With the general anxiety over federal benefits happening right now, CSN is preparing to support students who may face food insecurity or other financial challenges in the coming weeks.

CSN’s Coyote Cupboard, the on-campus food pantry providing free “emergency groceries” to students, is ready to help. Thanks to a recent $30,000 funding boost, the Cupboard is stocked and prepared to serve a growing number of students through February.

Students can access the Coyote Cupboard once every other week to pick up essential groceries at no cost. The pantry operates at all three campuses and aims to ensure that no student has to choose between paying for books and buying food.

In addition to the Cupboard, CSN also offers the Student Emergency Fund, which provides short-term financial support to students facing urgent and unforeseen hardships. This fund is open to all currently enrolled students who meet eligibility criteria.

The Student Emergency Fund may help cover needs such as:

• Loss of employment or reduced income

• Transportation or technology disruptions

• Unexpected medical expenses

• Housing instability or utility shutoffs

• Emergency travel or family emergencies

Students can apply for up to $500 in assistance within a 12-month period, helping them stay enrolled and focused during times of uncertainty.

If you or someone you know is impacted by the shutdown or in need of support:

• Visit the Coyote Cupboard on your campus or view the brochure for hours and locations.

• Learn more about and apply for the Student Emergency Fund at CSN.edu/studentemergencyfund.

• Looking for additional off campus community resources, check this resource list out.

CSN encourages all faculty and staff to share this information with students who may need extra help during this time. Together, the Coyote community can ensure that no student is left behind.

Campus Life Brochure

If you’ve ever wrestled with textbook deadlines, confusing adoption forms, or the mystery of why “required” materials sometimes don’t arrive until week three…good news is coming.

Starting January 5, 2026, CSN is partnering with BibliU, a modern, all-in-one platform that makes getting course materials easier, cheaper, and far more efficient for everyone involved. Think fewer spreadsheets, faster access, and happier students.

Follett’s last day on campus will be December 12, 2025, with rental returns due by December 16. After that, BibliU officially takes the reins, bringing a whole new approach to how CSN delivers both physical and digital materials.

Here’s what sets BibliU apart: students in participating courses will automatically receive everything they need by the first day of class right inside Canvas. That means no long lines, no late books, and no “I couldn’t afford the textbook” setbacks. For faculty, the adoption process becomes smoother, with the ability to track engagement data to see which chapters are actually being read (brace yourselves).

“BibliU’s fully integrated academic and campus store solutions offer students reduced course material costs while ensuring high quality and accessible materials for all types of learners by the first day of class,” said Megan Ezekiel, CSN’s Director of Auxiliary Services. “This partnership enhances the student experience and supports learning outcomes by providing the resources students need to be successful in their academic journey.”

Beyond convenience, BibliU’s model has been linked to better outcomes, colleges that use the system have seen higher GPAs, stronger retention, and improved student persistence. And, yes, more students showing up to class actually prepared.

So, as Follett closes its final chapter at CSN, BibliU is ready to start a new one, one that blends affordability, innovation, and a few fewer headaches for faculty and staff.

📘 Curious to see what’s next?
Check out the full BibliU presentation and see how this partnership will transform how we think about course materials at CSN.

BibliU -College of Southern Nevada Presentation (1)

The College of Southern Nevada brought home five awards from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations District 6 Medallion Awards, recognizing outstanding work in community college marketing, communications, and public relations.

CSN earned top honors across multiple categories, including two Gold, two Silver, and one Bronze,  celebrating the creativity, collaboration, and impact of the college’s marketing team and its partners.

GOLD

• Recruitment & Marketing Campaign

• Advertising in Television and Radio 

SILVER

• Social Media Marketing Campaign 

• College View Book 

BRONZE

• Inclusive Marketing & Communication Project 

“These awards are truly a reflection of all of us at CSN,” said Steve Goebel, Executive Director of Marketing and Communications. “They represent the incredible collaboration that happens across our campuses every day, from faculty and staff who share their stories to the teams who help bring them to life. We’re humbled and proud to showcase the creativity, dedication, and heart that make CSN such a special community.”

The NCMPR Medallion Awards are the only regional competition that honors excellence among two-year college communicators. CSN competes in District 6, which includes community colleges across Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, and Utah.

About NCMPR

The National Council for Marketing & Public Relations is an affiliate of the American Association of Community Colleges, representing marketing and PR professionals at more than 1,600 two-year colleges across the U.S. and Canada.

CSN Fine Arts Department Presents: THE FALL DANCE FESTIVAL 2025, November 21^st  and 22^nd  

CSN’s Dance Program presents The FALL DANCE FESTIVAL OF 2025, in celebration of the Fall season and our growing program. It is also a special event that celebrates our dancers in the Autumn of their growth as performers and artists.

Within the 75-minute performance, audience members will experience a range of diverse works ranging from Folklorico, Afro Fusion, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary, all choreographed by our esteemed faculty, Carrie Miles, Pendu Malik, Liezel Marie Guzman, Mary La Croix and Jacquelyn Guzman, plus special guest Meraki Dance Theatre who came in and set their work “Adapt” on the CSN Concert Company.

Adapt, created in 2014, is a movement exploration that originated as a personal choreographic challenge which evolved into a lovely, solemn and self-reflective work. The collaborative dancing between choreographer and dancer and the delicate dialog will take audiences on a journey to find their surroundings and require them to adapt.

Meraki Dance Theatre, founded in 2014 by Carrie Lee Miles and Alicia Trump, who found support in one another, gained the strength and courage to pursue their dreams. This led to their first co-creation, Not Alone (2014), which was awarded 2nd Place Judges Choice Award at the 2015 Rocky Mountain Choreography Festival. Meraki Dance Theatre’s work is centered around relationships within society and deals with friendships, individuals, survival and social groupings. Both Alicia’s and Carrie’s movement is inspiring and flows on stage seamlessly, creating opportunities for the audience to experience their stories in a way that’s abstract enough that the audience members can insert themselves and their stories onto the canvas of the works on stage.

Kiss is 4Kidz came to us during CSN’s Dance Days to work with our dancers. The event included a Dance and Careers theme which presented an opportunity to have our students learn more about taking the “dis” out of ability with Tshelene Henried and Leslie Roth Kramer.

Kiss Is 4Kidz is a project of MoSaic Blue (Nevada based 501c3), an organization committed to enriching the lives of individuals in the (dis)ability community. We believe that every student and participant has unique strengths and talents that are simply waiting to be discovered and shared. Our Kiss Is 4Kidz program specializes in performing arts training and performances that include music, dance, and musical theatre! With the support of staff, community partners, mentors, performing arts specialists and sponsors, their inner voice will surely be heard, acknowledged, and appreciated on the universal stage. Our mission is to remove the (dis) out of disability, and focus on their SPECIAL ABILITIES!! For more information contact: (702) 937-4284, mosaicbluearts@gmail.com

Tshlene Henreid (Executive Director, Kiss Is 4Kidz) Constantly in motion, Tshlene was destined to be a dancer. Her God-given talent took her to Broadway, Hollywood and around the world. A diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis forced the music to stop, but only temporarily. While the debilitating form of arthritis slowed her roll, it didn’t force her to roll over and give up. With the help of physical therapy, a positive attitude, diet, divine intervention and sheer determination, she got back on her feet and started making moves on behalf of others who are often overlooked because they are differently-abled. In 2007 she arrived in Las Vegas and had an epiphany. She realized a burning desire to help others! So what was once a dream to dance around the world sharing her gifts, became a dream to share the gifts of others.

CSN’s Dance Program also welcomes Mary La Croix who joined us this year as our Ballet Instructor. She has set a lovely piece on our beginning and intermediate dancers.

Mary has danced professionally with Nevada Ballet Theatre, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Austin II, and the Las Vegas Contemporary Dance Theater (now known as Contemporary West Dance Theater). Mary has danced the title roles of Juliet, Aurora, Giselle, a Little Swan in Cynthia Gregory’s Swan Lake, Waltz Girl in Balanchine’s Serenade and the Principal in his Rubies. She has also performed in Alvin Ailey’s Night Creature and Ulysses Dove’s Vespers and Bad Blood. She has originated roles for many choreographers including James Canfield, Ann Marie DeAngelo, Thaddeus Davis, Bernard Gaddis, Gina Patterson, Nicholas Villenueve, Cayatano Soto, and Luca Vegetti. She has performed as a guest for the Career Transitions for Dancers Gala in NYC, NYC’s Summerstage, Capezio Dance Awards, Las Vegas Opera’s Carmen, the Stellar Music Awards, Ballet America, Nutcracker Ballet Theatre, and Santa Barbara Festival Ballet.

Mary founded Las Vegas Dance Academy in 2017, a studio with a strong ballet focus and a belief that a positive, structured, and inspiring environment will cultivate tremendous growth in the students. She has created a full length production of The Nutcracker and presents the performing ensemble throughout the Las Vegas valley. The studio has won numerous competition awards including Best Music, choreographic awards, and a National Title. She’s also a mom of 3!

This semester our Hip Hop class led by Liezel Marie, was part of the CSN Mascot reveal. Within this festival, audiences witnessed the high energy pump up of bringing in Cody the Coyote. Liezel Marie has set an exceptional jazz funk number on our CSN Concert Company.

We have some other fun surprises as in student works and more. We hope you will join us as we celebrate this beautiful Autumn season and all it brings.

The concert premieres Friday, November 21^st, at 7:00 p.m. with a matinee performance Saturday, November 22^nd at 2:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at CSN’s Performing Arts Center at the North Las Vegas campus.

General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  For more information or to purchase tickets online, please visit: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

# # # #

This November, the Office of Civic and Cultural Engagement is honoring CSN faculty and staff who’ve proudly served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

From the classroom to the frontlines, Coyotes who’ve worn the uniform embody courage, commitment, and service — values that continue to shape our college community today.

To recognize these individuals during Veterans Month, the Office of Civic and Cultural Engagement is inviting faculty and staff veterans to submit a headshot and short note about their service. Submissions will be featured throughout November as part of CSN’s Veterans Day celebrations.

“This is about celebrating the people behind the titles, the educators, advisors, and staff members who’ve served,” said Gersom Abiva, from the Office of Civic and Cultural Engagement. “We want to show our appreciation and let our students see the incredible stories right here at CSN.”

Participation is completely voluntary, and you can share as much or as little as you’d like — whether that’s your branch, years of service, or just your name and photo. We’ll take it from there and make sure your story gets the spotlight it deserves throughout November.

👉 Submit Your Info Here

Veterans Day Celebration

In addition to the recognition campaign, the CSN Military & Veterans Alliance (MVA) invites all faculty and staff veterans and active-duty service members to stop by The Den for a special token of appreciation.

🗓 Date: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
🕘 Time: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
📍 Where: The Den @ WCU 121, NLVU 121, and HNU 121

The MVA team will be on-site with small gifts and big gratitude, honoring those whose service and sacrifice have strengthened both our nation and our CSN community.

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Who Can Participate

This recognition is open to CSN faculty and staff who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, including:

• Air Force

• Army

• Coast Guard

• Marine Corps

• Navy

• Space Force

If you’ve served, we’d be honored to feature you. Thank you for your service—and for continuing to make a difference every day at CSN.

Calling all storytellers, podcasters, PR pros-in-training, and future newsroom legends! The Communication & Journalism Internship Fair is back for its third year, and it’s your shot to turn classroom skills into real-world experience.

Meet employers from TV, radio, podcasts, e-magazines, and more on Wednesday, Oct. 29, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Charleston campus, B-Building Lobby. Bring your resume, your best handshake, and maybe a good pitch or two—you never know who you’ll impress.

Internships count toward JOUR 290 or COM 196, so you can earn credits while building your portfolio.

Details: csn.edu/communication-and-journalism-internships

You never know where a CSN faculty member’s creativity might show up next and this time, it’s on the red carpet.

Dr. Meena Singhal, longtime instructor, administrator, and current adjunct faculty member in CSN’s World Languages Department, recently celebrated the world premiere of her documentary Boundless Borders at the Hollywood Park Film Festival in Inglewood, California.

Directed by Alessandro Gentile, co-produced by Heather Flores, and featuring Victor Andrade, the film tells the inspiring true story of an undocumented student from Guatemala who faces language barriers, financial hardships, and the constant threat of deportation, yet keeps pushing forward to pursue higher education in the United States.

As the film’s executive producer, Dr. Singhal brings more than two decades of experience in education to the screen, shining a light on resilience, hope, and the transformative power of learning.

Boundless Borders will make its next stop at the OC Film Fiesta in Santa Ana, California, on October 25.

Because when it comes to storytelling, CSN faculty don’t just teach about making an impact — they actually do it.

If you happened to be on CSN’s North Las Vegas campus last Friday, you probably heard the music and the unmistakable buzz of curiosity in the air. That’s because more than 320 guests, including 149 potential students, turned out for the fall CSN Open House to see what being a Coyote is all about.

The afternoon had everything: campus tours every 30 minutes, food trucks serving up local favorites, games and activities, and live music courtesy of Fiesta Radio. Inside, students and their families checked out academic demos, chatted with professors, and explored career options across dozens of CSN programs — from automotive tech and business to media, nursing, and the arts.

“CSN Open House gathered together multiple academic and support departments to show our Las Vegas community what a future as a CSN Coyote can look like,” said CSN Recruiter Erika Hamilton. “Being able to spend a few hours on a Friday, exploring options with their families by touring the campus, attending workshops, and talking to CSN staff helps put into perspective the college experience. My hope is that by taking that time, we at CSN have helped guide a student towards a future that they are excited to pursue.”

By the end of the day, future students left with plenty of swag, new information about programs and scholarships and maybe even a little motivation to make their “someday” college dream happen sooner than later.

Not a bad way to spend a Friday afternoon.

📸 Check out all the photos from the event in our newsroom

It wasn’t just another Wednesday at CSN — it was Cody the Coyote’s big day, and he made one heck of an entrance.

At exactly 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 8, the roar of engines echoed across the North Las Vegas campus as Count’s Kustoms, stars of the History Channel’s hit show Counting Cars, and Shelby American rolled in with a fleet of high-octane showstoppers to parade Cody onto campus in style.

We’re talking chrome, horsepower, and serious wow-factor — courtesy of Count, Tamara Ryan, and Vince LaViolette from Shelby. “These were some hot-looking cars,” said one onlooker. “Cody definitely knows how to make an entrance.”

And he didn’t arrive alone. The Coyote crew was joined by seven mascot friends from around the valley, including:

Spruce the Goose & Aviator (Las Vegas Aviators)
The Desert Dogs
Lucky (Henderson Silver Knights)
The Scorpion (Nevada State University)
Marianna’s Maize
The Las Vegas Nights
The Miracle League of Las Vegas

The plaza erupted in cheers as the mascots danced, posed for selfies, and joined students in celebrating all things Coyote.

The festivities kicked off with ASCSN Student Body President Sovereign Hone, who reminded everyone why mascot pride matters. Then, the CSN Dance Program brought the house down with a performance that had the crowd cheering and waving their foam fingers.

In one of the day’s most memorable moments, North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown presented an official proclamation declaring October 8 as Cody the Coyote Day — forever cementing Cody’s place in city history.

City council members, NSHE Board of Regents, CSN Athletics, community vendors, and students joined the fun. It was a full-blown Coyote celebration that proved school spirit is alive and well at CSN!

Video from Count’s YouTube Channel

📸 See all the highlights from Cody’s big day

Dear Community,

Whew! Time has flown by, and I cannot believe we are already at the mid-point of fall semester. It’s now been 100 days since I started as the CSN President and I’m excited to share a few thoughts and aspirations as we head into the next 80 days. As a huge fan of Ted Lasso, I BELIEVE in what we do, who we serve, and what we can achieve as we continue to work together. First and most importantly, THANK YOU! Students, faculty, staff, and our community partners all welcomed me into the family, and I am grateful to be part of this extraordinary organization. Your dedication to student success and institutional excellence inspires me every day. I am equally impressed with our ability to connect externally, support our industry and educational partners, and renew our commitment to serving as a relevant partner to enhance the economic viability of Southern Nevada.

Over the past several months, I have engaged in conversations across the campuses and in the community, including Mesquite and Laughlin — listening to your insights, concerns, and dreams. Your thoughts about CSN will help shape where we go next. My promise over the next 80 days is to continue listening, connecting people together, and honoring our innovative spirit and strategic planning process. We are ALL CONNECTED, like tinker toys, and together we get to achieve amazing goals for our students, our communities, and ourselves! Our reason why?…Students! Our census data is in! We showed a 5 percent increase in our Fall 2025 enrollment compared to Fall 2024! Even more significant, current enrollment projects an improvement of 7 percentage points in the first to third semester retention rate for our first-time full-time students. Our Pell-eligible students showed an increase of 5 percent; part-time students increased by 4.9 percent; and full-time (12+ units) are running about 5.5 percent higher than last year! ‌What does this mean for CSN? First, many of our strategic enrollment initiatives are working! Secondly, with increases occurring, we must look at enhancing our student services, ensure that the necessary classes are available, and invest in our infrastructure. We want to enrich our student onboarding experience, first-year experience courses and skill attainment, and overall student engagement. Those are not easy to address immediately, but our students deserve our best. ‌While this enrollment increase has been a remarkable achievement, we also recognize that enrollment growth is only one prong in our fiscal strategy for our future. No one is a fan of increasing student costs, and CSN has remained one of the lowest cost institutions for years, but now we must ask our students to invest with us in our future and theirs! As many of you know, a tuition and fee increase will be considered by the Board of Regents in the coming months. To effect this change for students, we engaged with student leaders for feedback and transparency — they listened, we listened. The students understand the value and importance of making these needed increases. We will continue to listen and learn from them as we move forward. ‌The plan is to raise our registration fees by 2 percent over the next three years to meet the 6 percent goal targeted in discussions with NSHE. Ultimately, as we prepare for the next NSHE Board of Regents meeting, we are proposing a new Academic Success Initiative Fee to support tutoring, advising, and academic support related services. Additionally, we are proposing an increase to the Distance Education Fee to assist with associated costs for online instruction. As we continue to review the impact of these increases, we will remain committed to work closely with our student leaders. ‌Our commitment to our community! We recently opened the Westside Education Training Center to serve communities in the Historic Westside of Las Vegas. This collaboration with the City of Las Vegas and the EDA opened new opportunities for so many residents of the area. We are excited and proud to partner with external stakeholders and will continue to do that through meaningful and intentional engagement. ‌We are also strengthening our partnership with the Clark County School District through enhanced dual credit opportunities. I’ve had the opportunity to meet with Superintendent Ebert numerous times, and I left each meeting with a sense of hope and optimism. We all want our communities to thrive and grow, and as educators, we know that training and education are the keys to making that happen. ‌There are some amazing partnerships occurring with our industry leaders in Southern Nevada. Our DWED offices continue to work closely with Workforce Connections, the team from Career Services is making new employment partnerships regularly, and our academic programs continue to engage with advisory boards to ensure a talented and educated workforce for our communities. I was recently invited to serve as a board member for the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA) and will push our mission every chance I get. This is just the beginning!

Sharing our story with the Legislature! We recently shared our legislative priorities with the leadership team from NSHE. We will continue to refine them, and we will remain good partners and advocates for higher education in Nevada. ‌Our priorities will remain fixed on the funding formula, safety and security, staffing levels to ensure superior service, enhanced infrastructure, and opportunities for expansion through the NW Campus, dual credit, prison education programs, and health professions. Although the funding formula changes did not materialize during the last session, we will continue to push for funding equity and adequacy for CSN and all community colleges in the state! ‌Let’s talk about us! The budget outlook remains a top priority for CSN. While the budget reality will bring challenges, we will use this as an opportunity to ensure our future viability. The Executive Budget Advisory Committee will hold its next meeting soon and has been charged with assessing ways to reduce spending and enhance cost savings. We will research ways to increase revenue through new funding sources and partnerships. ‌Most importantly, the leadership team and I are committed to emphasizing transparency, accountability, and collaboration. It will take a coordinated effort to address some of the budgetary challenges, but CSN will come out stronger than ever. ‌We recently received approval from the Board for our Strategic Bridge Plan (2025-2027) to guide us through the next two years and allow us to spend time developing our strategies and priorities for the future. Our future plans should always include student success, workforce development, and institutional sustainability. We will engage in the strategic planning process using shared governance and an inclusive approach to ensure that we all participate and invest in our future together. After spending so much time on our mid-cycle report, we were prepared for our NWCCU visit on October 6 and 7. The accreditation visit reaffirmed CSN’s academic excellence, as well as our commitment to assessment and student success. We will address their recommendations with urgency and transparency, especially those related to shared governance and decision-making. Our visit was a success because of the work done by our faculty and staff leading up to the meetings. The site evaluators commented several times about our passion and commitment to serve our students and communities. ‌I am a strong believer in shared governance and will continue to advocate for CSN to strengthen our model to ensure inclusivity and deliberative processes. We will engage with our stakeholders so that we build a culture of trust, open communication, transparency, and innovation. I am proud to serve you and work closely with the Faculty Senate, Administrative Faculty Assembly, Classified Council, and Associated Students of CSN as well as the many stakeholders that share a passion for our mission. ‌As you know, we also have a new Chancellor for the Nevada System of Higher Education. We are connecting to ensure that we align with NSHE priorities: student access and success, workforce development, and innovation. CSN is a significant contributor to the educational attainment in Southern Nevada and together with our system, we will continue to strengthen opportunities for our communities. ‌Looking forward… In closing, these first 100 days laid a strong foundation for the work ahead. I come to work every day inspired by your dedication and confidence in our shared ability to meet challenges and seize opportunities. Let’s continue making those connections so that we can build a strong, educated, marketable workforce to support the great state of Nevada. Join me in shaping our culture and the future of CSN as a forward-thinking, inclusive, and welcoming place for our students, faculty, staff, and our communities. – ‌Stacy

When nursing student Holli Jackson showed up to class at CSN’s Charleston campus, she didn’t expect to leave $25,000 richer, but that’s exactly what happened.

Jackson claimed the grand prize in the Vegas Golden Knights’ Road to Puck Drop Scavenger Hunt, presented by Naqvi Injury Law. The final clue led straight to the Charleston campus, where she found the hidden target and took home the jackpot.

Members of the VGK Cast and broadcast team joined the celebration, along with Farhan Naqvi, who said, “This was definitely the toughest challenge we’ve seen — but Holli came through.”

The week-long hunt had fans chasing clues across the valley for game tickets, player gear, and experiences from VGK partners. In total, more than $30,000 in prizes were handed out — but it was CSN’s own Coyote who walked away the big winner.

📸 Read the full story

The Charleston campus turned into a live training ground on Wednesday, Oct. 15, as a Mercy Air helicopter touched down at 3:15 p.m. for an active emergency simulation with students from the College of Southern Nevada’s Paramedic Program.

Under clear skies and sunshine, 21 paramedic students from both the North Las Vegas and Charleston programs took part in a hands-on learning experience that put classroom theory into motion — literally.

The goal of the simulation was to give students a firsthand understanding of landing zone setup, helicopter approach safety, and proper patient loading and unloading procedures. It’s one thing to learn it in a book, but quite another to feel the wind whip around you as a helicopter descends.

“This kind of training would cost around $40,000 if we had to pay for it,” said Program Director Braiden Green, “so we’re incredibly thankful to Mercy Air and Las Vegas Fire & Rescue for volunteering their time and expertise.”

Las Vegas Fire & Rescue crews established the landing zone, while Mercy Air flew in their helicopter and flight team, offering students a rare, close-up look at the coordination required during an emergency air transport.

The event was intentionally kept small to give students the most hands-on experience possible during the flight team’s limited ground time. Given the sensitive nature of recent aviation accidents, this exercise carried even more relevance and gravity for everyone involved.

Beyond the rotor wash and adrenaline, the training underscored the value of CSN’s strong community partnerships that allow students to gain real-world experience before graduation.

A smooth landing, clear skies, and a valuable lesson in teamwork — not a bad day at the office for CSN’s future first responders.

You Tube Video

📸 View photos from the simulation:

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Lab at the North Las Vegas campus was full of laughter and fun activities last week as children and staff celebrated Campus Children’s Week — a week dedicated to creativity, community, and connection.

Each day offered a new adventure, from reading circles and outdoor play to fitness, art, and a campus parade. Highlights included Pilates with CSN Athletics, Chalk on the Walks Day, and a special storytime with President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein, who stopped by to read with the children.

The week also featured a heartfelt celebration of Indigenous Peoples Day. Dr. Theri Wycoff and Jack from the CSN Library shared the banned book Fry Bread with students, followed by a hands-on cooking activity where the children made fry bread with a Navajo guest.

“These experiences help children see themselves as part of the CSN community,” said LaNora Gallo. “They learn through play, stories, and the world around them.”

Campus Children’s Week wrapped up with the ECE Campus Parade, where the children marched through campus waving handmade signs and spreading joy to everyone who crossed their path.

📸 View the Photo Gallery below

CSN’s Emmy Award-Winning Filmmakers Premiere at 14th Annual Short Film Showcase

Get the popcorn ready. The College of Southern Nevada’s 14th Annual Short Film Showcase hits the big screen on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025, at the North Las Vegas campus in the Morse Arberry Jr. Building, Room 1772. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the show starts at 6:30 p.m.

Each year, CSN’s videography and film students turn their ideas into cinematic magic; writing, shooting, and editing original short films that prove big stories can come in small packages. From drama to documentary, the lineup promises creativity, heart, and plenty of surprises.

Adding even more excitement this year, Emmy Award-winning CSN alumnus Hisonni Johnson returns to feature his latest film, Legend Has It: The Remarkable Rise of Stephen McCain. Johnson, who once sat in the same classrooms as today’s filmmakers, has since been hustling to make a standout career in film and television.

CSN’s film program has earned more than 141 regional Emmy nominations and 68 wins, a testament to its talented students and dedicated faculty.

The event is free and open to the public — just bring your love of film and maybe a few friends.

📍 Where: Morse Arberry Building A, Room 1772, CSN North Las Vegas Campus
📅 When: Thursday, Nov. 7, 2025
🕠 Doors: 5:30 p.m. | Showtime: 6:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Sean Collett at sean.collett@csn.edu.

PREMIERING NOVEMBER 6, 2025

Experience a profound and deeply intimate journey through the ordinary moments that make up an extraordinary life. The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) Theatre AA Program proudly presents Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, Our Town. This production presents a raw and unfiltered view of the cycles of life, love, and loss in the fictional small town of Grover’s Corners. What makes this staging truly unique is that the entire world of Grover’s Corners—from the choir to the Stage Manager—is brought to life exclusively by the CSN community. Talents from across the campus, including students, staff, and faculty, have united on stage to deliver this classic drama with a palpable sense of authenticity and collective passion. Don’t miss this powerful, homegrown production that asks us to truly see and appreciate the fleeting beauty of “everyday life.”

Under the visionary direction of CSN Theatre Faculty, Adrienne Showker, this staging of Our Town transcends traditional theatre. Showker explores non-traditional and metatheatrical performance devices, deliberately breaking the “fourth wall” and employing stark, unconventional techniques that draw attention to the act of performance itself. This raw approach promises to create a powerful bond between the performers and the audience, resulting in a truly unforgettable viewing experience that refreshes a timeless classic.

Our Town opens at CSN Performing Arts Center’s Backstage Theatre on Thursday, November 6^th, at 7 p.m., with additional performances scheduled on November 7th, 8th, 14th, and 15th at 7 p.m. and closes with a matinee performance on November 16th at 4 p.m.

General admission is $10 and $5 for students and seniors. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas, 89030.

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Friday, October 17, 2025, through Saturday, February 7, 2026

Debra March Center of Excellence –  Art Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts in collaboration with the City of Henderson, will host a solo exhibition of ceramic sculpture and mixed media artwork by Nevada-based artist, Nevada Arts Council/National Endowment for the Arts project grant recipient, and College of Southern Nevada Professor of Fine Arts, Robin Stark. Beyond the Fence: Recent Artwork by Robin Stark will open on Friday, October 17, 2025, and run through Saturday, February 7, 2026, in the Art Gallery at the City of Henderson’s Debra March Center of Excellence. A special Gallery Talk and Reception will take place on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, starting at 6 pm.

Robin Stark received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of California at Davis and her Master of Fine Arts from the Pennsylvania State University in State College, Pennsylvania. Freelancing as a ceramic artist by marketing a body of work at wholesale markets was appealing after graduation, but a move to Nevada in the 90s restored her interest in making one-of-a-kind pieces, while working full-time at an architectural firm coordinating public artwork and producing graphic design. Years passed, and Stark’s original passion for art education brought her to the College of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas where she leads the ceramic program as a full-time faculty member in the Fine Arts Department.

Newton’s law of gravity states: What goes up must come down. Stark lightheartedly compares this theory with its simplicity and directness to how she is motivated to create her ceramic sculptural forms and vessels. Perceptions and impressions from her experiences eventually come out as emotions or ideas transformed into a narrative, ceramic objects animated through form, color, and texture. What Stark experiences and her inner reactions must come out.

The Center of Excellence is a partnership between the City of Henderson and the College of Southern Nevada. Located in West Henderson, this facility is a critical feature for diversifying our industry by fulfilling a need for highly skilled, advanced manufacturing training. This specialized training facility is a valuable resource for both businesses that want to relocate to the area as well as existing locally-based companies looking to expand. The Center of Excellence is located in the burgeoning West Henderson area, which boasts the popular Henderson Executive Airport and is home to a wide range of distribution centers, corporate headquarters, and industrial parks.
CSN’s Arts Galleries are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours at the Debra March Center of Excellence Art Gallery are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Debra March Center of Excellence Art Gallery is closed on Saturday and Sunday, Nevada State Holidays, and between CSN Academic Terms.

The Debra March Center of Excellence is located at 2200 Via Inspirada, Henderson, Nevada 89044. “This program/project was supported, in part, by the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and the state of Nevada.”

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery

####

Grab your lunch and your love of numbers as the Office of Institutional Research & Data Analytics is hosting its next Data Lunch Date webinar on Wednesday, Oct. 15, from noon to 1 p.m. via Microsoft Teams.

This month’s session will reveal CSN’s final degree and certificate numbers for the 2024–25 academic year, marking another milestone on our journey toward 6,000 total completions by 2028.

After months of verification, CSN’s degree data is officially ready to report to NSHE and IPEDS, and the numbers are worth a look. The IR team will share this year’s final completion figures, highlight some surprising trends, and give attendees a guided tour of the newly updated Degree and Certificate Dashboard, a powerful tool for exploring CSN’s progress in real time.

Spoiler alert: We’re moving in the right direction.

Don’t miss this chance to see how far we’ve come — and where we’re headed next.

👉 Join the Data Lunch Date

On Thursday, Oct. 16 at 10:16 a.m., Coyotes across all campuses will drop, cover, and hold on as part of the Great Nevada ShakeOut, a statewide earthquake preparedness drill designed to help Nevadans practice what to do during an earthquake.

As part of the Nevada System of Higher Education, CSN will join colleges and universities across the state for this annual safety event, which is part of a larger international effort to promote earthquake readiness and resilience.

Did you know? Nevada is the third most seismically active state in the United States, which means being ready for an earthquake isn’t just smart, it’s necessary.

At exactly 10:16 a.m., an earthquake alert will sound across campus through CSN’s emergency communication system. When it does, all students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to immediately:

• DROP to the ground (before the earthquake drops you)

• COVER your head and neck with your arms, or get under a sturdy desk or table

• HOLD ON until the shaking stops

If there’s no table or desk nearby, move next to an interior wall, crouch down, and protect your head and neck with your hands.

Whether you’re on campus, at home, or on the go, take a moment to join in the ShakeOut and make earthquake safety second nature.

For more tips and resources, visit ShakeOut.org/Nevada or Ready.gov/Earthquakes.

At 16, most students are thinking about prom or driver’s ed. But for many Southern Nevada high schoolers, college is already part of the schedule. Through CSN’s Dual Credit program, these students are taking real college courses, earning credit, and discovering just how far a head start can take them.

The newsletter is a great way to stay connected with the latest updates and opportunities in this area.

📩 Want to join the Dual Credit Corner mailing list or have a story to share? Email Amber.Mayes@csn.edu to get involved.

2025_9_September_CSN Dual Credit Corner Newsletter

 

Artificial intelligence isn’t coming, it’s already here, grading essays, designing slides, making graphics.

From Oct. 22–24, the AI Summit 2025, hosted by Truckee Meadows Community College, invites all NSHE faculty and staff to explore how AI is transforming teaching, learning, and work. Attend via Zoom or in person at TMCC’s Dandini Campus in Reno.

Expect sessions like:

• AI Red Flags: Spotting AI-generated writing and images

• Authenticity in the Age of AI: Keeping it real when robots get creative

• The AI-Resilient Educator: Moving from reactive to proactive practices

Keynote speaker Reed Dickson, from Pima Community College, will lead conversations on how higher education can adapt with creativity, ethics, and humanity.

Did you know? Nevada’s colleges are leading the way in exploring how AI can support, not replace, human intelligence.

👉 Join the conversation!
Register here or scan the QR code on the flyer to reserve your spot.

AI Summit Flyer (final)

If you’ve ever heard the term Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and thought it sounded like something you’d need a calculator or a translator for, you’re not alone. The Financial Aid team at the College of Southern Nevada is here to clear things up with two upcoming SAP Information Sessions that’ll make sense of the rules, the formulas, and the fine print.

Join us on Wednesday, Oct. 15 from 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. or Thursday, Oct. 16 from 4 to 5 p.m. on Microsoft Teams for a breakdown of how SAP works and why it matters.

These sessions are designed specifically for CSN staff /faculty who want to better understand how SAP impacts our students’ eligibility for financial aid and how we can help them stay on track to graduate.

Expect plain talk about:
• How SAP is calculated (yes, math is involved, but we promise it’s painless).
• The three key components—GPA, pace, and maximum timeframe.
• What happens when students fall short (and what we can do to help).
• Why some SAP appeals are denied or suspended—and how to help students avoid that.

“SAP can sound intimidating, but really, it’s just a way to help our students stay on track with their academic path while also maintaining their financial aid eligibility,” said the Financial Aid team.

To join in, just sign up here, and you’ll receive a Teams invite with all the details.

So come ready to talk GPA, pace, and timeframes – not maple syrup.

The College of Southern Nevada’s Jazz Singers will present the 50^th Annual edition of Vocal Jazz Solo Nights (“VJSN”) November 7^th and 8^th. The evening will feature each member singing a solo of their choice as well as selections sung by the ensemble.

A variety of jazz styles will be on display at this 50th edition of the VJSN concert at the College of Southern Nevada. There will be some swing, bebop and even R&B featured. According to Dr. Mark Wherry, the tradition of VJSN began in the fall of 2000 as a way for jazz students to sharpen their solo singing and gain a greater appreciation for jazz music.

“In any given semester, we work on six or seven songs to perfection. With every member singing solos, the ensemble is exposed to at least an additional twelve compositions. That’s quite a few songs over the course of many semesters,” Dr. Wherry explains.

“This will be the 50^th edition of the event. We do it every semester so, by my calculations, we’re at 50. I’m very proud of our CSN music students. Some of our alumni are hosting their own shows on the Strip, performing on cruise lines, and even touring in Europe. In many cases, Vocal Jazz Solo Nights is where they got their start,” Dr. Wherry adds.

Vocal Jazz Solo Nights will be presented on two evenings, Friday, November 7^th and Saturday, November 8^th at 7 p.m. in the Jay Morrison Recital Hall (Building H, Room 122) located in the Fine Arts Department at the North Las Vegas campus. Tickets are $8 General Admission and $5 for Students and seniors and can be purchased online anytime or at the box office one hour prior to the performance. For more information or to purchase tickets online and avoid box office lines, please visit our website at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

It’s Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and NSHE System Computing Services is serving up more than just strong passwords and “don’t click that link” reminders. This October, the experts are logging on to share the latest in digital defense from the cost of convenience to the rise of AI-powered deepfakes.

The free webinars are open to all NSHE students, faculty, and staff. No registration required just bring your institutional email and a healthy dose of curiosity.

Here’s what’s on deck:

• Cybersecurity in Action
  Tuesday, Oct. 7 | 11 a.m.–noon
  Timothy D. Galluzi, Nevada’s Chief Information Officer, shares lessons on resilience and the road ahead for Nevada’s digital future.

• The Hidden Price of Convenience
  Wednesday, Oct. 8 | 11 a.m.–noon
  Tim Tipton, Principal Security Architect at Arctiq, explains why “easy” isn’t always safe when it comes to our online habits.

• The Next Frontier: AI, Deepfakes, and the Trust Crisis
  Wednesday, Oct. 29 | 11 a.m.–noon
  Think fake news was bad? Tipton returns to unpack how AI-generated content is blurring the lines between fact and fiction.

• “You need your business & I need my money”: A Hacker’s Voicemail
  Thursday, Nov. 6 | 11 a.m.–noon
  Adam Blake, Cyber Security Architect with ThinkGard, explores the not-so-friendly messages hackers leave behind—and how to keep them out of your inbox.

Can’t make it live?

Each webinar will be recorded and posted online for replay. Catch the details and Zoom links at scs.nevada.edu/cybersecurity-awareness.

Because in today’s world, clicking carelessly can cost more than just your Netflix password.

2025 Cybersecurity Webinar Series Flyer - Dark

Ashley Perez, a 2024 graduate of CSN’s dental assisting program, is smiling a little brighter these days. She’s one of just 10 recipients nationwide to earn the 2025 Liz Koch Memorial Scholarship from the DALE Foundation, the affiliate of the Dental Assisting National Board.

Now working as a dental assistant at the CSN Dental Faculty Practice, Perez plans to put the award toward earning her Certified Dental Assistant credential.

“As a first-generation, firstborn daughter to immigrant parents, I realized that healthcare was a privilege,” Perez said. “I always knew I would want to give back and help as many people as I could.”

Perez said the honor motivates her to continue her education and to serve patients who face barriers to dental care and communication.

Learn more about the scholarship and the 2025 recipients.

Congratulations Ashley!

It’s official: CSN’s own Dr. Janna Bernstein Rogers and Dr. Racquel Melson are part of the Leadership Las Vegas Class of 2026—aka the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) cohort. 🐐

Hosted by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Las Vegas is the premier community leadership program in Southern Nevada. Over the next year, Dr. Bernstein Rogers and Dr. Melson will join 60 other changemakers from across business, government, education, and nonprofits. Together, they’ll roll up their sleeves, tackle challenges, and collaborate on ways to shape a stronger, more connected Las Vegas.

When you see them around campus, you might want to practice saying, “Hey, G.O.A.T.”—because these two are officially in the herd that’s leading our community forward.

Golfers, dust off your drivers and shine up those lucky putters — the Coyote Golf Classic is back, and it’s more than just a day on the course. On Monday, Nov. 17, CSN Athletics is taking over Reflection Bay Golf Club for a full day of fairways, fundraising, and maybe a few mulligans.

The action starts at 7:30 a.m. with registration, then a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The format is a gross scramble with an automatic two-putt, which is tournament-speak for “fast, fun, and forgiving.”

Why We Play

Every swing, slice, and sand save supports CSN student-athletes. Proceeds from the tournament fund scholarships and programs that help Coyotes succeed in the classroom and in competition. Translation: Your birdie putt might just help buy textbooks.

Join the Pack

Registration is still open and $2,000 will get you a corporate foursome package. And this isn’t your average golf outing. Each foursome gets signage on the course, breakfast, lunch, practice facility access, plus golf swag — hats, shirts, jackets, and balls. Basically, you’ll leave looking like you could join the PGA Tour (minus the paycheck).

Sign Up Here

Sponsor Like a Champ

Not into playing but still want to back the pack? Sponsorship opportunities range from $500 contests like “Longest Drive” to the $20,000 Title Sponsorship. You can even sponsor the Bloody Mary Bar for $4,000. That’s right — your company’s name could be forever tied to keeping golfers hydrated and happy.

More Than a Game

Expect plenty of contests, prizes, and an awards lunch to cap the day. With only 144 player spots available, CSN Athletics is encouraging golfers, alumni, and community partners to get in the game before the field fills.

How to Get Involved

Sign up or learn about sponsorships at csncoyotes.com or contact Jake Rogers at 702-651-3129.

Spots are limited. Time to tee it up and support the home team.

Put on your hard hat and grab a front-row seat to the future of construction. CSN’s School of Advanced and Applied Technologies, in partnership with the Nevada Contractors Association, is hosting Construction Career Day on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon.

This isn’t your typical career fair. Think hands-on exhibits, power-activated tools, heavy machinery, and even drone demonstrations, all designed to give students, jobseekers, and community members a real look (and feel) at what it takes to build our city from the ground up.

Whether you’re curious about construction technology, fascinated by building and design, or just want to see how it feels to sit behind the controls of big equipment, this event has something for everyone.

“Las Vegas is always growing, and that means opportunity,” said organizers. “Construction Career Day is about connecting the next generation of builders with the tools, technology, and people shaping our community.”

