Elevation 2023

ELEVATION

The Class of 2023

LET'S GET STARTED

ELEVATION

2022-2023 ACADEMIC YEAR VOLUME 6, ISSUE 1

Vantage Point

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

CWI FOUNDATION

208.562.3100 foundation@cwi.edu

COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

208.562.2222 communications@cwi.edu

It is an honor to serve as College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) president, working alongside our dedicated faculty and staff as we provide exceptional education to more than 30,000 students. At CWI, we take great pride in offering affordable, high-quality programs that empower students to achieve their goals. We are committed to creating a path to success for our students and the Treasure Valley community we serve.

We have had a terrific year at CWI, and this edition of Elevation is packed with great stories, including our feature on our new partnership with Micron. This partnership will create the backbone of the skilled workforce for their Boise manufacturing expansion. In addition, we share an update on our new buildings at our main Nampa Campus and the College’s property in downtown Boise. The investment in new infrastructure will expand CWI’s presence significantly, allowing us to serve even more students with first-rate facilities.

EDITOR IN CHIEF

Audrey Eldridge

EDITOR

Tristan Lewis

WRITERS

Tristan Lewis, Ashley Smith

CREATIVE MANAGER

Jessica Downing

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS

Cody Sprague, Bri Daniels

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Tristan Lewis, Ross Hosking, Morriah Marks

I am inspired by the students I meet who are in the process of transforming their lives by pursing a degree in one of our 118 programs. The expertise of our faculty is enabling our students to gain knowledge and develop lifelong skills. I hope you enjoy reading about their stories in Elevation, and you find them inspiring. CWI is uniquely positioned to partner with businesses and those in the Treasure Valley seeking to empower an educated workforce and community.

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.

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.

Visit CWI on the Web at cwi.edu.

© 2023 College of Western Idaho

Gordon

Jones

President, College of Western Idaho

2 6 22 24

Congrats, Grads!

College of Western Idaho celebrated the Class of 2023 at the 14th Commencement Ceremony.

Campus Development

COLLEGE OF WESTERN IDAHO IS ADVANCING INTO A NEW PHASE OF GROWTH.

Campus News

IN A PARTNERSHIP WITH MICRON, CWI IS LEADING EFFORTS TO DELIVER TOP-LEVEL EDUCATION AND SKILLS TRAINING.

CWI Giving Day

THE CWI COMMUNITY CAME TOGETHER TO RAISE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO SUPPORT STUDENTS AND FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES.

Stepping Outside Her Comfort Zone to Find Success

THROUGH RESOURCES AT THE COLLEGE, VIVIANE AKINGENEYE, FOUND CONFIDENCE IN HERSELF AND IS ON HER WAY TO SUCCESS.

Using the Power of Creativity to Inspire

Caleb Chereji spends his hours in between classes creating art murals on campus to help those around him.

CWI Expands in Treasure Valley

College of Western Idaho (CWI) is launching a significant expansion with new buildings and facilities on its main Nampa Campus and in downtown Boise on the corner of Main Street and Whitewater Boulevard. These projects will benefit the more than 30,000 students CWI serves.

NAMPA

CAMPUS

One of the key projects in Nampa is the Health & Sciences Building , a 45,000 square-foot facility that will consolidate multiple programs, including nursing, biology, and medical assistant courses. The building will contain state-of-the-art hyflex classrooms and labs for microbiology, as well as anatomy and physiology, and enhanced congregated learning spaces for students.

Additionally, the Student Learning Hub , covering 35,000 square feet, will serve as a central location for students, employers, and the community to engage. The hub

“CWI is an incredibly important asset to the Treasure Valley, providing the needed skillsets to students of all ages,” said Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling . “I’m so excited to see the continued investment at the Nampa Campus.”

Construction Partners:

• ESI

• CUSHING TERRELL

Estimated Completion Date:

• HEALTH & SCIENCES BUILDING

FALL 2025

• AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE AND HORTICULTURE

FALL 2025

• STUDENT LEARNING HUB

FALL 2026

BOISE CENTER

In April, CWI announced the selection of Ball Ventures Ahlquist to develop the Boise Center, with CWI buildings and a mixed-use development along the Boise River. The Boise Center will feature modern classrooms and state-of-the-art technology fostering innovation, collaboration, and hands-on learning opportunities.

