College Information

Mission, Vision, and Philosophy

Mission Statement

WNCC assures learning opportunities for all - enriching lives, invigorating communities, and changing futures.
~Adopted by the WNCC Board of Governors 2023

Vision Statement

The following was developed to provide future vision and direction for Western Nebraska Community College:

“A leader in community college education with focus on student success, excellence in teaching, innovative and relevant programs and services, and collaborations supporting dynamic partnerships inside and outside of the College.”
~Adopted by the WNCC Board of Governors 2023

Philosophy

Western Nebraska Community College is a comprehensive community college committed to serving the residents of western Nebraska with higher education and lifelong learning opportunities. The faculty, staff, and Board of Governors seek to provide leadership in education while responding to the identified needs of area residents by providing high quality educational programs and support services accessible to all who can benefit from them. In fulfilling our role and mission, we subscribe to the following philosophy:

• Belief in the inherent right of every person to an opportunity for education commensurate with the individual’s potential and interest. We offer a comprehensive program, which includes academic and technical courses, as well as general education for transfer to a baccalaureate-granting institution or preparation for entry to the job market.
• Responsibility for providing an environment that offers opportunities for developing quality in academic, technical, and vocational disciplines. We are committed to helping students clarify goals by improving skills and providing guidance, encouragement, and assistance in a positive atmosphere fostering personal growth and social responsibility.
• Commitment to lifelong learning. We provide area business and industry with vocational training for skilled employment, which encompasses in-service/pre-service training in addition to basic skills, continuing education, and vocational interests.
• Awareness of the changing role of education. We are prepared to adjust the curriculum and services to meet the diverse, unique needs of students.

Role

“Western Nebraska Community College shall be a student centered, open access institution primarily devoted to quality instruction and public service, providing counseling and other student services intended to promote the success of a diverse student population, particularly those who have been traditionally under served in other educational settings.

Western Nebraska Community College, individually and collectively, shall provide the following instructional and service priorities:

Applied Technology Education

Including Associate of Applied Science degrees (AAS), Associate Degree Nursing (AD-N), diplomas, certificates, and coursework to qualify individuals for entry into employment or to enable individuals to remain current, to upgrade skills, or to acquire new skills.

Transfer Education

Including liberal arts and sciences associate degrees (AA AS, and AFA) comprising of coursework which is comparable to the coursework of the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program and applied technology degrees comprising coursework which may be applicable to the coursework of the first two years of a bachelor’s degree program.

Developmental Education

Including remedial programs, developmental programs, adult education (AE), general education development (GED) preparation, English literacy programs (ELP), and refresher courses.

Adult Continuing Education

Including career related programs and services for professional certification or improvement, economic and community development including customized training programs developed for businesses and communities to meet needs such as occupational assessment, job training and job upgrading, and other programs and services that are within the scope of the College’s expertise.

Public Service

Including vocational and personal development courses and activities not specifically identified in other priorities.

Applied Research

Limited to the enhancement of the instructional programs, student achievement, institutional effectiveness, and public service activities or related to faculty professional development.”
~Passed by Ninety-Third Legislature, Nebraska 1993 (LB 263).

Institutional Statement of Values

The Board, faculty, and staff of the College commit to acting according to the following values, which are essential to maintaining the integrity and vitality of the College community. All citizens of the College community shall be treated with care and respect. The College is an environment where people are treated fairly and given equal opportunities.

Lifelong Learning - The College provides opportunities for the continuing development and expansion of knowledge and skills for students of all ages, whether through enrollment at the College or training throughout the Nebraska Panhandle. This is accomplished, in part, through the College’s commitment to the continued personal and professional growth of its employees.

Student and Community Service - The College endeavors to build and maintain productive relationships with our students and communities. Our goal is to meet the needs of the students and communities we serve by creating educational environments in which students can attain their educational goals and communities can thrive.

Student Success - The College strives to create meaningful learning environments to support each student in developing and accomplishing their personal, educational, and career goals and to prepare them for a lifetime of learning and contribution to society. 

