https://caspercollege.cvlcollections.org/files/original/3079f470a6d3b423d8cb15c9e9701539.pdf 348d5233df047afa1ad2e6d35b0278c6 PDF Text Text April 1, 2025 Casper College’s Student Voice Since 1945 Finalists for the college's presidential search Kylie Wheaton Chinook Writer On March 6 the Board of Trustees Chairman, Dave Applegate, announced the finalists for the Presidential Search at Casper College: Dr. Brandon Kosine, Dr. Benjamin Valdez and Dr. James Taylor. Taylor, the Vice President for Statewide Campuses at Utah State University, withdrew from consideration for the position on March 27, as reported by the college’s public relations department. Still, Applegate said the board of trustees plans to select a candidate in early April. Each of these candidates went through a long and thorough process to get to where they are now. According to Applegate, “All three finalists are very accomplished in the area of educational leadership. They Submitted Photos Dr. Benjamin Valdez (left) and Dr. Brandon Kosine (right) are finalists in Casper College's presidential search. Valdez is currently the the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, S.D. Kosine is the interim president at Casper College. all have been in a variety of roles within various institutions. They’re all we’ve been looking for -- people who had broad experience and a depth of experience.” Candidate Dr. Brandon Kosine Dr. Brandon Kosine is currently serving as the interim president at CC. Originally from Sheridan, Kosine received his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2007 from the University of Wyoming. Kosine is a first-generation college student and hopes to encourage other first-generation college students with his own story and accomplishments. “When you’re first gen you never really see yourself doing these kinds of things. I try to let folks know that I’m first — See Search Page 3 Concealed carry coming to Casper College campus Gentry Hiser Chinook Writer Following the passing of HB0172: Wyoming Repeal of Gun Free Zones Act, Casper College is preparing for the implementation of concealed carry on campus as of July 1. The bill specifically states that those with a concealed carry permit may lawfully carry inside “any public college or university facility.” In response, Interim President Dr. Brandon Kosine created an advisory committee to oversee the preparation of the campus for this change. According to Amanda Nelson, chair of the Faculty Senate and program director for paralegal studies at CC, “There's going to have to be some decisions made on how we move forward as a campus.” Nelson mentioned some areas where decisions are necessary, such as if security is now going to be armed and how weapons will be stored when off person in the residence hall. Currently, security on campus is unarmed and weapons are not permitted inside the residence halls, according to House District 36 Representative and instructor of criminal justice and political science at CCe, Art Washut. The repeal of gun-free zones was not unexpected. Last year, the bill passed both the House and Senate but was vetoed by Governor Mark Gordon. This year, the Governor allowed it to come into law without his signature. “All of the college presidents [and] the community college commission all worked together to present a unified front down in Cheyenne,” Nelson said. “We're very involved, very vocal about what exemptions should be included.” Nelson specified that many of the colleges hoped that firearms would not be allowed in residence halls, at sporting events, or at administrative or procedural events such as Title IX hearings. As far as exemptions included in the actual bill, campus events serving alcohol and locations containing volatile or explosive material are among the few exemptions listed that are not already prohibited under other Wyoming laws. “There's still a lot that's up in the air, and I think that's the hardest part,” Nelson said. The implementation of HB0172 led to apprehension of the changes yet to come, especially pertaining to safety following the permittance of guns on campus. Abby Bishop, education instructor on campus and counselor-in-training at the Casper College Wellness Center, comes to the college with 20 years of K-12 teaching experience. Bishop shared that her perspective on concealed carry comes from a background in neuroscience and how people perceive safety. She said the first thing the brain does when entering a room or different environment is scan for safety. “When I walk into a room and I know there is a possibility of a weapon in the room, it’s hard to feel safe,” Bishop said. However, the common idea that guns have been previously disallowed on campus is inaccurate, according to Washut. Washut said that at this time, there are no measures in place to ensure that people on campus are not already concealed carrying. Bishop referenced signage at school entrances banning guns that schools will now remove. “It’s not about it being the literal law. It's that when you remove the actual ban in general — there is a perceived sense of un-safety,” said Bishop. Washut was a member of the legislature who co-sponsored HB0172. Interim President Kosine asked Washut to sit on the advisory committee for the preparation of the presence of concealed carry on campus. Washut said that before his entrance into the legislature in 2019, “We had a law that said concealed carry permits were not valid, but we had nothing about open carry.” Casper College’s own policy, according to Washut, detailed that students and faculty could not openly carry on campus, but this was not similarly applicable to the public. Due to this, Washut said he requested language in the bill permitting colleges to create policies regarding the storage of weapons when not on one’s person as a concealed carry. This was included in the bill. “We don’t want to have a campus that feels like a prison where you have to get strip searched to come to class every day, right? But that's what Abdul Bashir: Becoming the best Timothy Hubert Chinook Writer Over the last two years, Abdul Bashir became a household name for much of the city of Casper. Very few expected the 6-foot-7-inch guard from Omaha, Neb. to accomplish as much as he did in his two years with the Casper College Thunderbirds Men’s Basketball Team. He will take his talents to the next level, following his commitment to