The event will feature:

• Hands-on construction exhibits

• Power tools in action

• Heavy equipment demonstrations

• Cutting-edge construction technology

• Building and design showcases

• Drone demonstrations

It’s a morning of discovery, dust, and maybe a little adrenaline because who doesn’t love a backhoe in action?

Who should come?

• Potential students exploring career options

• Current students curious about applied technology fields

• Employees looking to upskill or network

• Community members eager to see how Nevada is building its future

Mark your calendar and join us at Construction Career Day!

Construction Career Day Flyer February 2025 v2

When Pedro Rios graduated from Palo Verde High School in 2014, he had one goal: to keep running. In 2021, he joined CSN’s first cross-country team and thought his dream was finally taking shape. But, as life likes to show us, balancing college and competition was harder than expected.

Struggles in the classroom left him ineligible, and he was eventually suspended. Around the same time, he lost a loved one. It was a season of setbacks, but Pedro never walked away. He stayed close to Coach Manny Astudillo and kept showing up for the program, even when he couldn’t compete.

CSN was here for him, even when he was at his low point.

Starting over

By 2023, Pedro was ready to come back. With support from Coach Astudillo and academic advisor Betsy Anderson, he re-enrolled, hit the books hard, and pulled straight A’s. His GPA climbed and his eligibility returned. Then an injury cost him another season.

Finding his why

In 2025, Pedro became a father. He took time off to be there for his family, then laced up again that fall for his first race in four years. Now, he’s set to graduate this December and welcome twins in November!

More than a comeback

For his teammates, Pedro’s story is bigger than a return to competition.

“He’s been a great example for the younger athletes,” Astudillo said. “His perseverance and commitment to his goals are exactly what we hope to instill in all of our athletes. I couldn’t be more proud of the man he has become.”

Pedro’s journey is a reminder that success isn’t about the straight path. It’s about finding the strength to keep moving forward, no matter how many times you’re knocked down.

This Hispanic Heritage Month we celebrate students like Pedro!

Las Vegas is known for big shows, but in mid-September the spotlight shifted to a different kind of stage the Leadership & Enrichment Seminar 2025 hosted by CSN Funeral Services Program Director Dr. Raymond Giddens, Jr., 8th District Governor of the National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association.

At the Sept. 15 luncheon inside the Downtown Grand Hotel, Dr. Janice Glasper, Dean of the Engelstad School of Health Sciences, and Cassie Gentry, Department Chair for Health Related Professions, introduced guests to CSN’s brand-new Funeral Services Program. The program launched this fall and is already making waves (and maybe raising a few eyebrows) as CSN steps up to train the next generation of professionals in this essential field.

Because let’s face it: death is certain, but a skilled, compassionate workforce doesn’t happen by accident. CSN is making sure Nevada is prepared, with graduates who are equal parts science, service, and heart.

Grant Season, Made Simple (Sort Of)

There is no such thing as a grant tree dropping free money everywhere. But there is funding you can pick up from sponsors for your big idea — a new curricula, a cool conference, a great way to support students.

Before you start writing like you’re on “Shark Tank,” OSP wants you to know there’s a new internal approvals form you’ll need to fill out first. Find it here: OSP Grant Form

And because grants come with fine print galore, OSP is hosting a CAPE training on Oct. 21 at 9 a.m. via TEAMS. They’ll walk you through CSN’s Grant Award Lifecycle so you know exactly what you’re getting into. Can’t make it live? No worries—the recording will be waiting for you.

Curious (or just like clicking links)? Check out more at csn.edu/sponsored-projects

OSP One Pager

 

The Department of Fine Arts Music Program presents

CSN FACULTY CHAMBER MUSIC RECITAL October 26^th

The Fine Arts Department Music Program at the College of Southern Nevada presents CSN’s Faculty Chamber Music Recital on Sunday, October 26^th at 2 P.M. in the Jay Morrison Recital Hall at the North Las Vegas campus.

Admission is $10 with proceeds going to benefit the CSN Orchestra Club. For more information, or to purchase tickets please visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

# # #

 

The Music Program at the College of Southern Nevada presents their annual Chamber Chorale Showcase entitled “School Daze,” under the direction of Dr. Mark Wherry, on Saturday, October 25th at 7 P.M. in the Jay Morrison Recital Hall at the North Las Vegas campus.

The evening will feature a variety of songs relating to the students’ journey through academia including Grease Lightning from the musical Grease, Cruisin for a Bruisin, from the movie Teen Beach and an original composition written by Dr. Mark Wherry entitled, College.

General admission for this musical fun-filled event is $10 with all proceeds going to the Choir Club. For more information, or to purchase tickets please visit us online at:  www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

# # #

What a night at Las Vegas Ballpark! The Aviators wrapped up their last game of the season with Hispanic Heritage Month festivities, and the stands were rocking. Right in the middle of it all? Our very own Dr. Stacy Klippenstein, who got the honor of throwing out the first pitch.

Fresh off a trip to D.C., Dr. Klip looked fired up to be there. And CSN showed up just as big, cheer, baseball athletes, student government, Peter Guzman, and of course Cody the Coyote, who spent half the night hanging with Spruce the Goose for selfies. Everywhere you looked in the crowd, there was royal blue.

Cool fact: Dr. Klip is a lefty. When he took the mound, he joked he was going to throw 90 mph. The radar gun said 44, but the pitch was clean and straight down the middle. You could tell he’d done this before. The crowd loved it, lots of smiles, lots of cheers, and a ton of CSN pride pouring out of the stands. One student’s voice was hoarse just from all the cheering.

Between the music, the culture, and the energy of the game, it was one of those nights that just felt fun start to finish. A perfect sendoff for the season and a big win for CSN spirit.

Friday, October 3, 2025, through Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Gallery Talk and Artist Reception: Thursday, October 16, 2025

North Las Vegas Campus Fine Arts Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition of large-scale drawings and mixed media artwork by Afro-Colombian artist and Assistant Professor of Art at the University of Kentucky, Daniel Esquivia Zapata. Daniel Esquivia Zapata: The Right of Permanence opens Friday, October 3, 2025, and runs through Wednesday, November 26, 2025, in the Fine Arts Gallery on the North Las Vegas campus of the College of Southern Nevada. A special Gallery Talk and Artist Reception, with refreshments, will take place on Thursday, October 16, 2025, at 6:00 pm.

Daniel Esquivia Zapata holds an MFA from the New York Academy of Art and a BA in Studio Art from Benedict College (Historical Black College). Before teaching at the University of Kentucky, Daniel taught at various institutions, including Pontificia Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, where he focused on a wide range of drawing courses, including human anatomy, figure drawing, fundamental drawing, and experimental drawing, in addition to his teaching responsibilities.

Daniel has a strong exhibition record with solo, and group shows across the United States, Colombia, and internationally. His work has been featured in venues such as the Whatcom Museum and the Richard Demato Gallery. He has also participated in numerous artist residencies, including the Santa Fe Art Institute and a fellowship at the Vermont Studio Center; recently, he was a summer artist at 701 CCA in Columbia, SC, Blue Mountain Center in NY, and was selected as a 2025 visiting artist to the Gibbes Museum of Art. His contributions to the art community extend beyond the classroom and gallery.

He has been involved in public art projects, including murals that address memory and social justice themes. His research and presentations often explore the intersection of art, violence, and historical memory, reflecting his commitment to using drawing as a tool for social change and as a mode of inquiry.

Esquivia Zapata’s work explores historical memory, official narratives, and the politics of remembering. Through life-size figurative drawings, he merges historical texts, the human form, flora, and fauna to craft spaces rich in poetic imagery. These artworks probe narrative dynamics in history and memory. Employing traditional figure drawing techniques, liquid charcoal, and fragmented texts, he layers mylar to create life-size drawings. These pieces symbolize political bodies entwined with history, newspapers, and archives. Esquivia Zapata seeks to unveil the “place of memory” within our bodies amid intersecting discourses, making tangible the essence of our collective past and present.

The CSN Fine Arts Gallery is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Fine Arts Gallery is located adjacent to the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre Lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

 

 

 

Pride Month is here, and we’re keeping the celebration alive across all three campuses with events designed to bring our community together, spark conversation, and honor LGBTQIA+ voices and stories. From workshops to parades, bingo to flag displays, there’s something for everyone—whether you’re showing support, learning something new, or simply celebrating who you are.

Here’s what’s happening:

• Coyote Thursday Pride Flags Display
  Thursday, Oct. 2 | 12–2 p.m.
  Charleston Campus, Student Union

• #QueerTalk with Rio: Gender Identity Workshop
  Friday, Oct. 3 | 6–8 p.m.
  Charleston Campus, C Building – C209

• National Coming Out Day Celebration
  Monday & Tuesday, Oct. 6–7 | 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
  Charleston Campus, Student Union

• Drag Bingo! Henderson Student Life
  Tuesday, Oct. 7 | 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
  Henderson Campus, Student Union

• Q Club: Student Club Meeting & Loteria
  Thursday, Oct. 9 | 4:30 p.m.
  North Las Vegas, Main Building – S144
  [Q Club Linktree]

• March with CSN in the Vegas Pride Parade
  Friday, Oct. 10 | 5–9 p.m.
  [RSVP for reminders & info]

• Your Story is Your Power: LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Workshop
  Monday, Oct. 13 | 4–6 p.m.
  North Las Vegas, Student Union U126
  [RSVP for reminders & info]

• Q Club: Pajama Party Movie Night (Coraline)
  Thursday, Oct. 16 | 4 p.m.
  Charleston, Student Union– U130
  [Q Club Linktree]

• We Found Love in a Hopeless Place: Queer Histories of Surviving & Thriving
  Monday, Oct. 20 | 4–6 p.m.
  Charleston Campus, B Building – B109
  [RSVP for reminders & info]

These events are open to all CSN students, staff, and allies. Help us keep Pride alive on campus.

✨ Whether it’s raising a flag, joining a parade, or learning from powerful community voices, your presence makes Pride at CSN possible. 🌈

To connect on any of these events, please contact: joseph.hassert@csn.edu

Mark your calendars: CSN’s Fall 2025 Open House is happening Friday, Oct. 17, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the North Las Vegas Campus — and we need your help to roll out the welcome mat.

Every year, Open House is one of the biggest events we host. Future students and their families come to campus wide-eyed, curious, and ready to explore. They’ll be walking through our halls, meeting our people, and deciding if CSN feels like home. That’s where you come in.

We’re calling on our faculty and staff to step up, show off your programs, and give our guests a glimpse of the amazing opportunities waiting for them here. Whether it’s through interactive displays, sharing your expertise, or simply bringing that trademark Coyote energy, you make this event special.

As the Recruitment team put it, “Open House is our chance to make a lasting first impression. Students leave these events excited about their future and that’s because of the connections they make with you.”

If your department is ready to get involved, fill out this quick Microsoft Form by Sept. 26 and let us know how you’d like to participate. After that, we’ll send you the details to make sure you’re set for the big day.

👉 Sign up here

Let’s show our soon-to-be Coyotes what makes CSN such a special place to learn, grow, and belong.

Clear your Thursday night, because CSN’s Global Programs is turning the Nicholas J. Horn Theater into a passport stamp collection. On Oct. 9, 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m., audiences can experience An Evening of Intercultural Exchange — a three-hour tour of music, dance, and traditions from across the globe. No TSA lines required!

From Japan, With Love (and Shamisen)

The night’s headliners, Dokkoi Shamisen Shofukute Gakko and Hanashika Ren, are flying in from Japan to share their artistry. Expect shamisen strings, stories, and performances that connect centuries of culture to today’s stage.

Local Legends Take the Stage

Southern Nevada’s own vibrant talent is also on the bill, bringing a mix of traditions that show off just how global our local community really is. Performances include:

• Mystic Belly Dancing

• It’s All About Line Dance

• Izel Folklorico Company

• Na Hula Halia Aloha (Hula)

• Tendoryu Japanese Dancing

• Korabo Taiko

• Korean Dancing

• Mariachi Plata

• Piast Polish Dancing

• Silver Stars

• Rita Lim 

• Paul Sahagun (Elvis Singer)

A Cultural Playlist You Can Dance To

Think of it as your Spotify playlist come to life: mariachi, hula, taiko drumming, line dancing, and more, all in one evening. By the end of the night, you might find yourself humming a tune in three languages and trying out a dance step or two in the lobby.

Tickets

General admission is $10 and $5 for students and seniors.

👉 Purchase your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable evening of cultural exchange and community celebration.

An Evening of intercultural exchange v2

Remember when recess was the highlight of your day? Well, it’s making a comeback only this time it’s faculty vs. staff, and the bragging rights are real.

CSN is hosting a Faculty & Staff Kickball Tournament on Friday, Oct. 24, 2025, from 4–7 p.m. at the Cheyenne Sports Complex in North Las Vegas. Teams of 7–9 will battle it out in 30-minute games. Expect big kicks, questionable slide attempts, and maybe one or two people realizing they should have stretched first.

Bonus Round: Bring the family early for our Trunk or Treat from 3–4 p.m. at the Student Union parking lot. Costumes, candy, and creativity encouraged.

So rally your department, pick your team name (the punnier the better), and get ready to relive your playground glory days.

👉 Sign up here to play or volunteer

Fall 2025 Faculty and Staff Kickball Tournament Flyer

What does the Constitution have to say about homelessness, birthright citizenship, or the rights of non-citizens? The Department of Social Sciences is tackling those big questions with three brand-new video lectures released for Constitution Day, celebrated Sept. 17.

This year’s videos dig into real cases and controversies shaping headlines right now:

• Grants Pass v. Johnson (2024): Can cities ban homeless encampments? Dr. Michael Hart breaks down how the Eighth Amendment applies. Watch here

• Birthright Citizenship, Executive Orders, and the 14th Amendment: Dr. Francis Carleton explores presidential power and citizenship. Watch here

• Yick Wo v. Hopkins (1886): An old case with modern meaning. Dr. Kenneth Fernandez explains how equal protection still applies to non-citizens today. Watch here

Constitution Day marks the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787. Every college that receives federal funding is required to observe the day — but here at CSN, we make it more than a requirement. We make it a chance to spark conversation, challenge assumptions, and see how history connects to today’s debates.

👉 Check out the full lineup of Constitution Day lectures at www.constitutionday.info.

If you walked into the Student Union on Sept. 16, you probably had to squeeze your way through the crowd, that’s how packed it was. The place was standing-room-only, buzzing with excitement, music, and the smell of food that made everyone’s stomach growl.

Emcee Ruben Kihuen kept things light and fun, tossing in jokes and giving shoutouts that made the crowd laugh. Alongside co-host Lorena Rodriguez-Rios, he welcomed community leaders, dignitaries, and student voices including Councilwoman Olivia Diaz, Consul of El Salvador Silvia Mabel Romero, and Vice Consul of Mexico Jeremias Guzman with their messages of unity and empowerment drew applause as attendees nodded with pride.

The celebration featured an incredible lineup of performers who brought music, movement, and heart to the stage. Audiences enjoyed mariachi, folklórico, and cultural performances from:

• Mariachi Amanecer, Sunrise Mountain High School

• Mariachi Alas Doradas, Keller Middle School

• Ballet Folklórico Alborada, Sunrise Mountain High School

• Ballet Folklórico del Sol, Del Sol Academy

• Grupo Folklórico Libertad de Las Vegas

And to close the afternoon, the crowd was treated to a powerful performance by rising star Anahi Lucero, whose voice and presence left the room cheering. She’s definitely on her way to a world tour.

Meanwhile, the smell of pupusas, empanadas, and quesadillas drifted through the air, and you could see folks getting restless in the best way. When the food finally opened up, people lined up with their tickets for plates piled high and cups of horchata and jamaica to wash it all down.

It wasn’t just a kickoff, it was a celebration of roots, of ancestors, and of a community that keeps growing stronger. You could feel the pride in the room, and it was contagious.

Congratulations to Communication Department Adjunct Instructor and practicing attorney Whitney Short, who has been recognized as a 2025 Super Lawyer!

This prestigious distinction is awarded to only the top 5% of attorneys in each state, honoring outstanding professional success and peer recognition. Whitney, who also serves as an attorney at Short & Stevens Law, joins an elite group of legal professionals making a difference in their fields and communities.

Please join us in celebrating Whitney on this incredible achievement and well-deserved honor!

CSN is now accepting participants for the Fall 2025 Leadership Academy, a professional development program designed to help employees grow as leaders, strengthen communication skills, and focus on achieving top priorities.

This year’s sessions will take place virtually on Teams, with dates set for Sept. 26, Oct. 10, Oct. 17, and Nov. 7.

Since its creation, nearly 900 members of the CSN community have participated in the academy. The program is an initiative of the President’s Office and the Office of Academic Affairs, offering a distinctive experience in personal enrichment and professional growth.

Open to e-hires, tenure-track and full-time faculty, classified team members, and administrators, the academy explores leadership theory while providing practical tools for professional advancement.

“This program gives our employees the opportunity to expand their leadership capacity while connecting with colleagues across the college,” said Dr. Gillian Silver-Rodis, program lead.

Call to Action

Those interested in joining the Fall 2025 cohort are encouraged to contact Dr. Silver-Rodis at Gillian.Silver-Rodis@csn.edu for more details.

The Dual Credit Corner newsletter continues to spotlight the impressive work happening across CSN’s dual credit programs, where high school students earn both college and high school credit at the same time.

In the August issue, the team highlighted the growing success of the CSN High School Programs and the students who are thriving in them. From classroom spotlights to updates on community partnerships, the newsletter keeps faculty, staff, and partners informed on the many ways dual credit is helping students get ahead.

One feature celebrated the dedication of educators who support these students, while another shared helpful resources designed to make navigating the program easier for both families and schools. Each edition also offers opportunities to connect with the Dual Credit Office and share stories of success.

The newsletter is a great way to stay connected with the latest updates and opportunities in this area.

📩 Want to join the Dual Credit Corner mailing list or have a story to share? Email Amber.Mayes@csn.edu to get involved.

2025 August_CSN Dual Credit Corner Newsletter

CSN mourns the loss of former president Dr. Michael Dean Richards, who passed away September 3, 2025, after a lengthy illness. He was 78.

Dr. Richards led CSN from 2007 to 2018, guiding the college through a period of significant growth and expansion. Enrollment reached 50,000 students under his leadership, and the college added new facilities, including the Charleston campus library, student services buildings, and a joint health sciences center with Nevada State University in Henderson.

“Dr. Richards’ legacy at CSN is immeasurable,” said CSN President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein. “He not only oversaw the largest enrollment growth in this institution’s history, he did it through the Great Recession and all its impacts on our community. He was a great leader who shepherded this college, its faculty, staff and students, through thick and thin. He will be greatly missed.”

Dr. Richards was born August 6, 1947, in Ogden, Utah. He earned degrees from Weber State and Utah State, served in the U.S. Air Force (including teaching at the Air Force Academy), and completed his Ph.D. at the University of Denver. Before joining CSN, he held leadership positions at Utah State University and Southern Utah University.

Upon retiring in 2018, Dr. Richards expressed gratitude for the support from faculty, staff, students, and the community, expressing confidence in CSN’s future.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Janice, five daughters, nine grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and seven siblings.

A viewing will be held Sept. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Palms Southwest Mortuary, with funeral services at 11 a.m. Sept. 20 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Stake Center, 7885 W. Robindale Rd., preceded by a 10 a.m. viewing.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the LDS general educational or missionary funds.

To read his full obituary and share condolences, please visit: Dignity Memorial – Michael Richards.

Friday, September 26, 2025, through Saturday, November 22, 2025

North Las Vegas Campus – Artspace Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition of oil paintings that share subtle yet profound narratives that echo the struggles and resilience of the human spirit by Nevada-based artist Brian Higgins. Brian Higgins: HOME IS WHERE will open on Friday, September 26, 2025, and will run through Saturday, November 22, 2025, in the Artspace Gallery on the North Las Vegas Campus of the College of Southern Nevada. A special gallery talk and artist reception with light refreshments will take place in the Artspace Gallery on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 6:00 pm.

Brian Higgins was born in Chicago, Illinois, and studied at powerhouse art colleges and universities across the country, including the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, the Art Students League of New York City, and the American Academy of Art in Chicago, Illinois. Higgins has exhibited his artwork nationally, including at the Student Union Gallery at the University of Illinois, the Woodland Hills Art Collective in Woodland Hills, California, the Tempe Arts Center in Tempe, Arizona, and the Hollingsworth Gallery in Palm Coast, Florida.

Discussing his work, Higgins says, “In the tapestry of our cities, a subtle yet profound narrative unfolds – one that echoes the struggles and resilience of the human spirit. The anonymous figures that populate our streets, often overlooked and underrepresented, hold a profound significance in the grand narrative of our urban experience. These unseen citizens, the loiterers and the homeless, are not merely statistics or societal ills; they are complex, multifaceted individuals, worthy of empathy and understanding. Their stories, though often invisible to the naked eye, are etched on the very fabric of our cities, waiting to be acknowledged and respected. By incorporating these unseen citizens into our artistic vision, we not only reflect the harsh realities of our world but also offer a powerful critique of societal norms and values. Their presence in our art serves as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to create a more compassionate and inclusive urban environment.”
CSN’s Artspace Gallery is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Artspace Gallery is upstairs above the main entrance lobby on the North Las Vegas campus, located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one mile East of I-15 North. This program/project was supported, in part, by the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, and the state of Nevada.”

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
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CSN employees will once again have the opportunity to update their professional headshots this fall.

Faculty and staff who have not received a CSN headshot in the past 12 months are eligible to sign up. Sessions will take place at the North Las Vegas and Charleston campuses only. Employees based at the Henderson campus are welcome to participate, but will need to commute to one of the two locations.

Headshots are voluntary and may be used for both personal and professional purposes. Space is limited, and sign-up is required. Please be sure to arrive on time for your scheduled session. Out of respect for our faculty volunteers who donate their time and studio space, reminders will not be sent out—so mark your calendar when you reserve a spot.

This effort is made possible thanks to the generosity and expertise of faculty members Michael Winter and Devin Sheffield, along with their team, who continue to go above and beyond to ensure our employees present a professional image.

📸 For photo sessions at the Charleston campus sign up here

📸 For photo session at the NLV campus sign up here

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City and state leaders joined the College of Southern Nevada on Wednesday to celebrate the ribbon cutting of the new Workforce and Education Training Center in the Historic Westside.

The $6.9 million, 15,000 sq.ft facility, built adjacent to the community’s first integrated school the Historic Westside School, was funded in part by the largest U.S. Economic Development Administration grant awarded in Nevada, along with $1.5 million from the Governor’s Office of Economic Development’s Workforce Innovations for the New Nevada (WINN) Fund. The City of Las Vegas owns the property, and CSN will operate the center through a lease.

“WETC is the cornerstone of this historic property,” said Ward 5 Councilwoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong. “This center is the engagement ring, it’s the promise. Now begins the marriage, and I’m excited to have this in my community serving my neighborhood.”

Programs and Services

When fully open in 2026, the center will provide programs in healthcare, information technology, logistics, construction and advanced manufacturing. Adult basic education, English as a Second Language, career navigation, academic coaching, scholarship support, bridge programs and credit pathways will also be available.

Youth programming will include K-12 engagement, dual enrollment, STEM camps, career and technical education previews, mentorship, personal enrichment, and parent and guardian engagement.

“Every trajectory should lead to something after high school,” said Dr. James McCoy, CSN’s executive vice president of academic affairs. “These stackable credentials are like a Lego set. They plug into a two- or four-year degree, changing perspectives and creating socioeconomic equity. Education is what changes lives.”

Community and Federal Support

U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto noted that the project traces its roots back to federal funding aimed at revitalizing underserved communities.

“CARES Act funding included dollars for communities in Nevada, and years later, we are standing in front of the funding that’s going to make a difference,” Cortez Masto said.

Tammy Malich, City of Las Vegas youth development and social innovation director, said the project is vital for the region’s workforce.

“This is pivotal in our city,” Malich said. “Labor trades and workers are aging out. WETC will be a multigenerational approach to life-changing opportunities for generations to come.”

The project is the result of a true collaborative partnership between the City of Las Vegas, the Governor’s Office, and community leaders who worked together to bring this vision to life.

Next Steps

The center’s development will take place in phases. Phase one has been completed, with a soft opening planned for October and a grand opening scheduled for January 2026.

“Ten- to 16-week classes will give our students the most recent exposure to industry standards,” said Stavan Corbett, director of the division of workforce and economic development for CSN.

Call to Action

Today’s ribbon cutting was just the beginning. View photos and read more about the Workforce and Education Training Center below:

Every semester, thousands of College of Southern Nevada students, faculty, and staff make their way to class by car, bus, bike, or on foot. For many, that commute is shaped by how safe our roads, sidewalks, and crossings are.

The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada is working on a Safe Streets for All Action Plan, and they want input from the people who use those streets every day. The goal is simple: reduce traffic-related deaths and serious injuries across the valley.

The statistics hit close to home. From 2019 to 2022, there were more than 2,200 reported crashes in Southern Nevada involving pedestrians or cyclists. Nearly eight out of ten crashes in the region resulted in someone being hurt or killed. For students walking to bus stops before sunrise, or biking home after an evening class, safety isn’t abstract, it’s personal.

This plan could shape real improvements that affect daily life at CSN, including:

• Safer bus stops and transit access near our campuses

• Pedestrian crossings that connect neighborhoods to classrooms

• Better bike and scooter infrastructure for eco-friendly commuting

• Lighting and roadway design that improves security during early and late classes

Over the next year, the RTC will host surveys, walk audits, and projects that test new safety ideas. CSN is encouraging students and faculty to get involved and share feedback.

How to Get Involved

Take the RTC Safe Streets survey today and add your voice:

• English Survey

• Spanish Survey

Your input can help make sure that everyone in the CSN community gets to and from campus safely.

College of Southern Nevada student Alecia Lopez has been selected as an inaugural 2025 Chime Workforce Scholar, earning a $1,000 scholarship from the Chime Scholars Foundation.

Lopez is one of 200 community college students nationwide recognized with this honor. Chime Scholars are chosen for their academic excellence, campus engagement, leadership potential, and career readiness. In total, the foundation awarded $200,000 to support students enrolled in workforce-ready programs.

For Lopez, the recognition marks a significant step toward her career goal of becoming an event planner and, one day, building her own business. She is currently studying Hospitality, where she combines her organizational skills and creativity to design experiences that bring people together.

“I’m passionate about creating events that leave lasting memories,” Lopez said. “I want to craft experiences that connect with people and inspire joy and community.”

The scholarship will help Lopez cover educational costs, including expenses tied directly to entering the workforce, such as certification fees, uniforms, and tools. Unlike many traditional scholarships, the Chime Workforce Scholarship is designed to support students preparing for careers that require more than classroom learning.

The Chime Scholars Foundation created the program in partnership with Phi Theta Kappa to ensure community college students have access to resources that allow them to fully prepare for their professions. Whether covering tuition, paying for textbooks, or securing the supplies needed to land a first job, the funding helps remove barriers that can stand between students and their career goals.

For Lopez, the scholarship is more than financial assistance—it’s an investment in her future as a community leader. As she continues her studies, she is focused on developing the skills that will allow her to design events that uplift others and strengthen connections.

The Chime Workforce Scholars program reflects a growing recognition of the role community colleges play in preparing students for today’s workforce. By investing in students like Lopez, the program highlights the importance of hands-on training, leadership development, and community engagement in building strong career pathways.

Convocation 2025 was anything but ordinary. From music and dance to a surprise construction project, CSN kicked off the new academic year with style.

The morning opened with student Shay Bravo-Bezard’s stirring National Anthem, followed by a lively set from Mariachi Plata. The CSN Performing Arts Department kept the momentum going with their Cultural Competition Dance, and the cheer team brought it all home with the fight song—loud, proud, and unmistakably Coyote.

President Stacy Klippenstein put teamwork front and center, but not just with words. He handed out pipes and connectors, turning the audience into builders tasked with creating something together. The exercise was a perfect reminder: big goals at CSN won’t be built by one person alone—it’ll take every hand, every idea, and every teammate.

Convocation was also a chance to shine the spotlight on the incredible people who make a difference every day at CSN. This year’s award honorees included:

• Distinguished Classified: Chantile McAllister

• Distinguished Full-Time Faculty: Andrzej Lenard

• Excellence in Community Service: Kathy Kazemi

• Excellence in Online Teaching: Elizabeth Larakers

• Excellence in Service to CSN: Dr. Juan Avalos, Kody Lightfoot, Keshia Gouveia, Eric Hutchinson, and Brian Elder

Their commitment and contributions remind us that teamwork isn’t just a theme—it’s already alive and well across our campuses.

Convocation 2025 was equal parts pep rally, talent showcase, and team huddle. Now it’s time to take that energy into the year ahead!

📽️ Watch the Convocation video recap 
📸 See photos from the event

Lights, camera, action! Recent CSN graduate and 2025 Commencement Speaker Hisonni Johnson has been selected for the prestigious Tyler Perry Dreamers Program, an opportunity that will take him to Atlanta this August to develop his work alongside some of the industry’s leading film and television directors.

Johnson’s journey is already filled with standout moments — from setting a new record for the most Student Emmy nominations in our region to earning the Indie Scholarship as he transfers to UNLV this fall. Johnson, who graduated from CSN this spring, said he hopes his story will inspire other students to pursue their goals.

We couldn’t be prouder to see a Coyote making moves on such a legendary stage. Stay tuned as we share more about Johnson’s experience at Tyler Perry Studios in the months ahead.

📸 Hisonni Johnson on set at Tyler Perry Studios, Atlanta.

For the past 25 years, CSN’s TRIO Student Support Services program has been a vital resource for our students, particularly those who are first-generation college students, come from low-income backgrounds, or have documented disabilities. Sadly, the program will sunset at the end of August due to a loss of federal funding.

While this change is difficult, it’s important to reflect on the remarkable legacy TRIO leaves behind — and more importantly, how we can continue to uphold the spirit of this work in our daily roles.

Since 2000, TRIO at CSN has served more than 3,000 students, offering personalized advising, transfer preparation, financial aid guidance, and a sense of community. Under the leadership of Director Nicholas Goodsell, the program served 200+ students annually in recent years — with an average 90 percent rate of academic good standing and persistence. Graduation rates for TRIO participants regularly outpaced national averages, and many of our alumni have gone on to become lawyers, doctoral students, civic leaders, and more.

Nationally, TRIO programs have empowered millions of students, including U.S. Rep. Steven Horsford, who credits TRIO at UNR for teaching him to use his voice and believe in his future. Here at CSN, students like Yvette Machado — who began her journey with a GED and full Pell support — used TRIO to find confidence, become student body president, and earn admission to Boyd Law at UNLV.

We know this loss will be felt deeply by the students who relied on TRIO’s holistic, wraparound services. Approximately 200 students each year benefited from its unique model. It is unfortunate that the federal funding has ended. This moment also calls us to action. Even without a formal TRIO program, the work of supporting first-gen, Pell-eligible, and disabled students is far from over — it’s simply shifting.

CSN remains committed to serving these students through existing campus resources, but the most important resource will always be you. Every faculty and staff member has the power to help a student feel seen, heard, and supported.

Let us honor the legacy of TRIO by continuing its mission in our own classrooms, offices, and conversations.

CSN’s own Dr. Elizabeth Solomon, Director of Nursing, is getting some well-earned time in the spotlight this fall — twice.

Nevada Business Magazine has named Dr. Solomon the 2025 Lifetime Achievement Healthcare Hero for Southern Nevada, a prestigious recognition awarded by a blue-ribbon panel of judges who reviewed nominations submitted by healthcare professionals across the region. Her selection celebrates decades of dedication to improving healthcare education and outcomes in Nevada, as well as her leadership at the College of Southern Nevada.

As if that weren’t enough good news, Dr. Solomon has also been nominated for the People’s Choice Award by the Nevada Nurses Foundation. This award recognizes Deans and Directors of Nursing Programs throughout the state, and Dr. Solomon is quick to share the credit.

“While the nomination has my name on it,” she said, “it really reflects the heart, dedication, and incredible teamwork of everyone at CSN.”

Voting for the People’s Choice Award is open to the public now through October 25. You can vote once a day, and it only takes a moment. Just make sure to select Dr. Solomon’s name from the drop-down list!

🔗 Vote here

Dr. Solomon will be featured in the September 2025 issue of Nevada Business Magazine, along with nine other honorees, in front of an audience of more than 125,000 readers in the healthcare and business communities.

Let’s show our support by voting daily, sharing the link, and giving Dr. Solomon a much-deserved round of applause for a lifetime of service and a legacy of leadership.

2025 July_CSN Dual Credit Corner Newsletter

From CSN’s Office of Dual Credit

A major project is coming to the neighborhood — and it’s one that will directly impact CSN students, faculty and staff.

The Campus for Hope, a 900-bed facility designed to serve vetted individuals experiencing homelessness, broke ground last week, next door to CSN’s Charleston campus. The project is modeled after the successful Haven for Hope campus in San Antonio and aims to bring new solutions to a growing local crisis.

Kim Jefferies, CEO of the nonprofit organization leading the effort, shared sobering data at a recent meeting with CSN leadership: “We’ve seen a 450 percent increase in family homelessness, a 90 percent rise among women, and a 46 percent increase in young adults ages 18 to 24 experiencing homelessness in just the last year. The need in our region is urgent.”

But for CSN, the story is about more than proximity. It’s about partnership.

“This facility creates new ways for our students to learn, serve, and connect to real-world experiences,” said Dr. James McCoy, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “We’re exploring academic and workforce ties through clinical placements, internships, and volunteer opportunities — especially in programs like dental hygiene, early childhood education, accounting, ophthalmology, and more.”

Students may also see the Campus for Hope as an extension of the support CSN already offers through its basic needs network. With a resource hub steps away from campus, new doors could open for students seeking food assistance, housing stability, or mental health referrals.

“This is more than a facility — it’s a connection point,” said Dr. Stacy Klippenstein, CSN President. “It’s a chance for us to support our community while building up pathways for our students to gain meaningful hands-on training and career preparation.”

From a public safety perspective, the facility’s operations are structured, intentional, and secure. The Campus for Hope will not allow walk-ups. All guests will be referred and vetted through partner agencies. No violent or sexual offenders will be permitted, and the facility will be staffed 24/7 with trained security personnel and monitored entry points. The project also includes security enhancements like additional lighting, cameras, and coordination with Las Vegas Metro and CSN’s own University Police Services.

“This appears to be fantastic model with a lot of potential, I’ve never seen anything like it” said Arnold Vasquez, Chief of University Police Services. “We want to be at the table for all conversations with COH staff and leadership to ensure public safety.”

The project, which will be built on land leased from the state for the next 50 years. CSN’s Early Childhood Lab which was formerly on part of that land has been relocated to a temporary location at the North Las Vegas campus. Thanks to a multimillion-dollar investment from Campus of Hope leadership committed to funding new modular facilities for the Early Childhood Lab once a permeant location is found.

 In total, the facility is expected to create more than 300 new jobs and spur a wave of collaboration between CSN and nonprofit service providers in the region.

“There will be disruptions along that way — and that’s natural,” said McCoy. “But we have an exciting opportunity to shape this partnership in a way that aligns with our mission and strengthens our campus community.”

CSN CCA photo press release

What do rare desert wildflowers, digital imaging, and community college students have in common?

They’re all part of a CSN effort to preserve and share the state’s native plant history with researchers, conservationists and the public.

Thanks to a partnership with Clark County and funding through the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan, CSN has completed the digitization of more than 8,800 plant specimens from the Wesley E. Niles Herbarium. Each specimen includes a high-resolution image, precise location data, and full identification details — all now searchable through SEINet, a national biodiversity database.

“We’ve met every goal Clark County set for us, and we’re on track to deliver twice as many digitized specimens as originally planned,” said Dr. Matt Mahrt, CSN biology professor and project lead. “All credit goes to Marcus. He’s done an outstanding job managing the work, his student team, and volunteers to keep everything moving forward.”

The project specifically targeted rare, threatened and protected species, including Arctomecon californica, a bright yellow poppy found only in certain parts of Clark County. The new digitized archive includes georeferenced data, which helps conservationists track the location and health of sensitive species over time.

CSN faculty and student workers contributed to the effort, using specialized scanning equipment funded through the project. The work exceeded expectations — with nearly 3,000 more specimens processed than initially required for the reporting period.

The full collection is expected to exceed 12,000 specimens by the end of September.

This fall, CSN is rolling out a new approach to financial aid disbursement, and we want to make sure our faculty and staff are informed so we can guide students with confidence.

Under the new process, students who have completed their 2025-26 FAFSA and financial aid To Do List will receive their aid after classes begin — not earlier. This change is designed to ensure aid is awarded to active, participating students and prevent overpayments.

To help students prepare, CSN is launching a four-phase campaign titled “Know Before You Go: Financial Aid Fall 2025.” The campaign includes graphics, FAQs messages timed throughout the semester to address common questions and concerns.

Here are the key updates:

1. Bookstore vouchers are back
Students with completed aid packages (aid showing as “pending” in MyCSN) may qualify for early bookstore vouchers to purchase textbooks before classes begin. These vouchers are meant to bridge the gap while they wait for their aid to disburse.

2. Aug. 4 is the payment deadline
Students who do not have pending aid or an approved payment plan by Aug. 4 risk being dropped from their classes. It’s essential they check MyCSN and act now.

3. No aid until participation is confirmed
Even students with aid marked as “pending” won’t see refunds or full disbursement until they actively participate in class. This could delay applicable credit balance refunds but reinforces accountability and fairness in the process.

4. Sept. 10 is the official disbursement date
If a student’s file is incomplete by this date, their aid will not be disbursed. Faculty should encourage students to complete any outstanding requirements as soon as possible.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend an upcoming virtual info session on Tuesday, July 22, from 10 to 11 a.m. to learn more about the policy changes and how best to support students.

Let’s make sure every student feels supported, informed, and ready to succeed this fall. For full campaign details, visit the CSN Financial Aid website.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dear CSN Community, 

‌I’m pleased to announce that Tina Russom has accepted the position of CSN General Counsel.

‌With 16 years of experience in the law, including at CSN, NSHE, and elsewhere in the public sector, she is a proud first-generation college student who has helped lead this college through many challenging legal issues. ‌You may view her bio here.

‌‌“I am deeply honored to have been selected to serve as the General Counsel here at CSN,” Russom said. “I look forward to working collaboratively across the institution to support its mission, uphold its values, and help navigate the complex legal and regulatory landscape of higher education. It is a privilege to serve an institution so deeply committed to student access and success.”‌

‌‌I am excited for Tina to be our General Counsel. Her education, background, expertise, and experience serving CSN over the past few years, and more recently as our interim General Counsel, will serve our mission well. 

‌‌Please join me in welcoming Tina to this new role!

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Stacy S. Klippenstein‌, Ed.D.
President
‌‌College of Southern Nevada 

Did you hear the big news?

The brand-new Complete College Photo Library is officially live, and our campus is all over it! From classrooms and labs to candid student moments, CSN is proudly featured in this first-of-its-kind collection spotlighting the real stories and spaces of higher education today.

More than 850 photos and 600+ people from community colleges across the country made the cut and CSN played a starring role. We were one of a select few institutions invited to participate, thanks to a national initiative led by Complete College America.

Whether you’re looking for inspiration, a social media-worthy snapshot, or just want to see the power of community colleges captured through a lens, this collection delivers. You can browse and download the images at CompleteCollegePhotoLibrary.org. Just be sure to credit: Photo by Allison Shelley/Complete College Photo Library when using them.

A huge thank you to our incredible faculty, staff, and students who took part in the photo shoots — you helped show the nation what makes CSN so special.

Let’s keep showing the world what’s possible at a community college

 

Dear CSN Community,

A few weeks back, I was lucky enough to watch over a thousand CSN students walk across the stage at the Thomas & Mack Center, clutching their degrees as they headed into their futures. There were so many happy faces and family and friends cheering with great pride.

Those graduates are why we’re here — and I pledge to you from day one that my primary focus as CSN’s president will be on creating engaging, inclusive and equitable learning environments for all students to succeed and one day walk across that stage. I hope we keep the momentum going — raising graduation and transfer rates, supporting a diverse and inclusive environment, and honoring a shared governance process. But we won’t stop there. We’ll improve, we’ll make the student experience even better, and we’ll support our faculty and staff to make their experience enjoyable and transformative.

In the time since I humbly accepted this position, it has been obviously clear that CSN is a large and important part of the communities we serve. So many external leaders and partners have shown an unwavering commitment to support CSN.  So, we must be an equally supportive partner.

That is my charge as CSN’s president — to support our students and our communities. However, I can’t do it alone. This place is large and complex, and it’s full of so many talented faculty and staff that I’d be derelict in my duties if I didn’t ask for your help. For us to be a successful institution, we must work together to achieve our desired goals. It won’t work if it’s not a shared process. I am committed to be part of the team, to roll up my sleeves, and to stand by you as we navigate our future together.

