Elevation 2022

ELEVATION

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The Class of

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2022

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ELEVATION C O L L E G E

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Vantage Point

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2022 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 1

It is an incredible privilege to be leading College of Western Idaho (CWI) and working with our faculty and staff to serve more than 29,000 students. CWI prides itself on delivering affordable, high-quality education that leads to empowering outcomes including careers, continued education, and a stronger economy. CWI creates a

Elevation™ is published by College of Western Idaho’s Division of College Relations to share recent highlights and student accomplishments with donors, alumni, and the community.

COLLEGE RELATIONS 208.562.2222 communications@cwi.edu CWI FOUNDATION 208.562.3100 foundation@cwi.edu

trajectory of success for our students and community.

For roughly half the cost of a university, CWI is a smart choice! The students I meet who are transforming their lives through one of our nearly 90 programs continually inspire me. Working closely with faculty, our students are cultivating their ability to learn how to learn – a skill they will use time and time again as they adapt and thrive in life and our ever-changing economy.

During the College’s 2022 Commencement Ceremony, it was an honor to look out and see hundreds of our beaming graduates. Their energy and excitement was contagious. As they now embark on the next step of their educational journey or start

EDITOR IN CHIEF Audrey Eldridge EDITOR Jessica Argyle WRITERS Jessica Argyle, Ashley Smith CREATIVE MANAGER Jessica Downing

careers, their stories of success are directly affecting our community influencing the future for generations to come.

As the Treasure Valley grows, CWI is committed to meeting the community's needs and ensuring people and businesses have access to opportunities and skilled workers to succeed. I invite you to explore the wide-range of opportunities we offer. From jump-starting your education to advancing your skills, CWI can help you reach your goals one step at a time.

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Cody Sprague, Bri Daniels PHOTOGRAPHERS Jessica Argyle, Morriah Marks, Ashley Smith

Gordon Jones President, College of Western Idaho

CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS Amazon, Boise State University/Sean Evans Photography, Helpenstell Family, Dan Garrity, Trevi Hardy, Casey OLeary, Craig Petersen, Heather Schoenherr

Please send address changes to the Communications and Marketing department by mail to MS 1000, P.O. Box 3010, Nampa, Idaho 83653 or by email to communications@cwi.edu.

To subscribe, visit cwi.edu/elevation.

Visit CWI on the Web at cwi.edu. © 2022 College of Western Idaho

ASHLEY SMITH

MISSION STATEMENT College of Western Idaho is committed to empowering students to succeed by providing affordable and accessible education to advance the local and global workforce.

IN THIS ISSUE

President 2 Meet Jones INTRODUCING GORDON JONES, COLLEGE OF WESTERN IDAHO’S THIRD PRESIDENT

7 Campus News

CWI TAKES THE STAGE AT EIGHTH-ANNUAL IDAHO ENTREPRENEUR CHALLENGE

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On the Cover

10 Fostering Change CRAIG PETERSEN TOOK EVERY OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN, BE INVOLVED, AND CONNECT WITH THE COMMUNITY WHILE AT CWI

Congratulations to our 2022 graduates!

18 CWI Nights

THE CWI COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER IN A BOLD WAY THIS YEAR TO RAISE MONEY FOR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIPS

20 Donor Spotlight

A GRANT FROM BANK OF AMERICA IS BREAKING BARRIERS FOR MULTICULTURAL NURSING ASSISTANT STUDENTS

The One and Only Sus A long-time donor to the College, Shirley ‘Sus’ Helpenstell was well known by many for her on-going commitment to the community. Her legacy lives on at CWI with each and every student empowered by her generosity.

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LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

WHO IS GORDON JONES? PRESIDENT JONES – I have had the privilege to call Idaho home since 2015. My wife and four kids have enjoyed the Idaho way of life and plan to call Idaho home forever. My position as Founding Dean of the College of Innovation and Design (CI+D) at Boise State University led me to Idaho, and prior to CI+D, I was at Harvard University directing the Harvard Innovation Lab.