Auburn University. Assistant Coach Deion Anderson said he made an immediate impact on the team. The organization quickly realized how good Bashir could be at a national level. “We always knew how talented he was, but for him to get where he’s gotten, I don't even know when that happened. He has always been him and that’s the only way to put it,” said Anderson. Bashir’s performance on the court in both of his seasons as a starter for the T-Birds illustrate Anderson’s compliments. Starting in 32 games as a freshman, he averaged 19.4 points per game, on 45.3% 3-pt shooting. During his freshman season, Bashir broke the school record for most 3 pointers in a single season, with 124 makes. Then, Bashir broke his own record this season with 131 makes. He also finished his career as the all-time leading scorer in Casper College history, averaging 27.2 points per game last season. This number not only placed him as the leading scorer in the region, but Bashir also led the nation in scoring, making him arguably the greatest JUCO player in America. Anderson shared his experience coaching Bashir over the past two years. “I was blessed with the opportunity to coach one of the best junior college basketball players ever, and I'm gonna stand on that statement,” said Anderson. Anderson said that Bashir's requests to help work one-onone before or after practice are some of the memories he will cherish most. He found shooting exercises to be the easiest, due to the rate at which Bashir made high volumes of shots. “I just had to stand under the rim and pass the ball to him,” said Anderson. Anderson also stressed the importance of Bashir’s incredible leadership in his sophomore season. He praised him for his humility, hard work, and constant desire to be great. “He’s an amazing young man, has a great heart, and does things for the right reason. He's gone through a lot in his life, and he uses all of that to remain humble and remain grounded,” exclaimed Anderson. This quote by Anderson states the main reason why he felt Bashir made such a drastic leap from his freshman season to his sophomore year. Bashir left fans astonished in the team’s second matchup of the season against the team’s rival, Laramie County Community College. Not only did the T-Birds win the game, but they also won shorthanded, as many of the team’s players were serving two game suspensions from an incident earlier in the month. In dramatic fashion, the T-Birds played the second game of the season with three T-Bird soccer players. Freshman Buai Luak posted a breakout game with 12 points and 15 rebounds in his best game of the season. However, the performance of the night came at the hands of Abdul Bashir, a sight that T-Bird fans were blessed to see on a regular basis. Bashir broke the single game record with 49 points against LCCC, two points higher than the previous record of 47, which he tied earlier in the season. He did this on 44% shooting, hitting four three pointers and 21 free throws. He also posted four rebounds and a game-high seven assists. This game extended the T-Bird’s winning streak against LCCC to eight straight games, and you'd have to have if you wanted to significantly increase your level of actual security as opposed to your perceived safety,” Washut said. Bishop stressed that the purpose of taking classes is to learn, and people can’t learn if they don’t feel safe. In her words, people’s baseline for feeling safe is different based on their past experiences and potential traumas. Bishop said, “Whether we see it physically or not — it’s about perception.” Washut cited his feeling that gun-free zones are highly ineffective, along with his appreciation of Wyoming’s constitution — especially Article I Section 24, “Right to Bear Arms” — as his reasoning for his support of HB0172. Bishop responded to the rhetoric that people may already be carrying concealed anyway. “People are carrying anyway — while that may be true—[the] system used to be able to say at least there is a safeguard for me that’s been put in place,” Bishop said. — See Concealed Carry Page 5 brought the team’s season total to 22 wins. Bashir will take another leap in his career next year, as he announced his commitment to Auburn University, the top division one team in college basketball. When asked about what Auburn can expect from a player like Bashir, Anderson spoke highly of Bashir's competitiveness and determination. He said, “He’s not gonna stop. He knows what he wants out of basketball -- he knows what he wants out of his life, and nothing is going to stop him from getting that.” Anderson holds high expectations for Abdul as he continues his basketball career at the next level due to his work ethic and high potential. “They (Auburn) are going to get a true competitor, a winner, a really good basketball player, and an amazing, special human being,” said Anderson. CC will remember Bashir as possibly the greatest basketball player in the college’s history. He will be missed by his teammates, fans, and especially his coaches. “We spent so much time together these past two years. A lot of time, a lot of memories, a lot of laughs, a lot of smiles, a lot of tears…I love the kid. He's always done things the Photo Courtesy of Edwin Gonzalez right way, and he's somebody Abdul Bashir starts in a recent game at Casper College. I’m really gonna miss,” said Bashir committed to play at Auburn University next year. Anderson. Auburn is currently ranked number one in college basektball. �Page 2 April 1, 2025 CHINOOK From the President's Desk Chinook Stance Basketball Suspensions Timothy Hubert Technical Fouls with Tim The Casper College Men’s Basketball Team saw numerous memorable moments this season. Some of these memories include Sophomore Abdul Bashir breaking the Casper College single-game, single season, and career scoring records while another came in watching Sophomore Nate Sasser III fly high to the rim, making highlight dunks regularly. Yet another memory sticks from when Sophomore Yel Deeng’s posted a breakout game with a stat line of 21 points, 20 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. However, arguably none of these memories top the game in late February against Central Wyoming College. What made the CWC basketball game stand out was less about the basketball players and more about the fact that the shorthanded T-Birds suited up three soccer players to compete in