08/24/2026
Alyssa Rice didn’t originally come to Western Nebraska Community College planning to study Surgical Technology. She moved to the area from McCook to attend nursing school at UNMC. During her second year, she learned more about Surgical Technology and realized it was a much better fit for her. She transferred to WNCC’s program, graduated with honors in 2017 and started her career as a Surgical Technologist.
As a student, Rice appreciated the smaller environment at WNCC. She knew she learned best when she could ask questions, get one-on-one help and actually get to know her instructors. At WNCC, she never felt like she was just another student in a classroom. She was able to build relationships with her instructors and found the support she needed to succeed.
After earning her Associate of Applied Science in Surgical Technology, Rice went to work at Oregon Trail Eye Center, where she spent five years in the operating room. She also worked as a Surgical Technologist at Regional West Medical Center and continues to work there PRN. While working in the field, she always enjoyed having students in the operating room with her. She liked sharing what she knew and seeing students become more comfortable and confident as they learned.
In 2020, Rice was given the opportunity to return to WNCC as an adjunct instructor in the Surgical Technology program. Teaching wasn’t something she had ever pictured herself doing, and at first she wasn’t sure she was qualified for it. Marcene Elwell encouraged her to give it a chance. Rice started out teaching a few courses while continuing to work in the field. When she was offered a full-time position in 2022, she says it was probably the quickest yes of her life.
Now one of WNCC’s Surgical Technology instructors, Rice gets to spend her days doing something she genuinely enjoys. She can talk about surgery, share what she has learned from working in the operating room and help students prepare for their own careers. One of her favorite parts of teaching is watching students gain confidence and seeing the moment when something they have been working on finally clicks.
Life outside the classroom is just as busy. Rice and her husband have been married for almost 10 years and have three kids she describes as “amazing and ornery.” Her husband also attended WNCC and took a few classes, so the college has been part of both of their lives. When she isn’t teaching or keeping up with her kids’ activities, Rice enjoys playing softball, reading a good thriller, working on craft projects and watching Husker sports. Go Big Red!
Rice never expected that changing her career path would eventually lead her back to the same program where she got her start. WNCC helped her figure out what she wanted to do. Now, she gets to give WNCC students the same kind of support and encouragement that helped her when she was in their shoes.
