Date: Dec. 18, 2025 | Issue: December | | |
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
As we put a wrap on a busy and successful semester, we’re grateful for the energy, dedication and resilience shown across our college community. While some students and faculty continue their momentum through Winter Session, others are already preparing for the opportunities and memories that spring semester will bring. Each effort, big or small, helps move our community forward.
May the holiday season offer a well-deserved pause from daily routines — a time to rest, reflect and recharge. We hope these days are filled with meaningful moments shared with family, friends and loved ones, and that the new year brings renewed inspiration and success!
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Here's Your Look Ahead!
Winter Session Dec. 15-Jan. 16 and Dec. 29-Jan. 16
Support Nursing by buying Knight Monsters tickets Dec. 20 and Jan. 10
Nevada Art Council's Notions of Erasure: United by Territory exhibit Dec. 22-Feb. 12
Merry Christmas! (college closed) Dec. 25
Happy New Year! (college closed) Jan. 1
Martin Luther King holiday Jan. 19
Spring Semester begins Jan. 20
| | Take the Next Step for A Brighter Future This Spring | |
Now is the time to think about Western Nevada College’s Spring 2026 semester, which starts on Jan. 20.
New, continuing and returning students can make plans for the next semester now! Course options are listed on the college’s website at wnc.edu/schedule. Students who aren't yet enrolled in the college can begin the admission process at wnc.edu/starthere.
For more information on becoming a student at WNC, phone 775-445-3277. To receive academic advice, phone 775-445-3267 or book an appointment at wnc.edu/advising.
| | | Dr. Herring to Talk about Quantum Physics on Dec. 20 | |
The forecast isn’t ideal for telescope viewing at the Dec. 20 Star party, but JCDO Director Dr. Thomas Herring is also planning a lecture on quantum physics that evening.
Star Parties begin at 6:30 p.m. and last as late as 11:30 p.m. The observatory is located at 2269 Vanpatten Ave., on the northern end of the Carson City campus.
For those planning ahead, the first two Star Parties of 2026 are set for Jan. 10 and 17.
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Continuing Education Has You Covered in 2026
Continuing Education is making it easy for community members to find a class that they’ll enjoy. There are many to choose from!
Personal interest classes coming in 2026 are Beginning and Advanced Screenwriting, Ukulele for Beginners, and Health & Safety Institute CPR, AED and First Aid. Other classes not listed to the left include Museums Uncovered: Exploring Culture, Community & Curiosity, Introduction to Credit Card Points, Beginning Astrophotography, Introduction to International Travel, Yoga Workshop, Spring into Gardening, and more.
Find a list of all personal interest classes and register at wnc.edu/continuing/education. Professional Development, Career Training, and Motor Vehicle Training and Safety courses can also be found on the website. For more information, phone 775-445-4210.
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Upcoming Knight Monsters Games Serve as Nursing Fundraiser
Watch one of the up-and-coming minor league hockey teams in the country and help our nursing students at the same time!
Purchase tickets to watch Lake Tahoe's professional hockey team — the Knight Monsters — on Dec. 20 and Jan. 10 in Stateline to support a fundraiser for WNC nursing students.
Use the QR code to buy tickets and part of your purchase will be donated to help the college's nursing students.
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Fallon Nursing Expansion to Add More Students to Program
Western Nevada College is expanding nursing education opportunities in rural Nevada through a major renovation of the Piñon Building on its Fallon campus. Design and permitting are already underway, and construction will begin in January 2026.
When complete, the upgraded space will include modern clinical training areas, advanced simulation labs, and dedicated study and testing rooms, giving nursing students in Fallon greater access to hands-on learning close to home.
| | | 27 Students Recognized for Completing Nursing Assistant Training | |
Western Nevada College’s Nursing and Allied Health program recognized 27 students for completing Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) fall semester training during a ceremony on Monday night in Carson Nugget Hall.
Students who were honored included Alyss Ayers, Autumn Baltazar, Wesley Bass, Aley Berger, Jessica Bohan, Mary Coker, Ashlynn Farmer, Lucas Grasso, Sean Haynes, Valeria Herrera, Bailey Holst, Ashlyn Jimenez, Corey Jones, Kaia Kottmeier, Sarah Kottmeier, Adriana Landa, Ashley Mattson, Katalina McAtee, Cayla Morton, Blaize North, Jocelyne Palomera, Kenia Rojas, Caily Romo, Isaiah Salazar, Yadira Rivera Saucedo, Kaelyn Spriggs and Emilee Watson.
| | | Tesla Students Recognized for Accelerated Learning at WNC | |
Huge congratulations to our amazing Tesla START students, who just wrapped up one of the most rigorous training experiences Western Nevada College offers!