HAVE YOU ALWAYS BEEN IN HIGHER EDUCATION? PRESIDENT JONES – Actually, no. My career has spanned both the private sector and K-20 education. My first job after college was teaching math at a small, rural high school in Northern Arizona.

Following graduate school, I spent 15 years in the private sector with startups, mid-sized, and Fortune 500 companies focused on innovation, new product development, and growing organizations across a variety of industries.

WHY IS INNOVATION IMPORTANT? PRESIDENT JONES – Innovation is the lifeblood of any organization. The world is constantly changing, and every day we face new challenges and uncertainties requiring creative solutions. Learning and preparing ourselves for the future will require skills and experience that can adapt to new realities.

Just look at the Treasure Valley – the population growth alone is forcing us all to reflect and, in some cases, re-imagine how we work, learn, and play in our local communities. I believe education

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is what inoculates us from being unprepared to tackle the future.

CWI helps students learn new skills, gain knowledge, and apply their innovative ideas so they can find employment and start a life here in Idaho. What’s not to like about that?

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE CWI AS YOUR NEXT ENDEAVOR? PRESIDENT JONES – The real value of higher education lives with the mission community colleges serve. Delivering affordable and accessible education, leading to employment or future educational goals, is CWI’s primary focus. I whole-heartedly believe in and want to be a part of that mission. In public higher education, our students and our community need us to deliver the promise of a better life. My role as President allows me the opportunity to ensure that promise is delivered.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO AWAY FROM CWI? PRESIDENT JONES – As mentioned earlier, I am busy with keeping up with four, very active kids, ages 9-15. I dedicate my time engaging in the community through various board positions, coaching youth sports, and enjoying the great outdoors of Idaho.

During summer and fall, I especially like being in the middle of a river with my fly rod. Honestly, the outdoors is one of my favorite elements of living in Idaho, along with the people. I am honored to be leading CWI, and I am looking forward to the amazing people and meaningful relationships I will build along this journey.

LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

College of Western Idaho (CWI) is thrilled to introduce President Gordon Jones. CWI named President Jones as the College’s third president in January 2022. The journey leading President Jones to CWI follows more than two decades of leadership roles in higher education and the private sector.

Meet President Jones

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

SOPHIE RUSLING HOMETOWN: ISLE OF MAN, UNITED KINGDOM MAJOR: COLLISION REPAIR TECHNOLOGY GRADUATION: 2023

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Painting Her Dreams

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Sophie Rusling, who hails from the Isle of Man in the United Kingdom (U.K.), came to Idaho in the summer of 2017. Among the towering ponderosa pines and stunning views of Payette Lake working at Paradise Point Camp in McCall is where she first heard about College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Collision Repair Technology program, highly recommended to her by a student.

Later, after returning to the U.K., Rusling recalled this conversation and knew CWI would be the perfect fit to satisfy her passion for car restoration and customization sparked from watching BBC television shows.

“When I realized I could actually do a job based on my favorite television shows, I decided it was time to go back to college and pursue my dream of one day owning my own collision repair and restoration shop. I looked around at different places in the U.K., and nothing had what I was looking for. When I looked into CWI, I knew it was exactly what I wanted.”

Painting and restoration calls for a combination of art, science, and technique that requires an understanding of new products and technology to perform high-quality work. CWI's Collision Repair Technology program provides students, like Rusling, an opportunity to work with the newest paints and equipment in an up-to-date facility and learn the skills and traits necessary to succeed in the field.

Rusling had a chance to put the valuable skills she has learned at the College to good use this past spring when hired to work on Great Britain’s catamaran that races in the global sailing league.

"Overall it was a great experience, and although I thoroughly enjoyed working on the boat, I definitely prefer working on cars!"

Rusling is a dedicated student who brings positive energy to her work.

"No matter what day I came into the lab last year, I was always greeted by Sophie with a smile,” said Department Chair, Alex Beal.

Sophie is the type of student with sunshine in her soul each day. She uplifts everyone she is around.”

Following completion of the program next May, Rusling plans start working in the industry.