Honesty, Integrity, and Transparency - The College is committed to honesty, integrity, and transparent behavior in all of its academic, personal, and professional endeavors. It is expected that all members of the community will speak and act with veracity and hold themselves accountable for their words and actions.

Collaboration and Communication - The College utilizes effective and timely communication to advocate for collaboration. The College is dedicated to working and communicating collegially, creating working and learning environments which are conducive to the open exchange of ideas, mutual understanding, shared consensus, and an increased return on investment.

Innovation and Continuous Improvement - The College understands the importance of embracing change to stay current and relevant. It strives to infuse innovation into the campus culture and curriculum in pursuit of continuous improvement and excellence in education, projects, processes, and services. 

Respect for All People and Perspectives - The College recognizes the inherent value of each member of the college community and seeks to create a diverse environment where the dignity of each individual is honored and all members of the community are allowed to flourish and be their authentic selves. 
~Adopted by the WNCC Board of Governors 2023

Accreditation

Western Nebraska Community College is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Inquiries regarding WNCC accreditation may be directed to the HLC by letter at 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504; or by phone at 312.263.0456 or 800.621.7440.

Individual programs may be certified or accredited by other professional associations in addition to the Higher Learning Commission. Please see wncc.edu/about-wncc/accreditation for more information.

College Locale

Located in the Panhandle of western Nebraska, WNCC serves 12 and one-half counties with its primary campus in Scottsbluff and staffed facilities in Alliance and Sidney. With abundant blue skies throughout the year, all three locations are near recreation areas for both summer and winter activities. Winter activities are just a few hours away in the Wyoming and Colorado Rocky Mountains, or the Black Hills of South Dakota. Summer activities can also be found in these areas as well as in Nebraska’s Chadron State Park, Lake Minatare, Lake McConaughy, or historic Fort Robinson. Hunting and fishing abound all year-round. Scottsbluff is serviced by the Western Nebraska Regional Airport and is three hours from Denver International Airport and the shopping, theatre, museums, and attractions available in the Colorado Front Range and Denver metropolitan area. 

College Organization

WNCC is organized into three major areas: Administrative Services, Educational & Student Services, and Human Resources. While each area boasts its own unique characteristics, the staff, faculty, and administrators work cooperatively across divisions to provide the widest range of programs and services to the students and campus community.

Administrative Services

The Administrative Services component of the College provides comprehensive auxiliary services to enhance students’ college experience. While sometimes viewed as behind-the-scenes operations, Administrative Services ensures the smooth daily operation of WNCC’s buildings, grounds, and business functions.

The Business Office (accounts payable, accounts receivable, purchasing, and cashier), food services (Bishop Dining Hall and catering), the Cougar Bookstore, facilities and grounds maintenance, safety and security, parking, facilities and fleet reservations, and the information center comprise the functions supported by Administrative Services.

In addition, Administrative Services oversees two major areas impacting information resources for the College.

Information Technology provides technology services and support to enable WNCC in achieving its educational mission and strategic goals. The unit supports administrative software applications (Colleague and MyWNCC) and network and telecommunication services.

Institutional Research is responsible for the collection and review of institutional data to support enrollment and college-wide planning.

Educational & Student Services

By developing the seamless integration of services, Educational & Student Services aims to create an effective student learning environment at WNCC, both in and out of the classroom.

Educational Services

WNCC is home to five academic divisions:

• Academic Enrichment, Language, and Fine Arts
• Business and Applied Technology
• Health Sciences
• Math and Science
• Social Sciences and Human Performances

Curriculum development, course offerings, class registration, academic records, online and distance education, dual credit and high school partnerships and testing and tutoring are all housed under Educational Services. The unit also supports non-credit opportunities such as adult basic education & GED programs, lifelong learning, and workforce development.

Student Services

Student Services offers a broad array of programs and services designed to enhance student learning, success, and personal development. These include academic advising, academic support centers (writing and math), career services, childcare assistance, disability services, diversity programming, international student support services, intramurals, library services, military/veterans’ support, new student orientation, personal counseling, residence life, student engagement and organizations, and support for first-generation and underserved populations (TRIO). Judicial and conduct issues are addressed through the Dean of Students Office.

