Nevada State College Black & Gold Annual 2017-2018 Anniversary Edition

black gold [+]

[2017–2018] ANNIVERSARY EDITION

A NEVADA STATE COLLEGE PUBLICATION

THEN TO NOW: MAKING BOLD STRIDES TOWARD A GREAT FUTURE

Nevada State AT A GLANCE

4,214 24

12%

TOTAL STUDENT BODY

GROWTH FROM PREVIOUS YEAR

39

%

MEDIAN CLASS SIZE

68%

EMPLOYEES OF COLOR

$

OF STUDENTS RECEIVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE (scholarships, grants, waivers, and loans)

20.7 MILLION

IN FINANCIAL AID & SCHOLARSHIPS AWARDED BY NEVADA STATE TO STUDENTS IN 2017

MAJORS Allied Health Sciences* Biology

Concentration options in cell and molecular biology, ecology and evolution, or physiology

Business Administration Communication

Concentration option in public relations and media studies

Criminal Justice Deaf Studies Elementary Education

Concentration option in special education

Engineering Technology*

Concentration options in computer technology, electronics, or telecommunications

English Environmental and Resource Science History

Concentration option in pre-law

Interdisciplinary Studies School of Education

School of Liberal Arts & Sciences

School of Nursing

61

211

139

TOTAL 2017 GRADUATES

TOTAL 2017 GRADUATES

TOTAL 2017 GRADUATES

61% PART-TIME STUDENTS

58%

Asian Black or African-American Hispanic of Any Race

GENDER

AGE

Mathematics

Concentration option in mathematics education

Nursing Nursing (RN to BSN) Psychology

50%

75%

MALE

25%

Under 17

2%

1% 12% 8% 32% 1%

Race and Ethnicity Unknown

8%

Two or More Races

5% 32%

All data is from the fall 2017 student population as reported in IPEDS.

RACE & ETHNICITY

Concentration options in biology, English, history, mathematics, or physical sciences

Speech Pathology Visual Media

17-24

FEMALE

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

White

Management

Secondary Education

FIRST-GENERATION STUDENTS

American Indian or Alaska Native

Law Enforcement

Concentration options in animation or digital cinema production

Over 24

48%

MINORS Biology Business Chemistry Communication Counseling Criminal Justice Deaf Studies Education/Instruction Educational Technology English Entrepreneurship Environmental and Resource Science

Gender and Sexuality History Horticulture (certificate) Law Enforcement Mathematics Pre-Law Professional Writing Promotion Psychology Social Justice Sociology Visual Media

*Available only to CSN students.

Thank you for reading the Black & Gold Annual.

Your feedback and story ideas are welcome!

Please submit entries to:

BLACK & GOLD ANNUAL EDITORIAL STAFF Managing Editor Claire Wentzel Nevada State College Brand Manager claire.wentzel@nsc.edu

NEVADA STATE COLLEGE LEADERSHIP Bart Patterson President Vickie Shields, Ph.D. Provost & Executive Vice President Kevin Butler Vice President, Finance & Business Operations

Gwen Sharp, Ph.D. Associate Vice Provost for Academic Initiatives Gregory Robinson, Ph.D. Associate Vice Provost for Student Success Dennis Potthoff, Ph.D. Dean, School of Education

Editors Robyn Campbell-Ouchida, M.A. All Write Business Communications ouchida@cox.net

Edith Fernández, Ph.D. Associate Vice President, Community Engagement & Diversity Initiatives

LaNelda Rolley, M.A. Nevada State College Director of Marketing & Events lanelda.rolley@nsc.edu

Erin Keller, CFRE Associate Vice President, Institutional Advancement

Ludy Llasus, Ph.D., APRN, NP-C Interim Dean, School of Nursing

Tony Scinta, Ph.D. Executive Vice Provost

Richard Yao, Ph.D. Dean of Students

Danielle Welch, M.Ed. Nevada State College Campus Engagement & Special Events Manager danielle.welch@nsc.edu Designer Laura Malmgren, M.A. Smudge Pot Creative smudgepot.creative@gmail.com Many thanks to all who contributed to the 2017–2018 Black & Gold Anniversary Edition.

BLACK & GOLD ANNUAL

A Nevada State College Publication nsc.edu facebook.com/nevadastatecollege twitter.com/nevadastate instagram.com/nevadastatecollege 1300 Nevada State Drive Henderson, NV 89002 (702) 992-2000

Andy Kuniyuki, Ph.D. Dean, School of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Amber Lopez Lasater Chief of Staff

For information on donating to the college, or to learn about the alumni association and share updates, please contact: Erin Keller, CFRE Nevada State College Associate Vice President, Institutional Advancement Erin.Keller@nsc.edu | (702) 992-2356 GIVE ONLINE at nsc.edu/giving

NEVADA STATE COLLEGE MISSION STATEMENT At Nevada State College, excellence fosters opportunity.

Excellence in teaching leads to innovative, technologyrich learning opportunities that promote the acquisition of interdisciplinary knowledge and skills. Quality, affordable four-year degree programs open the door to career success and enhanced quality of life for a diverse population of students. Our graduates, in turn, foster the greatest opportunity—the promise of a stronger community and a better future for all of Nevada.

Letter from the PRESIDENT I am proud of the progress and accomplishments of Nevada State College over the last year.

We are experiencing a period of tremendous growth and innovation. Our fall 2017 freshman class increased by more than 70 percent. Equally as exciting, we were successful in retaining 80 percent of those students! You can imagine our delight when the Chronicle of Higher Education recognized Nevada State as one of the fastest-growing colleges in the nation.

With our incredible growth, securing additional space is a priority. We were pleased to acquire a two-story office building adjacent to campus in February. Our renovations will create a onestop Student Services Center.

BART PATTERSON

Solving the state’s teacher shortage remains top of mind for Nevada’s leaders. Nevada State is committed to proactively growing our pipeline of educators. Our first master’s degree program in speech-language pathology was approved by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents. We are also developing an early childhood education degree program. We have a major fundraising project underway for our new School of Education building!

We also know there is an incredible need for more health science professionals to alleviate a critical health care workforce shortage. To expand training for nurses, emergency medical technicians, and other health care professionals, the Legislature allocated planning funds for a 70,000-square-foot Health Science building, to be located at the College of Southern Nevada Henderson campus near Nevada State. The two institutions will go to the Nevada Legislature in 2019 to ask for the remaining construction funds. The Engelstad Family Foundation announced the first major gift of $3 million for the proposed building, which is intended to be matched by another $3 million from the community before the start of the next legislative session.

Nevada State College was awarded a $2.7 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Hispanic-serving institution (HSI) Title V program, the first HSI grant in state history and the largest grant in the college’s history! The grant is designed to attract more Hispanic high school students to the education field, assist them in passing the teacher competency exams, and decrease the students’ time to finish their degrees. The college was recognized in the Latino Leaders Magazine 2017 annual survey as one of the best colleges in the country for Hispanic students, joining a number of fine institutions, such as New York University, Stanford, and Arizona State University, among others.

In closing, along with these many accomplishments, we are celebrating milestones with Nevada State’s 15th anniversary in April and the largest graduating class to date at our May commencement. I am so honored for the opportunity to lead our dynamic institution and partner with our community and business stakeholders.

Be bold. Be great. Be State.

Bart Patterson President

What’s INSIDE 4 8 12 18 22 24 26 30 34 40 44 46

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS

Nevada State College is celebrating 15 years

SCHOOL OF EDUCATION TEACHERS NOW campaign is in full swing

4

TEACHER ACADEMIES LAUNCH Partnership moves forward at two local CCSD high schools

SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES

Student math success is within reach

THE PATH TO GRAD SCHOOL

Undergraduate research opportunities prepare students for further study

STEM STEAMS AHEAD

12

22

NSF grant funds new MARCOS scholar program

SCHOOL OF NURSING

Online RN to BSN program is a healthy choice

CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY Integrated caring science units inspire students and professionals alike

24

STUDENT LIFE

Scorpion’s Calling is here to stay

ALUMNI

Class of 2017 graduate listings and 1 October memorials

FOUNDATION

Russ Raker memorial and board listings

FACULTY & STAFF

Celebrating new hires, promotions, and milestones

30

REACHING NEW HEIGHTS Nevada State College is celebrating 15 years!

Diversity is our greatest strength. The passionate people who tenaciously built our vibrant campus and those who continue to contribute to our warm, family-like community share a common quality—a commitment to excellence. By infusing the institution with unique, personal perspectives and experience, Nevada State College is cultivating compassionate leaders to effectively and sustainably serve an everchanging global society.

A former vitamin company is repurposed as our first campus building with state funding.

Around a kitchen table, Henderson leaders envision a four-year state college to train teachers.

1998

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2001

Our doors opened in the fall to 177 students learning in three classrooms and a library.

2002

We grew 222% to 569 enrolled students in just one year!

2003

Our first graduating class of 13 students celebrated commencement in May.

2004

Named second-fastest growing public baccalaureate college in the nation from 2005 to 2015, we also earned a $2.7 million federal Hispanic-Serving Institution grant.

2018

At more than 4,200 students, our momentum continues as we complete our 15th academic year ...

2017

Two new buildings were approved for nursing, education, student activities, and administration.

2013 Groundbreaking on the new Liberal Arts & Sciences building ushers in a new era.

2007

We’re accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

2011

2015

Amber Howerton, Ph.D., with UNLV faculty, earns a five-year, $3.25 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.

2012 SCOTTY the Scorpion becomes mascot to 3,200 students.

2010

At nearly 3,000 students, we’re growing fastest in the Nevada System of Higher Education.

[ 2018] Nevada State College | 5

OUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE “Nevada State College is setting high standards in how we grow and develop as an institution. We want to be recognized for the quality of our programs and the success of our students.”

Bart Patterson, President

Quality higher education is the social mobility engine for our society. Nevada State College provides the perfect combination of access to students from all backgrounds and income levels, superior student services to support their success, and premier classroom and online education. A State College degree transforms lives and improves the income level of entire families. As we continue to grow in size, I envision a future where we will also grow our offerings to best reflect and support the workforce needs of Southern Nevada and the region.

Vickie Shields, Ph.D., Provost & Executive Vice President

As the person who gets to connect donors with worthy projects at the college, I see a very bright future. Our students are hardworking, passionate, and focused—just like our donors. As we grow, we will see more and more people giving to the areas in which they have a personal connection, and the Nevada State College story creates a personal connection to many people. People give to winners, and Nevada State College is a place where people are successful. I look forward to the expansion and growth of private giving at Nevada State.

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Erin Keller, Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement

When I think about NSC, I envision a home, a welcoming community, and an institution with limitless potential that has shaped and will continue to shape the lives of its students.

