Congratulations to College of Western Idaho (CWI) Assistant Professor of Health Professions, Colleen Conklin, who has been named Faculty of Distinction for January 2026.
Conklin has been part of the CWI community since 2015, when she began as an Adjunct Instructor with the College’s first Medical Assisting credit class. Over the years, she has taught across both the Medical Assisting and Medical Administrative Support programs, including courses in Clinical Procedures I (MEDA 242), Pharmacology (MEDA 108), Ethics for Medical Professionals (MEDA 237), and more.
For Conklin, teaching is rooted in sharing her experience and preparing students for meaningful careers in healthcare. With decades of experience across medical assisting, emergency response, and law enforcement, she brings a depth of real-world knowledge into the classroom that helps students understand both the responsibility and opportunity that come with their chosen field.
“As a subject matter expert, I love passing on my knowledge and experience to the next generation of Medical Assistants,” she said. “Watching even one student take these skills and seeing that light bulb moment when they get it is something I will never get tired of.”
Conklin’s professional background spans more than 30 years. She is a Registered Medical Assistant and Certified Medical Assistant and has also worked as a licensed vocational nurse, paramedic, emergency medical technician, and in law enforcement. She holds associate degrees in Medical Office Management and Criminal Justice Administration, experiences that continue to shape the hands-on, high-standard approach she brings to her teaching.
That emphasis on real-world preparation is central to her work at CWI. Through repeated practice, hands-on training, and required externships, Conklin prepares students to be ready to meet the expectations of the healthcare field.
Students and peers alike recognize the impact of that approach. Known to students as “Mz. C” in the classroom, Conklin creates an environment where expectations are high, but support is constant. One student shared that she “goes above and beyond to help students learn and feel confident,” noting her patience, clarity, and ability to make even complex skills approachable.
“Mz. C has helped me become more confident in my skills and has inspired me to keep pushing toward my goals in healthcare,” said the student. “Her encouragement and belief in my potential have made a real difference in how I see myself as a future medical professional.”
Another student highlighted Conklin as someone who consistently puts students at the center of her work, adapting instruction to meet their needs while ensuring they are fully prepared for clinical settings. Her ability to balance empathy with accountability helps students build both competence and confidence as they move through the program.
“Mz. C truly embodies a community that cares by recognizing and valuing each student as an individual,” said the student. “She takes time to listen to our stories and understand our unique paths, not just viewing us as a class but as people.”
For Conklin, that preparation is about more than passing a class. It is about building a foundation for long-term success.
“Our program stresses the importance of hands-on skills,” Conklin said. “We practice over and over, and students complete externships before their certification exams. Because of that, our graduates are some of the most sought-after Medical Assistants in the valley and beyond.”
Some of her proudest moments come after students leave the classroom. She often sees former students in medical settings throughout the community, now working confidently in the roles they trained for.
“You could call it my legacy,” she said.
Conklin believes CWI provides students with opportunity and direction, helping them see a future that once may have felt out of reach.
“CWI empowers students to do better, dream more, and shoot for the stars,” she said. “What once felt unobtainable is now within reach.”
Originally from Montana, Conklin grew up with three siblings and moved to Idaho in 2000. She has shared more than 15 years with her partner and is the proud mother of one son and another she considers family, both thriving and contributing members of their communities.
Outside of teaching, Conklin enjoys an active, adventure-filled lifestyle. She is an avid traveler, with more than a dozen cruises under her belt, and especially loves snorkeling and exploring new places.
