$10,000 given to WNCC to help with outreach to rural schools

SBC Communications Inc. has donated $10,000 to Western Nevada Community College in support of "One Stop Recruiting Shop" technology to be used when traveling to rural high schools.

The college will purchase hand-held personal computers that allow immediate feedback and expanded services to reach more students. Counselors in the field can meet with students and immediately schedule counseling and testing appointments or answer questions about registration with the new, portable technology.

WNCC serves more than 6,000 students each semester in urban and rural communities with campuses in Carson City, Fallon and Minden/Gardnerville, as well as instructional centers in Dayton, Fernley, Hawthorne, Lovelock, Smith Valley and Yerington.

"WNCC is committed to providing high school students a smooth transition into college," said Dean of Student Services Dan Neverett. "We are extremely grateful to SBC for their continued commitment to enriching the scope of our work - they are more than just donors; they are partners in improving and strengthening the resources we provide to our community."

With the development of new applications, colleges and other nonprofit organizations are finding innovative ways to employ technology to meet their missions, such as distance learning and outreach to rural areas. But ideas often outpace resources, and many of these organizations face technological limitations on a daily basis.

SBC technology grants are designed to address the shortfall by providing the funding needed for critical infrastructure, such as communications systems, computer networks, client management databases and Internet access.

"We strongly believe in providing valuable resources at the local level, meeting each community's needs on an individual basis," said Kris Wells, external affairs manager for SBC.

"By supporting WNCC, SBC gives back to our community by providing students with valuable tools to ensure acceptance into college, in addition to presenting three $1,000 scholarships each year to WNCC students to ease the transition."

n Submitted by Anne Hansen, WNCC director of information and marketing services.