that game. The soccer players– Court Gonsalez, Shon West and Jael Reyes– collectively accounted for 3 points, 3 rebounds, and 1 steal in the 17 point victory. Obviously, though, soccer players suiting up for a basketball game is not a common occurrence at the collegiate level. As fun as it was for fans to watch that game and cheer on the soccer players, they were only in that position due to an incident at the end of one of Casper’s previous games. On Feb. 15, the T-Birds traveled north to take on rivals, the Gillette College Pronghorns. The matchup had high stakes, as the game ended up deciding the tiebreaker for first place in the North region, granting the winner home court advantage at the Region 9 tournament. After an action-packed, back and forth game, the Pronghorns of Gillette College pulled away to secure a 99-92 victory over the T-Birds. However, in the final second, Casper’s Parker Davis hit the ground hard on a contested layup as the buzzer sounded. While on the ground, a Gillette player taunted Davis, leading to Casper Sophomore leader Ethan Connery stepping in between Davis and the Gillette player. The incident caused pushing and shoving, which ultimately led to the benches clearing. Officials, coaches, managers, and some players desperately attempted to separate the two teams. Through the madness of what could have turned out to be an all-out brawl, the Casper players were all led to their locker room. The gym echoed with Gillette fans and players booing and taunting the T-Birds while celebrating the Pronghorns win. In total, Casper’s Connery was the only T-Bird that was assessed a technical foul for the scuffle, while Gillette had multiple technical fouls enforced at that time, as well as an assistant coach ejected for making contact with an official. Over the course of the next week, Region 9 and the NJCAA compiled both video footage and personal accounts from different personnel in attendance that saw the incident transpire. The investigation came to a close when teams were notified of numerous suspensions as punishments for the scuffle. Seven of Gillette’s 11 active players received suspensions, with all but one receiving a two-game ban. Gillette’s assistant coach was also suspended one game for his actions. On the Casper side, Ethan Connery, Rohan Butler, Binael Basil, Nate Sasser III, and Yel Deeng all received two-game suspensions while Blake Neverdon and Buai Luak were suspended for just one game. The reasons for these suspensions were very controversial and even unfair. By rule, any player that leaves the bench area during a fight or potential fight over the course of the game is automatically suspended for at least one game. Any physical contact or unsportsmanlike conduct to opposing players, coaches, or the officials can also leave team members subject for suspension. No punches were thrown and minimal unsportsmanlike conduct was made between opposing players during the scuffle. I believe the NJCAA followed the letter of the law too tightly, as opposed to the spirit of it, as they suspended players who stepped one foot onto the court and did not get involved at all in the scuffle, as well as players who were only trying to separate the teams and maintain the peace and order of the sport. However, the NJCAA and Region 9 completely looked past these details in an attempt to put their foot down and take control of the incident by suspending a total of 14 players and leaving both teams with just four players for their next game. Fortunately for the teams, they both won those games short-handed, as a loss in that point of the season could have had extreme consequences in both teams' push to the playoffs, as well as the location of the region tournament. If I were in the shoes of the NJCAA officials that made that call, I would have similarly seen the need to not leave this incident unnoticed and the players involved unpunished. Some of the actions of certain players absolutely left them subject to punishment based off of the NJCAA code of conduct and sportsmanship policies. I would have suspended the main culprits of the incident from each team, specifically Ethan Connery from Casper and Caleb Hollenbeck and Andrew Fuquay from Gillette College for just one game. The reason for this would be because they did initiate a scuffle and potential fight and continued to instigate as opposed to preventing further escalation. I would not suspend them for longer though due to the fact that the game was over and no punches were thrown. I would not have suspended the rest of the players who left the bench, as the game clock had expired and the game was over. At that point the schools are responsible for the players, not the officials. If the school wanted to punish players, by all means, they could do so. However, I believe the NJCAA officials did not handle the situation in the most unbiased, professional, or fair way possible. Back in November, I wrote to you about reflecting on your ‘why’ you are pursuing a higher education. As you have continued your journey this year, I want to take a moment to talk about something fundamental to your success and fulfillment—your purpose. Understanding your personal purpose can be a guiding force, helping you make academic, career, and life choices that align with your passions and values. At times, life can seem like a series of tasks—classes to attend, assignments to complete, jobs to work. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day routine “ without stepping back to ask, “Why am I doing this?” But taking the time to explore what truly drives you is one of the most valuable things you can do for yourself. Your purpose is not just about a career or degree—it’s about the impact you want to have on the world and the life you want to create for yourself. For some of you, your purpose may be clear. You may know that you want to become a nurse, a teacher, an entrepreneur, or a skilled tradesperson. For others, purpose might feel like a puzzle still being put together. Purpose isn’t always something you “find” all at once—it often unfolds over time as you explore, learn, and grow. It can also change as you move through life and gain experience or have a shift in priorities. Identifying your purpose can start by asking yourself a few key questions: • • • • What subjects or activities make me feel engaged and excited? What challenges have I overcome, and how