College of Western Idaho

[5] 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.

[7] The following month Boise State University faculty member Dennis Griffin was named to a two-year term as the college's first president[8] 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.

[13] The college's catchment area includes all of the following counties: Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Gem, Payette, Valley, and Washington.

Student groups range from art to physics, horticulture, psychology, Glee, Birdies and Bogies, a Veterans Association, and more.

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'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.