Alicia Contreras-Martinez, NSSA President

During the periods when college is throwing a metaphorical fit, we must recall the times when we laughed with friends at the simplicity of a problem we just spent three hours on, when a long-planned event turns out just right with room to learn, and when the deep satisfaction of leaving a legacy warms your whole being.

Mel Croft, NSSA Vice President

I believe that if we continue down the path we are on and work with students, getting their input on what they feel is needed, we will help with Nevada State’s future.

The students who are here now are a part of the history of this college.

Many years into the future, we can all look back and think, ‘Hey I was a part of that.’ And that is something that is great!

I see Nevada State College as being one of the most diverse campuses across the U.S., providing an enriching learning experience and ensuring students reach their fullest potential to be successful in the classroom and excel in their prospective fields.

Melissa Rangel, NSSA Chair of Programming

Nicola Opfer, NSSA Secretary

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DENNIS POTTHOFF, PH.D., Dean

“In my current role as an education dean, and in my nearly four decades of work as a teacher, I am continually challenged by Haim Ginott’s bold assertion: ‘I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom.

It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It’s my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration.

I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or de-humanized.’”

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Critical statewide teacher shortage drives the build-out of the School of Education Attracting and retaining effective educators remains a pressing need and acute challenge for Nevada’s public education system. Research supports the premise that “teachers matter more to student achievement than any other aspect of schooling; among the myriad of schoolrelated factors, teachers matter the most” (Rand Education, 2016). Nevada State College School of Education (SoE) Dean Dennis Potthoff also asserts, “Every child deserves to be placed in a classroom led by a well-qualified teacher.”

As Nevada continues to balance on the precipice of the worst teacher shortage in its history, a comprehensive and aggressive plan to locally grow its teaching force is in the works. “The rationale for growing your own programs is twofold,” explains Potthoff. “First, moving homegrown teaching candidates into the teaching force will lessen reliance on hiring out-of-state and international teachers. Second, homegrown candidates are more likely to commit to teaching long term in Nevada.” Potthoff shares a compelling statistic cited by Dan Brown in an August 3, 2015, “Educators Rising” national news release that “over 60 percent of teachers teach within 20 miles of where they went to high school.” As Potthoff recites, “The statistics for Nevada are vastly different from Brown’s findings. In Nevada, two-thirds (67 percent) of K–12 teachers were not born or raised in Nevada and did not earn their teaching credentials while attending a Nevada college/university.”

The SoE already makes a substantial contribution to the local supply of K–12 teachers

(80–100 fully licensed graduates per year, with 90 percent accepting teaching positions in Southern Nevada) and is poised to dramatically increase its production of licensure-ready graduates over the next decade. By combining enrollment and graduation increases from eight existing programs (elementary education, special education, five secondary education programs, and speech-language pathology) with new programs, Nevada State College may emerge as the primary producer of teachers and speechlanguage pathologists for the state.

Achieving the ambitious growth goals for the SoE hinges on several key factors. First, recruiting and preparing a pool of licensureready graduates that reflects the diversity of the student body within local primary and secondary schools is crucial. Nevada State College student demographics are already aligned with Clark County School District (Table 1) and must simply be maintained through steady recruitment.

Nevada State’s unique affordability is the second crucial component of the enrollment build-out plan. “For students, we are the most reasonably priced four-year institution in Nevada,” shares Potthoff. “Weighted student credit hours are 10 percent more expensive for Nevada System of Higher Education universities than they are for Nevada State College, and the tuition costs for junior- and senior-level students at Nevada State College are 43 percent less than the cost for students attending UNLV or UNR.” This cost advantage is particularly important for many low-income students who attend Nevada State.

[ 2018] Nevada State College | 9

SoE

TEACHERS NOW: EDUCATE. EMPOWER. INVEST.

TABLE 1

Key Diversity Indicators

Clark County School District (2016) 75% Minority Students 46% Hispanic/Latino 25% English Language Learners 64% Qualify for Free/Reduced Lunches

Nevada State College (2016) 57% Minority Students Overall 64% First-Time Freshmen 42% SoE Students 28% Hispanic/Latino 62-72% First-Generation College Students 65% Applicants Who Are Pell Grant-Eligible

Collaboration across campus is the third vital component driving the SoE build-out plan.

Together with the Academic Advising Center and Student Support Services, SoE faculty and staff elevate teaching candidates’ academic success, especially through extensive attention to students’ preparation for required national Praxis examinations. Partnering with the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, dual-program degrees for secondary education majors have also been developed and continue to expand.

and Training (NEST) program. Led by Amanda Carter, Ph.D., the mentoring plan serves Nevada State graduates in their first three years of K–12 teaching. More than 100 recent graduates have already benefited from the program. Deborah Thompson, a NEST participant, confirms its value: “With the NEST program, you don’t feel like you’ve graduated and you are on your own.

You always have that support.”

By inspiring students to pursue teaching careers before even finishing high school through a collaborative partnership with the Clark County School District (CCSD), the Teacher Academy initiative is planting the seeds to “grow your own teachers” even sooner. The Rogers Foundation generously provides students with the opportunity to begin their college studies at Nevada State during their final two years of high school by absorbing the tuition costs for SoE and core courses and providing funding for other key components of the programming, including supporting student campus visits and enhanced learning technology. Southeast Career Technical Academy (SECTA) and Mojave High School are Nevada State’s first two Teacher Academy sites, and two more are slated for East Career Technical Academy and Liberty High School in fall 2018. These high school-based programs are an extension of collaborative work that the SoE is already doing within CCSD. Education majors spend many hours observing and teaching in K–12 schools. Ongoing projects at McCaw and Whitney elementary schools are excellent examples of win-win programs for both Nevada State students and those in the school district.

To facilitate the SoE’s fundamental growth goals and statewide teacher needs, community donor support is being actively solicited through the TEACHERS NOW campaign. According to Potthoff, the effort consists of three key investment opportunities: construction of a new stand-alone School of Education building, new academic programs in high-need teaching areas, and a robust scholarship program that will provide financial support for students who choose to pursue careers in K–12 education.

Time is of the essence; a minimum of $6 million must be secured before the next Nevada legislative session in 2019 in order to receive at least $23 million in state construction funding and make the new building a reality.

Support continues beyond graduation through SoE programs like the New Teachers Support

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AN ESSENTIAL COMMUNITY EFFORT

THREE KEY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Total Fundraising Goal:

School of Education Building

$12,000,000

New Academic Programs

$3,000,000

Scholarships

$3,000,000

$6,000,000

SoE

With a new building to house them, the gradual implementation of new degree programs designed to respond to critical needs within Nevada’s pre-K–12 public education systems, will commence.

One such program will effectively address the critical need for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in our state. By adding a Master of Science degree in speech-language pathology and bring Southern Nevada graduates up to the entry-level standard for this field. Because Nevada currently has fewer SLPs per capita than any other state, the necessity for licensed speech pathologists is acute.

Additionally, with Nevada’s severe shortage of available preschool spaces and highly educated preschool teachers, Nevada State plans to seek approval for an innovative and inclusive early childhood curricular education program to address this need and provide teacher training in an immersive, hands-on environment. An increasingly overwhelming research base confirms that students’ long-range potential for success in K–12 schools is profoundly impacted by their educational experiences prior to entering kindergarten. The program will simultaneously provide training, working with regularly functioning children as well as with children with identified exceptionalities.

The addition of the approximately 65,000-square-foot SoE building will feature environmentally friendly and resource-efficient design and construction guided by LEED standards and will boldly affirm both the state’s and the college’s commitment to K–12 teacher education. Housing an early childhood education center and a speech-language clinic to serve local children and families, it will also provide students with spaces for practical, researchbased learning on campus.

“The building’s total cost is currently estimated at just over $29M,” says Vice President of Finance and Business Operations Kevin Butler.

For every private dollar invested in the capital project, the state will invest nearly five. This level of state investment is indicative of the critical

nature of the teacher shortage across Nevada and of the commitment of state leadership to boldly work toward a long-term solution.

Nevada State College is committed to educating historically underserved populations—especially students from minority backgrounds and firstgeneration college students.

The scholarship component of the TEACHERS NOW campaign will provide funds that significantly enhance general institutional scholarship capacity, with priority given to teacher education and speech-language pathology majors. The high percentage of economically disadvantaged students who apply and enroll at Nevada State are far more likely to graduate when financial support is in place.

Great strides in expanding high-need programming have already been made over the past 18 months, including the addition of secondary education dual licensure in physical science and mathematics as well as the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences Bachelor of Arts in deaf studies degree designed to respond to the need for more teachers with expertise in hearing loss. The SoE has also recently collaborated with Western Nevada College and Truckee Meadows Community College to craft academic “2+2” programs that will allow individuals seeking teaching careers in Northern Nevada to earn Nevada State College education degrees and complete student teaching in their local communities. To continue the overall momentum, financial engagement is essential from generous donors and our community who will reap the benefits of a well-trained and fully staffed school system statewide.

For Dean Potthoff, the reason to support the fundraising campaign is clear: “I love the campaign title—TEACHERS NOW. The need for urgency is present. Nevada needs more fully licensed teachers now.”

For more information on how to get involved or make a gift to the TEACHERS NOW campaign, please contact erin.keller@nsc.edu.

[ 2018] Nevada State College | 11

SECTA students study with SoE faculty Lori Navarrete.

TEACHER ACADEMIES LAUNCH Partnership moves forward at two local CCSD high schools, planned for additional sites One of the founding missions of Nevada State College is to train new Nevada-based teachers to positively influence future generations in our state. With that goal in mind, the Teacher Academy was launched in fall 2016. In conjunction with the Clark County School District (CCSD) and the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), this collaboration encourages high school-level students to begin seriously considering teaching as a career. With Nevada’s stark shortage of fully licensed K–12 teachers, the Teacher Academy programs hope to provide high school (and eventually middle school)

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students with the opportunity to fulfill the first steps toward a rewarding teaching career.

According to Dennis Potthoff, School of Education (SoE) dean, “One month prior to the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year, the state reported a shortage of more than 1,100 teachers. Recent declines in the number of Nevadans choosing to pursue teaching as a career are problematic; the number of candidates in approved programs declined by 50 percent between 2010 and 2014, and the number of program completers dwindled from 1,012 to 771.”

