For the second year in a row, photography students from Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) have received the Best in Show, Galleries, and Features award at the Reno Tahoe International Art Show (RTIA), held from September 11 to 14.
Professor Dean Burton, who leads the advanced photography class ART 299 Special Topics along with Instructor Brandon Lacow, said, “ART 299 Special Topics is an advanced photography class that has been producing exhibitions for several years. We have shown at McKinley Arts and Culture Center, TMCC’s main art gallery, and at RTIA.”
TMCC had a significant presence at this year's RTIA event. Visual Arts faculty participated in a group exhibition. Professor Candace Garlock presented additional work on the Sculpture Walk. Student Will Barber also held a solo photography exhibition.
The following student artists exhibited their work in the 2025 RTIA TMCC Photography exhibit: Will Barber, Kathryn Bowman, Barbara Dayes, Pedro M Gomez, Stephanie Hogen, Anthony Jacks, Steve Johnson, Hallee Lumsden, Bay Pevehouse, Jaime Ramey, Erhard Rathsack, Marianne Reger, Angela Scharff and Bill Strohschein.
In another development this month related to workforce education in Nevada, TMCC President Jeff Alexander joined other higher education leaders on a workforce development panel during the Elements of Change: Lithium & Strategic Minerals Forum 2025 in Las Vegas. The panel included Great Basin College President Dr. Amber Donelli; University of Nevada, Reno Provost Dr. Jeff Thompson; and Christine Whetten from Nevada Gold Mines’ talent acquisition team. The discussion focused on how education can support new industries such as lithium processing in Nevada.
The Nevada Strategic Growth Initiative (NSGI), which is privately funded, aims to shape the state’s economic future through efforts centered on education and advocacy.
“Our goal is to always improve our academic offerings in alignment with industry needs and anticipated growth,” Alexander said. “By collaborating with local businesses, community organizations, and government agencies, we can create opportunities that not only prepare students for high-demand careers but also advance Nevada’s economic growth.”
TMCC continues its role in preparing young people for success by offering driver’s education classes through its EPIC program (Educational Programs Inspiring the Community). These classes are designed for teens ages 15–18 and fulfill classroom requirements for obtaining a Nevada driver’s license. Scholarships for these classes are now available due to support from the State of Nevada Department of Public Safety and Office of Traffic Safety.
Additionally this semester saw students honor 46 TMCC employees as Career Champions—recognizing staff who have made significant contributions to their educational journeys across all five academic divisions and Student Services. Several honorees were nominated more than once:
Vanina Coudriet – Hospitality and Tourism Management
Julie McMahon – Veterinary Technology
Jarret Orcutt – Career and Partnership Programs Office
Kofi Poku – Management
Jonathan Reddick-Lau – Biology
Kristen Temme – Dental Hygiene
Award recipients are listed on the Career Champions webpage.