For over 50 years, Western Nevada College has offered affordable and quality education in Nevada.

The dreams of local educators, civic leaders and young minds became a reality when we opened our doors in September 1971. WNC began its charge for access to higher education without dedicated buildings, using classes throughout the community from Reno to Hawthorne, including the Tahoe Basin. The Carson City campus opened in 1974 with the construction of the Bristlecone building; WNC expanded its footprint to Fallon in 1981, and the Douglas Campus opened in 1997. WNC has consistently grown and evolved to meet the needs of a growing and thriving Nevada, and while WNC’s history is rich with accomplishments and student success the best is yet to come!

Professor Profiles

Meet WNC's Faculty

The Professor Profiles section features WNC's faculty, their educational backgrounds, research interests, and key milestones. It's a narrative that unfolds through degrees earned, research projects undertaken, and the scholarly path they've paved. Check out WNC's gallery, a showcase of professors.

Professor Profiles

Notable Events for Western Nevada College

• 2023

  Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe is appointed President of WNC.  

• 2022

  The renovation of the Fallon Biology Laboratory, was completed prior to the fall 2022 semester.

• 2021

  WNC celebrates its 50th anniversary.

• 2020

  WNC enhanced operations to continue to support students during the pandemic.  

• 2019

  WNC celebrates its largest graduating class of more than 600 students.

• 2018

  Dr. Vincent Solis becomes WNC's president.

• 2017

  Under Nevada Promise, the college unveils plans to provide the cost of college for many students for the fall semester of 2018.

• 2017

  Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval signs a bill at WNC that mandates that other high schools in the state must follow the colleges Jump Start College model and offer the dual-credit program to their students.

• 2017

  The Applied Industrial Technology training program, specifically advanced manufacturing, receives a boost with the construction of additional lab space.

• 2017

  The Board of Regents appoints P. Mark Ghan as acting president.

• 2016

  WNC's Applied Industrial Technology department launches the Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification, becoming the only college in the West to offer the training program.

• 2016

  Soccer and rodeo debut as club sports.

• 2015

  A Veterans Resource Center opens on the Fallon campus.

• 2015

  Chet Burton takes over as the college's president (previously served as the acting and interim president).

• 2014

  The dual-credit Jump Start College debuts, giving Nevada high school students the opportunity to earn an associate degree before graduating from high school.

• 2013

  A Veterans Resource Center opens on the Carson City campus, operating under the motto of Vets helping Vets.

• 2012

  The Daughters of the American Revolution, John C. Fremont Chapter, recognizes English professor Marilee Swirczeks stewardship of the traveling exhibition Always Lost: A Meditation on War with its 2012 Medal of Honor for Patriotism.

• 2011

  Western Nevada College inaugurates Nugget Hall in the Aspen Building in recognition of donations from the Carson Nugget to WNCs Always Lost: A Meditation on War touring exhibition.

• 2011

  Western Nevada College celebrates 40 years of academic opportunity for western Nevada.

• 2007

  Western Nevada Community College officially becomes Western Nevada College to reflect the colleges expanded mission and academic opportunities, including a new Bachelor of Technology degree in Construction Management.

• 2006

  John L. Harvey baseball field opens at the Carson City campus. New Main Art Gallery and administrative offices open in Bristlecone Building on the Carson City campus.

• 2004

  Joe Dini Jr. Library & Student Center opens on the Carson City campus.

• 2003

  Jack C. Davis Observatory opens on the Carson City campus.

• 1999

  

  The Donald W. Reynolds Center for Technology opens on the Carson City campus, housing drafting, electronics, construction technology and seminar rooms. Jim Randolph High Tech Center opens at Carson High School, providing technology programs in a joint use college-high school facility.

• 1999

  Dr. Carol Lucey becomes WNC's president.

• 1998

  Cedar Building opens on the Carson City campus, housing nursing, physics and engineering, business, computer labs, criminal justice and more. The new student services wing opens in the Bristlecone Building on the Carson City campus, expanding Admissions and Records, Counseling Services, Financial Assistance, the Business Office and Human Resources. The Automotive Center on the Carson City campus expands to include an auto paint and body shop, and auto collision and repair.

