Lauren Stevens has been counseling students at Western Nevada College for more than a decade. As the new director of Academic Advising and Access she’ll have the added responsibility of leading a team of counselors, advisors, mentors and coordinators in Student Services who serve current and potential students.

“Lauren has been a dedicated college employee for over a decade and always strives to help students. We are thrilled Lauren wants to continue her stellar work with the Wildcat family,” said Student Services Executive Director JW Lazzari.

Working with Stevens are a team of access counselors, academic advisors, counselors and coordinators, the dual enrollment coordinator and peer mentors.

”I am thankful for our incredible team and enjoy working together with a focus on putting students first,” Stevens said. “This role has been a natural next step and it has been truly meaningful to me.”

Nearing her 11th work anniversary at Western, Stevens has always enjoyed her role in helping and advising students in their varied pathways to success.

“Working with students gives perspective on what is important in higher education,” she said. “I find it most rewarding working with so many great people. I wanted to work at WNC because I believe in education.”

Her long-term commitment to WNC and the role that she plays in serving students and guiding them to become successful fulfills a key college mission of student success.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Lauren’s caliber and dedication overseeing our Academic Advising and Access department,” WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe said. “Lauren has helped many of our students in the past and will help many more in the future.”

Stevens’ successful qualities in helping students and leading other professionals in her department serves her well as a mother of two boys, too. But, like the outstanding team around her at WNC, she has plenty of support at home.

“It is a team effort and I am grateful to be surrounded by supportive family, friends and colleagues,” Stevens said.

Stevens earned her Master of Arts degree in Counseling and Educational Psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno. She also has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Current and potential students can contact Stevens at 775-445-3268 or at lauren.stevens@wnc.edu.