Audrey Auer comes to Western Nevada College to lead its nursing program after serving as the Assistant Dean of Nursing at Arizona College of Nursing’s Las Vegas campus.
Western Nevada College announces a new director of Nursing and Allied Health. Audrey Auer brings 17 years of experience in higher education and 30 years in the nursing field to WNCs respected program.
Prior to coming to WNC, Auer served as the assistant dean of nursing at Arizona College of Nursing’s Las Vegas campus, where she oversaw an accelerated BSN program with more than 500 students and 50 faculty members.
The opportunity to lead WNCs nursing program was a perfect fit for Auer since it allowed her to rekindle a very enjoyable past experience in higher education.
WNCs rigorous nursing program has a reputation for producing students ready to work in hospital and healthcare facilities, as well as continue in higher education. Students pass the national licensure NCLEX-RN exam at high rates after earning their Associate of Applied Science Degree in Nursing. In 2020, Nursing Process selected WNCs program as No. 1 in the West Region, which included 426 nursing schools.
Auer’s immediate plans for the program include development projects and additions to the curriculum. Auer’s career highlights include teaching, developing curricula, supervising clinical sites, and creating nursing programs such as Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Practical Nursing (PN) and bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing.
For the past three years, Nursing and Allied Health has been led by Interim Director Ingraffia-Strong, who plans to return to her full-time professor of nursing position.
For information, visit wnc.edu/nursing-and-allied-health or call 775-445-4425.
Spring semester presents many possibilities for students
Now is the time to think about WNCs spring semester, which starts Jan. 21.
New, continuing and returning students can make plans for the next semester now. Course options are listed online at wnc.edu/classes.
Whether you plan to pursue an associate degree and transfer to a university, or gain certifications to go to work immediately, or gain more extensive workforce training through our WCTE program, WNC has it. To learn more about what WNC has to offer, go to wnc.edu/areas.
Students who aren't yet enrolled in the college can begin the admission process at wnc.edu/starthere. For information on becoming a student at WNC, call 775-445-3277.
To receive academic advice, call 775-445-3267 or book an appointment at wnc.edu/advising.
WNC Foundation Scholarship application opens
Start the new year by securing financial support for your education and workforce training. The 2025-26 WNC Foundation Scholarship application is now live.
Complete your application and become eligible for more than 300 scholarships. Last year, the foundation awarded more than $800,000 to more than 500 students.
Apply by April 1 at wnc.edu/scholarships. In addition, full scholarship funding is available for students through the William N. Pennington CTE Scholarship, which was created to support students entering Nevada’s diverse workforce and earn a higher wage.
Learn more about this scholarship and apply at wnc.edu/scholarships.
Marilee Swirczek Memorial Endowed Scholarship to help WNC students
For more than two decades, Marilee Swirczek's creative writing classes at WNC inspired and transformed the lives of countless students, many of whom returned to take her classes again.
Now, in her memory, Swirczek’s influence on students will continue well into the future.
Along with Stephanie and her husband, Jorden; her stepfather, Ron Swirczek; and grandfather, Thomas Tyson, they created the Marilee Swirczek Memorial Scholarship through WNC Foundation in 2016.
Now, starting this year, the scholarship has grown into an endowment, which will help students well into the future.
If you are interested in contributing to this scholarship or creating your own scholarship in memory of a loved one, recognizing the accomplishments of a community member or expanding education within our community, contact the WNC Foundation office at 775-445-3240 or foundation@wnc.edu.
Continuing education spring course lineup has something for everyone
Explore your passions this spring through WNCs Continuing Education program.
Ready to learn something new, sharpen your skills or dive into a fun hobby? Check out the Spring 2025 course lineup.
Options range from creative arts to practical skills, and there's something for everyone. Classes available include Sustainable Gardening 101, Conversational Spanish, My Thousand Words Book Art, Pottery Studio, Beginning Screenwriting, Advanced Screenwriting, Mapping Out Caregiving, Introduction to International Travel, Pocket Sketching with DebiLynn, Beginning Astrophotography, RVing 101 and 102.
Courses are held on campus or online. For information or to register, visit wnc.edu/continuing-education or call 775-445-4210.