“I would like to work for a few years and save up to eventually open my own collision repair and restoration shop. I am undecided as to whether I want to be a body tech or a painter right now, but I am sure when the time comes I will know.”

“WHEN I REALIZED I COULD ACTUALLY DO A JOB BASED ON MY FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOWS, I DECIDED IT WAS TIME TO GO BACK TO COLLEGE AND PURSUE MY DREAM OF ONE DAY OWNING MY OWN COLLISION REPAIR AND RESTORATION SHOP.”

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CAMPUS NEWS

Hands-On Irrigation Experience CWI’s Landscape Management Irrigation (HRTC 254) class was hard at work spring semester gaining irrigation design, renovation, and installation skills assisting with projects right here in our community. Projects included installation of a greenhouse drip irrigation system for Boise Urban Garden School, setting up new irrigation zones at the Idaho Botanical Garden, and renovation of an irrigation system for Land Trust of the Treasure Valley.

Amazon’s Career Choice Program Comes to CWI Amazon employees can now pursue a degree, earn industry certifications, and enhance their skill set at CWI thanks to a partnership with Amazon’s Career Choice Program.

With 100% of tuition costs covered by Amazon, CWI provides eligible employees a broad range of educational opportunities and support services both in-person and online offering the flexibility to meet their work, life, and career goals.

VISIT cwi.edu/amazon for more information.

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CAMPUS NEWS

Entrepreneurs Take the Stage More than 100 teams of college and university students from across Idaho entered the eighth-annual Idaho Entrepreneur Challenge (IEC), hosted in April by Boise State University’s Venture College and College of Innovation and Design. Four teams with students from CWI were among the 24 selected as finalists to compete for more than $50,000 in prize money and services to advance their startups.

Congratulations to Business major, Ethyn Williams, and his team (pictured) who finished first in the Services Track earning them $5,000 for their business, Lower Gear Cycles, and Cybersecurity student, Cameron White, and his team who finished as runners-up in the Software Track winning them $1,000 for their business, TAC Security.

STAY UP TO DATE

READ MORE at cwi.edu/2022Entrepreneurs.

Sign up for CWI’s eNewsletter.

VISIT cwi.edu/subscribe.

Bridge Program Gives Students Competitive Edge A new Psychology Research Bridge Program between CWI and Boise State University has been created to allow students planning to transfer to gain invaluable research skills making them competitive for graduate school and job opportunities upon graduation.

Selected students participate in a year-long research program mentored by Professor Heather Schoenherr, Dr. Mary Pritchard from Boise State, and current Boise State student research assistants.

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STUDIO CWI

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CAMPUS NEWS Behind a door in the corner of a back hallway at College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Canyon County Campus is a classroom.

Similar to other classrooms on campus, this space is often filled with students learning and collaborating. This particular classroom, however, is where creative magic happens!

CWI’s Communication and Marketing department and Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) came together this past fall to create the College’s very first media lab to provide cutting-edge, hands-on learning experiences for students while additionally supporting online course content development for faculty.

“We wanted to create a collaborative, guided, makers space where students could apply and practice the skills they are learning in their classes that CTL could also use to produce online video content for courses,” said CTL Dean, Courtney Colby Bond.

Students in Marketing Communications Instructor, Dan Garrity’s, Multimedia Storytelling (COMM 261) class were able to showcase their skills during the first-ever, live-streamed show from the new media lab, Studio CWI, in December. The Global Idaho Live show was created as part of the Onramp program’s Everyone Can Create initiative which provides opportunities for students to utilize Apple media platforms to share information and make connections.

Focused on Idaho’s refugee population, Global Idaho Live provided a platform for refugees to share their stories and highlighted a wide range of projects created by the students during the semester showcasing CWI’s diverse student population and the importance of embracing your own unique background.

Production of the show allowed

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students to gain technical competencies required to meet industry needs, demonstrate skills in production and teamwork, and effectively tell stories and share information in the digital world.

“Global Idaho Live was really a three-year dream come true,” said Garrity. “To see it unfold in front of my eyes was pretty moving. When the show was over, the look of real joy on the students' faces was exciting.

