programs at the College, and feature messages from CWI and community leaders.
Contact the Foundation at 208.562.3100 or foundation@cwi.edu for more information and ways to get involved!
Swing for the Green Returns to Support Southwest Idaho Students
Join Bank of Idaho as they bring back their annual Swing for the Green event to Boise! Mark your calendars for Sept. 21 and 22 to gather at the Banbury Golf Club in Eagle to support a worthwhile cause. All the proceeds from the tournament will go directly towards benefiting College of Western Idaho (CWI) students.
"We believe in the power of education to transform lives, and through Swing for the Green, Bank of Idaho reaffirms its commitment to help foster academic opportunity for our community's students and future leaders," said Jeff Newgard, Chairman, President, and CEO of Bank of Idaho. "Together, we have been able to make substantial contributions to higher education across Idaho and have a lot of fun doing it."
Bank of Idaho established the Swing for the Green event in 2017 and hosted its first benefit in the Treasure Valley last year. The event raised $58,400 to support scholarships and help provide affordable, high-quality education to students across Idaho. To date, the events have raised more than $200,000 for higher education in Idaho.
Proceeds from the Boise Swing for the Green event will go into CWI's general scholarship fund, which is a pool of funds made up of non-designated gifts to the CWI Foundation. Scholarships from this fund are awarded to students based on requirements set by the College and are not limited to a specific donor or donor's wishes.
The Boise event is the third in the series, following Idaho Falls in June and Pocatello in August. Along with the 25-team golf tournament, the event will feature breakfast and lunch, a shopping experience, and custom player kits. A pre-tournament evening dinner event will feature a plated meal, signature cocktails, live musical entertainment, and a silent and live auction will take place on the evening of Thursday, Sept. 21.
“Bank of Idaho is a great partner and advocate for the College of Western Idaho,” said CWI’s Vice President of Advancement, Mark Arstein. “We are grateful for their generosity and support through Swing for the Green. The funds raised truly make a difference in the lives of students to pursue their education and help keep them out of debt.”
For 38 years, Bank of Idaho has been a financial fixture in Idaho. The bank has expanded to include 16 branches across southern Idaho and eastern Washington, providing personal and business banking services, commercial lending, mortgage lending, trust and wealth management services, and Small Business Administration (SBA) lending.
Visiting Artist Series Welcomes Jessie Swimeley
Join College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Visiting Artist Series in welcoming photographer, Jessie Swimeley, to the Nampa Campus Academic Building on Thursday, Sept. 28 and Friday, Sept. 29 for a lecture and a workshop.
Born in Gillette, Wyoming, Swimeley finds great joy in uncovering beauty and significance in the insignificant. Her passion for photography began at the age of six years old when her father handed her a camera and taught her how the develop her own film and prints. She holds an Associate of Applied Science degree in Photography from Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Photography from the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon.
Swimeley uses digital, analog, and historical photographic processes to create her work. She loves to test and push the boundaries of what a photograph can be. She creates images that delve into the patina of life, examining how we are changed by the landscape we inhabit and how we change that landscape in return.
Swimeley’s work is held in private collections across the United States, Europe, and Australia. She is a member of Boise Open Studio Collective, the Nature Printing Society, alternativephotography.com, and the Treasure Valley Artists Alliance.
Join us for a lecture where Swimeley will discuss more about her art practice.
Nampa Campus Academic Building, Room 206
In addition to the lecture, Swimeley will host a hands-on workshop where she will explore experimental photography methods, such as cyanotype.
Nampa Campus Academic Building, 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 lecture and workshop are both free and open to the public. For those interested in attending the workshop, please RSVP to Goran Fazil at goranfazil@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.
Join CWI’s Inclusive Excellence Committee
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Inclusive Excellence Committee invites staff and faculty across the institution to consider working as committee members for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.
The Inclusive Excellence Committee works to advance the learning and working environment at CWI by advising and advocating for all members of the College in work that fosters greater inclusion, equity, access, and belonging.
