College of Western Idaho (CWI) is a

public In public relations and communication science, publics are groups of individual people, and the public (a.k.a. the general public) is the totality of such groupings. This is a different concept to the sociological concept of the ''Öffentlichk ...

community college A community college is a type of educational institution. The term can have different meanings in different countries: many community colleges have an "open enrollment" for students who have graduated from high school (also known as senior se ...

in Southwest Idaho with its primary campus locations in

Boise Boise (, , ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho and is the county seat of Ada County. On the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is east of the Oregon border and north of the Nevada border. The downtown area' ...

and Nampa. CWI also offers classes at several community locations throughout the

Treasure Valley The Treasure Valley is a valley in the western United States, primarily in southwestern Idaho, where the Payette, Boise, Weiser, Malheur, Owyhee, and Burnt rivers drain into the Snake River. It includes all the lowland areas from Vale in rur ...

. It is one of four comprehensive community colleges in Idaho and is governed by a five-member board of trustees elected at large by voters in

Ada Ada may refer to: Places Africa * Ada Foah, a town in Ghana * Ada (Ghana parliament constituency) * Ada, Osun, a town in Nigeria Asia * Ada, Urmia, a village in West Azerbaijan Province, Iran * Ada, Karaman, a village in Karaman Province, ...

and Canyon counties. CWI offers over 60 academic transfer and professional-technical programs leading to an Associate of Arts or Science degree, Associate of Applied Science degree, and certificates. CWI also offers basic education skills to help upgrade your existing skills, prepare for the GED, and learn English, dual credits for high school students, and fast-track career training for working professionals or people seeking to enter the workforce. In the fall of 2019, CWI's enrollment was 31,350, with 20,576 credit students and 10,774 students taking non-credit courses.

Ada County Ada County is located in the southwestern part of Idaho, United States. As of the 2021 United States census estimate, the county had a population of 511,931, making it by far the state's most populous county; it is home to 26.8% of the state's p ...

residents comprised 52% of the CWI student body, while 31% of students come from Canyon County..

History

Prior to the creation of CWI,

was one of the largest

metropolitan statistical area In the United States, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are neither legally incorporated as a city or tow ...

s in the United States without a

. CWI was created on May 22, 2007, when voters of Canyon and

counties passed a measure to allow the formation of the new

district. In June 2007, the Albertson Foundation announced it was donating $10 million to help found the college. In July 2007, the Idaho State Board of Education selected an initial five-member board of trustees. The following month Boise State University faculty member Dennis Griffin was named to a two-year term as the college's first president and CWI began offering academic classes on January 20, 2009, with an enrollment of over 1,100 students. In the summer of 2009 the professional-technical programs from Boise State University's Selland College of Applied Technology transitioned to CWI. By the fall 2009 semester, CWI enrollment had expanded to over 3,600 students. In January 2010, CWI applied for accreditation from the

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is an independent, non-profit membership organization recognized by the United States Department of Education since 1952 as an institutional accreditor for colleges and universities. ...

(NWCCU). NWCCU granted candidacy status at the associate degree level in 2012 and initial accreditation in 2016. President Griffin retired in August 2009 and was succeeded by Bert Glandon. After serving as president for 12 years, Glandon retired from CWI on May 15, 2021. The college's board of trustees named Denise Aberle-Cannata the interim president. CWI Board of Trustees extended an offer to Gordon Jones on Dec. 9, 2021 to be the next president at College of Western Idaho. Gordon Jones accepted the position of President at CWI and began his tenure as the third president in CWI's history on Jan. 10, 2022.

Student life

CWI has a growing campus life with over 30 student clubs and organizations. Student clubs have been created with academic focus as well as special interests. Student groups range from art to physics, horticulture, psychology, Glee, Birdies and Bogies, a Veterans Association, and more. The Associated Students of the College of Western Idaho (ASCWI) serve as the voice of the student body. ASCWI is governed by five officers and eight senators elected by the student body each spring. CWI students participate in competitive, skills-based organizations like

Business Professionals of America Business Professionals of America (BPA) is a career and technical student organization that is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio. Officers Every Business Professionals of America chapter has presiding officers for the national organization, state ...

SkillsUSA SkillsUSA is a United States career and technical student organization serving more than 395,000 high school, college and middle school students and professional members enrolled in training programs in trade, technical and skilled service occu ...

