CWI Compass Connect - October 18, 2016
In the Spotlight
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will welcome over 50 employers to campus on Friday, Oct. 21, for CWI’s 2016 Fall Job Fair. The event is open to the public and will focus on seasonal employment and jobs that may be ideal for students working their way through school. The fair will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CWI’s Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building. For more information, read the full article below.
News Highlights
CWI Student Makes the Most of Long Distance Opportunity
Andrew Castro knows how life changing a long-distance move can be. At eight years old, Castro’s parents relocated him and his four siblings 2,500 miles from White Plains, New York to Nampa, Idaho. Although it was a big undertaking, it provided a lifestyle change the family was looking for.
Fast forward 11 years, Castro has embarked on another 2,000-plus mile journey that could also have life-long impact. The College of Western Idaho (CWI) sophomore was selected to spend the fall semester working as an intern for United States Senator Jim Risch in Washington, D.C. Castro is one of just three students selected for the internship, and the only one currently attending a community college.
“I saw the email and my heart nearly exploded,” Castro recalls. “I was certainly enthusiastic and humbled.”
While Castro was surprised to receive the news, his resume certainly made him a strong candidate. The CWI Political Science major graduated from Columbia High School in 2015 with a 3.9 grade point average. He served as president of the school’s Theatre Club, while also being elected Student Body President as a senior and student representative three times. As if that weren’t enough, as a senior he also competed on Columbia’s speech and debate team.
“I loved serving as a sort of liaison between those above me and the students I represented. Columbia, and its amazing leadership and faculty as a whole, helped to nurture my passions and talents.”
His experience serving others inspired Castro to pursue a career in public office. Although his current political opportunity didn’t come without a push from one of his instructors at CWI.
“I was hesitant to give up my comfort in Nampa, Idaho to pursue my goals in Washington, D.C. Without [CWI Assistant Professor] Rob Harbaugh’s persistence I can say for sure I would not be here because I did not first seek the internship; in many ways, the internship found me. Rob has been beyond influential and has served as a mentor beyond compare. This internship materialized because of Rob’s diligence.”
Thanks to Harbaugh’s encouragement Castro applied and completed the interview process. The rest is history. Through incredible fundraising support from his friends and family, Castro is living in D.C. through mid-December. He is excited for the opportunities that will be realized in the next few months.
“Such an experience will open many connections to the D.C. area that can be utilized later in my life. I want to pursue a political science degree and eventually serve in elected office. Whether that’s the people of Idaho, or perhaps in a broader context, I know the possibilities have only begun.”
When Castro returns to campus, he expects to have one semester left. He plans to compete with CWI’s Speech and Debate team in the spring. Castro hasn’t decided where he will transfer but he is confident he will be fully prepared for wherever life takes him next; regardless if it is near or far.
“I've enjoyed my education from [CWI]. My classes thus far have helped challenge my writing abilities and critical thinking all the while helping me to better understand why it is I believe what I believe. I can't think of a better goal from a college than that.”
Reaping the Benefits of Grant-Funded Research
For the first time in College of Western Idaho (CWI) history, the College is reaping the direct benefit of supporting students through grant-funded research projects. Thanks to Idaho EPSCoR and the National Science Foundation, seven Biology students had the opportunity to spend their summer vacations conducting field research on birds, butterflies, and freshwater mollusks. Once their research was complete, they contributed their data and findings to the greater scientific community.
Chasing Butterflies
CWI students Vance McFarland and Manny Reyes spent four to six hours a day, five days a week walking among ticks, mosquitos, and 90-plus degree days chasing butterflies in an effort to save them. Monarchs are being considered for endangered species status. They live and lay their eggs on a plant called Showy Milkweed. The research duo and their instructor, Dusty Perkins, searched for evidence that Monarchs are using two milkweed hotspots in the Treasure Valley. Much to their delight, they are. Their data will be contributed to a nationwide modeling and conservation effort. Read the full story.
Up-Close With Birds of Prey
Perkins and three students had the opportunity to get up-close and personal with birds of prey. CWI alum Ty Styhl, CWI student Andrew Dorrell, and Humboldt State University student Lizzie Meisman participated in an osprey research project. The team monitored more than 150 osprey nests from south of Cascade in Valley County to north of McCall. They checked the nests one-by-one. Each nestling they touched was weighed, measured, checked from wing-to-wing and everywhere in between, and then photographed before being replaced safely in its nest. The data they collected will be provided to Idaho’s land managers. Read the full story.
