2026 Events
Faculty & Staff Night
Tuesday, April 21
3:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB)
11th-Annual Connections Conference
Thursday, April 23
1:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB)
Full Schedule
Students, staff, faculty, and community members are encouraged to drop in for any of the following events on Thursday, April 23, at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB).
Event Check-In & Information Table
1st Floor Lobby
1 – 6 p.m.
Juried Art Exhibition
All day
Art Gallery, 2nd Floor
Chalk Art Competition
Presented by the Art Club
1 – 4 p.m.
West Patio
Collaborative Art Project: Immigrant Stories
Presented by Drawing II (ARTS 212) & Adult Education Bridge to ENGL 101 students
1:00 – 7:30 p.m.
1st floor
Fermentation Station
Presented by Introduction to Fermented Food (FERM 120)
2:30 – 5:00 p.m.
West Patio
President's Writing Awards
Panel Discussion
Literature-based research, original research, critical analysis, and workplace writing
1:30 – 3:00 p.m.
Room 122, Student Lounge
Readings
Fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and first-year writing
4:00 – 5:30 p.m.
West Patio (Room 302 in case of inclement weather)
Mini Talks
Humanities, Arts, & Social Sciences
Room 102E
- Session 1: 2 – 3 p.m.
- Session 2: 3 – 4 p.m.
- Session 3: 4 – 5 p.m.
Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (STEM)
Room 106
- Session 1: 2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
- Session 2: 3 – 4 p.m.
Posters & “Other Cool Stuff”
2nd Floor Atrium
- Session 1: 2 – 3 p.m.
- Session 2: 3 – 4 p.m.
- Session 3: 4 – 5 p.m.
Club Presentations
3:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Room 309
Speech & Debate Presentation
4 – 5 p.m.
Room 309
COReSCAPE Cybersecurity Escape Room
Hosted by Boise State University's College of Engineering and the School of Computing
Students can sign up for one of four available time slots, with sessions beginning at the top of each hour.
1 – 5 p.m.
Room 311
Geosciences Interactive Stream Table Demonstration
2 – 5 p.m.
West Patio
CWI Big Read – Panel Discussion
Selected CWI staff and faculty will discuss elements of CWI’s Big Read selection for 2025, Blackfish City by Sam J. Miller.
3 – 4 p.m.
Room 122, Student Lounge
The New American Experience – Panel Discussion
Hosted by Refugee Speakers Bureau
4 – 5 p.m.
Room 122, Student Lounge
Room 122, Student Lounge
Reception & Light Dinner
5:30 – 6:00 p.m.
Awards Ceremony
6 – 7 p.m.
- Chalk Art Competition
- Logo Competition Award
- Juried Art Exhibition – Juror, Jill Storey
- Entrepreneur Lab OtterTank
- President’s Writing Awards*
- Connections Excellence Awards*
- Emerging Scholars Awards
*The top three finalists in each category will be recognized at the awards ceremony. The winners will be announced at the Student Leadership Banquet on May 1 at JUMP.
Celebrate with Cake
7:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Logo Contest
Calling all aspiring artists, designers, and creatives! Current CWI students are invited to share their talent in design by creating a logo for the 2026 Connections Conference. Submit your design by Nov. 21 for a chance to win a $400 cash prize!
Juried Art Exhibition
Unleash you creativity at the College's tenth-annual Juried Art Exhibition! Be a part of an inspiring showcase judged by a distinguished local artist, and have your work featured during the Connections Conference.
Event Submissions
Showcase your innovative projects, research, and creative work at this year's event for your chance at a Connections Excellence Award and cash prizes! Choose from a poster, mini talk, club and group activity, and more.
President's Writing Awards
Demonstrate your excellence in writing — whether you write poetry, essays, or stories, this prestigious competition is your chance to be recognized. Submit your work for a chance to be celebrated as one of the College's top writers and win cash prizes!
Emerging Scholars
Faculty are encouraged to nominate students who show their commitment to learning, perseverance, innovative thinking, leadership, and professionalism in and out of the classroom. Those selected will receive a $1,000 scholarship and be recognized at the Connections Conference event.