They had tackled something huge, and they did it well. Really well. It was a clean production, and it did exactly what I wanted it to do: showcase to our community just what these students are doing to make a difference with what they are learning and showcase the kinds of amazing students we have here. I didn't know how many of them would be so moved by what they accomplished together. They were pumped!”

“The new media lab was really awesome to work in,” said Madeline Mae Gentry, a 2021 Media Arts graduate. “It made us feel a little more professional when preparing our live show.

This space is really beneficial as it allows students to have a hands-on experience with professional equipment giving them a competitive edge and an opportunity to explore different pathways within the media and communications industry.”

“This experience reaffirmed my belief that in repurposing normally-occurring academic artifacts in this manner,” continued Garrity, “students connect more directly with their audience; gain new skills in and understanding of the emerging world of live, remote engagement; and creatively find a way to spotlight the amazing people and programs we have here at CWI. The students behind Global Live Idaho have paved the way for many more such showcases to come out of Studio CWI.”

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Fostering Change

CRAIG PETERSEN HOMETOWN: SALEM, OREGON

GRADUATION: 2022

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ASHLEY SMITH

MAJOR: SOCIAL WORK

GRADUATE SPOTLIGHT In partnership with CASA of Southwest Idaho and Level Up Tattoo in Meridian, Petersen hosted the charity event, Speak Up! Ink Up!, April 9, with the goal of 100 tattoos in one day. Tattoo options for the event included designs created by foster children and CWI Art Club members.

“It was one of the most beautiful things I have been a part of – from people lining up four hours before the event, to the number of volunteers who showed up in support. For 16 hours, I ran around like a crazy person talking to individuals coming in for tattoos. It was incredible to hear how many people have been touched by the foster care system, whether as a foster child themselves or as a foster parent.”

Petersen’s event was a huge success raising nearly $11,500 for CASA to assist in providing support and a voice for every foster child in Idaho.

“This event encompassed everything I learned at CWI. It was truly beautiful to see the community come together. Even after opening a second day for tattoos, we still ended up having to turn away more than 100 people who wanted to help. The day after the event, I did a lot of processing and looking back at everything that went into it, and I cried a lot. The community stood behind me and my vision to make an impact in these kids’ lives. There is no better feeling than to know others are out there who care.”

“For now,” he continued, “I am appreciating the victory knowing the work isn’t even close to being done. I will be back next year in hopes to increase the impact. I hope every child currently being abused or in an unideal situation within the foster care system knows I am fighting for them, and I will not stop until I help as many as I can.”

“College of Western Idaho (CWI) has pushed me to be the best version of myself and provided me the opportunities and skill set to go out into my community and make positive changes,” said 2022 graduate, Craig Petersen.

With graduation behind him, Petersen plans to start an internship in hospice care, get married, and transfer to Boise State University this fall in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in Social Work with the ultimate goals of specializing in counseling and becoming a motivational speaker.

An Air Force veteran and father of two, Petersen credits his choice to attend CWI to his fiancé, Danielle.

“It has always been my dream to help people. Danielle is the one who pushed me to start college to pursue this dream. Holding true to its reputation of being there for students, CWI has exceeded my every expectation for a community college.”

“I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have been part of the CWI family and to have been guided by some of the best professors in the nation. I have never met more amazing humans in my life. I am now equipped to go out and change lives. Because of CWI, I know I will be successful.”

In addition to studying social work, Petersen eagerly contributed his time and talents as a member of several clubs, organizations, and initiatives on and off campus.

“Craig is an example of a student who took advantage of every opportunity to learn, be involved, and connect with the community while at CWI,” shared Professor of Psychology, Heather Schoenherr. “As one of his final services, he organized a successful community event bringing together people from CWI and the community to raise awareness of foster care in Idaho.”

“I have always had a passion to help,” said Petersen. “In volunteering as a Guardian Ad Litem, I came face-to-face with foster children, saw the foster crisis with my own eyes, and knew it was time to do something. The children in our community deserve better than what they are currently being faced with.”