The Boise Center will primarily focus on programs such as Business, Computer Science, and Cybersecurity, catering to the needs of local employers. This expansion aligns with CWI's strategic campus visioning plan, which involved extensive public engagement and internal planning.

CWI'S BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR, MOLLY LENTY, EXPRESSED EXCITEMENT ABOUT BOTH DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS, "WE ARE THRILLED TO BE MOVING FORWARD ON THE COLLEGE'S IN-DEPTH STRATEGIC CAMPUS VISIONING PLAN THAT INCLUDED MORE THAN TWO YEARS OF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT AND EXTENSIVE INTERNAL PLANNING WITH EXPANSIONS IN BOTH ADA AND CANYON COUNTY."

For more information and updates on these projects, VISIT cwi.edu/campus-development

Construction Partners:

• BALL VENTURES ALQUIST

• ESI

• HUMMEL ARCHITECTS

Estimated Completion Date:

• BOISE CENTER FALL 2026

MICHELLE WOOTON

BOISE, IDAHO

MAJOR: OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSISTANT

Learning Skills to Help Those Around Her

From as early as Michelle Wooton can remember, she had wanted to be a teacher. After graduating from Boise State University with a Psychology degree in May 2018, Wooton was able to achieve her dream as she began teaching at an alternative school in West Ada School District.

However, after the COVID-19 pandemic struck, working in education became a struggle for Wooton. As much as she loved teaching, she knew she needed a change.

“The Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program at College of Western Idaho (CWI) was just the change I needed,” Wooton said.

Wooton’s friend introduced her to the world of Occupational Therapy (OT). After doing her own research, Wooton knew it was the perfect fit because she was able to use the creativity and passion she had for teaching and channel it into OT.

“I am enrolled in CWI’s OTA Program to help people get back to their daily occupations the way they want to. I want to inspire change in people in a holistic way and be there for them when the light bulb moment goes off that makes them realize, ‘I can do this.’”

As Wooton finishes up her first year in the program, she has been able to reflect on all she has been able to learn and discover about herself. She has found out this work is a true passion of hers.

“This program is absolutely amazing. I could not have asked for a better experience. Although the workload can look like a lot, it is super doable and actually very interesting, so it makes me want to learn and do the readings and coursework.”

CWI's OTA Program utilizes a problembased theoretical approach, fostering problem-solving through solid critical inquiry and assisting the development of a solid foundation in occupationalcentered professional skills. Courses combine didactic, lab, service learning, and fieldwork experiences.

As the activities director for a local assisted living facility, Wooton can attest

to how well the program is preparing her for the real world once she graduates. She uses the tools and lessons she has learned within the residents’ daily routines and activities and constantly thinks, ‘How is this related to what she is learning in class?’”

“Through this program, I have realized how much change we can make in the everyday life of people of all ages and disabilities. OT is a wonderful career for anyone looking to help people and make a change in their everyday lives. I have seen firsthand through fieldwork how rewarding and helpful it is.”

Wooton feels grateful to be able to help those around her and can’t wait to begin her career doing this type of work every day. She enjoys working with pediatrics and geriatrics, so she is unsure of what path she will be on once she graduates from the program — but she calls that the “beauty of OT.”

“There are many different opportunities out there where you can find a job you love in whatever you want to do!”

While Wooton’s original career dream may look a little different than a few years ago, she is happy to have found a new calling where she can still impact the lives of others— even in the most unlikely of places.

“Through this program, I have learned I have true grit. I can push myself to my limits, and then a little bit more to get where I want to be.”

To find out more about CWI programs VISIT cwi.edu/programs

“THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, I HAVE LEARNED I HAVE TRUE GRIT. I CAN PUSH MYSELF TO MY LIMITS, AND THEN A LITTLE BIT MORE TO GET WHERE I WANT TO BE.”

