About Truckee Meadows Community College

Dandini Campus and Downtown Reno

TMCC's Dandini Campus, Reno, Nevada

Truckee Meadows Community College is a comprehensive community college located in Reno, Nevada, and is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education.

The College serves nearly 20,000 students each year in credit and non-credit programs at four educational sites and more than 20 community locations.

TMCC is northern Nevada's jobs college, preparing qualified students for jobs in industries right here in Nevada. In fact, 95% of our students remain in Nevada after completing their studies, helping to build and support our local community. TMCC students, graduates, employees and infrastructure put more than $678 million into the region's economy each year.

TMCC is continually growing and finding new ways to prepare students for jobs in our community. Offering academic and university transfer, occupational training, career enhancement workshops and classes just for fun, TMCC is the fastest growing college in northern Nevada.

President's Message

 Dr. Karin Hilgersom

A welcome message from TMCC President Dr. Karin Hilgersom.

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College Viewbook

 Fall Campus

Get to know TMCC at-a-glance with this publication made to answer all your questions.

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Locations

 TMCC Dandini Campus

TMCC serves nearly 13,000 students yearly at our four educational sites and over 20 community locations.

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Maps

 Campus Maps

View or download our campus maps to help you find your way around.

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Parking Information

 Parking

TMCC Parking is free and open to the public at all TMCC sites and educational centers.

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Vision

TMCC is a leader in innovative education, meeting student and community needs.

Mission

Create a future you will love with accessible, innovative educational opportunities at TMCC. Together we can make it happen.  

Values

The values upon which Truckee Meadows Community College bases its mission and vision statements are the principles, standards and qualities the College considers worthwhile and desirable.

Dandini Campus 1970s

Aerial shot of TMCC circa late 1970s when only the Red Mountain Building existed.

Truckee Meadows Community College is committed to:

  • Student access and success
  • Excellence in teaching and learning
  • Evidence of student progress through assessment of student outcomes
  • Nurturing a climate of innovative and creative thought
  • Collaborative decision making
  • Community development through partnerships and services
  • Ethical practices and integrity
  • Respect, compassion, and equality for all persons
  • Embracing diversity and inclusion
  • Responsible and sustainable use of resources
  • Fostering attitudes that exemplify responsible participation in a democratic society
  • A healthy environment and a healthy college community

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) is situated on the traditional homelands of the Numu (Northern Paiute), Wašiw (Washoe), Newe (Western Shoshone), Nuwu (Southern Paiute) peoples. These lands have been a place of gathering for Indigenous Peoples and we honor the original caretakers. We recognize their deep connections to these places and extend our appreciation for the opportunity to live and learn in this space.

History and Timeline

Community college courses in Reno and Sparks were first offered in 1971 at Stead Air Base and shortly thereafter in classrooms provided by the Washoe County Schools. In its infancy, Western Nevada Community College operated out of Carson City, but from the very beginning, the greater Reno-Sparks area college operation had its own student organizations, faculty senates, and administrative organizations. With its rapid growth in student enrollment, a name change established Truckee Meadows Community College, located at the Dandini Campus, in 1979.

  • 2023 (August): The William N. Pennington Health Science Center addition debuts four new classroom spaces and a suite of new faculty offices.
  • 2023 (May): The Ceremonial Mace debuts at the Commencement Ceremony.
  • 2022: A strong community partnership with Tesla results in a dedicated classroom at the William N. Pennington Applied Technology Center.
  • 2021–2022: TMCC honors its past and looks ahead to the future with a year-long 50th Anniversary celebration, including a mashed-up Holiversary event.
  • 2020-2021: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, TMCC offers classes and services remotely. The combined Classes of 2020 and 2021 celebrate with five days of drive-through Commencement Ceremonies in May 2021.
  • 2020 (January): The new Sports and Fitness Center, located at the Dandini Campus, opened for the Spring 2020 Semester.

