Notes: WNC professor shares unique experiences with students

For nearly 30 years, Brigitte Dillet has shared her unique set of experiences with Western Nevada College students in her geology and geography classrooms.

Dillet grew up on a farm in France more than 5,000 miles away. But she discovered a love of teaching near the end of her college education when she was hired to teach junior high students. She pursued her doctorate of geology at the U.S. Geological Survey in Menlo Park, Calif., and also married, changing her plans to return to France.

After briefly teaching at Lake Tahoe Community College, Dillet accepted a full-time teaching position on WNCs Fallon campus and has been part of WNC since.

Dillet captivates listeners with her French accent and knowledge of the region. She is nearing her 40th anniversary of living in the U.S. and enjoys rock climbing and cycling when not in the classroom.

For information, visit https://wnc.edu/professor-profiles/index.php. To contact Dillet, call 775-445-3390 or email her at Brigitte.dillet@wnc.edu.

WNC offers options to still engage in spring semester

WNC offers open entry, late-start and short-term courses over the remainder of the semester, which concludes May 18.

Open entry classes allow students to register for a class through the ninth week of the semester and work at their own pace to complete the course. Students can choose from open entry programs, including aviation, construction, electrical theory, environmental science, finance, management science, mathematics and political science.

Short-term classes are offered throughout the semester. These accelerated options include American sign language, automotive mechanics, biology, counseling and personal development, drafting, electrical theory, fire science technology, machine tool technology, management science, medical terminology, nursing, recreation and physical education and welding.

Students can view a list of full-term, late-start, short-term and open entry classes at wnc.edu/class-schedule/. Current and returning students can register in their myWNC accounts.

For information, call 775-445-3277.

Math professor honored by regent vice chair position

Western Nevada College mathematics professor Jeffrey Downs, who doubles as a regent for the Nevada System of Higher Education, has been selected as vice chair for the elected executive agency for the state government.

Downs and chair Amy Carvalho will serve in these roles through June 30. Downs’ employment with NSHE began in 2001, starting as a visiting mathematics lecturer at the University of Nevada, Reno, then becoming a tenured math professor at WNC.

At WNC, Downs has also served as an interim vice president and faculty senate chair. He began his doctorate degree in education in 2020 from Liberty University.

College for Kids returns with iLead camps in June

Western Nevada College announces the return of College for Kids with three sessions of iLead, a summer leadership camp for children and teens ages 9 and up.

iLead is designed for students who want to make a difference by giving them the confidence to step into leadership. Led by Seeliger Elementary School teacher Rayce Malmed, iLead will be offered June 3-7, June 10-14 and June 24-28.

The program runs Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Parents can register their students online at https://tinyurl.com/WNCKIDS.

Campus victim advocate provides support, services for WNC

Crisis Support Services is providing Western Nevada College students, faculty and staff with access to support from a campus victim advocate during spring semester.

Shaun Mabanta is providing free support and services to survivors of power-based violence to help them process in a confidential setting and connect them with community resources.

For information, call 775-771-8724 or email campusadvocate@cssnv.org.