Athletics serves as the “front-door” to the College. WNCC encourages everyone to experience Cougar Pride through Intercollegiate Athletics: men’s baseball, men and women’s basketball, men and women’s soccer, women’s softball, and women’s volleyball.

Enrollment Services

Enrollment Services is comprised of the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid, and the Registrar. These offices help guide students through the admissions process, secure financial support for educational purposes, and provide and maintain the accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality of academic records.

Human Resources

The Human Resources Office is responsible for a variety of functions and services related to full- and part-time employment including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, and employee relations. Human Resources strives to promote a healthy work environment for all employees. Title IX enforcement is administered by Human Resources.

Additional Departments

Additional areas contribute to the multidimensional environment at Western Nebraska Community College.

• Community Partnerships manages the College’s locations in Alliance and Sidney and works to establish connections in the communities across the 12 and a half counties served by WNCC.
• The WNCC Foundation benefits, supports, and enhances the mission of the College and provides a connection for its alumni.
• Public Relations & Marketing promotes the College’s programs, services, and events to the public.

Advisory Committees

WNCC is proud of its business and vocational programs, both on and off campus. These programs are growing in scope and popularity primarily because they are relevant to student and area employer needs.

The success of these programs is due, in large part, to the knowledge and energy given to the programs by the advisory committee members. These industry-specific committees work with the staff and faculty to make the programs practical and meaningful. The committees assist the College in determining regional and student needs, defining objectives, developing program content, and serving as liaisons for student placement in internships and employment.

Committees (with Contact)

• Applied Agriculture (Dan Joppa)
• Automotive Technology (Aaron Gayman)
• Aviation (Michael Mitchell)
• Business & Info Technology (Scott Winters)
• Collision Repair & Refinish Technology (Corey Batt)
• Criminal Justice (Vacant- pending)
• Diesel, Truck, & Heavy Equipment Technology (Wayne Lund)
• Early Childhood Education (Pasty Yager)
• Emergency Medical Services (Ken Boston)
• Health Information Technology (Nicole Danielzuk)
• Human Services (Carrie Howton)
• Medical Laboratory Technician (Jennifer Kellogg)
• Nursing (Jessica Brumbaugh)
• Perkins Advisory Committee (Charlie Gregory)
• Powerline Construction & Maintenance Technology (Shane Homan)
• Surgical Technology (Marcene Elwell)
• Welding (Russ Pontarolo)

College Personnel

WCCA College Board Members

Western Nebraska Community College’s Board of Governors’ is comprised of 11 elected members. The members represent five districts, with one member serving at large. The Board governs the College, sets policy, approves the budget, and sets the local College tax levy.

District One

District Two

District Three

District Four

District Five

At-Large

M. Thomas Perkins
Board Member

Appointed (Ex-Officio)

Lynne Koski, Board Treasurer

Susan Verbeck, Board Secretary

Faculty Representatives (2)

Student Representative

Administrative Leadership

Greg Dart - President (CEO)

Grant Wilson - Executive Vice President Educational & Student Services (CAO & CSSO)

Lynne Koski - Vice President Administrative Services (CFO)

President’s Office

Paula Abbott - Community Coordinator / Alliance & Sidney Centers Executive Director

