Unsure if you are going to college in the fall or undecided where you are planning to attend? Or maybe you want to reconsider your college of choice. Turn that indecisiveness into enrollment at Western Nevada College, a three-campus institution serving more than 4,500 students per semester. WNC offers dozens of academic degrees and certificates in areas as diverse as advanced manufacturing, business, computer technology, deaf studies, nursing, paramedicine, construction and graphic design. Students may also complete up to two years of many baccalaureate programs and transfer to four-year colleges or universities while saving themselves thousands of dollars. “Student success is at the core of WNC’s mission as a higher-learning institution in the Nevada System of Higher Education,” said WNC President Dr. Vincent Solis. “Our students learn how valuable a college education is for them and the well-being of their families. We offer our students the support, resources, training and guidance to become successful in whatever they decide to do in the future.” When past students talk about attending WNC they mention affordability, its small class sizes, remote learning opportunities, the modern library, flexibility for taking classes, online degrees, selection of in-person classes, the ease of transferring to a four-year university, scholarship support and the assistance in realizing financial aid awards. But that is only part of why WNC is so appealing for students today. WNC is known for its service, helping students understand the resources available to them and guiding them to their higher education and professional goals. Western also has a successful history of its students being employed or promoted after earning an associate degree or certification. “After about one semester at WNC, I was enjoying myself there so much, and I really started to understand that the ‘Start Here, Go Anywhere’ motto that WNC has is extremely true,” said Kaitlin Lucky, who went on to graduate from Gonzaga University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in criminal justice, and now works for the Nevada State Senate. “The university I transferred to, which is one of the top-ranked universities in the nation, was impressed with the achievements I had accomplished at WNC, which is why I got so many scholarships there as well.” It’s also known for its standout and helpful faculty members and its 50 years’ experience in producing college graduates. WNC’s Jump Start program also served as the model across the state for providing secondary students with up to an associate degree before they graduated from high school. In May, WNC celebrated 139 Jump Start grads. “My experience at WNC has truly altered my life for the better,” said WNC student Aadra Reed. “WNC prepared me for not only my future career but also for the rest of my life. I am grateful I had many opportunities through WNC that pushed me to strive toward my goals and learn more about what I was interested in. Despite the transition of the COVID pandemic, I still remained successful because WNC offered not only assistance but understanding of the difficult times and made it a more enjoyable experience. WNC is very inclusive and welcoming to students and it brought out a better side of me. I am sure that all students will have a great experience due to the positive environment WNC presents.” That support goes beyond the typical students coming out of high school. WNC’s ACCEL College and Career Readiness program provides instruction and preparation for students who didn’t complete high school who want to pass their GED and HiSET exams, as well as help others with English Language Learning and the transition into jobs. In the past several years, WNC has accumulated a number of awards for what it does well for students. Among them are: • Intelligent rated WNC as the Most Friendly Transfer institution in its assessment of the Best Colleges in Nevada: https://www.wnc.edu/wnc-recognized-as-most-friendly-transfer-institution/ • Bachelor's Degree Center ranked WNC's Organization and Project Management online program No. 20 in the country, applauding it for helping students build leadership skills and gain knowledge of project management terminology and duties: https://www.wnc.edu/wnc-ranked-among-best-online-project-management-bachelor-degree-programs/ • University Headquarters ranked WNC as No. 15 among colleges and universities nationally in 2020 with the cheapest tuition and fees: https://universityhq.org/best-colleges/rankings/most-affordable-universities-state/#top_colleges • Get Educated ranked WNC’s Associate of Arts degree program No. 8 in touting the top 81 most affordable online liberal arts associate degrees in 2020: https://www.geteducated.com/online-college-ratings-and-rankings/online-liberal-arts-associates-degree/ • For the fourth straight year the college was included among the Best Value Colleges for 2020. The recognition kept WNC among an elite group of high-quality, affordable higher institutions: https://bestvaluecolleges.org/explore/western-nevada-college/ • Nursing Process has ranked WNC’s Nursing Program as Best in the Western Region and in Nevada for associate degree programs in 2020 and 2021. The organization commended WNC on the overall training of its nursing students: www.nursingprocess.org/best-nursing-schools/adn/ For students looking for stimulation and activities beyond the classroom, Western has a number of clubs and organizations where friendships develop and lifelong bonds are formed. Western also is one of the few colleges in the U.S. its size with an observatory. Jack C. Davis Observatory provides students with the opportunity to take astronomy classes and tackle research projects. Take advantage of the many superlatives that Western has to offer. Visit the main campus at 2201 W. College Parkway in Carson City or learn more about what the college has to offer at wnc.edu. Admissions and Records and Counseling Services can help guide you into higher education and a better life. Phone 775-445-3277 or 775-445-3267 for more information. Engineering Students Tackle Converting Medical Waste into Products Who doesn’t feel annoyed and concerned to see a used disposable mask flying in the wind? Haven’t we all noticed disposable gloves discarded in a parking lot? It is true that these throwaway items have offered