Western Nevada College News

Western Nevada College faculty and leadership were recognized with three of Nevada's highest Career and Technical Education (CTE) honors during the 2026 Nevada Association for Career and Technical Education (NVACTE) Excellence Awards, highlighting WNC's leadership in preparing Nevada's future workforce.

Dr. Dana Ryan, WNC's Vice President of Academic and Student Affairs, was named 2026 NVACTE Postsecondary Professional of the Year, the organization's highest recognition for postsecondary leadership in Career and Technical Education. As Nevada's recipient, Dr. Ryan will now advance as the state's nominee for the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) Region V Excellence Awards and national competition.

According to NVACTE, Dr. Ryan earned the honor for her visionary leadership in expanding dual-credit opportunities, strengthening partnerships with K-12 schools and industry, and creating seamless educational pathways that help students earn college credit, industry credentials and prepare for high-demand careers. Her work has expanded access to CTE programs while strengthening Nevada's workforce pipeline.

WNC Adjunct Professor Kristina Carey received the 2026 Teacher Educator of the Year Award, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to preparing the next generation of Career and Technical Education instructors. Through her work with Western Nevada College, NevadaTeach and the Nevada Department of Education, Carey has mentored future educators, led statewide initiatives supporting Perkins V and Career and Technical Student Organizations, and helped improve CTE programs across Nevada.

Carey also played a key role in designing and launching WNC's CTE Teacher Licensure program, a partnership developed with Dr. Ryan and Tina Statucki, NVACTE director, to address a critical need for qualified CTE educators in Nevada. The program helps CTE teachers meet state licensure requirements and remain in classrooms across the state, strengthening the pipeline of educators who prepare students for high-demand careers. Carey serves as the primary faculty member for the program's courses.

Heather Kuntz, an affiliate faculty member at WNC and Health Science instructor at Fernley High School, was honored as 2026 New Teacher of the Year. In just a short time, Kuntz has built innovative Health Science programs that include Emergency Medical Technician and Community Health pathways, expanded dual-credit opportunities through WNC, and developed work-based learning experiences with North Lyon Fire. Under her leadership, students have achieved a 100 percent pass rate on both the National Registry EMT certification exam and the Certified Community Health Worker credential while program enrollment has grown by nearly 30 percent.

"Receiving three statewide honors in one year is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the talent, dedication and innovation of our faculty and academic leaders," said WNC President Dr. J. Kyle Dalpe. "Dana, Kristina and Heather are expanding opportunities for students, strengthening partnerships throughout Nevada and helping prepare the highly skilled workforce our communities need. We are incredibly proud to see their work recognized by their peers across the state."

The annual NVACTE Excellence Awards recognize educators and leaders who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to Career and Technical Education, student success and workforce development throughout Nevada.

For more information about WNC's CTE Teacher Licensure program, visit https://wnc.edu/discipline/career-technical-education/index.