SoE

Current national trends complicate this challenge even further, as Nevada has relied on teachers prepared elsewhere for years. With approximately 66 percent of CCSD teachers initially licensed outside of Nevada, it’s also disconcerting that over the past five years, there has been a nationwide 35 percent drop in educator preparation program enrollments. “It is becoming increasingly clear that Nevada needs to take bold steps to grow the teacher pipeline within the borders of the state, particularly because teachers educated in Nevada are more likely to remain in Nevada,” says Potthoff. “This is precisely where Nevada State College intends to play a significant and expanding role.”

curriculum throughout the spring. A total of 19 seniors took the class. In addition to learning about their options as possible education majors, Wells says that they learned some major life lessons. “The program generated a lot of excitement; however, the students really learned about college-level rigor and gained an appreciation of what teachers have to do!

They’re now aware that a student’s perspective is much different from that of a teacher.”

Providing high school students the opportunity to take their first steps toward graduating from college with the qualifications necessary to obtain a teaching license, all while still in high school, was well received in its first year.

To encourage students to continue after high school graduation, Nevada State College’s Teacher Academy offers a seamless high school-to-college pathway for each partner institution that includes cross-institution articulation agreements, making the transition to college, and a teacher education program, easier.

Two pioneering local high schools, Mojave High School (MHS) and the Southeast Career Technical Academy (SECTA), implemented teacher academies in fall 2016. According to Timothy Wells, MHS assistant principal, the Mojave High School Teacher Pipeline Project (MTPP) idea came together to promote “community renewal” and was created with Nevada Succeeds (http:// nevadasucceeds.org). The MTPP also involves a partnership with CSN. In this partnership, Nevada State teaches two to three education courses (six to nine credits) at the high school and hopes to implement more offerings in the future.

Using a guidance period already offered as an elective on the MHS campus, Wells explains that the Teacher Academy course was built into the existing time slot. Recruitment occurred through school announcements and class visitations.

Nevada State College professors came in to teach the ENG 250 (Foundations of Education)

Following high school graduation, participants in MTPP will finish coursework for an Associate of Arts degree at CSN before transferring to Nevada State, where they will complete the classes needed for a Bachelor of Arts in education. “After completing our first semester of classes at MHS, we are pleased to see positive results,” says Potthoff. “We started this program with the aim of enrolling 10 students and ended up with 19 enrolled.” Wells concurs, saying that this year’s program will have opportunities for MHS students in all grades.

“We hope that eventually we’ll see a cohort of Mojave kids together, even when they go on to college. I’d love to see them come back and teach within the Mojave family of schools. That would really be community renewal!”

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SECTA, a unique magnet school in Southern Nevada, is soon to be home to the second Teacher Academy and already maintains a program-conducive environment. Situated geographically close to the Nevada State College campus, the student population reflects both CCSD and Nevada State’s racial and ethnic diversity and has a demonstrated record of academic excellence. In fall 2018, the educator preparation program will join 13 existing “academies” that allow students to focus their studies on areas such as information technology and networking, architecture, and graphic design.

The program outlook is promising, as 120 juniors achieved ACT scores that qualify them to enroll immediately in college-level English courses.

Pope notes that the response has been fantastic. “We started off with one after-school class last year and filled the class in just a few days with students interested in teaching. We built upon that success and opened up more sections within the school day this year, and now we are actively recruiting with education as one of our programs of study at SECTA. This year, we will graduate our first group of students, and we already have students registered and ready to continue at NSC next year.”

She goes on to say that the partnership led to even more opportunities, including additional high school and college dual-credit possibilities.

“Through NSC, we now offer dual credits in English, history, psychology, sociology, and we hope to include math and science coursework within the next 18 months. The entire Nevada State staff has become an incredible partner in making this happen. Students at SECTA can walk out with a high school diploma, industry certification in their program area, and more than 18 college credits that all go toward a bachelor’s degree.

These are high standards for high school students to take on, but they have risen to the challenge, says Pope. She appreciates the way Nevada State College has helped remove obstacles so students truly have access to a college education.

According to SECTA Principal Kerry Pope, “Dr. Potthoff reached out last year to see about the possibility of working together. He had some ideas of how to expand the program at Nevada State and was looking for a person who shared his obvious passion for the college. We weren’t talking more than five minutes before I think we both knew we could build something that would be great for not only my kids, but ultimately for our community.”

She continues, “We could truly build a direct pipeline of teachers who could complete part of their college coursework in high school and finish at NSC with limited expense and an accelerated path toward a bachelor’s degree.”

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As part of the Nevada State College/SECTA Teacher Academy partnership, Nevada State SoE faculty will annually deliver three education courses on the SECTA campus. In addition, Nevada State will deliver dual-credit courses on-site, taught by high school instructors who are selected and mentored by the SoE. When fully implemented, Teacher Academy students will have an opportunity to earn 21 credits of Nevada State core coursework and nine SoE credits prior to graduating from SECTA.

SoE Sarah BryansBongey, SoE faculty, teaches high school students on Nevada State College campus.

“Through a memorandum of understanding that President Patterson and the Clark County School District agreed to, we can offer each class for about $75. At SECTA, if students earn a B or higher in the first semester, we pay the second-semester fee. As a parent or student with college dreams, the cost savings is unbelievable. We don’t talk to our students anymore about IF they are going to college.

Instead, we ask them how they’re doing in college. And they get to do it right here on campus. It’s been an amazing partnership where people are eager at both institutions to make great things happen for our kids.”

The foundational year for both Teacher Academy sites bodes well for a successful program future. Key additions will include: •

“Clinical field experiences” set in K–12 schools, where high school students are placed in classrooms and guided by national board certified K–12 teachers;

• Programming that prepares academy

participants for national-level examinations required for teacher certification, such as the Praxis exam; • A mentoring program for students; •

Interfacing the Teacher Academy program with a CTE initiative that allows freshmanand sophomore-level students to enroll in elective education and training courses;

• Implementation of new strategies to improve community involvement and support; and •

Expansion of Teacher Academy programming to include an orientation experience for middle school students that encourages them to explore teaching as a career choice.

Going forward, the search for additional potential Teacher Academy sites will continue.

Says Potthoff, “Over time, given the severity of the current and projected teacher shortage in our state, it would be appropriate to build Teacher Academies in most high schools.” n

[ 2018] Nevada State College | 15

Nevada State speech pathology students work together to help young clients improve communication skills.

A DREAM FULFILLED The RiteCare Clinic provides quality client treatment, vital hands-on learning for speech pathology majors In 2015, the Scottish Rite Foundation of Southern Nevada approached Nevada State College about a collaborative relationship that would provide speech services to Southern Nevada preschool children in need. The odds of making this happen were long; Nevada had never allowed undergraduate students to provide services in anything other than a public school setting.

Different rules were in place for individuals being served in a nonschool clinical setting.

The Nevada State College School of Education (SoE) and the local Scottish Rite of Freemasonry organization chose to proceed anyway. The first step to gaining approval was contacting the

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State of Nevada Speech Language Pathology, Audiology, and Hearing Aid Dispensing Board to ask permission for our students to serve students at the clinic being offered by Scottish Rite. The response to this initial inquiry was an unequivocal “no.� Undaunted, a letter detailing the plan to closely supervise students, while allowing children in need to receive muchneeded speech and language therapy, was crafted and mailed to each board member.

Permission to visit with the board was granted.

Dennis Potthoff, SoE dean; David Griego from the Scottish Rite; and Beth Meyerowitz, assistant professor of speech pathology, presented a detailed plan for providing services to needy

SoE

children under stringent supervision. In a unanimous vote, the board gave permission to move the RiteCare Clinic plan forward.

“It has been the mission of the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry to provide diagnostic evaluation and treatment of speech and language disorders through member-supported clinics, centers, and programs throughout the United States,” says Griego. “Currently numbering over 200 programs, the Scottish Rite provides access to children and their families to trained speech pathologists without regard to their ability to pay. The Las Vegas clinic, long an integral feature of the Masonic Memorial Temple on Mesquite Avenue, has treated hundreds of local children and provided support to their families throughout its long existence.”

With the initial hurdle successfully overcome, the Scottish Rite Foundation of Southern Nevada moved forward with clinic renovations. With input from both Scottish Rite members and Nevada State faculty, the clinic was modernized and prepared to serve young children and their families. Renovations were completed in January of 2017, and plans were made to begin services. Other challenges faced and overcome included staffing the clinic appropriately, finding children available for services, and determining which courses should be offered in conjunction with the clinic.

Griego explains, “In an effort to enhance its offerings of this muchneeded service, the Scottish Rite entered into a memorandum of understanding with Nevada State College in 2016 providing a facility, equipment, and technological support that would enable the Nevada State College students in the speech pathology department to gain practicum hours by working with children and their families in a facultymonitored environment.” Since then, the program has grown and continues to be a point of pride

for all Freemasons in the valley. In support of the efforts of Nevada State College, the Scottish Rite has endowed two perpetual scholarships for senior and junior students in the program.

With a bold attack strategy and a “can-do” approach, the clinic began serving eight children and their families in February 2017. In its first semester of operation, the clinic was serving children with a variety of disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome, childhood apraxia of speech, attention deficit disorder, and articulation and phonology disorders.

The Nevada State College/RiteCare Clinic serves as an excellent example of the college’s “BE BOLD” directive. What began as a dream, conceived more than a decade ago by Fred Maryanski, former Nevada State College president, and a small group of forward-looking individuals has been fulfilled. According to Griego, “This is truly an ideal partnership with Nevada State. Our children receive treatment, their students gain knowledge and experience, and our clinic has achieved successes that could only be imagined a few years back.

Children who might have remained educationally behind for a lifetime can now talk, read, and lead productive lives.” Currently both Nevada State College and the Scottish Rite are in active discussion for the expansion of the RiteCare Clinic’s operations to address the needs of even more families. n

[ 2018] Nevada State College | 17

ANDY KUNIYUKI, PH.D. Dean

“Let knowledge serve humanity.”

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Modules, EdReady provide new platforms to place and prepare students for improved performance It’s common knowledge that many students struggle with math and develop an aversion to it. What is the best way to help them master the math elements they need while changing often long-standing attitudes? Serge Ballif, Nevada State College assistant professor of mathematics, notes that placing students in the right college math classes is a challenge that plagues all of higher education. “Math is often the obstacle that keeps students from progressing to a degree, especially when they place below the level of a college math course.”

Ballif shares that approximately 75 percent of incoming Nevada State College students place into remedial math.

“But,” he says, “often the initial course placement is just wrong. Occasionally a student will end up in a math course that is too advanced for them, but the more common problem is to have a student taking a course that is too easy for them.” A common placement test, the Accuplacer, has proven to be a poor predictor of success. Interestingly enough, according to Ballif, it turns out that high school GPA would be a much better indicator of the correct placement. “In hindsight, it seems obvious that a long-term measure of diligence (like GPA) would be a better tool for deciding the right level to start college than a single test taken in the middle of the summer after a long break,” he comments.