, and Speech and Debate. CWI students have found success at state, regional, and national levels in all three organizations. CWI Speech and Debate captured seven Pi Kappa Delta Community College National Championships in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Students have earned individual medals at national skills competitions as well. Students have the opportunity to engage on campus through the CWI Presidential Ambassador Program, which promotes leadership and connects students to campus and community events. Students are eligible to receive a scholarship as part of this program.

Locations

CWI's primary campuses are located in

and Nampa. CWI's Nampa Campus has been created around the former Boise State West Campus, which sits on approximately . Ada County Campus ''Lynx Building'' - 9300 W. Overland Road,

Boise, Idaho Boise (, , ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho and is the county seat of Ada County. On the Boise River in southwestern Idaho, it is east of the Oregon border and north of the Nevada border. The downtown ar ...

*''One Stop Student Services'' ''Mallard Building'' - 9100 W. Black Eagle Drive,

*''Academic Transfer Courses'' *''Basic Skills Education Programs'' *''Community Learning Center'' ''Pintail Center'' - 1360 South Eagle Flight Way,

* Academic Transfer Courses * Career Technical Education Programs * Library * Tutoring * Math Solutions Center ''Quail Building'' - 1450 S. Eagle Flight Way,

*''Advising'' *''Career and Technical Education Programs'' *''Workforce Development Health Courses'' Canyon County Center - 2407 Caldwell Boulevard,

Nampa, Idaho Nampa () is the largest city in Canyon County, Idaho. Its population was 100,200 at the time of the 2020 Census. It is Idaho's third-most populous city. Nampa is about west of Boise along Interstate 84, and six miles (10 km) west of Meridian. ...

* Academic Transfer Courses * Career and Technical Education Programs * Basic Skills Education Programs * Business Partnerships / Workforce Development Courses * One Stop Student Services (limited services) * Tutoring * Community Learning Center * Advising CWI Horticulture - 2444 Old Penitentiary Road,

* Horticulture Technology Program Nampa Campus ''Academic Building'' - 5500 E. Opportunity Drive,

* Academic Transfer Courses * Advising * Student Life Center * Tutoring * Math Solutions Center ''Administration Building'' - 6056 Birch Lane,

* Administrative Offices ''Aspen Classroom Building''- 6002 Birch Lane,

* Academic Transfer Courses * Boise State Center ''Micron Education Center'' - 5725 E. Franklin Road,

* Career and Technical Education Programs * Academic Transfer Courses * One Stop Student Services * Workforce Development Courses * Advising * Bookstore * Assessment and Testing Center * Tutoring ''Multipurpose Building'' - 6042 Birch Lane,

* Library * Advising * Early Childhood Education Program

Academics

CWI offers over 100 majors through Academic Transfer and Professional Technical Education programs, Basic Skills Education, and fast-track career training for working professionals. Students can choose from a variety of transfer programs with 27 different majors that can result in Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees. CWI provides a number of free programs designed to upgrade basic skills, prepare for the GED, or learn to speak English. Through its Business Partnerships / Workforce Development division, CWI provides short-term training designed to boost job skills and earn certifications that professionals need. CWI also offers a number of short-term online courses, as well as customized training options for businesses, and opportunities for students to earn college credits while still in high school through the college's Dual Credit and Tech Prep programs. CWI's Professional Technical Education programs are designed to provide comprehensive training in just four to 24 months so that students can move on to an exciting new career. CWI offers 32 professional-technical programs that can result in Associate of Applied Science degrees, advanced technical certificates, technical certificates, and postsecondary technical certificates. The CWI Division of Instruction is organized into 6 Schools: *School of Arts and Humanities *School of Business, Communication, and Technology *School of Health *School of Industry, Engineering, and Trades *School of Math and Science * School of Social Sciences and Public Affairs

Athletics

CWI does not currently offer athletics and does not have an official mascot but is considering adopting one (and has had an unofficial mascot of a Unicorn).

CWI Foundation

As the only charitable, nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting CWI, the CWI Foundation plays a vital role in helping the college meet its diverse missions. The foundation works in partnership with the community to help students access education by awarding scholarships, providing start-up funds for new educational programs, and funding the long-term capital plans to support growth and provide vital educational opportunities for the community.

References

External links

Official website
{{authority control Vocational education in the United States Educational institutions established in 2007 Buildings and structures in Canyon County, Idaho Education in Canyon County, Idaho Education in Boise, Idaho Community colleges in Idaho 2007 establishments in Idaho