CWI News – Sept. 23, 2022
Spotlight
CWI Law Enforcement Alumna, Maide Sandoval, performing at the College's Latinx Heritage Month Week Celebration. Latinx Student Services hosted a three-day event filled with fun activities, delicious food, and informative presentations celebrating the histories, culture, traditions, and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.
President's Message
Dear Faculty and Staff,
College of Western Idaho (CWI) has prepared the next Three-Year Strategic Plan. As you recall, I presented a preview to the Strategic Plan during the 2022 Fall College Address. As a follow-up numerous forums have been scheduled, allowing time to review the plan in more detail with the CWI Community.
The forums kicked off by sharing the Plan with our CWI governance groups which include CWI Board of Trustees, President's Cabinet, Executive Operations Team, AETAC, Staff and Faculty Senates, and College Council. These meetings will be wrapping up by early October.
Campus community forums have also been scheduled, please watch your email for calendar appointments coming soon and be sure to register for one of the events to receive the presentation in advance.
Campus Forum Dates:
- Monday, Oct. 3 at 3 p.m. - NCAB Room 102E
- Friday, Oct. 7 at 9 a.m. - APIN Room 1210
This will be a great opportunity to learn more about the Strategic Plan, share your thoughts, and consider ways your role can help execute the Strategic Plan. I'm looking forward to our exchange of ideas and gathering input related to CWI's future.
Respectfully,
CWI in the News
Boise State Public Radio: Idaho students help feed community with college garden
News Highlights
CWI Campus Garden Provides Valuable Resource to Students
Spending a few days of the week tending to the College of Western Idaho (CWI) Campus Garden, Department Chair and Assistant Professor of Agricultural Sciences, Andrea Schumaker, never grows tired of the work — even on the hot summer days.
“I might be out here only twice a week because it’ll get to 100 degrees by 10 a.m., but we’re still out here harvesting,” Schumaker said.
Because even when in the heat, she knows just how valuable the campus resource is to CWI students.
“It’s a labor of love and feels great to give students the opportunity to harvest vegetables, educate them on agriculture, and play a small role in helping provide fresh, nutritious food to them and their families.”
CWI’s Campus Garden was created by Schumaker in 2018 after she learned from a campus survey more than 40% of CWI students suffer from some form of food insecurity. Through a CWI Foundation Wishing Well Grant, Schumaker was able to place down soil, install irrigation, and more to start a garden on a plot of land east of the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB).
As a faculty member in Agricultural Science, Schumaker has also introduced the garden into coursework to educate students about why their food choices matter, how to vote with their dollar, and supporting local agriculture.
“The funds in the first year were used to get a functioning garden up and running, but after that it was, ‘How do we continue to sustain this?’ Gardens cost money to maintain.”
Schumaker had the idea to host a Farm to Fork dinner and invite the community onto campus to show them what CWI can do with the garden. The event is a true farm-to-fork meal featuring food and ingredients produced in the Campus Garden and has grown over the years to feature specialties from community partners.
“I believe it is important to know where our food comes from and know what we are putting in our mouths, like nutrition and environmental factors it took to get onto our plates. Our industry and community partner have similar mindsets.”
All the food at the Farm to Fork dinner is sourced within a 20-mile radius.
“People can eat a five-course meal that did not come off a truck from a different state, and is nutritious, delicious, fresh, and comes from the Treasure Valley.”
Schumaker calls the garden her classroom because she is able to show students and community members where their produce comes from and even able to expose them to new foods.
“I love hearing them explore and talk about foods they may have never had before, or even thought about, and come back to say it was really good.”
Ultimately, what keeps her going nearly five years later, is the very reason she created the garden in the first place — to feed those in need.
“As I unload the fresh produce in the lobby of NCAB, a student sometimes will come up to me to tell me they were having trouble purchasing groceries that week and this free food will help feed them.”
Schumaker said it breaks her heart to hear stories like that — especially as often as she does. However, it reminds her of the importance of the garden and how grateful she is others around the community recognize its role in student success.
“If students don’t have good nutrition, there is a trickle-down effect — like their brain doesn’t function the way it should which impacts their studies and ability to succeed in their coursework. If you need food, there are resources and people here to support you.”