“Over the last several years, we have implemented a broad spectrum of new programs and initiatives to help our students succeed in their remedial and first-year math courses,” says Aaron Wong, associate professor of mathematics, referring to the plan to tackle

this problem. The goal has been to remove the challenging bottlenecks that often occurred with the previous method, giving students at least one successful math experience during their education. Wong continues, “In fall 2012, we implemented our first major curricular redesign, introducing the modularized remedial math program that allowed students a pathway through the three-semester sequence of MATH 93, MATH 95, and MATH 96 in just two semesters. Aside from the streamlined delivery, the program maximized student success by creating a system that would keep struggling students engaged with content rather than leaving them behind.” Utilizing Wong’s insight, the semester was broken into five-week modules so that students could immediately return to material that they struggled with instead of being forced forward into higher-level material before they were ready.

“LaKiasha Hollingsworth was hired to help us coordinate the course and provide supplemental mentoring and academic support for the students” says Wong. “Over the next few years, we saw a steady improvement in the pass rate, but we also ran into some structural issues that prevented expanding the program even further.”

The program evolved by implanting the “stretch course” model for MATH 120 and MATH 126, allowing students to complete some of their remedial MATH 96 coursework concurrently with college-level math courses. This opened the door for many more students to complete their first college-level math course much earlier than before.

During the summer of 2016, another major

[ 2018] Nevada State College | 19

LAS

MATH SUCCESS WITHIN REACH

OLD PLACEMENT SYSTEM

Accuplacer Test

Course Placement

alteration was made with the adoption of EdReady, a free learning platform that motivates students to fill in their math knowledge gaps. EdReady’s videos and other learning materials allow students to learn the content that they would normally gain through Math 95M (a five-credit course that ultimately doesn’t count toward college credit). The new course is broken up into three topics: consumer mathematics, probability and statistics, and algebra and modeli.

“The previous method of taking the Accuplacer test or using ACT or SAT scores prior to new student orientation just wasn’t placing students into the right courses,” says Ballif.

“Now, incoming students take an EdReady test for their initial math placement. Working through EdReady’s program, students are able to complete about the same work they would learn in NSC’s remedial math course.” Students who would like to improve their placement from the Accuplacer test are also invited to work through EdReady’s useful, practical content to place into a higher class.

Because the state of Nevada has purchased access to EdReady for all institutions in the state, it doesn’t cost the students or the college anything. Additionally, it saves students $800, an entire semester’s course tuition, and allows them to bypass a five-credit course that doesn’t count toward their degree requirements.

“EdReady is a great resource for self-motivated students,” says Ballif. “We can supply only minimal support and follow-up, so we can’t expect miracles, but we are optimistic that many students will be sufficiently excited by

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NEW PLACEMENT SYSTEM

ACT Score

Course Placement

EdReady

the prospects of getting their college math completed in only one semester, thus improving their placement for the fall semester.”

In just one year’s time, there are already signs of success. During fall 2016, 247 first-year students who had placed into remedial math for the fall semester were notified about EdReady through various channels: phone calls from student workers, emails with the specific details, and new student orientation. At the end of summer semester, 60 of those students had improved their placement into college-level courses. These students spent an average 23.7 hours over the summer using EdReady to improve their placement. Although the new system isn’t without risks, professors believe that diligent students will take the initiative to complete the math requirement.

According to Wong, “The net result is that we’re seeing far more students completing their college math in their first year. In 2010, only 34 percent of students were completing their college math in their first year. This jumped to 62 percent in 2015, and we’re expecting this number to continue to climb as we continue to develop our programs and other support mechanisms.”

Ballif agrees, “By removing the college algebra requirement for all of our majors that don’t require calculus and replacing it with a more practical math class, our students are passing at a higher rate and with a greater level of skill and enjoyment.”

For more platform details, please visit https://edready.org/.

Mt. Scorpion Café harvests from campus learning garden In less than a year’s time, the Nevada State College garden grew from seed to salad and student study. From its initial planting in June 2016 to the meal served by the Mt. Scorpion Café on Valentine’s Day 2017, this grant-funded project is a key tool in the college’s horticultural sciences program.

Themed “Lettuce Love You,” the February 14 meal prepared by the café highlighted produce from the garden’s harvest. A fresh springtime salad, roasted beets, and mashed turnips with carrots were among the items featured that day for the approximately 75 guests who stopped by. The garden is grown without the use of pesticides or commercial fertilizers and has been certified safe to serve by the Department of Agriculture.

According to John Mastromarino, former Nevada State College chef and culinary director, “We really want to highlight the farm-to-fork

sustainability concept with the garden. By converting our kitchen cuttings into compost and utilizing them as soil additives, we are able to come full circle.” He noted that the Valentine’s Day theme was developed as a way to show guests that creating a healthy lifestyle through smart choices is one of the important keys to well-being.

The garden’s offerings, including eggplant, squash, broccoli, and tomatoes, rotate seasonally, allowing the café to include freshgrown items in soups, entrées, and the salad bar year-round.

Mike Rushing, food service director, shares that the garden has recently expanded to include a myriad of herbs and spices also used to season the daily cuisine, and he hopes to grow it further.

He eagerly awaits the first asparagus harvest, which takes three to four years to cultivate.

“We’re halfway there!”

The garden was made possible by a grant from the Nevada State Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology and is facilitated by Garden Farms of Nevada. n

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LAS

“LETTUCE LOVE YOU” A HEALTHY VALENTINE TREAT

Undergraduate students present project posters to peers and professors at the annual Nevada State College Undergraduate Research Creative Works Conference.

THE PATH TO GRAD SCHOOL Undergraduate research opportunities prepare students for further study For recent Nevada State College graduate Melissa Jenkins, participating in undergraduate research experiences was fundamental to her educational success. In order to be competitive when applying to graduate school, she says, “It’s important to have research experience; the more, the better. Additionally, grant writing,

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conference presentations, and publications are major bonuses.” Why? “These experiences give students something to write about in their personal statements as well as give them the opportunity to develop working relationships with professors who will hopefully write stellar letters of recommendation when the time comes!”

Undergraduate students in the School of Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS) have ample opportunity to participate in research projects, allowing them to make their own academic discoveries while setting them on a path of lifelong

LAS

learning. “Participating in research projects helps students put what they’re learning in the classroom into practice,” says Laura Naumann, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology. “It can also help students decide if pursing graduate school or a career involving research is for them. I strongly encourage students to get as much research experience as possible, whether through their coursework or volunteering in a research lab—it’s these experiences that admissions committees are most interested in and what make an applicant most competitive.”

During Jenkins’ three years at Nevada State College, she was involved in a wide variety of different research projects. “I joined the Psi Chi (the international honors society in psychology) chapter as soon as I qualified,” she says. “It was during one of our meetings that we came up with the idea to find a way to get mental health services on campus. We approached our advisor, Dr. Laura Naumann, who was fully supportive of our idea. We then approached Dr. Richard Yao, who advised us to create a survey for students to determine if there was an actual need for these services.

“With the help of the provost’s office and Dr. Naumann, we were able to create a forcredit independent research class where we compiled the study. We even secured funding to pay students to take the survey so that we could get a representative sample.” Jenkins is pleased to share that their research results were presented to Nevada State College leadership as well as to the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, eventually leading to the establishment of an available mental health counselor on campus. The research also led to conference presentations and prizes, which enabled Jenkins to incorporate the presentations into her personal statement for graduate school application.

In addition, she worked in Naumann’s personality and behavior research lab on a camera study before accepting the lab manager position. “The great thing about working in the lab was that while I was helping Dr. Naumann, I was also able to use the collected photographic data to run my

own analysis and create my own presentations.”

She was also one of three students involved in a student success research project to assess aspects of student diversity climate along with the identification of what factors help Nevada State students succeed and what factors hinder their success. Again, she worked closely with faculty to present and create a feedback report for college leadership.

Naumann reflects, “All of the psychology faculty worked with Melissa at one point or another.

We are extremely proud of Melissa and credit her determination, drive, and intellect for her success. We can’t wait to see what more she accomplishes.”

“Although Nevada State College is a small school, I found research opportunities by getting involved, even though they may not have been in my preferred field of study,” says Jenkins, who applied to six doctorate programs and was accepted by five of them, with full funding offered at two. “The advice that I give to those who ask is to get involved in research whatever it is, ask your professors to join projects, and if all else fails, create opportunities. NSC faculty are more than willing to help you have the best possible undergraduate experience.”

To learn more about our research and internship opportunities, visit https://nsc.edu/academics/ hands-on-learning/.

[ 2018] Nevada State College | 23

STEM STEAMS AHEAD NSF grant funds new MARCOS scholar program Governor Sandoval proclaimed the 2016–2017 school year as the “year of STEM.” In response, Nevada State College leadership and Samantha Oliphant, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, applied for and were awarded a $649,963 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to create a pathway program to guide low-income high school graduates through college and toward graduate school. This program will establish a pipeline to propel academically talented Nevada students into much-needed STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) careers to advance the state’s economic competitiveness in the sciences and emerging technologies.

The NSF funding has taken form as the Mentoring to Accelerate Retention and Change Outcomes in Science (MARCOS) scholar program, aimed to increase access to biology and related majors. It also offers academic and career-oriented support designed to improve the retention of STEM majors. The MARCOS scholar program will fund two cohorts of students by awarding $5,550 annually. As an incentive to stay in STEM, these funds are set to increase each year a student is retained. According to Oliphant, “Our students struggle to pay for college, and these funds are critical to reducing the need for external employment to pay for college. This helps increase the likelihood that our biology students finish their degrees on time.”

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LAS

She continues, “All of the professional development and programs coordinated through the MARCOS scholar program will be open to all students interested in STEM. I plan to provide monthly events and a summer field trip so that our students can get to know our STEM faculty in a more casual setting. It’s important that our students develop relationships with faculty and establish a sense of belonging needed to persevere in STEM.” Oliphant will serve as director of the MARCOS program and will connect students with other programs already offered through Nevada State College and the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), such as IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Summer Research, Desert Research Institute Internships, Environmental Science Colloquiums, the INBRE Seminar Series, TRIO-SSS, GradFit, and GradReady. “This grant would not be possible without all of the hard work already invested by my colleagues,” she states. “Everyone here is invested in our students, and we all spend a great deal of time working on student research projects while tackling heavy teaching loads.”

By collaborating with the Nevada INBRE program and the Desert Research Institute, MARCOS scholars will have access to cuttingedge research programs, which are shown to be high-impact experiences that can keep

students engaged in STEM fields. INBRE is part of the IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) program designed to help traditionally underfunded states build biomedical infrastructure by partnering NSHE institutions to promote research knowledge and educational opportunities across the state of Nevada via biomedical and science pipeline programs.

