WNC industrial tech instructor gets tenure

Matthew Anderson’s tenure appointment was approved by the Nevada System of Higher Education regents March 10 in Las Vegas. Receiving tenure is the result of meeting the standards outlined in the NSHE code and being positively recommended by the college through a peer review process.

“Tenure means that I can focus on developing long-term projects while increasing the effectiveness of our current program. This includes continuing to improve the manufacturing technician and mechatronic technician programs,” Anderson said. “I also look forward to further deploying WNC's relationship with local manufacturers such as Tesla, Click Bond, Baker Hughes, New Millennium and Redwood Materials, to name a few.”

It also means that Anderson has impacted the students he teaches and it’s the realization of a distinguished teaching goal, according to WNC President J. Kyle Dalpe.

“Matt serves a very important role at WNC in educating our applied industrial technology students and providing critical training for manufacturers in the area,” Dalpe said. “His instruction over the past three-and-a-half years has been outstanding and we are very pleased that he is being recognized for this professional achievement.”

Anderson started at WNC in January 2018 as a teaching assistant, then became a part-time instructor in 2019 and a faculty member in August 2019.

“After working with (former faculty member) Emily Howarth for a few years, she encouraged me to apply for the adjunct teaching position. While working as an adjunct, I realized how much I loved teaching, and when the opportunity arose to teach full-time, I took it,” Anderson said.

“Only when I moved to teach full time did becoming a tenured instructor occur to me.”

His passion for teaching stems from being able to make a difference with his students.

“Teaching a subject that directly impacts students' livelihood is what I find most enjoyable. For example, after earning a skill certification through WNC, NC3, or SACA (all of which we have/offer), students can demand high pay in the manufacturing workplace,” Anderson said.

Anderson earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from WNC. He serves in the Nevada National Guard, enjoying the training of soldiers.

“This passion naturally transferred into the civilian world as a teacher,” he said.

Late-start classes open for enrollment

WNC is offering a number of online late-start classes, with many of them starting Monday, March 27.

Choose from late-start classes in management, American sign language, fingerspelling, biology, drafting, early childhood education, human development and family studies, Spanish, and more.

Short-term and late-start will be offered online and will accommodate an individual’s work and family schedule.

Students also have the option of taking open entry classes, where they can work at their own pace and enroll as late as the ninth week of the semester.

For a full list of classes and course descriptions, go to wnc.edu/class-schedule/.

If you have questions about student funding, contact the Financial Assistance Office at 775-445-3264 or email finaid1@wnc.edu. Students can also learn about scholarship opportunities by going to wnc.edu/foundation/ or phoning 775-445-3240.

Here are the late-start classes that WNC is offering this spring — note that most of these classes end May 20:

• American Sign Language II (AM 146), IV (AM 148) and VI (AM 150): Classes start March 27

• American Sign Language Fingerspelling II (AM 152): March 27

• Automotive Mechanics (AUTO 115): Carson campus, March 27

• MSHA New Miner Training (BTL 109): Must be admitted to apprenticeship program, runs from April 3-28

• Human Anatomy and Physiology (BIOL 224): Note: Includes lab work. Classes start March 27

• Blueprint Reading for Industry (DFT 110): Class runs from April 18 through May 1

• Principles of Child Guidance (ECE 204): March 27

• Life Span Human Development (HDFS 201): March 27

• Change Management (MGT 412): March 27

• Changing Environments (MGT 462): March 27

• Business Plan Creation (MGT 497): March 27

• Second Year Spanish (SPAN 212): Starts March 27

Scholarships application deadline April 1

Western Nevada College Foundation has more than $800,000 in scholarship funding available for the 2023-24 academic year.

The only requirements are that students be enrolled in at least six units, have a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 and complete the application by April 1.

When students complete the 30-minute application, they will be considered for several hundred scholarships. Students can fill out the form at wnc.edu/scholarships.

“Just by taking a little time out of your day to complete the application, you can receive the financial support that could change your life,” said WNC Foundation Executive Director Niki Gladys

Some scholarships require financial need, which means that students should make sure to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). However, there are many scholarships that do not require a financial need and are awarded based on other factors including community service, military service, academic achievement and career plans. For this reason, all students are encouraged to apply regardless of financial need or past academic performance.

For more information on applying for a scholarship or to start your own scholarship, contact the WNC Foundation at 775-445-3240.

Watch the Aces, assist nursing program

Help support the WNC nursing program by attending the Reno Aces-Las Vegas Aviators Triple-A baseball game at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 1 at Greater Nevada Field in Reno.

The cost is $20 per ticket.

Purchase tickets by going to https://fevogm.com/event/Westernnevada. A portion of ticket sales will be contributed to the nursing program.