  • 2019 (August): The soccer field is completed, and the Mighty Lizards Men's and Women's Soccer teams begin their first season.
  • 2019 (May): The Nell J. Redfield Performing Arts Center celebrates its final performances before the location closes permanently.
  • 2019 (February): The Learning Commons, housing the Elizabeth Sturm Library and the Tutoring and Learning Center, celebrates a grand re-opening.
  • 2018 (August): The East Parking lot opens at the Dandini Campus, and the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program moves to the Meadowood North building.
  • 2017 (September): TMCC Announced Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Designation.
  • 2017 (April): The Frank N. Bender Center for Applied Logistics Management (CALM) opens in the Meadowood North building. In addition, the Adopt A Vet dental clinic, located in the TMCC Dental Hygiene Clinic, opens via a partnership with Northern Nevada Dental Health Programs.
  • 2016 (August): TMCC begins offering classes for the first-ever Bachelor of Applied Science degree programs, including Logistics Operations Management, and Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Also, the Wizard's Warehouse food pantry opens at the Dandini Campus and Meadowood Center.
  • 2015 (October): TMCC's High Tech Center (Building B at Redfield Campus) is renovated and renamed as the William N. Pennington Health Science Center at Redfield. This new addition houses the Maxine S. Jacobs Nursing Program, the Radiologic Technology Program, the Veterinary Technician Program and the Certified Nursing Assistant Program. The Health Science Center now includes a leading-edge nursing lab, four simulation rooms with two standard patient rooms, biology preparatory lab, nursing computer lab, help desk for IT and the library, conference room and faculty offices.
  • 2015 (September): In accordance with the decision approved by the Board of Regents, the site formerly known as the IGT Applied Technology Center is now known as the Applied Technology Center.

  • 2005: The Redfield Campus is completed; UNR occupies Building A and TMCC occupies Building B, known as the TMCC High Tech Center at Redfield.
  • 2004: Grand opening of the V. James Eardley Student Center on the Dandini Campus in the Red Mountain Building. This $12 million project includes 45,000 sq. ft. of new construction, in addition to 65,000 sq. ft. of renovated space. Includes new culinary arts center, Golden Frog restaurant, bookstore, art gallery, physical education facility, cafeteria, career services, academic advisement, disability resources, and campus starting point.
  • 2002-03: Ten-year lease approved by the Board of Regents for former Keystone Theater space in Reno; performing arts classes begin at the leased space now known as the Nell J. Redfield Foundation Performing Arts Center.
  • 2003: Classes begin at a new space in Reno's Meadowood Center for classes previously held at the leased Old Town Mall space.
  • 2000: Redfield Campus partners break ground in south Reno on a collaborative campus of UNR, TMCC and WNC. (The new Redfield Campus will be completed and ready for students in 2005.)

  • 1998-99: The new Technical Education Center (Applied Technology Center) becomes available for occupancy and is renamed the IGT Applied Technology Center.
  • 1997: Work begins on an 83,000 sq. ft. facility, referred to as the "Technical Education Center" (on Edison Way) for advanced and applied programs of technology.
  • 1996 (October): Construction is completed on the Advanced Technology Center (Sierra Building). The 73,500 square foot building provides students with additional computer availability and class offerings.
  • 1996 (January): New 33,000 sq. ft. Library is completed on the Dandini Campus.
  • 1995: Ground is broken for the new "Advanced Technology Center" (Sierra Building).
  • 1991: Construction begins on two buildings: the E.L. Cord Foundation Child Care Center and a classroom building (the Vista Building) containing 42,358 sq. ft. of space to accommodate over 1,000 students. Parking facilities for 339 cars in the new south lot are also made available.
  • 1990: In addition to expanding the Dandini Campus, the College establishes a new building to house industrial technology programs, and begins leasing classroom space in Reno's Old Town Mall.

  • 1988: TMCC's Learning Resource Center renamed "Elizabeth Sturm Library" honoring Elizabeth Sturm for her years of service to Nevada libraries.
  • 1986: Groundbreaking ceremonies for a 42,000 sq. ft. addition to TMCC. New facility added to the existing Red Mountain Building includes southern expansion and a separate building (housing auto, diesel and HVAC labs), as well as expansion to the existing library and 300 additional parking spaces.
  • 1980: Approximately 100,000 sq. feet are added to existing space to accommodate expanding health occupations, business, trade and industry occupations, liberal arts, and community service programs.

  • 1979: The Board of Regents splits Western Nevada Community College, and establishes Truckee Meadows Community College. TMCC becomes the fourth community college within the Nevada System of Higher Education.
  • 1976: The first of the multi-phases of construction for a campus on Dandini Boulevard in Reno is completed. The Dandini Campus becomes the central hub for staff, programs and students.
  • 1971: Governor Mike O'Callaghan dedicates "Western Nevada Community College" (WNCC) as one of three community colleges in the Community College Division of the Nevada System of Higher Education.
  • 1969: The Nevada State Legislature establishes the community college system.

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