Happy Holidays one and all!

As we wrap up a successful semester, I’d like to share a short video message with you. I hope you’ll take a moment to watch it and reflect on all we have to be grateful for and all that lies ahead.

Thank you all for another semester of serving students, each other, and our communities. Once again, due to everyone’s Rustler hustle and core value of Understanding and Caring, our enrollments are up. 

Academic Excellence:

If you want to get a heavy dose of Rustler pride, check out Dr. Kathy Wells' monitoring report to the board for this month. Kathy highlights the great job faculty do in providing high quality education. Here are a few snippets from her report:

…the percent of all students achieving mastery of general education outcomes from fall 2018 through spring 2024 is above 90% for all delivery methods. This high-level, faculty-generated data is consistent with the external benchmarking results from the Territorium E-Proficiency Profile Exam. These results confirm that the rigor of the general education core at CWC is high, and students are successful in achieving mastery. 

…the CCSSE benchmark scores identify areas of strengths and opportunity for improvement. The 2025 results demonstrate that academic challenge is the strongest performer of the five benchmark groups… Students indicated that consistent practical application of learning theories and concepts and the resources selected by faculty supported a challenging learning environment and their overall engagement.  

CWC students who transfer to the University of Wyoming perform academically at rates consistent with their in-state and out-of-state peers, and with students who started their education at UW. 

CWC has established partnerships in three main categories: educational, community participation, and regional development… The top ten major partners are noted in the Wyoming Community College Commission (WCCC) Partnership Report, pp 9-14. 

Grant News:

This month CWC submitted two US Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) grant applications, one in partnership with Laramie County Community College (LCCC) and one in partnership with the Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP). With the first grant, CWC would start a CDL and Heavy Equipment Operator (HEO) program. The second grant would help CWC and our sister colleges assess our needs and artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities and then provide training to expand helpful AI across our institution.

Legislative Outreach:

With the arrival of December, the season for legislative advocacy has come into bloom.  Paula Hartbank will be reaching out to legislators, trustees and others to find a time to gather and discuss CWC’s and the community colleges’ legislative priorities. The Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees (WACCT), the collection of all the state’s 8 community college boards, takes the lead in this advocacy. In general, they are asking for:

• $19 million for variable costs inflation, to include raises for faculty and staff
• $15 million for more ongoing Career and Technical Education (CTE) funding
• Capital Construction Funding. CWC is only asking permission to renovate the “Blue Building” on our Business Park.
• $9 million in Wyoming Works Programmatic Funding and Student Grants

Campus Highlights

Teton Leadership Summit

Congratulations to the Teton Leadership Center for an excellent event in Jackson. CWC Culinary catered the reception, and many staff and students attended. Read more about the summit here

Baby Pitch Night was a wonderful success, giving students and community members the chance to share early-stage business ideas in a supportive, low-pressure environment. Participants received helpful feedback, encouragement, and connections to next-step entrepreneurial resources. It was an inspiring evening celebrating creativity and innovation at CWC. Read more here

World Food Day at Rusty’s Corner

A celebration of diverse cuisines - Chinese, Indian, Italian, and American- was a huge hit. Our team at Rusty's always makes sure we're well fed and leave with a smile.

Rusty’s Pantry Receives Major Donation

TRiO recently received a donated bull, and our Meat Science Program processed it into 383 pounds of USDA-certified hamburger. Gambles generously donated a freezer, ensuring high-quality beef is available to students in need. A fantastic example of collaboration and community support.

Finals Feed

Nearly 20 staff, faculty, and board members served over 75 CWC students a free late-night breakfast on Monday, December 8. Finals Feed remains a beloved CWC tradition and an uplifting way to encourage students during exam week.

Fine Arts Celebrate the Season

Our theatre and music departments delivered outstanding holiday performances:

Theatre: Multiple showings of A Very Groovy Christmas Carol

Music: The ever-popular Festival of Carols, with donations benefiting Lander’s Care and Share Food Bank and the Riverton Help Center

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the arts!

Basketball Season is in Full Swing

The Men’s Basketball team hosted home games December 5-6 at the Winter Classic presented by Wind River Hotel & Casino.

This weekend, the Rustler Women host the Holiday Classic presented by Hampton Inn. Games are Friday, CWC vs. North Platte CC @ 7 p.m. Saturday, CWC vs. Rocky Mountain College @ 2 p.m. Come cheer on our Rustlers!

Vibrant Student Spaces

The Student Center continues to be one of the liveliest places on campus. With pool tables, table tennis, music, popcorn, and the crowd-favorite soft serve ice cream machine, it has become a true hub for student life.

Lander Center Updates

Exciting transformations are happening at the Lander Center:

• Newly refreshed study space for students that is inviting and cozy.
• Offering a lab science course for the first time - Biology coming this spring!
• The new greenhouse build is underway, and hydroponic systems are now being installed. We’re looking forward to a fruitful and productive spring as this space comes to life.

Read more about Lander Center updates here

Facilities Appreciation

Winter weather is upon us, and we want to extend a huge thank-you to our grounds crew and custodial staff for keeping our campus safe, accessible, and welcoming.

Festive Campus Spirit

Campus looks cheerful and bright thanks to our many holiday committees, offices who have decorated their spaces, and everyone participating in the 12 Days of Christmas activities.

Holiday Decor

The Executive Suite has been transformed for the holidays! Special thanks to Paula Hartbank and Amanda Peterson, who volunteered their weekend and personal decorations to create a warm and festive atmosphere that embodies the spirit of CWC. Read more here

A special thank-you to the Holiday Party Planning Committee, we look forward to celebrating together tomorrow evening!

Sincerely,