Tickets to Farm to Fork 2022 are on sale now. Proceeds from the event will support the campus garden and student success.
Never Too Late to Find Your Passion
SARA DORMAN
Hometown: Boise, Idaho
Degree: Health Science
Scholarships: Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation
Sara Dorman has led a life that has taken her in many different directions, which, eventually, brought her to College of Western Idaho (CWI).
Dorman spent nearly two decades working in different fine dining and bistro restaurants and hotels as a chef around the country, even obtaining her Culinary Arts degree from the Art Institute of Cincinnati in Ohio when she was 27 years old. She called her culinary career, “extremely rewarding,” but there was always a different industry calling her.
“My desire to work in the medical field has continued to resurface throughout my life, so at almost 40 years old, I decided to go back to school to get my nursing degree,” Dorman said.
She plans to graduate and get her Associate of Science in Health Science through CWI, then transfer to a different institution to become a Nurse Practitioner and specialize in psychiatric care.
“I was drawn to CWI because of the programs available here, the smaller class sizes, and the College's reputation.”
While Dorman reflects on all she has been able to achieve, one of her biggest accomplishments is just being able to get an education. As the first woman in her family to earn a degree and attend college, she calls herself lucky to be able to learn new skills.
“I feel extremely fortunate to have the opportunity to receive an education, and I know it will be, and already has been, a life-changing opportunity that will impact my life and my family indefinitely.”
Dorman is the proud recipient of a $2,500 Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation scholarship, which she said will allow her to work less and devote more of her time to her studies.
She added the scholarship gives her the motivation to continue exceling in her courses and eventually graduate.
“I am proud to be a student at CWI, and I am grateful for the support I have received from other students and my instructors in reaching my goals thus far. I look forward to giving back to the community as soon as I get my degree.”
The scholarship period for the 2022-2023 academic year is open through Nov. 15, 2022.
CWI Opening Doors Online Auction Now Open
The College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation will host it’s ninth-annual Opening Doors Benefit Event to raise money for student scholarships on Wednesday, Oct. 5. While the actual live, in-person event may be sold out, there is still a chance for community members to participate in auctions and help support our CWI students.
The Opening Doors online auction is NOW open. It features one-of-a-kind metal art created by CWI students, wall art created by a CWI graduate, experience packages donated by community members, and so much more.
Be sure to register early to view and bid on auction items. The auction concludes Sunday, Oct. 9, at 5 p.m.
Contact the Foundation at 208.562.3100 or foundation@cwi.edu for more information and ways to get involved.
Wishing Well Fund Applications Now Open
In need of something for the classroom or a program, but do not have the funds for it? Applications for College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation’s Wishing Well Fund are now open and ready to help!
The fund was created to encourage faculty and staff members to develop, enhance, and improve the educational environment and learning opportunities provided at CWI. Funding awarded must directly benefit programs or departments and enhance student development and learning experiences.
Funding for the grant is made possible by the generosity of CWI employees and supportive community partners who want to support programs and projects not typically funded through department budgets that enhance student learning and may need an extra financial boost.
The application must be signed by you and your Dean/Director and be received electronically by the CWI Foundation no later than 3 p.m. on Oct. 31. Late applications will not be accepted.
The award is up to $1,500 and must be spent by May 1, 2023.
If you would like to learn more about the Fund or request an application, contact the Foundation at foundation@cwi.edu.
PN Program Looking to Help Fill a Need and Fulfill ‘Dreams’
As Practical Nursing (PN) program instructor, Joan Weddington, prepares to graduate her fourth cohort of PN students at College of Western Idaho (CWI) this December, she reflects on what keeps her coming back each year.
“It’s the students,” Weddington said. “They have so much excitement for nursing, and I have seen them grow in this program. It’s transformational.”
Weddington helped build the College’s PN program in 2019 and has been able to see dozens of students graduate, pass their National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN), and become Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN).
According to Bureau of Labor Statistics, the PN field is expected to grow by 6% of the next 10 years. The need for more LPNs around the Treasure Valley is another reason Weddington and other faculty in the Nursing department, like Department Chair, Allison Baker, return to CWI each academic year.
“We are in desperate need of health care workers in the community, especially LPNs who are finding themselves taking on more responsibilities around health care facilities,” Baker said.