Diving Into Freshwater
CWI students Kassandra Townsend and Andrew Barrios sent their summer literally diving into freshwater. The duo conducted their research on freshwater mollusks in the Boise and Payette Rivers. They worked with Biology professor Steve Lysne to identify, sample, and preserve a number of different species. Mollusks are considered a useful indicator species—similar to osprey. They are sensitive to a number of contaminants and environmental factors. They can help monitor water quality and ecosystem health in areas impacted by humans.
Presenting Their Findings
At the end of their 10-week research experience, each student presented their work at the Idaho Summer Research Symposium held at Boise State University on Aug. 12. More than 60 students, almost all of which were first-generation college students, participated in the event along with their faculty mentors. When asked, most students said working with their mentors was the best part of their research projects. It gave them a real-world view of life after graduating.
“These opportunities really give students the hands-on experience that gives them the shot in the arm to go out and really continue their academic and professional careers,” Perkins said. “It is also an incredible opportunity to provide undergraduate research opportunities for our students, and to become an academic institution of distinction.”
Renowned Forensic Science Expert to Speak at CWI
The public is invited to College of Western Idaho (CWI) for a special guest lecture by renowned forensic science expert Dr. Greg Hampikian, executive director of the Idaho Innocence Project. Dr. Hampikian will visit CWI on Wednesday (Oct. 19) for a presentation on the use of forensic DNA to exonerate innocent people on death row. The event is scheduled for 6 p.m. in room 201E of CWI’s Nampa Campus Academic Building.
Dr. Hampikian is a Biology and Criminal Justice professor at Boise State University. He has worked on more than a dozen exonerations throughout his career; both in the United States and internationally. Hampikian has been featured on several national television shows, including CBS’s 48 Hours.
CWI to Host “Art in Public Places” Discussion
College of Western Idaho (CWI) will welcome an impressive panel of local artists, educators, and leaders to campus this month for a conversation on the social and economic impacts of public art. CWI will host “Art in Public Places: The Power of Art to Unite Communities” on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 6-8 p.m. at the College’s Micron Center for Professional Technical Education in Nampa. The event is free and open to the public.
The panel will include:
- Kathleen Keys, moderator (Department Chair, Department of Art at Boise State University)
- Karen Brown (Art History Faculty, CWI)
- Karen Bubb (Boise City Art and History Department)
- Alma Gomez (Artist)
- Antonia Wynn (Nampa Art Collective)
- Colby Ackers (Artist and Founder of Boise’s Freak Alley)
- Mark Baltes (Artist)
The Micron Center is home to CWI’s first public art display; a mural titled “Spirit of Collaboration” commissioned by Alma Gomez. The artwork was created with input from CWI students and faculty, and partially funded by the Idaho Humanities Council. CWI is developing its public art program with a goal of strengthening connections with the community and providing valuable learning experiences for students.
Immediately following the panel discussion, there will be a reception with a question and answer session and an opportunity for extended conversation. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information contact Brenda Fisher at brendafisher@cwi.edu or Karen Brown at karenbrown@cwi.edu.
Job Fair Coming to CWI
College of Western Idaho's (CWI) Career Services will help students and community members connect with job opportunities at CWI’s 2016 Fall Job Fair. The event is open to the public and will focus on seasonal employment and jobs that may be ideal for students working their way through school. The fair, which is presented in partnership with the Idaho Department of Labor, will take place:
Friday, Oct. 21
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CWI’s Nampa Campus Aspen Classroom Building
View Map
Over 50 employers have registered for the job fair. Job seekers at the event will also have the opportunity to learn about resources from CWI and Idaho Department of Labor. Attendees are encouraged to take their resume and be prepared to interview with employers. Please email loriyellen@cwi.edu with any questions.
Event at CWI Recognizes Community Policing
On Wednesday (Oct. 5), the U.S. Attorney’s Office and the U.S. Marshal’s Office hosted a community policing event at College of Western Idaho’s (CWI) Nampa Campus Academic Building. The event was designed to recognize the outstanding community policing efforts of the law enforcement agencies serving the communities within the Treasure Valley. Several efforts were highlighted during the event. Local, state, and federal agencies took part along with members of the public. Additionally, there was an open discussion of how to further build trust within the community.
The event was conducted as a part of National Community Policing Week, which runs Oct. 2-8.
