Idaho students to have more affordable access to high quality, higher education by fall of 2008
After being the largest urban center in the nation without access to a local, comprehensive community college, the Treasure Valley will finally have its own. College of Western Idaho (CWI) is scheduled to begin regular classes starting in August, 2008, according to Interim President, Dennis Griffin. Some noncredit classes, like Adult Basic Education, may start as early as January, 2008. CWI will be located in Nampa, and future plans call for satellite centers in
other Treasure Valley locations. Griffin expects enrollment of up to 10,000 students in ten years. CWI is expected to provide a wide range of high quality, comprehensive classes, with programs to meet needs in high demand areas like nursing and other health care professions, manufacturing, software technology and law enforcement. The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation has pledged $10 million in startup funds to CWIto be granted once their budget and strategic plan are in place.
Characteristics of Community CollegesAccessible: Open enrollment Affordable: Lower tuition Responsive: Classes to fit local needs Comprehensive: Wide range of classesfor short-term training, 1 and 2-yearcertificates, AAS degrees, and coreclasses for four-year transfer students,plus remedial and basic skills training Smaller Classes: Generally, lowerstudent/teacher ratio, with teacherswhose primary responsibility isteaching, not research For information: 208-562-3500 |
CWI was created by voters of Canyon and Ada counties in May, 2007. The college’s first board of trustees was appointed by the State Board of Education in July, 2007, and the new CWI trustees appointed Dennis Griffin as interim president in August, 2007.
- For more information about the need, value and benefits of community colleges, visit www.communitycollegenow.org
- For a viewbook on Idaho higher education, visit www.boardofed.idaho.gov/academics/index.asp