Matthew Anderson’s tenure appointment was approved by the Nevada System of Higher Education regents at their quarterly meeting on Friday, March 10 in Las Vegas. Receiving tenure is the result of meeting the standards outlined in the NSHE code and being positively recommended by the college through a peer review process.

           “Tenure means that I can focus on developing long-term projects while increasing the effectiveness of our current program. This includes continuing to improve the Manufacturing Technician and Mechatronic Technician programs,” Anderson said. “I also look forward to further deploying WNC's relationship with local manufacturers such as Tesla, Click Bond, Baker Hughes, New Millennium and Redwood Materials, to name a few.”

It also means that Anderson has impacted the students he teaches and it’s the realization of a distinguished teaching goal, according to WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe.

“Matt serves a very important role at WNC in educating our Applied Industrial Technology students and providing critical training for manufacturers in the area,” President Dalpe said. “His instruction over the past three-and-a-half years has been outstanding and we are very pleased that he is being recognized for this professional achievement.”

Anderson started at WNC in January 2018 as a teaching assistant, then became a part-time instructor in 2019 and a faculty member in August 2019.

“After working with (former faculty member) Emily Howarth for a few years, she encouraged me to apply for the adjunct teaching position. While working as an adjunct, I realized how much I loved teaching, and when the opportunity arose to teach full time, I took it,” Anderson said.

“Only when I moved to teach full time did becoming a tenured instructor occur to me.”

His passion for teaching stems from being able to make a difference with his students.

“Teaching a subject that directly impacts students' livelihood is what I find most enjoyable. For example, after earning a skill certification through WNC, NC3, or SACA (all of which we have/offer), students can demand high pay in the manufacturing workplace,” Anderson said.

Anderson earned an Associate of Applied Science degree from WNC. He serves in the Nevada National Guard, enjoying the training of soldiers.

“This passion naturally transferred into the civilian world as a teacher,” he said.

To learn more about Western Nevada College, go to wnc.edu or phone 775-445-3000.