I am so grateful for the support of the regents, the chancellor, Dr. Kibler and his team, and all the people at CSN who have helped as I am transitioning into this new role. I’m truly humbled that I was chosen to lead this great institution.

Please know that my door is open to you — no matter who you are. Whether you’re a student, faculty, staff or an external stakeholder, I want to know what you’re thinking. I want you to help me build the foundation for a stronger CSN. One committed to our students and our communities. Let’s be the shining star we were meant to be.  Look for announcements soon about forums, meet-and-greet sessions, town halls and more.

‌‌I cannot wait to get started.

 

-Stacy

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Stacy S. Klippenstein‌, Ed.D.

Incoming President

‌‌College of Southern Nevada

Friday, July 18, 2025, through Saturday, September 20, 2025

Artist Talk and Reception: Wednesday, September 17, 2025

North Las Vegas Campus Fine Arts Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition of drawings, mixed media, and installation artwork by South Korean native and UNLV Visiting Assistant Professor of Art, Jung Min.

The exhibition: Jung Min: Black Threads opens Friday, July 18, 2025, and runs through Saturday, September 20, 2025, in the Fine Arts Gallery on the North Las Vegas Campus of the College of Southern Nevada. A special Artist Talk and Reception, with refreshments, will take place on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 6:00 pm.

Jung Min (MJ) is a mixed media artist based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Born in Seoul, South Korea, MJ creates sculptures, drawings, and installations that engage the body, humor, and taboo to examine the tension between tradition and Western influence. Her work reflects the discomfort and internal conflict she experiences as part of a younger Korean generation navigating cultural identity, individuality, and shifting values. MJ holds a BFA in Sculpture from Kookmin University in Seoul and an MFA in Visual Studies from the Pacific Northwest College of Art.

Describing her work, MJ states, “At the core of my practice is an exploration of discomfort—finding beauty in what unsettles us. My fascination with beauty and horror is deeply influenced by Asian horror films, where women often take center stage as powerful, feared figures. The first time I watched The Ring, the image of the female ghost, shrouded in long, dark hair, left a lasting impression on me. Her haunting black hair evoked both terror and a commanding female power. This dichotomy of fear and strength has become a central motif in my work.”

“In my large-scale installations and sculptures, black hair becomes an unsettling yet captivating form that shapes the space, evoking an eerie beauty. My work engages viewers physically and emotionally, inviting them to find comfort within discomfort and reflect on identity and fear. By transforming unease into beauty, I encourage viewers to confront the unsettling aspects of their own lives and discover resilience in the face of uncertainty,” MJ continues.

CSN’s Fine Arts Gallery is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Fine Arts Gallery is located adjacent to the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre Lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

 

Friday, July 11, 2025, through Saturday, September 13, 2025

North Las Vegas Campus Artspace Gallery

 

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition of acrylic paintings that employ an interplay of universal shapes on simple grounds to evoke palpable experiences of the horizon, language, and architectural spaces by University of Alabama Associate Professor of Art, Bryce Speed. Bryce Speed: Chip Off the Old Block will open on Friday, July 11, 2025, and will run through Saturday, September 13, 2025, in the Artspace Gallery on the North Las Vegas Campus of the College of Southern Nevada.

Bryce Speed earned his BFA from the University of Mississippi, his MFA from the University of Alabama, and continued his postgraduate studies at the College of Saint Mary. He taught Painting at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and is currently an Associate Professor of Art in Painting at the University of Alabama. Speed’s work has been included in numerous exhibitions. In 2006 and 2011, his work was selected for publication in New American Paintings Southeastern and Western editions. In 2014, he was part of a three-person exhibition at HERE Art Center in New York, NY, titled Suburbia: Is Anyone There?  From 2015 to 2016, Speed exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy Open Exhibition in Edinburgh, Scotland, and at the Visual Art Exchange’s Contemporary South Exhibition in Raleigh, NC. In 2022, his work was curated into the exhibition A Plot, Hatched by Two at the Warbling Collective in London. Speed’s solo exhibition, Multi-Family Home, was held at the Brownsville Museum of Art in 2024.

Reflecting on his work, Speed says, “Creating a painting or drawing is a good vehicle for slowing down and reflecting on the rapid pace at which we now experience images in our world. In an era of instant access, analogue processes such as painting seem well situated for new intersections to develop within contemporary visual expression. Using a collage-like sensibility to lay out this work, with its fluidity and maneuverability, I seek to represent how both internal and external forces shape relationships between idea and form.”
The CSN Artspace Gallery is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Artspace Gallery is upstairs above the main entrance lobby on the North Las Vegas campus, located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one mile East of I-15 North. Support for this exhibition was provided by the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Alabama.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

 

The Nevada Promise team hosted its annual Mentor Appreciation Night on June 11 to celebrate the volunteers who are helping shape the future of CSN students.

Mentors from CSN, the Clark County School District and the broader community gathered for an evening of recognition and connection. Guests were treated to light refreshments, an award ceremony and the chance to network with fellow mentors. The goal: celebrate successes, share ideas and inspire one another for the year ahead.

“We were able to connect with other mentors, discuss our experiences and learn from each other,” said longtime mentor Amy Litman.

So far this year, mentors have completed more than 2,500 one-on-one meetings with Nevada Promise students — a key component of the program’s success. The Nevada Promise Scholarship offers eligible high school seniors the opportunity to attend CSN tuition-free, but participating students must meet several requirements, including working with a mentor.

Appreciation Night served as a small token of thanks for the big difference mentors make. Their continued commitment is not only vital to the success of the program but also plays a powerful role in helping students navigate their college journey.

For more information on how to become a mentor, visit csn.edu/promise

Flux¹

A College of Southern Nevada traveling exhibition featuring the work of Sherry Watkins

 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025, through Friday, October 31, 2025

Henderson Campus Student Union Art Gallery

Saturday, November 1, 2025, through Saturday, February 28, 2026

Charleston Campus Student Union Art Gallery

Sunday, March 1, 2026, through Tuesday, June 30, 2026

North Las Vegas Campus Tyrone Thompson Student Union Art Gallery.

 

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host a traveling exhibition of acrylic paintings by Nevada-based artist and College of Southern Nevada Performing Arts Center Box Office Supervisor, Sherry Watkins.

Flux¹: A College of Southern Nevada traveling exhibition featuring the work of Sherry Watkins, will open on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, and will travel throughout the Las Vegas Valley with showings on the CSN Henderson Campus (July 1, 2025 – October 31, 2025), the Charleston Campus (November 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026), and the North Las Vegas Campus (March 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026).

A special Gallery Talk and Artist Reception with light refreshments will take place on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 6 PM in the North Las Vegas Campus, Tyrone Thompson Student Union Art Gallery. The CSN Student Union Art Galleries are free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

Originally from Illinois, Sherry Watkins has lived in Las Vegas for nearly 50 years. She attended Clark High School, the University of Nevada Las Vegas, and the College of Southern Nevada. Watkins has been painting for over a decade, working primarily in abstract styles. Her work explores various techniques, including fluid pouring and original design methods. Sherry uses a wide range of tools and materials to achieve distinctive effects and embraces experimentation with creative risk in her process. While she occasionally paints traditional subjects—such as characters, still life, and landscapes—Watkins is most drawn to the expressive freedom of abstraction.

Speaking of her work, Watkins states, “Most of my work comes from trial and error, a willingness to explore new methods, opening my boundaries to include what I might not at first be comfortable with, and sometimes just pure luck. I enjoy the freedom of abstract art. I like the power of creating something that did not previously exist. I have AD/HD. When I was doing more “traditional” painting, such as still life and landscapes, I ended up with a lot of unfinished paintings. I would be on to the next idea before finishing what I was working on. With abstract art, only the artist knows when it is truly finished. Abstract art gave me the freedom to be able to paint without the anxiety of not completing my work and leaving paintings half done.”

The CSN Student Union Art Galleries are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours vary by campus and semester. Please visit https://www.csn.edu/student-unions for current hours of operation.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

The CSN Office of Diversity Presents: Meet the Mayors

Faculty and staff are invited to hear from the mayors of North Las Vegas, Las Vegas, and Henderson. Each mayor will present at their respective local CSN campus, covering the current state of their city and exploring opportunities for collaboration with CSN. A meet-and-greet and Q&A will follow.

• Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
• Locations: Student Unions at the Henderson, Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas campuses.
• No registration required.

Meet North Las Vegas Mayor Meet Las Vegas Mayor Meet Henderson Mayor

 

It was a night full of smiles, celebration and shiny trophies as CSN Videography students took home five awards at the NATAS Pacific Southwest Emmy Awards in San Diego.

CSN students earned an impressive 18 nominations in the Student Production Emmy categories and walked away with wins in several top spots. Hisonni Johnson, that’s right you might remember his name as this year’s 2025 Commencement Speaker, won in two categories, taking home awards for Fiction/Non-Fiction Short Form with Silenced and Animation/Graphics/Special Effects with Legend Has It: The Remarkable Rise of Stephen McCain. Christina Dietrich earned an award for Writing with Eighteen, while John Wherry won for Getting Cut. Johnson also picked up a second win for Directing with Legend Has It.

The evening was made even sweeter as Emmy judges and staff personally congratulated the students on their outstanding work and the program’s long-standing reputation for excellence.

“This achievement is a tribute to all of us,” said Videography and Film Professor John Aliano, who beamed with pride alongside the students.

This recognition highlights CSN’s role in preparing students for real-world careers in film, media and television production. Earning multiple Emmy Awards at the regional level reflects the program’s commitment to high-quality, hands-on training and creative excellence.

Well done, Coyotes!

‌Dear CSN Faculty and Staff,‌

After a national search, I am pleased to announce that India Barton accepted the position of Chief Human Resources Officer and will begin officially next week.

‌Over the past two years, many of you have gotten to know India. She joined CSN as the Associate Vice President of Human Resources in 2023 and very quickly took on the role of Interim CHRO. ‌With more than 15 years of experience in her field, Barton has worked in both the for-profit and non-profit sectors — including many years in education. She will undoubtedly continue serving CSN as a strong advocate, leader, and champion for employees and students alike.

‌CHRO Barton’s extensive background includes human resources management at both operational and macro-organizational levels, with a strong focus on people, cultivating a positive workplace environment, and aligning HR strategy with institutional goals. You may view her bio here.

Please join me in congratulating her and wishing her success in this leadership position at CSN!

William L. Kibler, Ph.D. ‌
‌College of Southern Nevada
‌Acting President

A College of Southern Nevada traveling exhibition featuring  the work of Orlando Montenegro

 

Tuesday, July 1, 2025, through Friday, October 31, 2025

Charleston Campus Student Union Gallery

Saturday, November 1, 2025, through Saturday, February 28, 2026

North Las Vegas Campus Tyrone Thompson Student Union Gallery

Sunday, March 1, 2026, through Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Henderson Campus Student Union Gallery

 

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host a traveling exhibition of mixed media artworks by Central American-born, Nevada-based artist and College of Southern Nevada adjunct faculty, Orlando Montenegro.

All That You Ever Wanted/Todo Lo Que Siempre Quisistes: A College of Southern Nevada traveling exhibition featuring the work of Orlando Montenegro, will open on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, and will travel throughout the Las Vegas Valley with showings on the CSN Charleston Campus (July 1, 2025 – October 31, 2025), the North Las Vegas Campus (November 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026), and the Henderson Campus (March 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026). A special Gallery Talk and Artist Reception with light refreshments will take place on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 6 PM in the North Las Vegas Campus Tyrone Thompson Student Union Art Gallery. CSN’s student union art galleries are free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

Speaking of his life, Montenegro says, “I was born in Central America in the early 1980s. My father was a lawyer, and he got into some trouble. My mother was an accountant. She did not like the government at the time. My parents immigrated to the United States sometime in the late 80s because it seemed better economically, and they ended up working in casinos. I have two younger siblings who are nurses who are also married to nurses. Once, I almost passed out giving blood, looking at a documentary where there was blood. I was not good at math in school, but I liked to draw. My Spanish vocabulary is not that good, but I can speak and read some of it at a basic level. I prefer to talk in English. It’s impressive how people can interpret words and images differently when they see things from their own point of view, and how their upbringing, education, and beliefs affect that point of view.”

Regarding his work, Montenegro continues, “We live in the richest country in the world, but it’s a pyramid scheme. I had surgery with insurance and paid an inflated amount, only to get another bill in the mail. I wish we had decent public transportation because gas is expensive, and people drive irresponsibly. I wanted to rent, but my mortgage is cheaper because I moved into a house before the pandemic. Home insurance and car insurance are also a scam, but I need them just in case. I don’t buy juice anymore, or cereal, or Mexican Coca-Cola. The price went up, and my doctor said I should eat fruit, and I should just drink water, because I need to worry about diabetes. He said juice is a scam.”

“I started using things like newspapers and food packaging because they relate to consumption and the economy. Food packaging is discardable, and it can be aesthetically pleasing depending on how it is designed. Advertisements can be beautiful or seductive, but the food flyers that I get in the mail are not considered beautiful. I am not saying they are either. I see some graffiti around town while driving, and I like the bold colors and line work. Some of it does not make sense and feels abstract or nonrepresentational. I don’t really remember what I thought when I first saw Andy Warhol’s soup can art in Professor Rico’s Art History class some twenty years ago. I am sure that at the time, I thought the book and his lectures were all gobbledygook because art is supposed to be beautiful.”

The CSN Student Union Art Galleries are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours vary by campus and semester. Please visit https://www.csn.edu/student-unions for current hours of operation.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

A College of Southern Nevada traveling exhibition featuring the work of Lauren Myers Reese

Tuesday, July 1, 2025, through Friday, October 31, 2025

North Las Vegas Campus Tyrone Thompson Student Union Gallery

Saturday, November 1, 2025, through Saturday, February 28, 2026

Henderson Campus Student Union Gallery

Sunday, March 1, 2026, through Tuesday, June 30, 2026

Charleston Campus Student Union Gallery

 

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host a traveling exhibition of text-based paintings by Nevada-based artist and College of Southern Nevada adjunct faculty, Lauren Myers Reese. Prairie Princess / Desert Dandy: A College of Southern Nevada traveling exhibition featuring the work of Lauren Myers Reese, will open on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, and will travel throughout the Las Vegas Valley with showings on the CSN North Las Vegas Campus (July 1, 2025 – October 31, 2025), the Henderson campus (November 1, 2025 – February 28, 2026), and the Charleston campus (March 1, 2026 – June 30, 2026). A special Gallery Talk and Artist Reception with light refreshments will take place on Thursday, February 19, 2026, at 6 PM in the Henderson Campus Student Union Art Gallery. The CSN Student Union Art Galleries are free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

Lauren Myers Reese is an artist, educator, and arts administrator, and currently serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Art & Art History Program at the College of Southern Nevada. Reese received his MFA in visual art from UNLV in 2022 and his BFA in Studio Art from the University of Oklahoma, Norman, in 2012. Reese is a co-founder of the Vegas Institute for Contemporary Engagement, a research lab for art and experimentation. Before attending UNLV, Reese worked in a variety of roles, including independent curator, arts writer, non-profit administrator, factory worker, educator, and art gallery director. Reese’s visual work has been shown across the United States, Canada, Mexico, Scotland, Estonia, and Colombia. His writings are found in the Jewish Studies Journal, Art Focus Oklahoma, Southwest Contemporary, and Settlers and Nomads.

Reflecting on his work, Reese asserts, “This body of work layers texts from a variety of sources on the history of Nevada. These books focus on early and pre-Statehood Nevada, as well as contemporary issues like gendered work, sexuality, labor rights, and equality as it relates to the recent history of Las Vegas and Nevada. Combining historical nonfiction and accounts of the Las Vegas and Nevada area pre- and post-statehood, the work layers text to create alternative narratives, and puts a highlight on the missing parts of the narratives from traditional histories of the West. By layering texts from both historical first-hand accounts, primary sources, and contemporary artists living in Las Vegas, the words combine and layer to create a miasma of time. Time collapses as texts from a variety of writers and eras are layered on top of each other. It is a reimagined story and historical fiction told through the spaces between the words.”

The CSN Student Union Art Galleries are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours vary by campus and semester. Please visit https://www.csn.edu/student-unions for current hours of operation.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

 

Friday, June 27, 2025, through Saturday, October 11, 2025

Debra March Center of Excellence –  Art Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts in collaboration with the City of Henderson, will host a two-person exhibition of paintings by CSN Art & Art History Faculty, Lolita Develay and her former student, Ann Fuhring. Dimensions of Realism: Beyond the Extracurricular explores how both artists pursue realist traditions in their artwork, as it subtly acknowledges the mentor-mentee relationship. Beyond the Extracurricular references the notion that the goal of education in Art is to move the level of the artists’ work beyond the classroom.

Dimensions of Realism: Beyond the Extracurricular will open on Friday, June 27, 2025, and run through Saturday, October 11, 2025, in the Art Gallery at the City of Henderson’s Debra March Center of Excellence. A special Gallery Talk and Reception will take place on Thursday, October 9, 2025, starting at 6 pm.

Lolita Develay received her MFA in Painting from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2014. Based in Las Vegas, Nevada, and born in Pearblossom, California she is a painter and artist whose chromatic paintings are integrated with statements on access and social values. Develay’s oeuvre embodies a dynamic blend of geographical influences, cultural intersections, and social consciousness. With themes of beauty, sexuality, race, and spirituality, Develay’s work serves as a mirror to the complex state of American life.

Ann Fuhring received her BA in Painting from the University of Nevada Las Vegas in 2015, using GI Bill benefits, after serving for 20+ years in the US Navy and the Intelligence Community. While at UNLV, Ann was a student of Lolita Develay. Ann eschewed pursuing an MFA and chose to focus on mastering specific techniques over formal academic progression. She uses traditional oil painting techniques to explore untraditional subject matter drawn from an ongoing engagement with visual culture, accompanied by audiobooks, podcasts, Spotify, and iTunes.

Develay states, “This show is a celebration of Realism and reflects the complex characteristics of realism, highlighting the artists’ technical acumen along with their individual artistic visions. The term Dimensions reflects the depth and complexity of our work, which goes beyond mere representation to explore the nuances of narrative and subtext that can be the magic of realism.”

The Center of Excellence is a partnership between the City of Henderson and the College of Southern Nevada. Located in West Henderson, this facility is a critical feature for diversifying our industry by fulfilling a need for high-skilled, advanced manufacturing training. This specialized training facility is a valuable resource for both businesses that want to relocate to the area as well as existing locally-based companies looking to expand. The Center of Excellence is located in the burgeoning West Henderson area, which boasts the popular Henderson Executive Airport and is home to a wide range of distribution centers, corporate headquarters, and industrial parks.

The CSN Arts Galleries are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours of the Debra March Center of Excellence Art Gallery are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Debra March Center of Excellence Art Gallery is closed on Saturday and Sunday, Nevada State Holidays, and between CSN Academic Terms. The Debra March Center of Excellence is located at 2200 Via Inspirada, Henderson, Nevada 89044.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery

####

A big round of applause to CSN’s very own Dr. Shari Peterson, who has been elected to serve as a commissioner for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). Starting July 8, she’ll represent Nevada on the 26-member board that oversees accreditation across the region.

This is a major win for CSN and the state. NWCCU is the body responsible for making sure colleges and universities meet rigorous standards of quality and effectiveness. Commissioners play a vital role in evaluating institutions, setting accreditation criteria, and ensuring continuous improvement across higher education.

Dr. Peterson has been with CSN for nearly three decades. She began as an adjunct instructor in the dental hygiene program, later serving as its program director for seven years. In 2015, she stepped into her current administrative role as Director of Institutional Effectiveness, Accreditation and Strategic Planning. In 2019, she was named CSN’s accreditation liaison officer — a role she’s carried out with dedication, smarts and steady leadership.

Beyond CSN, she’s been active in the broader accreditation space, serving as a peer evaluator for NWCCU and the Commission on Dental Accreditation. Her work at the college centers on helping CSN track its progress, improve programs, and ensure we meet our mission to serve students well.

Her appointment to the NWCCU Commission strengthens CSN’s voice in shaping the future of higher education — and deepens our connection to the accreditation standards that guide our work.

Congratulations, Dr. Peterson! We’re proud to have you representing CSN on this important stage.

Last week, CSN celebrated its incredible classified staff with a special appreciation luncheon held across all three campuses. The event offered employees a chance to relax and enjoy time together over good food and friendly conversation.

A highlight of the afternoon was a heartfelt video message from Acting President Dr. William Kibler, who thanked staff for their dedication and impact. Raffle prizes and plenty of laughter rounded out the event, making it a meaningful moment of gratitude for the employees who keep CSN running strong.

Dear CSN Faculty and Staff,‌

‌I am pleased to announce that Lisa Bakke has accepted the position of Vice President of Finance and Administration. She will begin at CSN on July 1, 2025.

With 26 years of leadership experience in higher education — including multiple roles at CSN over the years — Bakke has been serving as the interim associate vice president of Financial Planning, Budget and Analysis at UNLV. We are thrilled that she will rejoin CSN.

‌Her contributions to CSN have included budget development, capital planning, strategic funding analysis, long-range financial modeling, and critical guidance on collective bargaining and fiscal funding models. Her enduring relationship with CSN is a testament to her commitment to student-centered, mission-driven financial leadership. Please see her full bio here and her resume here.

Please join me in welcoming her back.

 

William L. Kibler, Ph.D. ‌
‌College of Southern Nevada
‌Acting President

 

It was an intense week of tech talk, hands-on learning, and real-world problem solving for 23 CSN students who took part in the latest AWS Cloud Bootcamp, hosted by Computing & Information Technology faculty member Karen Ahern and Jay Jackson.

From Monday through Thursday, students participated in a 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “bootcamp-style” experience, diving into cloud technologies through CSN’s designation as an AWS Academy. The program is designed to help students prepare for the AWS Cloud Practitioner Certification — an entry-level industry credential — and make professional connections with Las Vegas’s growing IT community.

“It really gives them an opportunity to speak to professionals in our IT community so they can learn more about the upcoming jobs,” said Ahern. “They’re not just hearing about concepts — they’re building, deploying and problem-solving right there in the cloud.”

CSN student Lee Ramirez, who is pursuing a degree in cloud computing, said the experience was packed with practical value.
“You learn so much in this bootcamp,” he said. “From setting up a website using HTML to exploring AI tools — it’s all hands-on and super beneficial.”

The week wrapped up with an AWS “Jam” on Friday — a Capture the Flag-style competition led by local industry professionals Craig von Collenberg and Derek Jamison. Students worked in teams to tackle real AWS challenges and earned a certificate of completion for the bootcamp.

Thanks to grant funding, CSN is also covering the cost of the official AWS Cloud Practitioner entry level certification exam for interested students who complete the training.

“When you finish this, you feel like you really know your stuff” Ramirez added. “You can’t get that kind of experience anywhere else.”

 

Dear Colleagues, ‌With the conclusion this week of the 83rd Nevada Legislature, I’d like to update you on the wins, losses, and hopes for the future that directly affect CSN and our students. While the bills I mention below have gone through the legislative process, many still await the governor’s signature.‌ As we have stated before, funding formula revisions were not passed. It is our hope that the issue can be revisited in the next legislative session to address the inequities that community college students experience under the current funding system.  On the other hand, our students were given a big win by legislators when they provided $300,000 in additional planning dollars for the CSN Northwest Campus. While it is a disappointing reality that the full $150 million-plus in funding needed for the campus was not available, this vote of confidence by the Legislature puts us in a good position for the next session.  You’ll also be pleased to know that AB568 passed, which appropriates $5.3 million to CSN for cost-of-living adjustments. They are termed “operational and instructional expenses” in this bill because they are one-time funds.  This allocation is a one-time grant to the institutions intended to sustain operations for the duration of the 2025-2027 biennium. The legislature urged NSHE to seek additional revenue sources over the upcoming biennium to ensure that the system pay its operational and instructional expenses in future biennia. This is not a new COLA allocation. NSHE’s advocacy for AB568 was grounded in the fact that the historic FY24 and FY25 COLAs required institutions to rely on self-supporting funds to cover operational and instructional support expenses that otherwise would have been funded by the state (i.e. shifting state operational funds to cover COLAs). The $5.3 million allocation essentially addresses the carryover impact of partially supporting those COLAs during the last biennium. For more information see the excerpt from AB568: Sec.  13.5.    1.    The Legislature hereby declares its intent that the 41 appropriations made pursuant to this act are one-time grants of money 42 intended  to  sustain  the  operations  of  the  Nevada  System  of  Higher  Education 43 and the institutions named herein for the duration of the 2025-2027 biennium. 44  2.    The Legislature hereby urges the Nevada System of Higher Education, 45 during the 2025-2027 biennium, to seek additional sources of revenue to ensure 46 that  the  System  is  able  to  pay  its  operational  and  instructional  expenses  in 47 future biennia. Nursing education throughout the state also saw tremendous support. An additional $20 million was provided to NSHE to expand undergraduate and graduate nursing programs and for academic programming and building renovations at institutions within the system. This is a huge win for nurses and future nurses in Nevada, which chronically experiences nursing shortages.  We’re also thrilled that continued funding for Nevada Grow and the Nevada Promise Scholarship passed — ensuring that CSN will remain able to provide education to the state’s high school graduates who otherwise may not be able to afford college, and that we remain a leader in fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs in Nevada. In addition, NSHE-backed initiatives on fee waivers and safety and security also passed.  In all, it was a positive legislative session for CSN and our students. I’d like to thank every faculty member, every staffer, and every student who advocated for the college, who participated in CSN Day at the Legislature, and who tirelessly fought for our community via student advocacy. Students first is a nice catchphrase — but to see it in action is truly remarkable.  Thank you all. William L. Kibler, Ph.D. ‌ ‌College of Southern Nevada  ‌Acting President

Ever wonder what’s in the world’s rivers besides water? Spoiler alert: it’s not great — but the research behind it is.

CSN’s own Mr. Josh Monk has co-authored a major new study that digs into what scientists call “emerging contaminants” things like pharmaceuticals, illicit drugs, and PFAS (those stubborn “forever chemicals” you hear about in the news). His team analyzed data from more than 100 studies in 46 countries and found that these substances are showing up in surface waters all over the world.

The big takeaway? Everyday medications like ibuprofen, acetaminophen, and even metformin are entering our rivers in high enough concentrations to impact aquatic life. PFAS, which don’t break down easily, were found at concerning levels too especially in areas without effective wastewater treatment.

Monk’s research shines a spotlight on a global problem and shows just how much work is still needed to protect both the environment and public health. Pretty cool stuff from right here at CSN.

You can check out the full study on ScienceDirect: Read it here

Honoring Interim Chancellor Patty Charlton was the perfect way to wrap up the spring semester at CSN. On May 23, she got to live out a longtime dream serving as President for the Day.

Charlton shared her wish with Acting President Dr. William Kibler, and in true CSN fashion, we made it happen.

“She told us it had always been on her bucket list to be president for a day,” said CSN Chief of Staff Dr. Yvonne Realivasquez, speaking on behalf of Dr. Kibler. “So, we said, let’s make it official!”

With a custom proclamation, Charlton took the helm for a day filled with laughter, memories, and plenty of love from the CSN community.

Her leadership and legacy at CSN span decades and her impact is felt on every campus. From launching student-focused initiatives to advocating for equitable access to higher education, Charlton has helped shape CSN into a college that truly reflects the communities it serves.

“She was and continues to be a significant figure in the history and future of CSN,” said Realivasquez. “We’ll miss her daily leadership, guidance, and vision through NSHE.”

Her seat may be changing, but her influence will always be felt here at CSN.

As graduation season shines a light on student achievement across Southern Nevada, one CSN High School senior’s story is especially inspiring.

Alyssa Becnel, a graduating senior at CSN High School South, has been awarded the prestigious Frias Legacy Scholarship—a $100,000 award funded by the Charles and Phyllis M. Frias Charitable Trust. The scholarship is designed to eliminate financial barriers for promising students, empowering them to pursue higher education debt-free.

Alyssa was nominated by Sarah Tartaglia, Program Officer for CSN’s CAPS Program, who described her as a student who has “risen above adversity with grace, grit and unwavering focus.” Alyssa’s story moved the selection committee, and the award will help her continue her education with confidence and stability.

The April 8 ceremony honoring Alyssa brought together Frias Trust representatives, the Public Education Foundation, and CSN staff to celebrate not just a scholarship—but the enduring legacy of two individuals who believed in the transformative power of education. Charles and Phyllis Frias, who once ran Nevada’s largest transportation company, never attended college themselves but made it their mission to open doors for others.

From Scholarships to Simulators: Career Pathways in Action

Also highlighted in the April edition of the CSN Dual Credit Newsletter was Career Exploration Day on April 25, which welcomed 145 high school students from across the valley to CSN’s Henderson campus. Students got a hands-on look at careers in aviation, welding, engineering and public safety—including the chance to test drive a flight simulator and explore a real police cruiser.

In another standout event, 23 students from Central Technical Training Academy and Rancho High School were recognized at the Nevada Gold Mines Family Celebration Night on April 23. These students are graduating with a CSN Certificate of Achievement and are poised to launch careers in mining, with starting salaries of $70,000—a testament to the power of dual credit programs to change lives.

Want to Learn More?

To explore how dual credit can open doors for your future—or for your student’s future—email Amber Mayes at Amber.Mayes@csn.edu to get connected.

It’s that time again — the Nevada System of Higher Education is calling for nominations for the 2025-2026 Regents’ Awards, including the Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship.

These awards recognize NSHE faculty, staff, and students who make a lasting impact through teaching, service, creativity, and leadership.

Deadlines to remember:

• Regents’ Awards: Nominations due by Sept. 12

• Sam Lieberman Student Scholarship: Nominations due by Nov. 7

Flyers with full details will be shared monthly via email. Know someone who deserves the spotlight? Nominate them and help celebrate the best of CSN and beyond.

For info on how to submit a nomination, visit the webpage

SamLiebermanScholarAward 2025-2026 Flyer

As graduation season continues to shine a light on student success stories, one CSN graduate is taking that celebration to the national stage.

Kristen Gibson, a Spring 2025 psychology graduate, has been named a 2025 Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholar one of just 90 students selected nationwide from a competitive pool of more than 1,600 applicants. The scholarship is among the most prestigious and generous awards available to community college students seeking to complete a bachelor’s degree.

“It’s an incredible honor,” said Gibson, who credited the support she received at CSN as a key factor in her success. “This college has helped me grow personally and academically, and I hope this recognition shows other students — especially nontraditional students — that it’s possible.”

The Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship provides up to $55,000 per year for up to three years to cover educational costs at a four-year institution. Scholars also receive access to one-on-one advising, career resources, a powerful alumni network, and opportunities for internships, study abroad, and graduate school funding.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation says it received more than 1,600 applications this year and selected 90 students from a semifinalist group of 467. Scholars are chosen based on academic achievement, financial need, leadership, and persistence.

“This year’s cohort reflects the remarkable talent and determination thriving in community colleges nationwide,” said Executive Director Seppy Basili in a press release. “As we mark 25 years of impact, we remain committed to amplifying the successes of these students and opening doors to the opportunities they deserve.”

For Gibson, it’s the next step in a journey fueled by resilience and ambition — and made possible in part by the community she found at CSN.

To learn more about the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship and see the full list of 2025 recipients, visit jkcf.org.

As we continue to glow in graduation celebration news this week, one especially meaningful moment unfolded at the June Whitley was filled with pride and joy May 7 as the NLV campus hosted the African American Heritage Community Student Graduation Celebration, honoring the accomplishments and resilience of the Class of 2025.

The evening brought together graduates, families, faculty and staff for a heartfelt tribute to academic achievement and cultural heritage. Graduates received handmade Kente cloth stoles from Ashanti weavers in Ghana a symbol of unity, pride and the journey each student has taken.

Dr. Flecia Thomas, associate vice president of Student Affairs, welcomed the audience before a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and a poetry reading by ASCSN President-Elect Sovereign Hone.

Student keynote speaker Giovanni Jones, ASCSN Vice President, inspired attendees with his story of leadership and dedication. A Hospitality Management major and Dean’s List honoree, Jones was recognized alongside Adrienne Finlay as a recipient of The Village Foundation and LJP Scholarships.

The evening’s keynote speaker, Shaundell Newsome — founder of Sumnu Marketing and a nationally recognized small business leader shared lessons on purpose, perseverance and leadership.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates and Kente stoles by faculty and planning committee members. For many in the audience, it was a moment of reflection, celebration and deep connection.

The event was coordinated by the African American Heritage Community Graduation Planning Group with support from CSN’s Office of Diversity and members of the Black Student Union.

With their journey just beginning, the graduates of 2025 are already shining examples of excellence and hope.

View all the photos from the celebration.

The energy was unmistakable Monday as a wave of blue and gold swept through the Thomas & Mack Center. Friends and families filled the stands, holding colorful signs, blowing horns and cheering loudly as graduates took their seats. More than 100 volunteers helped keep the celebration running smoothly, handing out glow sticks, greeting guests and setting the tone for a day full of pride, emotion and joy.

The Class of 2025 is more than 4,000 strong, with graduates honored in both a morning and an afternoon ceremony to recognize students from every area of study. This year also marked a record-breaking milestone for CSN, with the highest number of bachelor’s degrees awarded in the college’s history.

This year’s 120 President’s Scholars were recognized for earning a perfect 4.0 GPA and were invited to a special meet and greet with Acting President Dr. William Kibler and incoming President Dr. Stacy Klippenstein before the ceremony. It was a moment to celebrate academic excellence and connect with CSN leadership.

Cody the Coyote was in attendance, making the rounds and snapping photos with proud grads. But the real stars of the show were the students themselves. Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. James McCoy reminded the crowd of the incredible perseverance it took to reach this moment.

“Each of you has a story uniquely your own,” McCoy said. “But you all share a willingness to do the hard work and get things done.”

He highlighted several graduates who overcame major life challenges to earn their degrees. Jessica Camp started as a CSN custodian 13 years ago and dreamed of sitting at the same desks she cleaned. After setbacks and stops along the way, she crossed the stage Monday. Steven Martinez, a traumatic brain injury survivor, made history as the first patient from USC Medical Center with his condition to graduate from college. Kenneth Freels pivoted to computer technology after losing his wife and being grounded from aviation. And Chung-Suk Yu, CSN’s oldest graduate this year at 72, returned to school for a creative writing degree after a decades-long journey.

Acting President Dr. Kibler shared heartfelt advice drawn from Anna Quindlen’s A Short Guide to a Happy Life. He urged graduates to prioritize people over titles and presence over hustle.

“Don’t ever confuse your life and your work,” Kibler said. “Get a life that is rich with people, generosity and meaning.”

Student speaker Hisonni Mustafa brought the crowd to its feet with a powerful speech about returning to school while juggling fatherhood and life’s demands. An award-winning filmmaker, he credited CSN’s faculty and support programs with helping him finish what he started.

“Education isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being persistent,” he said.

As names were read and degrees were conferred, graduates cracked glow sticks and lit up the arena in a colorful symbol of hope and celebration. Dr. McCoy offered one final charge to the Class of 2025.

“Look around you. You’re surrounded by hundreds of people who are about to change the world.”

(more…)

In case you missed last week’s Town Hall, here’s a quick recap and links to resources.

The Office of Finance and Administration provided the CSN community with important FY 26 budget updates and addressed questions from the audience.

Watch the Town Hall

(more…)

Thirteen women at Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center marked a powerful milestone this spring, completing workforce training in Hospitality and HVAC through a partnership with the College of Southern Nevada and the Nevada Department of Corrections. Ten students earned HVAC certificates and three completed the hospitality program—each stepping forward into a future they are determined to reshape.

The heartfelt ceremony was part of a full-day conference that also included an art auction featuring work from 12 students, with proceeds donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Earlier in the day, Dr. Genevieve Minter, CSN’s Prison Education Manager, led a tour of the facility for a group of esteemed guests, showcasing classroom and workshop spaces where women are building career-ready skills behind the wall.

“This isn’t about second chances,” Dr. Minter said. “It’s about the first real chance many of these women have had to become who they were meant to be.”

The theme of reinvention echoed throughout the afternoon, underscored by a series of moving remarks that honored the students’ determination and transformation.

Las Vegas Councilwoman Nancy Brune offered the keynote address, referencing The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. She drew a connection between the book’s central journey and the women’s own path, noting, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it”—a sentiment that resonated deeply across the room.

Hope for Prisoners Founder Jon Ponder delivered an impassioned message, asking the women to look at their hands. “These lines represent your past,” he said. “But today, we’re pushing the reset button.” His words, met with tears and applause, set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.

Several students, including Leandra Smith and Karen Kincaid, shared their personal journeys, praising their instructors Dr. Grayce James and Mr. Spencer Dunwoody for their encouragement and support. The ceremony concluded with electrifying remarks from Dr. James McCoy, CSN’s Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, who wove together the many stories of the day into a unifying message of hope, resilience and focus. “You are not who you were—you are who you are becoming,” he said.

Two inspiring affinity celebrations took place Friday evening at the CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus, each highlighting the resilience, culture, and accomplishments of CSN graduates.

The Latino Alliance Celebration welcomed its largest group of graduating students to date. Graduates took the stage one by one to receive their cultural stoles, placed with pride by family members. The event featured keynote speaker Astrid Silva, Executive Director of Dream Big Nevada, who shared her personal journey from undocumented student to leader of a nonprofit serving immigrant families across the state. Staff members were also honored for their contributions to the Latino Alliance, and a representative from Congressman Steven Horsford’s office joined in recognizing the evening’s significance.

Right next door, the Women’s and Native American Alliance Celebration recognized the achievements of CSN women and Indigenous students. Evelyn Pacheco, founder of Nevada Women in Trades and a pioneer in the plumbing industry, spoke about overcoming challenges and opening doors for others in underrepresented communities.

Together, the two events reflected the diversity of the CSN community and celebrated the determination of students who have reached an important milestone in their academic journey.

Commencement 2025 Press Release Final

The latest episode of Coyote Conversations, CSN’s signature radio show, highlights the power of persistence and the many ways students can access support on their academic journey.

This episode features student Svetlana Villaflor, who shares her inspiring path at CSN from classroom triumphs to bold plans for the future. Also joining the conversation is Dr. Jonathan Wright, who dives into the wide range of student services available, including Career Services, Coyote Cupboard, advising, academic assessments, and even passport assistance.

Listeners are invited to hear firsthand how CSN helps students thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

🎧 Listen to the episode and explore more stories of student success.

CSNs Early Childhood Education Lab Programs went all out this April in celebration of the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s (NAEYC) Week of the Young Child, an annual nationwide event recognizing the importance of early learning, young children, their teachers, and families.

Each day of the week brought its own flavor of fun:

• Music Monday had little voices singing and tiny feet dancing, setting a joyful tone with rhythm and movement.

• Tasty Tuesday was all about delicious exploration, as students engaged their senses and tried new, healthy snacks.

• Work Together Wednesday kicked off the weeklong Box Build, a collaborative art and engineering project that invited families to donate supplies and join their children in creating imaginative structures.

• Artsy Thursday filled classrooms with color, paint, texture, and pure creative expression.

• Family Friday wrapped it all up with a community-centered Health Fair. In partnership with CSN Nursing students, children and families enjoyed a range of wellness-themed activities focused on care, connection, and healthy habits.

The celebration didn’t stop there. Just as Week of the Young Child came to a close, the Lab Program rolled right into Teacher Appreciation Week from May 5–9, tipping their cowboy hats to the dedicated educators who bring learning to life each day.

With a spirited “Best of the West” theme, each day featured snacks, flowers, thank-you notes, and even a festive “Mockshine Hour” to let staff unwind and feel the love.

To all the tiny learners and big-hearted educators—thank you for making CSN’s Early Childhood Education Lab Programs such a special place to grow, play, and learn.

CSN Leadership Academy Opens Registration for Summer 2025 Cohort

The CSN Leadership Academy is back for Summer 2025 and applications are now open for faculty and staff ready to explore their leadership potential in a supportive and thought-provoking environment.

This professional development series, led by the Office of the President, offers participants the chance to dive into personal growth, explore leadership theories, and engage in meaningful reflection alongside peers from across the college. More than 700 CSN employees have already taken part in this unique opportunity for self-discovery and skill building.

The summer session includes four virtual meetings, held Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon on the following dates: June 6, June 13, June 20 and June 27. The sessions take place on Microsoft Teams, making it easy to join from wherever you are.

From the “7 Habits” framework to facilitated discussion and real-time self-reflection, the academy provides a mix of structure and flexibility designed to meet busy schedules while fostering leadership at all levels.

To learn more or to register, contact Gillian Silver-Rodis at Gillian.Silver-Rodis@csn.edu.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of this transformative experience!

CSN’s Charleston campus hosted the La Cumbre Math Summit on May 2, celebrating student success and the impact of El Mapa Matemático — a math support program funded by CSN’s first Title V HSI grant.

Students shared powerful personal stories about overcoming barriers and finding confidence in math, while faculty and community partners were recognized for their role in creating inclusive, supportive learning spaces.

