Date: Feb. 26, 2026 | Issue: February | | |
The deadline is nearing for students to apply for the Western Nevada College Foundation Scholarship Application for the 2026-27 academic year.
The WNC Foundation Scholarship deadline is April 1 so don't delay and fill out the application today! Current and prospective students can access the application form at https://wnc.awardspring.com/.
Each year, the WNC Foundation awards more than 250 scholarships, distributing more than $850,000 to students across a wide range of academic programs and fields of study. The scholarships are available to new, returning, part-time and full-time students, and many recipients qualify for more than one award through a single application.
For more information regarding the WNC Foundation Scholarship application, please email foundation@wnc.edu or phone 775-445-3240.
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Here's Your Look Ahead!
Chemigram Exhibit in Bristlecone Through April 13
Nursing TEAS Exams Feb. 27, March 4, 6 and 9
Lunar Eclipse Party at JCDO March 2 and 3
St. Patrick's Day March 12
WNC Knight Monsters Takeover Night March 13
Saturday Night Star Parties March 14 and 21
Spring graduation deadline March 16
Spring Break March 16-20
Late start classes begin March 23
"Donut" Forget to Apply for scholarships March 24
International Games Day March 26
Burgers and Badges March 31
Foundation Scholarship Application Deadline April 1
Easter Eggs-travaganza April 6
ASWN Awards & Appreciation Ceremony April 17
Communication Skills Workshop April 28
WNMTC presents Come from Away May 8-17
| | President Dalpe Delivers Thank-You Cards to U.S. Senators | |
Gratitude in action on Capitol Hill!
Western Nevada College President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe recently visited U.S. Senators Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen in Washington, D.C. to personally deliver thank-you cards signed by WNC faculty, staff and students to recognize the Senators’ support of a $1.45M federal appropriation included in the latest minibus spending package.
This funding will help power the rebuild of the Aspen Café culinary facility on WNC’s Carson City campus.
President Dalpe visited D.C. the second week of February for the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) National Legislative Summit. Regent Carol Del Carlo now chairs this organization.
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2026 Graduation Ceremonies in Carson City, Fallon Announced
Western Nevada College will celebrate the Class of 2026 with traditional commencement ceremonies on Monday, May 18, in Carson City and Wednesday, May 20, in Fallon. Both begin at 10 a.m.
All graduating students are encouraged to participate in graduation ceremonies. Associate degrees, bachelor degrees and certificates of achievement are conferred for graduates from the spring semester and the summer and fall semesters preceding the spring semester ceremonies. Invitations are emailed to qualified students.
| | | WNC Celebrates Nursing Renovation Project in Fallon | |
Community support was on full display on Feb. 18 as Western Nevada College celebrated its Nursing Renovation Project on the Fallon campus — even as Northern Nevada experienced its biggest winter storm of the season.
Despite the weather, community leaders, college partners and campus representatives gathered to recognize WNC’s continued investment in expanding access to nursing education in rural Nevada and strengthening our regional healthcare workforce. The strong turnout was a powerful reminder of how deeply our community values local healthcare training and opportunity.
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NSHE Chancellor, Board
of Regents Chair Visit WNC
It was a great day of collaboration and connection on Feb. 5 at WNC!
Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Chancellor Matt McNair and NSHE Board of Regents Chair Byron Brooks met with WNC students and campus groups to discuss college successes, opportunities and the future of higher education at WNC.
From conversations with faculty and staff leadership groups to an open forum with the campus community, the visit emphasized shared commitment to student success. They even joined students for a lighthearted Welcome Back Week moment — picking up ASWN sunglasses and soaking in the campus energy!
| | | President Dalpe Meets with Irish Senate Leader, Assemblymembers | |
Western Nevada College President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe had the honor of joining regional and international leaders on Feb. 6 at a special luncheon focused on building global connections.
Hosted by Assembly Speaker Steve Yeager and Assemblymember PK O’Neill in partnership with the Carson City Chamber of Commerce, the gathering welcomed Republic of Ireland Senator Mark Daly — Majority Leader and the highest-ranking member of the Irish Senate.
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Get Funding for Health Worker Training Before It Runs Out
If becoming a healthcare worker is a career ambition for you in 2026, Western Nevada College is making it easier than ever to take that first step.
Through its Community Health Worker (CHW) program, WNC is offering an affordable, accessible pathway into Nevada’s growing healthcare field — and thanks to scholarship support, cost does not have to be a barrier. The program requires no prior healthcare experience and is designed for individuals who are ready to make a difference in their communities.