Commercial Tire Partnership

Commercial Tire is empowering its employees and setting them up for success thanks to a partnership with CWI. The tire chain store sponsored 14 of its employees to go through a six-week Auto Maintenance Training Program through CWI, where they learned skills in automotive service, maintenance, light repair, and more.

All 14 of the Commercial Tire students completed the training and earned their certificates. For customized training REACH OUT TO Workforce Development, wd@cwi.edu or at 208.562.2700

CWI Students Support Boise Re-WILD Project

The College’s Horticulture Technology Program has partnered with the Boise River Re-WILD Project, a grassroots effort that seeks to protect and revitalize the habitat of more than 50 acres of land along the Boise River by 2023. Over the next two years, students will take part in various restoration activities, like removing invasive species, planting, weeding, watering, and working to make sure plants can survive long after the project’s completion.

CWI Brings Affordable Education to Mountain Home Air Force Base

CWI partnered with Mountain Home Air Force Base to bring quality educational opportunities and classes to military personnel and their families on base, as well as civilian residents of Mountain Home eligible for base access.

Military personnel can leverage CWI’s exceptional tuition value to support their personal and professional development by taking up to eight classes per year using military benefits. In-person classes are offered on base to assist students working to earn their Community College of the Air Force Associate of Applied Science.

VISIT cwi.edu/mtnhome

Micron Partners with College of Western Idaho

As the core education partner with Micron Technology, Inc., CWI is excited to lead efforts in delivering toplevel education and skills training to students in support of the company’s recently announced $15 billion expansion in Boise.

Along with providing a pathway to enhance industry-specific skills, CWI’s Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology program will work closely with Micron to train highly qualified technicians for this leading-edge memory manufacturing fab and support the company's apprenticeship program.

VISIT cwi.edu/micron-partnership for more information.

USING THE POWER OF CREATIVITY TO INSPIRE

As College of Western Idaho (CWI) Studio Art student, Caleb Chereji, waits for his next class to begin, he sits and studies at a table on the third floor of Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB). Right across from his study area hangs a blank whiteboard, which, in just a couple of hours will turn into one of Chereji’s latest art murals.

"I grab an energy drink, grab my whiteboard markers, put my earbuds in, and I just begin to draw,” Chereji said.“It is a lot of fun.”

About two and half hours later, that same whiteboard is now covered inch-to-inch in different characters of students, faculty, and staff you would see around CWI doing various activities. Chereji’s idea for the mural was inspired by the original reason he draws and creates — to help build a positive, encouraging environment around him.

“People come and pass by, take pictures, and smile and laugh when I make funny ones. To me, it’s all about what I can do with my artwork to help raise up an environment for students to feel creative and not pull

back from creative pursuits. I do it because I can and because I want to. But most of all, I do it because I have so much support and so many people that love it and support me. That’s what CWI is, and with the friends and instructors I’ve made so far at school, I have felt only that.”

The whiteboard murals around campus began one day during the Fall 2022 semester as Chereji and his sister were killing time between classes. He looked up at, what he calls now, his 'favorite whiteboard” near room 319 in NCAB and decided to draw on it.

“This is a new skill I have adapted to. I love doing large-scale art now. Instead of a sketchbook, I can just take a step back to see it, and it is so much more. I get enraptured in it.”

Chereji’s love for drawing and the arts dates back as early as he can remember.

“It is like therapy for me. Whenever I am having a bad day, I run to the nearest canvas and start drawing. I see everything as a canvas, I even draw on myself sometimes. I can’t stop creating.”

What started out as something to do between studying and class, has turned into multiple murals around campus with different messages and images — some of which can take up to four hours to complete.

“I made a mural last semester that was a public service announcement on mental health and was about feeling out of character and not like yourself in the world that we live in today. Everything is digital, and there is a lot of anxiety and insecurity. I tried to convey to people they are worth so much more than they think.”

These murals have received a lot of positive attention. From people reaching out to Chereji over social media saying his art pieces have made their day to campus security sharing ideas about his next work of art — even building custodians have shared with him that they won’t erase his artwork because they enjoy it so much.

All the positivity he has received means the world to him.

