WNC News & Notes: College Rotary Plaza receives ADA improvements

The Rotary Plaza at Western Nevada College Carson City campus is under construction this summer to enhance accessibility for those with mobility constraints. When completed, the plaza will have a new ramp with planter boxes poured around the existing trees, an ADA compatible ramp, and a common gathering area. It will improve accessibility for those in a wheelchair as they move between the Bristlecone and Aspen buildings or traverse the Carson City campus. The project was funded several years ago by the state, and is to be completed at the end of June.

Western launches new online learning platform

WNC Online, the college's new Internet course delivery system, offers students and instructors access to improved teaching and learning tools. Students taking web courses now have access to blogs, wikis and one of the best learning workspaces available. This social learning space, WNC Online Connected, is similar to Facebook, enabling interaction between students, creation of friend groups, content and note sharing, events and information posting, receiving Twitter updates, submitting comments or questions, and more.

WNC Online has mobile-friendly apps for the iPhone and Android, providing students to access to learning on the go. To learn more about WNC Online, go to www.wnc.

edu/wnconline/

Leisure Hour Club Establishes Scholarships

The Leisure Hour Club of Carson City has funded a number of WNC scholarships as a way to recognize their historic purposes: the advancement of art, science, music and education, the improvement of social relationships, the betterment of physical, civic, intellectual and moral conditions, and the acquirement of beneficial knowledge.

Five $1,000 scholarships, ($500 per semester), have been awarded for the fall 2011 and spring 2012 semesters to Carson City or Dayton High School graduates with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. The recipients are full-time, degree-seeking students, enrolled in 12 or more units. These scholarships were awarded through WNC's standard scholarship process and coordinated by the college's financial assistance office.

The Leisure Club has met since 1896, making it the oldest continuously active organization in Carson City. The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month for educational and informational presentations with dinner at the Carson City Nugget. New members are always welcome.

Web courses offer a convenient way to earn a degree

Many residents of Western Nevada College's seven-county, 18,000-square-mile service are finding it helpful to utilize distance education for some or all of their college classes. At WNC, the number of students taking web courses has more than doubled in the past five years, and more than 25 percent of students now enroll in at least one web course each year.

Web courses allow students the flexibility to earn college credit on a schedule that is convenient for them, day or night, weekdays or weekends.

WNC offers three degrees that students can earn completely online: the Associate of Applied Science-Business, the Associate of Arts, and the Associate of General Studies.

This fall, more than 80 web courses will be available, ranging from general education classes such as composition and history to core classes in criminal justice, business and information technology. View the entire fall schedule online at my.wnc.edu. A few career-preparation fall offerings include:

• Preparing students for academic success (EPY 150, Class # 80592)

Students will learn to develop effective and efficient study skills to help them be successful in college. Learning style preferences, college resources, techniques to manage stress and time management will be discussed.

• Introduction to criminal justice I (CRJ 101, Class # 80386)

Students will study the history, philosophy and functions of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, criminal law and constitutional rights.

• Introduction to business (BUS 101, Class # 80156)

This class offers an introduction to the various segments of the modern business world, and is a good choice for anyone considering business as a major.

• Small business management (MGT 103 - Class # 80785)

Students study how businesses are started and managed successfully, including planning, finance, marketing, and administrative control.

• Essentials of information security (CIT 161 - Class # 94305)

Students will learn how to assess a network for threats and vulnerabilities, identify hacking and develop an information back-up and recovery plan in a hands-on environment.

Summer classes on tap for the nature enthusiast

Western Nevada College Carson City is offering non-credit classes this summer for those looking to enjoy the outdoors.

Field Sketching in Nature, (CMSV 086C, Call # 20219) meets Saturdays, July 9-23, 9 a.m.-noon. The class teaches students how to capture nature's beauty through various art mediums and includes outdoor sessions as creative inspiration. Cost is $60.

Wilderness First Aid (CSMV 0143C, Call # 26446), meets Saturday-Sunday, July 23-24, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Students will learn how to administer advanced first aid when help is delayed. The class is a great option for active hikers or campers, boy scouts, national park workers or any outdoorsman. Cost is $95.

Many late-start classes still are available this summer. View all classes at www.wnc.

edu.