This fall, these dedicated learners completed the equivalent of 25 college credits in just 16 weeks, earning skill certifications in Manufacturing Technician and Mechatronics Foundations — an incredible achievement!
Their hard work, persistence and passion for advanced manufacturing shine brightly, and WNC is proud to support their next steps in Nevada’s high-tech workforce.
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First Cohort of Community Health Workers Celebrated
Western Nevada College Continuing Education proudly announces the graduation of its first-ever Community Health Worker (CHW) cohort, with 13 employment-ready students completing the 40-hour training program. The program equips students with essential skills in health system navigation, communication, cultural responsiveness and resource coordination — preparing them for immediate roles in healthcare, social services, nonprofits and community-based organizations.
WNC’s next CHW cohort begins March 4, with classes scheduled on Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
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Teichert Foundation Donates
to Construction Programs
WNC Foundation is very thankful for the Teichert Foundation’s $5,000 donation to our Construction programs for student scholarships. Heather Riggs of the Teichert Foundation recently presented the check to WNC’s Amanda Kay. The Teichert Construction Company has been in business since 1887!
Learn more about investing in WNC and our students by phoning 775-445-3240 or visiting wnc.edu/foundation.
| | | Students Get to Know Regents, Learn How Governing Body Works | |
On Dec. 4, WNC’s student government (ASWN) leaders took their voices and curiosity to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents quarterly meeting in Las Vegas. Before the meeting even began, ASWN members welcomed the special opportunity to meet the state’s 13 regents, learn what they do and how they help shape higher education statewide.
WNC thanks the regents for welcoming and conversing with our ASWN officers during the quarterly meeting. ASWN members — many attending their first Board of Regents meeting — learned about the roles regents play in shaping higher education in Nevada. Their friendliness and accessibility helped them get to know the regents better and reciprocated by getting to know the students better.
| | | Students Showcase Hands-On Scientific Research Projects | |
Western Nevada College students took center stage on Friday, Dec. 12, as they presented original scientific research during a poster session in the Aspen Building, highlighting hands-on learning experiences conducted on the Carson City and Fallon campuses and beyond.
Students summarized their research on professional posters and presented their findings to faculty, staff, family members and friends, offering a glimpse into real-world scientific inquiry ranging from environmental microbiology to molecular biology.
| | | Nursing Students Think of Seniors for Christmas | |
This holiday season, the spirit of giving was on full display thanks to our Western Nevada College nursing students.
WNC’s chapter of the National Student Nurses’ Association proudly participated in Adopt a Senior for Christmas at Ormsby Post Acute Rehab, delivering donated gifts to residents during their holiday celebration. Every senior received a gift this year — a moment that brought smiles, gratitude and holiday cheer to all involved!
Special thanks to Ormsby for partnering with us and helping make this meaningful experience possible! Our nursing students continue to show that compassion, service and heart are at the core of the profession — not just in the classroom, but in the community.
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Students Receive Unlimited Access to BetterMynd Well-Being Workshops
WNC's partnership with BetterMynd has provided another benefit for students in support of their mental health: unlimited access to BetterMynd workshops.
For the workshops, the same rules apply as the teletherapy sessions. Students must be 18 or older. Students can learn more about the importance of their mental health and the support the college is providing on the college's Wildcat Wellness page at wnc.edu/wellness and learn more about the workshops at bettermynd.com.
WNC believes fostering wellness is essential for students' academic success and personal fulfillment!
| | | Students Find Solace, Activities and Fuel in Student Center | |
The pressure of Finals Week (Dec. 8-12) didn’t stand a chance against the De-Stress Fest!
Thanks to Student Life and the Associated Students of Western Nevada (student government) for making this timely and thoughtful festival possible in Dini Student Center!
Students enjoyed hot cocoa every morning, free lunches (including Olive Garden and Port of Subs), entertainment and a wide range of holiday-themed activities — one of which was a snowball fight (cotton balls actually) primarily aimed at President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe.
Students now have more reasons to look forward to Finals Week!
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Winter Session Underway; Three-Week Courses Commence on Dec. 29
Before continuing your education this spring, consider taking a three-week accelerated course during Winter Session.
Even though the five-week courses are underway, there's time to enroll in the 3-week classes that begin on Dec. 29.