The MARCOS scholar program will also examine how academic support systems such as course assistants, peer mentoring, and graduate school experiences help develop self-efficacy and scientific identity among first-generation, financially disenfranchised biology students.

At the conclusion of the grant, Nevada State College and its partners will have developed and refined a cohesive STEM pipeline from high school to graduate school that channels students to success in sectors critical to Nevada’s long-term economic strength and competitive edge. The MARCOS scholar program will be accepting applications and conducting interviews in spring 2018. The first MARCOS scholar class begins fall 2018.

To learn more about the MARCOS scholar program, please contact the director at samantha.oliphant@nsc.edu.

[ 2018] Nevada State College | 25

LUDY LLASUS, PH.D., APRN, NP-C Interim Dean

“In 15 years, we have come a long way from our trailer-housed classrooms and nursing labs to our Nursing, Science & Education building and the state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Center of Las Vegas shared with UNLV’s School of Nursing and School of Medicine. This is an exciting time of growth for the college and for the School of Nursing. I cannot wait to see what the future holds!”

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Flexible, affordable format and caring science-based inclusiveness meet needs of working nurses Nevada State College’s Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN) program is in great shape and getting healthier every day. Supported by far more than just the standard curriculum of an accredited nursing program, this innovative program goes the extra mile to meet the needs of working nurses.

Pairing the unique patient-centered theory of human caring principles of Jean Watson, Ph.D., with a carousel model of online course delivery allows active RNs to study flexibly and implement new skills immediately.

By subscribing to the theory of human caring, which incorporates cultural sensitivity and humility, professionalism, leadership, collaboration, critical thinking, and expert clinical reasoning in the context of evidence-based practice, Nevada State students graduate ready to provide safe, quality, patient-centered care, and those in the profession have taken note.

“NSC graduates are very thoughtful in their approach with their patients,” states Kathy Pate, RN, MSN, and director of the emergency room at a local hospital. “They seem to be very good at critical thinking.”

Careful selection of curriculum inspires medical professionals like Pate to speak so highly of RN to BSN students. Nurses in the theory of caring science course are introduced to Watson’s theory and caritas nursing practices and apply

their learnings directly to the health care setting.

Simultaneously, they are encouraged to engage in self-reflection and self-exploration. Each subsequent course builds on this framework.

Online RN to BSN student Stella Burchard, an RN with 10 years’ experience under her belt, lists NURS 409 among her favorite classes so far.

“It’s a great way to implement both the science and medical aspects, as well as caring, which is the foundation of nursing,” she says.

Although some online education programs can leave students feeling isolated from instructors, Nevada State instead uses the format as an opportunity to connect more personally. Ashley Swaroswski, online RN to BSN student, says, “I like the communication aspect. You don’t have to worry about going to the professor’s office.

[ 2018] Nevada State College | 27

SoN

RN TO BSN PROGRAM AT NEVADA STATE COLLEGE: A HEALTHY CHOICE

An online RN to BSN student puts her new caring sciencebased knowledge into immediate practice with a current patient.

Typically, it’s either a phone call or an email, so it’s very accessible.” Speaking of the skills and knowledge she’s gained, she says, “NSC provided me with the confidence to approach any clinical situation with my scope of practice, but most importantly to facilitate teamwork with those of different educational and experience backgrounds.” The program is also available to an expanding number of out-of-state RNs, and new regional accreditations are in the pipeline.

Many students note the extreme convenience of this online program. Without having to worry about scheduling classes around work, students are able to complete assignments at any time of day from anywhere with an internet connection.

The whimsically termed “carousel model” of online course delivery adds to the flexibility. In a traditional program, incoming students might have to wait until a specific prerequisite course comes around before they are able to start their program. However, with the carousel model, students can begin with whatever courses are currently available when they are ready to start and “hop on the carousel” at any time.

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Current program students are equally excited about the course material. “The online RN to BSN program has been a huge influence in the way I practice nursing,” says Michelle Ricca Gardner, who expects to graduate in May 2018. “The program will prove to be a major stepping stone to furthering my personal and professional goals.”

John Coldsmith, Ph.D., chief nursing officer at Centennial Hills Hospital Medical Center, worked closely with the former dean of nursing at Nevada State, Neal Rosenburg, Ph.D. “When you look at the caritas of Dr. Jean Watson, that’s exactly what we want in the workplace and the work environment.” Speaking of Nevada State College graduates hired at Centennial, Goldsmith says, “Nurses who graduate from Nevada State are well prepared in terms of research, evidencebased practice, and professionalism. They become part of our family here.”

Visit https://online.nsc.edu/programs/rn-to-bsn. aspx to learn more about our online RN to BSN program!

Nevada State, CSN work together to with key donors, Legislature to meet local health care needs Many locals agree that Southern Nevada’s health care system needs help. Now, in a unique partnership, Nevada State College and the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) are working on a dynamic plan to increase the number of health care professionals locally.

Working together, the two educational institutions developed a proposal for a projected CSN & Nevada State College Health & Science building and in 2017 presented their plan to the Nevada Legislature. Realizing the critically urgent need to alleviate the health care workforce shortage, the Legislature responded by allocating planning funds for the 70,000-square-foot facility to be located at the CSN Henderson campus, just a few miles down the road from Nevada State. The suggested facility will provide expanded training for nurses, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and other health care professionals.

Recently, this project received a boost in the form of a generous $3 million gift from the

Engelstad Family Foundation. This extraordinary contribution is a match intended to help both colleges raise another $3 million from the local community before the start of the next legislative session (2019), when the two institutions plan to ask for the remaining construction funds.

The Engelstad gift announcement kicked off the CSN and Nevada State foundations’ joint capital campaign to raise private dollars in support of the building. A lack of existing lab space at both colleges has hindered the ability to expand health science programs in response to the growing number of job openings in the field, and the new building is critical to increasing the number of students they can train. It will take the community’s support to make this facility a reality.

Your gift can help fund a critical community need. Learn more about this unique partnership and find out how you can contribute today by contacting erin.keller@nsc.edu.

[ 2018] Nevada State College | 29

SoN

COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE CHAMPIONS

Making sure her patient feels comfortable, a nursing student utilizes her caring science skills during treatment.

CARING FOR THE COMMUNITY Integrated caring science units in local hospitals inspire students and professionals alike The inclusion of Jean Watson’s caring sciences curriculum distinguishes Nevada State College’s School of Nursing (SoN) from many other programs. Over the years, relationships with the medical community have been integral to the SoN’s success, and the practice of caring science is partially responsible for that. For those not familiar with this subject, the caring sciences are a set of practices that enable clinical nurses and academic programs throughout the world to use Watson’s published works on the philosophy and theory of human caring and the art and science of caring in nursing. Nevada State is proud to share this philosophy with the Southern Nevada community.

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Ruby Wertz, RN, MSHA, BSN, clinical partnership director of nursing, shared the history of the program by explaining that in 2015, Centennial Hills Hospital, part of the Valley Health System, instituted a program with four cohorts of Nevada State College students. This group began work on the orthopedic unit after being selected by John Coldsmith, RN, MSN, DNP (c), the hospital’s chief nursing officer. During spring 2016, Centennial Hills’ eighth-floor medicalsurgical unit also transitioned into a caring science unit (CSU). In fall 2016, the hospital’s women’s services area and the IMC/ICU units became additional CSUs where Nevada State students continue to learn vital skills.

SoN

“Our ongoing mission is to provide a caring clinical environment that helps our nursing students transition from college to new graduate nurses,” says Coldsmith. “It teaches them important clinical skills, along with how to show caring, compassion, and empathy. All staff need to be able to genuinely connect with our patients and families. This builds trust with our patients who aren’t feeling well or may be receiving bad news.”

Wertz notes that a few years ago, an inaugural celebration took place for the program’s oneyear anniversary at Centennial Hills Hospital with Dr. Jean Watson in attendance. The event included the care coaches and students from each of the then-three cohorts of the caring science units.

Now, in addition to Centennial Hills Hospital, this program is also being utilized at Mountain View Hospital, Valley Hospital, and Henderson Hospital. “We are having a wonderful experience with our caring science units,” shares Robert Hillman, RN, BSN, Henderson Hospital facility educator. “The students are engaged and enthusiastic, and they bring a welcome energy to the unit.

“One of the foundations of nursing is the principle of empathy, and it remains a vital part of quality care. There will always be tasks to complete and technology to utilize, but empathy is the key that brings it all together as we care for our patients. Anyone can learn time management or how to use a piece of technology. But the nurses who understand and are committed to feeling empathy for their patients are, I believe, not only empowered to give great care, but to also to attend to their own self-care. The CSU is a deliberate attempt to blend the concepts of empathy with skill building, and we at Henderson Hospital are proud to embrace and promote this approach.”

Kim Crocker, RN, MSN, nursing project manager at Valley Hospital Medical Center, concurred with Hillman. “The students in the Nevada caring science program continually demonstrate knowledge in human science at Valley Hospital,” she says. “Students spend caring moments with patients and families to discuss care plans and relieve concerns.”

“We are so proud that our academic-practice partnership continues to develop and that students progress in the nursing program,” says Wertz. n Students learning integral caring science principles during a training session at Henderson Hospital with Nevada State lecturer, Robert Reynoso, MSN/Ed, RN, CEN.

[ 2018] Nevada State College | 31

Students learned from monks at the Tamkrabawk Monastery Drug Detoxification Center.

GOING GLOBAL Nevada State nursing students adopt broader cultural understanding to better serve local patients The course, titled Exploring Community Health and Culture of Northern Thailand, allowed Nevada State College students the opportunity to become global health care practitioners during their 2016 winter break. The course core was systematically selected to encompass Northern Thailand’s values as related to health care. Students were expected to research and present findings on: • • • • • • • • • •

Geography, people, society, and culture.

Influence of religion on society, culture, and health.

Politics, monarchy, and the economy.

Health care finance and policy.

Health status of the populace (contrast urban and rural areas).

Alternative health care practices and modern health care practices.

Migration of people from Thailand-Burma: why, issues and concerns, Muslim culture.

Environmental concerns.

Prostitution and human trafficking (forced labor) and illegal drugs.

Preservation of wildlife.

The preparation of the latter elements, in turn, supported the students’ understanding of what their fieldwork would entail. During our visit to Thailand, students had various opportunities to interact and have firsthand experiences of what and how health care in Northern Thailand is delivered.

