American Technical Education Association

 College of Western Idaho was founded in 2009.  

College of Western Idaho is the newest community college in Idaho and the only two-year institution serving the state’s population hub. Since opening its doors for class in January 2009 the College has experienced an explosive enrollment growth. In less than four years, CWI is serving over 18,000 students each year with 28 Associate of Arts and Science degree programs, 30 Professional Technical Education programs, and hundreds of non-credit basic skills courses and short-term workforce development training classes.

"Ribbon Cutting" for the Micron Center

CWI is a leading provider of technical education thanks to a solid foundation of programs and local industry support that have become driving forces for the community. The CWI Information Security and Digital Forensics program is just one great example of how the College has succeeded at being on the cutting edge of both education and industry. Six years ago Program Chair Don Bowers began redesigning his curriculum with one simple focus: teach the skills that industry needs. As a result, students completing the program today are prepared to test for a number of critical, respected industry certifications.

Don Bowers teaches to certification for Network+, Cisco Certified Network Administrator (CCNA), Microsoft Certified Technical Specialist (MCTS), Security+, Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH), Computer Hacking Forensic Investigator (CHFI), and AccessData Certified Examiner (ACE). In 2011 CWI earned an important distinction of becoming the areas only designated training center for the International Council of Electronic Commerce Consultants (EC-Council) – one of just a few throughout the region. On the horizon, Bowers is preparing to teach Mobile Forensics, which he says will truly take the program to the forefront of industry training. “Boise has a strong technology presence and we encourage these industry leaders to call upon our programs at CWI and say ‘we need employees with these certifications’. As a community college we can respond quickly and effectively to industry needs now and develop foundation skills for the future.”

Don Bowers: CWI Program Chair in Information Security and Digital Forensics

Photo of Don Bowers and retired Colonel Duane Hardesty

Mr. Bowers has caught the attention of organizations such as the Wyakin Warriors Foundation and Northrop Grumman as they partner with Don’s IT program to provide training and internships for severely wounded veterans. Don is a recognized subject matter expert in Enterprise Network Administration and Design, Information Security,  Mobile Device Security  and as a Digital Forensics Expert just to name a few.  Pictured with retired Colonel Hardesty, Northup Grumman.

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Marcella Enos, Assistant Dean of Business and InformationTechnology, and Don Bowers

Six years ago in 2006 Program Chair Don Bowers, Boise State University, began redesigning his curriculum with one simple focus: teach the skills that industry needs. As a result, students completing the program today are prepared to test for a number of critical, respected industry certifications. Those programs became central to the new College of Western Idaho that opened in 2009. One area of growth has been the Security and Digital Forensics program.

http://cwidaho.cc/academics/information-security-and-digital-forensics