“I am not going to stop now. It is just so much fun, and as long someone sees it and it makes their day, that is all I need to keep going.”

Chereji’s work around campus has even presented him with several opportunities outside of school, such as being commissioned to create a 50-foot mural on a wall at a local church.

He hopes to continue his murals long after his time at CWI and keep sharing his creativity all over the world, where he wants to wear different hats, such as animator, illustrator, graphic designer, and creative director. He plans to do everything he can with his talents and bring people together through creativity.

“TO ME, IT’S ALL ABOUT WHAT I CAN DO WITH MY ARTWORK TO HELP RAISE UP AN ENVIRONMENT FOR STUDENTS TO FEEL CREATIVE AND NOT PULL BACK FROM CREATIVE PURSUITS.”

Exploring STEM at Chip Camp!

College of Western Idaho and Micron Foundation partnered to present a summer camp filled with hands-on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) activities for eighth and ninth graders at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center.

Chip Camp invited Treasure Valley students to take part in the three-day camp that included activities related to semiconductor manufacturing, scientific, and engineering jobs to experience first-hand what engineers and scientists do each day!

Students got to:

• Learn how memory chips are made.

• Discover the science involved in building circuits, launching rockets, and programming robots.

• Explore engineering, physics, chemistry, and computer science topics.

• Work with Micron team members and faculty from CWI.

Starting New Futures

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

MAJOR: Animal Veterinary Science

MAJOR: Communication

Kristen Brooks

Brian Colindres

MAJOR: Business

PLAN FOR YOUR FUTURE

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

MAJOR: Business

Donovan Hawn

Maria Montoya

MAJOR: ADVANCED MECHATRONICS ENGINEERING

TECHNOLOGY

SCHOLARSHIPS: NAGEL FOUNDATION

Scholarship Supports New Career Path

MICHAEL HERTEL

KUNA, IDAHO

On a typical afternoon during the week, chances are you can find College of Western Idaho (CWI) student, Michael Hertel, working away on projects inside a classroom at the Nampa Campus Micron Education Center (NMEC).

This week’s project? A panel that can hold input and output devices he’s designing for his Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology’s Fundamentals of Microcontrollers (AMET 196) class.

“In my off time, I am able to work in the lab and get paid for that work, whether that’s for collecting inventory in the labs or building stuff for instructors’ classes and labs.”

This is Hertel’s third semester taking Mechatronics classes with the College which he said has been a “challenging but fun journey.” But how he got to CWI’s mechatronics program is a bit of a journey in itself.

Prior to CWI, he was an aircraft mechanic for the U.S. Air Force, where he was learning to work with his hands to help build and fix equipment.

“When I was separated from the military, I wasn’t really trained to do something else, so I needed to go back to school. The closest thing to what I was doing before was being a vehicle mechanic, so that’s how I started out with the College in its Heavy Equipment Technician program.”

After graduating with Magna Cum Laude from CWI, Hertel got a job with a mining group out in Soda Springs, Idaho, as a heavy equipment mechanic. He attributes his instructors as huge help for landing him this role and getting him out into the workforce so quickly upon graduation.

During his time with the College, Hertel learned he had an affinity for electrical and hydraulic work and enjoyed designing systems within it — which he became curious to learn more about. However, because he was already offered a job, he continued on in the Heavy Equipment industry.

Hertel still made a promise to himself.

For more information on supporting scholarship opportunities, VISIT cwi.edu/scholarships

“I swore that someday I would go back to school for electrical engineering.”

Then came 2020, when Hertel was, unfortunately, let go from his job. But where one journey ended, another began for Hertel as this gave him the push to move back to the Treasure Valley, reapply to CWI, and make his dream of becoming an engineer a reality.

“CWI is a great school, very professional. The caliber of students and instructors here is pretty high. While it may be challenging at times, the programs and classes teach you a lot of what you need to know in these fields. The instructors know what they’re talking about and have a lot of experience with what you would see outside of a classroom setting.”

A proud recipient of the Nagel Foundation Scholarship, Hertel is thankful for those who help support students and have made his return to college easier.