have they shaped me? What kind of impact do I want to have on others and my community? What are my core values, and how do they influence my choices? Your academic journey is a powerful way to explore these questions. The courses you take, the professors you connect with, the experiences you gain through internships, service projects, and student organizations—all of these contribute to shaping your sense of purpose. Every step you take can bring clarity and direction. I also encourage you to seek guidance. Talk to mentors, professors, counselors, and peers. Sometimes, others see strengths in us that we don’t recognize in ourselves. Don’t be afraid to try new things, take on challenges, and step outside your comfort zone. Growth happens when we push ourselves beyond what feels familiar. At Casper College, we are committed to helping you discover and pursue your purpose. Whether your path is crystal clear or still taking shape, know that every effort you put in today is building the foundation for your future. Education is not just about earning a degree—it’s about developing the skills, confidence, and sense of direction that will guide you in all areas of life. William James, the father of American psychology once said, “Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” No matter where you are on your journey, I want you to know that your goals, dreams, and aspirations matter. You have a unique contribution to make in this world, and we are here to support you in achieving it. Keep striving, stay curious, and always believe in yourself. Purpose isn’t always something you “find” all at once—it often unfolds over time as you explore, learn, and grow. It can also change as you move through life and gain experience or have a shift in priorities." — Dr. Brandon Kosine, Ph.D., Casper College President caspercollegechinook.com �April 1, 2025 Page 3 CHINOOK Search..................................................... gen so that students can hear that message,” said Kosine. “I always told my students in all my classes -- I’m a first-generation college student and here I am, you know, teaching all of you, or I’m in this administrative position because I just think providing that message lets students know that hey, I can do this too.” Kosine has been employed at Casper College since 2012. He began as a psychology instructor and then moved to dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences. He then served as vice president of academic affairs before working as the current the interim president. In everything he does, Kosine said he aims to be thoughtful. He strives to ensure that he is taking care of those he leads in a very sincere and genuine way. “I’m a counselor by trade, and I feel like I really try to anticipate the needs of other people and try to support them in the ways that they need supported,” said Kosine. Such support not only applies to the staff and faculty of Casper College, but to the student body as well. Last year Kosine presented the Student First Initiative, also known as the 20242029 Strategic Plan, to the board of trustees. The board approved the initiative, and Kosine began implementing it at the college. The Student’s First Initiative was created to keep students at the center of all decision making at CC. According to the official CC 2024-2029 Strategic Plan, “Casper College strives to provide an education for a lifetime that will prepare individuals to thrive and adapt in an ever-changing world.” The plan also states that CC has a “primary focus on student success that provides learning opportunities to enrich the lives of our students and community.” Kosine is passionate about equipping students with all the tools they need to be successful when their journey at Casper College ends. More specifically, Kosine strongly believes in providing leadership skills and opportunities to all students. “For me personally, leadership is so much about who and how you are as a person and that personal development,” said Kosine. “A huge part of leadership for me, and especially with students, is figuring out what are your values and what are your principles […], and then developing your leadership theory and practice based on that and really having a solid sense of self.” Kosine said he believes that there is much more to the college experience than just classes and homework and hopes to ensure students get the most out of their time at Casper College. Candidate Dr. Benjamin Valdez Dr. Benjamin Valdez is currently the Vice President of Academic Affairs at Southeast Technical College in Sioux Falls, S.D. Valdez received his doctorate in Business Administration and Educational Administration from California Southern University and his doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. Valdez said he believes in thinking outside the box and being unconventional. He believes it’s an essential skill in this day and age. “I do not believe that you should allow yourself to be defined, and with today’s world being in ever flux and changing, you need to be adaptable,” said Valdez. Valdez said he also sees the importance of taking risks when needed and doesn’t fear failure. Instead, he acknowledges the benefits that can come from failure. “I believe it is from failure that you really learn,” said Valdez. “And being open to failure -- there’s nothing wrong with that.” At Southeast Tech, Valdez took a chance by convincing the school to accept an offer from the Sioux Falls Development Foundation to take over a building adjacent to campus in order to expand academic programs. He said the risk resulted in a new state of the art healthcare simulation center. “Our enrollment in healthcare programs, our nursing, medical lab technician, medical assisting, paramedic science, the sonography programs have all increased, and we have what is known as one of the best healthcare simulation centers around,” said Valdez. Valdez said he hopes to take similar risks at Casper College and increase community involvement as well as bring in more funding for the school. “I think there’s a lot of opportunities -- a lot of grants and different opportunities to help increase, [and] to build the infrastructure within the college and provide more opportunities for students and faculty and everybody in the community as a whole,” said Valdez. Valdez believes academic expansion is extremely important in order to ensure that