By Western Nevada College
Tuesday, May 17, 2022
Dana Ryan has been named interim vice president of academic and student affairs at Western Nevada College.
Ryan has more than 30 years of experience in education, workforce development and industry.
“I have a heart for rural communities; I grew up in one in Davenport, Iowa,” she said. “I know the power of education can change outcomes for young people and adults in rural communities. I love the role WNC plays in improving the quality of life and ensuring the vitality and resiliency of the communities in the college service area.
Ryan served as special assistant to the president at Truckee Meadows Community College, facilitating special projects and grant-funded opportunities.
Before that, Ryan worked for more than six years for Washoe County School District as the director of career and technical education.
“Having worked in K-12 education for a long time, it became very evident to me that community colleges are the key to continuing education and skill development,” Ryan said. “They are the key to the workforce pipeline because development in academics and skills are critical for lifelong success.”
Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism, a master’s in teaching English to speakers of other languages and a Doctor of Philosophy in educational leadership with a focus on career and technical education.
Her first day at WNC is May 23.
Soroptimists to recognize Coral Lopez
Coral Lopez, WNC’s chief financial officer, will be recognized from 6 to 8 p.m. May 19 during Soroptimist International of Carson City’s annual Celebrating Women Helping Women 2022 Recognition Event at Casino Fandango in Carson City.
Lopez serves as a role model for young and adult women at WNC, having earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from California State University, Long Beach and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Nevada, Reno and advancing to an executive position at the college.
“Throughout my tenure at WNC, I've had the opportunity to mentor students in various capacities,” Lopez said. “With each opportunity, I find that I'm a huge supporter of our youth and often discuss their career aspirations and even provide guidance on a career path and how to get there.”
Before coming to WNC, Lopez became a Certified Public Accountant and worked for one of the world’s top accounting firms, Ernst & Young.
Coral Lopez
Classes offered for Summer Session
Western Nevada College is offering more than 40 classes this summer, many of which can be taken online.
Among the offerings for the two-month session are HVAC, Criminal Justice, Economics, Intro to Auto Mechanics, Finance, History, Mathematics, Management Science, Philosophy, Nutrition, Psychology, Sociology, Statistics, Welding and more. Some of these classes are offered in person on WNC’s Carson City and Fallon campuses.
Go to wnc.edu/class-schedule/ to learn more about these classes. Students can register for these courses through their personal WNC accounts, while new students can apply for admission at wnc.edu/starthere/.
Summer session starts June 13 and ends Aug. 6.
For information about becoming a student at WNC, phone 775-445-3277.
To receive guidance in planning your degree and certification pathways, contact Counseling Services at 775-445-3267.
Livestream of Commencement Ceremonies
WNC will provide livestreaming of its graduation ceremonies May 23, May 24 and May 26. Access this feed of the ceremonies at wnc.edu/2022grad/.
Viewers can also go onto the college website and click a button to watch the livestream.
Attendance of the Parade of Graduate ceremonies on May 23 and 24 in Carson City and May 26 in Fallon is limited to family and friends of the graduates, WNC faculty and staff, and dignitaries. Graduates are allowed up to two vehicles for family and friends to celebrate their accomplishment.
All three ceremonies begin at 9 a.m.
Students sought for paid research
Students can participate in a paid INBRE research project from May 25 through June 14 on the Carson City campus.
Western Nevada College biology professors Smriti Bhattarai and Elizabeth Tattersall need up to eight students for research on characterizing microbial communities from hot springs in this area.
Research students will receive a $10 stipend per hour and work up to 75 hours. The daily schedule is 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a half-hour lunch break. A full-day field trip is planned on May 26.
For information, contact Tattersall at elizabeth.tattersall@wnc.edu or Bhattarai at smriti.bhattarai@wnc.edu.
