Western Nevada College has been recognized with the 2026 Community Engagement Award by the Rural Community College Alliance (RCCA), recognizing the college’s dual enrollment program for its leadership, innovation and meaningful contributions to rural community colleges and the communities they serve.

The award was presented during the 2026 RCCA/ATEA National Conference on Sept. 17 at Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia, Miss. The joint national conference brought together community college leaders, educators, workforce professionals, industry partners and other leaders from across the country to share ideas and advance the future of their institutions and communities.

WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe accepted the award in person and was honored to receive it behalf of the college.

“This recognition belongs to the people who make this work happen,” President Dalpe said. “Thank you to our staff who support dual enrollment and make it happen, our faculty who teach the students, and our high school partners who have supported this work over the years.

“Dual enrollment is about more than earning college credits while in high school. It helps students see themselves as college students, gives them a head start on their education, and creates stronger pathways into college and the workforce. This program, which represents more than 40 percent of our students by headcount, is one that at times keeps me up at night ... but also gets me going in the morning due to the positive impact we are making.”

RCCA's annual awards highlight the people and institutions doing work that strengthens rural community colleges and expands their ability to create opportunity. This year's recipients represent the breadth of that work, including leadership, innovation, workforce development, access and meaningful community partnerships.

Western Nevada College earned the Community Engagement Award for making a meaningful contribution to the work of rural community colleges and demonstrating the kind of leadership, innovation and commitment that creates lasting impact for students and communities.

The honor reflects the important role community colleges play well beyond the classroom, connecting students to opportunity, helping communities meet changing workforce needs and serving as partners in the economic and social vitality of the regions they call home.

Western Nevada College joins this year's RCCA honorees in representing the people and institutions helping rural community colleges lead where it matters most.

 

ABOUT THE RURAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE ALLIANCE: The Rural Community College Alliance (RCCA) is dedicated exclusively to the interests of rural community colleges and the students they serve. RCCA provides a collective voice for rural institutions through advocacy, collaboration, shared ideas and partnerships, with a focus on the unique needs and opportunities facing rural America. The Alliance works to strengthen institutions, support student success and highlight the vital role rural community colleges play in their communities.