“The support from this scholarship will help me pay off the loans I took out to enroll in the Advanced Mechatronics Program. The scholarship makes a big impact on my quality of living as well, since I'm currently unemployed, to better focus on my studies and take part in the work-study program.”

“WHILE IT MAY BE CHALLENGING AT TIMES, THE PROGRAMS AND CLASSES TEACH YOU A LOT OF WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IN THESE FIELDS. THE INSTRUCTORS KNOW WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT AND HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH WHAT YOU WOULD SEE OUTSIDE OF A CLASSROOM SETTING."

CWI Nights

Students, employees, family, friends, and the community came together in a BOLD way this year for CWI Nights raising more than $8,000 for student scholarships.

SCORE Big at Idaho Steelheads

• Nearly $5,000 raised through group ticket sales for the SCORE Big Scholarship fund

• $4,000 of scholarships awarded on the ice

• New Power Play for Education partnership with ICCU raised over $4,000 for student scholarships

Congratulations to Lillian Black , Benjamin Johnson , Alexander Lacy , and Logan White , winners of the SCORE Big Scholarships.

“THIS SCHOLARSHIP IS AN AMAZING GIFT AND MOREOVER AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURSUE MY DREAMS OF BECOMING A HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER. THIS SCHOLARSHIP WILL ALLOW ME TO HELP TAKE CARE OF MY FAMILY AND CONTINUE TO FINISH MY EDUCATION AT COLLEGE OF WESTERN IDAHO!”

LOGAN WHITE

SCORE Big Hits it Out of the Park

• 152 CWI group tickets sold

• $775 raised through group ticket sales for the SCORE Big Scholarship fund

• $1,000 scholarship awarded on the field Congratulations to Simeon Turcotte , winner of a $1,000 SCORE Big Scholarship.

VISIT

“I HAD SOME DOUBTS AND SECOND THOUGHTS ABOUT GOING TO SCHOOL THIS NEXT YEAR," TURCOTTE SAID. "HOWEVER, WINNING THE SCHOLARSHIP HELPED ME FEEL CONFIDENT I SHOULD GO TO COLLEGE. HAVING A SCHOLARSHIP WAITING FOR ME IS ALSO REDUCING THE STRESS I WAS FEELING ABOUT THE FINANCIAL PART OF GOING TO COLLEGE.”

Supporting Students Through Scholarships

After two years of completely virtual events, College of Western Idaho (CWI) Foundation’s Opening Doors Benefit Event was back in-person and saw very generous support from the entire CWI community! The ninth-annual Opening Doors Benefit Event and online auction raised more than $218,000 for student scholarships.

The event, featured former CWI Foundation Board President, Ivan Castillo, as emcee. Guests heard remarks from current CWI Foundation Board President, Mike Peña, and CWI President, Gordon Jones, as well as special video messages from CWI Board of Trustee Chair, Molly Lenty, and Idaho Governor Brad Little.

“THE SOLE OBJECTIVE IS TO RAISE SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS FOR DESERVING STUDENTS WHO ARE LOOKING TO FURTHER THEIR PERSONAL GROWTH THROUGH EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT.”

KEVIN RIGENHAGEN

CWI FOUNDATION DIRECTOR AND CHAIRMAN OF THE 2022 OPENING DOORS BENEFIT EVENT

for the Green’ Supporting Student Scholarships

Bank of Idaho’s Swing for the Green Charity Golf Tournament Series benefiting College of Western Idaho (CWI) was a huge success, as the event raised $58,400 to support student scholarships.

Thirty teams came together from across the Treasure Valley to compete in a friendly and spirited competition, all while raising money to support students’ education.

JESSICA ARGYLE

“INVESTING IN EDUCATION IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE COLLEGE OF WESTERN IDAHO FOUNDATION AND THEIR MISSION TO PROVIDE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR DESERVING STUDENTS.”

JEFF NEWGARD

BANK OF IDAHO CHAIRMAN, PRESIDENT, AND CEO

‘Swing

You

$43,852RAISED AT THE FIRST-EVER CWI GIVING DAY!