students receive the best and most applicable education they can. “If you want to survive, you have to be able to move that needle and add new programs [and] new opportunities, and [to] really look at what that next step is for the institution,” said Valdez. “There’s an old saying I’ve heard many times in education -- you’re preparing students today for careers and jobs that have not yet been invented.” Valdez hopes to improve the academic opportunities offered at Casper College in order to best prepare students for their next chapter in life. What comes next? Each of the candidates participated in a forum where students, staff, faculty and community members can ask the candidates their questions. The college hosted Dr. Kosine’s forum on March 28 and Dr. Valdez’s forum on March 31. Each will also sit for one more interview with the Board of Trustees before a final candidate is chosen in early April. continued from page 1 WRITING CENTER The Writing Center at Casper College is here to help our students and members of the community. Brainstorm possible paper topics Craft an essay Get feedback on a draft Gain writing strategies And so much more! Visit us in Strausner Hall, room 215 or visit the Writing Center Moodle site for additional resources and appointment scheduling! Contact: 307-268-2610 wco@caspercollege.edu �Page 4 April 1, 2025 CHINOOK . t p Se 5 2 0 7, 2 REGISTER NOW CC Students run FREE! Use promo code 2025CCSTUDENT when you sign up. Lookout Point Half Marathon • Downhill Half Marathon • 10K • 5K Sign up: caspercollegefoundation.org/tbird-trek Questions? Call 307-268-2325. Casper College provides equal opportunity in education and employment — caspercollege.edu/nondiscrimination. Taking Online or Hybrid Courses? The Digital Learning Center supports your journey by helping you master essential digital tools. We ensure you have access to the resources you need for online and hybrid classes. HOW WE CAN HELP: • MyCCMoodle: Learn how to submit assignments, participate in forums, and more. Plus • Zoom Assistance: Access/navigate Zoom for remote classes and collaborations. lot m a ore! • Google Suite Support: Docs, Drive, Gmail — make the most of these tools. • Office 365 Access: Use MS Word, PowerPoint, and other essentials. • Online Tutoring Guidance: Navigate NetTutor and other resources for extra help when you need it. • Study and Work Spaces: Try out our newly furnished student room to study, relax, or use the computers and printer. • Tech and Snacks: Enjoy snacks like popcorn or ask about our VR and green screen! r You s our i cess ity! c u S r Prio Tyler Teresa Dave Katie FOR HELP OR MORE INFORMATION stop by Liesinger Hall, Room 132, or contact us at 307-268-3882, dlc@caspercollege.edu, and av@caspercollege.edu. Mike �April 1, 2025 Page 5 CHINOOK Concealed Carry.................................. Moving forward, CC’s repeal of gun-free zones committee must concern themselves with safety on campus. “The college has a group called the Blue Moon Consulting Group who is from Colorado, and they specialize in safety protocols, procedures,” Nelson said. The group came to campus in March to conduct a comprehensive study of security protocols. Nelson suspects that the consulting group’s visit will serve to develop a plan on how to navigate the situation going forward. In an effort to avoid confusion and misinformation regarding concealed carry, Nelson said, “We've all tried to be careful not to present information as the answer when we don't know that it's going to be that actual answer.” She maintained that the college is not choosing a side, but instead choosing the best way forward while acting in accordance with the law. “There’ll be a lot of concern up front, people thinking that continued from page 1 terrible things are going to occur as a result, but over time those fears will dissipate,” Washut said. A tragic event could happen just as well today as in the time following this bill coming into effect, Washut continued. He cited the implementation of a similar policy with the University of Utah school system as an event that did not contribute to a mass migration of students either leaving or seeking enrollment with the school, and suspects the same to be true for CC. “Transparency is key,” Nelson said. She said that in terms of faculty retention and recruitment, the college will have to be open about the right to bear arms on campus being enshrined in law. People applying for positions with CC will likely have to be notified of HB0172, she said. According to Nelson, “We just move forward with what we have presented to us and do the best we can with that while being as respectful as we can." Casper College, said she isn’t expecting a huge impact from the bill on campus. “Casper College faculty operate with integrity. We’re people-minded, and we honor diversity,” Covert explained, indicating the mission, vision and values for the campus. She said she believes it will be a rare occurrence to meet someone unwilling to honor a person’s preferred pronouns. “I think this bill represents a minority feeling in the state,” Covert said. “I don’t think it honors Wyoming values, and I don’t think it’s necessary.” She went on to say that since we’ve never been able to enforce what people can and cannot say, this bill is fear-mongering and a bullying tactic that people will use as an excuse not to honor pronouns. Art Washut, a criminal justice instructor at Casper College and a Wyoming house representative, explained that the bill is more of a “prevention, preemption type of law rather than a response law to something that’s already occurring in Wyoming.” He said he doesn’t anticipate a lot of pushback against the bill once people understand why it was passed. Covert said, “I think here on campus, people are operating with more respect and treating people with higher levels of dignity than that, and so I really think that this is not going to have a huge impact.” The main pushback against the bill, she believes, is that people are going to wonder if this bill is really a priority issue for Wyoming. Ava Ostrander, a current CC student and member of Campus Ventures, agreed that the effects of the bill deals with the respect that people are willing to extend to others. She said that it really comes down to how willing you are to treat others’ opinions respectfully without letting their beliefs impact your own. The people who