“This is more than a roadmap, it’s a launchpad,” said Acting President Dr. William Kibler in his closing remarks. “Together, we’re building a future where every student belongs.”

The summit marks a milestone in CSN’s commitment to equity, access, and student success in STEM fields.

¡Gracias a todos y felicidades!

The results are in! More than 1,000 ballots were cast in the recent ASCSN student government election, and CSN students have chosen their representatives for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Leading the new slate of officers is Sovereign Hone, who was elected ASCSN Student Body President with over 75% of the vote. Hone can be reached at sovereign.hone@csn.edu.

Joining her in executive leadership are:

• Mikhaelle Pablico, Vice President

• Rochelle Perez-Perez, Treasurer

• Sydney Saxman, Secretary

Students also elected a number of campus senators across CSN’s locations, including:

• Juan Pina for North Las Vegas Campus

• Kanapot Srimongkol for Charleston Campus (alongside Joseph Ogden, Layla Scott, Benjamin Clayton, and Rikkelle Patino)

• Athena Tongaonevai and Mixsi Joann Paredes for the Extension Campuses

• Shay Bravo-Bezard, Giuliana Roessing, and Lamonee Patterson for the Henderson Campus

Congratulations to all the newly elected leaders! Their terms will begin in the fall, and they will play a key role in shaping the student experience across CSN’s campuses.

From taiko drums to calligraphy and everything in between, CSN’s Charleston Campus came alive with color and energy during the AAPI Heritage Month Kickoff celebration held last month on April 23.

Hosted student union, the event was a vibrant tribute to the diverse cultures and histories that make up the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Students, faculty, and staff gathered to experience traditional performances, explore cultural exhibits, and sample a variety of regional foods.

Highlights included captivating cultural dances, fashion show representing dress and attire from various AAPI regions,  rhythmic taiko drumming, and interactive calligraphy and lei building stations that allowed attendees to try their hand at the art form. Many participants also wore traditional attire, adding to the festive and inclusive atmosphere.

The event reflects CSN’s continued commitment to diversity and inclusion and the importance of creating spaces where all students feel seen and celebrated.

The lights dimmed, the curtain rose, and for 75 minutes, the CSN’s Spring Formal Dance Concert took the audience on a journey of movement, culture, and emotion.

Presented by the Dance Program, this year’s concert was more than a performance — it was a full-bodied celebration of expression. Featuring new works by faculty, students, and guest artists, the evening spotlighted a range of dance styles from ballet to Afro-fusion, and honored legends like Katherine Dunham, Pina Bausch, and Paul Taylor.

“Through beautifully curated dances that showcased a wide variety of styles and cultures, the entire night was breathtaking,” said Charlene Gibson, professor in the Department of Communication. “The whole audience, myself included, was moved from start to finish.”

Each piece told a story. Faculty choreographer Carrie Lee Miles drew inspiration from her time at the American Dance Festival, weaving Paul Taylor’s technique into the poignant “Walking on a Tightrope,” which featured guest artist Alexandra Swaim from Meraki Dance Theatre.

Denise Darnell’s tribute to Pina Bausch, “Pina: A Love Story,” pulled on the heartstrings of those familiar with Bausch’s avant-garde fusion of theatre and dance.

“The Search,” choreographed by Pendu Malik, brought the legacy of Katherine Dunham to life with rich cultural pride and historical depth. Malik also joined forces with Liezel Marie Guzman to choreograph “Roots and Rhythm,” an Afro-Fusion and hip-hop collaboration that advanced to the second round in the World Cultural Dance Competition in Los Angeles.

Ballet specialist Dolly Kelepecz’s “Divertissements” brought elegance and classical precision to the stage, featuring UNLV alumna Brooke De Soto in a special cross-campus collaboration.

The evening also highlighted guest dancers from Somerset Losee Academy. Monica Armstrong, a strong supporter of local dance talent, brought student performers Emily Gastelum and Mia Ledezma to debut their original work, “Statius Achilleid.”

From the student side, CSN choreographers Aaron Sullivan, Gonzalo Castro Barbosa and Natalia Richard shone with fresh, innovative pieces that had the audience on their feet.

“For me, the piece that really impacted me the most would have to be Carrie’s ‘Echoes of the Deep,’” said Sullivan. “Everything from the dancers, costumes, lighting awakened my senses and helped me connect to the moment. It was truly unforgettable.”

Senior dancer Gonzalo Castro Barbosa added, “From this concert I discovered that dance is more than movement — it’s expressing your feelings to the world.”

Robert Bonora, chair of the Department of Fine Arts, captured the magic of the evening perfectly, “As I was witness to the final curtain at multiple shows with the entire cast hugging, dancing, yelling, laughing… it brought joy to my heart,” he said. “It is an amazing group of people that we are able to put on stage, and it showed wonderfully at all the performances.”

This year’s Spring Formal Dance Concert reaffirmed CSN’s place as a creative force in Las Vegas’ dance community.

The ballroom at CSN’s North Las Vegas campus was filled with laughter, applause and a few emotional moments last Thursday evening as students, families, faculty and staff came together for the 2025 Outstanding Student Awards ceremony.

The annual Outstanding Student Awards ceremony honored 22 students across CSN’s academic departments—from Accounting to World Languages—each nominated by faculty for their academic achievements, personal growth, and unwavering spirit.

Some stories highlighted students who triumphed over medical setbacks or mental health struggles. Others were praised for stepping up as mentors and role models for their peers. Several students also took the mic, expressing how CSN’s support shaped their path. One student shared, “I wish I could be a student here forever—I never want to leave.”

Mariellena Mariscal, this year’s honoree for World Languages, bravely shared: “I wish my high school teachers could see me now. I was told I would never amount to anything, that I wouldn’t speak English well enough, that I wasn’t white enough.”

Dr. James McCoy, Vice President of Academic Affairs, closed out the night with words that captured the spirit of the evening: “Keep sharing your stories, your resilience to overcome, and recognize the power of support and connection.”

Each award recipient received a $1,000 scholarship from the CSN Foundation to support their continued education at CSN or another NSHE institution. And in a surprise moment Dr. McCoy personally pledged an additional $500 to each student.

It was a warm and inspiring evening—one that left the room full of pride for what these students have accomplished and where they’re headed next.

2025 Outstanding Student Award Recipients

CSN student filmmakers have made their mark in a big way, earning a jaw-dropping 18 Student Production Emmy® Award nominations from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter. Yes—18! That’s not only the most in CSN history, it’s the best showing in the state of Nevada, and among the top 5% of all student programs across the nation.

“It’s extremely rare to see numbers like this,” said CSN Film faculty, John Aliano. “We should really celebrate the success of these talented individuals.”

The nominations span nearly every category, from directing and editing to writing and special effects. And leading the pack is none other than Hisonni Johnson, a multiple nominee whose work on Legend Has It: The Remarkable Rise of Stephen McCain is up for several honors. Johnson will also take the stage later this month as CSN’s 2025 Commencement Speaker.

The Emmy®-nominated student productions include everything from poignant documentaries to gripping fiction shorts. Titles like Silenced, Breaking Barriers, Verisimilitude, Eighteen, and 9010 highlight the diverse and bold storytelling emerging from CSN’s film program.

Some of the nomination categories:

• Student Programming – Fiction/Non-Fiction (Short Form): Silenced, The Great Garden Wars

• Student Programming – Fiction/Non-Fiction (Long Form): Legend Has It, Breaking Barriers, Verisimilitude

• Animation/Graphics/Special Effects: Legend Has It

• Writer: Legend Has It, Silenced, Getting Cut, Eighteen

• Photographer & Editor: Multiple nominations for Silenced, Legend Has It, and others

• Director: Legend Has It, Breaking Barriers

The official nominee list will be published soon, but this early peek proves one thing: CSN’s storytellers are a force to be reckoned with.

Stay tuned to see how many Emmy® wins we bring home!

Dear CSN Community:

In early Spring, we formed an initial Presidential Taskforce to consider potential actions to take following certain Federal Executive Orders. Those planning discussions resulted in two changes: 1) the change of title and responsibilities for a Coordinator of Undocumented Students to Coordinator for Student Success and Mentorship Program; and 2) the change of office name from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to the Office of Diversity.

We continue to monitor Executive Orders closely but the ongoing discussions from the cabinet do not necessarily mean institutional changes will occur. We want to consider contingency plans, but we will not make substantive changes without informing the college community.

Recently, the CSN-NFA IDEA Committee wrote to me to share some concerns regarding the current national political climate and its potential impact on our institution. While they asked for me to respond to them, I believe that the concerns they raised are relevant to the entire college, so I am sharing the issues and the leadership response with all of you.

The IDEA Committee acknowledged that the recent issuance of Executive Orders presents challenges nationwide.  However, they expressed a firm belief that we should remain steadfast in our development and implementation of CSN’s goals and purposes. The leadership team and I share this belief that our college must remain focused on fostering a campus environment where all members of our community feel valued, respected, and empowered.

Below are the specific items they presented and my responses to each one:

•      Maintain a Safe and Secure Environment:Continue to provide a safe and secure environment, including physical spaces, for all students, faculty, and staff.

CSN is committed to ensuring that all spaces on our campuses are safe and secure for all students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

•      Clarify Commitment to Academic Freedom: Affirm that faculty are subject matter experts who should determine their course content and teaching methods. The administration should explicitly state support for academic freedom, ensuring that external pressures do not interfere with curricular decisions.

Our faculty are the greatest intellectual resources at our institution. CSN is fully committed to academic freedom. Faculty are expected to pursue knowledge without undue interference. This allows faculty the freedom to discuss relevant topics in the classroom, present diverse perspectives, and engage in critical thinking. Faculty shall have freedom from censorship or punishment for exercising academic freedom and shall have freedom in their teaching methods in accordance with their discipline.  We will continue to uphold our Academic Freedom Policy and its objectives.

•      Preserve Existing Resources: Refrain from erasing or obscuring websites and resources that provide information on diversity, inclusion, and related initiatives. The CSN-NFA-IDEA committee will proactively explore and implement effective communication strategies to keep faculty, students, and staff informed about our ongoing work.

CSN continues to embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion as enduring values within our academic community.  We must remain vigilant to ensure that our programs, activities, academic offerings, and decisions never limit opportunities for any members of our academic community and create inclusive campus environments, supporting student success, and fostering a sense of belonging for all CSN community members.

•      Ensure Equitable Recruitment and Hiring: Uphold fair, open, and equitable recruitment and hiring processes that actively seek and welcome individuals from diverse demographics, cultures, national origins, and ideologies. We must not only recruit, but also hire, a diverse faculty and staff that reflects the richness of our society.

CSN will continue to value diversity in our hiring practices.  To achieve this, we must ensure that our search, interview, and selection processes are inclusive and mitigate bias at every stage. We will also ensure that we comply with state and federal laws to assure that we do not limit opportunities for any qualified individual.

•      Uphold Legal Obligations:Reaffirm our commitment to adhering to all applicable laws, including Title IX and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

CSN is fully committed and obligated to follow all state and federal laws.

•      Ensure Student Privacy:Declare classrooms to be private spaces, off-limits to government authorities, since students must be enrolled in the class to be allowed into the classroom.

CSN is committed to following well established legal case law that has established different forums for expression and access on our campuses.  Those include:

1. Public forums, which are generally restricted to outdoor spaces such as plazas and sidewalks. Access and expression may still be limited, but only for the purpose of maintaining order on our campuses.  CSN may provide certain levels of time, place, and manner restrictions to maintain order, but these restrictions must be reasonable.
2. Limited public forums. Classrooms and meetings spaces generally fall into this category.  Access and expression may be limited to the purpose of the use of the classroom and meeting space during that time.  For example, a faculty member may control access and expression during a class and can expect to have that right enforced by the college. 
3. Private forums. Residence hall rooms, private offices, and other non-public spaces generally fall into this category.  Although all spaces on our campuses belong to the State of Nevada, current occupants of those spaces are afforded some control over expression and access in those spaces. 

However, it is important to note, and as pointed out in a recent communication from the Nevada Attorney General, government officials or law enforcement that bring lawful, court ordered subpoenas or warrants, cannot be denied access to any space or any records on our campuses that are covered by those legal documents.  Guidance has already been distributed on our campuses and training is under way for certain offices and departments to assure that all understand that we always have the right to call in an expert (i.e. CSN General Counsel or law enforcement) to affirm that a subpoena or warrant is, in fact, court ordered and legal. 

CSN will remain fully committed to the mission, purpose, and goals of our institution and support, encourage, and remain focused on the success of all of our students, faculty, and staff.  We celebrate the diversity of our community and embrace the value that it brings to us all.

Best regards,

Bill

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Dr. Bill Kibler
Acting President

May is packed with opportunities to get ahead—whether you’re looking for a mentor, a job, or support with career training costs. Here’s your quick guide to three can’t-miss events:

CTEAP Info Session
May 6 at 12 p.m. | Henderson Campus, Multicultural Center
Find out how the Career & Technical Education Assistance Program (CTEAP) can help cover the cost of textbooks, uniforms, and tools for students in hands-on career fields.
RSVP: tinyurl.com/Sp25CTEAPInfoSession

Caesars Resume Review + Hiring Event
May 8, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Charleston and North Las Vegas Campuses
Meet with recruiters from Caesars Entertainment, get resume feedback, and apply for jobs on the spot. Walk in ready to impress.
RSVP: tinyurl.com/Sp25ResumeReview

Mentor & Match Virtual Sessions
May 2 and May 9
Learn how to make the most of CSN’s mentoring app. Whether you’re looking to connect with a mentor or become one, this quick session will show you how.
RSVP: tinyurl.com/MentorAndMatchII

Sp25 Save the Date Events - May 1

The CSN graduate story and Career Services experience featuring Svetlana Villaflor and Dr. Jonathan Wright.

What a night! Last Monday, CSN Athletics threw its ninth annual Student-Athlete Banquet at the Charleston Campus, and it was all about celebrating our Coyotes for an incredible year both on and off the field.

Big shoutout to Chaz McNelis (Baseball) and Saroiya “Cici” Ajomale (Women’s Basketball) for taking home Athlete of the Year honors — well deserved! And a round of applause for Coach Nick Garritano, who snagged the “Dexter Irvin” Coach of the Year Award.

We also had plenty of reasons to cheer for:

• Unsung Heroes: Matthew Ramirez (Baseball) and Kayla Terry (Women’s Basketball)

• Coyote Spirit Awards: David Estes (Men’s Basketball) and Athena Tonga’onevai (Softball)

• Individual Service Award: Jalissa Oberlay (Cheer)

• Scholar Athletes of the Year: Ashton Zacher, Kody Bialas (both Baseball), Brianna Mendez (Women’s Basketball), and Lindsay Poole (Volleyball)

• Rookies of the Year: Cyril Franklin (Men’s Basketball) and Destinee Lopez (Softball)

And we can’t forget the Cross Country team, who crushed it with 1,642 community service hours — helping CSN Athletics log a massive 4,924 hours this year!

We also gave some well-deserved love to Athletic Trainer Brett Taylor and ASCSN’s own Janeth Vences-Balvas, who both earned Coyote Spirit Awards for always going the extra mile.

It was a night full of Coyote pride.

Check out all the photos from the event here!

At 42 years old, Hisonni Mustafa knows a thing or two about perseverance. The award-winning filmmaker, father, and first-generation college student has been named the 2025 Commencement Speaker for the College of Southern Nevada, and his journey to the podium is nothing short of cinematic.

Mustafa, who is graduating from CSN’s Film Program with honors, is best known for his breakout feature film Take Out Girl, a gritty, heartfelt drama shot in Las Vegas that earned over 20 awards and was picked up by Hulu after making waves at more than 50 film festivals. But before streaming platforms and red carpets, Mustafa was a gymnastics coach, an acting gig hustler, and a young man navigating the world with a scholarship and a dream.

“I came back to school carrying more than just textbooks,” he said in his graduation speech. “I carried life. Responsibilities. Doubts. And a hope that maybe, just maybe, this time would be different.”

That hope led him to CSN, where he sought not just credentials but craft. Although largely self-taught, Mustafa enrolled at CSN to sharpen his skills and push himself creatively. Along the way, he balanced fatherhood, coursework, and financial challenges—relying on support from his longtime partner, his toddler son Kenzo, and the CSN community.

“Life doesn’t wait for second chances,” he reflected. “My son was born during my very first semester. That moment could’ve ended everything. But CSN gave me the space and support to keep going.”

The college also gave him something more tangible: access to TRIO programs, affordable childcare, food pantries, scholarships, and a network of professors who cared. “They saw potential in me,” he said. “They valued people more than policy.”

His story is full of those moments where passion meets grit. Raised by a single mother alongside four sisters, Hisonni credits his uncles, gymnastics coaches, and partner of 20 years as critical mentors who helped fill the gaps and shape his path. Despite his success, he remains humble. When asked if he invited anyone to graduation, he quietly replied that he hadn’t considered yet—he’s more focused on what’s next: a bachelor’s degree, an MFA after that, and two films recently nominated for regional Emmys.

One of those films, Legend Has It, The Remarkable Rise of Stephen McCain tells the story of Olympic gymnast Stephen McCain. The other, Silenced, is a haunting narrative exploring the tragic consequences of medical neglect for women. Both echo a theme that runs through Hisonni’s own life: resilience, family, and the power of being seen.

Now, as CSN’s 2025 commencement speaker, Hisonni will stand before thousands of graduates, embodying what’s possible when community, creativity, and courage align.

“To anyone who thinks it’s too late to start over, or that the weight of real life means your dreams have to be left behind—I’m here to tell you: it’s not,” he said. “You can carry a diaper bag on one shoulder, a bookbag on the other, and still hold a camera—and a vision.”

Dreams, it turns out, are built right here at CSN.

To learn more about Hisonni’s film projects or connect with him, visit his website.

It was a picture-perfect day in North Las Vegas as CSN joined community leaders, elected officials, and local families to celebrate the grand opening of the Dolores Huerta Resource Center earlier this week.

Balloons framed the entrance as mariachi music filled the air, and smiles were in no short supply. The celebration marked more than just the ribbon-cutting of a new community hub—it launched a meaningful partnership between CSN and the City of North Las Vegas to provide free English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to the community.

Inside and out, guests gathered to take in the moment. Among those in attendance were North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown, Councilman Scott Black, Councilman Isaac Barron, and proud relatives of civil rights icons Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez—a reminder that this center carries a powerful legacy of advocacy, education, and empowerment.

Members of the CSN team, including Executive Director of External Relations, Ruben Kihuen and Vice President of External Relations and Campus Operations Clarissa Cota J.D., were on hand to connect with city partners and share in the excitement of this new chapter. The resource center will serve as a welcoming space where residents can grow their language skills, access vital services, and connect with a community that cares.

Big thanks to our partners at the City of North Las Vegas for making this vision a reality. We’re proud to be part of something that honors the past while investing in the future.

Engines roared to life as three Shelby cars rolled into the CSN North Las Vegas Campus auto bay last week, drawing a crowd before the tires even stopped spinning. Students from the Automotive Technology program rushed out of classrooms, cell phones in hand, eager to catch a glimpse of the sleek machines parking in a picture-perfect V formation.

The visit was courtesy of the Shelby American operations crew, who brought with them three custom Shelby vehicles and a wealth of knowledge about what it takes to build and maintain these high-performance machines. More than 50 students from across CSN’s Auto Tech classes gathered around the vehicles, listening intently as Shelby Vice President of Operations Vince Laviolette and his team shared stories, specs, and advice.

“This is the kind of hands-on, face-to-face opportunity you just don’t get every day,” said Dominick Nettles, a student in CSN’s Master Automotive Technology program. Nettles was in his brakes class when he was told the class would be taking a field trip—to the parking lot. “It’s a different perspective of engines and the technology used in high-end sports cars,” he said. “There’s so much engineering that goes into it. It’s like you never grow up—you just become an educated child.”

For Laviolette, the visit was more than a showcase—it was a homecoming of sorts. Shelby American recently hired a CSN graduate to work in their paint department. The connection between the legendary performance car brand and CSN’s auto program has only grown stronger in recent years.

That connection now includes financial support. For the last two years, Shelby American has provided $25K in scholarships to 10 CSN students annually, helping them fund their education in automotive technology. Among the recipients is Avery Rivers, a student completing his Master Auto Tech certification.

Wearing a red shirt and black pants, Rivers stood quietly near the cars, grinning. “It’s really cool,” he said when asked what it was like to see the Shelby lineup up close. While he’s considered working with manufacturers like Honda, he said he’s most interested in a career with the Clark County School District, helping maintain its fleet of buses. The Shelby scholarship, he said, helped make that goal possible.

“Money was tight,” Rivers said. “I didn’t know if I would end up finishing, but once I got the scholarship, I was able to worry less about how to afford school and just focus on my studies. It was a lifeline.”

The visit wrapped up with photos and a few revs of those unmistakable engines. But the message was clear—CSN’s Auto Tech students aren’t just learning to fix cars. They’re being prepared to help shape the future of the automotive industry, one horsepower at a time.

What do The Handmaid’s Tale, A People’s History of the United States, and When Wilma Rudolph Played Basketball have in common? They’re all books that have faced bans—and at CSN, they were read proudly and out loud.

From April 1 to April 11, 2025, CSN Libraries hosted a spirited multi-campus “Teach Truth – Banned Books” event, part of the national Teach Truth Days of Action organized by the Zinn Education Project. Across all three campus libraries—North Las Vegas, Charleston, and Henderson—students and faculty came together to challenge censorship and celebrate the freedom to read, learn, and teach honest history.

Timed to align with Transgender Day of Visibility and Freedom to Read Day on April 9, the event was a collaborative effort between CSN Libraries, the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA), and the Antiracist Book Club. Together, they created spaces filled with conversation, courage, and yes—books that someone, somewhere, doesn’t want you to read.

Each campus featured interactive displays highlighting banned and challenged books, particularly those amplifying voices from historically marginalized communities. These displays didn’t just look good (thanks to librarians Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, Raine Rosales, Tia Macklin, and Monna-Lisa Tuinei)—they sparked questions. Why are certain histories suppressed? Who gets to decide what’s “appropriate”? And how do we push back?

Students dove into these questions, flipping through stories of desegregation, identity, resistance, and resilience. They wrote postcards to Nevada’s representatives, urging them to protect students’ right to access diverse literature and honest education. (The best part? CSN Libraries handled the stamps and delivery.)

The high point of the series came April 7 at the North Las Vegas Library, when CSN faculty held a live banned book reading. Dr. Rochelle Hooks read When Wilma Rudolph Played Basketball. Dr. Joe Hassert cracked open A People’s History of the United States. And Dr. Laura Powell—back from sabbatical!—read from The Handmaid’s Tale. One student even joined Dr. Hassert for a powerful shared reading moment.

“I found the whole event inspiring and intriguing,” the student said. “I would definitely attend again and be a part of it in any way I could. #IPledgeToTeachTruth”

All told, 35 students officially signed in—and even more stopped by to read, write, or snap a photo with a handmade #TeachTruth frame created by students in Professor Their Wyckoff’s education course.

It wasn’t just an event—it was a joyful act of resistance. And it won’t be the last.

CSN Libraries and partners are already planning the next “Teach Truth – Banned Books” celebration for Banned Books Week in October 2025. Bring your voice—and your favorite banned book.

We’re calling on all CSN employees to help us spread the word! Two special opportunities are now open for the Class of 2025 — and we need your help encouraging students to participate. Whether it’s a heartfelt video shoutout or a snapshot of a creatively decorated graduation cap, these projects are meant to celebrate our graduates in a big way. Please share the flyers below with your students in class, via email, or on Canvas.

And faculty — if you feel inspired to record a short message of your own, go for it! Your words mean the world to our grads. Let’s make this year’s graduation truly unforgettable by spotlighting the voices and stories of our CSN community!

download here

CSN Grad Cap (3)

CSN is celebrating Asian American, Pacific Islander, and Middle Eastern (AAPIME) Heritage Month in full force this spring with a lineup of festive, meaningful, and community-driven events on multiple campuses.

From traditional fashion shows to musubi giveaways, CSN students, faculty, and staff are joining together to honor the vibrant cultures, contributions, and legacies of AAPI and AAPIME communities.

AAPIME Month Kick-Off: April 23 at Charleston Campus

The main celebration will take place Wednesday, April 23, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Charleston Campus Student Union. Hosted by the CSN Multicultural Center, the AAPI/Middle Eastern Heritage Committee, and ASCSN Student Government, the event will feature live entertainment, cultural activities, and plenty of food.

Guests can enjoy interactive experiences like calligraphy, lei making, and a symbolic “Cultural Tree.” A slate of guest speakers—including CSN President Dr. William Kibler, Vice President Clarissa Cota J.D., and Executive Vice President Dr. James McCoy—will offer opening remarks, followed by a student address from ASCSN Representative Melyka Tanyag.

Entertainment includes performances by Pong Lang of Las Vegas Thai Dance, breakdancer Hannah Lange, and a cultural fashion show featuring CSN students and staff dressed in traditional attire representing their heritage.

Food will be provided by local favorites Oming’s Kitchen and Mo’ Bettahs.

Musubi Giveaway at Henderson Campus: May 1

ASCSN Student Government will continue the celebration at the Henderson Campus with an event that’s both delicious and educational. On May 1, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Student Union, students are invited to grab a free musubi—a popular Hawaiian snack made with rice and spam wrapped in seaweed.

Alongside the giveaway, the event offers a chance for students to learn about the significance of AAPI Heritage Month, which is nationally recognized in May.

Celebrating Culture, Community, and Connection

“We’re excited to spotlight the diverse cultures that make up the CSN community,” said Santhana Foster, Chair of the AAPIME Community Affinity Group. “These events not only highlight traditional music, dance, and fashion, but also celebrate the ongoing contributions of AAPI and Middle Eastern students, faculty, and alumni.”

Students, employees, and community members are encouraged to join the festivities, learn something new, and enjoy the flavors and sounds of the cultures being honored.

Faculty Center Proposal Gets Its Big Debut

Join the hybrid fun April 25, 1–2 p.m. at WCC-I208 or online

After months (okay, years!) of dreaming, planning, brainstorming, and visioning, the moment has finally arrived: The Faculty Center Visioning Taskforce is ready to unveil the big proposal for CSN’s first-ever Faculty Center!

Mark your calendars for Friday, April 25 from 1 to 2 p.m. and be part of the excitement as this long-anticipated proposal is officially presented to none other than VPAA Dr. James McCoy, the executive sponsor behind this bold idea.

And here’s the best part — it’s a HYBRID event, so you can join in person at Charleston Campus, room I-208, or tune in from your laptop via Microsoft Teams (Meeting ID: 231 565 123 859 | Passcode: Ya6iR2Pz).

So what’s this all about? Picture a dynamic space where faculty thrive, connect, collaborate, and grow. A place built by faculty, for faculty—with resources, programming, and support designed to elevate teaching, scholarship, and community. The taskforce has collected ideas and insights from across the college, and now it’s time to put it all on the table.

Who should come?
All full-time and part-time faculty—and honestly, anyone who champions teaching excellence and faculty success. Whether you’ve been part of the brainstorming or are just curious what this Faculty Center buzz is all about, you’re welcome.

Come for the proposal. Stay for the possibilities. Let’s shape the future of faculty development at CSN—together.

Questions?
Contact Anne DeClouette at anne.declouette@csn.edu.

CSN’s Department of Fine Arts Music Program presents AMERICANA featuring the Woodwind Ensemble and Saxophone Ensemble, led by Artistic Director, Dr. Lindsey O’Connor, in their spring semester concert.

The concert will include the music of Leonard Bernstein, George Gershwin and Patrick Glenn Harper. The Ensembles include college students, as well as local middle/high school students who are dually enrolled at CSN, plus professional and community musicians. Instrumentation includes flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, piano, and percussion. The concert will conclude with CSN Piano Professor, Voltaire Verzosa, performing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue with the Saxophone Ensemble.

The concert will take place on Tuesday, May 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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Friday, May 9, 2025, through Saturday, June 28, 2025

North Las Vegas Campus – Artspace Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition featuring the works of 16 student artists from CSN’s Art & Art History Program. Works featured in this exhibition are included as part of the program’s capstone experience and highlight the vast range of offerings within the CSN Art & Art History Program including ceramics, digital media, drawing, metalwork, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Art 298: Portfolio Emphasis Spring 2025 Exhibition: Maladaptive Daydreaming will open Friday, May 9, 2025, and will run through Saturday, June 28, 2025. An Artist Reception with light refreshments will take place in the Artspace Gallery on Friday, May 16, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All CSN art gallery events are free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

The Art 298: Portfolio Emphasis Spring 2025 Exhibition: Maladaptive Daydreaming features the work of 16 student artists from the CSN Art & Art History Program. Works featured in this exhibition are included as part of the program’s capstone experience and highlight the vast range of offerings within the CSN Art & Art History Program including ceramics, digital media, drawing, metalwork, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The Art 298: Portfolio Emphasis Spring 2025 Exhibition: Maladaptive Daydreaming features student artists: Ashley Alberto, Marcellus Brown, Abril Chamorro Castillo, Sir Dukes, Alisia Flanagan, Emma Frehner, Jennifer Frias, Xander Gonzalez, Lydia Hinton, Shayla Kudrak, Alejandra Nava Godoy, Abigail Ostrowski, Kyra Scoggin, Alina Weaver, Tasiq Wright, and Kacee Ygana. Art 298 faculty include Professor Sean Russell, MFA, University of Nevada Las Vegas, and Professor Christopher Tsouras, MA & MFA, University of Wisconsin Madison.

CSN’s Artspace Gallery is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Artspace Gallery is upstairs above the main entrance lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery

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CSN Presents an evening of Mariachi Music

The Department of Fine Arts Music Program is proud to present an evening of mariachi music featuring Mariachi Plata, the 2021, 2022 and 2023 first place winners at the Mariachi Extravaganza in San Antonio, Texas. This lively and festive performance event will be presented under the direction of Perry Chacon. The show will also include performances by the rest of CSN’s Mariachi program as well as youth groups from CCSD.

The concert takes place Monday, May 12, at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the Cheyenne Campus.  General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit us at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

 

CSN Fine Arts Music Program presents an evening of classic and contemporary jazz selections featuring CSN Jazz Combos under the direction of Dr. David Phy and Dr. Lindsey O’Connor.

The concert will take place on Saturday, May 10th at 7:00 p.m. in the BackStage Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus. General admission ticket prices are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.

This event is presented by CSN’s Fine Arts Department Music Program. To purchase tickets online or to contact us for more information, please visit us at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community and is located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

 

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The Department of Fine Arts Music Program presents CSN’s Vocal Ensembles celebrating the spring season with a Choral Music Performance!

The Chamber Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Mark Wherry and Voltaire Verzosa, will sing a wide variety of selections. The CSN Jazz Singers will perform a set of jazz standards and will be accompanied by a top-notch rhythm section. Spotlight soloists will also be featured.

Voice classes instructed by Dr. Mark Wherry and Voltaire Verzosa will sing representative selections from the repertoire they have been working on this semester, which range from folk songs to Italian art songs and musical theater.

The concert takes place on Thursday, May 8th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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Friday, May 16, 2025, through Saturday, July 5, 2025

North Las Vegas Campus ● Fine Arts Gallery ● Horn Theatre Lobby

The College of Southern Nevada Fine Arts Gallery will present our annual Juried Student Exhibition beginning Friday, May 16, 2025, through Saturday, July 5, 2025. A reception with refreshments, awards ceremony, gallery talk, and Salon de Refusés will take place on Friday, May 16, from 6 – 8 p.m. This exhibition will feature student artwork made in connection with CSN Fine Arts Department, Art, and Art History Program courses with media including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, metals, ceramics, jewelry, and design.

This year’s exhibition will feature guest judge, Ms. Megan Heeres. Heeres currently serves as the Visual and Public Art Supervisor for the City of Henderson. She graduated from the Cranbrook Academy of Art with a Master of Fine Arts degree in 2009 and from the Residential College at the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2002. Heeres’s art practice and professional endeavors have connected into a cooperative way of working with the community both inside and outside of the studio. These collaborations engage with place, people, art, and plants. Heeres has been an artist-in-residence at the Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences, the Michele Schara Residency, the Ragdale Foundation, the Santa Fe Art Institute, and the Women’s International Study Center. She is represented by Materia Gallery in Detroit, Michigan, and has works in many private collections.

The 2025 Juried Student Exhibition will feature awards with anticipated prize values totaling $1,500 or more courtesy of Blick Art Materials and Kendall Hunt Publishing Company. A Salon de Refusés will take place in conjunction with this exhibit in the CSN Horn Theatre Lobby on first floor of the CSN North Las Vegas campus, Main Building, located in the “H” Wing.

CSN’s Art Galleries would like to thank its guest judge, Ms. Megan Heeres, and its outstanding community partners, Blick Art Materials and Kendall Hunt Publishing Company for their generous support of this exhibition and our students.

        

CSN Fine Arts Gallery and all gallery events are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Fine Arts Gallery and Horn Theatre lobby are located at the half circle drive near CSN’s main entrance, on the North Las Vegas campus at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one mile East of I-15 North.

For more information please call (702) 651-4146 or visit our website

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PACE Survey copy

CSN ORCHESTRA CONCERT FEATURING ALEX STOPA May 5th

Presented by CSN’s Music Program

Southern Nevada audiences will delight in an evening with CSN’s Orchestra performing classical works and musical surprises with special guest performer, Australia born, Emmy award winning drummer, percussionist, marimba soloist, composer and recording artist, Alex Stopa.

The concert takes place on Monday, May 5th at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus Performing Arts Center.

General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for Students/Seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The Nicholas J. Horn Theatre provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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On Tuesday April 8, the Nevada System of Higher Education will hold public forums featuring three finalists for chancellor at the system headquarters in Las Vegas. You can read their bios by clicking on the picture below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The ad hoc Chancellor Search Committee is set to meet and interview the candidates at 9 a.m. Wednesday, April 8, and may make a recommendation to the Board of Regents. If so, the Regents are scheduled to meet at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, April 9 and may choose a new chancellor then. These will be streamed live at nshe.nevada.edu/live

Public comment and questions may be submitted via the NSHE website.

Last week, a huge group of CSN students and CSN personnel traveled to Carson City to advocate for our college on CSN Day at the Legislature. 

The students — 73 in all — participated in question & answer sessions with Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and Carson City Mayor Lori Bagwell. Some were able to sit on the Assembly Floor next to a member of the Assembly while others sat in the Assembly gallery. They got tours of the Nevada Supreme Court and City Hall. They also engaged in a panel with four registered lobbyists. 

The purpose of the trip was, as always, for CSN students to learn about and experience the world they’re living in. But it was also to advocate for themselves and their college. 

CSN Day at the Legislature has been a tradition now for the last few sessions, and we plan on keeping it up. The more legislators hear from our students, the more they’ll understand their communities. 

Presented by CSN’s Music Program

With special guests from Sunrise Mountain High School

Southern Nevada audiences will be treated to a variety of works by the Department of Fine Arts Music Program’s own CSN Concert Band with special guest performers from Sunrise Mountain High School.

CSN’s Concert Band is under the direction of Dr. David Phy. The Sunrise Mountain High School Band is under the direction of Ivan Pour and Matthew Grina. The Sunrise Mountain Percussion Ensemble, also performing, is under the direction of Shaina Greensweight.

The concert is scheduled on Tuesday, April 29th at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus Performing Arts     Center. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for Students/Seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The Nicholas J. Horn Theatre provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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CSN Fine Arts Department Presents CSN Spring Formal Dance Concert 2025

CSN’s Dance Program presents the Spring Formal Dance Concert 2025 with new works by faculty, students and guest artists to give our students the full experience of what it takes to become a working artist, choreographer and performer. Our students have had the opportunity to experience working alongside professional choreographers and local companies. We are excited to present, share and continue to build connections within the Las Vegas dance community.

Step into spring’s vibrant embrace with rich a 75-minute dance concert weaving together the past and present. This isn’t just a performance. It’s a journey through dance history and culture; a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of ballet, modern, contemporary, hip-hop, and Afro-fusion.

We are excited to present Kathering Dunahm, Pina Bausch, and Paul Taylor, plus inspired new works by Carrie Miles, Pendu Malik, and Denise Darnell. The year was spent with our CSN Concert Company diving into their style, contributions and impact

Carrie Miles, inspired by her study of Paul Taylor’s choreography and techniques at the American Dance Festival (ADF), has crafted a captivating and technically sophisticated work. In this piece, a trio of dancers seamlessly intertwine their movements, embracing the playful and imaginative spirit of the creation with special guest, Alexandra Swaim, of the Meraki Dance Theatre Company.

Pina’s, “A Love Story,” is a suite designed for our 287 Concert Dance Company as a tribute to how Pina Buasch influenced Denise Darnell as a young dancer. Bausch’s experimental search for her own form of artistic language, challenging the dialogue between dance and theatre and developing new dramaturgical and performative forms were at the heart of her artistry. Ms. Darnell uses the influence from the Rite of Spring and created a contemporary adaptaion for the CSN Dancers.

Pendu Malik, came to us with a breath of knowledge of Katheirne Dunham. Although long recognized as a major force in American dance, Katherine Dunham is less a household name than some of her contemporaries, such as Martha Graham or George Balanchine. Nonetheless, her creative influence is just as profound. In addition to her theatrical career, Dunham did pioneering work in the field of dance anthropology and founded a school that embodied multi-cultural principles decades before the term was used in the field of education. Ms. Pendu spent the year working with the CSN Concert Company in preparing them for this rich experiential performance.

From the begining stages of planning, since we are incorporating a bit of history and blending it to today’s world, it was discussed that we present the history of Hip Hop. An Afro Fusion and Hip Hop collaboration piece was born called, “Roots and Rhythm,” which went partly onto the second round in the World Cultural Dance Competition in Los Angeles and is choreographed by Pendu Malik and Liezel Marie Guzman. It began with the need to teach the roots of the language of urban dance. By blending the explosive footwork, isolations, and the grounded nature of both styles we highlight the historical and cultural ties between African diasporic dances, but also create a dynamic, high-energy performance that bridges past and present. This piece honors the resilience, creativity, and evolution of Black dance forms while fostering cross-cultural appreciation and innovation of current dance styles.

*Professional guest choreogrpahers Jayy Gamble, Nay Givens, LJ Martinez and student Aaron Sullivan worked with our students for the piece entitled, “To Be in the Know, Movement”

– Hip Hop History Lesson within the Theater Concept by: Liezel Marie

Dolly Kelepecz, ballet specialist known for her long history of Dance Art in Las Vegas, choreographed the piece, “Divertissements,” a ballet collage including partnering and pointe work. Dolly has included UNLV Aulmnae, Brooke De Soto, to perform with our CSN Dance Program. A true collaboration.

Our special guest, Monica Armstrong, comes from Somerset Losee Academy. The Losee Performance Company created a piece just for this event. Emily Gastelum and Mia Ledezma are excited to share their new works, “Statius Achilleid,” with us. Ms. Monica has been a big supporter of our program. She has spent years contributing to young dancers in the Las Vegas Community. We are so happy to have her students share the stage with us.

Rounding out the celebration are three captivating works selected from our inaugural CSN Student Dance Concert, which showcases the brilliant creativity of our dance majors.

CSN Spring Dance Formal is more than just a performance; it’s a celebration of dance, a testament of it’s power to bridge time and cultures, and a glimpse into the future of dance itself.

The concert takes place on Friday, April 25^th at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 26^th at 2:00 p.m and 7 p.m. in the Nicholas Horn Theatre. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  For more information or to purchase tickets online, please visit us at: www.csn.edu/pac. CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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Kristen Gibson, a psychology student, has been named a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship — a competitive national award that helps high-achieving community college students transfer to top four-year universities with little to no debt.

Gibson is one of just 467 semifinalists selected from a pool of over 1,600 applicants nationwide. The scholarship offers up to $55,000 per year for up to three years, along with access to advising, internship and study abroad opportunities, and even graduate school funding.

The award is designed to support students who have shown exceptional academic ability, financial need, and strong leadership qualities.

“Our Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship represents a lifeline for exceptional community college students to actualize their academic dreams,” said Giuseppe “Seppy” Basili, Executive Director of the Cooke Foundation. “This year’s semifinalists exemplify the extraordinary talent found within community colleges across America.”

The semifinalists represent 212 community colleges in 43 states. The Foundation will announce the 2025 Undergraduate Transfer Scholars in May.

If selected, she’ll join a nationwide network of scholars and alumni who’ve gone on to top-tier universities and meaningful careers — and she’ll take her next step toward making a difference in the world through psychology.

To learn more about the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship, visit www.jkcf.org.

Congratulations Kristen! We are proud of you!

Dear Coyote Fans and Supporters,

March Madness is in full swing, and our Coyotes have been making program history! In this month’s edition:

Meet our new Head Volleyball Coach, Kantessa Bryant-Miller, as she prepares to build a championship program Celebrate our Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams’ historic playoff appearances Recognize our basketball stars who earned prestigious conference and regional awards Get the latest on our Spring sports as Baseball and Softball dominate in conference play Mark your calendars for our next Golf Tournament at Reflection Bay See how our Coyotes are making an impact in the community through Nevada Reading Week

Let’s dive in! To read the full edition of the The Howl, make sure to SUBSCRIBE to their quarterly newsletter.

