Z Z U B THE nt Newsletter e m e g a g n E y it Commun
THE BEE HIVE? D N U RO A G IN ZZ U B S T' WHA - Oct. 2020 t. p e S E R IE M E R P
The Dreamer's EDITION
Kimberly Florence, Ph.D. Community Resources Coordinator, CEDI
F O E L B TA S T N E T CON
Lizbeth Vega
Moee Turbin
Student Worker, CEDI & NSSA
Student Worker, CEDI
Dear Community Partners, I am thrilled to introduce you to the first edition of "The Buzz." This newsletter is a labor of love. Working alongside my two talented student workers Lizbeth Vega and Moee Turbin, we developed an informative, creative, and interactive newsletter for your enjoyment. Welcome to the Scorpion Family! Please take a moment to review our student, faculty, and staff highlights along with the various initiatives and events happening at Nevada State College. They are all the buzz these days!
Kind Regards, Dr. Florence
Student Highlight
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Faculty Highlight
2 Staff Highlight
3 Testimonials
4 The Dreamer's Club TheDream.US
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SCORPION FAMILY Dear Community Partners, It pleases me to introduce “The Buzz” and welcome you to our growing and diverse Scorpion Family.
Edith Fernandez, Ph.D. Vice President of College & Community Engagement
As the Vice President of College and Community Engagement at Nevada State College (NSC), I recognize the significance of establishing meaningful relationships with the local community. Nevada State College stands to develop connections that do not only benefit our students, faculty, and staff but also serve and contribute towards the betterment of this great State. I see The Buzz as one means for communicating this message. I want to thank Dr. Kimberly Florence, and students Lizbeth Vega and Moee Turbin for their hard work. I am proud of this initiative and the many enterprises under the leadership of Dr. Pao Vue. Be bold, be great, and be State. Sincerely, Edith Fernandez, Ph.D. Vice President of College and Community Engagement
STUDENT HIGHLIGHT
Nayelli
Major: Communications with a concentration in Media Studies Minor: Sociology, Social Justice, and Gender & Sexuality
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Nayelli Rico Lopez CEDI, Student Worker
NSSA Senior Senator Senior Student, NSC
Nayelli has a heart for service. A hard worker, she is selfless in her intention to give back to the NSC campus community. The former President of the Dreamers Club, Senior Senator on the Involvement Committee, and a member of the African American Student Taskforce are not easy achievements. She has overcome many barriers and challenges to be where she is today. Nayelli continues to strive to make a better life for herself and those around her. I know that she will make an excellent professor one day by continuing to give back as she always does. -Vincent Nava, CEDI Program Coordinator
Ms. Nayelli Rico Lopez is a Senior student at Nevada State College (NSC). Nayelli decided to enroll at NSC because the campus community felt intimate, and the class sizes were small. She stated, “When touring the campus, I found the staff members to be helpful and inviting. I immediately knew that I would be supported at Nevada State College and decided to join the Scorpion Family.” Nayelli was accepted into the seventh cohort of the Nepantla Program and is a recipient of the TheDream.US Scholarship. Nepantla is a competitive four-year program dedicated to empowering “first-generation students through academic skills, access to resources, community building, and professional success through self-discovery.” Nayelli describes her experience at NSC as fulfilling. She stated the “faculty, staff, and students are constantly looking for ways to involve the student voice and perspective in everything they do. I have been encouraged and empowered by so many professors, staff members, and fellow students to use my voice and advocate for myself, my community, and the student body.” After graduation, Nayelli aspires to continue her education by attending graduate school. She hopes to become a professor with a concentration in social justice, sociology, equity and diversity in education, and gender, race, and identity. Overall, her passion is to “educate, and most importantly, play an impactful role in the college experience of many students.”