disagree with transgender values, Covert thinks, are the ones who felt it necessary to create a bill that is essentially allowing them to “lead with hate and not treat people in a respectful, proper manner.” People feel forced into using preferred pronouns, Covert said, because they “fear what’s different and what they maybe don’t understand,” said Covert. “I don't think folks fully understand misgendering -- how deeply it cuts and how much it hurts people -- and so I really think it just comes from a lack of understanding and awareness.” Ostrander said, “I know a lot of people who would say, ‘well, I just don't understand… therefore my actions are going to be disrespectful because I'm not going to tolerate this. I'm not going to stand for what I don't agree with,’” She believes that there’s a way to disagree with someone and still respect them and treat them with love. Covert said she sees it as unfortunate that businesses will no longer have the backing of the law to make sure people are treating each other with respect and using the proper pronouns. Washut said that the bill only prevents employees from getting fired or disciplined for not adhering to someone’s preferred pronouns, but there are no laws prohibiting the use of preferred pronouns, or prohibiting people from requesting that certain pronouns be used. He said it can sometimes be easy to accidentally refer to someone using pronouns they would rather not be called, and he raised the question, do we really want to fire someone for that? He said there may be instances where an employee may use the bill as an excuse to treat a coworker poorly by repeatedly misgendering them and creating tension in the workplace. If that were the case, he said, at some point the federal government may get involved and decide what is the best way to deal with those situations. At that point is it really about the pronouns, Washut asks, or is it “about just being a jerk” and creating a hostile work environment? While the law says you don’t have to use preferred pronouns, a company’s policy may say you still have to be respectful in the workplace. Compelled speech is not free speech bill Bella McManus/Chinnok Ava Ostrander poses for a photo. She spoke with the Chinook about the preferred pronouns bill and how she believes it will impact Casper College. Bella McManus Chinook Writer The “Compelled speech is not free speech” bill passed in the Wyoming legislature on Feb. 27 and will take effect July 1. The bill prohibits the state of Wyoming from requiring the use of preferred pronouns. Andrea Covert, the regional director of GEAR UP at Casper College Wellness Conference 35th Annual Event April 3 and 4 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Gateway Building Casper College Campus The Wellness Center endeavors to provide current, relevent information on wellness and mental health issues to all who are interested. April 3 is for anyone interested in learning more about wellness related topics and Friday is geared more toward mental health professionals. Check out the wellness center website for a schedule and additional information. �Page 6 April 1, 2025 CHINOOK Schafer coaches with passion and purpose Hailey Carr Chinook Writer For Eric Schafer, his career at Casper College as the livestock judging coach marks a significant milestone. Straight out of college, he accepted the job and moved to Wyoming to begin his new career. Schafer offers an extensive background in livestock judging, a deep understanding of genetics, and a strong passion for the industry. Originally from central Illinois, Schafer grew up on a row crop and livestock operation. He started showing livestock at a very young age. "When I got to be nine or 10, I started judging, and that was kind of my gateway into the industry. It all started through showing livestock, and I just started getting more involved the older I got," Schafer said. His passion for the industry expanded as he formed connections and pursued greater opportunities. Schafer explained that his involvement grew over time, serving on the National Junior Angus Board and participating in livestock judging throughout college. Schafer attended Butler Community College and later Oklahoma State University where he studied animal science and honed his skills in livestock judging. During his time at OSU, he not only competed but also assisted his coach in guiding younger students, which was instrumental in leading the team to a national reserve championship. He said the experience gave him valuable insights into coaching and mentoring. For Schafer, coming to CC wasn’t just about taking a job – he said his decision revolved around honoring the legacy of a strong program. He had long admired the program's history, especially when Kelly Burch was in charge, as well as the leadership of later coaches like Heath Hornecker and Jeremy Burkett. Schafer said he also recognized the college’s tradition of producing successful students and noted that Wyoming's strong agricul- tural base, particularly in seedstock cattle, proved a key factor in his decision. He shared that his inspiration to become a coach stemmed from the leadership he experienced from his own mentors. "I was inspired by my past judging coaches and their strong leadership. Their impact is what motivated me to become a coach myself,” Schafer said. “I want to be that kind of coach for the younger generation." Schafer emphasizes hard work and discipline in his coaching approach. He believes success comes from outworking the competition through daily practice, livestock visits, and consistent effort, fostering motivation and dedication in his team. He believes in fostering a strong work ethic within his team to not only succeed in competitions but also to set them up for long-term success in life. While the transition from a student to a coach brings challenges, Schafer said he is confident that he will adapt. "The biggest challenge is just getting used to being in a senior-level position and learning the ropes of it," he admitted. For Schafer, livestock judging goes beyond evaluating animals. It teaches valuable life skills such as decision making, work ethic, time management, and responsibility. "Probably the biggest thing I'm the most proud of in this group is we had a very successful winter run there in Oklahoma City at Congress and at the National Western," Schafer shared. "It was a