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CLASS OF 2021

Celebrating the Class of 2022!

May 13, 2022 ExtraMile Arena Boise, Idaho

1,201 Degree and Certificate Candidates

RELIVE THE EXCITEMENT!

1,471

Degrees and Certificates Earned

Watch CWI’s 2022 commencement ceremony at cwi.edu/Classof2022.

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Graduates with Honors

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141

Veteran Graduates

3.37

Average Graduate GPA

29

Associate Degrees Awarded to Dual Credit Students

273

Apprenticeship Candidates

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CLASS OF 2022

Bold New Futures Empowering the community one student at a time, CWI is paving the way to bold new futures with flexible options, exceptional tuition value, and support every step of the way.

Brian De La Torre-Hogan

MORRIAH MARKS

MAJOR: Medical Administrative Support

Jessica Scott

MORRIAH MARKS

MAJOR: Surgical Technology

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CLASS OF 2022

Sandra Moreno

MORRIAH MARKS

MAJOR: Spanish

Ryan Schulz

MORRIAH MARKS

MAJOR: Business

PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE C O L L E G E

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VISIT cwi.edu/ideal to learn how to maximize your IDeal 529 college savings through matching scholarships.

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

DALEESA COLE HOMETOWN: NAMPA, IDAHO MAJOR: GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) CERTIFICATE

JESSICA ARGYLE

SCHOLARSHIPS: LAURA MOORE CUNNINGHAM

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

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“CWI HAS EMPOWERED ME IN EVERY WAY POSSIBLE FINANCIALLY, ACADEMICALLY, PROFESSIONALLY, AND PERSONALLY TO BE WHAT I HOPE TO SOMEDAY BECOME… MY EDUCATION HAS OPENED UP OPPORTUNITIES FOR ME I NEVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE. NEVER GIVE UP ON THE AMAZING THINGS YOU CAN PURSUE IN LIFE!"

Oregon State University (OSU) student, Daleesa Cole, is attending College of Western Idaho (CWI) in pursuit of a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) certificate with the ultimate goal of becoming a Wildlife Biologist.

“I am currently working on a Bachelor of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife at OSU,” Daleesa said. “My decision to attend CWI was in pursuit of wanting a skill set in GIS and sUAS (small unmanned aircraft systems) to give myself a competitive edge in the wildlife field. It is my hope to further use my skills and abilities gained from CWI and OSU to help assist in changing the world for the better by assisting in ecological and conservation issues through research and development, public education, and awareness as a Wildlife Biologist.”

During her time at CWI, Daleesa landed a full-time internship with

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Owyhee Air Research in Nampa, Idaho, as a Drone Lead and IR GIS Mapping Technician.

“This opportunity has become a huge stepping stone in my professional career and has given me passion and opportunities beyond what I have ever dreamed. I am now able to combine my skills and abilities in GIS, sUAS, and Fisheries and Wildlife

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experiences into one for the greater good!”

A proud recipient of the Laura Moore Cunningham Scholarship, Daleesa values the availability of financial assistance which has made her return to college and pursuit of her goals a reality.

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“CWI has empowered me in every way possible financially, academically, professionally, and personally to be what I hope to someday become. I have been a student for several years now, completing one course or a few at a time at both OSU and CWI. Although life circumstances have altered my journey from time to time, I hope to graduate from both by 2023. My education has opened up opportunities for me I never thought possible. Never give up on the amazing things you can pursue in life!”

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SCHOLARSHIPS

CWI Nights ASHLEY SMITH

Students, employees, family, friends, and the community came together in a BOLD way this year for CWI Nights raising $3,545 for student scholarships.

SCORE Big ‘Steels’ the Ice • 495 CWI group tickets sold • $2,475 raised through group ticket sales for the SCORE Big Scholarship fund • $4,000 of scholarships awarded

“WHEN IT REALLY HIT ME THAT I HAD JUST RECEIVED $2,000 TO PAY FOR MY EDUCATION AT CWI, I WAS ALMOST IN TEARS! I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.” SYDNEY SHOEMAKE

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Congratulations to Sydney Shoemake and Daniel Lam, winners of a $2,000 SCORE Big Scholarship awarded on the ice!

