CWC wins two WACCT Awards

Two Central Wyoming College members came back with awards from the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees award ceremony on Feb. 8. Chuck Carr won Professional Staff of the Year and Amy Chidester won Student of the Year.

All seven of the community colleges in Wyoming have the opportunity to submit nominees for the each category which are student, professional staff, classified staff, faculty, Foundation volunteer and Board of Trustees member.

It came as quite a surprise when Chidester heard her name being called as the winner for Student of the Year.

“I thought that can’t be me,” she said. “I was very surprised and didn’t really know what to do.”

Chidester attest that by submerging herself in all that CWC had to offer helped her win this award.

 

If it weren’t for CWC I would still be the shy, introverted person I was entering college. This school has really helped me to open up and embrace all that any situation I face has to offer. ”

Now in her second year, she is pursuing multiple degrees simultaneously which include three associate of science degrees in pre-medicine, pre-physical therapy and pre-pharmacy, as well as a medical assistant certificate. Even with a heavy course load, Chidester has maintained a 4.0 GPA, landing her on the President’s List every semester she has been at CWC. Chidester still finds time to encourage and support her fellow students through her work as a Resident Assistant, Student Ambassador and student recruiter. She also assists in the anatomy lab and works nine hours each week in the tutor lab. She has also helped found student clubs WyoFanatics and Entrada. Chidester is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa and Sigma Alpha Pi.

Just as Chidester, having his name called was a surprise to Carr.

“I was surprised, happy," he said. "Surprised though is probably the biggest thing.”

Carr thought it was an honor in it of itself, just to be included in a such a group at the ceremony that were incredible people with major accomplishments.

“They all strived to make their companies better for everyone” Carr said.

Carr is eminent that the award was a group effort, giving credit to the college, bosses and coworkers.

“They’ve allowed us to purchase radios, lock down devices and panic buttons that were added weeks ago,” Carr said. “It’s a group effort. It’s not my award but the college’s award.”

Carr’s future plans for CWC are to get a different company for their mass communication system, to have 24 hours armed campus security on duty, and to be able to offer more classes to the college in forms of their ALICE, CPR and defensive driving courses. He plans to do anything he can to be a resource for the college, campus, students, and community members.

“I want everybody to know it’s a team effort. We can do a lot as a team,” Carr said.