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SoN

Students immersed themselves in the following: Duang Prateep Foundation is a nongovernmental (NGO) dedicated to improving social welfare of the urban poor through educational development, community development, quality of life development, and emergency assistance. Founded by Mrs. Prateep Ungsongtham, a former Thai senator who was born in the Klong Toey slum, this foundation has received awards for bringing learning and better health to impoverished children.

Origin Arts classes introduce the spiritual origins of Thailand’s art and culture through the practice of the arts along with background information and cultural overview. The Bangkok program focuses on the classic arts of the Thai royal court in central Thailand that traces back thousands of years to India, Java, and the Khmer empire at Ankor Wat in Cambodia.

Students spent the day with monks at the Tamkrabawk Monastery Drug Detoxification Center and learned about the monastery’s traditional drug treatment program and how it is related to traditional Thai medicine treatments.

Students spent a day with the patients and caregivers at the Wat Phrabaht Namphu AIDS Hospice and Treatment Center, where they learned about AIDS hospice sites and treatment centers in Northern Thailand.

The Umphang District Hospital is a state-run hospital that treats 46,000 stateless people and migrant workers each year. Many individuals who come here are not eligible for the Thai gold card universal health insurance.

Students were embedded with the staff at the Malaria Clinic to learn about malaria in the region and the functionality of the facility within the community.

The Mae Tao Clinic provides free medical care for 150,000 Burmese migrants and refugees from Myanmar each year. These individuals cannot use the Thai health system. The clinic also strengthens health information systems along the Thailand-Burma (Myanmar) border; provides initial training of health workers; improves health, knowledge, attitudes, and practices within local Burmese populations; promotes collaboration among local ethnic health organizations; and strengthens networking with international health professionals and institutions. Dr. Cynthia Maung, a Burmese Karen hill tribe refugee, who has won several prestigious international awards for her work, founded the clinic in 1989.

This unique global experience provided Nevada State College students with authentic medical knowledge about how other cultures coordinate care. n

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“During the last two years, we’ve made a concerted effort to reconnect student life initiatives and programs with the academic mission of the college. In doing so, our student leaders have successfully collaborated to increase student engagement, sense of campus belonging, support services, and academic success. We continue to track our progress and emphasize promoting students’ academic, professional, and psychosocial growth.”

RICHARD YAO, PH.D. Dean of Students

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NSSA’s signature student event is here to stay In the fall of 2015, the Nevada State Student Alliance (NSSA) kicked off the academic year in style with the first Scorpions’ Calling, a welcome-back extravaganza for the student body and campus family. After much deliberation and discussion among the student leaders, NSSA voted to fund and support all aspects of the event, including live entertainment, fireworks, food, games, a talent show, dancing, and raffles. “The students worked tirelessly to facilitate all aspects of the event,” says Dean Richard Yao. “The event was an enormous success, and I can say with confidence that it was the most successful student event in the college’s history.”

Exceeding their initial goal of 250 guests, with 420 individuals in attendance, Scorpions’ Calling has since become the apex of Nevada State College’s Spirit Week festivities. The fall 2016 event was an even greater success, with more than 450 attendees. Although the talent show was not part of the 2016 event, it returned in 2017 based on student demand. Marco Lopez, winner of the inaugural talent show, returned to judge last fall’s competition.

Over its three-year existence, Scorpions’ Calling has gained a reputation as a community-friendly event, with students, faculty, and staff joining in the fun and bringing along their extended families and friends. Last fall’s happening featured a carnival theme and included a rockclimbing wall and other “life-size” games.

“I’d like to acknowledge the passion and hard work of the following students who had the initial vision to create this large-scale welcomeback event for our students, faculty, and staff: Yesenia Cuevas, Luis Montanez, Desiree DeCosta, and Abby Mangubat,” says Yao.

We hope you join us this year on Thursday, September 20, 2018, during Spirit Week for our fourth annual Scorpions’ Calling!

NSSA OFFICERS 2017-2018 EXECUTIVE BOARD Alicia Contreras President Mel Croft Vice President Nicola Opfer Secretary Moee Turbin Chair of Public Relations SENATORS Jessica Cordoba Ntaley Walugembe Christopher Aguilar Francisco Rodriguez Jose Guzman

Melissa Rangel Chair of Programming Luis Montanez Chair of Budget and Finance Lindsay Newark Chair of Capital Improvement

Marco Ferry John Lopez Shahid Meighan Sharmaene Dalupan Steven Clifford Ashley Bowman

[ 2018] Nevada State College | 35

STUDENT LIFE

CALLING ALL SCORPIONS

MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS ASSESSMENT Psi Chi illustrates the intersection between academic study and student life Health needs assessment team proudly presents its findings in a poster presentation at the URCWC.

In an active collaboration among students, faculty, and administration, the Psi Chi mental health needs assessment brought about significant campus change by utilizing experiential learning. During the fall 2015 semester, the student leaders of Psi Chi, Nevada State’s Psychology Honors Society, approached Richard Yao, dean of students, about how they could provide support in bringing mental health services to campus. While Nevada State College had been contracting with UNLV’s Counseling and Psychological Services, data indicated that this service was being woefully underutilized.

The students initially inquired about fundraising support, but after some discussion, they decided it was best to conduct research and utilize the resulting data to demonstrate the need and demand for mental health services on campus.

The students, under the leadership of faculty advisor Laura Naumann, Ph.D., planned to conduct a comprehensive mental health needs assessment as part of an advanced independent study course so students could receive academic credit. Consulting with Yao

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throughout the survey development, they also secured funding from the Office of the Provost to utilize as incentives for participation in the survey. They examined and analyzed a number of concepts, including mental health variables, different types of life stressors, perceived sources of support, and perception of current mental health services.

“Their analysis was of the highest quality, and they won first place at the 2016 Nevada State College Undergraduate Research and Creative Works Conference,” comments Yao. The group also presented its work to Nevada State College’s Executive Leadership team. Perhaps most importantly, their work helped facilitate mental health services that were brought to campus beginning in the spring 2017 semester. Yao, himself a licensed psychologist, was extremely supportive of the project and proud of those who followed it through. “I’d like to acknowledge and thank the following students who participated in the project: Danette Barber, Melissa Jenkins, Katie Meyerowitz, Sein Tun, Brianna Mercandante, and Carissa Farino,” he says.

STUDENT LIFE

SUPPORT SERVICES MAKE AN IMPACT Academic Advising and Academic Success Centers fuel retention, raise GPAs While many people may not consider academic support services an active part of student life programming, Richard Yao, dean of students, and his staff are committed to integrating academic success into all aspects of student life. The impact of academic advising and the Academic Success Center (tutoring services) is very clear as it relates to various student success markers, including retention, semester GPA, and academic standing. As shown in the accompanying chart, students who utilize advising and tutoring fare significantly better than those who do not. This is especially important, as both departments have undergone significant growth.

When comparing the fall 2016 utilization figures from 2015 and 2016, the Academic Advising Center saw a 35 percent increase in unique students (815 to 1257), compared with 37 percent in the Academic Success Center (205 to 323). Commendations go to Cristina Caputo, Academic Success Center director, and Alex Kunkle, director of Academic Advising, as well as their respective staff for their hard work and dedication to improving student success.

ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER

Fall 2015 One-Year Retention Semester GPA Good Academic Standing

Used 78.5%* 3.02* 90.7%*

Not Used 67% 2.81 83.5%

Fall 2016 One-Term Retention Semester GPA Good Academic Standing

Used 85.8%* 3.01* 92.3%*

Not Used 73.4% 2.86 84.4%

ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER

Fall 2015 One-Year Retention

Used 77%*

Fall 2016 One-Term Retention

Used Not Used 84.2%* 69.5%

*Denotes significant differences between groups.

Not Used 64.9%

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Student SPOTLIGHTS Nevada State College is full of extraordinary students with stories of struggles, determination, and persistence.

Following a Nevada State tradition, we highlighted a few of the graduating students at the May 2017 commencement ceremony to illustrate the journey that has led each of them to reach this milestone.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.

Maria Royce Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Special Education Concentration A native of Nicaragua, Maria Royce immigrated to the United States in 2006. Through that transition, embracing change and celebrating diversity became cornerstones of her personal growth. As a graduate of the Northern Nevada program, Royce demonstrated her commitment to learning, an outstanding work ethic, and a positive response to difficult challenges and circumstances. Her bilingual skills are a valuable classroom asset, and she facilitated impressive learning gains in her student teaching class of 30 educationally disadvantaged kindergarteners from very diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Stacey Medina Bachelor of Arts in Speech Pathology Like many Nevada State students, Stacey Medina has followed a nontraditional course of study spanning more than 20 years. Her initial interest in the program as a unique career opportunity was solidified after her daughter was diagnosed with autism, and it became her mission to help her family better communicate. This passion for the profession translated to assisting colleagues in developing their skills and achieving academic excellence with a GPA of greater than 3.5. Following graduation, Medina hopes to become a school-based speech-language pathologist for the Clark County School District.

Cinnamin Stephens Bachelor of Arts in History, Psychology, and Visual Media Voracious learner Cinnamin Stephens is graduating with an impressive three majors. She applies herself fully to every endeavor she undertakes; her very first film in the visual media program garnered six awards and acceptances at film festivals across the country. Stephens served in student government and in leadership for three campus clubs. She enhanced the college’s public presence, working for the Office of Marketing & Events, and she diligently increased student opportunities and involvement, becoming an integral part of the Scorpion community during her academic career on campus.

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STUDENT LIFE

Chanelle Lockhart Bachelor of Arts in Psychology A first-generation high school graduate, Chanelle Lockhart is also the first in her family to earn a college degree. Professors laud Lockhart as a dedicated student who is never afraid to question material or demand clarification and justification. Her preparation for classes, and diligent, deep thinking led her to achieve a 3.9 GPA and complete a criminal justice minor. In the spring of 2016, Lockhart was inducted into Psi Chi, the international psychology honor society.

She embodies a unified biracial identity, and her commitment to learning will continue to serve her well on her future journeys and professional adventures.

Terri Davis Bachelor of Science in Nursing In earning her BSN, Terri Davis fulfills a lifelong dream to become a nurse. Challenged by juggling family and school, she pushed forward and was vigilant in balancing the time and effort required to be successful at both. As Davis began to excel and gain confidence in her own studies, she made time to mentor and tutor newer nursing students who were just beginning the program. Davis embraces the holistic transformation she has undergone as a student and stands ready to accept the calling and privilege to enter the nursing profession.

2017 Regents’ Scholar Award The Regents’ Scholar Award is bestowed upon one undergraduate from each institution within the Nevada System of Higher Education to recognize that student’s achievements, leadership ability, and service contributions.