ACADEMIC FACULTY HIGHLIGHT
Shantal
Alma Mater: Undergraduate in Psychology and Sociology University of Los Angeles, California (UCLA)| Class of 2004 Doctorate in Social Psychology Stanford University|Class of 2011
Shantal Marshall, Ph.D. Associate Professor Psychology, NSC
Dr. Marshall is a phenomenal professor. Learning from her has been an amazing experience. She makes the classroom fun and interesting, especially for a non-traditional student like myself. Dr. Marshall also cares for her students and wants to see us succeed. Once she shared with me a saying from her mother, it is “El flojo siempre trabaja dos veces.” The quote translates into, “The lazy man does twice as much.” I think of these words as a daily reminder. I believe in giving a person their flowers while they can still smell them. Dr. Marshall does so much for the NSC campus. I’m honored to know her, learn from her, and see the outcome of her hard work. -Nakayla Brown, NSC Student
Dr. Shantal Marshall is an Associate Professor of Psychology at Nevada State College. She currently has a research lab called MISA or the Media, Identity, and Social Attitudes lab. Managed alongside undergraduate assistants, Dr. Marshall described a project they are currently working on as “investigating people’s music preferences and how those preferences might reflect important identities that people have.” Race and ethnicity are critical to all the research conducted in the MISA lab. According to Dr. Marshall, “we focus a lot of our efforts on recruiting truly diverse research samples since much of psychological research is done on largely White, middle-class samples.” Her research assistants hope to go on to graduate school and resume studies related to race, inequality, and inequity. For Dr. Marshall, Nevada State College is “striving to create educational opportunities like no other in the state, and even the country. I am continually in awe of our students, and I do not doubt that they can change the world for the better.” To best understand students’ preparation for success, Dr. Marshall’s lab conducted a study called the College Lingo project. Generated from the Hispanic Serving Institution Taskforce, the research aims to understand what first-year students found confusing upon entry into college. Then, the knowledge gathered allowed for disseminating information, including general college terms used across the NSC campus. In conclusion, when she is not cultivating the next great thinkers, Dr. Marshall enjoys being social. She stated, “I often host game nights and parties or plan outings like an escape room or going to see a movie as a big group. I’m also a big fan of dancing, whether it’s in a workout class or out on the town. Studying racial inequality can often make one feel like the world is an awful place. Creating fun memories with loved ones helps to balance that feeling.”
ADMINISTRATIVE FACULTY HIGHLIGHT
Esmeralda
Alma Mater: Undergraduate - University California State University, Channel islands Masters San Jose State University
Esmeralda Carretero Academic Advisor, NSC
Esme is one of the most passionate and dedicated individuals I have ever met. I admire her love of education and culture. Also, when it comes to our students, she will always go above and beyond for them. Esme inspired me to delve even deeper into my own Latina roots, which has been such a gift. I am proud to work alongside Esmeralda as a colleague and am fortunate to share a friendship with her. There is a lot to “buzz” about when it comes to Esme. -Laura Hinojosa, NSC Case Manager
Esmeralda Carretero is an Academic Advisor and Scholar Activist at Nevada State College. Her work extends beyond daily office hours. Esmeralda described her intention “to work with and for the broader community [by] focusing on underserved minoritized communities.” One project Esmeralda is involved in includes collaboration with the Office of Community Engagement and Diversity Initiatives (CEDI). She is the Chair for the Staff and Faculty DACA/Undocumented subcommittee, which integrates her knowledge and experience both as an advisor and researcher. Esmeralda also participates in the NSHE All Access Committee that is composed of NSHE representatives from across the state. Together they, “facilitate conversations and share resources to better support all immigrant and first-generation students.” The most recent projects include a DACA Townhall and focus groups with students from each NSHE institution. Esmeralda described Nevada State College as “providing an excellent education that is both innovative and affordable.” “My favorite part of NSC is the amazing and diverse student body population as well as faculty and staff. The small community allows for everyone to interact and support each other’s work. The beautiful landscape is definitely not one to miss out on-- sunsets are the best!” Esmeralda would love to engage in partnerships with grassroots organizations who have an interest in offering their expertise to NSC students and are committed to social justice and/or restorative practices.