• 1997

  Douglas Campus opens in Minden Bently Hall. John Sheldon Trade and Industry Complex opens on the Carson City campus with new machine, automotive and welding laboratories. Central Receiving facility opens at the Carson City campus.

• 1995

  Dr. James Randolph assumes the role of college president.

• 1993

  Family Services Center (now Child Development Center) opens at the Carson City campus, housing the Early Childhood Education program and a child care center/preschool.

• 1992

  Stillwater Hall (now Virgil Getto Hall) opens at the Fallon campus housing new science and art labs, student services areas, and the first on-campus library and media services area. The library and media services addition opens at the Carson City campus, with the first interactive video classroom.

• 1991

  Aspen Building opens at the Carson City campus, bringing much-needed science and art laboratories, expanding areas for counseling and admissions, and creating the colleges first cafeteria, the (Marvin) Sedway Caf.

• 1988

  The Pinon Hall classroom building opens at the Fallon campus.

• 1987

  Local builders and manufacturers donate time and materials to construct a college building for machine tool technology instruction, making Western the only school in Nevada with such a state-of-the-art program.

• 1985

  Fallon Campus bookstore opens. Fernley Center opens.

• 1983

  Dr. Anthony Calabro is chosen as president.

• 1981

  Fallon campus opens Sage Hall.

• 1979

  Western is split with the north campus in Reno becoming Truckee Meadows Community College.

• 1974

  Bristlecone Building opens on the new Carson City campus.

• Sept. 19, 1971

  Western Nevada Community College opens its doors in leased facilities, serving Carson City, Reno and most of western Nevada.

• 1971

  Dr. Jack C. Davis named the founding president of WNC.

Students Thrive at WNC

Western Nevada College is steeped with over 50 years of growth and educational excellence in Nevada. We are proud of the colleges academic rigor and personalized instruction taught by some of the very best faculty in the state. Our students thrive in small classes, with faculty and staff who care about their success. At WNC, we offer opportunities for students to pursue their career dreams in a more affordable and nurturing environment.

Affordable Education

At Western, you can complete the first two years of a bachelor degree for a fraction of the cost of a university. We offer industry-recognized credentials to get you ready for the workplace in as little as a semester, and our online degrees and classes make it possible for you attend WNC while maintaining your commitments to work and family.

Through the generosity of community donors and state-led scholarships and grants, there is more financial aid than ever to help make college possible for you.

Close to Home

Our three campuses are located in the heart of the Nevada you love. Our college has been voted more than once to be among the most beautiful campuses in the country. Our main campus, located in Nevada's capital, is nestled in the foothills of the Sierras and minutes from Lake Tahoe. Our students enjoy access to hiking, skiing, biking, boating and other outdoor recreation.

30 minutes to the Biggest Little City

A trip to the big city offers a variety of cultural, entertainment and basic needs. Big-name concerts, museums, zoos, shopping, historic casinos such as the Atlantis and Eldorado, sporting events, and walkways along the majestic Truckee River that allow visitors access to art galleries and restaurants. The growing tech city is also known for its events, such as the Great Reno Balloon Races, the Air Races, River Festival, Artown, Reno Rodeo, Hot August Nights and Barracuda Championship.

40 minutes to the Slopes

The mountains overlooking and casting incredible shadows on Lake Tahoe become the focus of visitors when the temperatures plummet. There are a dozen ski resorts that offer a variety of terrain and back-country trails for adrenaline sports enthusiasts. In addition to skiing and snowboarding for the powder hounds, this winter playground provides sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, cross-country tours and ice skating to keep the heart racing. With approximately 300 sunny days out of the year, fishing still is a winter pastime, but if you prefer indoor excitement, there are concerts, comedy shows, shopping, hockey and gambling to make Lake Tahoe very enticing.

30 minutes to the Queen of the Comstock

Less than a half-hour away is an exclusive chance to step back into the past and learn about 19th Century Nevada. Home to the Comstock Lode, the first silver ore strike in the U.S. that lured hundreds of prospectors to the area with dreams of becoming rich, the town has morphed into a national historic landmark. Virginia City has kept much of its history, from its beautiful Victorian buildings, museums, mines, Old West-style saloons and the V & T Railroad, and offers unique summertime events such as camel and outhouse races.

*Photos Courtesy of Nevada Momentum.