Amber Consul Bachelor of Science in Biology Amber Consul has been named the Nevada State College 2017 Regents’ Scholar for her exemplary work in academic research and achievement in completing a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Her passion for science stems back to her high school days, when in lieu of a reduced class schedule, Consul took three extra science classes “because they seemed interesting.” Post-graduation she studied ballet and worked as a dance instructor and model, but after the birth of her son became a licensed EMT. Over the course of 10 years, she completed pre-med classes while working on an ambulance, intending to advance her career in the medical field. As she neared graduation, however, a Nevada State College chemistry professor introduced her to the world of research she now calls home. Consul realized that through research, she could work on the science side of medicine, and she secured two grants to fund her proposed study topics. She participated in the Nevada IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) program and the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR), presented at the American Chemical Society conference, and also made multiple poster presentations. She demonstrates leadership and a commitment to service through her volunteer work with the Henderson Fire Department and Rebuilding Together. She is currently completing her research and plans to submit a manuscript for publication before attending graduate school.

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2016-2017 ALUMNI LISTINGS SCHOOL OF EDUCATION Eliane Arredondo Samantha Bermudez Whitnee Bosch Erica Camarena Alondra Castellanos Kaitlyn Ciarlo Tyler Collins Samantha Crowe Rachel Curcic Melissa Davis Jessica Diaz Jennifer DiPalma Mindy Doty Jodi Eggleston Sean Else Sean Evans Agnieszka Francis Ashley Goffstein Araceli Gonzalez Megan Gudmundsen Cindy Gumm Kassandra Harbour Matthew Holcombe Marilu Jaquez Jessica Jones Lashara Kama Jennifer Kotch James Lalonde Liesl Law Kristen Letkiewicz Nicole Lombardi Jacklyn Magagnotti Valerie Maris Yanitza Marmolejos Stacey Medina Anahi Miranda Alma Mota Krystal Neal-Burdic Cece Nichols Esmeralda Olivio

Molly Otis Christopher Padilla Annie Pande Miki Perry Rhonda Peters Krystal Portillo Melissa Price-Smith Miriam Prieto Diva Pullum Shari Ravenelle Eduardo Rodriguez Maria Royce Maritza Shaw Natalie Sherwood Tyler Stewart Jordan Travis Brenda Valdez Yesenia Valencia Tara Webster Shaynne Wilcox Kyle Woodall

SCHOOL OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES Casey Aquinde Ryan Awakuni Endalkachew Ayele John Ayer Christina Ayoub Audrey Balzart Ahmad Bayasi Carissa Berge-Sisneros Mariamawit Berhanemeskel Cindy Blackmore Shelby Bledsoe Julianne Bonaobra John Boyle Desiree Buckler Samuel Burns Jordan Caldwell

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Natalie Camin Victoria Caristo Maurice Carroll Marco Castro Daniel Chapman Glennie Chavez Rolanda Chung Maria Cisneros Patrice Cobb Fiona Cogley Amber Consul Tammy Cook-Toeller Ryan Cosgrove Gillian Couch Stephanie Cowitt Pia Crawford Mariebernadette Cruz Traci Daley eric davis Zechariah De Silva Jeannemarie DeAguero Dusan Despot Amy Dinh Brittany Dluzneiski Natalie Dolan Maurice Dorsey Matthew Downing Christina Earon Pamela Elgergi Cassandra Esteban Alan Estrada Sean Evans Tyler Evans Dennis Fajardo Carissa Farino Reymund Fast Elias Fedil Robert Fielding Andrea Fink-Armold Heather Fleming-Carson Kamra Fuller Whitney Gallios Kurt George Nicole Gerhardt Matt Gjurich

Jennifer Gonzalez Jet Goon-Yeung Kimberly Green Hannah Gregurek Jillian Gutierrez Justin Hafen Jannette Hamilton Mario Hamilton Madison Harper Patricia Hayden Catherine Heath Stephen Hendrix Brianna Hernandez Kainani Higa Crystal Hill Christian Hillman Patrick Hillman Kevin Hillmon Kary Houghton Kim Howard Mollie Huber Heather Hudson Tonya Jackson Matthew Janz Melissa Jenkins Brittani Jensen Elvis Jimenez Briahna Jones Emilie Jones Sheena Judie Adriann Kamakahukilani Alisa Klatt Nichole Klein Ryan Lafleur Taylor Lambrix Brittany Larsen Jade Larson-Houck Ryan Leake Intisar Lee James Lim Christine Littler Chanelle Lockhart Ramon Lopez Jeffery Lutvak Jessica Malone

ALUMNI

Natasha Martin Jessica Martinez-Antonio Jordan Mathisen Michael Mcginnis Amanda Mcleod Paula Medeiros Rebecca Medsker Russell Meiries Antonia Mendoza Brianna Mercadante Kaitlyn Meyerowitz Andrea Michalsky Amoret Miller Danielle Minton Kristen Moehrle Christopher Morelli Wyatt Morgan Nanika Moseley Mahvish Nawaz Connie Nelson Claudia Noriega Jillian Occhiuto Marcella Olivares Jazmin Olivera Martha Oppong Amber Ostrow Macario Osuna Chalesha Overton Jessica Page Jackeline Palacios Magdalena Palma Joseph Paul Tiffany Payne Kathryn Peck Veronica Perez Karen Petty Jayme Pina Kayla Ponich Betty Portillo Margaret Potts Carol Powers Amanda Prado Penny Pukall Nathanael Purdy Ashley Ramautar

Ayesha Rashid Alexandra Raymonvil Lauren Ream Daniela Recio-Oquendo Fernandez Christopher Reed Ana Ricardez Brandon Rios Gabrielle Rivera Christina Robinson Lalaine Robinson Kristopher Robuck Debrah Rocco Somer Rodgers Jessenia Rodriguez Nikolaus Rotzinger Mark Sakurada Liliana Saligan Garcia Vanessa Sanchez Lilly Santoyo Mercedes Scheel Shannon Schmidt Kristin Seifert Audrey Sheldon Astrid Silva William Sims Lori Singer Rachel Smilovici Brittani Smith Jared Smith Taryn Smith Jaclyn Southam Amanda Spatz Ryan Stanley Chelsea Stephan Erica Stiles Gabrielle Suarez Imelda Tarango Erin Taranto Arthur Taylor Jennifer Taylor Mariah Townley Jacob Traver Sein Tun Michelle Turner

Genevieve Uniza-Enriquez Cambria Urgola Lazaro Valdes Madison Veach Efren Vega Angela Voss Adam Wagner Daniel Walsh Evangelina Walsh Kate Warinski Daniel Warthan Sarah Wieman Kyle Woodall Gabrielle Yates Ivy Rose Yosores

SCHOOL OF NURSING Matthew Abad Ashley Akren Paige Alvarado Gisels Arellano Michael Patrick Argarin Jeanette Ayon-Ayon Sean Badidles Angelica Balmediano Brian Barrett Farzaneh Basardeh Soolmaz Basardeh Starla Beine Mackenzie Bennington Whitney Bennington Tracilli Beswayan Haley Blackburn-Jacobs Lidia Blackman Danielle Browley Cristina Brunty Katie Button Sharlee Cabalda Tiffany Cabos Grace Cadavona Marie Carey

Aarron Carroll Gabriela Chaidez Favour Chikezirim Randy Comendador Myrelle Corpuz Gener Cruz Terri Davis Edward De Jesus Eric De La Cruz Katherine Descalso Sherlyn Donovan Keegan Drawe Elizabeth Edwards Jazelle Erives Lea Estefanos Michael Evangelista Hannah Flemming Cynthia Fuentes Winter Garza Shelby Gil Yulia Glass Brynley Godfrey Kimberly Green Lori Griffin Alexis Haggerty Amanda Hall Candice Halverson Susan Harmon David Hartman Christina Hebdon Tracy Hildman Antonia Hirsch Behnoush Hosseinpour Angel Hunn Jennifer Hunt Michael Igwe Jeremiah Ilao Roy Ilar Sarah Ingham Laura Iniguez Melissa Jarusiri Bryant Jaske-Moser Sarah Jauregui Dawn Judman Joyce Kattengell

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Marcy Katzen Homaira Khalidi Robert Knight Nubia Konopnicki Sharon Kunsman-Larsen Rebecca Lassiter Ashley Lemaire Jeremy Loja Leah Lott Nancy Lugo Lucille Lulu He Jeff Lutman Jo Kevin Manabat Carol Matute Sherry Maya Nicole Mckay Gabriel Mejia Melissa Michaud

Heather Montgomery Ericka Mortlock Rechelle Moser Amy Mueller Shane Mulvey Nichole Nalder Amparo Nevarez Daniel Nguyen Nneka Nnodim Erik Nunez Bonnie O’Daye Bina Patel Hugo Peredo Kelly Peterson Thu Pham April Pietila Annabel Posis Danielle Powall

Nicole Prewitt Rachel Price Shaina Prichard Anthony Punchard Nefi Quintero Maria Raines Alexandra Rea Rebecca Reilly Ingrid Rivera Lei Romero Mirella Rosas Kimberly Rose Daniel Roth Jamie Schaefer Jessica Steiman Jade Stephenson Karen Stone Lauren Strawn

Grace Suenaga Melesia Thomas Rodney Thomas Kathryn Thompson Tara Thompson George Thomson Claudia Torres Jonas Vargas Irishanne Venditto Nancy Viedas Becky Williams Brittany Williams Sarah Williams Elizabeth Winkelblech Ekaterina Woodard Anthony Ysaguirre

The Nevada State College Office of Institutional Research defines the class of 2017 as “graduates with degrees conferred in the summer 2016, fall 2016, and spring 2017 semesters.”

To provide updates to the Office of Alumni Relations, please call (702) 992-2370.

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#VegasStrong REMEMBERING OUR SCORPIONS

On 1 October, 2017, two Nevada State alumni lives were lost during the devastating mass shooting event in Las Vegas. We are a tightknit campus community, and when one person is hurt, we all are.

We honor their lives here, and we hold their memories in our hearts and halls forever.

Cameron Robinson (class of 2009) was a student employee while working toward his Bachelor of Science in business administration and later served as an admissions and records specialist in the registrar’s office. Most recently, he held a position with the city of Las Vegas. He is survived by his family, boyfriend, and many friends.

“Cameron was a bright light that has been extinguished much too soon! He gave everything he had to his job and had such a passion for his work. He was innovative ... always looking for a new way to do something. He always had a smile, one that could turn your day around. I’m so grateful that we were part of the NSC family together and will cherish the years we worked together. He will be forever in our hearts and will be missed by the many who were lucky enough to call him a friend.”

