CWI: The students
From high school dual-credit students to single parents searching for a new career, the College of Western Idaho serves 30,000 students from diverse backgrounds. Some look to save on tuition, while others pursue vocational training or come to learn English and build community. Here are the stories of six students who utilized the different opportunities offered by CWI.
Audrie Reyes
Age: 21
Field of study: Two-year Intermediate Technical Certificate (ITC) in welding and metals fabrication, Two-year ITC in Machine Tool Technology
Reason for choosing CWI: Welding options, affordability, proximity
Hobby: Listening to music
Audrie Reyes started her welding journey by accident. As a Caldwell eighth-grader, she went to an annual College of Western Idaho event hoping to learn about law enforcement.
“They accidentally put me in the wrong category,” she said, grinning. “I ended up going to the welding area. And that’s when I got into welding, and I started pursuing that career.”
After high school, Reyes applied and was accepted to the University of Idaho.
“But they didn’t really have any welding programs,” she said.
Reyes also worried about how she would pay for her education.
She found out that through CWI she could do a work-study program and also receive federal financial aid to help with tuition. She started at CWI in the fall of 2022.
“I had never touched a welding machine, but I knew I’ve always wanted to weld because I love playing with fire,” she said.
Less than 6% of welders are female. CWI’s program is around 10% female.
As a female in a male-dominated field, Reyes is classified as what CWI calls a “career pioneer.” So as part of her work-study, Reyes works as a Career Technical Education (CTE) ambassador at the school, attending job fairs and events with high schoolers to advocate for the CTE programs.
Reyes manages a busy schedule as she juggles school, ambassador duties and regular weekend shifts at McDonalds and Planet Fitness.
Reyes earned a welding and metals fabrication certificate in the spring of 2024. In the fall, she will continue her education at CWI, studying machine tool technology. She believes the additional certificate will make her more marketable to future employers. It could even open up doors for her to own her own business.
CWI: The students
From high school dual-credit students to single parents searching for a new career, the College of Western Idaho serves 30,000 students from diverse backgrounds. Some look to save on tuition, while others pursue vocational training or come to learn English and build community. Here are the stories of six students who utilized the different opportunities offered by CWI.