Over the past few years many industries around the world have changed, specifically health care. While environments around how nurses, doctors, and other health care workers have begun to operate differently, Weddington said first responders’ overall mission to help others has not.
“This career is a dream to so many people,” Weddington said. “Students tell me over and over again this is always what they’ve wanted to do.”
Both faculty members noted the students they work with now come into the program a lot more aware and informed of both the rewarding and challenging moments this career can bring. But even with the hard moments present, Baker said students know it’s all worth it because they’re helping others and following their dreams. Which is something she believes is needed at the moment.
“While health care may not be where we want it to be right now, these students who want to help others can be the change,” Baker said. “If all the good nurses, all the good people go away, then it’s not going to change. These students who have the heart and love for nursing will bring health care to where it needs to be.”
For CWI’s PN program student, Alicia D., helping people and going into health care has always been the goal.
“I love being able to be there for people on their bad days and make them happier and feel better,” Alicia said. “I didn’t come into this for the pay, I came to help.”
The decision for the 35-year-old to join the health care profession stems all the way back from her father, who was a combat medic specialist in the army.
“I loved hearing stories of what he was able to do, and as I got older, I was determined to become a doctor,” said Alicia.
While the goal to join the health care industry never shifted, Alicia’s desire to become a doctor did. As she got older, Alicia knew she wanted to have more patient interactions, something she realized doctors were not able to have as much of because of their busy schedules.
She then knew she wanted to become a nurse.
“I tried the college scene when I was in my 20s, but it didn’t work out,” Alicia said. “After I got pregnant, I went back to school to get my medical assistant (MA) certification because it was a quicker process, but I always had the intention of going back.”
In 2010, Alicia began working as an MA in different fields and loved it. However, she still had in the back of her mind an eventual return to school to become an LPN, but because she had three kids she had to wait until the right moment.
“My husband and I looked at timing with my kids’ school schedules, my work schedule, and how we could financially afford me going back to school,” Alicia said. “We did not want student loans because those are just a headache.”
Then in the summer of 2020, Alicia discovered CWI, and it seemed to be exactly what she was looking for.
“CWI is financially affordable, and it had hours that worked for my family and me,” Alicia said. “All of my prerequisite courses were online at the time, so I was able to still work full-time and take all of the classes I needed.”
After working hard for more than a year to knock her prerequisite courses out of the way, Alicia was able to start CWI’s PN program in January 2022.
“I am very happy about the education I have received and everything I have gained along the way,” Alicia said. “Every teacher I have had has been more than willing to listen and assist. They don’t view you as just another student they will say bye to in a semester or a year, the teachers here genuinely care.”
Alicia also believes the classes and labs she and her classmates get from CWI’s PN program prepares them for the real world. In fact, she knows every lesson they receive is what goes on in life past the classroom because she witnesses it firsthand every day as she works as an MA at St. Luke’s Health System in Nampa.
“Faculty give great insight into how tasks and jobs need to get done,” Alicia said. “I think it’s a great for building a foundation and how to do the role in the real world.”
As Alicia gets ready to complete CWI’s PN program at the end of December 2022, she begins to look forward for what is next in her life. She hopes to remain with St Luke’s to work as an LPN and continue helping others once she passes the NCLEX-PN exam. She also encourages others who are thinking of applying to the program to go for it.
“This program is just one year,” Alicia said. “It’s fast, but it is so thorough, and it prepares you for real world situations.”
While a bright future for Alicia is in the horizon, she takes another look at what she’s been able to accomplish at CWI and says she how proud of herself to have gotten to this moment in life.
“I’ve been working hard, and I am so glad I went back. I mean, there have been a couple of moments I’ve said to myself, ‘Oh my gosh, why did I do this?’ But I love where I am at, and I love having pride in myself that I did this,” Alicia said.
Applications for CWI’s PN program are open now through Oct. 28, 2022.
Learn more about the Practical Nursing program and how to apply
Governor Honors CWI Staff and Student at Adult Education and Family Literacy Week Proclamation
Idaho Governor Brad Little signed a proclamation to celebrate and recognize Adult Education and Family Literacy week during the week of Sept. 18. This recognition was spearheaded by College of Western Idaho (CWI) English as a Second Language (ESL) and Career Pathways supervisor, Trevi Hardy, who also serves as the Idaho State Advocate for Adult Education fellowship, which is involved with the national organization, Coalition for Adult Basic Education (COABE).
