College of Western Idaho


College of Western Idaho is a public community college 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 2019, CWI's enrollment was 31,350 with 20,576 credit students and 10,774 students taking non-credit courses. Ada County residents made up 52% of the CWI student body, while 31% of students come from Canyon County.
CWI is one of four comprehensive community colleges in Idaho, along with College of Southern Idaho, North Idaho College, and College of Eastern Idaho. The college is governed by a five-member board of trustees elected at large by voters in Ada and Canyon counties.

History

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 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. Effective September 1, 2016, the NWCCU granted initial accreditation to CWI at the associate degree level. CWI is now in a seven-year accreditation cycle, which includes periodic evaluations and site visits from the NWCCU.
Other Milestones
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 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 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 Boise 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
Mallard Building - 9100 W. Black Eagle Drive, Boise, Idaho
Pintail Center - 1360 South Eagle Flight Way, Boise, Idaho
Quail Building - 1450 S. Eagle Flight Way, Boise, Idaho
Canyon County Center - 2407 Caldwell Boulevard, Nampa, Idaho
CWI Horticulture - 2444 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho
Nampa Campus
Academic Building - 5500 E. Opportunity Drive, Nampa, Idaho
Administration Building - 6056 Birch Lane, Nampa, Idaho
Aspen Classroom Building- 6002 Birch Lane, Nampa, Idaho
Micron Education Center - 5725 E. Franklin Road, Nampa, Idaho
Multipurpose Building - 6042 Birch Lane, Nampa, Idaho
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:
CWI does not currently offer athletics and does not have an official mascot but is considering adopting one.

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.