CAMERON ROBINSON

–Adelfa Sullivan and Patricia Ring Sgt. 1st Class Charleston Hartfield (class of 2013) held a Bachelor of Public Administration in law enforcement with a minor in business, and he was a military veteran who served with the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. He is survived by his wife, Veronica, and their two children. Veronica also attended Nevada State and obtained her nursing degree in 2012.

CHARLESTON HARTFIELD

“Charleston Hartfield was an exemplary student and a wonderful person. We communicated frequently regarding his online classes, and he was always the first student to reply to any request for volunteer work in the community. We first met (face to face) at the 2012 Goodie Two Shoes Rockin’ Walk. I was struck by how excited and dedicated he was to mentoring youth in the Las Vegas area. He gave so much to his country through his military service, to the Las Vegas area through his employment with Metro, and to me by giving insight into crime and criminal justice issues in the Valley. When a supervisor requested a student to highlight for graduation, I knew exactly who to recommend. Although his story was not selected, I again proposed Charleston for a photo shoot and feature on successful NSC alumni. He was chosen and has a feature on the “Choose Success” section of our website. I cannot say enough good things about this man and send my sincerest condolences to his family and his brothers and sisters in the military and at Metro. Thank you for your dedication and your service. We will never forget you.”

–Lance R. Hignite, Ph.D.

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InRemembrance J. RUSSELL RAKER III 1941 – 2016

J. Russell Raker III passed away December 21, 2016, after an extensive 53-year career in fundraising, nonprofit capacity building, and leadership in higher education, health care, and social service. Over the past 50 years, he led teams that raised more than $1 billion in funds for the nonprofit sector. After retiring in late 2006, he moved to Southern Nevada, where he was selected in 2007 as the associate vice president for development at Nevada State College and Foundation in Henderson. He worked with the college’s leadership team, the foundation’s board of trustees, and the Nevada System of Higher Education to develop a comprehensive fundraising program at the college, with a commitment to integrity, collaboration, accountability, quality, and stewardship.

In addition, in 2008, he co-founded the Gift Planning Advisors, which was a collaborative partnership of six nonprofit organizations in Southern Nevada, working with plannedgiving professionals to enhance the educational opportunities available to them and to strengthen the awareness of the organizations. A memorial service was held in January 2017 at Nevada State College. The family requests that gifts be made for the J. Russell and Carol Raker Teacher Education Fund, Nevada State College Foundation. For more information please contact the college at (702) 992-2377.

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES Dan H. Stewart Chair Vice President for Development Gardner Company of Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada Sherry Colquitt Secretary Civic and Community Leader Las Vegas, Nevada Charles R. Rinehart Treasurer Retired Bank Executive Civic and Community Leader Las Vegas, Nevada

Jeffrey L. Burr President and Attorney at Law Law Firm of Jeffrey Burr Ltd. Henderson, Nevada Dane Carter President/Building Division Sletten Construction of Nevada Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada Teressa Conley President/CEO Rose de Lima Campus Dignity Health/St. Rose Dominican Hospitals Henderson, Nevada

Tony F. Sanchez III Senior Vice President for Government and Community Strategy NV Energy Las Vegas, Nevada Dan K. Shaw President Shaw Jones Partners LLC Henderson, Nevada William C. Wortman Principal Cannery Casino Resorts LLC Las Vegas, Nevada

Thomas O. Cordy Retired Business Executive Civic and Community Leader Las Vegas, Nevada and Atlanta, Georgia

TRUSTEES EMERITUS Selma Bartlett Private Banker Meadows Bank Civic and Community Leader Henderson, Nevada

Daniel T. Gerety Founder and Managing Partner Gerety & Associates: Certified Public Accountants Las Vegas, Nevada

Randy A. Garcia CEO The Investment Council Company of Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada

William E. Martin Retired Bank Executive Civic and Community Leader Henderson, Nevada

James B. Gibson Clark County Commissioner District G Civic and Community Leader Henderson, Nevada

EX OFFICIO Bart Patterson President Nevada State College Henderson, Nevada

John R. Gibson Retired Corporate Executive Civic and Community Leader Chairman of the Board American Pacific Corporation Las Vegas, Nevada

Mark Howard Retired CEO Mountain View Hospital/Sunrise Health Civic and Community Leader Las Vegas, Nevada and Cedar Hills, Utah

PAST CHAIRS Glenn Christenson Managing Director, Velstand Investments LLC Henderson, Nevada David M. Grant Attorney at Law and Partner Grant Morris Dodds: Trust, Probate and Guardianship Attorneys Henderson, Nevada

MEMBERS Alfredo T. Alonso Principal Lewis Roca Rothgerber Madeleine Andress Civic and Community Leader Las Vegas, Nevada Tim Brooks Owner/General Manager Emerald Island Casino Henderson, Nevada Hannah M. Brown Civic and Community Leader Las Vegas, Nevada

John Ritter Chairman/CEO Focus Property Group Las Vegas, Nevada

Elaine Hodgson President and CEO Incredible Technologies Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada

Vicki Hafen Scott Hafen Financial Services Inc. Civic and Community Leader Henderson, Nevada

Marilyn Jentzen Principal, Innovative Impact Consulting Education Advocate Las Vegas, Nevada

Erik Sletten President Sletten Construction of Nevada Inc. Las Vegas, Nevada

Richard Perkins President The Perkins Company Henderson, Nevada

For more information on the Nevada State College Foundation, please visit nsc.edu/community/nsc-foundation.

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FOUNDATION

Nevada State College FOUNDATION

Welcome NEW FACULTY AND STAFF Nevada State College is excited to welcome our new full-time faculty and staff members to the Nevada State family.

This list reflects faculty and staff members hired between December 2016 and March 2018.

FACULTY Christine Beaudry Assistant Professor of Education Rachel Bower Assistant Professor of Education Dawn Butler Lecturer of First Year Experience Katherine Durante Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Andrew Evanski Lecturer of Nursing David Kelsey Lecturer of Deaf Studies (State) Vanessa Mari Assistant Professor of TESL Patricia Nill Lecturer of Nursing

Brandi Bruno Recruiter Linda Caballero Accounting Assistant I Lee Christopher Transfer Coordinator Christine Draper Instructional Designer Rikki Gaddy Program Coordinator Tracey Hatter Admissions/Records Assistant III Rachel Herzl-Betz Assistant Director of the Writing Center Danielle Johnson Advisor/Counselor

Candace Morris Assistant Director of TRIO Upward Bound Melanie Murray Director of Partnerships & Field Experiences Carlos Navarro Academic Advisor/Counselor Michelle O’Reilly Administrative Assistant II Abraham Pease-Byron Helpdesk Supervisor Pamela Pereira-Tapia Administrative Assistant III LaNelda Rolley Director of Marketing & Events Tom Saia IT Technician IV

Kathryn Sprouse Lecturer of American Sign Language

Erin Keller Associate Vice President of Institutional Advancement

Christina Squires Assistant Professor of Psychology

Alexander Kunkle Director of Academic Advising

Vickie Shields Provost & Executive Vice President

Anna Taber Lecturer of Nursing

Alicia Lamotte Advisor/Counselor

Stefany Sigler Advisor/Counselor

Suchawadee Yimmee Assistant Professor of Nursing

Sarah Leavitt Accounting Assistant I

Margie Toves Advisor/Counselor

STAFF Sierra Adare-Tasiwoopa Api Instructional Technologist

Marquis Lee Admissions/Records Assistant II

Cordellia Vanover Pre-Award Grants Coordinator

Amber Lopez Lasater Chief of Staff

Anna Vishnevsky Coordinator for Graduation & Student Services

Christian Avila Admissions/Records Assistant II Alex Benzon IT Technician IV Hank Boone Advisor/Counselor

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Justine Kae Magtoto Library Technician II Kayla Mcduffie Administrative Assistant II

Diane Senecal Accounting Assistant I

Achieving academic tenure is a high honor that signifies a faculty member’s commitment to the institution. Nevada State College tenure-track teaching faculty begin as assistant professors. After five years of consistently high ratings in teaching, service, and scholarship in this role, an assistant professor may apply for promotion to associate professor by submitting detailed narratives and evidence of work for review by an internal committee, external evaluators, the dean of the professor’s school, and finally the provost. Once promoted, Nevada State recommends the faculty member to the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents, who in turn vote to approve tenure.

Congratulations to our 10 faculty members who received tenure and promotion to associate professor in 2017 and 2018! They know that sending students out into the world who can question, analyze, and lead is one of our greatest contributions to improving our community, culture, and world. We applaud them for their commitment to achieving these goals and responsibly serving to shape what we do and who we are as an institution.

2017 TENURED ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS Roberta Kaufman | Special Education Ludy Llasus, Ph.D., APRN, NP-C | Nursing Laura Naumann, Ph.D. | Psychology Zachary Woydziak, Ph.D. | Chemistry

2018 TENURED ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS Serge Ballif, Ph.D. | Mathematics Adam Davis, Ph.D. | Visual Media Jonathan Dunning | Psychology Lance Hignite, Ph.D. | Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Leila Pazargadi, Ph.D. | English Bryan Sigel, Ph.D. | Biology

Introducing our NEW FULL PROFESSOR Faculty may apply to be a full professors after serving as an associate professors for at least five years. In their applications, faculty members show that they have continued to excel in teaching, service, and scholarship. Each application is reviewed by an internal committee, external evaluators, the dean of the professor’s school, and finally the provost. If the provost approves, the faculty member is awarded the highest rank that teaching faculty may obtain. Full professors serve as mentors for junior faculty and represent the best instructors Nevada State College offers. In 2017, Lawrence Rudd, Ph.D., achieved this very high honor.

“My professional interests are in the areas of science education and geology. By following these interests throughout my life, I have been involved in a delightful combination of learning, researching, and teaching. My experience in science teaching has made me an ardent believer in inquiry-based learning. Here, at Nevada State College, my students learn both science and teaching methods in an active, student-centered classroom environment. I am motivated to teach classes about how to teach science because the topics involved are important, challenging, and most of all exciting!”

–Lawrence Rudd, Ph.D.

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F&S

Introducing our RECENTLY TENURED FACULTY

Honoring our MILESTONE FACULTY AND STAFF The following individuals have served the college for the duration of our 15 years.

We thank you for your dedication and celebrate this significant professional accomplishment!

JAIME CASTLE

SHERRILYN COFFMAN

GREGORY ROBINSON

Administrative Assistant IV

Professor of Nursing

Associate Vice Provost of Student Success

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The best way to predict your future is to CREATE IT. –Abraham Lincoln

2002

1300 Nevada State Drive Henderson, NV 89002 (702) 992-2000

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INTRODUCING THE NEW, STREAMLINED NEVADA STATE COLLEGE WEBSITE!

EXPLORE AT NSC.EDU