Western Texas College

Western Texas College introduces their new Director of College Advancement, Kat Neilson of Ft. Collins, Colorado.

Neilson comes to WTC after serving for 5 years as the Curator and Operations Manager of the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum in Leadville, CO. In addition to the historic preservation of buildings and caring for the museum's exhibits and collections, Neilson spearheaded fund raising, event planning and re-development of the membership program.

At WTC, Neilson brings a vision to introduce new and reinvigorate existing WTC Foundation programs like the Walk of Honor and annual giving campaigns. "We currently do not have a formal alumni program. Over the years many people have come through Western Texas College. WTC has been a springboard into their continued academic and career success. We want to create a way for alumni to share their stories of how WTC helped them achieve their goals."

"The college does an excellent job of working with the local community to develop programs that make a difference here at home. Energy is obviously big business in West Texas. Our Petroleum Technology and Wind and Solar Programs are but several examples of the college preparing students to fill positions of local employers."

Neilson's desire is that the WTC Foundation will continue to increase its involvement with the community. "For example, the college organizes and sponsors the United Way Fall Fest. It's a much anticipated annual event with lots of local family participation, all to raise money for our local United Way. This year's event is on October 23rd and we're looking forward to it."

WTC's Foundation also funds educational and cultural activities as well as campus facility improvement and development. "We recently provided computers for the college's Graphic Design program and new livestock pens for the Coliseum. By reinvigorating our alumni base and stepping up our activities, we hope to do more for the school and community."

A significant arm of the WTC Foundation's funding goes to scholarships. Says Neilson, "We give tens of thousands of dollars to students desiring to further their education at WTC. We believe a connected and established alumni network will allow us to increase the amount of scholarships we can award and create new opportunities for our students."

"We are in the last stages of developing a WTC alumni website that will be a place alumni can connect with the college and keep up with what's happening on campus. Ultimately, we'd like to develop an alumni network capable of connecting current students at our junior college with past graduates already established in their respective areas of expertise."

Neilson encourages all WTC alumni to contact her to update their contact information. "We look forward to hearing how WTC helped them achieve their dreams in hopes of encouraging current students that their dreams can also come true."

Kat Neilson can be contacted at: foundation@wtc.edu