Before Lupe Ramirez began working at Western Nevada College there wasnt a Latino Leadership Academy. But thanks to her passion and dedication, the LLA became a source of pride for the college by the time she decided to retire earlier this semester.
Fortunately for current and future students there is someone very familiar with the program to keep it rolling: Denise Stout, who will serve as the LLA coordinator moving forward.

Stout served as a counselor and academic adviser for the program when it was known as the Latino Cohort and through its transition to the Latino Leadership Academy. Shes also the colleges coordinator of retention.
I have been and still am their academic advisor/counselor, Stout said. I will now be more involved and make sure that we afford the students the same resources and care as was provided prior.
Piper McCarthy, WNCs director of counseling, said the college has remained dedicated to serving these students many of whom are first-generation college students. The colleges mission is to not only create access to higher education for these students but to help them become successful and complete their degrees.
The students have been working with Denise since initial recruitment and will continue to receive the same support they have always had, McCarthy said. Support for the students is still in place and going strong.
Added Vice President of Student Success and Support Services Jeffrey Downs, All services to students, including supplemental instruction sessions, are still in effect. Students falling behind or not attending supplemental instruction sessions are referred to Denise Stout and are contacted, along with parents, if necessary.
In 2010, Ramirez focused on a solution for improving WNCs college graduation rate for the areas Latino population, creating the Latino Cohort. The cohort eased students transition from high school to college by helping them overcome cultural obstacles. Whether students needed remedial preparation in English or math, or help accessing the financial aid available to them, the cohort was 100 percent there for them. Each cohort took classes together and students received many levels of support beyond their professors. That support included counselors, cohort coaches, former cohort members and their cohort classmates. This teamwork and cohesiveness led to the cohort achieving a higher graduation rate than the colleges average population. Moreover, many of these students went on to pursue a bachelor degree at the University of Nevada Reno or found employment after earning their associate degree.
That comprehensive structure and formula for success led to Ramirez renaming the Latino Cohort as the Latino Leadership Academy in 2020.
While we miss Lupe and appreciate her organization and support for the program, we are fortunate to carry forward the framework and structure she has developed over several years of the program, Downs said. The students continue to participate and receive the services they have come to expect with the program.
Stout earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, and Master of Social Work degree from the University of New England.
For more information about the LLA, phone Stout 775-445-3271 or email her at denise.stout@wnc.edu. To apply for the program, go to https://www.wnc.edu/latino-outreach-application/. To schedule an interview, go to https://latinoleadershipacademy.youcanbook.me/