It’s time to toss the confetti and celebrate our amazing CSN grads!

As the end of the semester approaches, the College of Southern Nevada invites students, faculty, staff and community members to attend a series of Diverse Identities Graduation Celebrations — special events recognizing the achievements and identities of our graduating students.

Whether you’re walking the stage this spring or just want to cheer on your fellow Coyotes, everyone is welcome to attend these free, fun celebrations:

• The Mosaic: All Identities Celebration
  May 3, 3-5 p.m., NLV Student Union
  RSVP here

• African American Heritage Community Celebration
  May 7, 6-8 p.m., June Whitley Student Lounge
  RSVP here

• Latino Alliance Celebration
  May 9, 5 p.m., Horn Theatre
  RSVP here

• Womens Alliance & Native Alliance Celebration
  May 9, 6-8 p.m., June Whitley Student Lounge
  RSVP here

These events are a way to honor our students’ hard work and diverse identities in a supportive setting. Come celebrate the resilience, achievements and inspiring stories of CSN’s Class of 2025!

Get ready for drama, prophecy, and a whole lot of side-eye from ancient royalty—Trojan Women is coming to the CSN stage this April, and it’s not your typical toga party.

This fierce adaptation of Euripides’ gut-punch of a tragedy comes courtesy of CSN Theatre Professor Dustin K. Shaffer, M.F.A., who directs and reimagines the story for today’s audience—no time machine required. Set in the smoldering ruins of Troy, the play follows Queen Hecuba and the women of the fallen city as they face captivity, grief, and an uncertain future… all while calling out the absurdity of war and the men who wage it.

There’s Cassandra, the unfiltered prophetess who sees it all coming but no one listens (classic). Andromache, mourning her warrior husband while fighting for her child’s life. And Helen, the face that launched a thousand ships, now trying to talk her way out of trouble with every trick in the book.

It’s haunting. It’s honest. And yes, it packs a punch.

Trojan Women opens Friday, April 11 at 7 p.m. at CSN’s BackStage Theatre, with evening shows on April 16–19 and matinees on April 13 and 19. Tickets are $10 for general admission and just $5 for students and seniors—because good theatre shouldn’t break the drachma.

Buy tickets and get details at csn.edu/pac.

Heads-up: This show doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff—war, violence, and survival—so viewer discretion is advised.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center is located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., where art, culture, and ancient Greek drama collide—safely, and with excellent lighting.

The College of Southern Nevada’s Dance Program is stepping into the spotlight with exciting news—CSN dancers have been selected to advance to the next round in the World Culture Dance Competition in Los Angeles!

Led by Professor Denise Darnell, the team earned high praise for their performance and was chosen from a competitive pool of entries from across the globe. This prestigious opportunity places CSN among some of the most dynamic and culturally diverse dance programs worldwide.

“This recognition is a testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication of our students and faculty,” said Darnell. “We’re honored to represent CSN and Southern Nevada on this stage.”

The World Culture Dance Competition celebrates global traditions through movement, highlighting excellence in choreography, cultural representation, and performance artistry.

Stay tuned for updates as our CSN dancers prepare to take L.A. by storm in the next round!

Mark your calendars! The CSN Spring 2025 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Monday, May 19, 2025, at the Thomas & Mack Center.

We look forward to celebrating the achievements of our graduates and honoring the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff who support them. More details, including parking and staging locations, as well as participation opportunities, will be shared soon.

Stay tuned for updates on csn.edu/commencement.

Thank you for all you do to help our students succeed!

CSN Commencement Team

 

 

The CSN Athletics Department is stepping up to the plate — not just for the games, but to say a heartfelt thank you.

On Saturday, April 5, CSN will host a special celebration honoring the many supporters who help fuel Coyote Athletics, from generous donors and sponsors to enthusiastic fans. The event takes place at the Henderson Campus alongside an action-packed day of home games featuring both the baseball and softball teams.

Baseball fans can catch the Coyotes take on Arizona Western Community College in back-to-back matchups at 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Meanwhile, the CSN softball team will face off against California Christian College, with games scheduled for 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Invited guests will be treated to food and drinks at CSN Morse Stadium — the home of Coyote Baseball — in a festive gathering that celebrates the community behind the teams.

“This day is about gratitude,” said Drew Farrar, Associate Director of Athletics, Sports Communications & Facilities. “CSN Athletics thrives because of the supporters who show up, sponsor, donate, and cheer from the sidelines. We’re taking this moment to recognize them — and we also hope to meet future supporters who want to be part of this incredible journey.”

Anyone who donates to or sponsors CSN Athletics is considered a supporter, and the event aims to grow that circle by highlighting the real impact community involvement has on student-athletes’ success.

Space is limited and RSVP is required. To confirm your attendance, please contact Jake Rodgers at jake.rogers@csn.edu.

Come out, enjoy the games, and join CSN Athletics in celebrating the spirit of support that makes Coyote Nation strong.

For many students at the CSN, the biggest challenge isn’t just passing exams or juggling work and school—it’s figuring out where their next meal is coming from.

That’s where Coyote Cupboard comes in. CSN’s on-campus food pantry is more than just a shelf of canned goods—it’s a lifeline for thousands of students facing food insecurity.

Take Daniel Marin, a Tourism, Conventions, and Event Planning student. He’s a regular at the pantry and says it makes all the difference in his ability to stay focused.

“The Coyote Cupboard helps me be effective in school. It provides basic ingredients like milk, canned fruit, grains, and chicken, which help me prepare meals before and after class. Without this resource, I’d struggle to afford food, and that would impact my studies.”

Daniel is far from alone. In the last year, CSN students visited the cupboard 10,851 times—far more than food pantries at larger institutions like UNLV (2,415 visits) or Nevada State University (540 visits). That’s because, for many CSN students, food insecurity isn’t just an occasional struggle—it’s an ongoing reality.

Adrienne Finlay, a Sociology major, puts it plainly:

“Having a food pantry on campus eases financial stress and ensures I can focus on my studies without worrying about where my next meal is coming from. Without it, I’d face significant hardship.”

And for Robyn Fisher, a Nursing student, the cupboard is quite literally keeping her family fed.

“Over the past year, I’ve faced homelessness off and on, which has made it incredibly difficult to provide for myself and my three family members. The pantry gives us access to nutritious food when we have nowhere else to turn. Without this support, I’d have to choose between groceries and essentials like temporary housing.”

A Little Help Goes a Long Way

The Coyote Cupboard relies on donations to keep its shelves stocked with essential food items like canned vegetables, fruit, tuna, chicken, shelf-stable milk, pasta, and sauce. Every dollar counts:

• $25 helps feed nearly two students.
• $50 supports a small family for a month.
• $100 provides enough food for six students.

If you’re a CSN employee, you can set up a payroll donation through the CSN Employee Giving Program to directly support the Coyote Cupboard. Signing up is easy, and your contribution will make a real difference for students who just need a little extra support to stay on track.

Here’s How to Give

Visit the CSN Foundation’s Employee Giving Program, Payroll Deduction or contact Danita Simons, Executive Director of the CSN Foundation, at foundation@csn.edu.

Education is hard enough without worrying about where your next meal is coming from. By donating today, you’re helping ensure CSN students can focus on their future—not their hunger.

The Department of Fine Arts Music Program and Dr. David Phy, CSN’s Director of Bands and Coordinator of Jazz, are proud to present the debut of their two day Jazz Festival with special guest trombonist Ben Patterson. Ben is one of the most easily recognizable trombonists and big band arrangers today. The CSN Jazz Big Band will be premiering a commissioned piece written by Ben paying homage to the jazz composer Duke Ellington.

The two day event will showcase Vocal Jazz, Big Band, Jazz Combo and Latin Jazz Bands. In addition, the festival will host jazz ensembles, open master classes and evening concerts featuring guest trombonist Ben Patterson, (https://benpattersonjazz.com/ ) with CSN Jazz Ensembles, local high schools and the Ben Patterson Quartet.

The schedule each day begins in the afternoon with band performances until 4 p.m. followed by an open masterclass with Ben Patterson at 4 p.m. Then after a dinner break from 5 to 6:30 p.m., the participants will have the opportunity to attend the 7 p.m. evening concert.

The Tuesday evening concert will include CSN Ensembles and Ben Patterson with Liberty High School. The Wednesday evening concert features Ben Patterson with the Doral Academy, CSN’s Jazz Big Band and the Ben Patterson Quartet.

The concerts take place Tuesday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 7th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus. General Admission for the special event concerts are $13.00 and $10.00 for students and seniors. 

Pre-registration for the two day festival is open until April 14^th, and will be accepting submissions for jazz ensembles of all types. After April 14^th, forms without matching payments will not be processed or added to the schedule. For more information, and a downloadable registration application please click here. To purchase evening concert tickets please visit us at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

     

####

 

CSN President Klippenstein release

The CSN Gender and Sexuality Affinity Group is rolling out an opportunity for faculty to deepen their commitment to inclusivity and support for LGBTQIA+ students. From April 21-25, 2025, CSN will offer a one-week asynchronous Safe Zone Ally Training, designed to equip participants with knowledge, strategies, and resources to foster a more inclusive learning environment.

Hosted on Canvas, this self-paced training allows faculty to engage with LGBTQIA+ topics on their own schedule while participating in interactive modules and discussions. At the end of the training, participants will receive both a digital Safe Zone Ally badge and a physical badge for their office, recognizing their dedication to creating a welcoming campus.

Training Details:

Dates: Monday, April 21 – Friday, April 25, 2025
Platform: Canvas
Capacity: 20 participants
Deadline to Sign Up: Friday, April 18, 2025

Space is limited to the first 20 faculty members, so those interested are encouraged to sign up soon!

For more information or to register, visit Safe Zone Ally Training.

Artificial intelligence is shaking up the academic world, but how do we use it responsibly? CSN’s AI Task Force is tackling that question head-on with Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety: Responsible Use in Academia, a virtual presentation happening March 28 from 10 to 11 a.m. on Microsoft Teams.

From AI biases to data protection and accuracy concerns, this session will break down the do’s and don’ts of using AI in education. Expect practical tips on keeping AI-generated content ethical, transparent, and compliant—because just because a chatbot can write your paper doesn’t mean it should.

 Join the conversation and learn how to make AI work for you—not against you!

Register for this CAPE training session today!

CSN’s students and faculty continue to earn recognition for their creative excellence, bringing home 20 ADDY Awards from the American Advertising Federation this year.

Students earned four Gold, six Silver, and ten Bronze awards, showcasing their talent and dedication to the field. In addition, faculty member Professor Chris Gardner won an ADDY in the Professional category for his design of the Media Fest logo and branding.

These achievements highlight the outstanding work coming out of CSN’s Media Technologies Department.

Congratulations to all the winners!

CSN is making waves after earning top honors from the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).

Giovanni Jones – Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship

If there’s one word to describe Giovanni Jones, it’s unstoppable. Set to graduate in May 2025 with a degree in Hospitality Management, Giovanni has been racking up academic honors—including spots on the Honors and Dean’s lists—while also serving as CSN’s Student Body Vice President. He’s been a driving force behind bringing back the CSN Honors College program and is actively involved in student organizations like the Black Student Union, Coyote Scholars Brotherhood, and the Black Male Mentorship program.

On top of all that, he’s snagged multiple scholarships, including the Coyote Campus Engagement and MGM Resorts International Hospitality Management scholarships. And if you think that’s impressive, he even found time to volunteer with the NFL Las Vegas Super Bowl Committee and helped create a math scholarship. Giovanni is a true leader, and this award just confirms what we already knew—he’s a powerhouse!

Andrzej (Andrew) Lenard – Nevada Regents’ Creative Activities Award

Creativity is second nature to Andrezej (Andrew) Lenard, and now, NSHE is giving this CSN math professor some well-deserved recognition with the Nevada Regents’ Creative Activities Award. The award honors significant creative accomplishments that bring national and international recognition to NSHE. Whether it’s through his artistic vision, innovation, or dedication to creative excellence, Andrew continues to push boundaries and inspire those around him.

Way to go, Giovanni and Andrew! CSN is beyond proud of you both. Keep setting the bar high! You can read more about both of them and all the NSHE nominees here.

CSN’S FINE ARTS THEATRE PROGRAM PRESENTS: TROJAN WOMEN AN ADAPTATION BY DUSTIN K. SHAFFER, M.F.A, OF EURIPIDES’ THE TROJAN WOMEN, PREMIERING APRIL 11TH IN THE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

The College of Southern Nevada Fine Arts Theatre Program presents: Trojan Women, a contemporary adaptation of the timeless tragedy by Euripides. The text has been adapted by the show’s director and Fine Arts Program professor, Dustin K. Shaffer, M.F.A.

Trojan Women is a wretched and powerful tragedy. Set in the aftermath of the fall of Troy, the play follows the fates of the city’s women as they await their grim futures at the hands of the victorious Greek army. Queen Hecuba, once the proud ruler of Troy, is now reduced to a mere captive, mourning the loss of her city, her livelihood, and most importantly, her children. Hecuba’s daughter, Cassandra, a divine prophetess, foresees events yet to come – though is dismissed as an unhinged maiden. Andromache, the widow of the great warrior – Hector, Hecuba’s son, faces the cruel fate of her infant son, Astyanax, being taken from her to ensure the termination of Troy’s noble lineage. Helen, whose beauty initiated the Trojan War, attempts to avoid death by utilizing her beauty, charm, and wit.

Through grief, rage, and resilience, these women bear witness to the horrors of war, lamenting their lost home while grappling with an uncertain future. A societal anti-war commentary, Trojan Women emphasizes the brutal cost of warring conflict, giving voice to those left to suffer in its wake.

Trojan Women opens at CSN’s BackStage Theatre on Friday, April 11th, at 7 P.M., with additional performances on April 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19th at 7 P.M. and matinee performances on April 13th and 19th at 2 P.M. General Admission is $10 and $5 for students and seniors. For more information, or to purchase tickets, please visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas, 89030.

DISCLAIMER: This production contains themes of war, violence, enslavement, and death; including mentions of infanticide and sexual violence. It also features intense lighting and auditory effects that may be overstimulating for some audience members. Viewer discretion is advised. The opinions expressed in this play do not reflect the College of Southern Nevada or its actors.

Trojan Women’s cast and production team are available for interviews.

For more information, photos, or to arrange interviews, please contact:

Press, Publicity, & Social Media Marketing Lead, Andy Hang, at: blueqxill@gmail.com

# # #

 

CSN is proud to welcome Dr. Stacy S. Klippenstein as its 10th president, following a unanimous vote by the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents.

Dr. Klippenstein brings over two decades of leadership in higher education, most recently serving as president of Mohave Community College in Arizona. With a strong passion for student success, workforce development, and community engagement, he is eager to build on CSN’s legacy as a powerhouse for education and economic growth in southern Nevada.

“I am incredibly honored to be standing in front of you today as the next president of the College of Southern Nevada,” Klippenstein said during his appointment.

Known for his commitment to innovation and collaboration, Dr. Klippenstein has dedicated his career to ensuring students not only earn degrees but also leave with workforce-ready skills that benefit the communities they serve. His leadership philosophy centers on visibility, engagement, and fostering a culture of opportunity.

Drawn to CSN’s strong reputation and impactful role in the region, Dr. Klippenstein sees boundless potential for the college’s future. As he prepares to take the helm on July 1, his focus will be on strengthening partnerships, expanding student success initiatives, and furthering CSN’s mission of transforming lives through education.

A Montana native, Dr. Klippenstein holds a doctorate in higher education leadership and enjoys the outdoors, golfing, and traveling with his wife. He and his family are excited to become part of the vibrant CSN community.

Welcome to CSN, President Klippenstein!

With Women’s History Month around the corner, what better way to celebrate than by spotlighting the amazing women of CSN? Over the past six weeks, four incredible ladies stopped by the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Lab School to share the joy of reading with our youngest learners.

📖 Kathy Egohian read I Love You Like No Otter, a sweet and punny tale about love and friendship.
📖 Donna Ouderkirk brought Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to life—because, let’s face it, we all have those days!
📖 Yvonne Realivasquez had the kids giggling with Dragons Love Tacos (because dragons and tacos just make sense).
📖 Jolene Romero wrapped things up with Tacky the Penguin, a fun reminder that being different is a good thing.

These women didn’t just read stories—they sparked curiosity, and reminded us all why books (and role models) matter.

Big shoutout to Kathy, Donna, Yvonne, and Jolene for making storytime extra special!

Here’s to celebrating the incredible women of CSN all year long!

 

The College of Southern Nevada’s Jazz Singers will present their Annual edition of Vocal Jazz Solo Nights (“VJSN”) April 4^th and 5^th. The evening will feature each member singing a solo of their choice as well as selections sung by the ensemble.

A variety of jazz styles will be on display at this edition of VJSN concert at the College of Southern Nevada. There will be some swing, bebop and even R&B featured. According to Dr. Mark Wherry, the tradition of VJSN began in the fall of 2000 as a way for jazz students to sharpen their solo singing and gain a greater appreciation for jazz music.

“In any given semester, we work on six or seven songs to perfection. With every member singing solos, the ensemble is exposed to at least an additional twelve compositions. That’s quite a few songs over the course of many semesters,” Dr. Wherry explains.

“This will be the 47^th edition of the event. We do it every semester so, by my calculations, we’re at 47. I’m very proud of our CSN music students. Some of our alumni are hosting their own shows on the Strip, performing on cruise lines, and even touring in Europe. In many cases, Vocal Jazz Solo Nights is where they got their start,” Dr. Wherry adds.

Vocal Jazz Solo Nights will be presented on two evenings, Friday, April 4^th and Saturday, April 5^th at 7 p.m. in the Jay Morrison Recital Hall located in the Fine Arts Department at the North Las Vegas campus. Tickets are $8 General Admission and $5 for Students and seniors which can be purchased online anytime or at the box office the evening of the performance. For more information or purchase tickets online and avoid box office lines, please visit our website at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

# # #

CSN will host an Active Assailant Safety Training on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the West Charleston Campus. The full-day session, running from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., will take place in Student Union rooms U126 & U128 and is designed to equip participants with critical survival strategies in the event of an active threat.

This comprehensive eight-hour training, based on the Run, Hide, Fight methodology, is an interactive course that incorporates sight, sound, and personal movement. Attendees must complete a pre-test before the session to be eligible to participate and must remain for the entire duration to receive credit. Individuals sensitive to loud noises or flashing lights should take this into consideration before registering.

While not required, participants are encouraged to bring a laptop or tablet to assist with completing the post-test.

To register, visit: train.ncbrt.lsu.edu
Class ID: 34244
Class Access Code: NCBRT375

For more information, scan the QR code on the flyer or contact CSN’s University Police Services.

CSN has announced four finalists in its search for a new president. The candidates will participate in open forums on March 10 and 11 across CSN’s campuses, providing opportunities for the community to engage with each finalist.​

Finalist Candidates and Open Forum Schedules:

Joshua D. Baker, Ph.D.

• Link to CV
• Submit a question/s for open forum
• Provide your feedback on Dr. Joshua Baker

North Las Vegas Campus: Tyrone Thompson Student Union Ballroom
Monday, March 10, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Charleston Campus: Student Union Ballroom
Monday, March 10, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.​

Henderson Campus: Student Union Ballroom
Tuesday, March 11, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Darrell L. Cain, Ph.D.

• Link to CV
• Submit a question/s for open forum
• Provide your feedback on Dr. Darell Cain

Henderson Campus: Student Union Ballroom
Monday, March 10, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.​

Charleston Campus: Student Union Ballroom
Tuesday, March 11, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.​

North Las Vegas Campus: Tyrone Thompson Student Union Ballroom
Tuesday, March 11, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Stacy S. Klippenstein, Ed.D.

• Link to CV
• Submit a question/s for open forum
• Provide your feedback on Dr. Stacy Klippenstein

Charleston Campus: Student Union Ballroom
Monday, March 10, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.​

North Las Vegas Campus: Tyrone Thompson Student Union Ballroom
Monday, March 10, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Henderson Campus: Student Union Ballroom
Tuesday, March 11, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.​

Rey Rivera, Ed.D.

• Link to CV
• Submit a question/s for open forum
• Provide your feedback on Dr. Rey Rivera

Henderson Campus: Student Union Ballroom
Monday, March 10, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.​

North Las Vegas Campus: Tyrone Thompson Student Union Ballroom
Tuesday, March 11, 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Charleston Campus: Student Union Ballroom
Tuesday, March 11, 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

 

Upcoming Meetings:

• ad hoc CSN President Search Committee Meeting: March 12, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.

  • Location: CSN Charleston Campus, Student Union, Rooms U126-130
    6375 W. Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas

• Board of Regents Special Meeting: March 13, 2025, at 9:00 a.m

  • Location: CSN Charleston Campus, Student Union, Rooms U126-130
    6375 W. Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas

Both meetings are open to the public, and attendees are welcome to provide comments. Public comments can also be submitted via telephone by calling (669) 444-9171 and entering Meeting ID 933 5568 7402 and Passcode 555 555, or through the online public comment form available at NSHE Public Comment. A livestream of the meetings will be accessible at NSHE Live Stream.​

For more details on the presidential search and candidate information, visit the CSN President Search webpage.

Check out the latest edition of Dual Credit Corner to see how CSN’s partnerships are creating incredible opportunities for high school students to earn college credit. It’s especially cool to see dedicated counselors, like Christy Zamora at Foothill High, making a real impact!

Want more stories like this? Join the club! Email Amber.Mayes@csn.edu to subscribe to the Dual Credit Corner newsletter. 

download here

2025 February_Dual Credit Corner Newsletter

 

CSN will remain open for normal business hours during Spring Break, but students and the community should note that the CSN Call Center will be closed from March 17 – March 21, 2025.

The Call Center will resume operations on Monday, March 24, at 9 a.m.. During this closure, students who need assistance with MyCSN are encouraged to visit one of CSN’s main campuses for in-person support or explore online resources. For technical support, the CSN Help Desk will still be available at 702-651-HELP (4357).

CSN’s campuses will continue operating under regular business hours throughout the break, ensuring that students can still access essential services.

It’s that time of year again, Coyotes! The Recognition Rocks awards are back, and this is your chance to shine the spotlight on those incredible colleagues who go above and beyond. Whether it’s the professor who makes even the driest subjects fun, the advisor who always has your back, or the behind-the-scenes hero who keeps CSN running smoothly, we want to celebrate them — and maybe even YOU.

Up to 10 awards will be handed out at Fall 2025 Convocation, recognizing excellence in assessment, community service, online teaching, research, and service to CSN. Plus, there are four prestigious Distinguished Employee of the Year awards, honoring the best of the best in administrative faculty, classified staff, part-time faculty, and full-time faculty.

Oh, and did we mention the cash prizes? Each Excellence Award recipient will take home a sweet $500, while the Distinguished Employee of the Year winners will pocket $2,500. Not too shabby for doing what you love!

Nominating someone is easy—just visit csn.edu/irc before April 18, 2025, and fill out the form. You can even nominate yourself (because hey, self-love is important).

Questions? Contact Jenn Daughtery, IRC Chair, at jennifer.daughtery@csn.edu.

So, who’s making a difference at CSN? Let’s give them the recognition they deserve—because Recognition Rocks!

RecognitionRocksSpg25 ADA

Ever dreamed of teaching abroad, immersing yourself in a new culture, and getting paid to do it? Well, CSN faculty and staff, this is your chance to turn that dream into reality!

Join us for a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Virtual Lunch & Learn on Thursday, March 27, at 12 p.m. PT, where you’ll get the inside scoop on award opportunities made just for community college educators.

We’ve got Dr. Jeanne C. Holland, a CSN English faculty member who took her teaching talents to Austria and Finland as a Fulbright U.S. Scholar. She’ll spill the details on what it’s really like to live and work abroad (spoiler: it’s life-changing).

And if you’re wondering, “Could I actually do this?”—the answer is yes, and Keegan Scott, Outreach and Recruitment Officer for the Fulbright Scholar Program, will be there to walk you through the application process and answer all your burning questions.

So grab your lunch, hop on Zoom, and let’s talk travel, teaching, and transforming your career. You in?

Thursday, March 27
12 p.m. – 1 p.m. PT
Virtual (Zoom)

Register now to get the Zoom link, and for more details, reach out to patricia.vazquez@csn.edu or visit Fulbright Scholars.

Let’s make your passport jealous.

Fulbright Flyer

If you’re a fan of live music, bold vocals and vibrant Latin culture, mark your calendar for Celebración Latina: A Mariachi Fiesta!

This high-energy show is coming to the CSN’s Nicholas J. Horn Theatre on Sunday, March 16, at 3 p.m., and it’s going to be a blast. Hosted by Opera Las Vegas, this performance mixes the power of opera with the passion of mariachi, creating a one-of-a-kind experience that’s sure to give you goosebumps.

Expect everything from heartfelt ballads to lively rancheras, all performed by incredible singers including our own CSN Mariachi Plata ensemble. If you’ve never seen a show like this before, trust us – you’re in for a treat.

The event will take place at CSN’s Nicholas J. Horn Theatre, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas. Tickets are available now at this link, and if you have any questions, you can reach out to director@operalasvegas.com.

 

Ever wish you could ditch the classroom, get some fresh air, and actually feel better while learning? Well, Dr. Marlene Drake’s students get to do just that.

Dr. Drake, who’s all about mental health and wellness, isn’t just teaching it—she’s making students experience it. Her class gets outside, meditates, and even tracks how their bodies respond before and after a brisk walk or jog around campus. Basically, it’s hands-on learning meets stress relief.

And on Tuesdays? They take mindfulness to the next level—with a picnic lecture outside. Yep, class with snacks, sunshine, and good vibes.

She was even featured on News 3’s “Mental Health Matters” segment, showing how small changes—like moving, breathing, and just stepping outside—can make a huge difference.

If you’ve ever needed a reason to get out of the classroom (or your office) and take a deep breath, this is it!

Watch the News 3 segment here.

 

 

The Fine Arts Department Music Program at the College of Southern Nevada presents CSN’s Orchestra Chamber Music Recital.

The concert will feature members of CSN’s Orchestra and special guest performers. This musical fundraiser takes place on Sunday, March 30th at 2 P.M. in the Jay Morrison Recital Hall (H122) located at the North Las Vegas campus.

General Admission is $10 with proceeds to benefit the Dick McGee Scholarship Fund. For more information, or to purchase tickets please visit the PAC’s website at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

# # #

 

Missed this week’s Coyote Conversations? Catch up now!

On Monday’s episode, Dr. Yvonne Realivasquez, Clarissa Cota, and Dr. Kelleen O’Connell dived into all things Women’s Empowerment Month, celebrating the achievements, resilience, and contributions of women in our community and beyond. The discussion highlighted inspiring stories, “SHEeros”, resources for women in education and leadership, and how CSN continues to support equity and empowerment for all.

Click here to listen now: Coyote Conversations

Don’t forget! Coyote Conversations airs on the last Monday of every month—tune in!

On a sunny spring-like day, over 30 CSN students joined the ECo Club for a fun and educational stroll on the Middle Oak Creek Trail in Red Rock Canyon. Led by ECo Club advisor, Dr. Melissa Giovanni, students learned about Joshua Tree forests, the Mojave Desert ecosystem, and the geologic history of the area. Most importantly, we discussed the importance of conserving our wild public lands and how to be good stewards of the environment! We love seeing our students learning in the real world!

-News story contributed by Dr. Melissa Giovanni

Do you have a news worth story you want shared, you can always share via our Marketing Request Form 

Filing your 2025-26 FAFSA doesn’t have to be a headache. CSN’s Office of Financial Aid is here to make sure it’s stress-free, fast, and maybe even fun (okay, at least easier).

Got questions? Confused by the process? Don’t sweat it. These free, in-person FAFSA workshops will help you:

• Navigate the new FAFSA without wanting to throw your laptop.
• Set up your FSA ID (because who actually remembers their login from last year?).
• Get answers to your financial aid questions from people who actually know what they’re talking about.

When & Where?

North Las Vegas (Building C, Room 2658)
March 13 | April 10

Charleston (Building C, Room 114)

March 26 | April 16

Henderson (Building C, Room 117)
March 19 | April 23

All workshops run from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Pro Tip: Before you show up, make sure you and your parent or spouse have created an FSA ID. It’ll save you time.

Got Questions?

Scan the QR code or visit
Email: financialaidoffice@csn.edu
Phone: (702) 651-4303

So what are you waiting for? Get your FAFSA done, grab that free money, and secure your financial future.

Congratulations Veronica!

CSN’s Women’s Alliance is rolling out an inspiring lineup of events for Women’s Empowerment Month, and you’re invited to join the movement! From insightful discussions on leadership and resilience to tackling important issues like affordable childcare, this month is packed with opportunities to connect, learn, and celebrate the power of women.

Resilient and Rising: Women Shaping Las Vegas – March 3

Kicking things off, “Resilient and Rising: Women Shaping Las Vegas” will take place on Monday, March 3, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Charleston Campus Ballrooms. This International Women’s Day banquet will feature powerhouse panelists:

• Vida Lin, founder and president of the Asian Community Development Council,
• Nancy E. Brune, Councilwoman of Ward 6, and
• Jaclyn Schultz, journalist and FOX 5 anchor.

Free goody bags for the first 50 RSVPs! Plus, luxe handbags will be raffled. Reserve your spot here.

CSN Women’s Alliance Resource Fair – March 4

Connect with CSN and Southern Nevada community resources at the 2025 Resource Fair on Tuesday, March 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at CSN North Las Vegas Campus, June Whitley Center. Whether you need mental health support, childcare, housing assistance, or ESL services, this fair will empower you with the tools to thrive.

Celebrate Fannie Lou Hamer – March 5

Learn about civil rights icon Fannie Lou Hamer with a special presentation by Dr. Earnest Bracey on Tuesday, March 5, from 4 to 6 p.m. at Charleston Campus, Building K-101. Hamer’s legacy reminds us that “Nobody’s free until everybody’s free.”

Breaking Barriers: Affordable Childcare Panel – March 7

Struggling with childcare options? Let’s talk solutions. Join the CSN Women’s Alliance for a virtual panel discussion on Friday, March 7, from 9 to 10 a.m. about increasing affordable childcare options. The discussion will cover early childhood education, daycare programs, and drop-in care.
RSVP now and be part of the conversation.

Breaking Barriers: Broadcast Journalism with Madison Kimbro – March 13

Aspiring journalists, take note! Channel 8’s Madison Kimbro will share her journey in broadcast journalism on Wednesday, March 13, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Henderson Campus, Building C-133. Don’t miss this chance to gain industry insights from a media pro.

Enhancing Your Inner Core with Flecia Thomas – March 25

Feeling drained? Time for a reset. Flecia Thomas leads a virtual session on self-improvement and resilience on Monday, March 25, from 12 to 1:30 p.m. via Microsoft Teams.

• Meeting ID: 254 503 073 766
• Passcode: Nk2kY7Js

Shirley Chisholm Leadership Academy – March 28

Join the CSN Women’s Alliance Shirley Chisholm Leadership Academy for a full day of leadership panels on March 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. via Zoom. Sessions include:
✔ Leadership Styles
✔ Civic Engagement & Voting
✔ Sports, Resiliency & Voting
✔ Career Development
Check out the full schedule here, or RSVP at t.ly/moPdc.

The College of Southern Nevada’s Fine Arts Music Program presents their annual Chamber Chorale Spring Showcase on Saturday, March 29^th at 7 P.M. in the Jay Morrison Recital Hall at the North Las Vegas campus. The evening will feature a variety of songs the students have chosen to showcase.

General admission for this fun-filled event is $10 with all proceeds going to the Choir Club. Please visit the PAC’s website: www.csn.edu/pac for more information or to purchase tickets.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. The Jay Morrison Recital Hall is located in room H122 in the H building at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

# # #

 

Featuring Dr. Yvonne Realivasquez, Clarissa Cota & Kelleen O’Connell

Ever wondered what it feels like to help transform a student’s future—without leaving your couch? The CSN Foundation is calling on faculty, staff, and community members to join the Scholarship Review Committee, where the power of your time and perspective can shape someone’s educational journey.

And no, you don’t need a degree in literary analysis—just a willingness to read, reflect, and rate.

Each year, CSN students share their incredible stories of resilience, ambition, and dreams that are just one scholarship away from reality. As a reviewer, you’ll get a front-row seat to their journeys—stories of first-generation college students, single parents balancing classes and family, and determined individuals working toward a better future. It’s rewarding. It’s inspiring. And it’s as easy as reading and scoring essays from your laptop, even with your dog curled up beside you (we won’t judge).

Important Dates to Know:
📅 March 14 – Volunteer sign-up deadline
📅 March 31 – April 11 – Score essays electronically

No red pens needed, just a little of your time and heart. Be part of something great. Click the link to sign up and start making a difference today: bit.ly/CSNF-Scholarship-Review-25

Need support? Looking for resources to help you move forward? The CSN Women’s Alliance is here for you!

To kick off Women’s Empowerment Month, the CSN Women’s Alliance Resource Fair is happening on Monday, March 4, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Las Vegas Campus, June Whitley Lounge.

This event is all about connecting you to the resources that matter—whether it’s mental health support, childcare, housing help, job advice, or even free period products. Stop by, ask questions, and find the tools you need to feel supported and empowered.

Here’s who will be there:

• Dress for Success – Free professional clothing and job prep
• CSN CAPS – Mental health support for students
• CSN Career Services – Job search help, résumé tips, and career advice
• CSN Child Lab – Childcare services for CSN students and staff
• Help of Southern Nevada – Housing, family support, and diapers for those in need
• Shannon West Youth Shelter – Help for at-risk youth
• Project Marilyn – Free period products
• Immigrant Home Foundation – Citizenship and legal aid services
• Mexican Consulate – Services for Mexican nationals in the area

We want people to leave feeling informed, confident, and ready to take the next step.

It’s free, it’s helpful, and it’s for you. Come by and check it out!

CSN’s very own Dr. James McCoy has been recognized as a Phi Theta Kappa Distinguished College Administrator, a prestigious national honor celebrating leaders who go above and beyond for student success!

Nominated by CSN’s highest-achieving students, this award is a testament to Dr. McCoy’s unwavering commitment to every student—inside and outside the classroom. His dedication helps shape a richer, more meaningful college experience for so many at CSN.

Dr. McCoy will be honored on the big stage at Phi Theta Kappa’s Annual Convention, April 3-5, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri. The celebration includes a special Presidents Luncheon and an award presentation in front of thousands of students, advisors, and college leaders.

Congratulations, Dr. McCoy! Your impact is felt far and wide, and CSN is lucky to have you leading the way.

Recent Federal Guidance and Implications for Nevada’s Higher Education 

The following is a statement from NSHE 

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) is analyzing the recent Dear Colleague Letter issued by the U.S. Department of Education to understand its broader impact on our institutions and those we serve. As we evaluate this guidance, we remain focused on ensuring our institutions continue to fulfill their missions while supporting students, faculty, and staff. 

NSHE is proud to be a majority-minority system that reflects Nevada’s rich diversity and strength. Our institutions serve students from all backgrounds, and we take immense pride in fostering supportive environments where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We have always and will always be committed to ensuring that every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their educational goals regardless of their background. 

Guided by our NSHE Strategic Plan: Success by Design, we remain focused on increasing access to education, improving student success, addressing workforce needs, and ensuring our institutions continue to serve Nevada’s communities effectively. 

We appreciate the guidance of the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights as we continue to provide safe and inclusive learning environments for our students and faculty. 

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About the Nevada System of Higher Education 

The Nevada System of Higher Education, comprised of two doctoral-granting research universities, a state university, four comprehensive community colleges, and one environmental research institute, serves the educational and job training needs of Nevada. NSHE provides educational opportunities to more than 100,000 students and is governed by the Nevada Board of Regents. The System includes the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada State University, Desert Research Institute, the College of Southern Nevada, Great Basin College, Truckee Meadows Community College, and Western Nevada College. Learn more at https://nshe.nevada.edu/. 

Feeling stressed? Running on caffeine and vibes? It might be time for a wellness check—literally.

CSN’s Health & Wellness Fair is rolling into the North Las Vegas Campus on March 25, 2025, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the June Whitley Student Lounge (Room NLVE 130)—and trust us, you don’t want to miss it.

This isn’t just any health fair. Think free resources, wellness tips, and maybe even a few life-changing hacks to help you feel better, stress less, and maybe (just maybe) get a little more sleep. From fitness and mental health to nutrition and local wellness services, we’re bringing all the best ways to upgrade your well-being.

Plus, did we mention it’s totally free? Just show up, and leave feeling a little more in control of your health. No co-pay required.

Got questions? Hit up Andrea Gonzalez at 702-651-4893 or andrea.gonzalez@csn.edu.

See you there—your future, less-stressed self will thank you!

The DWED Graduation on December 19, 2024, was a night to remember! CSN’s Division of Workforce & Economic Development (DWED) celebrated an incredible group of students who crushed their goals and took major steps toward brighter futures.

From Manufacturing and Healthcare short-term training grads to those who officially conquered their GED/HiSET exams, these students put in the work—and it paid off! Their achievements are a testament to the dedication, persistence, and support from CSN’s amazing instructors and mentors (shoutout to you all!).

If you missed the celebration, don’t worry—you can still catch up on all the latest DWED updates and success stories in their full newsletter here.

Way to go, grads! Keep chasing those dreams!

DWED-ABE Newsletter for February 7 2025

Ever wanted to be the go-to person when someone needs a little extra support? CSN Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is hosting an in-person Mental Health First Aid Training on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the North Las Vegas Campus (Student Union Multicultural Center, Room U121).

This one-day training will teach you how to recognize signs of mental health struggles, offer initial support, and connect folks to the right resources. It’s like CPR—but for mental health! Space is limited, so don’t wait—sign up by emailing MentalHealth.FirstAid@csn.edu.

And if you can’t make this one? No worries! More trainings are on the way.

Mental Health First Aid Training January 2025

 

The College of Southern Nevada Dance Program presents the Inaugural Student Dance Concert 2025 with new works by faculty, guest artists and alumnae, to give our students the full experience of what it takes to become a working artist, choreographer and performer. Our students have had the opportunity to experience working alongside professional choreographers and local companies. We are excited to present, share and build connections within the Las Vegas Dance community.

The 75-minute concert is produced and choreographed by our Senior Dance Certificate majors. It is comprised of contemporary, urban, and hip-hop genres. Our students have spent their Fall and Spring semesters preparing for this event. It is deeply rooted in their own voices and life experiences. Student Choreographers are Gonzalo Castro Barbosa, Leilani Torrado Perez, Aaron Sullivan, Marilyn Castaing, Natalia Richard, Marley Reynoso, Moenai Cotton, Naoma Wickert, Ashely Martinez, Rachel Ranstrom.

As an outreach in giving back, we invited Leah Willis Dance Arts Innovative Arts Education in Pahrump. They are amid a fundraiser to raise money for a much-needed facility in Pahrump. During the concert, there will be a silent auction in Pahrump via live stream to help raise awareness and funds. For more info email: info@leahwillisdancearts.org.

The concert takes place on Friday, March 14th at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 15th at 2:00 p.m. in the BackStage at the North Las Vegas campus.

General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  For more information or to purchase tickets online, please visit us at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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CSN is preparing for a new era of leadership, and as part of this transition, the Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Accreditation, and Strategic Planning is inviting faculty, staff, and students to provide input on the 2025-2027 CSN Strategic Bridge Plan.

These dedicated listening sessions, requested by President William Kibler and Vice President James McCoy, offer an opportunity for the CSN community to shape the plan that will guide the institution’s mission and ensure continued excellence during this period of change.

The Strategic Bridge Plan is designed to keep CSN focused on student success, institutional effectiveness, and long-term growth, making feedback from all stakeholders essential. Whether you’re an academic faculty member, classified staff, administrator, or student, there’s a session designed just for you.

How to Participate

Attendees can choose from multiple in-person sessions, with select events offering a virtual option via *Microsoft Teams.

📅 Upcoming Sessions:

• Academic Faculty | Friday, Feb. 14 | 1-2 p.m. | WC I 108
  🔗 Register Here

• Administrative Faculty | Friday, Feb. 14 | 2-3 p.m. | WC I 108
  🔗 Register Here

• Open to All | Wednesday, Feb. 19 | 1-2 p.m. | HN C 133 or *Teams
  🔗 Register Here

• Students | Friday, Feb. 21 | 10-10:45 a.m. | WC U130
  🔗 Register Here

• Classified Staff | Friday, Feb. 21 | 3-4 p.m. | WC I 108
  🔗 Register Here

• Open to All | Friday, Feb. 28 | 1-2 p.m. | NLV A 1772 or *Teams
  🔗 Register Here

Your voice matters! This is your chance to help shape CSN’s future and ensure the transition to new leadership is smooth and strategic.