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Shantal Dr. Marshall is a great mentor and professor. She is interested in making sure students are successful both academically and in their careers. Her lectures are engaging. I enjoy every class I take with her because she goes the extra mile to help students. Dr. Marshall’s teaching methods and guidance have helped me take the next step towards graduate school. It is an honor to work closely with her as a research assistant. Overall, Dr. Marshall has encouraged me to become a better student and to overcome life obstacles regardless of my circumstances. - Alex Estrada, NSC Studentt
Esmeralda
Esmeralda’s compassion and dedication to students are what make her a great academic advisor. Nevada State College is a Hispanic Serving Institution that also serves the majority of first-generation students. Both populations need more emotional and educational support compared to their counterparts. Esmeralda recognizes those needs and ensures students’ feelings and concerns are validated and addressed to the best of her ability. She provides a non-judgmental, safe, and vulnerable place for students, which can be hard to find in other institutions. I appreciate the wealth of knowledge and perspective that Esmeralda brings to the NSC community. I am fortunate to work with such a wonderful colleague. -Margie Toves, NSC Faculty Member
Nayelli
I had the pleasure of working with Nayelli in her freshman year of college. As her instructor, it was clear that Nayelli is a compassionate leader. She cares for her peers while also having high expectations for herself and others. What is most impressive about Nayelli is her ability to develop her leadership skills furthermore, achieve academically. Her future is bright, and I know she will never stop working to impact the world positively. I am excited about Nayelli's next chapter. I am also hopeful my son will grow up in a world with people like Nayelli are leading the way. -Phillip LaMotte, Director of Student Life
After four years and three colleges, I was sure college wasn’t for me. Dr. Marshall has been the most significant influence in helping to change my mindset and realize my potential. She taught me how to think, ask questions, and find answers. Also, Dr. Marshall taught me how to take this information and change my corner of the world. For instance, she asks students for feedback on the future of the institution and how we would like to see the campus improve. Dr. Marshall takes this information and uses her voice to make ours heard. She confirms that at NSC we are truly great. - Christina Yeghiazarian, NSC Student
Esmeralda is complimentary, caring, and generous when talking with Nevada State College students, faculty, and staff. She takes the extra time to get to know our students and goes above and beyond when providing additional resources outside of advising. Esmeralda will ask difficult questions to understand the root of a student’s needs. As a colleague, I can always depend on her. Whether it is for an idea or the implementation of a new initiative, I know when speaking with Esme that she is thinking, how can this help ALL students. -Noelle Garcia, NSC Manager for Career Services Esmeralda is a fabulous advisor Esmeralda is one of those people that makes you feel understood. She is culturally and goes above and beyond with her work. She makes everyone aware and immediately puts herself in the feel welcomed and is very shoes of her students. Esmeralda is happy respectful. to participate and stay involved in everything on campus. NSC is lucky to have her as an -Diana Felix, NSC Students advisor! -Ruben Serna, NSC Student
Briana Saldivar President of The Dreamer's Club Junior Student, NSC
DREAMER'S CLUB "Dreamer's Club provides support and resources for undocumented and DACA students. It is through working together with our campus and community allies that we support our students in their educational pursuits and everyday life, regardless of their immigration status. We work towards building a network, community, and family within our club that uplifts the undocumented population. Our members come from all walks of life, but as a club, we are all here to support each other."
A DREAM COME TRUE. Did You Know? Nevada State College is the only NSHE institution with TheDream.US Scholarship Program. TheDream.US partners with over 70+ colleges whose leaders are committed to addressing the barriers and challenges DREAMers face in getting into and through college. Nevada State College is the only college in the state of Nevada that partners with TheDream.US. Currently, Nevada State College is home to more than 90 scholars.
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TheDream.US scholarship means my entire future. It was the opportunity I needed to attend college. The opportunity to truly make my parent's sacrifices worth it. The Dream. US has changed my life because it has allowed me to get a degree where I will be working in my dream career. This scholarship has enabled me to pursue higher education and obtain a Bachelor’s degree. I would not have been able to go to college without this scholarship and not have been able to advance academically in life.
STUDENT SUPPORT The Office of Community Engagement and Diversity Initiatives is seeking to establish partnerships with community organizations. These partnerships are mutually beneficial and help to enrich our institution and the surrounding community. If you are interested in partnering with us, please click the link below.
Let's Engage!
BECOME A PARTNER
National Mi Gente Heritage Month
CEDI EVENTS Mi Gente: Film Screening/ Documentary 9/17/2020 4 pm - 6pm | Virtual Mi Gente: Latinx Luncheon - 9/29/2020 4 pm - 6pm | Virtual M3 Event: Professional Dress - 10/1/2020 4 pm - 6pm | Virtual Mi Gente: Student Panel - 10/8/2020 4 pm - 6pm | Virtual Operation Hope - 10/13/2020 4 pm - 6pm | Virtual Mi Gente: Teatro Campesino - 10/15/2020 4 pm - 6pm | Virtual
RSVP TO OUR EVENTS
Thank you for reviewing The Buzz! Please contact us with any questions, and follow us on social media. If you are a member of the NSC community and would like to nominate a student, faculty, or staff member to highlight in The Buzz, please click below.
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cedi@nsc.edu