When Cody Phelps first enrolled at ĢƵ (CWI) in 2011, the College was still in its infancy.
Fresh out of high school and new to the Treasure Valley, he came to CWI like many community college students looking for direction and opportunity. What he found was a launchpad that would carry him through Ivy League classrooms, industry leadership roles, and ultimately back to the same halls he once walked as a student.
“It’s kind of surreal,” Phelps said. “Fifteen years ago, I was sitting in these chairs as a business student. Now I’m the one up front teaching.”
During his time as a student, Phelps became CWI’s first elected Vice President of the Associated Students of CWI (ASCWI). Being part of the College’s earliest days gave him a sense of connection that has stayed with him.
“It’s exciting to see how far we’ve come and we’re only just scratching the surface,” Phelps said.
He also found mentorship from faculty like Economics Instructor, John Nordstrom, who encouraged him to pursue the subject further. That influence led Phelps to , where he completed a bachelor’s degree in Economics, before heading to for a master’s degree in Healthcare Informatics.
After graduating with his degrees, Phelps built a career across healthcare and business. He worked in consulting, led teams at , and became one of the youngest directors at . Currently, he leads pharmacy analytics at , where his work supports underserved communities across the Treasure Valley.
“The work that Terry Reilly does for the community and underserved populations, people who are often at or below the poverty level, really brings purpose to what I do,” Phelps said. “It’s about finding ways to stretch every dollar to provide access to healthcare for those who need it most.”
While his professional path in industry was well established, an unexpected invitation by a former instructor in 2019 brought Phelps back to the CWI classroom.
“I had no idea honestly if that teaching would be a calling for me or something I’d even be good at,” he said. “I entertained it and said, you know, I’ll try it. I started with a class or two and went from there. I fell in love with it.”
Phelps now teaches Economics, Business Law, Statistics, and Management, both as an Adjunct Faculty at CWI and at Boise State.
The best part of teaching for Phelps is connection. Having once been in his students’ shoes, he works hard to remove what he calls the “invisible wall” that can exist between student and teacher.
“I tell them, ‘Ten or fifteen years ago, I was you,’” he said. “Whether you’re certain about your degree path or just figuring it out, I want students to know I’m happy to be a resource and help guide them to ultimately get that footing that allows them to accelerate their academic and professional careers.”
Looking back, Phelps credits CWI with accelerating both his academic and professional journey. He also reflects on how the College prepared him for continued success:
“As someone that has gone forward from community college to a traditional four-year to an Ivy League master’s, I can confidently speak to the level of education here and the capabilities of instructors,” Phelps said. “If you put in the work and do well here, you’ll be ready for anything.”
From student to industry professional and now faculty member, Phelps has seen CWI from nearly every angle. For him, it all comes down to the same mission that drew him in years ago: meeting students where they are and helping them take the next step.
“That’s the beauty of CWI. There isn’t one path. Every student comes with their own goals, and we’re here to help them get there,” Phelps said.