CSN is gearing up for the 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium, and we need YOUR help to make it an event to remember!

This exciting showcase invites current student researchers to present their faculty-supervised work in a poster-format exhibition, highlighting the incredible innovation happening across our campus. While students in one program are required to participate, we want to expand our reach and bring in an array of student research projects from all disciplines.

How You Can Help:

• Encourage your students to present their research—even if it’s a work in progress!
• Spread the word to your colleagues and other departments.
• Attend the event and engage with our talented student researchers. We NEED YOU!

📅 Date: Friday, April 18, 2025
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM – 4:30 PM
📍 Location: West Charleston Ballroom (Student Union)

🔗 Students can sign up here: MS Form

For questions or more details, contact lsamp@csn.edu.

download here

Dr. Terry Norris, eLearning Director, is retiring on Monday, March 31, after 20 years of service at CSN.

Please join us to celebrate Terry’s retirement from CSN!

The celebration will take place on Friday, March 7, Charleston campus, Building I, Room 108, from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.

Light refreshments will be served.

Emergencies are never convenient. Whether it’s a power outage, medical situation, or something more serious, knowing what to do can make all the difference. The good news? CSN has your back with resources to help you stay safe and prepared.

Your One-Stop Safety Hub

The CSN Emergency Preparedness webpage is your go-to source for all things safety. Here’s what you’ll find:

• Emergency Response Guide – A quick reference for what to do in different emergency situations. Check it out here.
• Emergency Phone Numbers – Who you gonna call? Not Ghostbusters. Download this list so you always know.
• Bomb Threat Checklist – Hopefully, you never need it, but if you do, it’s there.
• Training Opportunities – Because watching safety videos is one thing, but actually practicing is way more effective.

Hands-On Training: Because Practice Makes Perfect

Reading about emergencies is great, but what if you had the chance to use an actual fire extinguisher or an AED? CSN’s hands-on emergency equipment training lets you do just that.

📅 Next Training Session: North Las Vegas Campus – Register Here

Exclusive Safety Tools for CSN Employees

Faculty and staff have access to additional safety tools via the Emergency Preparedness MS Teams channel.

What’s inside?

• General Channel – An all-in-one emergency resource hub.
• Non-Public CSN Documents – Includes Building-Specific Emergency Response Plans, Evacuation Assembly Point Maps, and Evacuation Maps for internal use.

Stay Informed. Stay Safe. Stay Ready.

Emergencies don’t come with a warning, but with CSN’s resources, you’ll always have a plan. Take five minutes to check out the safety hub, sign up for training, and be the one who knows what to do when it matters most.

🔗 Visit the CSN Emergency Preparedness page now → CSN Emergency Hub 🚨

Higher education is evolving, and so are the resources available to students and faculty. If you’re a Nevada state faculty member or instructor looking to make education more accessible and affordable, mark your calendars for Friday, March 7, 2025!

The ExplOER Nevada Symposium is a virtual event designed to bring together educators from across the state to dive into the world of Open Educational Resources (OER)—free and accessible learning materials that can enhance classroom instruction and reduce costs for students.

Hosted by UNLV, CSN, University of Nevada, Reno, and Truckee Meadows Community College, this event promises engaging discussions, expert insights, and practical takeaways to help educators integrate OER into their teaching.

What’s on the Agenda?

The morning kicks off with a Welcome and Keynote Address (9 AM – 9:45 AM), setting the stage for a series of informative sessions, including:

🔹 Lightning Round Presentation (10 AM – 10:50 AM) – Quick, insightful presentations on key OER topics.
🔹 Faculty and Student Expert Panel Q&A – Get first-hand perspectives on how OER impacts both instructors and learners.
🔹 OER 101 Workshop (11 AM – Noon) – A beginner-friendly session breaking down the essentials of Open Educational Resources.

How to Register

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to reshape the future of learning! Scan the QR code on the event flyer to register today.

download here

Twenty-four College of Southern Nevada students had the opportunity to network with top industry professionals at the American Rental Association (ARA) Show on Jan. 31 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Thanks to a personal sponsorship from the ARA, students attended one of the largest trade shows in the world, where they met with potential employers, explored career opportunities and gained valuable industry insights.

Career Services invited students from the Automotive and Diesel Technology, Business, Computer Science and leadership programs to participate in the event. The experience marked the department’s first time attending a trade show of this scale, opening doors for future collaborations.

Faculty members Kevin Krystek and Mike Whitehead joined eight Career Services team members to support students as they navigated the event. Representatives from six multi-billion-dollar companies were in attendance, actively recruiting talent. One employer specifically stated they were seeking CSN students to staff a new location opening in the Las Vegas Valley.

To ensure students made the most of the experience, Career Services created “Ice Breaker Questions” index cards to help them confidently approach employers and initiate conversations. The extra preparation paid off, allowing students to engage more effectively with industry professionals.

Opportunities like these highlight CSN’s commitment to hands-on learning with industry support and real-world experiences, CSN students are gaining the connections and skills needed to launch their careers.

In case you missed the email and last week’s Town Hall, here’s a quick recap of what went down.

The Office of General Counsel reminded the CSN community about the proper procedures when a governmental enforcement agency requests information, serves a subpoena, or issues a warrant on campus. The goal? To ensure that all faculty and staff know the correct steps to take in these situations while maintaining compliance with legal requirements.

During the discussion, Acting President William L. Kibler, Ph.D., emphasized the importance of following established guidelines and directed employees to the provided resources for further clarification. CSN is also planning additional training to keep the community informed on these and other related matters.

If you missed the Town Hall, we apologize, but we did not record this one. You can check out the official guidance links for details, and stay tuned for more updates.

(more…)

Faculty and staff laced up their sneakers, stretched those long-dormant athletic muscles, and hit the hardwood for an evening of friendly—yet fiercely competitive—basketball action at the first annual Faculty & Staff Basketball Tournament on January 23.

With seven teams and 33 players, the Sports Complex at CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus transformed into a battleground where pride, glory, and maybe a few ice packs were on the line.

The squads, representing a mix of faculty, staff, and student affairs professionals, brought their A-game and some serious team names to the court:

🏀 Team Drop the Mic (faculty)
🏀 Team Radicak Squad (faculty)
🏀 Team Pick-Up Pros (Student Affairs staff)
🏀 Team Imminent Domain (staff)
🏀 Team Tune Squad (Student Affairs staff)
🏀 Team Rim Warriors (Athletics staff)
🏀 Team MonStars (Athletics staff)

After some heated matchups, a few buzzer-beaters, and maybe even a travel or two that conveniently went unnoticed, Team Rim Warriors dominated the court and took home the gold medal. Team Radicak Squad put up an impressive fight to claim silver, while Team MonStars secured bronze, proving that the Athletics department definitely knows its way around a basketball.

Ensuring fair play and some quality whistle-blowing were two CSN basketball team athletes, who officiated the games. Meanwhile, Director of Athletics Yvonne Wade kept energy levels high by providing snacks and refreshments for players and fans.

With the first tournament in the books, the real question remains: who will take the title next year?

 

Calling all Coyotes with big dreams and even bigger tuition bills—scholarship season is officially here!

The CSN Foundation has opened its scholarship application for the 2025-26 academic year, and trust us, you don’t want to miss this opportunity.

The best part? One application unlocks access to multiple scholarships. That’s right—just one. No need to write your life story 10 different times. The scholarships are funded by generous donors who believe in CSN students and their potential to change the world (or at least pass their finals).

Applications will be accepted through Feb. 15, 2025, so don’t procrastinate—this isn’t like that term paper you wrote the night before it was due. If selected, recipients will start receiving notifications in April, and funds will be applied to student accounts for the Fall 2025 semester.

For details on eligibility, available scholarships, and how to apply, visit the CSN Foundation Scholarship website or contact the CSN Foundation at Foundation@csn.edu or 702-651-7535.

Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you!

CSN AAS Funeral Services Press Release.DRAFT

Beep! Buzz! Don’t be alarmed—just be prepared. CSN will conduct a test of its Emergency Notification System at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025.

This is your chance to double-check that you’re receiving emergency alerts and to review your personal safety plan. The University Police Department (UPD) encourages all students, faculty, and staff to use this test as a reminder to be ready for unexpected situations.

How to Prepare:
✅ Download the CSN MobileSAFETY app – It’s your go-to for emergency notifications and resources.
✅ Check your notifications – Make sure your phone settings allow alerts from the app.
✅ Update your mobile device – Keep your operating system up to date and stay connected to eduroam Wi-Fi where available.

Need to troubleshoot? Follow these quick steps in the MobileSAFETY app:

1. Open the app and go to About/Preferences.
2. Select MyData Update, then tap Check for Updates.
3. Head back to Notification Settings and verify alerts are enabled.
4. Run the built-in troubleshooter and tap Send Notification to Device to test it out.

If you don’t receive an alert during the test, reach out to UPD Assistant Director Louise Hardy at Louise.Hardy@unlv.edu, and she’ll help sort it out.

For more safety tips and emergency preparedness resources, visit updsouth.nevada.edu.

CSN is taking a bold step toward achieving its Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) with the kickoff of Phase 1 of the 4DX TWIG and Lead Measure Presentations this week.

A total of 40 teams from across CSN—including Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, Finance and Administration, Human Resources, Marketing, CSN Foundation, Office of Technology Services (OTS), Campus Operations, Athletics, and the Division of Workforce and Economic Development (DWED)—are stepping up to present their strategies.

The presentations will rotate across all three CSN campuses:
📍 Monday: Henderson
📍 Tuesday & Wednesday: Charleston
📍 Thursday & Friday: North Las Vegas

These sessions serve as a critical milestone ahead of the official launch of 4DX on March 3, as teams showcase their lead measures and tactical strategies to drive progress.

“This initiative is about more than just goals—it’s about action, accountability, and teamwork,” said CSN leadership. “We appreciate the dedication of our participating teams, executive sponsors, and coaches for bringing this vision to life.” -Ayesha Kidd, Associate Vice President – Organizational Development and Effectiveness

 

 

CSN Art Galleries

Jeff Fulmer: Fragile Desert

Friday, March 7, 2025, through Saturday, June 21, 2025
Artist Talk & Reception: Wednesday, June 18 at 6 PM

Debra March Center of Excellence Art Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts in collaboration with the City of Henderson, will host a solo exhibition of paintings, prints, and installation artwork that pull inspiration from Nevada’s deserts and the endangered and threatened fauna that make those deserts their home. Jeff Fulmer: Fragile Desert will open on Friday, March 7, 2025, and run through Saturday, June 21, 2025, in the Art Gallery at the City of Henderson’s Debra March Center of Excellence. A special Artist Talk and Reception will take place on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, starting at 6 pm.

In addition to being an artist, Jeff Fulmer is a Coordinator and Adjunct Faculty Member in the Fine Arts Department at the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), where he teaches a range of courses and manages the College’s art galleries and permanent collection. Fulmer studied sculpture, art theory, and graphic design and received his MFA from UNLV in 2000. In 1997, he earned his BA from Wabash College in Crawfordsville, Indiana, majoring in art with concentrations in painting and drawing and minoring in biology (ecology) and mathematics. Fulmer’s artwork is inspired by Nevada, the Mojave Desert, the Desert Southwest, and features plant and animal species that are native to that region.

Speaking of his work, Fulmer says, “Fragile Desert grows out of my previous artwork inspired by Nevada and Mojave flora. Here, instead of flora, I look to interpret Nevada animal life, specifically a selection of animals listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. These include the Mt. Charleston Blue Butterfly (Endangered), the Western, Yellow-Billed Cuckoo (Threatened), the Carson Wandering Skipper (Endangered), the Devils Hole Pupfish (Endangered), Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Endangered), and the Ash Meadows Naucorid (Threatened). In this project, these Nevada fauna become the vehicle I use to investigate texture, pattern, repetition, color, progression, and variety throughout the gallery space.”

The Center of Excellence is a partnership between the City of Henderson and the College of Southern Nevada. Located in West Henderson, this facility is a critical feature for diversifying our industry by fulfilling a need for high-skilled, advanced manufacturing training. This specialized training facility is a valuable resource for both businesses who want to relocate to the area as well as existing locally-based companies looking to expand. The Center of Excellence is located in the burgeoning West Henderson area which boasts the popular Henderson Executive Airport and is home to a wide range of distribution centers, corporate headquarters, and industrial parks.

The CSN Arts Galleries are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours of the Debra March Center of Excellence Art Gallery are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Debra March Center of Excellence Art Gallery is closed on Saturday and Sunday, Nevada State Holidays, and between CSN Academic Terms. The Debra March Center of Excellence is located at 2200 Via Inspirada, Henderson, Nevada 89044.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
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CSN’s Dale Etheridge Planetarium and TRIO Student Support Services are bringing the universe to life with a free Planetarium Show Series this spring!

Mark your calendars for these out-of-this-world experiences, all at 11 a.m. in NLV Campus Room S146:

• Thursday, Feb. 13: Stars of the Pharaohs – Travel back to ancient Egypt to explore the skies.
• Wednesday, March 12: Supermassive Black Holes – Uncover the mysteries of the invisible universe.
• Tuesday, April 1: Seeing! – A visual journey across the galaxy.
• Tuesday, April 22: The Dark Matter Mystery – Dive into the secrets of the universe’s hidden fabric.
• Thursday, May 8: Europe to the Stars – Celebrate 50 years of stellar discoveries.

Everyone should check out how cool our Planetarium is, it’s out of the world!

Don’t keep this a secret! Share the news with your CSN friends and colleagues.
Download the flyer and spread the word.

 

Four remarkable students who have overcome significant personal challenges were honored at a special meet and greet on January 30 at the Charleston Campus. The event, hosted by CSN President Dr. Bill Kibler and Chief of Staff, Dr. Yvonne Realivasquez, welcomed the latest recipients of the Charles and Phyllis Frias Legacy Scholarship, a prestigious $100,000 scholarship awarded through the Public Education Foundation (PEF).

The scholars—Abeo Robinson (Nursing), Jacquelin Mercedes Bernal (Engineering), Nathan Acosta (Computer Science), and Valeria Villegas-Canales (Business)—shared their inspiring stories of perseverance, resilience, and their ambitions for the future.

“Every single one of these students has an incredible journey that led them to CSN,” Dr. Kibler said. “Their commitment to education despite facing adversity is exactly why we are so proud to partner with the PEF and the Frias Trust to support them.”

The event also welcomed PEF President Kirsten Searer and Dr. Beverly Mathis, Vice President of Academic and Community Initiatives, who provides dedicated mentorship to the scholars. Representatives from the Frias Family Foundation, including Trustee John Mowbray, who was also in attendance to celebrate the scholars’ success.

Since its inception, the Frias Scholars Program has maintained a 100% success rate, with all 42 recipients still in school. The program is a testament to the vision of Charles and Phyllis Frias, whose philanthropy continues to uplift Nevada’s future leaders.

Photos by Deborah Rogers-Sobaszek, PEF Director of Multimedia and Graphic Design.

 

The CSN Foundation Board of Trustees is calling on faculty and staff to bring their innovative ideas to life through the Spirit of CSN Grant Award.

This grant supports initiatives that align with CSN’s mission of putting students first while fostering program innovation and the discovery of new ideas. Whether it’s a fresh approach to student engagement, a cutting-edge academic initiative, or an opportunity to enhance campus life, the Spirit of CSN Grant provides funding to turn vision into reality.

Faculty and staff are encouraged to apply by March 15 for a chance to receive support for their projects.

Ready to make an impact? Submit your application today!

Got questions about enrolling at CSN? We’ve got answers! Whether you’re joining virtually or in person, these sessions have something for everyone. Learn about general enrollment or dive deeper with tours of programs like Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Aviation Technology.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s coming up:

• Feb. 25: Virtual General Info Session, 3-4 p.m.
• March 6: Diagnostic Medical Sonography Tour at Charleston Campus, 3-4:30 p.m.
• March 25: Virtual General Info Session, 5-6 p.m.
• April 3: Aviation Technology Tour at Henderson Campus, 3-4:30 p.m.
• April 22: Virtual General Info Session, 3-4 p.m.
• May 20: Virtual General Info Session, 5-6 p.m.

Virtual sessions are hosted via Microsoft Teams. So, grab your computer, mark your calendars, and get ready to learn.

Spread the Word! Share it with anyone ready to take the next step in their education. Registration is open at csn.edu/csn-informational-sessions.

February is packed with exciting career and networking events designed to help you level up your skills, connections, and future opportunities. Whether you’re looking to fine-tune your résumé, meet industry professionals, or get career-ready in style, career services has you covered!

Highlights include:
✔ CSN Connections – Meet campus resources and set yourself up for success!
✔ Handshake Power Hour – Learn how to make the most of CSN’s job-search platform.
✔ Dress for Success Fashion Show – Get career-ready in style!
✔ Career Fair Warm-Up – Prepare for the big day with expert tips.
✔ CSN Career Fair – Meet employers and explore job opportunities!

Don’t miss out! Spread the word and download the flyer to stay in the loop. Questions? Reach out to career.services@csn.edu.

Sp25 Save the Date Feb Events (1)

 

Ever wanted to fire up a power tool, climb into heavy equipment, or see drones in action? Here’s your chance! CSN’s Construction Career Day is happening Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, from 9 a.m. to noon at the North Las Vegas campus, and it’s packed with interactive exhibits, cool tech, and hands-on fun.

Expect live demos, power-activated tools, construction technology, and plenty of opportunities to get up close with the industry. All are encouraged to attend—no hard hat required (well, maybe for some activities!).

Don’t keep this to yourself—download the flyer and spread the word!

For more info, call 702-651-4959.

Construction Career Day Flyer February 2025

download here

CSN Dining Services is kicking off the semester with exciting events, sweet treats, and a special shoutout to the hardworking team that keeps us all fueled.

In this month’s newsletter, Director of Dining Services Miguel Calderon welcomes everyone back with a message of community and great food. February is packed with fun, starting with Valentine’s Day on February 14—expect plenty of chocolate and other sweet treats. From February 10-14, Delightful week will bring a little extra joy to campus, and You First Week (Feb 23 – March 1) is all about celebrating our incredible Dining Services associates. It’s a great time to say thanks and show some appreciation!

This issue also features a profile on culinary pro James Ojeda, a chef and mentor with over 40 years of experience. He’s done it all—from working in family restaurants to cooking for rock stars—and now he’s sharing his knowledge with the next generation of chefs.

Don’t miss out—check out the full newsletter for all the details!

download here

CSN Newsletter - February 2025 (2)

The Office of Institutional Effectiveness, Accreditation, and Strategic Planning will be presenting the 2025-2027 CSN Strategic Bridge Plan in dedicated listening sessions for all CSN employees and students to provide initial feedback per the request of President Kibler and Vice President McCoy. We invite you to attend the listening session dedicated to your group and provide feedback on this very important bridge plan that will be deployed during transition to a new CSN President. The bridge plan will help position CSN to continue to focus on achieving our mission and demonstrating institutional effectiveness.  All listening sessions will be held in-person during the times/days/locations noted below.  

 

Academic Faculty

Friday, February 14, 2025

1-2 pm

WC I 108

Administrative Faculty

Friday, February 14, 2025

2-3 pm

WC I 108

All groups

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

1-2 pm

HN C 133

Students

Friday, February 21, 2025

10-10:45 am

WC U130

Classified Staff

Friday, February 21, 2025

3-4pm

WC I 108

All groups

Friday, February 28, 2025

1-2 pm

NLV A 1772

CSN Fine Arts GALLERY EXHIBITION
Candace Garlock: Shadows and Sunshine,

Living in the Land of Multiple Sclerosis

 

Friday, February 21, 2025, through Saturday, April 26, 2025

Artist Talk and Reception: Thursday, April 3, 2025

North Las Vegas campus Fine Arts Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition in media ranging from printmaking to ceramics, sculpture to drawing, and painting to installation by Northern Nevada artist and Truckee Meadows Community College Professor of Art,  Candace Garlock.  

Candace Garlock: Shadows and Sunshine, Living in the Land of Multiple Sclerosis opens Friday, February 21, 2025, and runs through Saturday, April 26, 2025, in the Fine Arts Gallery on the North Las Vegas campus of the College of Southern Nevada. A special Artist Talk and Reception, with refreshments, will take place on Thursday, April 3, 2025, at 6:00 pm.

As an artist, Candace Nicol Garlock uses an array of mediums in her work. The coalescence of printmaking techniques, painting, photography (and sculpture, too!) overlap and converge with color, texture, and line in a collaboration of mixed, experimental beauty. With her appreciation of the interconnectedness of everything, she elevates relationships: human and environment, human and animal, human and human. Garlock writes, “My multilayered compositions posit engaging questions to viewers regarding relationships, social identities, and societal issues surrounding the female gaze.”

A renowned printmaker whose work has been shown nationally and internationally, Garlock has received multiple awards including the Reno Tahoe Artist Best in Sculpture/3-D Artworks in 2022, Best of Show, and Best in 2D Mixed Media in 2023 and Best in 2-D Artworks in 2024, the Nevada Regents’ Creative Activity Award in 2017, and the Nevada Arts Council Artist Fellowship in 2009 Garlock’s work is included in many prestigious collections including the Kinsey Institute, Zuckerman Museum of Art, Rutgers Center for Innovative Print and Paper, Nevada Arts Council, and National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts.

Reflecting on her work, Garlock purports, “There is a beauty—a vulnerability—within each of us. Finding that beauty beneath the suffering of living with chronic illness is the focus of this particular body of work. Susan Sontag, Illness as a Metaphor wrote, “Everyone who is born holds dual citizenship in the kingdom of the well and the kingdom of the sick. Although we all prefer to use only the good passport, sooner or later each of us is obliged, at least for a spell, to identify ourselves as citizens of that other place.”

“I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2011, after many years of unexplained symptoms like dizziness, brain fog, memory loss, spasms and tightness in limbs, and trouble walking. The road to 2011 was a tough one and most of the time I suffered in silence, thinking it was just psychological and I would wake up one day and it would all be gone. In the years after the diagnosis, I began to research chronic illnesses and how they are often marginalized, contested, and unrecognized in society. In this work, I explore the vulnerability of this autoimmune disease and the play between the nervous system and immune system, beginning to find beauty within the acceptance of pain.”The CSN Fine Arts Gallery is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Fine Arts Gallery is located adjacent to the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre Lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

Ever wondered if you could handle an emergency? Now’s your chance to find out!

The Environmental Health & Safety Department is hosting hands-on emergency equipment training to teach students, faculty and staff how to respond in a crisis. You’ll get to test a simulated fire extinguisher, practice using an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and learn Stop-the-Bleed techniques—all at your own pace.

When & Where:

North Las Vegas Campus – Feb. 24, 2025

Charleston Campus – April 21, 2025

Henderson Campus – Sept. 15, 2025

TIME: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Student Union, Room 130

What You’ll Learn (No Boring Lectures, We Promise)

Fire Extinguisher 101 – Ever used one? Learn how with a simulator! Plus, find out where they are on campus and how to pick the right type.
AED & CPR Basics – Know what to do in a cardiac emergency. Practice chest compressions, rescue breaths and how to work an AED.
Stop-the-Bleed Training – Learn how to control life-threatening bleeding, pack a wound, and apply a tourniquet (like the pros).

No sign-ups, no stress—just drop by and try it out!

Got questions? Email ehs@csn.edu.

Download here

Hands-On Emergency Equipment Training Flyer_Q1-25

You asked for more food options on campus, and CSN is delivering—literally! Starting Spring 2025, the Avanti Market will bring a new level of convenience to the Charleston campus with snacks, beverages, and fresh grab-and-go meals right in Building I.

🕒 Hours of operation:
Monday – Thursday | 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday | 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday | 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This is a pilot program, meaning it’s exclusive to the Charleston campus for now. But who knows? If it’s a hit, we might see more markets popping up across CSN in the future!

 

Hey faculty—want to lead like a legend and manage time like a wizard? The CSN Leadership Academy is back this spring, exclusively for adjunct, e-hire, and tenure-track faculty, and guess what? It’s totally free.

We’re talking engaging, interactive sessions that tackle:

Leadership skills that actually work
Mastering time and energy (no magic wand needed)
Communicating with confidence (without sounding like a robot)

And because every great leader needs the right tools, you’ll get a FREE copy of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People—yep, the book that’s been turning good leaders into great ones for decades.

So far, nearly 640 members of the CSN community have leveled up with this program. Why not add your name to the list? Oh, and did we mention the networking? You’ll meet some pretty awesome people while you’re at it.

📅 Spring 2025 Virtual Sessions (9 a.m. – noon)
🔹 February 28
🔹 March 4
🔹 April 11
🔹 April 18

Feeling social? If enough folks are interested, an in-person option could happen. Just say the word.

Email Dr. Gillian Silver at Gillian.Silver-Rodis@csn.edu or text 702-610-0506.

 

Get ready, food lovers! CSN has officially signed a three-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Murakawa Gakuen School Corporation (MGSC), a leading culinary and confectionery school network in Japan.

The virtual signing ceremony, held on Jan. 16, 2025, marked a new chapter of international collaboration between the two institutions. The agreement aims to foster research, faculty exchanges, and hands-on learning opportunities for students in both the U.S. and Japan.

MGSC, known for its deep-rooted traditions in Japanese culinary arts, operates multiple schools in Osaka and Tokyo, with a legacy dating back to the 1980s. Representatives from the U.S. government, including officials from the U.S. Consulate General in Osaka-Kobe, attended the event to celebrate the partnership.

The collaboration is already in motion! CSN International Programs visited MGSC in April 2024 to explore exchange programs and career pathways. Now, CSN is preparing to host 25 students and two faculty members from MGSC for a customized culinary experience from Feb. 2-5, 2025.

From sushi to soufflés, this partnership is set to bring fresh opportunities to aspiring chefs at CSN.

Las Vegas witnessed a moment of history today as community members, leaders, and partners came together for the “Topping Off” ceremony of the highly anticipated Westside Training & Education Center. With the final steel beam hoisted into place, this milestone brought the vision of economic development and workforce education for the historic Westside neighborhood one step closer to reality.

The event, held off Adams Street, was a true community celebration. Congressman Steven Horsford, Las Vegas Ward 5 Councilwoman Councilwoman Shondra Summers-Armstrong, and other dignitaries were joined by NSHE Chancellor Patty Charlton and CSN Acting President Dr. William Kibler. Former Regent and Las Vegas City Councilman Cedric Crear and current council members also attended, as well as Builders United, the construction team bringing this dream to life.

In a heartfelt and symbolic gesture, attendees signed the steel beam before it was lifted into position, writing messages of hope, good fortune, and unity. The beam now stands as a testament to the collaborative effort that has fueled this project from the start.

“This center represents opportunity and a bright future for our community,” said Kibler. “The partnerships that have made this possible—between CSN, the City of Las Vegas, and countless others—show what can be achieved when we work together toward a shared goal.”

The Westside Training & Education Center will be a hub for workforce education, offering programs to equip residents with skills for in-demand careers. Beyond its economic impact, the center symbolizes a commitment to revitalizing the historic Westside neighborhood and empowering its residents.

As the sun rose on the ceremony, the crowd cheered as the beam was placed, marking not just the topping off of a building, but the beginning of a brighter chapter for the Westside.

Black History Month featuring Kimiko Walton, Sarah Taylor and Cedric Crear.

Greetings CSN Community,

The pursuit of a college education is synonymous with the promise of America – the chance to strive for a better life and seize opportunity. Education has always been hailed as the great equalizer, offering a pathway to lift individuals out of poverty, pave the way for economic advancement, and rewrite the story of their families. This is the mission and purpose of CSN.

Our institution was established to address the pressing education and workforce needs in Nevada, with the aim of creating a stronger and more resilient community, ready to embrace the future potential of our state. We achieve this by understanding and serving our students.

Our students are the future of Nevada, and we are proud to call you part of the CSN family. As we continue to support all within our campus community, we will closely monitor national developments and assess the impact of new policies, provide resources to assist our students and staff, and offer guidance on policy changes.

In the face of uncertainty, CSN remains dedicated to ensuring a campus that is safe and welcoming for all who seek to learn, teach, and grow, recognizing the diversity of the community we serve. Our campus is home to each of you; recognizing that you are from different socio-economic backgrounds; that you range in age from high school age just embarking on your higher education journey to adult learners returning to college; that you may be veterans or you may be working parents; that you are individuals of various faiths; people with different abilities; and that you are learners of every race, ethnicity, gender, identity, and orientation. You are the embodiment of the dreams of those who have gone before you and provide light to those who will follow you. You are our future nurses, educators, builders, scientists, writers, and business and community leaders. And we are proud to call you all Coyotes!

With pride and in the spirit of CSN!

Bill Kibler
Acting President
College of Southern Nevada

Did you know that there are opportunities to offer your students college courses as part of your high school CTE program? These classes can be taught in Year 3 or 4 of high school. ‌We have developed CTE program pathway options ‌for 26 high schools:‌

• Advanced Computer Science
• Advanced Manufacturing
• ‌Automotive Technology
• ‌Aviation Technology
• ‌Building Trades in Construction
• ‌Culinary Arts
• ‌Cybersecurity
• ‌Design Drafting
• ‌Digital Game Development
• ‌Early Childhood Education
• ‌Electronic Technology
• ‌Emergency Medical Technician
• ‌Fashion, Textiles & Design
• Fire Science
• ‌Forensic Science
• ‌Graphic Design
• ‌Hospitality & Tourism
• ‌IT Networking
• ‌Law Enforcement
• ‌Multimedia Communications
• ‌Radio Production
• ‌Teaching and Training
• ‌Theatre Technology
• ‌Video Production
• ‌Web Design & Development
• ‌Welding Technology

Want more stories like this? Join the club! Email Amber.Mayes@csn.edu to subscribe to the Dual Credit Corner newsletter. 

Download here

College Credit Corner

Did you hear the BIG news? CSN just upped the game for nursing education! With the grand opening of its brand-new, grant-funded Nursing Simulation Center at the North Las Vegas Campus, CSN is taking hands-on training to the next level.

This cutting-edge facility, made possible with the help of Congressman Steven Horsford, Assembly Bill 375, and GOED’s WINN program, is here to tackle the critical nursing shortage in Southern Nevada. Did you know Nevada is ranked 48/50 for critical nursing shortages? This lab helps CSN stay competitive and gives students access to cutting edge tools.

The state-of-the-art Sim Lab offers four simulation rooms featuring lifelike mannequins that breathe, talk, and even give birth. On top of that, CSN is the only nursing program in Southern Nevada to offer a Virtual Reality Immersive It’s like stepping into a hospital without leaving the classroom!

But the excitement doesn’t stop there. The new facility officially opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, January 23, complete with remarks from CSN leaders, VIPs, and community partners.

CSN nursing students achieved an impressive 96.74% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN in the first quarter of 2023, setting them up for success in the workforce. “I am excited for our students to be able to learn in this way,” said Dr. Elizabeth Solomon, Director of Nursing at CSN. “Providing quality, evidence-based healthcare is at the heart of CSN nursing.”

Why is this important? Dr. Solomon summed it up best: “Our students are the future of healthcare in Southern Nevada, and we’re proud to provide them with the tools they need to succeed.”

Visit csn.edu/nursing to learn more!

Carroll Shelby CSN Release

Unveil New Nursing Simulation Center

We had a couple dozen people at our How to Work with Marketing & Communications CAPE session on Wednesday. That’s great! 

Where were the other 2,500 of you? 

We get it,  you’re busy. It’s cool. 

That’s why we uploaded the PowerPoint with all the info here, and the CSN Brand Guidelines here, Check them out, and reach out to Richard Lake with questions. 

CSN Convocation Slide Deck updated 1-15-25

Did you miss the Spring 2025 Convocation on January 13, 2025?

Fear not! A summary of details and link to the video for your viewing pleasure is below.

The day began with a lively breakfast and networking session in the June Whitley Lounge, where colleagues reconnected over coffee and conversation. From longtime staff members catching up to new faces making their debut, the event set the tone for a collaborative and energizing semester ahead.

Following breakfast, Acting President Dr. William Kibler took the stage for the Presidential Address, outlining his his vision and plans for the coming months. Dr. Kibler encouraged the CSN community to embrace the opportunities ahead and continue supporting students in reaching their goals.

If you missed the event or want to revisit the highlights, you’re in luck! The full recording of the Presidential Address is available to watch online.

👉 Watch the recording here

Thank you to everyone who attended and made the Spring 2025 Convocation a success. Here’s to a fantastic semester ahead!

 

Mark your calendars for the spring CSN Connections events, happening February 4-6, 2025! These lively campus gatherings are your one-stop shop for discovering all the incredible resources and services CSN has to offer.

• Henderson Campus: Tuesday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (HNU126, HNU128, HNU130)
• West Charleston Campus: Wednesday, Feb. 5, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (WCU126, WCU128, WCU130)
• North Las Vegas Campus: Thursday, Feb. 6, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (NLVE130)

Swing by, meet the friendly faces ready to help, and explore everything from academic resources to support services. Need help finding your people? We got you. Want tips on navigating campus life? Done.

See you there!

25-SpringConnections copy

Hey, Coyotes (and friends from NSU, UNLV, and UNR)! Mark your calendars for Wednesday, Jan. 29, because we’ve got something big happening.

CSN is hosting “Immigration Updates for Nevada College Students & Support Staff” at the North Las Vegas Campus (3200 E. Cheyenne Ave.) at 5 p.m. This is your chance to hear from the pros about how immigration policies impact YOU and the people around you.

We’re talking insider info from:

• UNLV Immigration Clinic
• Presidents Alliance
• TheDream.US

Here’s the rundown:

• 5:00 PM: Welcome (quick and to the point!)
• 5:05 PM: Nevada-specific updates you need to know
• 5:15 PM: Advice from TheDream.US
• 5:25 PM: Presidents Alliance breaks it down
• 5:35 PM: Panel chat (bring your questions!)
• 5:50 PM: Open Q&A

Why come? Because staying informed is 🔑. Whether you’re an immigrant student, a friend, or just curious, this event is for YOU.

Bring your questions, bring your friends, and get ready to learn something that matters.

Questions? Email Brenda.Romero@csn.edu for the details.

See you there!

Immigration-flyer-11-x-8.5-in

Richard Kravchak Performs LV Sinfonietta Press Release

What a game! The Coyotes men’s basketball team brought the heat last night, taking down the #16-ranked Eastern Arizona Gila Monsters in a heart-pounding overtime showdown. The crowd was on fire, and our guys left it all on the court for the win. If you missed it, you missed a classic!

But don’t worry—you can keep up with all the action by subscribing to The Howl. It’s our go-to spot for updates, game schedules, player stories, and everything happening in Coyote Athletics. Think of it as your VIP pass to the Den. Head over to CSN Athletics Newsletter and sign up now.

Want to catch the next big game? Check out our full schedule here: Upcoming Games.

Let’s go, Coyotes! 🐾

Celebrating Class 2402: Southern Desert Regional Police Academy Graduation

The Southern Desert Regional Police Academy honored its graduating Class 2402 in a moving ceremony that celebrated their dedication to serving and protecting. Commander Tony Summerlin delivered a powerful speech highlighting the sacrifices officers make daily, calling the job an “endless, nightless task that’s got to be done.”

Mayor Shelley Berkley joined the celebration, speaking passionately about the importance of the graduates’ roles. “The very essence of our democracy and civilization depends on law enforcement,” Berkley said. “On behalf of the 670,000 Las Vegans I represent, I want to thank you and congratulate you. Our lives are in your hands, and I know we are in very good hands with all of you.”

The ceremony paid tribute to fallen officers, including Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Officer Colton Filsfer, with a moment of silence and white roses reserved in their memory. Families and friends, both in-person and online, applauded as the graduates took their first steps into service.

🎥 Relive the ceremony here: Watch on YouTube.

Congratulations, Class 2402—thank you for stepping up! 👏

CSN ARTSPACE GALLERY EXHIBITION
Sue Graef: Urban Visions

Friday, February 14, 2025, through Saturday, April 19, 2025

North Las Vegas Campus – Artspace Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition of acrylic paintings on canvas that draw inspiration from our urban landscapes by Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-born and Clearwater, Florida-based artist, Sue Graef. Sue Graef: Urban Visions will open on Friday, February 14, 2025, and run through Saturday, April 19, 2025, in the Artspace Gallery on the North Las Vegas campus of the College of Southern Nevada. A very special preview, gallery talk, and opening reception with light refreshments will take place in the gallery on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 6:00 pm.

Sue Graef was formally educated at Philadelphia College of Art, Tyler School of Art (Temple University), and Clemson University. Graef has exhibited her artwork in the US and abroad including shows at the Chihuly Collection in St. Petersburg (FL), Twisted Track Gallery in Sacramento (CA), Gasparilla Festival of the Arts in Tampa (FL), and District Arts Gallery in Frederick (MD). Her works are in permanent collections at the Haegeumgang Museum of South Korea, Boston Children’s Hospital (MA), and Price Waterhouse Coopers, Tampa (FL). The works of Sue Graef hang in the private homes of over fifty collectors across the US and Europe.

Reflecting on her work, Graef states, “my works are vibrant cityscape/urban landscape paintings in acrylic on stretched canvas. They express my vision of the world around me in a light-hearted style. Created with bold composition and brilliant saturated color, my paintings have a unique play on perspective, vanishing points, and depth of field.”The CSN Artspace Gallery is free, family friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Artspace Gallery is upstairs above the main entrance lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one-mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

Ready to celebrate Black History Month with some amazing stories and local vibes? The Sankofa Black Writers Series is dropping this February, and it’s your chance to meet incredible Black authors and hear their journeys firsthand!

Here’s the lowdown:
📍 Where: Multicultural Center, Charleston Campus (Room 121, Student Union)
🕛 When: Noon, February 12, 19, and 26
🎤 Hosted by: Professor Askia Talib-Deen

Check out the lineup:

• Feb. 12: Tajja Isen, author of Some of My Best Friends.
• Feb. 19: AJ Houston, author of Walking in My Father’s SHOES.
• Feb. 26: A squad of authors featuring L’Ve Hall (Infinite Mine), Christopher Murphy (Where the Boys Are), Kenyatta Neal (Mookie’s Miracles), Daynice Cochran (Unfinished), and Quincella Genevieve Rivers (Think of Me When You Drink Tea).

Got questions? Hit us up at Sankofa@csn.edu or www.csn.edu/Sankofa.

 

Coyotes, it’s time to boss up! This Spring, CSN Career Services is rolling out a lineup of career prep events that will take you from “What’s next?” to “I got this!” Whether you’re just starting out or already chasing your dream job, these events are here to help you slay your career goals.

Power Up with Handshake
Curious about Handshake, CSN’s job board platform? Stop by the Charleston Campus Student Union Lobby for a quick Power Hour! We’ll help you activate your account and show you how Career Services can hook you up with all the tools you need to shine. Sessions kick off Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 10 a.m., with plenty of dates to choose from. No RSVP needed—just show up and let’s get to work!​

Warm Up for the Career Fair
What’s better than hot chocolate and s’mores? Hot chocolate, s’mores, AND insider tips for landing your dream job! Swing by the Charleston Campus Student Union Lobby on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at 10 a.m., to get cozy while learning how to impress recruiters. You’ll leave feeling warm and 100% ready to crush the fair!​

Level Up Your Career Game
We’re bringing the career vibes to the North Las Vegas Campus Student Union Lobby! Starting Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 11 a.m., drop in for our tabling events to learn all about Handshake, Career Services, and how to own your future. It’s chill, it’s fun, and it’s all about YOU leveling up!​

Career Prep & Sip
Let’s talk career goals over donuts and hot chocolate! Swing by the Henderson Campus C Building Patio on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Join us for a chill day of games, snacks, and career tips to get you prepped and pumped for the Career Fair. You won’t want to miss this one!​

Career Edition: Pizza, Popcorn & Pro Tips
This one’s a vibe. Join us at the North Las Vegas Campus June Whitley Lounge on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Grab a slice, enjoy some tunes, and soak up expert advice on resumes, interviews, and networking. Think of it as your career glow-up day—with snacks!

The Big Event: CSN Spring 2025 Career Fair
It’s time to shine, Coyotes! The Charleston Campus Student Union Ballrooms are THE place to be on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Meet employers from all over the Vegas Valley, show off your skills, and make connections that could land you your dream job. Don’t forget to register at tinyurl.com/Sp25StuCareerFair—we’ll save you a spot!​

This spring, it’s all about YOU. These events are designed to help you step up, stand out, and get career-ready. Got questions? Hit us up at career.services@csn.edu.

Let’s make your career goals happen, Coyotes—see you there!

Sp25 Career Prep & Sip! HEN Sp25 Level Up Career Edition! NLV Sp25 Handshake Power Hour Sp25 Get Ready to Level Up! NLV Sp25 Career Fair Warm Up! WCH Sp25 Career Fair - Student Version

Want to make your voice heard and connect with fellow Coyotes? The Associated Students of the College of Southern Nevada (ASCSN) has two must-attend events this spring: the Registered Student Clubs and Organizations (RSCO) Monthly Meetings and the ASCSN Senate Meetings.

