Student Spotlights

Class of 2020 | Student Spotlights

These students aspire to BE THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST in their respective fields of study, and we honor their commitment to capitalize on the investment that our remarkable faculty and staff have made in their future.

Noreen Castilo

Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology

Noreen Castilo completed her bachelor’s degree in 2020 and is now enrolled as a graduate student in the Speech Language Pathology department. She served as the first president of the Nevada National Student Speech and Hearing Association, offering guidance and support to other students while also volunteering in the community.

Alexandria Hughes

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Alexandria Hughes’ experience at Nevada State is a great example of a positive transformation. After starting degrees at other local institutions, she joined Nevada State in 2017, where she flourished. In addition to becoming involved with and learning about the Southern Nevada business community, she created an organization to discuss Black issues and served as a mentor to other students, sharing the wealth of her education and experiences.

Latosha Massey

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a Concentration in Special Education

Latosha Massey worked tirelessly to balance school, family, and work during her time at Nevada State College. As a strong student who set high expectations, Massey took the initiative to find proactive and productive solutions to educational issues. She now works with students with learning disabilities, autism, and other health impairments in her resource classroom, as well as provides support for students in general education classrooms.

Bianca Ortiz-Rodriguez

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

Bianca Ortiz struggled during her first semester, trying to juggle work and studies. She learned to utilize tutors, office hours, and the Writing Center to elevate her grades and now plans to pursue a master’s degree in library sciences. She has a goal of offering bilingual library programming to get young children excited about reading.

Naomi Rosen

Bachelor of Arts in Deaf Studies

Naomi Rosen was an outstanding student who completed the deaf studies major and interpreting minor while raising two young boys and volunteering in the community. She recently passed the Registry of Interpreters and Educational Interpreter Professional Assessment exams and is on her way to becoming one of Nevada State’s first registered interpreters. She continues to lift and inspire others in the professional world.

Natalia Torres Patarroyo

Bachelor of Science in Biology with a concentration in Cell and Molecular

During her first year at Nevada State College, Natalie Torres Patarroyo was adjusting to living in a new country and learning English in an academic setting. That didn’t stop her, though, and through her INBRE research program, she decided to pursue a graduate program in genetics. She also served as a biology course assistant, supporting and encouraging first-year students.

Kimberly Youdal

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Kim Youdal is a nontraditional, firstgeneration college student who credits nearly everyone at Nevada State College for helping her overcome obstacles to complete a nursing degree. During her education at Nevada State, she worked full time with the goal of becoming an emergency room nurse. Her nursing cohort recognized her as someone who always stepped up to help out, no matter the situation.

Class of 2021 | Student Spotlights

These students aspire to BE THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST in their respective fields of study, and we honor their commitment to capitalize on the investment that our remarkable faculty and staff have made in their future.

Carlos Arambula-Quintero

Bachelor of Science in Environmental & Resource Science

A Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals student (DACA), Carlos Arambula completed research related to environmental characterization of caves, air quality in smoking and nonsmoking areas at various casinos, and synthesis of fluorophores. He has presented his research at a national meeting as well as many local and regional meetings. His work garnered him several researchrelated awards, and he will continue his studies toward a doctorate in chemistry at the University of Utah.

Douglas Bradley

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Teammate, professional, quirky, fun, family man, and magician – these are just some of the ways Doug Bradley is described. He brought light and positivity to his cohort, and although he has family commitments, he took the time to mentor other students and volunteer in the community. Bradley, who even inspired his wife to join the nursing program, plans to continue his education to become a nurse anesthetist.

Melissa Camacho

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

Melissa Camacho epitomizes Scorpion pride through her passion, hard work, professionalism, and drive. She played a pivotal role in the Criminal Justice Club and dedicated her time to educating her peers as well as interning at local advocacy organizations. She completed an internship with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Family Justice Center and also worked for Nevada State’s Academic Success Center.

Raquel Campolla

Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with a Concentration in Special Education

Through her work and studies, Raquel Campolla demonstrates commitment and heart. Although her own educational journey began as her children finished high school, she persisted. During special education field experiences, Campolla would make appointments to discuss her observations, and these conversations revealed her spirit of wanting to support the most vulnerable students.

Veronica Hernandez

Bachelor of Arts in Visual Media

Veronica Hernandez is a talented filmmaker who brings vision and dedication to each of her films. She is a creative writer as well, completing a novella as part of her creative writing minor, and both her film and written work explore relationship dynamics and demonstrate a keen awareness of setting. Hernandez has also worked as a specialist in the Writing Center since 2018, becoming a team leader in technology and facilitating the transition to online services during the pandemic response.

Yanitza Marmolejos ’16

Masters in Education in Speech-Language Pathology

Yanitza Marmolejos is a Scorpion who completed both her undergraduate (Bachelor of Arts 2016) and graduate degrees at Nevada State College. As a firstgeneration Dominican-American and first-generation college student, she has accomplished a tremendous start to a great career. She is a role model and leader and was twice awarded the Speech Rehab Services Scholarship. Graduating with a 3.97 GPA this year, she plans to work in speechlanguage pathology in the areas of early intervention and autism.

Ricardo Oseguera-Cardona

Bachelor of Science in Business Administration

Ricardo OsegueraCardona completely submersed himself into the college culture through his high standards in academics and involvement in student government, where he played a significant role in creating a strategic plan for the organization. He has decided to take a year to participate in internships in two areas of interest to decide what kind of graduate program he will pursue.

Amy Quinn

Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology

Nontraditional student Amy Quinn epitomizes the strengths of Nevada State, bringing dedication, intelligence, and perseverance to all aspects of her studies. She demonstrated consistent dedication and perseverance, resulting in her graduating Summa Cum Laude. Quinn plans to devote her speechlanguage pathology career to working with children in Southern Nevada schools.