These classes conclude on Jan. 16, four days before the start of spring semester.
For more information on becoming a student at WNC, phone 775-445-3277 or go to wnc.edu/starthere.
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Students Benefit from Interview Workshop Led by Keisha White
Our students were empowered with pointers and insight for job interviews by Keisha White of Robert Half Reno on Dec. 2 in The Link.
The Interview Workshop, presented by ROADS and Career Services, focused, in part, on the dos and don’ts for a job interview. White, a branch director and recruiting professional, covered strong vs. weak answers to questions, practice questions, how to answer specific questions in an interview, the importance of body language, closing the interview strong, resources, and more.
It was an outstanding opportunity for our students to be better prepared for a job interview or career change, as well as an internship.
| | | CTE Students Encouraged to Apply for Pennington Scholarship | The Western Nevada College Foundation and Financial Assistance Office are presenting the William N. Pennington Career and Technical Education Scholarship for 2025-26. This generous scholarship provides WNC CTE students with the opportunity to learn valuable skills to enter Nevada’s diverse workforce. Don't hesitate to take advantage of this great career-enhancing opportunity! | | | Foundation Treats Volunteers to Catered Breakfast, Prizes and Gift | |
Nearly 100 volunteers were celebrated by WNC Foundation with a Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast for their support of WNC Foundation activities throughout the year.
Besides a catered breakfast, volunteers enjoyed raffle prizes and a special holiday gift during the Dec. 11 event in The Link. Volunteers were essential in the smooth running of events including the Reach for the Stars Fire & Ice Gala, the Golf for Education scramble tournament and scholarship application essay reading.
The Foundation is sincerely grateful for each volunteer! Their time and commitment allow the Foundation to expand its impact and do even more for WNC and our students.
| | | Rock Sale Fundraiser Raises $850 for Endowed Scholarship(s) | |
Thanks to everyone who supported and contributed to Western Nevada College Geology Club’s Rock, Mineral and Fossil Sale scholarship-fundraising event last Friday!
WNC Professor of Geosciences Dr. Winnie Kortemeier said the sale raised $850 to support an endowed scholarship for students interested in the geosciences. Dr. Kortemeier has continued the fundraiser in hopes of providing two students with a scholarship annually.
For those who wish to donate to this cause, go to Student Scholarship Fund through WNC Foundation and specify Geology: wnc.edu/donate.
| | | Nursing's Bingo Night Fundraiser Draws Packed House | |
What a night!
Support was fabulous for the WNC chapter of the National Student Nurses’ Association Holiday Bingo Night on Dec. 11 in Carson Nugget Hall!
The room was packed with laughter, cheering and plenty of winners — and we mean lots of winners! Participants took home hams, turkeys, pies and a full spread of other prizes from two overflowing prize tables. Attendees also enjoyed a delicious bake sale, a lively silent auction and even karaoke!
All proceeds help support the nursing students as they prepare to attend the national convention in Houston.
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Last Podcast of Fall 2025 Spotlights Amanda Ramsey
The final Fall 2025 episode of the Wildcat Connection is available!
In this episode, Joshua Fleming and Amanda Ramsey (Workforce, Career & Technical Education division assistant) discuss the importance of a student's perspective on perfection in a class, the transition from K-12 Education to Higher Education and how to handle or live with anxiety for a student to perform the best they can in a class.
Wildcat Connection is possible through the work of Fleming, an English professor and Instructional Support specialist, and Learning Management System Administrator Ryan Johnson. They spotlight teaching, learning and the educators who are making it happen.
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Dini, Beck Libraries Modify Operations during Winter Break
WNC's campus libraries in Fallon and Carson City have altered operating hours over Winter Break.
In Fallon, Beck Library will be closed from Dec. 18 through Jan. 4. Otherwise, the library is open 8 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday.
Joe Dini Library on the Carson City campus will operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. However, it will be closed Dec. 25-28 and Dec. 31 through Jan. 4.
The testing centers on both campuses will be closed for Winter Break and reopen for the 2026 Spring Semester. Proctoring will not be available during the break.
| | | Continuing Ed, Information Desk Win Holiday Decoration Contest | |
Continuing Education and the Information Desk closed the door on a wealth of holiday-spirited competition to win the annual holiday door decorating contest on campus.
The winning team's creation of "Welcome to Whoville" combined the artistic talents of three employees and four student workers.
The team was presented with a fitting trophy (a plaque with a door knob attached to it) at the annual Employee Holiday Party on Dec. 12.
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