CWI News – Sept. 8, 2023
Spotlight
College of Western Idaho Heavy Duty Truck Technician and Heavy Equipment Technician students got to explore real-world industry settings on recent tours! The students had the chance to meet with potential employers and get an up close and personal look at different career paths in the commercial vehicle and construction equipment industries. It is a great way to make a good first impression before hitting the interview stage.
News Highlights
Start a Student Club at College of Western Idaho
Are you looking to start a student club at College of Western Idaho (CWI)? If so, you're in luck! There are many resources available to help you get started. One of the best places to start is by setting up a meeting with CWI Student Engagement and Programs Coordinator, Erin Ortiz. Ortiz can help you with everything from brainstorming ideas for your club to navigating the paperwork required to get it approved.
Here are a few of the benefits of starting a student club:
- Forge lifelong friendships: Joining a student club introduces you to like-minded individuals, paving the way for meaningful connections, and building a strong network of support.
- Unleash your leadership potential: Running a student club is a great way to develop your leadership skills. You'll learn how to plan and organize events, manage a budget, and work with a team. These skills are valuable in both your personal and professional life.
- Make an impact on campus: Student clubs are a great way to get involved on campus and make a difference in your community. You can use your club to raise awareness about important issues, volunteer your time, or simply have fun and make memories.
- Boost your resume: Having leadership experience in a student club is a great way to boost your resume and make yourself more attractive to employers. When you're applying for jobs, be sure to highlight your involvement in student clubs and the skills you learned.
If you're interested in starting a student club or have any questions, please reach out to Erin Ortiz at erinortiz@cwi.edu or schedule a meeting with her.
Set up a meeting with Erin Ortiz
CWI offers a wide range of student-led clubs catering to a diverse set of interests and passions. For a full list of established student clubs on campus, please visit the Student Clubs web page.
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.
CWI Offering Free Mental Health First Aid Training to Employees
In an era where mental health concerns are on the rise, taking care of our well-being is more important than ever. At College of Western Idaho (CWI), we understand the importance of supporting the mental health of our students, faculty, and staff. The College is continuing to offer free Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for the 2023-2024 academic year.
MHFA training consists of online modules completed in advance of the training date and either a Zoom or in-person meeting to practice the action plan. Gaining skills in non-judgmental listening, empowering people to promote help-seeking skills, and reducing stigma around mental health challenges, participants will enter a community of helpers at the College upon completion.
The certification lasts for three years.
Eleven CWI employees are certified MHFA instructors. So far approximately 200 CWI staff and faculty have taken the course and instructors hope to train at least 100 more this school year.
“Having College employees trained to offer assistance in a mental health situation is an important step in creating a culture of care on the CWI campus and in our communities,” said Jodi Hickenlooper, Assistant Director of Counseling and Wellness Services.
At CWI, we believe that investing in the mental health of our faculty and staff is not just a priority but a responsibility. We are proud to offer MHFA training as a valuable resource for our community.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to complete MHFA training. It's a step towards fostering a campus environment that values mental health as highly as physical health. Together, we can make CWI a place where everyone feels supported, valued, and empowered.
CWI employees interested in MHFA training are encouraged to register for virtual and in-person sessions scheduled throughout the 2023-2024 academic year.
Zoom
Ada County Center Pintail Building, Room 1318
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB), Room 106
For departments interested in booking a group training, MHFA instructors are happy to make that happen.
For those with questions or interested in learning more about MHFA trainings, please reach out to Jodi Hickenlooper at jodihickenlooper@cwi.edu or mhfa@cwi.edu.
Mental Health Tidbits: Mental Health First Aid Brown Bag Discussions
Discovering the right techniques to manage stress and prioritize mental health is crucial for maintaining your well-being. Whether it's the demands of school, family, work, finances, or relationships, College of Western Idaho (CWI) understands the overwhelming pressures life can throw your way. Our CWI Mental Health First Aid trainers are offering monthly Mental Health First Aid Brown Bag discussions to all campus community members to help broaden their knowledge on mental health topics.
The second discussion planned for the Fall 2023 semester will be led by Program Manager and Certified Strength Coach, Christie Cremer, and Director of Student Support Services, Heather Grayson. They will host a conversation about using your inborn strengths, gifts, and talents to help strengthen yourself and those around you with Mental Health.
Eleven CWI employees are certified Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) instructors. MHFA teaches individuals the skills necessary to help someone who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. This research and evidence based program promotes mental health literacy to help the public identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental illness.
The course introduces participants to the MHFA Action Plan, ALGEE, a five-step plan that can be used to provide support to someone in distress. Additionally, participants learn the risk factors and warning signs for mental health or substance abuse, engage in experiential activities to build an understanding of the impact of illness on individuals and families and discuss evidence-supported treatment and self-help strategies.
CWI employees interested in attending MHFA training can visit the Fall 2023 MHFA training article to learn more.
For those with questions or interested in learning more about the MHFA Brown Bag Discussions, please contact Christy Babcock at christybabcock@cwi.edu.
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.
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.