More than 190 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community members made gifts to 21 campus clubs, programs, and resources during the Giving Day campaign. Generosity from our community partners, Albertsons Companies Foundation and Optum Idaho, was essential to the success of CWI Giving Day.

“AS AN INSTITUTION, WE ARE COMMITTED TO PROVIDING OUR STUDENTS WITH THE BEST EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITIES IMAGINABLE. THE SUCCESS OF CWI GIVING DAY MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO CONTINUE PROVIDING AFFORDABLE ACCESSIBLE EDUCATION THAT LEADS TO PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT.”

GORDON JONES CWI PRESIDENT

Save the date for Spring2024!

College of Western Idaho (CWI) Business student, Viviane Akingeneye, has a strong desire to help those around her.

“I want to give back to my community,” Akingeneye said.

Akingeneye currently works in CWI’s Tutoring Services as an Embedded Tutor and an English Language Learning (ELL) Tutor where she works with students of various backgrounds, such as international and refugee students.

As an Embedded Tutor and ELL Tutor, Akingeneye attends class alongside students who are learning English as a second language or another language to provide them support. She also meets with students outside the class for help with homework, brainstorming processes, writing, and how to meet the academic requirements for their classes. She also works closely with instructors to provide the student with meaningful support.

“I want to help encourage students not to give up. Especially our ELL students who may not know about all the help and support around them at CWI.”

The difficulties international and refugee students experience when arriving in a new country along with a language barrier is something Akingeneye knows first-hand.

Originally from the Republic of Congo, Akingeneye and her family came to Idaho three years ago. While in her home country, she began college but was not able to finish because she had to leave and come to the United States. After living in Idaho for a year and always having the drive to continue her studies, Akingeneye enrolled at CWI for Spring 2021. In her first semester, she took four courses, but college was not what she remembered it to be like in the Republic of Congo — it was a lot more overwhelming.

“I was struggling and didn’t know where to ask for help. Because of the language barrier, the idea of going up to an instructor or classmate for help felt awkward.”

Fortunately, the opportunity to take part in the Bridge Program through CWI’s Adult Education program presented itself, and things began to look up. The program supports ELL students’ reading, writing, math, and language acquisition before entering the community college credit courses. Some students, like Akingeneye, take the Bridge Program concurrently with credit classes.

“It helped me learn more about the College, academic requirements, writing an essay, and how to use materials, like email and Blackboard.”

While learning more about the College, Akingeneye discovered there was an opportunity for even more help

in and outside the classroom through CWI’s Tutoring Services. She was paired with an Embedded Tutor in her Communication class.

“The tutor helped me with not only communicating in that class but with homework from any class I had that semester.”

Akingeneye’s first semester at CWI had some ups and downs, but after finding help and confidence in herself, she was able to pass her classes and meet new classmates.

“I’ve been able to open myself up to other students where we get together and have had group study sessions. My English and communication with others has gotten better. I am able to express myself more and not feel awkward like I used to.”

Proud of her accomplishments and grateful for the resources that got her there, Akingeneye felt compelled to give back and become a Bridge Program Peer Mentor, which ultimately lead her to work in Tutoring Services. Akingeneye's goal is to let other international and refugee students know they are not alone.

“English is my second language, and there can sometimes be a communication barrier with faculty and other students. If I kept myself closed off, not open to others, and did not reach out for help, I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have today. I just had my best semester so far.”

Akingeneye plans to graduate from CWI this semester and transfer to Boise State University in the fall, where she would like to major in Supply Chain Management and Minor in Information Technology. Post-grad, she would like to become a project manager where she can lead an entire operation from the beginning materials to the final product.

Additionally, Akingeneye would like to continue to help those just like her to learn and find the resources they need to succeed.

“I wasn't expecting to be a part of a community that helps others so soon in my life, but I'm glad I am here doing what I do.”

Learn more about CWI’s Adult Education program VISIT cwi.edu/adult-education

“IF I KEPT MYSELF CLOSED OFF, NOT OPEN TO OTHERS, AND DID NOT REACH OUT FOR HELP, I WOULDN’T HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES I HAVE TODAY. I JUST HAD MY BEST SEMESTER SO FAR.”