CWI News – Sept. 22, 2023
Spotlight
Governor Brad Little and other state legislators stopped by CWI's Nampa Campus Micron Education Center to help promote Idaho LAUNCH on Thursday! After the press conference, Governor Little, state leaders, and other members of the community were able to tour the College's Welding and Metals Fabrication lab and chat with students and instructors about the program.
News Highlights
Governor Little Announces Idaho LAUNCH with CWI
Ahead of the application window for Idaho LAUNCH, Governor Brad Little visited College of Western Idaho (CWI) to announce the expanded statewide grant program for Idaho high school seniors on Thursday, Sept. 21. Little was joined by several Idaho state legislators, who worked diligently to pass LAUNCH in the 2023 legislative session, as well as CWI employees, students, and community leaders at the College’s Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC).
Idaho LAUNCH is an education and training grant program designed to provide graduating high school seniors an opportunity to have 80% of their tuition and fees paid for, up to $8,000. The grant nearly covers the costs of most two-year degrees or certificates at CWI.
To be eligible, students must enroll in apprenticeships, job training, and programs that lead to in-demand careers — which CWI offers more than 100 eligible programs. Plus, for those who qualify, students can apply for scholarships and financial aid to help cover any remaining costs.
“LAUNCH is a game changer for our young Idahoans,” Little said. “Through LAUNCH, Idaho is recognizing that hundreds of career paths after high school deserve our support by offering up to $8,000 to cover the costs of an education or training program that leads to an in-demand career. These are ‘real world’ jobs Idaho employers desperately need to fill.”
CWI strives to give every student the opportunity to create a better future through education and personal empowerment. Whether someone is passionate about technology, healthcare, business, or any other field, CWI has got Idaho students covered.
“At CWI, we believe in the power of affordable, quality education to transform the lives of our students and community,” said CWI President Gordon Jones. “The Idaho LAUNCH event with Governor Little and legislators highlights a shared commitment to providing a brighter future for our great state.”
Priority 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 Next Steps Idaho site for additional Idaho LAUNCH program details. CWI is here to support and guide you every step of the way.
Never Too Late to Follow Your Dreams
As early as 16 years old, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Practical Nursing (PN) student, Chelsea Saenz’s, dream job has been to become a nurse.
“I am a caretaker and nurturer at heart,” said Saenz. “I’ve always enjoyed helping people, so nursing made sense.”
Life took a detour for Saenz as she started a family after high school and shifted her focus to raising her three children as a stay-at-home mom for the last 20 years. But she never let go of her aspirations.
As her children got older, Saenz, now 38 years old, decided it was her turn to head back to school and follow her dream.
Initially planning to apply for CWI’s Registered Nursing (RN) program, Sanez missed the application deadline due to a recent move to the Treasure Valley. However, she found a silver lining when she realized she could still pursue her dreams of a career in the healthcare field by applying for the College’s PN program.
“I think everything happens for a reason and I was meant to become an LPN first.”
Now in her third, and final semester in CWI’s PN program, Saenz’s experience has been nothing short of amazing. Although intense and fast-paced at times, Saenz said the instructors at the College have been helpful and encouraging to make the workload doable.
“You must put in the time and effort, but teachers are always available to help and support you in any way if you reach out. The instructors at CWI want you to succeed. They are willing to work with you if you need extra guidance and support.”
The program’s curriculum trains students to become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) by providing them with tools and instruction to provide patient care, education, and emotional support to patients and their loved ones. Students, like Saenz, are provided with a combination of theory and laboratory instruction, as well as clinical experience in the area's healthcare facilities.
Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). Upon passing this exam, they will be licensed to practice nursing as a Licensed Practical Nurse.
Saenz said the program’s labs and her experience with clinical training have also been great ways to learn hands-on with equipment and interact with other nurses, as well as be in settings of what may happen in a real-world situation. But one of the standout aspects of the program is the confidence it’s helped her build.
“One of my favorite moments of the PN program is just the excitement of passing my first semester. I felt so much joy and it was such a proud moment for me, but also such a relief. I thought, ‘Okay, I got this. I really can do this!’”
Saenz is grateful for the tools CWI has given her to successfully move forward and pursue a dream she has had for so long. Once she completes the PN program she plans to take the NCLEX-PN exam, begin her career as an LPN, and apply to an LPN-RN bridge program to continue her education.
“Because of CWI, I will be able to reach my goal of becoming a nurse and start a career in the field I’ve always dreamed of having!”
She encourages those interested in or curious about the program to apply and see what they can achieve too.