Best of all, scholarship funding is still available for a few spots after Nell J. Redfield Foundation generously provided 24 scholarships. This scholarship should significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs and open doors for aspiring healthcare professionals across the region.
| | | Special Lunar Eclipse Party Set for JCDO on March 2 and 3 | |
Star Parties and a special lunar event are scheduled for Jack C. Davis Observatory at Western Nevada College in March.
The public is invited to attend the next cosmic gathering — a Lunar Eclipse Party — set for Monday and Tuesday, March 2 and 3, from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. This event and the bimonthly Star Parties are free to the community and a great opportunity to learn more about the universe.
For astronomy lovers who are planning ahead, upcoming Star Parties are scheduled for March 14 and 21, from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m.
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Join WNC in Taking Over Knight Monsters Game on March 13
Support Western Nevada College and its students by participating in WNC Takeover Night for a hockey match featuring the Tahoe Knight Monsters on Friday, March 13.
When tickets are purchased through WNC’s dedicated link (see below), 25 percent of each ticket sold is donated to the college to support students and programs through WNC Foundation.
That night, the Knight Monsters are scheduled to take on the Kansas City Mavericks at 7 p.m. at the Tahoe Blue Events Center in Stateline.
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Handmade Photo Images Illuminate Bristlecone Gallery
An artistic process dating back to half a century ago is now showing in the Bristlecone Art Gallery. The Chemigram Show spotlights photographic images created without a camera, enlarger or lens.
These photographs are made in open light and rely on the the mysterious interaction of standard black and white photo chemicals with exposed photo paper. The imagery is created by the action and movement of photo chemicals as they encounter each other on the surface of the paper.
Chemigrams provide photo artists with a wide variety of mark-making possibilities and are in some respects a way of reestablishing the idea of handmade images in photography. This unique exhibit will be on display through April 13.
| | | Nursing Students Connect with Employers, University at Job Fair | |
Nursing and Certified Nursing Assistant students at Western Nevada College gained valuable career connections and professional insight during the college’s Annual Nursing Job Fair and Professional Development Event on Feb. 24 in the Bristlecone Building on the Carson City campus.
Hosted by the National Student Nurses Association (WNC Chapter), the three-hour event flipped the traditional job search model by bringing employers directly to students. Representatives from regional hospitals, healthcare organizations, senior care facilities and universities filled the main corridor of the “Spine” to meet one-on-one with aspiring nurses and CNAs.
| | | Ukulele Class Strikes Chord in Community with Weekly Jamming | |
What began as a final class performance has evolved into an ongoing community tradition for Western Nevada College Continuing Education students.
Last semester, students from WNC’s Ukulele Jam class wrapped up their course with a public performance at The Fox Restaurant & Brewery in Carson City, inviting friends and family to celebrate what they had learned. The evening struck such a positive chord that the restaurant’s owner immediately invited the group back — turning a one-time performance into a monthly Tuesday night jam session.
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From Machinist to Mentor: How WNC Grad Found Her Calling in Classroom
Life after graduation can take unexpected turns — just ask Gillian Hammons.
A 2023 graduate of Western Nevada College’s Machine Tool Technology (MTT) program, Hammons has experienced a whirlwind of change in just a short time. After completing her studies, she relocated to Tennessee, launched her career as a tool and die maker with Bharat Forge and embraced a new role in her personal life as a stepmother.
But her biggest surprise was still to come ...
| | | Financial Literacy Workshop Empowers Students to Build Strong Money Habits | |
Students at Western Nevada College took an important step toward financial confidence on Feb. 10 during the Financial Literacy for Student Success Workshop, hosted by the ROADS Program in The Link.
Designed to equip students with practical, real-world money management skills, the workshop focused on helping attendees take control of their finances, build sustainable budgets and develop habits that support long-term success.
The session was led by Brook Sweeting, Senior Market Development Manager with United Federal Credit Union, and Paul Rodriguez, Branch Manager, who shared insights students can carry with them into the workforce and beyond.
| | | Regent Brown Devotes Time During Visit to Talk to Students | |
Regent Heather Brown of the Nevada System of Higher Education Board spent meaningful time with our students on campus on Feb. 4.
Regent Brown met with President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe and connected directly with our students, including an engaging and thoughtful conversation with members of the Associated Students of Western Nevada (ASWN).
We appreciate her continued support of WNC and her commitment to hearing firsthand about the student experience.
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Students Plan for Next Steps
at Annual Transfer Fair
Start Here. Go Anywhere! That promise was on full display earlier this month at Western Nevada College’s Transfer Fair in the Bristlecone Building. Students took important steps toward their futures by connecting with university representatives, asking thoughtful questions, and exploring transfer pathways beyond WNC.