protection and saved many lives in the U.S. and around the world, but they also create a new problem — tons of medical-grade waste polluting our environment. The treatment and proper disposal of this waste can cost $685 per ton using traditional methods. Thirteen design engineering students at Western Nevada College decided to tackle this challenge. Under the guidance of Lior Singer, who works full time as an environmental engineer for the state of Nevada and teaches as an adjunct faculty member, students were tasked with creating innovative solutions and building prototypes of their ideas. Students worked in teams to convert medical waste into products with potential high-market value. The resulting products were evaluated using a “Shark Tank” pitch competition. A diverse panel of judges included Chuck Levitan, Sierra Nevada University professor, and Patricia Moen, the Northern Nevada Recycling coordinator, who provided expertise in advancing profitable recycling solutions. Karen Salita, author of “101 Soul Seeds for Reinventing Yourself,” coached students in communicating technical knowledge to everyday people. Additionally, WNC President Dr. Vincent Solis and UNR College of Engineering Dean Manos Maragakis both shared words of wisdom and advice for navigating academic life. The winning product was a fiber-reinforced concrete additive. The team developed a method to harvest the fibers out of the disposable masks, to create a high-value building material that could be sold in any hardware store. Other excellent projects included the pyrolysis of used PPE material to create gasoline and diesel out of polypropylene and the creation of paving bricks by melting PPE in a controlled environment. A new line of biodegradable PPEs created through the synthesis of biodegradable polymers was also proposed. Singer developed the Introduction to Engineering Design course for WNC to prepare the next generation of engineers in Nevada who will create a better world through integrating social awareness with engineering solutions. The course is offered at WNC during the fall and spring semesters. To learn more about the course, contact Singer at lior.singer@wnc.edu. WNC Recognizes 78 Students on Summer Dean’s List Western Nevada College is proud to announce that 78 students have qualified for the 2021 Summer Dean’s List. To earn this recognition during the summer session, students attained a grade point average of 3.50 or higher and completed six units or more of classes. Students achieving the academic honor are: Carson City: Cheyenne Aarons, Cole Alsup, Star Black, Joshua Bowen, Michael Cline, Elizabeth Hammonds, Amanda Hayes, Margaret Lewis, Alexander McJunkin, Letasha Minter, Lanae Mitchell, Jacey Montgomery, Krystal Nash, Matthew Nuthall, Alexis Philippi, Samantha Ramirez, Alexandria Rose, David Sanchez, Sherry Stevens, Nathanial Wakeling, Benjamin Wedlake, Tossaporn Wells, Charles Wholey Dayton: Layla Cornwell, Cyris Farias, Daniel Gonzales, Morgan Kuykendall, Ambra Reed, Austin Tingley, Vanessa Wasilchuk, Michael Zadra Fallon: Hunter Arends, Yasmine Barnes, Josh Bloomfield, Gavin Bracken, Christine Brantley, Nallely Gomez, Grace Griswold, Izeke Pinkas, Jacqueline Taylor, Katherine Tejeda, Abril Ugalde, Keenan Waller, Sierra Williams Fernley: Ethan Hensen, Whitney Howerton, Kari Weitzel Gardnerville: Mariah Allison, David Allison, Shelby Apple, Gianna Grajeda, Atlas Jantos, Zach Roberts, Shannon Russell, Camille Samuels, Taylinn Tilley, Kaleb Vaughn Las Vegas: Abigail Lorenzo Minden: Emma Carnes, Jennifer Carnes, Cynthia King, Chelsea Kronenberg, Rebecca West Reno: Charlie Orzalli, Ricardo Pacheco, Matthew Rund, Rebecca Thompson Silver City: Noel Chounet Washoe Valley: Billianna Lampson Yerington: McKenzie Eernisse-Hammack, Amanda Rios, Shyanne Rowe Zephyr Cove: Tyler Schellhammer Skagway, Alaska: Devin Fairbanks Flagstaff, Ariz.: Rebekah Fillippini Lee Vining, Calif.: Zachary Creager South Lake Tahoe, Calif.: Melissa Reddinger Truckee, Calif.: Kevin Halverson Learn More about the Geology of Nevada Do you want to learn more about the geology around you? If you have Tuesday afternoons open this fall, you have the opportunity to learn about Nevada's exceptional geology, including the geologic history of Nevada, as well as the rocks and minerals that make up the state. Western Nevada College Professor of Geosciences Dr. Winnie Kortemeier will teach Geology of Nevada (GEOL 201), a class that is only offered once every two years. “We will be studying the history of Nevada through geologic time and will spend a lot of time looking at and identifying rocks, minerals, and fossils from all over Nevada,” Dr. Kortemeier said. In addition, class members will have the opportunity to take up to four field trips. "It is such an unusual opportunity to be able to go on so many field trips,” Dr. Kortemeier said. "Most students say that seeing rocks and processes 'in the wild' are the best parts of the class." The class will meet from 1 to 3:45 p.m. on Tuesdays. For more information, contact Dr. Kortemeier at winnie.kortemeier@wnc.edu. Students Can Pick Up Textbooks Starting Aug. 25 Fall semester students who ordered textbooks from wncbookstore.com before Aug. 18 and selected the pickup option, can receive them at a pop-up shop in the Joe Dini Building Game Room at the following times: • Wednesday, Aug. 25, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Thursday, Aug. 26, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Friday, Aug. 27, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Monday, Aug. 30, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Tuesday, Aug. 31, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Wednesday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. • Thursday, Sept. 2, 8-11 a.m. and 2-6 p.m. Students who are still intending to order textbooks need to have them shipped to their mailing address. In the past, WNC had a bookstore on the Carson City campus but changed to Textbook Brokers, a full-service online bookstore, this summer. Students can place orders on their own electronic devices or use the ordering kiosk on the Carson City and Fallon campuses. The Carson City kiosk is located is in Student Services, while students in Fallon can access the kiosk in Getto Hall. Students can order eBooks, digitally delivered coursework and WNC merchandise online as well.