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SCHOLARSHIPS

SCORE Big Hits it Out of the Park • 214 CWI group tickets sold • $1,070 raised through group ticket sales for the SCORE Big Scholarship fund • $2,000 scholarship awarded Congratulations to Madigan Grigsby, winner of a $2,000 SCORE Big Scholarship awarded on the field!

ASHLEY SMITH

VISIT cwi.edu/CWINights to learn more and get involved!

“BEING ON THE FIELD WITH ALL THE LOVE AND SUPPORT FOR ME AND MY EDUCATIONAL JOURNEY WAS A GREAT CONFIDENCE BOOST. I WILL FOREVER BE GRATEFUL AND APPRECIATIVE FOR THIS SCHOLARSHIP. IT WAS SUCH A SURPRISE AND A BLESSING!” MADIGAN GRIGSBY

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GIVING College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Multicultural Nursing Assistant program is honored to be a Bank of America grant recipient for 2021.

Bank of America has worked with nonprofit partners and other leaders across public and private sectors in the Treasure Valley for years to help drive economic mobility for vulnerable populations. This work has included donating funds to assist CWI in the creation of a Multicultural Nursing Assistant program. The program, started in 2011, is designed to facilitate viable career pathways in healthcare professions leading to employment for students whose primary language is not English. Over the past decade, the program has helped provide critical healthcare workforce training and employment to more than 100 students.

“CWI is playing an important role in breaking down barriers for immigrant and refugee students in Idaho,” said Kurt Walsdorf, President of Bank of America Idaho. “CWI’s innovative Multicultural Nursing Assistant courses prepare English Language Learners for a career in healthcare – helping them achieve their own career and economic success, while also providing invaluable medical support during a time of great need in the community.”

“Some students in the Multicultural Nursing Assistant program come to the United States with years of experience as doctors, nurses, radiologists, and healthcare administrators,” said Adult Education Supervisor, Trevi Hardy. “This program

is often a first step in those students’ ability to reclaim their careers and to serve our community as healthcare workers. Other students are just starting out, and this program is a first step in their professional or academic journey. In either case, the Bank of America gift reduces barriers to participation in this critical career pathway, and our community benefits from this linguistically skilled, culturally diverse, and extraordinarily dedicated talent pool.”

Innocent, a student in the program, came to the United States in March of this year as a Congolese refugee from Rwanda.

“I have a bachelor’s degree in the field of nursing,” he said. “As I am struggling to be a licensed nurse here in the United States, I have decided to start as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). When my degree is accepted here, I can continue my career as a nurse. Through the Multicultural Nursing Assistant program, I hope to obtain my professional license in the healthcare field as well as gain knowledge to help me work as a CNA in Idaho and across the United States.”

Through Bank of America’s partnership and $70,000 gift to CWI, the College is providing greater access to Multicultural Nursing Assistant students, like Innocent, through the help of scholarships. The grant is aligned to the bank’s broader efforts to help advance racial equality and economic opportunity through a $1.25 billion commitment over five years focused on health, jobs and reskilling, affordable housing, and small business.

“SOME STUDENTS IN THE MULTICULTURAL NURSING ASSISTANT PROGRAM COME TO THE UNITED STATES WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS DOCTORS, NURSES, RADIOLOGISTS, AND HEALTHCARE ADMINISTRATORS. THIS PROGRAM IS OFTEN A FIRST STEP IN THOSE STUDENTS’ ABILITY TO RECLAIM THEIR CAREERS AND TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AS HEALTHCARE WORKERS.” TREVI HARDY SUPERVISOR, ADULT EDUCATION

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Bank of America Helping to Break Barriers

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“I SINCERELY APPRECIATE WHAT CWI DOES FOR THIS COMMUNITY IN PROVIDING A LINE OF SITE CONNECTING IDAHO PEOPLE TO IDAHO JOBS. THIS IS SIGNIFICANT!”