culmination of what we started with, right? I started with this group in August, and we didn't have nearly the same amount of time to get used to each other, but the work paid off." The team demonstrated outstanding performances, earning sixth place at Cattlemen’s Congress and eighth at the National Western. Several individuals achieved notable rankings, including a first-place finish in cattle, a top-five placement in sheep and goats, and a top-five finish in cattle reasons. Schafer expressed that seeing their hard work pay off Hailey Carr/Chinook Eric Schafer is the new Casper College Livestock Judging Coach. He is pictured here guiding his students in judging practice on campus. was one of his proudest moments as a coach. Schafer values the strong bond within the team and takes pride in watching students dedicate themselves, travel together, and achieve success. "What I enjoy most is the camaraderie within the team. It's amazing to see them work hard, travel together, and ultimately succeed." For students pursuing a career in agriculture, Schafer offered advice. "You just have to be gritty. One door closes and another one opens. Agriculture offers growth and opportunities, especially for young people willing to work and learn." Looking ahead, Schafer is focused on continuing the legacy of success at Casper College. “From our program perspective, I really want us to continue growing our student involvement,” Schafer said. “I want us to be a nationally competitive judging program, and I think we’re getting to that point. We’ve been there for several years based on the history of the program.” He is committed to continuing that legacy, ensuring that the ag department at CC remains a place that produces some of the best and brightest young minds in the industry. As Schafer embarks on this new chapter at CC, his drive, passion, and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly continue to inspire and guide his students for years to come. Join our Chinook staff this fall! Interview & write Take photos & design Learn sales & advertising Explore web development Create social media content The Chinook is a one credit class titled Independent Publications Celebrate Local Authors Saturday, May 3, 2025 1-5 p.m. Walter H. Nolte Gateway Center, 2nd Floor Lobby, Rm. 221 Celebrate local writers and learn about their latest works. Meet talented wordsmiths, discover hidden gems, and connect with fellow OLLI members. Enjoy a casual atmosphere while exploring new books and supporting your community’s literary scene. Purchase books directly from the authors. Bring a friend who is curious about OLLI or loves supporting local artists. Contact our faculty advisor Bri Weigel for more information brianne.weigel@caspercollege.edu For more information contact: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Casper College 307-268-3401 • olli@caspercollege.edu LEARN FOR THE LOVE OF IT! �April 1, 2025 Page 7 CHINOOK Impact of human connection in online classes Natalie Benson Chinook Writer At Casper College, faculty are learning how isolation and the feeling of human connection impacts online learning. While seen most clearly during the rise of online learning during COVID-19, these effects can still be seen in online classrooms today. “Online, I feel like sometimes I’m talking to the abyss, and I’m not real sure if my explanations are connecting or not connecting,” said Teresa Stricklin, a math instructor and the director of the Casper College STEM Center. She said she knows some online students well because they engage with her and advocate for themselves. But with other students Stricklin admitted, “I’m like, you’re just a name on a page and I know nothing about you.” Stricklin said it is much harder to tell when online students are struggling since she isn’t doing the work directly with them in the classroom. She also explained how the workload for online classes is much higher for faculty because teachers have to anticipate where students will struggle in lessons instead of being able to read the room or field questions from students in person. If a student doesn’t reach out, she doesn’t know if they need help until the test scores come in, which can be several weeks after content is taught. This can lead to students feeling isolated and falling behind but still needing that help to understand the content and continue learning well. COVID-19 truly changed the landscape of online learning. “Prior to COVID, we had quite a few [faculty] that were just like, I just want to do my face-to-face stuff. I don’t need any digital stuff. When COVID hit and they all had to transition into it… most of those faculty stayed digitally, so like their gradebook. Even if they were just doing complete face-to-face, they still utilize the system,” said David Siemens, director of the Digital Learning Center. While all classes are required to use these online services, like Moodle, for content and grading, the amount of online work differs. Fully online classes utilize these services greatly, with every aspect of the work online and no regular face-to-face contact. Hybrid classes are similar in that the majority of the work is online; however, there is still a required faceto-face portion of the class at a certain time, which changes from class to class. In-person or fully face-to-face classes utilize Moodle for grading and assignment instructions and completion, but all of the content learning happens in a face-to-face classroom with other students and teachers on a set schedule. The number of online classes is only growing. According to the DLC, in the 2023-2024 Academic Year, 39% of classes in the fall semester were online, 60% were online during the summer semester, and 42% were online during the spring semester. Those numbers don’t include the hybrid or face-to-face classes that utilize the online services that the DLC provides. When it comes to the issue of human connection, Stricklin shared her advice to students taking online classes. Stricklin said, “Make yourself known in a positive way. Connect with the faculty member. Even in week one, if that faculty member has virtual hours, do it. Connect with that person. …don’t just be a name on a roster all semester long. If there’s discussion forums, participate. Participate in them.” If human connection is the hardest part of online classes, then purposefully reaching out is one of the