College of Western Idaho (CWI) is a public community college located in Southwest Idaho with its main campus locations in Boise and Nampa. CWI also offers classes at several community locations throughout the Treasure Valley.
CWI offers over 60 academic transfer and professional-technical programs leading to an Associate of Arts or Science degree, Associate of Applied Science degrees, and certificates. CWI also offers basic skills education to help upgrade skills, prepare for the GED, and learn English, as well as dual credit for high school students and fast-track career training for working professionals or people seeking to enter the workforce.
In the fall of 2013, CWI's enrollment was 19,861 with 9,204 credit students and 10,657 students taking non-credit courses. Ada County residents made up 56% of the CWI student body, while 33% of students come from Canyon County.
CWI is one of only three comprehensive community colleges in Idaho, along with College of Southern Idaho and North Idaho College. The college is governed by a five-member board of trustees elected at large by voters in Ada and Canyon counties.
History
CWI 2017 Commencement Ceremony - College of Western Idaho celebrates the Class of 2017 at the eighth commencement ceremony at Taco Bell Arena in Boise.
Prior to the creation of CWI, Boise was one of the largest metropolitan statistical areas in the United States without a community college. CWI was created on May 22, 2007, when voters of Canyon and Ada counties passed a measure to allow the formation of the new community college 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. Griffin retired in August 2009, and was succeeded by Bert Glandon.
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 began its quest for independent accreditation as the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) approved the College’s Application for Consideration for Candidacy. CWI took its next step toward accreditation on January 11, 2012, when the NWCCU granted Candidacy for Accreditation status at the associate degree level.
Other Milestones
- May 2010 - 400 students participate in CWI’s first graduation ceremony at Nampa Campus
- July 2010 - CWI Foundation receives 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
- May 2012 - U.S. Department of Education approves CWI to begin participating in Federal Student Aid Programs independently
- August 2012 - CWI opens new Micron Center for Professional Technical Education, moving nine professional-technical programs from the Boise State University campus
- November 2012 - CWI Board of Trustees members Mary Niland, Mark Dunham, and Guy Hurlbutt are re-elected.
- August 2013 - CWI Nursing Program approved for initial accreditation with the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
- November 2013 - The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education approves the start-up of a Physical Therapist Assistant consortium program delivered by CWI, College of Southern Idaho, Lewis-Clark State College, and North Idaho College
Student demographics
CWI is an open-access institution that provides a complete range of academic offerings to a diverse student population. Among CWI’s credit and non-credit seeking students for the fall 2013 semester:
- 57 percent female; 43 percent male
- Average age â€" 27
- 57 percent part-time; 43 percent full-time
- 610 degree seeking veterans
- 55 percent receive grants or scholarships
- 72 percent receive some form of financial aid
Ethnicity
- American Indian â€" 1 percent
- Asian â€" 4 percent
- Black or African American â€" 3 percent
- Hawaiian/Pacific Islander â€" 1 percent
- Hispanic â€" 21 percent
- Multi-Racial â€" 2 percent
- Not Reported â€" 10 percent
- White â€" 58 percent
Residency
- Ada County â€" 56 percent
- Canyon County â€" 33 percent
- Out of District â€" 8 percent
- Out of State â€" 3 percent
Area of study
- Academic Transfer â€" 7,954
- Professional Technical Education â€" 1,250
- Basic Skills Education â€" 2,494
- Business Partnerships/Workforce Development â€" 8,163
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, SkillsUSA, and Speech and Debate. CWI students have found success at state, regional, and national levels in all three organizations. CWI Speech and Debate captured three consecutive Pi Kappa Delta Community College National Championships in 2011, 2012, and 2013. 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 Boise and Nampa. CWI’s Nampa Campus has been created around the former Boise State West Campus, which sits on approximately 100 acres (0.40 km2).
Ada County Campus
Lynx Center - 9300 W. Overland Road, Boise, Idaho
- Coming summer 2014
Mallard Place - 9100 W. Black Eagle Drive, Boise, Idaho
- Coming summer 2014
Pintail Center - 1360 South Eagle Flight Way, Boise, Idaho
- Academic Transfer Courses
- Professional Technical Education Programs
- One Stop Student Services
- Testing and Assessment
- Library
- Tutoring
Quail Court - 1450 S. Eagle Flight Way, Boise, Idaho
- Coming summer 2014
Canyon County Center - 2407 Caldwell Boulevard, Nampa, Idaho
- General Education
- Academic Transfer Courses
- Professional Technical Education Programs
- Basic Skills Education Programs
- Business Partnerships / Workforce Development Courses
- One Stop Student Services
- Tutoring
CWI at Boise State University - 1464 University Drive, Boise, Idaho
- Culinary Arts
CWI Horticulture - 2444 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho
- Horticulture Technology Program
Nampa Campus
Academic Building - 5500 E. Opportunity Drive, Nampa, Idaho
- Academic Transfer Courses
- Dual Credit
- Bookstore Express
- Tutoring
Administration Building - 6056 Birch Lane, Nampa, Idaho
- Administrative Offices
Aspen Classroom Building- 6002 Birch Lane, Nampa, Idaho
- Academic Transfer Courses
- Boise State University Transfer Center
Micron Center for Professional Technical Education - 5725 E. Franklin Road, Nampa, Idaho
- Professional Technical Education Programs
- Academic Transfer Courses
- One Stop Student Services
- Bookstore
- Testing and Assessment
- Tutoring
- Career and College Transfer Center
- Industry Labs
Multipurpose Building - 6042 Birch Lane, Nampa, Idaho
- Library
- Early Childhood Education Program
Professional Truck Driving - 5252 Treasure Valley Way, Nampa, Idaho
- Professional Truck Driving Program
Academics
CWI offers over 100 instructional areas of emphasis 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.
Athletics
CWI currently does not offer athletics and does not have a mascot.
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.
Notable alumni
References
External links
- College of Western Idaho website