Hardy’s role with the fellowship is to increase awareness and advocacy for potential funding for adult education in the Gem State. One way to do this was by submitting a proclamation request to the Idaho government, similar to the national initiative.
Little signed the proclamation on Monday, Sept. 19, with Hardy and Idaho Division of Career Technical Education (IDCTE) present.
“There is a lot of great work happening across the state in adult education, but it is a small piece of the education landscape in Idaho,” said Hardy. “We have about 5,000 students in adult education across the state of Idaho, and we have very limited funding compared to what K-12 has. We do so much work which isn’t always recognized. I was very excited the governor would elevate that work.”
At the proclamation, Hardy and IDCTE were able to honor a CWI student, Asel Orozaly, and current teacher, Edvin Subasic, and introduce them to Governor Little.
Orozaly was able to go through and graduate CWI’s ESL program and Swift Programming. Subasic teaches Adult Education and helped create curriculum for the ESL pilot program, Bridge to English 101.
“I’m so happy we got to share the stories of the teachers who work in the program and the students who accomplish so much,” Hardy said. “This week is an opportunity to continue elevating these stories and spread the good work the team of Adult Education in Idaho is doing.”
‘Inspiration to Many’: CWI Criminal Justice Instructor Recognized for Work on Police Operation
College of Western Idaho (CWI) Criminal Justice Adjunct Faculty, Vickie Gooch, helped chair an operation with Idaho State Police (ISP) to save six women in Boise from human trafficking.
According to a news release from ISP, agencies have been working on a human trafficking operation designed to assist women victimized by human trafficking since February. As part of the operation, detectives contact those believed to be in the illegal sex trade industry and offer them services to help get away from the lifestyle.
Gooch, who is a detective with ISP, has been employed in the criminal justice system for more than 40 years. She has been a detective for 33 of those years. In between her full-time job with ISP, Gooch teaches Criminal Justice courses at CWI, Boise State University and Bishop Kelly High School.
Gooch said she hopes to pass on her own experience and knowledge to her students, as she continues to work in the industry. She is hopeful stories like this can build trust with her students and show them there are encouraging stories that come out of the job.
“I want to emphasize there is positive aspects of policing, like this operation, where we don’t send people to jail and we help them,” Gooch said. “We're community-oriented and service-oriented. Some people just need help, and they don't need to be incarcerated to get that help. Bringing this information into the classroom is important to me.”
Gooch added there are hundreds of men and women in law enforcement who are doing the same type of operations to help others every day.
“We are so fortunate to have instructors at CWI who bring their experiences into our classrooms,” said Dean of Social Sciences and Public Affairs, Courtney Santillan. “Vickie has a plethora of experiences she has collected in her more than 40 years as a criminal justice professional. Her work on this project demonstrates the impact a career in criminal justice has on our communities and the potential for social change that is possible. She is an inspiration to many, and we are so fortunate she shares her time with our students.”
Heads Up CWI: Basic Authentication Being Removed for Employee and Student Email
Starting in October, Microsoft will be turning off support for Basic authentication in favor of the more secure Modern authentication for Exchange Online. As a result, any email application an employee or student uses to access their College of Western Idaho (CWI) email must support Modern authentication.
Those who use current versions of Microsoft Outlook or Outlook on the web will not be impacted by this change. If you do not use Outlook, CWI recommends you begin using it immediately as other email clients may work but are not supported. Outlook can be downloaded for free from the Android or IOS app stores or can be downloaded online for Windows and Mac. Outlook on the web can be accessed from a web browser.
Microsoft has not provided an exact date of when the new security measures will go into effect for all users, but they will begin disabling Basic authentication for random customers beginning Oct. 1, 2022. The entire process is expected to be completed for all customers by the end of the year.
The reason behind the change is because Microsoft considers Basic authentication to be an outdated industry standard due to weak credentials which can be easily compromised. Modern authentication uses more up-to-date security standards making it more difficult for bad actors to compromise your account credentials.
For those who would like more information, please visit Microsoft’s information page to learn more. You can also reach out to the CWI Help Desk at helpdesk@cwi.edu or 208.562.3444.