JESSICA ARGYLE

TOMMY AHLQUIST CEO, BALL VENTURES AHLQUIST 2021 OPENING DOORS PRESIDENTIAL SPONSOR AND KEYNOTE SPEAKER

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The CWI Foundation’s eighth-annual Opening Doors Benefit Event raised nearly $80,000 for student scholarships this past October.

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Hosted from the College’s Powersports and Small Engine Repair Technology lab at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center, the livestream event featured 2015 CWI Communication graduates, Shane Larson and Andde Mendez, as emcees and special guest, Dr. Tommy Ahlquist, a prominent business leader and developer in the Treasure Valley.

Save the Date

OCT. 5, 2022

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The One and Only Sus A lover of chocolate, practical jokes, and laughter, Shirley 'Sus' Helpenstell was well-known by many no matter their title or rank.

A local legend, she led with her heart impacting all through her ongoing commitment to the community. This past December, we lost Sus, and dedicate this spotlight to her and her legacy that lives on at College of Western Idaho (CWI).

A life-long educator, Sus is credited with starting the first-ever kindergarten program in Nampa which originated in her basement and carried with it a very lengthy waiting list. Through the years, Sus became an integral part of the Nampa community which included dedicating her time and energy to connecting others to CWI. Once classes began at CWI in 2009, Sus became a major advocate for all CWI represented. The College’s mission embodied everything Sus was passionate about – helping the community advance their dreams through affordable and accessible education.

“When Sus called, you answered, and the answer was always yes,” recalled former Director of the CWI Foundation, Mitch Minnette.

“She really wanted the community to hear and know more about CWI, so each month she invited her friends to Breakfast with Bert to meet President Glandon and learn about the College – mind you, her ‘friends’ were the Governor, judges, doctors, superintendents, CEOs, etc. Ironically, there was no breakfast at these monthly

gatherings – Sus didn’t see a need to waste money on food when everyone could just drink coffee.”

Sus began donating to the College in 2010. She was the very first Opening Doors table sponsor and became a staple at the annual event hosted in support of student scholarships. In 2013, she started the Nampa Friends Scholarship, later establishing an endowment ensuring her impact would carry on indefinitely. Sus generously donated to the College never expecting anything in return, including any sort of recognition. This was classic Sus – humble, modest, and private.

"Sus was the best thing since sliced bread – a true delight,” said Glandon. “An icon in the Treasure Valley and in Idaho, Sus had an impact wherever she went. She was a dedicated and passionate leader and philanthropist who deeply cared about helping others.

It was never about the money – doing good was an inherent part of her character.”

CWI’s love for the one and only Sus continues, and her legacy lives on with each and every student empowered by her generosity.

Thank you, Sus, and the Helpenstell family, for your commitment to CWI and our community.

“AN ICON IN THE TREASURE VALLEY AND IN IDAHO, SUS HAD AN IMPACT WHEREVER SHE WENT. SHE WAS A DEDICATED AND PASSIONATE LEADER AND PHILANTHROPIST WHO DEEPLY CARED ABOUT HELPING OTHERS. IT WAS NEVER ABOUT THE MONEY – DOING GOOD WAS AN INHERENT PART OF HER CHARACTER.” BERT GLANDON FORMER CWI PRESIDENT

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G I V E TO D AY !

For more information on the CWI Foundation and how to support student scholarships, VISIT cwi.edu/foundation or call 208.562.3100.

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MS 1000 P.O. Box 3010 Nampa, ID 83653 18011

A P P LY N OW !

CALL 208.562.3000 CLICK cwi.edu/GoBold VISIT any One Stop Student Services Location

BOISE

NAMPA

Blackeagle Center 9300 W. Overland Road, Boise

5725 E. Franklin Road, Nampa

Ada County Center Lynx Building 2 6

E L E V A T I O N

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Nampa Campus Micron Education Center

Canyon County Center

2407 Caldwell Blvd., Nampa (limited services)