“Western Nevada College’s 2022 emeritus appointments clearly share two common denominators: their dedication and long-term commitment to Western.

The six appointments collectively combined for 135-plus years of service to WNC and its students during their employment at the higher institution of learning.

Receiving emeritus status are Darla Dodge, budget officer and chief financial officer; Edda Gibson, nursing instructor; Dianne Hilliard, Admissions and Records director and registrar; Dr. Robert Morin, political science professor; Lupe Ramirez, Latino Leadership Academy creator and coordinator; and Troy Tingle, project manager for the Digital Campus Technology Media Group…”

Without the efforts of Ramirez, many first-generation Latino students wouldn’t have overcome their higher education barriers to achieve associate degrees, bachelor degrees and better-paying professional jobs in the workforce.

Presented with improving WNC’s college graduation rate for the area’s Latino population in 2010, Ramirez helped create the Latino Cohort, which later became the Latino Leadership Academy. The program eases students’ transition from high school to college by helping them overcome cultural obstacles while making them more successful students.

In 2018, Ramirez was selected as the Nevada ACT College and Career Readiness Postsecondary Champion, which celebrates individuals who make a positive impact on their communities through their efforts to advance college and career readiness. Two years earlier, WNC selected Ramirez as the Administrative Faculty of the Year Award winner. She now serves as a trustee for K-12 students in the Carson City School District.”