Kathy Ault - Human Resources Executive Director

Allison Judy - Public Relations & Marketing Director

Kim Reichert - Accreditation & Special Projects Director

Jennifer Reisig - WNCC Foundation Executive Director

Administrative Services

Cathy Bornschlegl - Food Service Director

Sean Clymer - Facilities Operations Director

Ty Frohbieter - Occupational Health & Safety Director

Justin Kumbal - Institutional Research Director

Arich Knaub - Enrollment Management Research Director

Nancy Hall - Administrative Management Director

Katie Markheim - Accounting Services Asst. Director

Shiloh McCoy - Facilities Operations Asst. Director

Loren Moench - Information Technology Director

Pauline Newman - Accounting Services Director

Willa Wentling - Bookstore Operations Director

Educational & Student Services

Mike Coste - Dean of Instruction Arts and Sciences

Charlie Gregory - Dean of Instruction Applied Technology and Business

Vacant - Dean of Instruction Health Sciences

Doug Mader - Workforce Development Executive Director

Tammie Kleich - Academic Testing & Tutoring Director

Lori Stromberg -Lifelong Learning Director

Emily Norman - Student Services Executive Dean

Susan Stephenson - Enrollment Services Executive Director

Luke Stobel - Student Success Executive Director

Madison Luke- Assistant Dean of Students

Ryan Burgner - Athletic Director

Baily Clear - CollegeNOW! Director

Tonya DeWitt - TRIO Director

Michael Millikin - Director of Military & Veteran Affaris 

Brian Elkins - Registrar

Connie Lutz - Asst Registrar/International Student Services

Sheila Johns - Financial Aid Director

Rosa Rosario -Financial Aid Asst Director

Jolene Martin -Admissions Asst Director

Rachel Mitchell - GED & Adult Basic Education Director

Norm Stephenson - Counseling Director/Disability Services Officer

Vacant - Admissions Director

Academic Division Chairs

Jacklyn Cawiezel - Social Sciences & Human Performance

Vacant - Health Sciences

Hallie Feil - Academic Enrichment, Language, & Fine Arts

Dan Joppa - Applied Technology

Amy Winters - Mathematics & Science

Scott Winters (Interim) - Business & IT

Faculty (by division)

Academic Enrichment, Language, and Fine Arts

Holly Boomer - English

Violette Briggs - Theatre

Brian Croft - English

Jeff Downey - English

Robin Hayhurst - Foundations & Professional Education

Nat Johnson - Music (Instrumental Music Director)

Yelena Khanevskaya - Art

Patrick Newell - Music (Vocal Music Director)

Jennifer Pedersen - English

William Sheffield - Speech & Forensics

Robynn Whittier - English

Stacy Wilson - Foreign Languages

Applied Technology

Corey Batt - Collision Repair & Refinish Technology

Aaron Gayman - Automotive Technology

Shane Homan - Powerline Technology

Dan Joppa - Technical Studies

Wayne Lund - Diesel, Truck, & Heavy Equipment Tech

Michael Mitchell - Aviation Technology

Russell Pontarolo - Welding Technology

Frank Riley - Automotive Technology

Vacant - Aviation Technology

Business & Information Technology

Jacilyn Jacobsen - Information Technology

Jane Kelley - Accounting

William Loring - Information Technology

Aletia Norwood - Accounting & Business

Scott Winters - Business

Health Sciences

Ken Boston - Emergency Medical Services (Program Director)

Jessica Brumbaugh - Nursing (Interim Program Director)

Nicole Danielzuk - Health Information Mgt. Systems (Program Director)

Kelly Dean - Nursing

Marcene Elwell - Surgical Technology (Program Director)

Karalea Fisher - Health Information Mgt. Systems

Jennifer Kellogg - Medical Laboratory Technician (Program Director)

Sallie Lucke - Nursing

Erica Muhr - Nursing

Alyssa Rice - Surgical Technology

Jennifer Seiler - Nursing

Kelsey Starks - BNA/Medaid Program Director

Sherri Yorges - Nursing

Nathan Walker - Nursing

Math and Science

Carl Baird - Anatomy & Physiology

Erandi Gunapala - Mathematics

William Hanson - Biology

Lorin King - Sciences

Andrew Lenzen - Mathematics

Dave Nelson - Chemistry

Nancy Resseguie - Mathematics

Tom Robinson - Mathematics

Katherine Schneider - Biology

Andrew Shiers - Mathematics

Amy Winters - Mathematics

Social Science and Human Performance

Royce Ammon - Social Sciences

Jacklyn Cawiezel - Psychology

Colin Croft - Philosophy

Hallie Feil - Social Sciences

Carrie Howton - Human Services & Psychology

Doug Jones - Athletic Training

Mike Jones - Physical Education

Patsy Yager - Early Childhood Education

Vacant - Criminal Justice

Libraries

Allison Reisig - Technical Services Librarian