TMCC Commencement • May 10, 2024 2024 Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship Alixe Bunyard Alixe was born in Reno and attended the University of Oklahoma in Norman, where she was a member of the Naval ROTC battalion and graduated with a B.A. in International Security Studies. After graduation, Alixe was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy, proudly serving as a Surface Warfare Officer for four years. Driven by a devotion to her roots, Alixe returned to Reno to raise her family. Her commitment to service, however, did not diminish. In 2018, she joined the Nevada National Guard’s 152nd Airlift Wing, taking on the role of an Intelligence Officer. She is an ardent volunteer within the Air National Guard, dedicating her time to supporting moraleboosting events, such as BBQs for deploying Airmen and special occasions like trick-or-treating events for Airmen and their families. Alixe’s generosity is also expressed in her avid support for blood donation, seizing every available opportunity to contribute. Eager to continue serving her community and nation, she has been studying nursing at TMCC, and has wholeheartedly invested her time and energy into rejuvenating the Truckee Meadows Veterans Club. Her efforts are directed at planning social events, service days, and fundraisers. Her vision for the club is clear: to create a social network for veteran students, fostering a supportive environment throughout their academic journey, and providing opportunities for club members to continue their service to the community beyond their uniforms. 2024 Truckee Meadows Community College Alumna of the Year Edith Duarte Edith Duarte’s journey is one of relentless ambition and dedication to education and public service. After graduating from Truckee Meadows Community College, Edith continued her academic pursuits at the University of Nevada, Reno, earning a degree in International Affairs. She then embarked on the path of entrepreneurship, founding her own Government Affairs firm, Horne Duarte Government and Public Affairs, while simultaneously pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Edith’s achievements reflect her passion for making a difference in Nevada. She proudly serves on the Community Health Alliance Foundation Board where she has a positive impact on the availability of access to healthcare for underserved populations. Today, she still works in public affairs consulting where she embraces diverse representation in the legislative process and implementation.
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