best growth yet. As the use of A.I. rises, so does the use of A.I. detectors. The most common detector used on campus is Turnitin. The software is a plagiarism analysis that detects if any A.I. was used to write a paper. After the analysis, it would show a score of how much A.I. was used and could show not only the teacher, but the student the score as well. Renee Griffith, director of teaching, learning, and assessment at CC, taught some technological classes on campus, and since 2023 she’s taught students and staff about A.I. and how it should be properly used in an academic setting. Griffith decided to teach more about A.I. to everyone after attending a seminar, hosted by A.J. Juliani, where he talked about having less fear about the tool and how it can be used productively to help students with whatever they may need help. When using A.I. with her students, they seemed to like the idea of working with it in her classes. “They were nervous at first,” said Griffith. “After they tried it, used it, and applied it, they had more confidence,” Griffith also said. Griffith sees herself retired in the next ten years but wants to keep teaching about A.I. to others and how one can become better at using it. “I hope to keep learning. I don’t just want to retire and then not learn anymore. I would love to take some courses,” said Griffith. Griffith also wants to help her grandkids stay on top of A.I. technology. “I think it’s really important to know what it is and how they’re using it to guide them through some of the decisions that they have to make,” said Griffith. Natalie Benson/Chinook Teresa Stricklin, math instructor and STEM Center director at Casper College, posed for a photo with the Chinook. ways to avoid feeling isolated in those classes. Stricklin also had one more piece of advice. She said, “The most important thing is if you’re online, you gotta read, triple read, quadruple read the instructions. Because it’s the only way we can communicate sometimes. … and then advocate for yourself, right? Make the faculty member earn their paycheck. That’s why we’re here.” Keenan Morgan and Martina Stowe, both secondary education majors at CC, shared different opinions about the use of A.I. in schools. Morgan doesn’t like the idea of the use of A.I. because of the implications in the pace of development. “Generally, people who know me know that I’m anti A.I. in terms of the pace of development. That stuff concerns me because I think it has wide implications not just for schools, but politics and what people believe to be true and not to be true,” Morgan said. Morgan works at the Writing Center on campus and noticed more and more students ask how to properly use A.I. to help it with their work. “I think we’ve noticed more questions about A.I. or more discussions about A.I. and its appropriateness of it being used,” Morgan said. Stowe took several technological classes from Griffith and learned how to use A.I. and how to properly use it as a tool. “When she taught A.I., it was for how educators can use it in the classroom, and her entire concept was using it as a tool but not using it as something that takes over fully,” Stowe said. Stowe used A.I. platforms in a few of Griffith’s classes and also learned how to use A.I. to create a lesson that revolves around the content they were learning. “We used it in one of our lessons to create an entire lesson with it. We just said this is like the standard we need to follow and then it created it for the rest of us, it would even come up with videos to show.” Stowe said. With continued advancement, the usage of A.I. may become the tool of the future if students are traiined to use the software systems properly. Only time will tell. The use of artificial intelligence at Casper College Kadin Yeager Chinook Contributor Students at Casper College are currently using artificial intelligence platforms, more commonly known as A.I., to help with their coursework. There are positive and negative reactions about A.I. and how it is being used on campus. Cambridge Dictionary in 2025 states that artificial intelligence is a computer software system that has some of the qualities that a human brain has and can solve problems, interpret languages, and create images and videos. ChatGPT is the most used A.I. platform with about 400 million users, according to Shubham Singh of the DemandSage and Backlinko in 2025. DemandSage also reported that usage increased by 33% since December of 2024, marking the platform’s fastest Student Life’s alternative spring break Kylie Wheaton/Chinook Student Life took a group of students on an alternative spring break trip to St. George, Utah. Left, Casper College student Bryce Goodwin is pictured posing at Scout’s Lookout in Zion National Park. To the right, CC students Shania Scheel (front) and Jocie Banks (back) are harvesting basil with Thunder at Switchpoint’s greenhouse. Below, students are shown blowing bubbles and enjoying the scenery at Zion National Park. Students Cameron Logan (front) and Erica Pasley (back) sorting clothes at Switchpoint’s thrift store. � Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Chinook Student Newspaper Online Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2019-2026 Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA 08.iii.2023.01_Chinook_Digital Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Online Chinook Newspaper 2025-04 Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource <div id="dublin-core-rights" class="element"> <div class="element-text five columns omega"> <p><span><a href="https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/">http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/</a></span></p> </div> </div> Date Created Date of creation of the resource. 2025-04 Description An account of the resource This is a copy of the online Chinook Newspaper from April 2025. Type The nature or genre of the resource Text; image Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Casper College Chinook Student Staff Language A language of the resource ENG Is Part Of A related resource in which the described resource is physically or logically included. Chinook Student Newspaper, CCA 08.i.2023.01 WyCaC US. Casper College Archives and Special Collections. Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context CCA_08.i.2023.01_2025-04 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource PDF