WNC News & Notes

College receives favorable accreditation review

After two years of preparation, volumes of written reports, and three days of on-site evaluation by peer experts, Western Nevada College has received the report that will be used by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities in making a decision about renewal of its accreditation. The report includes a number of commendations and some recommendations, and is set to be up for approval in July by the commission.

WNC was commended for its active commitment to student success; its collaborative administration, faculty and staff during tough economic times; excellent library support for students; and its collective efforts to preserve academic programs and student services during severe budget reductions.

Recommendations were made that centered primarily on budgetary matters and enhancing assessment processes.

The committee expressed concern about the continuing budget reductions of the past several years and recommended that as soon as fiscally possible, full-time faculty members be hired to oversee some academic program areas that are currently dependent upon part-time instructors.

Manufacturers make plan to enhance employee skills

Members of the Carson City Manufacturers Forum are asking their peers to help identify a cohort of employees who can begin a new academic initiative this fall that was devised in collaboration with WNC.

Area manufacturers are being asked to identify a group of 25-30 employees who they believe have potential to succeed, and pay for them to complete several existing WNC courses that the group has identified as being central to their industry needs. The 15-credit curriculum includes shop mathematics, human relations for employment, oral or written communication, blueprint reading for industry, and several computer software applications classes.

Each individual class also could be applicable toward a future WNC degree or certificate the employee might seek to attain.

Employers were asked to fund the project for the employees as they seek to learn advancement skills for the company, and to offer incentives in hiring or compensation to those who have completed the training. Cost was estimated at approximately $1,125 per employee.

Information contact Scott Penzel, WNC Workforce Development Director at 445-4427 or penzelw@wnc.edu.

Pre-kindergarten students graduate

Twenty-four preschool students donned caps and gowns for the WNC Child Development Center commencement ceremony on June 11 in Sarah Winnemucca Hall on the Carson City campus.

The youngsters will begin kindergarten at elementary schools throughout the community this fall. For information about WNC Child Development Center services, call 445-4262.