08/19/2026
WNC is ready to kick off Fall 2026.
Western Nevada College came together today for our Fall Kickoff, Employee Lunch & Benefits and Wellness Fair, celebrating the people who make WNC such a special place to learn, work and grow, while enthusiastically looking ahead to the start of the semester on Aug. 31.
President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe welcomed new employees, highlighted exciting campus improvements and upcoming enhancement projects, and invited employees to share what gets them excited about coming to work each day, as well as their go-to karaoke songs. Executive team members also shared their departments’ accomplishments and plans for the future. More of WNC’s 2026-33 Strategic Plan was revealed while recognizing the efforts and dedication of those who contributed to it.
Congratulations to our 2026 award winners:
🏆Katherine “Kat” Williams: Faculty Employee of the Year
🏆 Nick Myers: Classified Employee of the Year
🏆 Lisa Gallo Swan: Administrative Faculty Employee of the Year
🏆 Associated Students of Western Nevada: President’s Team Award
We also celebrated the 2026 tenure appointments of Dr. Patrick Bell and Curtis Kupferschmid.
And for the first time, President Dalpe handed out some wonderfully unconventional Scrappy Awards to recognize employees who went above and beyond, from baking 200 potatoes overnight (Heather Rikalo and Hilda Villafana), to completing a long-awaited bathroom renovation (James Feser and Jeff Erickson), wrangling a snake (Dan Smith) and conquering a grueling 100-kilometer trail race (Cameron Carr and Nigel Harrison).
The day wrapped up with a pasta lunch, ice cream, wellness resources and plenty of opportunities to connect with our benefits partners and one another.
Here’s to an exciting Fall 2026!