The RSCO meetings are perfect for student club members or anyone curious about joining. They start at 9 a.m. and rotate across CSN’s campuses:

• Jan 31: Henderson | Feb 28: Charleston
• Mar 14: North Las Vegas | Apr 25: Henderson
• May 9: Charleston

For those interested in student government, the Senate Meetings are your chance to see leadership in action. They start at 11 a.m., with virtual options available:

• Jan 24, 31: Henderson | Feb 21, 28: Charleston
• Mar 7, 14: North Las Vegas | Apr 4, 25: Henderson
• May 2, 9: Charleston

Whether you’re looking to lead, network, or just stay in the know, these events are your ticket to getting involved. Visit tinyurl.com/RSCAOSp25 or tinyurl.com/ASCSNSenateSp25 for details. See you there!

Sp25 ASCSN Registered Student Clubs and Orgs Meetings (1)

Think you’ve got skills on the court? Ready to break out that jump shot that hasn’t seen action since college? Well, now’s your chance to prove it! CSN is hosting a 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament for faculty and staff on January 23, 2025, and we want YOU on the team.

This showdown will take place at the North Las Vegas Campus Sports Center inside the G Building from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Each game is a fast and furious 15 minutes, and with a maximum of 12 teams, competition will be fierce (but friendly!).

So, gather your squad, and get ready to bring the heat—Not a baller? Come cheer on your colleagues and enjoy the energy!

Sign up today at tinyurl.com/CSNbballJan2025 Spots are limited, so don’t miss out on this chance to shoot your shot and make some memories on the court!

The start of a new semester is exciting—and let’s face it, a little chaotic. That’s where you come in! We need staff and faculty to volunteer at the Ask Me Booths on January 21 and 22.

These booths are a lifeline for students trying to find their way to class, learn about campus resources, or just figure out where to grab coffee without getting lost. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to lend a helping hand, flash a friendly smile, and make someone’s day a little easier.

Not only will you get the warm fuzzies from helping your fellow Coyotes, but you’ll also play a big role in making sure everyone starts the term off on the right paw. Volunteers are needed across all three campuses—Charleston, North Las Vegas, and Henderson—so there’s a spot for everyone!

Ready to join? Click this link to sign up: https://tinyurl.com/AskMeBoothSpring25

Let’s make this semester a smooth one for our students—because every little bit of help goes a long way!

Big news, Coyotes! From January 27–31, 2025, professional photographers will be roaming our campuses, and they’re here for one reason: to capture the real CSN.

This isn’t your typical college photoshoot. CSN is partnering with Complete College America (CCA) to create an open-access library of authentic images that showcase the diversity, energy, and uniqueness of our students, faculty, and staff. These photos will be free for non-profits, publications, and schools to use—making sure the world sees what college life is really about.

Here’s the deal: you might see photographers around campus or even popping into your classroom. Don’t worry—it’s all part of the plan. Your participation is not just welcomed, it’s key to making this project awesome.

Got questions or want to learn more? Hit up ASCSN Senator Genay Amerson at Genay.Amerson@csn.edu.

Let’s show the world what CSN is all about. Smile, —you’re making history!

 

CSN Spring Enrollment Press Release

BSU and Workforce featuring Sarah Taylor and Stavan Corbett.

Mark your calendars! The Spring 2025 Convocation is just around the corner, set to take place on Monday, January 13, at the North Las Vegas Campus. This annual tradition is a great way to kick off the new semester by reconnecting with colleagues, celebrating accomplishments, and gearing up for the exciting opportunities ahead.

The event will begin with a morning breakfast and networking session from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. in the June Whitley Lounge. Grab a bite, catch up with familiar faces, and build new connections with fellow faculty and staff.

Following the breakfast, join us for the Presidential Address, where Acting President Dr. William Kibler will share his vision for the upcoming semester and reflect on our shared mission of student success.

Don’t miss out on this important event! RSVP for breakfast today to secure your spot: RSVP here.

We can’t wait to see you there as we come together to start the spring semester strong!

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CSN joined forces with the Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) and The Immigrant Home Foundation this past weekend to empower more Nevadans on their journey to becoming U.S. citizens. The collaboration was highlighted during the NaturalizASIAN Celebration, Press Conference, and Citizenship Clinic, where community members received resources and support to navigate the citizenship process.

CSN’s role in the initiative focuses on providing English as a Second Language (ESL) classes, equipping students with the language skills needed to successfully pass their U.S. citizenship exams. By partnering with organizations like ACDC and The Immigrant Home Foundation, CSN continues its mission of breaking barriers and supporting the diverse communities it serves.

As more Nevadans work toward achieving citizenship, CSN remains committed to providing the resources needed to help them thrive.

For more information on CSN’s ESL programs and other community partnerships, visit their webpage.

Before winter break, swing by any CSN campus library and snag a mystery present—a wrapped book—to enjoy during your study breaks. Can’t make it in person? No worries! Our online version lets you click on gift images that link to corresponding items. Just find one that piques your interest and start reading.

Each campus has its own festive display:

• Henderson Campus Display
• North Las Vegas Campus Display
• Charleston Campus Display

Prefer electronic resources or can’t visit a campus library? We’ve got you covered with a selection of e-books and movies. Click on each image to access the item. If prompted, log in with your MyCSN username and password.

So, whether you’re on campus or online, take a break from the holiday hustle and get wrapped up in a good book!

CSN VP release 12 24

Thursday, Friday & Saturday, January 16-18, 2025

The College of Southern Nevada’s Music Department has partnered with the Rockley Family Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to support music education. Musical instruments provided to the Music Department or otherwise made available, will be sold at a significant discount from manufacturer retail pricing to perpetuate this valuable program, providing valuable resources and scholarship money for the music students.

A large selection of grands, baby grands, digital player grands, vertical (upright) pianos, hybrid pianos, digital pianos, violins, violas and cellos will be available. This event will feature starter to professional level instruments from such famous makers as Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Seiler, Roland, Italia Fine Violins and many others.

Most instruments are less than one-year old, include a new factory warranty, are tuned, and ready to enjoy. Delivery and special no-interest financing is available on site. Moreover, in most cases, a substantial portion of your purchase is considered as a charitable contribution to the Rockley Family Foundation and may be *TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

BY APPOINTMENT: Patrons are invited to attend a special private sale on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, January 16-18, 2025, along with CSN’s faculty, staff and alumni. This will give everyone an opportunity to purchase with priority in selection and price reductions.

To secure a time (including “virtual appointment” options) please call:

(702) 859-2208 or visit: www.RockleyFamilyFoundation.org/CSN.

Patrons may also attend the final sale day on Saturday, July 18, from 2:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m., no appointment required.

This event will be held at CSN’s Henderson campus in the lobby of Building C, 700 College Dr., Henderson, NV 89002.

In a time where creative solutions are needed to maintain a properly equipped music program, the continuation of this initiative is important to us in our efforts to further education in the arts. We invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

Dr. Richard Kravchak

Dean, School of Arts and Letters

 

For information & available appointment times call (702) 859-2208 or visit: www.RockleyFamilyFoundation.org/CSN

* Please consult your tax adviser with respect to the individual deductibility of any contribution.

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The CSN Call Center will be taking a winter break hiatus this year, closing its services from December 22 through December 29, 2024. For students and staff needing assistance with MyCSN access during this time, the CSN Help Desk remains available at 702-651-HELP (4357).

While the Call Center pauses, CSN’s main campuses will still be open to support any in-person needs. Regular Call Center services will resume on Monday, December 30, 2024.

Stay connected with CSN updates and enjoy a restful winter break!

CSN Call Center Flyer Winter Break 2024

Dear Colleagues, ‌‌As I have shared in previous communications, the re-organization of the leadership structure of CSN continues. All these changes are intended to assure that we achieve greater efficiencies and effectiveness in serving our students and the entire CSN community. An announcement on Monday shared the exciting news of Clarissa M. Cota, J.D., as our new Vice President for External Relations and Campus Operations and Dr. Yvonne Realivasquez as our new Chief of Staff. Below are several organizational charts that provide updates on additional changes that have been made or are in progress (click to make them larger). Please note that some of the departmental realignments have not yet been completed, as we are waiting until certain positions are filled. Charts include those for: Executive Team President’s Cabinet President’s Office Academic Affairs External Relations and Campus Operations Student Affairs Finance and Administration Several additional hiring processes are underway or will begin soon. Those include: Vice President for Finance and Administration Chief Human Resources Officer Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs Associate Vice President for Academic Partnerships Associate Vice President for Campus Operations   Please note that these are not new positions, but rather represent either filling of interim positions or realignment of previously eliminated positions. I sincerely appreciate the support and patience of so many as we strive to position the college to better serve our students and assure their success.

‌William L. Kibler, Ph.D. ‌ ‌College of Southern Nevada ‌Acting President

 

Our Athletics Department isn’t just about scoring goals—they’re scoring major community points, too. This year, they’ve racked up awards, hosted amazing events, and made a real impact in Southern Nevada.

Governor’s Points of Light Nomination
CSN Athletics earned a shoutout from Governor Joe Lombardo with a nomination for the Governor’s Points of Light Award. Why? Their student-athletes donated a jaw-dropping 4,800 hours of volunteer work in a single year. From mentoring kids to running charity drives, these Coyotes are doing incredible work out in our community.

Lighting Up Opportunity Village
Over 200 student-athletes and staff brought the holiday spirit to Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest. They helped families, spread cheer, and proved the Coyotes are as great off the field as they are on it. “This is what being a Coyote is all about,” said Athletic Director Yvonne Wade.

A Hole-in-One at Reflection Bay
CSN’s Annual Golf Tournament at Reflection Bay Golf Club was another win. Packed with golfers, swag, and plenty of laughs, the event raised critical funds for Athletics while showcasing the Coyotes’ signature community spirit.

From the field to the community, CSN Athletics keeps proving they’re about more than just sports—they’re about making a difference. And with a year like this, the Coyotes are just getting started. HOWL! 🐾

 

Eight women at Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center just hit a major milestone, earning their Certificates in Hospitality, Tourism, Convention, and Event Planning through CSN’s Prison Education Program. The December 5th event, A Winter Wonderland, Our Story, was all about celebrating their hard work, creativity, and hope for what’s next.

The gymnasium was decked out in a festive winter wonderland theme, with every decoration—sparkling snowflakes, festive garlands, and detailed holiday scenes—handmade by the women in the facility. Their creativity was on full display, setting the tone for an unforgettable event.

The women showcased their final projects, presenting creative business plans for transitional housing and reentry programs that reflected their hard work and vision. Throughout the event, they worked together effortlessly—keeping the food and hot cocoa bar stocked, laughing as they played games, and standing proudly beside their detailed artwork hanging on the walls. Each piece told a story, and the women shared these stories with guests who stopped by. The atmosphere buzzed with energy.

Governor Joe Lombardo and the Nevada Office of Workforce Innovation (OWINN) played a key role in making this possible through the T-Mobile Recovery Grant for incarcerated women. Their support has been instrumental in providing the resources necessary for their education.

“Inspired,” is how Dr. Genevieve Minter, CSN’s Prison Education Program Manager, described the day. “Most of the completers were former students of mine over the past few years, and I can see how far they have come in how much they believe in themselves, how much they want to change, and how much they want to get out into the world and start living a life outside of prison.”

From Warden William Reubart’s warm welcome to closing remarks by Dr. James McCoy CSN’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, his words were more than a speech—they were a call to action. With the cadence of a preacher and the passion of a teacher, Dr. McCoy delivered an inspiring and uplifting message. He praised the women for their resilience, called on everyone in the audience to continue pursuing their educational dreams, and reminded everyone that education has the power to change lives.

Reflecting on the program’s impact, Dr. Dan Corsi, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs stated, “CSN is committed to helping all individuals succeed academically. Providing the opportunity—they have to earn it, but we will provide it—and it’s always at the same rigor and quality of instruction as you would expect on any one of our campuses.” He added, “We are looking ahead to our May ceremony where we hope to have more certificates earned from those not only in our Hospitality program but also in our HVAC program, which will also be really special to see.”

These women didn’t just earn certificates—they walked away with confidence, skills, and a community rooting for their success. The celebration highlighted how education can be a springboard to new opportunities. It was a reminder of what’s possible when hard work meets the right support.

Dear Colleagues, As part of the organizational changes I announced in September, I’m pleased to let you know that we have chosen two longtime higher education leaders to serve in the President’s Cabinet. ‌Clarissa M. Cota, J.D. will serve as the Vice President for External Relations and Campus Operations, overseeing three main campuses, and Dr. Yvonne Realivasquez will be the President’s Chief of Staff, managing Marketing and the CSN Foundation, as well as acting as a liaison with internal staff and external partners. ‌Many of you already know Cota, who most recently served as the Vice President of our North Las Vegas Campus. She holds B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Arizona and is a member of the State Bar of Arizona. She has institutional accrediting experience and has served as the Accreditation Liaison Officer for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and on the Board of Directors for the Accrediting Council of Business Schools and Programs. She brings unique academic and professional experience, including being a licensed attorney with past legal experience. She holds leadership roles on numerous local, national, and business/industry boards, including chairing the HSI Task Force for the Nevada System of Higher Education. ‌Realivasquez comes to us from my old institution, Sul Ross State University in Texas, where she spent 28 years. She began as a lecturer in Political Science, History, and Mexican American Studies. Later, as a member of the university executive team, she held various positions including the Title IX Coordinator, Public Information Coordinator, President’s Chief of Staff, Assistant Vice President for Administration and Development, Assistant Vice President for Student Engagement, Associate Vice President for Strategic Initiatives, and Vice President for Enrollment Management. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from Sul Ross, as well as a doctorate degree in Higher Education Leadership from Hardin Simmons University. Please join me in congratulating them both.

Clarissa M. Cota, J.D., Vice President of External Relations & Campus Operations, read her bio here Dr. Yvonne Realivasquez, President’s Chief of Staff, read her bio here

William L. Kibler, Ph.D. ‌ ‌College of Southern Nevada ‌Acting President

The CSN Holiday Party on Dec. 3 at the North Las Vegas Campus was a night in the books! Colleagues gathered in the Student Union Ballrooms for an evening packed with holiday vibes, great food, and even better company.

A classic holiday spread was served, and a DJ kept the energy high with favorite tunes. The raffle prizes were a hit, with cheers as winners were announced.

But the real highlight? The foster care toy drive. Thanks to everyone who donated, dozens of new, unwrapped toys will brighten the holidays for children in need. It was heartwarming to see the CSN colleagues come together for such a good cause.

Here’s to more events like this and an amazing year ahead!

Want to relive the fun or see what you missed? Check out some photo highlights here:

 

Talk about a cool ride! A 1978 Chevrolet Corvette, purchased by Ken Goodrich, Chairman of Goettl Air Conditioning & Plumbing, at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Las Vegas, cruised onto the CSNs North Las Vegas Campus last week in style. The Corvette will serve as a real-world restoration project for students, who will apply their skills and knowledge to bring the classic vehicle back to life. Once fully refurbished, the car is set to return to the Barrett-Jackson Auction, with all proceeds benefiting CSN’s programs.

With this project, CSN students will gain invaluable experience in automotive technology, proving once again that innovation and education are always in the driver’s seat at CSN. Stay tuned for updates as this vintage beauty gets a fresh lease on life!

CSN is gearing up to welcome Josh Webb as the new Manager of the Performing Arts Center, starting in early January.

Josh brings a wealth of experience from his recent role as Professor of Theatre and Director of Performance for the Elizabeth Boatwright Coker Performing Arts Center at Coker University in Hartsville, South Carolina. Before that, he honed his skills as a theatre teacher and technical director at Worcester Academy in Massachusetts.

Originally from New England, Josh holds a BA in Theater from Keene State College in New Hampshire and an MFA in Theatre Production Design from Michigan State University. Beyond his impressive academic credentials, he’s made a name for himself as a freelance scenic designer, collaborating with theaters across the Charlotte, North Carolina area.

Dean Kravchak expressed excitement about Josh joining the team, highlighting his contributions to the School of Arts & Letters and student success.

Let’s give Josh a warm CSN welcome as he steps into this new role and brings his creativity and expertise to our Performing Arts Center!

The Department of Fine Arts Music Program presents the Las Vegas Youth Saxophone Ensemble, led by Artistic Director Dr. Lindsey O’Connor, in their fall semester concert at CSN entitled INVIERNO PORTEÑO with pianist Jae-Ahn Benton. The ensemble will perform tango music by Astor Piazzolla, Roberto Molinelli, Karen Street, and Claire Tomsett in various solo and chamber ensemble settings. The performance group features college students, as well as local middle and high school students who are dually enrolled at CSN.

The concert will take place Thursday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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The Department of Fine Arts Music Program presents the debut of its Woodwind Ensemble, led by Artistic Director Dr. Lindsey O’Connor, in their first fall semester concert at CSN featuring music by contemporary Japanese composers Tomohito Matsushita, Yoshio Nakahashi, and Shehei Tamura.

The WW Ensemble features college students, as well as local high school students who are dually enrolled at CSN. Instrumentation includes flute/piccolo, oboe, clarinet/bass clarinet, saxophones, piano, and percussion.

The concert will take place Tuesday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m. in the BackStage Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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CSN is bringing art to life this winter with two incredible exhibitions showcasing the immense talent of its students and faculty, the North Las Vegas Campus is the place to be.

Art 298 Capstone Exhibition: LIMBO

From December 6, 2024, to February 1, 2025, the Artspace Gallery presents LIMBO, the capstone showcase for 16 exceptional student artists from CSN’s Art & Art History Program. Expect a vibrant collection of ceramics, digital media, drawing, metalwork, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture—all culminating from months of hard work and creativity under the mentorship of Professors Sean Russell and Christopher Tsouras.

Faculty Exhibition at the Fine Arts Gallery

Running concurrently from December 13, 2024, to February 1, 2025, the Fine Arts Gallery highlights the work of 31 accomplished CSN faculty members. This diverse show features everything from ceramics to photography and painting to sculpture. The exhibition includes pieces from celebrated names like Myranda Bair, Keith Conley, and Jennifer Saracino, showcasing the extraordinary expertise that powers CSN’s art programs.

Mark Your Calendar: December 13 Artist Receptions

Double your art experience on Friday, December 13, from 6 to 8 p.m., with two artist receptions happening simultaneously:

• Artspace Gallery: Meet the student artists behind LIMBO and celebrate their creative journey.
• Fine Arts Gallery: Chat with the faculty artists and gain insights into their stunning works.

Visit for Free

Both galleries are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is completely free.

For more information, visit CSN’s Art Galleries or stop by 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave. in North Las Vegas.

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FacultyExhibitionEmailADA

An Update on CSN’s Strategic Plan: Bridge Planning & the Development of CSN’s  2026-2030 Strategic Plan ‌Dear CSN Colleagues,‌ As most of you likely know, CSN’s 2019-2024 strategic plan is about to come to an end. The Office of Institutional Effectiveness is excited to commence the planning process for our next Strategic Planning Cycle. The next three years of Planning at CSN will be an integrated and collaborative experience to achieve our goals collectively and contribute towards student success. Amid CSN presidential leadership change, the Office of Institutional Effectiveness will undertake three major projects for AY 2024-2026 under the guidance of the Acting President, Dr. William Kibler, and Dr. James McCoy, Vice President of Academic Affairs: 1. Close the 2019-2024 Strategic Plan by reviewing and documenting the performance over the last year of the 2019-2024 Strategic Plan. The scorecards and annual reports will be presented at different forums at the college and will be published on the website in Spring 2025. ‌ 2. Develop a Bridge Strategic Plan for March 2025- June 2026:  The CSN Office of Institutional Effectiveness is in the process of curating an initial draft of a Bridge Plan for the College of Southern Nevada, which will extend CSN’s current Strategic Plan 2019-2024 in a specific way.  For those that may not be as familiar, “a Bridge Plan is a short-term strategic plan that “bridges” the gap between strategic plan cycles.  A bridge plan only covers a 1–2-year horizon and takes about 3–5 months to create. Often, a bridge plan is best designed as an extension of the existing plan. It is more streamlined and focused than a regular strategic plan and focuses more on tactics aligned with an existing strategic focus. (The Society for Colleges and Universities Planning, 2022)‌ The Office of Institutional Effectiveness will adhere to the following timeline (shown below) for the Strategic Plan Bridge Plan:

The CSN Institutional Effectiveness team will create a rough draft Bridge Plan by December 10, 2024, and will share it with our college-wide Shared Governance Groups as well as at a general CSN listening session for feedback.  Feedback will be integrated throughout the drafting process and the Bridge Plan will be presented to the CSN Executive Leadership team and the CSN Cabinet for final approval. This Bridge Plan aligns with the NWCCU Mid-Cycle Self Study 2025. 3. New Strategic Plan 2026-2030: To develop the new Strategic Plan for the College of Southern Nevada, the Office of Institutional Effectiveness will lead the planning and implementation efforts in academic year 2025-2026. A ‘Strategic Futures Taskforce’ will serve as the Steering Committee for supporting the Strategic Planning and Initiatives at the College. ‌ The Strategic Futures Taskforce will be responsible for the creation of the College of Southern Nevada 2026-2030 Strategic Plan. The task force will be comprised of sub-committees supporting the Strategic Planning and Implementation process. A call for participants to engage in the Strategic Futures Taskforce will be sent by the Office of Institutional Effectiveness by April 2025.  The Office of Institutional Effectiveness is excited to embark on this planning process to support the mission and vision of the college. Ms. Jyoti Senthil and Dr. Shari Peterson, under the guidance of Dr. James McCoy, will lead the Strategic Planning Initiative at the College.  For more information or any questions, please contact  Ms. Jyoti Senthil: Jyoti.senthil@csn.edu Dr. Shari Peterson: sharon.peterson@csn.edu

Just in time for the holidays—Professor Kaylee Baucom from CSN’s English Department is dropping her latest novel, Hello Animus! on Black Friday!

This lively read dives into Carl Jung’s theories with a fun, relatable twist. Follow Rachel, a 30-something Las Vegas baker, as she tackles vivid nightmares, angry outbursts, and a search for meaning. With a little help from Jim, a mysterious guide, Rachel embarks on a wild journey of self-discovery.

Whether you’re a psychology buff or just love a good story, Hello Animus! is for you. Pre-order now on Amazon and get ready for the ride!

Pre-Order Here  

Do you like free money? Of course, you do. That’s why the CSN’s Financial Aid Office is hosting not one but two essential events this semester to help you keep and secure your financial aid!

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Info Sessions
First, let’s talk about Satisfactory Academic Progress—affectionately known as SAP. Don’t let the fancy name intimidate you; these sessions are designed to keep you informed, on track, and stress-free. Learn the requirements for SAP, get tips to stay eligible, and understand your options if you’re ever suspended or placed on warning. (Spoiler alert: there’s hope even if things go sideways.)
Mark your calendars for:

• • • • • • Tuesday, Nov. 19 | Charleston Campus | 3-4:30 p.m. | Room C227
          • Wednesday, Nov. 20 | Henderson Campus | 3-4:30 p.m. | Room C108
          • Thursday, Nov. 21 | North Las Vegas Campus | 3-4:30 p.m. | Room N203

Pro tip: Bring your questions, your worries, and maybe even a friend—it’s always better to tackle financial aid mysteries as a team.

FAFSA Workshops: Be Prepared for 2025-26
Here’s your second big moment: The 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is set to drop on or before December 1, and trust us, you’ll want to be ready. Why? Because more than 80% of new students at CSN are offered federal aid. Translation: free money for tuition, books, and maybe even a snack or two at the café.

Get ahead of the game by creating your FSA ID now (seriously, don’t wait). Need help? Check out this quick YouTube guide. Then, join us at these workshops for hands-on FAFSA assistance:

• Dec. 17 | Charleston Campus | Building C, Room 114
• Dec. 18 | Henderson Campus | Building C, Room 117
• Dec. 19 | North Las Vegas Campus | Building C, Room 1681

Workshops run from 3 to 4:30 p.m., and everyone—from students to parents—is welcome.

Don’t let paperwork be the thing that trips you up. See you there!

 

Mark your calendars for December 3-4, 2024, as the CSN proudly hosts the Power Up Nevada Summit. This  event, presented by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans in collaboration with Discovery Education, is a must-attend for anyone passionate about advancing educational and economic opportunities for Black communities.

About the Event
The Power Up Nevada Summit brings together thought leaders, policymakers, educators, and community members to engage in meaningful discussions and workshops. The event will focus on sharing best practices, local and federal resources, and strategies to foster equity and excellence in education and economic development.

Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in interactive sessions, listen to inspirational keynotes from national leaders, and network with peers who share a vision for a brighter future.

Who Should Attend?
This summit is designed for Black students, families, community advocates, educators, and stakeholders at local, state, and national levels. Whether you’re a student looking for guidance, a professional seeking to make an impact, or a community leader striving for change, Power Up Nevada offers insights and connections to help achieve your goals.

Join Us!
The event will take place at CSN’s Charleston Campus. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a pivotal conversation and gain the tools to empower your community.

How to Register
Seats are limited, so register today to secure your spot! Visit this link to sign up. Be sure to share this opportunity with your network using the hashtag #PowerUpNV.

NV PowerUp Flyer

Who knew a classroom could stretch all the way to the Nevada Gold Mines? From September 15–17, 23 Dual Credit students from CSN swapped their desks for diesel engines on a tour of the Gold Quarry Mine in Elko, Nevada. These rockstar students—nine from Central Technical Training Academy and 14 from Rancho High School—got a front-row seat to see how their Advanced Manufacturing and Diesel Technology skills work in the real world.

This wasn’t your average field trip. Students climbed aboard massive mining machines, toured industrial maintenance areas, and learned what it takes to mine responsibly. Oh, and did we mention the $70,000 starting salary? (Yeah, that caught their attention too.)

But it wasn’t just about big trucks and big bucks. Over meals with Nevada Gold Mines’ young employees, students got the lowdown on what it’s like to work there. The trip wrapped up with dinner alongside company leaders and Rancho High alums who’ve already struck career gold.

Want more stories like this? Join the club! Email Amber.Mayes@csn.edu to subscribe to the Dual Credit Corner newsletter. 

 

November Newsletter - Dual Credit Corner

Download here

Pack your (imaginary) bags, Coyotes—CSN is bringing the world to you for International Education Week, happening November 18-22. It’s a weeklong passport-free adventure full of global vibes and maybe even some bragging rights for your trivia skills.

The lineup is stacked, with both in-person and virtual events designed to broaden your horizons without blowing your budget. Want to see how two countries from different continents compare? Swing by “Two Countries, Two Continents” and find out if they’re frenemies or just twins separated by geography.

For the aspiring diplomats among us, Tuesday’s “Careers with the Department of State” at the North Las Vegas Campus is a must. It’s your chance to learn what it takes to represent the red, white, and blue on the global stage. Pro tip: It’s probably more than just waving a flag.

But wait—there’s trivia. Yes, “International Trivia” is happening Monday, and it’s virtual, so you can play from your couch, your car, or wherever you find decent Wi-Fi. And don’t forget about Wednesday’s “Cultivating Global Connections,” where you can hear how international partnerships shape everything from business to big dreams.

Here’s a taste of what’s on the menu:

• “Developing an International Experience”:
• “The Benefits of Internationalization of Higher Education”:

Find all the details (and those oh-so-handy Zoom links) in the flyer below:

CSN IEW 24 FINAL

Download here

CSN FINE ARTS & HORN THEATRE LOBBY GALLERY EXHIBITION

2024-2025 CSN Art & Art History Faculty Exhibition

Friday, December 13, 2024, through Saturday, February 1, 2025

North Las Vegas Campus – Fine Arts & Horn Theatre Lobby Galleries

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition featuring the work of 31 artist educators from CSN’s Art & Art History Program. Works featured in this exhibition highlight the vast range of offerings within the CSN Art & Art History Program including ceramics, digital media, drawing, metalwork, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The “2024-2025 CSN Art & Art History Faculty Exhibition” will begin Friday, December 13, 2024, and will run through Saturday, February 1, 2025. An Artist Reception with refreshments will take place at the gallery on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 6 – 8 p.m. All CSN art gallery events are free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

The College of Southern Nevada Department of Fine Arts “2024 – 2025 CSN Art & Art History Faculty Exhibition,” features 31 full-time faculty, part-time faculty, and staff of the Art & Art History Program, including Myranda Bair, Christopher Bauder, Cynthia Behr, Mark Brandvik, Sapira Cheuk, Keith Conley, Evan Dent, Daryl Depry, Lolita Develay, Jeff Fulmer, Lindsay Hall, Jack Hallberg, Anne Hoff, Jeannie Hua, Elizabeth Klimek, Gwaylon Leaf, Wayne Littlejohn, Orlando Montenegro, Daniel Ogletree, Fred O’Hare, Mary Parker, Eric Pawloski, Laurence Reese, Sean Russell, Jennifer Saracino, Fred Sigman, Robin Stark, Carol Treat, Chris Tsouras, Jeanne Voltura, and Stanley Webb.

CSN’s Fine Arts and Horn Theatre Lobby Galleries are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Fine Arts and Horn Theatre Lobby Galleries are located inside the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre building wing on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one-mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
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We’re coming together on Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 5 p.m. for a special vigil to honor transgender lives lost to violence and suicide. This is our chance to reflect, remember, and show up for our community.

Where to find us:
The corner of W. Charleston Blvd. and Torrey Pines Dr., right by the CSN sign.

Bring your friends, your support, and your voice as we stand together in love and solidarity. Let’s make this a powerful moment of remembrance and hope.

Attention all CSN students: We want to hear from you! The College of Southern Nevada is conducting a Black Male Mentoring Program Survey to better understand the unique challenges Black male students face, assess their awareness of campus resources, and explore their interest in student engagement programs.

Your input is crucial in helping CSN enhance its services and create meaningful opportunities for student success. The survey is open now through Dec. 5, so don’t miss this chance to make your voice heard.

Ready to share your thoughts? Filling it out is simple and quick—just visit www.csn.edu/bmmpsurvey or scan the QR code on the flyer.

Let’s work together to build a brighter future! Submit your response by Dec. 5 and help shape the next chapter of student engagement at CSN.

The Department of Fine Arts Music Program presents an evening of Big Band classics as well as contemporary selections with CSN’s JAZZ Band Concert under the direction of Dr. David Phy. The concert will also include a special guest appearance by Paul Lowry and the Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts Jazz Big Band.

The concert will take place on Wednesday, December 11th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus.

General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  For more information, or to purchase tickets visit: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition featuring the works of 16 student artists from CSN’s Art & Art History Program. Works featured in this exhibition are included as part of the program’s capstone experience and highlight the vast range of offerings within the CSN Art & Art History Program, including ceramics, digital media, drawing, metalwork, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Art 298: Portfolio Emphasis – Fall 2024 Exhibition: Limbo will open Friday, December 6, 2024, and will run through Saturday, February 1, 2025. An Artist Reception with light refreshments will take place in the Artspace Gallery on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All CSN art gallery events are free, family-friendly, and open to the public.

 

The Art 298: Portfolio Emphasis – Fall 2024 Exhibition: Limbo features the work of 16 student artists from the CSN Art & Art History Program. Featured student artists include Kimberly Abbott, Helena Bauchrowitz, Gael Castellon, Malia Gago, Anita Lasko, Timothy Maassen, Nayeli Marure, Jennifer Merriweather, Alexandria Pereda, Cristhian Perez, Eliana Reynolds, Emilee Rodriguez, Ariel Scott, Sadie Todd, Isabella Trevino, and Lynnelle Weyandt. Art 298 faculty include Professor Sean Russell, MFA, University of Nevada Las Vegas, and Professor Christopher Tsouras, MA & MFA, University of Wisconsin Madison.

 

The CSN Artspace Gallery is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Artspace Gallery is upstairs above the main entrance lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one-mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery

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CSN Fine Arts Music Program presents an evening of classic and contemporary jazz selections featuring CSN Jazz Combos under the direction of Dr. David Phy and Dr. Lindsey O’Connor.

The concert will take place on Sunday, December 8 at 7:00 p.m. in the BackStage Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus. General admission ticket prices are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. This event is presented by CSN’s Fine Arts Department Music Program. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit us at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community and is located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

In observance of the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, the CSN Motorcycle Safety program is partnering with local organizations to host the “Back to the Basics Rally & Candlelight Vigil” on Sunday, Nov. 17. This event, dedicated to honoring motorcycle rider victims, will take place from 1 – 5 p.m. at the Silverado Ranch Community Center.

Attendees can expect a day with multiple stops aimed at helping riders sharpen their skills, earn tickets, and win prizes. The rally and vigil provide an opportunity for the community to come together, remember lost loved ones, and promote safer roads for everyone.

The event is sponsored by Nevada Rider, Las Vegas Harley-Davidson, Red Rock Harley-Davidson, and Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft. To learn more and register, visit PedSafe.vegas.

In a feat that speaks to his dedication and athletic prowess, Dr. Zaven O’Bryant, a biology professor and Faculty Senator, took first place in his age division and secured fourth overall at the Las Vegas Marathon. His official time? A jaw-dropping 2 hours, 33 minutes, and 40 seconds, maintaining an impressive average pace of 5 minutes and 51 seconds per mile.

For context, running even one mile at that speed is a challenge for many; Dr. O’Bryant maintained it for over 26 miles. This accomplishment shines not only as an athletic milestone but as a moment of pride for CSN. Known for his dedication to student success in the classroom, O’Bryant’s performance on the course shows that he’s equally passionate about pushing limits outside of academia.

A competitive runner since his school days, O’Bryant has won countless cross-country and track events, shattered records, and even trained at the Olympic level. When asked if he’s eyeing future qualifying races like the Boston Marathon, O’Bryant said, “I plan on doing at least one ‘Major’ marathon in my life. It’s somewhat difficult to enter the race through the lottery, and I hope to run fast enough to be an invited athlete.”

The race, which attracted thousands of participants, saw O’Bryant competing shoulder-to-shoulder with elite runners.

Congratulations to Dr. O’Bryant for representing CSN with such excellence, speed, and determination!

Link to Results: Las Vegas Marathon Results

 

 

Dear CSN Community,   I want to take this time to express my support for and appreciation of ALL in our CSN community. We celebrate our diversity because it makes us a stronger and more vibrant institution every day.   ‌Our faculty and staff deserve thanks for their commitment to the success of our students and for their participation in and support of the life-changing experiences that CSN offers our students.   I admire ALL our students as they strive to always improve themselves through engagement in educational opportunities and take the initiative to change their lives.   I know and understand that there are times when experiences within our community and beyond bring stress, despair, and hopelessness. Please know that our CSN community is committed to providing the support and resources needed. The following resources are available to our students, faculty, and staff.  If you need help or support or encouragement, please do not hesitate to reach out and take advantage of the services offered.   Counseling and Psychological Services (for students) ‌Available on all three campuses ‌ Employee Assistance Program (for faculty and staff) Free to all employees ‌ The Care Center For those impacted by sexual violence, relationship violence, family violence, and/or stalking ‌ National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988   ‌- Bill

William L. Kibler, Ph.D. ‌ ‌College of Southern Nevada  ‌Acting President

Ever wanted to sit down and chat with the CSN president? Now’s your chance! Join us for the President’s Open House on January 22,, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., where Acting President Dr. William Kibler is opening his door—and his calendar—to hear from you.

Whether you’ve got questions, ideas, or just want to say hello, this event is all about making connections. But don’t wait—slots are limited! Sign up here.

Calling all brass enthusiasts and music fans! CSN’s Department of Music is turning up the volume with “A Day of Brass” on Saturday, Feb. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the North Las Vegas Campus, Building H, 3200 East Cheyenne Ave.

This event is totally free and open to everyone—so whether you’re a pro with a trumpet or just curious about the power of brass, this day is for you. Expect a lineup packed with live performances, hands-on masterclasses, and clinics led by some of the best brass players around.

Don’t miss out on this chance to dive into the world of brass instruments and be ready for a blast of sound! RSVP is required for this event!

CSN Presents A Day of Brass (2)

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Halloween at the Engelstad School of Health Sciences (ESHS) wasn’t just about candy this year—it was all about teamwork, brainpower, and a whole lot of laughs! On Oct. 30, the Interprofessional Education (IPE) Committee hosted an epic Halloween party that brought students from different health science programs together for a fun and friendly competition.

Groups battled in Kahoot,  quizzes, and a campus-wide scavenger hunt! These weren’t your typical party games—participants had to use their health science smarts and work as a team to answer tricky questions and hunt down hidden items.

And of course, what’s a Halloween party without costumes? The event ended with prizes for the winners of the games, plus a costume contest that crowned champs in both individual and group categories. From spooky to hilarious, everyone brought their A-game.

Here a few of the highlights:

 

CSN’s Philosophy Club just announced their November meeting on The Philosophy Mixer on Thursday, Nov. 21, at 4 p.m., at the Charleston Campus, Student Union, Room 130.

Led by Professor Yan Mikhaylov, this event will dive into the origins of some of the world’s biggest questions, like, “How did it all begin?” and “Why do we care?”

If you’ve ever wondered about the world or just want to impress friends with deep thoughts, don’t miss out! Email yan.mikhaylov@csn.edu for more details.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CSN CHORAL CONCERT – December 5, 2024

The Department of Fine Arts Music Program presents CSN’s Vocal Ensembles celebrating the holiday season with a Choral Music Performance!

The Chamber Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Mark Wherry and Voltaire Verzosa, will sing a wide variety of selections. The CSN Jazz Singers will perform a set of jazz standards and will be accompanied by a top-notch rhythm section. Spotlight soloists will also be featured.

Voice classes instructed by Dr. Mark Wherry and Voltaire Verzosa will sing representative selections from the repertoire they have been working on this semester, which range from folk songs to musical theater and traditional classics.

The concert takes place on Thursday, December 5th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The Department of Fine Arts Music Program is proud to present an evening of mariachi music featuring Mariachi Plata, the 2021, 2022 and 2023 first place winners at the Mariachi Extravaganza in San Antonio, Texas. This lively, festive event will be presented under the direction of Perry Chacon. The show will also include performances by CSN’s Mariachi program as well as youth groups from Clark County School District.  

The concert will take place Wednesday, December 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the Cheyenne Campus.  General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit us at: www.csn.edu/pac. 

The CSN Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas. 

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Nevada audiences will be treated to a variety of works by the Department of Fine Arts Music Program’s own CSN Concert Band with special guest performers from Somerset Sky Pointe High School. CSN’s Concert Band is under the direction of Dr. David Phy. The Somerset Sky Pointe High School Band is under the direction of Brent Duford.

The concert is scheduled on Tuesday, December 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus Performing Arts     Center. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for Students/Seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit us at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The Nicholas J. Horn Theatre provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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Southern Nevada audiences will delight in an evening of classic works featuring a special guest appearance by Las Vegas singer/recording artist Laura Shaffer. The College of Southern Nevada Department of Fine Arts Music Program’s Orchestra concert will include musical arrangements by Dr. Richard McGee.

The concert will take place on Monday, December 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus Performing Arts Center.

General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for Students/Seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The Nicholas J. Horn Theatre provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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Prison Education PR

Join classmates, faculty, and friends for an exciting Election Night Watch Gathering at CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, from 5 – 9 p.m. in the June Whitley Student Lounge. Hosted by the Office of Student Government & Leadership Development and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, this event promises an engaging night as attendees gather to watch pivotal election results unfold.

Enjoy free pizza and beverages while cheering for your preferred candidates in the Make America Great Again 2024 versus Harris-Walz 2024 showdown. Don’t miss out on this chance to catch real-time results with your CSN community!

Election Night Watch Gathering Flyer

CSN and the Nevada Department of Corrections are celebrating students in the Hospitality Program at the Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center with a special showcase and job fair on December 5, from 1-4 p.m. This event gives students close to release a chance to connect with employers and community support.

Notable attendees include Marchelle Sneed, representing Governor Lombardo, and Congresswoman Dina Titus. CSN departments like Career Services, Financial Aid, and the Academic Success Center will be on hand, along with community organizations like Alcoholics Anonymous and Pawtastic Friends.

Funded by a $1.4 million grant from the Governor’s Office and Nevada Workforce Innovation.

To attend, contact Genevieve.Minter@CSN.edu.

CSN is serving up Thanksgiving with a twist this year – think of it as the ultimate turkey takeaway. For those who want a taste of the holiday without the hassle, we’re offering 10 Thanksgiving dinner bags, packed and ready to roll for a cozy celebration at home. But heads up – this is strictly first come, first served, so if you’re craving that pumpkin pie or stuffing, make tracks to Room 127!

The deets: sign-up opens bright and early at 9 a.m. and wraps up by noon on November 22. Swing by, sign up, and secure your bag while they’re hot (metaphorically, anyway).

For the latest updates, follow us on Instagram at @CSNNLV or just stop by Room 127 to get the lowdown. We’ve got the feast, you bring the friends and gratitude!