The committee commits to:
- advise, guide, and consult with members of the CWI community regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion issues for faculty, staff, and students
- provide input on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training and educational opportunities that increase competency, equity, and inclusion
- support college initiatives, events, or other opportunities that increase cultural competency, diversity, equity, and inclusion
- engage diverse perspectives from faculty, staff, and students in the development of a community that respects the dignity of every person and celebrates their diversity
- provide input on how to closely identify achievement gaps to improve undifferentiated outcomes
- and provide input on CWI policies, practices, and procedures of the College to ensure an equitable, inclusive system.
Committee members are asked to attend regular, monthly meetings that occur on Mondays from 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. Additionally, members commit to participating in work groups to focus on committee projects and initiatives.
Prospective members are asked to submit a letter of interest to inclusiveexcellence@cwi.edu. Working on the Inclusive Excellence Committee is a highly rewarding professional experience. The Committee looks forward to your application!
For those with questions or in need of more information, please contact inclusiveexcellence@cwi.edu.
2023 Safety and Security Annual Report
College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Annual Security Report is now available. The report is part of the College’s commitment to safety and security while complying with the U.S. Department of Education's Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The most current report, 2023 Safety and Security Annual Report, is now available online.
The report provides statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reportable crimes occurring on campus, in certain off-site buildings or property owned or controlled by CWI, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to and accessible from college property. CWI’s policies, procedures, and programs concerning safety and security, such as policies for responding to emergency situations and sexual offenses, are also included in this report.
The Annual Report is available in print in addition to being posted online. If you have questions about the report or would like to request a printed copy, do so by contacting Campus Security at 208.562.3333 or security@cwi.edu.
City of Nampa Housing Survey
Calling all Nampa residents! Please join the City of Nampa in its efforts to seek crucial information that may help support and shape the future of our community. As one of the largest employers in the area, as well as serving thousands of students annually, College of Western Idaho (CWI) supports the City's efforts to enhance the lives of our community and neighbors. The City of Nampa has identified housing as a top priority, and to address this concern, the Development Services Department is conducting a Housing Needs Analysis.
This analysis will help create a comprehensive plan to address housing needs and track progress. We invite Nampa residents to share their thoughts and experiences by completing a short survey.
Nampa residents, please feel free to share the survey with friends, family, and neighbors.
Updates to the CWI Image Library
Communications and Marketing has some great news to share. There are new photos in our image library and they are easier to find.
To access the CWI Image Library visit myCWI → Employee Resources → Communications & Marketing → Resources → Quick Links → Access CWI Photos. That will take you to a PDF with the login information and helpful information on using the photo library.
Once in the image library, use the advanced search with ‘CWI Stock Photo’ in the description field should allow you to access lots of options, including web-quality photos with new-brand students interacting. There are groups of students as well as individual students. If you are still not finding what you need, please reach out to Morriah Marks, at morriahmarks@cwi.edu or 208.562.3238, who will work with you on a more detailed search to get the images you need.
Below are some improvements made from feedback that was received.
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There aren’t enough high-quality photos in the image library.
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It is easier to find high-quality photos in the library (and Communications and Marketing will continue to add more). The easiest way to search for them is by using the Advanced Search. From there, to do a deeper search, type “CWI Stock Photo” in the description. You can take it a step further and utilize the keyword search from the drop-down menu of existing keywords to narrow your selection.
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Please note, the system does not support multiple keyword searches. It will support a keyword containing multiple words such as “looking at camera” but it does not support “looking at camera” AND “computer.”
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There are so many photos in the library that are not branded.
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There is a mix of photos with and without our logo and colors. It’s good to have a variety of photos that can apply to many uses.
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There are photos of the original brand.
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If you come across photos with the original brand, contact Morriah Marks, at morriahmarks@cwi.edu or 208.562.3238, with photo details and she will remove them. Communications and Marketing has gone through more than 100K photos since the rebrand to update available options.
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Please note, having photos with the original brand archived in CWI’s records is still important for historical references. While the photos will not be shown in the CWI Photo Library, Communications and Marketing will still maintain access to these photos.
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I can’t find photos in Marq.
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Communications and Marketing worked with IT and fixed the glitch so the photo library is re-integrated with Marq again.
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I have photos I want to add to the CWI Image Library.
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Great! There are some guidelines to follow for adding photos to the CWI Image Library. Contact Morriah Marks, at morriahmarks@cwi.edu or 208.562.3238, to learn more.
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Communications and Marketing welcomes feedback and is looking forward to adding more assets.
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.