“Take that first step, you won’t regret it! I know how scary it can be, but it will be worth it. If I can do it, you can do it!”
The application period for CWI’s PN program’s Spring 2024 cohort is open through Wednesday, Nov. 1. The program requires a supplemental application process in addition to applying for admission to CWI. Details on the application process and program requirements are available on the Practical Nursing program page.
The program is approved by the Idaho State Board of Nursing, and upon satisfactory completion of the program, NCLEX-PN exam to become an LPN.
For questions about applying to the Practical Nursing program, contact your Student Success Advisor or instructors within the Practical Nursing program.
Governor Recognizes CWI at Adult Education and Family Literacy Week Proclamation
Idaho Governor Brad Little has officially declared the week of Sept. 18 – 22 as Adult Education and Family Literacy Week! This proclamation was championed by College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Adult Education Onramp Program Coordinator, Sarah Strickley.
Strickley also serves as the Idaho State Advocate for Adult Education Fellow for the national organization, Coalition for Adult Basic Education (COABE). Her role involves advocating for adult education funding in Idaho by raising awareness in national and regional policy discussions. In line with this mission, she submitted a proclamation request to the Idaho government, aligning with a national initiative that aims to celebrate and improve access to adult education for individuals in Idaho, helping them achieve their professional and personal goals.
Little signed the proclamation on Wednesday, Sept. 20, with Strickley; Adult Education Teacher, Amy Daniels; Adult Education IET ESL Teacher, David Johnson; Strategic Projects Executive Director, Jillana Finnegan; Tutoring Services Supervisor, Liz Fleshman; and leadership from Idaho Division of Career Technical Education (IDCTE) present.
“Adult education is key to a skilled workforce that sustains Idaho’s economy and allows families and communities to thrive,” said Strickley. “As an advocate for the transformative power of Adult Education, I appreciate Governor Little honoring Adult Education and Family Literacy Week.”
Also at Wednesday’s proclamation was CWI Adult Education alumna and Onramp Student Assistant Teacher, Katia Shvab, who won the Student Leader in Adult Education award, presented by IDCTE State Director of Adult Education, Trevi Hardy. Shvab, who is originally from Ukraine, was enrolled in several classes in CWI’s Adult Education, including English as a Second Language (ESL) and Onramp classes.
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.
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!
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.
CWI Business Office Awarded First Ever Herc Award for Collaborative Excellence
Congratulations to College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Business Office team who were awarded the first-ever Herc Award for Collaborative Excellence!
This recognition is awarded bi-annually by the College’s Program Management Office to CWI departments and teams that demonstrate the values of collaboration and consensus building. The award is based on feedback from different teams around campus.
The Business Office was selected based on the team's daily work providing constituents with quality care and services. Their dedication to sharing knowledge and information has significantly contributed to the Office’s collective success, amplifying the impact of their cooperative problem-solving approach.
The Program Management Office is happy to present this recognition to the Business Office for their continued work to build one team at CWI.
“It's exciting for the Business Office to be recognized for their collaborative efforts and to be the first recipient of the Herc award,” said CWI Comptroller, Mary Jo Hayes. “We have an amazing team and I'm thrilled to see their efforts acknowledged.”
Congratulations again to the Business Office for this recognition!
NWCCU Accreditation Visit and Open Forums
College of Western Idaho (CWI) is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU or the Commission) and must comply with NWCCU Accreditation Standards. NWCCU will be conducting an accreditation visit at CWI related to the Year-Seven Comprehensive Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness on Oct. 18 – 20, 2023.
During the visit, NWCCU will be conducting open forums to meet with CWI faculty and staff. The open faculty and staff sessions are intended for operational faculty and staff only. High-level supervisory personnel should not attend these open sessions. Examples of high-level supervisory positions include Department Chair, Assistant Dean, Dean, Provost, Director, Executive Director, Assistant Vice President, Vice President, Executive Vice President, President, etc.
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), Room 139AB
Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC), Room 139AB
CWI recently submitted to NWCCU the Policies, Regulations, and Financial Review (PRFR) Report and the Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness (EIE) Report. The EIE Report covers NWCCU Accreditation Standard #1 and the PRFR Report covers NWCCU Accreditation Standard #2.
Both accreditation standards will be covered during the NWCCU onsite accreditation visit in October 2023. Employees are strongly encouraged to read the PRFR and EIE Reports in preparation for the NWCCU accreditation visit.
Additional information and resources are available at:
For those with questions or in need of additional information, please email communications@cwi.edu or call 208.562.2222.