For many, the opportunity to receive one-on-one guidance from college representatives made all the difference — turning possibilities into actionable plans and helping students see how their journey at WNC can lead anywhere they choose to go.
| | | Deadline to Apply for Graduation Extended to March 16 | |
The deadline for WNC students to submit an online application to Admissions and Records to have your degree and/or certificate awarded and to participate in the graduation ceremony this spring has been extended to Monday, March 16.
Check with your adviser on your graduation status for completing a certificate and/or degree.
Graduates have the option of participating in WNC commencement ceremonies, which are scheduled for Monday, May 18, in Carson City and Wednesday, May 20, in Fallon.
| | | Dedicated Financial Aid Staff Ready to Help Students with FAFSA | |
Students who need assistance or have questions about the FAFSA are encouraged to contact the WNC Financial Aid Office at 775-445-3264 or email finaid1@wnc.edu.
Western Nevada College is recommending that students complete the application as soon as possible to maximize their eligibility for financial aid.
"Dedicated WNC Financial Aid staff are on hand to help families navigate the financial aid process.” said WNC Student Services Executive Director JW Lazzari. “We encourage families who are unsure of where to start to visit our office and we can help walk them through the process. The FAFSA been streamlined over the last few years and is easier than ever, but we are always here to help students at whatever stage of the process they are in."
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Palentine's Celebration Provides a Sweet Day for Students
Friends, fun and a whole lot of sweetness filled the Student Center as the Associated Students of Western Nevada presented a Palentine’s Day celebration on Feb. 12!
Students and staff flocked to the festivities for an afternoon packed with smiles, sweets and snapshots — and plenty of reasons to celebrate. From bingo and free pizza to chocolate fountain desserts, friendship jewelry, handmade cards and flowers, the event created the perfect space to enjoy time with friends and make new ones. Best buddies Aidan Concannon and Levi Khachadoorian even marked the occasion by celebrating their 20th birthday together — making the day extra memorable.
| | | Certified Yoga Instructor President Dalpe Leads Class in Dini | |
When we say leadership at Western Nevada College is hands-on … we mean it.
Students and staff kicked off the second day of Welcome Back Week with a yoga class led by none other than WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe — and yes, he’s a certified yoga instructor, too!
From Warrior One to Savasana, President Dalpe guided participants through a full 40-minute flow in the Dini Fitness Center that left everyone relaxed, energized and ready to take on the day. Talk about starting the semester on the right foot (and mat).
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Dr. Herring Explains Physics
of Curling in Tribune Story
WNC Professor of Physics Dr. Thomas Herring, who doubles as the director of Jack C. Davis Observatory, was recently interviewed about the science behind curling. Curling has been a sport for more than 500 years, but scientists have struggled to explain the physics behind it. Dr. Herring took his best shot in a story written by Tahoe Daily Tribune reporter Eli Ramos.
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Learn More About the Student Experience in First Podcast of 2026
The first Wildcat Connection podcast of 2026 focuses on a couple of student government leaders on campus.
In this episode, Joshua Fleming, an Instructional Support Specialist and English professor at WNC, interviews ASWN President Karla Salas Dominguez and ASWN Treasurer Sherlyn Vasquez. Their discussion includes how students feel in today's classrooms, the positive experiences that they've had with instructors and what services they offer in student government, as well as student activities.
Wildcat Connection is possible through the work of Fleming and Learning Management System Administrator Ryan Johnson. They spotlight teaching, learning and the educators who are making it happen. Since this episode, they have produced additional interviews with Professors Dr. Winnie Kortemeier and Dr. Patrick Bell.
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Galaxy Talk, Stump the Professor Highlight Observatory's Month
Jack C. Davis Observatory staff and volunteers ventured off campus to provide a daytime Galaxy Talk on Jan. 31 at Silver Saddle Ranch in Carson City. More than 65 people turned out to learn more about the Sun and view it safely with observatory telescopes.
While the weather limited viewing of planets and stars at the Saturday Star Parties during a stormy February, a new addition to the gatherings has become extremely popular: “Stump the Professor,” where JCDO Director Dr. Thomas Herring provides a question-and-answer session on various science and astronomy topics.
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Harsh Weather Impacts College Operations
After a massive winter storm deposited a foot and a half of snow Feb. 17-19, closing the Carson City campus for two days and sending people home early on another, the college community became experts on how to know when weather impacts college operations.
For reference in the future, an announcement about Western Nevada College closing, a delayed opening or early departure will be provided on the college's home page, on social media and digital media, as well as email messaging to students, faculty and staff.
As bountiful as the snowstorm was, it was no match for the warm weather and rain that followed!
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