Thanksgiving DINNER

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Hey first-gen Coyotes! Ready to kick off November with some good vibes and fall fun? Come hang with us at CSN’s First-Gen Fall Festival on November 1, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the North Las Vegas campus. We’re pulling out all the stops to celebrate YOU – our amazing first-gen students blazing new trails.

Picture this: pumpkin carving, seasonal snacks, and activities that are all about embracing the season. Bring your family, bring your friends, or just bring your school spirit!

This festival is here to honor our amazing and very special first-gen community at CSN with friends and peers who “get it” – those navigating college for the first time in their family.

So, jot it down, and join us! Let’s make some memories and celebrate what makes first-gen at CSN so amazing!

DEI First-Gen Fall Festival Flyer-2 (1)

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Kick off your week with a dose of relaxation and positivity! CSN invites students, staff, and faculty to Mindful Monday on November 4, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the North Las Vegas campus’s June Whitley Lounge. This event is all about taking a breather and learning tools to handle life’s daily stresses.

From soothing coloring activities to games, the event provides hands-on opportunities to unwind. You can explore mindfulness techniques tailored for busy lives, especially helpful for balancing school, work, and everything in between.

Mindful Monday promises a welcoming space to recharge and refocus. Come stop by!

Mindful Monday (Game) (1)

October is coming to a close, but the importance of Breast Cancer Awareness continues year-round. For the women of the CSN Henderson Academic Advising team, the message hits close to home. Among the nine women on their team, three are breast cancer survivors—a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength needed to fight this disease.

One survivor recalls, “I got the news in October five years ago. It was a shock. I had no family history. But I knew I had to fight. It sucked big time, but I survived. I was strong because I needed to be—for myself, my family, and my loved ones. I wasn’t going to let cancer break me.” Today, she’s cancer-free, embracing her “new superpower.”

The statistics are sobering: in 2020, an estimated 276,480 women in the U.S. were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, and 42,170 lost their lives. But there is hope—over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors live in the U.S. today, a testament to the power of early detection and treatment.

Even as October wraps up, it’s crucial to remain vigilant year-round. Women are encouraged to self-screen, talk to their doctors, and take steps to reduce their risk—regular exercise, no smoking, less alcohol, and annual mammograms. Early detection is key, contributing to a 39% decline in breast cancer deaths in recent years.

As Breast Cancer Awareness Month concludes, let’s continue to wear pink, raise awareness, and honor those who have fought. Because, as one survivor says, “I wasn’t going to let cancer define me, and neither should you.”

CSN’s Early Childhood Education Lab recently hosted a special series of storytime sessions, featuring visits from top CSN leaders. Dr. William Kibler, CSN’s President, and Dr. James McCoy, Vice President of Academic Affairs, each shared their love of storytelling with the young learners.

Dr. Kibler visited the Dandelions classroom, where he read Scribble Stones, a story that inspired creativity and self-expression. The children welcomed him with a handmade sign, decorated with bright-colored tapes. After the reading, they transformed the story’s message into hands-on fun, painting their own “scribble stones” in an outdoor activity led by their teacher, Amy.

Just a couple of weeks earlier, Dr. McCoy brought his own brand of story magic to the Aspen classroom. He read stories about manners and inclusion, including one about a selfish crocodile that taught the children the importance of kindness and saying “please” and “thank you.” The children actively participated, discussing ways to make everyone feel included. Dr. McCoy’s visit was a delightful and educational experience, making a lasting impact on the young listeners.

Both visits aligned with the ECE Lab’s emphasis on listening skills and making connections between stories and the world around them. Parents are encouraged to ask their children about these special storytime experiences—whether it’s painting rocks with Dr. Kibler or practicing manners with Dr. McCoy, these moments are sure to become cherished memories for the young learners.

Thank you Dr. Kibler and Dr. McCoy for taking time to spend time with the future generation!

 

ECE Lab Preschool Reflections Aspen room 10.10.2024

 

 

The CSN is rolling out a new initiative called “Elevating Student Voices” to put student feedback at the forefront of campus decisions. This program invites students to participate in focus groups, sharing their insights on everything from campus policies to classroom experiences.

The goal is simple: listen to students and use their feedback to shape a more inclusive and supportive environment. By participating, students have a chance to make their voices heard on key issues that affect their college experience. Discussions will be guided by facilitators, ensuring that all perspectives are considered and valued. The insights gathered will directly inform changes to policies and practices at CSN, ultimately helping to improve student success and the overall campus climate.

“Elevating Student Voices” is more than just a discussion—it’s a platform for students to be active contributors to their community. If you’re a student interested in making a difference, now is the time to get involved. If you are an interested department looking for student feedback, please use the following form to get started.

This initiative is a key step in making sure that student voices don’t just echo through campus—they’re heard, valued, and acted upon.

The Winning Experience featuring Dr. Kibler and Yvonne Jackson

Get ready to give back while having a little fun, as the Coyote Cupboard Drive kicks off from Nov. 4 –  22. Organized by the Associated Students of CSN (ASCSN), this three-week event invites clubs, organizations, and departments to join in the spirit of giving. Participants will compete to collect essential donations like hygiene products, food, and drinks to help students in need.

Here’s the best part: the team with the most donations collected each week will have a shot at the grand prize of $300 in seed money, to be awarded in the spring semester! Don’t worry, there’s something for the runner-up too—they’ll take home $100. It’s a win-win, with the chance to make a real difference in the lives of fellow CSN students.

Ready to rally your team? Email Genay.Amerson@csn.edu for a participation packet, and mark your calendars for the virtual kickoff meeting on October 28 at 9 a.m. Let’s show what CSN’s community spirit is all about and make sure no student goes without this spring!

Cupboard (1)

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The College of Southern Nevada Dance Program presents The FALL DANCE FESTIVAL 2024 in celebration of Fall with new works by faculty, guest artists and alumnae, to give our students the full experience of what it takes to become a working artist, choreographer and performer. Our students have had the opportunity to experience working alongside professional choreographers and local companies. We are excited to present, share and build connections within the Las Vegas Dance community.

Within the 75-minute performance, audience members will experience a range of diverse works from Folklorico, West African, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Hip Hop and Contemporary, all choreographed by our esteemed faculty, students and guest artists, Carrie Miles, Pendu Malik, Denise Darnell, Danny Mendoza, Liezel Marie Guzman, Jacquelyn Guzman. With special guest UNLV and CSN Dance Certificate alumnus Ari Ramirez Carrasco.

Our student senior choreographers, Junia Patton, Alana Bellamy and Leilani Torrado Perez will be presenting their cap stone pieces created through the Dance Project class. They are excited to present their works.

The concert takes place on Friday, November 22nd at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 23rd at 2:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus.

General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  For more information or to purchase tickets online, please visit us at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus is gearing up for a  community gathering at the African American Faculty, Staff, and Student Mixer. The event is set to take place on Thursday, November 14, from 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. in the Tyrone Thompson Student Union Ballroom.

Sponsored by ACSN and Leadership Development, this mixer aims to foster connections among faculty, staff, and students while celebrating the richness of the African American community. Attendees can enjoy free food, mingle with peers, and support the Black Student Union’s (BSU) fundraiser table featuring delicious desserts—available while supplies last!

RSVP is encouraged, and everyone is welcome! Scan the QR code or visit the link provided to secure your spot for this opportunity to build connections.

 

AAHC - Faculty- Staff- and Student Mixer - Final

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Grab your sneakers, Coyotes—CSN’s 3K Fun Run is coming to the North Las Vegas Campus on Saturday, November 16, 2024! Plan for a lot of smiles, maybe a little sweat, and zero pressure.

The fun kicks off at 10 a.m. at the G Building. Come solo, or bring your crew and join fellow students, families, and friends. And, did we mention it’s free? Yep, no need to dig out your wallet—just bring your energy!

Got questions? Need more info? Hit up Andrea Gonzalez at 702-651-4893 or shoot her an email at andrea.gonzalez@csn.edu. So, mark your calendar, tell your friends, and let’s make this the best 3K yet. See you at the starting line! 🚩

 

3K Fun Run

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It was all good vibes and rainbow colors on Friday, Oct. 11, as CSN hit the streets for the Las Vegas Pride Parade. Students, faculty, and friends teamed up for a night that was all about celebrating love, unity, and just having a blast.

CSN LGBTQIA Club (Q Club) Hazel Alejandro and Melissa Torres along with Joe Hassert, our Communication faculty led the crew of about 45 through downtown North Las Vegas. With music pumping and flags flying, the CSN squad turned the parade into a full-on party.

“We received a great response from the crowd,” Hassert said. “Notable things included Dr. Flecia Thomas driving her red convertible and the presence of the CSN Cheer Team.

And that’s exactly what they did. Decked out in rainbow gear and rocking the coolest banners, the CSN crew made their mark on the parade route, dancing their way through the night. It was about showing up for each other and making every moment count.

Laughter, high-fives, and selfies filled the air. CSN showed up big, and they showed up proud.

Need a little magic with your final papers and research projects? CSN Libraries and the Centers for Academic Success have you covered with their “Writing Wizards” events!

From October 28 to 30, visit the Charleston, North Las Vegas, or Henderson campus libraries from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Can’t make it? Catch the Wizards in November at the Centers for Academic Success: November 18 at Charleston, November 19 at North Las Vegas, and November 20 at Henderson, same time.

Get help from librarians with research and citations, or work with writing tutors on brainstorming, outlines, and refining drafts. No appointment needed—just bring your project and let the magic happen!

For more details, contact CSN Libraries

WritingwithWizards_FINAL_10162024

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CSN and University Police Services are offering a series of active assailant training sessions across its three campuses this November to ensure safety and preparedness for students, faculty, and staff.

The sessions will cover essential response strategies and safety protocols in the event of an active assailant on campus. Participants can attend any of the sessions that best fit their schedules:

• Charleston Campus: Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the WC D101 Auditorium. Sessions are available from 11 a.m. to noon and 4 – 5 p.m.
• Henderson Campus: Tuesday, Nov. 12, in the HN C133 Auditorium. Sessions run from 1 – 2 p.m. and 4 – 5 p.m.
• North Las Vegas Campus: Tuesday, Nov. 19, in room NLV A1772. Sessions are from 11 a.m. to noon and 4 – 5 p.m.

No prior registration is required, and all CSN students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to attend.

For more information, contact Cindy.Martin@unlv.edu

UPD Assailant Training Flyer

CSN Department of Fine Arts Music Program Presents

VOCAL JAZZ SOLO NIGHTS

Featuring CSN’s Jazz Singers

The College of Southern Nevada’s Jazz Singers will present the 48^th Annual edition of Vocal Jazz Solo Nights (“VJSN”) November 15^th and 16^th. The evening will feature each member singing a solo of their choice as well as selections sung by the ensemble.

A variety of jazz styles will be on display at the 48^th edition of VJSN concert at the College of Southern Nevada. There will be some swing, bebop and even R&B featured. According to Dr. Mark Wherry, the tradition of VJSN began in the fall of 2000 as a way for jazz students to sharpen their solo singing and gain a greater appreciation for jazz music.

“In any given semester, we work on six or seven songs to perfection. With every member singing solos, the ensemble is exposed to at least an additional twelve compositions. That’s quite a few songs over the course of many semesters,” Dr. Wherry explains.

“This will be the 48^th edition of the event. We do it every semester so, by my calculations, we’re at 48. I’m very proud of our CSN music students. Some of our alumni are hosting their own shows on the Strip, performing on cruise lines, and even touring in Europe. In many cases, Vocal Jazz Solo Nights is where they got their start,” Dr. Wherry adds.

Vocal Jazz Solo Nights will be presented on two evenings, Friday, November 15^th and Saturday, November 16^th at 7 p.m. in the Jay Morrison Recital Hall located in the Fine Arts Department at the North Las Vegas campus, room H122.

General admission tickets are $8 and $5 for students and seniors. They can be purchased online anytime or at the PAC box office beginning one hour before showtime on the evening of the performance. For more information or to purchase tickets online and avoid box office lines, please visit our website at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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Love animals? Thinking about turning that passion into a career? Come check out what the Veterinary Nursing Program Open House on November 5, 2024!

From 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. (with check-in starting at 2:30 p.m.), you’ll get a behind-the-scenes tour of our top-notch facilities at the Charleston Campus, Building B, Room 102. You’ll also meet some of our awesome faculty and staff, learn about the exciting career opportunities in veterinary nursing, and get the lowdown on how to apply and explore financial aid options.

Sign up now at www.csn.edu/csn-informational-sessions.

 

Copy of Vet Nursing (Instagram Post) (3)

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Not sure what’s next after graduation? No worries! CSN’s Life After CSN event is here to help you figure it out. On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, Career Services and Diversity & Cultural Affairs are hosting a day filled with tips, advice, and hands-on practice to get you ready for the job market.

We’ve got two awesome sessions lined up. Start your day with TypeFocus from 10 – 11 a.m., where you’ll explore career options and build up your confidence. Then, from 1 – 2 p.m., join What Can I Do With This Major? to find out how your degree can open doors to exciting career paths.

There’s also mock interviews, Handshake profile help, and tons of advice to help you stand out and land that dream job.

Sound good? Just scan the QR code to RSVP. Got questions? Shoot an email to Gerard at gerard.aguilar@csn.edu.

Event Details:

When: Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Where: Multicultural Centers on all CSN campuses
Sessions:

• TypeFocus – 10 – 11 a.m.
• What Can I Do With This Major? – 1 – 2 p.m.

Don’t miss out—

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CSN’s Undocumented Student Program is calling on everyone to stand up and show some love for immigrants at the Day of Action on Tuesday, Oct. 22, from noon to 2 p.m. at the North Las Vegas Campus Student Union.

Join the photo campaign, share why you stand with immigrants, and get your voice heard! It’s all about supporting the immigrant community and creating a more inclusive campus. And hey, there will be free shirts and snacks—while they last, of course!

Whether you’re snapping a quick pic or just stopping by for some snacks, come make a statement and show your solidarity.

Want more info? Check out CSN’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion page here.

Download flyer

Want to know how to handle an emergency like a pro? CSN’s Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Department has you covered with their hands-on emergency equipment training, happening on Monday, Nov. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Henderson Campus Student Union, Room 130.

This is your chance to get familiar with lifesaving tools like a fire extinguisher (simulator), an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and a Stop-the-Bleed Kit. You’ll rotate through different stations at your own pace, so you can learn how to take control in emergency situations—whether it’s putting out a fire, using an AED during cardiac arrest, or stopping life-threatening bleeding.

No pressure, just practical skills that could make a huge difference when it counts. Plus, you’ll get to learn the locations of this equipment on campus so you’re always prepared.

Got questions? Reach out to EHS at ehs@csn.edu.

Hands-On Emergency Equipment Training Flyer_Q4-24 (1)

download here

 

On Wednesday, October 23, from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m head on over the North Las Vegas Campus Student Union for Picture Perfect Chemistry, where science and photography collide.

The event features a fascinating presentation on Laboratory Imaging and Photography, with guest presenters from the University of Virginia and Penn State University. Can’t make it in person? No worries—there will be a livestream starting at 4:00 p.m.

Besides the science, enjoy a night of networking, games, and activities. Refreshments and food will be provided. Don’t miss out—click here to RSVP and secure your spot!

PIB - Campus Life

 

Get ready for a day dedicated to health & wellness! CSN is hosting a Health Equity Fair on October 23 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the Student Union at the Charleston campus.

This event promises to link attendees with a variety of resources, including physical wellness tips, mental health support, and information on free or low-cost medical services.

Details:

• What: Health Equity Fair
• When: October 23, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Where: Outside the Student Union, Charleston Campus

Come by, bring your friends, and see what the Health Equity Fair has to offer!

Health Equity Fair Poster (1)

download

CSN’s Charleston campus was filled with the sound of little feet and lots of laughter this past week during Campus Children’s Centers Week, and it was nothing short of magical!

The week kicked off with the much-anticipated “Chalk Walk to the Clock,” where children, families, staff, and even CSN Security strolled hand-in-hand to the campus Clock Tower. The little ones transformed the area into a colorful masterpiece, filling the ground with vibrant chalk drawings, bringing joy and imagination right into the heart of campus.

From there, the children paraded across the campus like little explorers on an adventure. First stop? The Student Union. Next, they visited the Math Department in the H Building, where two of their own parents are faculty members. They even peeked into a math class in Building D, giving the preschoolers a sneak preview of what the future might hold. The adventure didn’t stop there—they toured CSN’s Dental Program, delighting in seeing all the cool equipment in the A Building.

But what’s a celebration without some storytime? We had the most wonderful guest readers join us. Maddie Williams from CSN Security read “The Lion and the Mouse,”and Denise Sydney from the Education Department brought joy with “Noodles and the No Bones Day,” while Anna Becker from the Biology Department gave us a bilingual treat, reading The Three Little Pigs in both French and English. Families also stepped up to share stories, with more than 20 parents joining the fun.

“We were thrilled to have so much participation from our families,” said Mary Regan, Director for the Early Childhood Education Lab. “This week wasn’t just about fun, it was about showing these little ones that learning is all around them—whether they’re drawing with chalk, hearing a story, or watching a college class in action.”

Campus Children’s Centers Week really hit home on CSN’s mission to “Achieve, Succeed, Prosper.” By walking through the campus, the preschoolers got a first glimpse of the world of higher education, sparking curiosity about what the future might hold. For these young learners, it was a reminder that success starts early—through playful experiences that help them grow, and dream big.

CSN invites Black and Brown male students to the inaugural Coyote Scholars Brotherhood (CSB) meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. This student-led organization is designed to foster unity, leadership, and student engagement, offering a space where students can connect and contribute to the campus community.

The meeting will be held at the Charleston Campus Multicultural Center from 2 – 3 p.m., and refreshments will be served. During the session, students will be introduced to fellow members, and plans for future CSB events will be shared. Attendees will also have the opportunity to offer input on activities for the upcoming school year.

Abraham Gomez, the club’s coordinator, encourages students to take part in shaping the direction of the CSB, which aims to provide a supportive network for underrepresented male students at CSN.

Don’t miss the chance to get involved, make new connections, and share your ideas. Scan the QR code to RSVP today, and be a part of something meaningful on campus! For more information, contact abraham.gomez@csn.edu.

CSB Meeting Flyer 10.2024

download here

 

Join us for a spooktacular, family-friendly Halloween event filled with games, candy, music, and more! This free event is open to all, and costumes are encouraged, so bring the whole family and enjoy a night of safe Halloween fun!

  Get your tickets here: tinyurl.com/MonsterRSVP2024

  Want to sponsor a booth? Register by October 18th: tinyurl.com/monsterbooth2024

  Interested in volunteering? Sign up by October 21st: tinyurl.com/MonsterVolunteer24

For more details or questions, contact Henderson Campus Life at Hendersoncampuslife@CSN.EDU.

CSN  invites students to participate in Rise University, an engaging and empowering training event designed to teach students how to take action and organize their communities around the issues they care about. Hosted in collaboration with NextGen America, this event aims to help students get civically engaged and equipped with the tools they need to create real change.

Taking place from October 15-17 at three CSN campuses from 4-8 p.m., Rise University offers an exciting opportunity for students to learn, collaborate, and make a difference. Attendees will receive a $75 stipend for participating and enjoy food and drinks during the sessions.

Dates and Locations:

• October 15: CSN Henderson, Student Union Building Ballroom
• October 16: CSN West Charleston, Student Union Building Ballroom
• October 17: CSN North Las Vegas, Student Union Building Ballroom

Don’t miss this chance to rise up for change!

download

We’re thrilled to announce that Red Rock Review, CSN’s literary journal, will have a table at this year’s Las Vegas Book Festival! 📚 This is Nevada’s largest literary event, offering a day packed with books, authors, readings, and workshops. The best part? It’s free and family-friendly.

Join us on Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Historic Fifth Street School. Stop by our table to show your support, grab a copy of Red Rock Review, and meet fellow literature lovers. Whether you’re an avid reader, a student, or just looking for a fun day out, there’s something for everyone at this fantastic event.

Feel free to share the attached flyer with your students to help spread the word about this exciting and free event!

For more details, visit: Las Vegas Book Festival.

We hope to see you there!

RED ROCK REVIEW @ LVBF (2)

Download here

 

CSN Campus Recreation is hosting a session on how to support your brain and memory naturally. As we age, cognitive decline might seem inevitable, but with the right nutrition and habits, you can keep your mind sharp. This free session, hosted by Ann Pappapetru, will cover simple, everyday practices that promote cognitive health and memory support.

When: Tuesday, October 22, noon – 1:00 p.m.
Where: CSN North Las Vegas Campus, Student Union Room 121

This is a great opportunity to learn natural ways to enhance memory and brain function. To register, contact Andrea Gonzalez at Andrea.Gonzalez@csn.edu or call 702.651.4893. Feel free to share the event with your students, colleagues, or anyone who may be interested!

Memory Support

Download here

CSN Athletics is excited to announce the annual Coyote Athletics Golf Classic, scheduled for Monday, November 18, 2024, at the scenic Reflection Bay Golf Club. With a 9 a.m. shotgun start and a day full of fun, this event aims to raise vital funds for our student-athletes and their programs.

Whether you’re an avid golfer or just looking to enjoy the day with friends and colleagues, there’s a spot for everyone. Individual golfers can join for $500. Sponsorship opportunities abound, ranging from Title to Golf Ball Sponsors

1 x Title Sponsor $20k

1 x Platinum Sponsor $10k

1 x Auction Sponsor $5k

1 x Golf Ball Sponsor $6k

All proceeds from the golf tournament will support CSN athletic programs.

Registration kicks off at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast provided, followed by 18 holes of golf in a gross scramble format. Participants will enjoy a day filled with great golf, delicious food, and a chance to win fantastic prizes. A lunch and awards ceremony will cap off the day.

For more information or to secure your spot, visit www.golfcsn.com or contact Jake Rogers at Jake.Rogers@CSN.edu.

Join us for a fantastic day of golf while making a difference in the lives of CSN’s student-athletes!

 

Golf Tournament Registration 2024 V.5 (10.2.24)

download here

On October 2, the Psychology Faculty in CSN’s Human Behavior Department threw open the doors for its First Annual Psychology Majors Open House—and the students showed up ready to crack open the mysteries of their future careers. Twenty-five eager psychology majors gathered to explore the surprising number of options available with just an associate or bachelor’s degree.

The event’s mission? To debunk the myth that a psychology degree only leads to mental health careers or requires a Ph.D. to be worth anything. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t! From Career Services to Counseling and Psychological Services, CSN brought in a team of experts to help students map out their future careers, no matter what direction they want to go—without years of grad school in sight.

Alumni stars Sharica Lee (2022 CSN Commencement Speaker), Emmanuel Monteclar (AA Psychology, 2022), and Ashlee Cruz (now working in FYE) also shared their journeys, proving you don’t need to be a mind reader to find a great career with an AA or BA.

And to top it off, Dr. David Copeland from UNLV swooped in to talk strategy and opportunities with a bachelor’s degree, reminding everyone that psychology can lead to much more than therapy sessions and inkblot tests.

Students left with new ideas, fresh paths to consider, and the realization that a career in psychology might be more colorful—and accessible—than they thought. Looks like the first-ever open house was a success—no Freudian analysis needed!

A STUDENT PRODUCTION PREMIERING NOVEMBER 8TH

IN THE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

The College of Southern Nevada Fine Arts Theatre Program presents, One Act Festival, a theatrical production featuring seven original works written and directed by CSN students.

One Act Festival is a production starring seven original works written and directed by CSN students. Date Night, written and directed by Jocelyn Matallana, follows a couple whose inability to get along may lead to their undoing. Six Days In, written and directed by Cierra Briggs, follows a group forced to deal with one another when disaster forces them to shelter in a bunker. Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat it Too, written and directed by Cierra Briggs, follows Kiara as she struggles coming to terms with the fact that she isn’t in love with her perfect boyfriend. Castaways, written and directed by Cierra Briggs, follows a group of friends, stranded on a deserted island for eight days, where tensions rise, and mysteries unfold. Amber Alert, written by Cierra Briggs and directed by Jennie Walden, follows six friends discussing what to do after they find a dead body. Uptown Girl, written by Cierra Briggs and directed by Ryan Peralta, follows the events of a funeral where regrets are shared, and betrayals are revealed. Paralysis, written and directed by Jennie Walden, follows Grace and her girlfriend Kim on a night that quickly goes hilariously awry when an unexpected guest arrives.

One Act Festival opens at CSN’s BackStage Theatre Friday, November 8th, at 7 p.m., with additional performances scheduled November 9th, 15th, and 16th at 7 p.m. General Admission is $8 and $5 for Students and Seniors. For more information, or to purchase tickets visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas, 89030.

One Act Festival’s cast and production team are available for interviews. For more information, photos, or to arrange interviews, please contact:  Soul Ramirez at erickgramirez.091105@gmail.com

DISCLAIMER: This production contains foul language, sexual innuendos, violence, and mentions of suicide. The opinions of this play do not reflect the College of Southern Nevada or our actors.

# # # #

 

Mark your calendars, CSN! On Thursday, October 17, at exactly 10:17 a.m., we’re joining the rest of Nevada for the Great Nevada ShakeOut. It’s not just any drill—it’s your chance to get earthquake-ready.

Did you know Nevada is the third most earthquake-prone state in the U.S.? Yep, we’re living in earthquake country! That means it’s super important to know what to do if the ground starts shaking. And that’s where the ShakeOut comes in.

Here’s the plan: at 10:17 a.m., you’ll hear an earthquake alert across campus. When that happens, it’s time to “Drop, Cover, and Hold On!”

Here’s what to do during the drill:

• Drop to the ground fast (before an earthquake does it for you!).
• Cover your head and neck with your arms, or get under a sturdy table if you can.
• Hold On tight until the shaking stops.

If you can’t get under a table, no worries! Just move next to an interior wall, crouch down, and protect your head and neck with your hands and arms.

Want to learn more about how to be earthquake-ready? Check out shakeout.org/nevada and ready.gov for all the tips and tricks.

CSN’s Charleston Campus hosted members of the Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau on Oct. 8, 2024, for a budget update and tour. CSN leaders met with LCB representatives to share updates on the college’s budget, recent achievements, and future plans.

After the meeting, the group toured campus highlights, including the Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences, featuring the Nursing Program, and CSN’s Veterinary Nursing Program. The tour showcased CSN’s state-of-the-art facilities and programs that are training the next generation of health professionals.

Attendees included LCB Principal Program Analyst Jaimarie Mangoba, Principal Deputy Fiscal Analyst (Senate) Julie Waller, Chief Principal Deputy Fiscal Analyst (Assembly) Brody Leiser, NSHE Vice Chancellor for Budget and Finance/Chief Financial Officer Chris Viton, NSHE Budget Director Robin Hager, and NSHE Operations Manager Melissa Glenn.

The visit underscores CSN’s strong ties with state leaders, who are working together to secure funding for future growth and success.

 

Institutions of higher education, like the College of Southern Nevada, are amazing settings for civil discourse and serve as a marketplace of ideas within our society.  At CSN we strongly embrace the right to freedom of thought, open inquiry, and free expression, including the right to protest and dissent, as laid out in our CSN Policies and Procedures.  The college-wide policies also make clear that this right is not limitless – it may not be exercised in a manner that obstructs or interferes with the ability of all members of our CSN community to engage in the activities that sustain our mission and purpose as a community college.  

If protests violate CSN’s policies, the individuals involved will be asked to stop or adjust their activities.  Continued engagement in an activity that is disruptive or otherwise violates CSN’s policies will be addressed forthrightly by college officials or police.  Participants should be prepared to be held accountable for their actions, including referral to appropriate college-based disciplinary processes.  Where there is substantial disruption of the normal operations of our campus, police or security staff may remove or remediate the disruption.  Examples of disruptive behavior that will not be tolerated include but are not limited to violence, threats of violence, inciting violence, blocking free access to our campuses, occupying areas of our campuses or buildings, excessive noise that disrupts our normal academic processes, verbalized threats or harassment.

CSN’s purpose is to educate students and prepare them to pursue further education, enter the workforce, or otherwise pursue successful lives enhanced by education.  This purpose leads to our mission of empowering our students and communities to achieve, succeed, and prosper.  While we encourage participation by our students, faculty, and staff in matters of public interest, we must all remember that CSN’s mission and purpose take precedence over any other activities in the use of its facilities and campuses.

 

Sincerely,
William L. Kibler, Ph.D.
‌College of Southern Nevada
Acting President

A Proud Day for Our Community!

We celebrated the grand opening of two new skilled training lab classrooms for Entry-Level Air-Conditioning Technology and Medical Assisting at our rural campus! These exciting, hands-on programs open doors for local residents, providing training in high-demand fields right here in Mesquite and the surrounding areas. Whether you’re starting a new career or seeking to build upon your skills, these courses offer a path forward with stackable college credits and endless opportunities.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us! We were honored to be joined by many distinguished guests, including Congressman Steven Horsford, NSHE Regent Laura Perkins, College of Southern Nevada Acting President Dr. William Kibler, VP of North Las Vegas Campus Dr. Clarissa Cota, VP of Academic Affairs Dr. James McCoy, VP of Student Affairs Dr. Juan Avalos, AVP of Academic Affairs Dr. Dan Corsi, City of Mesquite Mayor Al Litman, Mesquite Councilwoman Karen Fielding, The Frias Trust team, George Gault from Mesquite Works, additional faculty and staff, and our many amazing community partners who made this day possible. Thank you for your continued support!

Thank you to Mesquite NV Chamber of Commerce CEO/President Carol Kolson and staff for facilitating the ribbon-cutting portion of the event.

 

CSN is brewing up a frightfully fun time this October with its annual Monster Mash event. Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 24, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the CSN Henderson Campus.

This is a family friendly event, expect candy and games to music and interactive activities, Monster Mash offers something for everyone!

Don’t forget to come dressed in your best costume and bring a bag for trick-or-treating!

The event is free, but registration is required to secure your spot. Get your tickets now at tinyurl.com/MonsterRSVP2024.

Looking for a much-needed study break during midterms? The Charleston Campus has you covered with four days of fun and relaxation from October 14 to October 17!

Kick off your week with Coffee + Treats on Monday, October 14. Swing by Suite 121 in the Student Union anytime between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. to fuel up with some caffeine and sweet snacks – because you deserve it!

On Tuesday, October 15, treat yourself to a 5-Minute Massage in Suite 121 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. A little relaxation goes a long way, so let some stress melt away before diving back into those textbooks.

If you’re in the mood for some fun, come by the Student Union on Wednesday, October 16 for Karaoke from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Belt out your favorite tunes, have a few laughs, and take your mind off exams for a bit!

And don’t miss out on the Day Market on Thursday, October 17! Join us at the Library from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. to explore local vendors, find something unique, and take home a little something special.

All events are sponsored by Charleston Campus Life, the Multicultural Center, ASCSN, and CSN Libraries.

CSN’s Philosophy Club is about to kick off in a big way! Join us for The Philosophy Event on Friday, October 18, at 6 p.m., in Charleston Campus, C Building, Room 209. You’ll get to meet like-minded thinkers and explore the mind-bending beginnings of philosophy in Ancient Greece.

Led by Professor Yan Mikhaylov, this event will dive into the origins of some of the world’s biggest questions, like, “How did it all begin?” and “Why do we care?”

If you’ve ever wondered about the world or just want to impress friends with deep thoughts, don’t miss out! Email yan.mikhaylov@csn.edu for more details.

More than 100 employees gathered at the CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus Student Union Ballrooms today for the latest CSN Town Hall, while another 300+ participants tuned in online. The event featured key leadership providing important updates on various initiatives, including enrollment, campus developments, and student success efforts.

You can watch the entire event here.

CSN Acting President Dr. William Kibler opened the session by emphasizing the college’s focus on recruitment and retention as a shared responsibility across the institution.

“We all have to be laser-focused on recruitment and retention; it’s everyone’s business,” Kibler said. “It takes a committed attitude to stay focused on the goal of why. The why — an institution like CSN changes lives.”

Dr. James McCoy, Vice President of Academic Affairs, delivered several important updates, including Academic Master Planning and interventions for Fall 2024 enrollment, which aims to address ghost students. He also announced forthcoming changes in the Academic Affairs reorganization and shared exciting progress on the development of the Northwest Campus, which will feature the Center for Excellence in Public Safety.

The event also spotlighted Student Affairs, with Dr. Juan Avalos extending praise for the division’s success. The division boasts a satisfaction rate of over 80% across all student services, with the Veterans Center being specifically recognized for earning the Veterans Success on Campus distinction.

Avalos also shared upcoming initiatives, including the launch of Elevating Student Voices, a new webpage dedicated to connecting students with ongoing college-wide focus groups. Additionally, CSN’s Financial Aid department has received a $250,000 federal award to support work-study students in community-service-qualified jobs. Student Affairs is also working to close equity gaps, with a particular focus on African American students for the 2024-25 academic year.

Dr. Kibler highlighted several key developments, including the Mesquite Campus Ribbon Cutting Ceremony held last week and the relocation of Haas Industrial Manufacturing’s flagship operation to Henderson. He emphasized that CSN’s Center for Excellence in Manufacturing is poised to become a crucial partner in providing Haas employees with the necessary skills and training. Kibler also touched on the upcoming website redesign, noting that the project will be a large but critical undertaking to enhance CSN’s student recruitment efforts by creating an accessible, user-friendly, and engaging platform.

The Town Hall provided attendees the opportunity to engage directly with leadership, with about 20 minutes dedicated to questions from both in-person attendees and online participants. Topics ranged from specific academic updates to broader institutional goals.

For those who missed the event, the PowerPoint presentation and live stream are available for viewing.

2024 Town Hall PowerPoint 

Dear Colleagues,

As you may recall at Fall Convocation, I announced the implementation of the FranklinCovey 4 Disciplines of Execution System, also known as the 4DX System. 4DX is a proven goal execution model that gives CSN the power to execute our most important goals in the face of competing priorities and distractions. It is designed to help us focus on that which is most important.

4DX is a simple and efficient tool to help us collectively and individually feel and be more effective in moving the needle in achieving student success. Engaging in the 4DX system allows us to achieve the goals and objectives in both our Strategic Plan and Unit Plans. This is an all-college endeavor to focus on the most important goals as they relate to your unit’s role within CSN and your individual duties and responsibilities. 4DX provides a cadence of shared accountability to commit to one simple, individual action that moves us closer to achieving our WIGs, Wildly Important Goals, every week.

In March 2024, the Executive Team crafted one Breakthrough WIG and three Sub WIGs. The four College WIGs are about program completion, unduplicated headcount, retention, and equity gaps in course completion. You will see the specific CSN WIGs as you read through this support guide.

Executives and Leaders of Leaders were trained this past spring, and I am pleased to report that we successfully trained more than 70 4DX Frontline Team Leaders and Coaches in September, with another 50-plus yet to be trained in October. We have received a great deal of support and interest in 4DX, and now this fall we will continue training all faculty and staff, and Teams will begin drafting their Team WIG (TWIG) that aligns with one of the College’s four WIGs and work on their Lead Measures and Weekly Commitments.

Each team likely has multiple goals in their unit plan. The 4DX model asks each unit to focus on one of those already established unit goals. Although all units are not student-facing, every unit, faculty, and staff member is responsible for student success in a way that makes sense for your unit and individual role at CSN.

I fully support the implementation of the 4DX System and expect the College to fully adopt and implement this model to help us achieve our Strategic and Unit Plans and that which is most important to us. The CAPE Team has been tasked with leading the implementation of 4DX. They have created this Support and Guidance Packet to assist you with 4DX. Please review it closely and continue to look for updates from me or CAPE.

I appreciate your engagement in this process and working diligently every day to serve our students and ensure their success. I look forward to seeing your TWIGs in Spring 2025 and celebrating your achievements with you.

Dr. William “Bill” Kibler

Acting President

4DX Support & Guidance Packet - September 2024

 

The College of Southern Nevada is proud to celebrate LGBTQIA+ History Month this October, a time to honor the contributions, struggles, and successes of the LGBTQIA+ community. Additionally, Friday, October 11th marks National Coming Out Day, a day dedicated to supporting those who have made the courageous decision to live openly as their authentic selves. Join us for events throughout the month of October:

 

• Celebrate National Coming Out Day on October 7-9, from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m .by contributing to the Memory Wall in the Charleston Campus Multicultural Center in the Student Union
• Drag Bingo on Tuesday, October 8, from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. in the Henderson Campus Student Union
• March with CSN in the Vegas Pride Parade on Friday, October 11 from 6-9 p.m. in downtown Las Vegas. Sign-up for updates and information here.
• #QueerTalk: Guide Through Nonbinary Lenses on Wednesday, October 23 from 3-5 p.m. on Charleston Campus, C Building, Room C209. Join educator and speaker Rio Antonè (She/Her, He/Him, They/Them) to learn about the nonbinary experience.  RSVP here.

 

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CSN LGBTQ Pride Parade Flyer (1)

#QueerTalk 10.23.24 #QueerTalk 10.23.24

The office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, invites you to participate in its Inaugural Día de los Muertos celebration, honoring loved ones and celebrating life through cultural traditions. The event will take place at each of the CSN Multicultural Centers on October 30, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with an exhibition of community altars continuing on October 30-31 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This celebration will feature traditional Pan de Muertos tasting (traditional bread), face painting, skulls and masks coloring, “papel picado”, paper flower making, and an exhibition of community altars where participants can create personalized altars to honor deceased loved ones. Space for altar creation is limited, if interested in building an altar, you are encouraged to visit the Multicultural Center to sign up in advance.

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that honors those who have passed by celebrating their memory with vibrant altars and offerings. CSN’s celebration offers students, staff, and the community an opportunity to connect with these traditions, share memories, and reflect on the lives of those who have passed in a meaningful way.

For more information, contact Racquel.Melson@csn.edu.

Flyer Dia De Los Muertos (7)

Need a mammogram? The Mammovan is coming to the CSN’s Charleston Campus on Wednesday, October 23, 2024! Nevada Health Centers will be offering mammography services from 7:40 a.m. to 3:20 p.m. (with a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m.).

This is a great opportunity for anyone who needs a breast cancer screening. The mobile mammography unit will be parked on campus, making it super easy for CSN students, staff, and community members to access care. Simply check in directly with the Mammovan upon arrival.

Don’t miss this chance to take charge of your health! For more details, visit Nevada Health Centers’ website at https://www.nevadahealthcenters.org/mammography/.

Event Details:

• Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2024
• Time: 7:40 a.m. – 3:20 p.m. (closed from noon – 1 p.m.)
• Location: CSN Charleston Campus, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV

Stay healthy, CSN!

CSN Charleston 10.23.24 English Flyer

Thinking about making the move to UNLV? Come and join one of our Fall 2024 Transfer Advising events! Whether you’re curious about the application process or need to figure out how your credits will transfer, we’ve got you covered. You’ll also get the inside scoop on campus life, student support services, and how to get involved as a Rebel.

Drop-In Advising
We’re hosting drop-in advising sessions at all CSN campuses. Stop by to get all your questions answered:

• Charleston Student Union 121: Tuesday, October 8
• Henderson Student Union 123: Wednesday, October 9
• North Las Vegas Student Union 123: Thursday, October 10
  All sessions run from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

In-Person Transfer Workshop
Want more details? Join us at the Charleston campus for a full Transfer Workshop on Saturday, October 19, from 11 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Rebel Transfer Game Day
Catch the excitement on Monday, October 20, at North Las Vegas from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. for Rebel Transfer Game Day!

Virtual Workshop
Can’t make it in person? No problem! Tune in for a virtual session on Tuesday, November 12, from 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Take the next step toward becoming a Rebel! Register now at UCTP@UNLV.edu.

Fall 2024 event flyer

This fall, CSN Art Galleries invites the community to experience DisOriented, a bold new exhibit by acclaimed artist and CSN Adjunct Professor Gwaylon Leaf. Running from Friday, October 11, 2024, through Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Debra March Center of Excellence Art Gallery in Henderson, the show offers a unique fusion of Eastern philosophy and Western abstract art. The highlight? An Artist Talk and Reception on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at 6 p.m., where you’ll get to hear directly from the artist about his work.

Leaf, who blends Taoist symbolism with American Abstract Expressionism, explores the nuances of his Hapa (mixed-race) identity through dynamic colors, shapes, and nontraditional language forms. His work is described as “visual poems,” crafted to provoke thought and emotion in ways words simply can’t. “I want my work to be a point of defiance against fitting within set cultural mores,” says Leaf. Each piece in DisOriented reflects his journey of navigating the cultural in-between.

A Nevada native and MFA graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, Leaf’s work has been exhibited across the state, as well as in New York and Indiana. He’s also received recognition from Nevada’s First Lady for his contributions to the arts.

The exhibit is free, family-friendly, and open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The gallery is located at 2200 Via Inspirada, Henderson, Nevada. Don’t miss the chance to see this one-of-a-kind collection and connect with the artist himself at the reception.

For more info, visit csn.edu/artgallery or call (702) 651-4146.

G.LeafICS (1)

The College of Southern Nevada is preparing for an important redesign of our website. This initiative will be led by the CSN Marketing and Communications Department, with the goal of improving the site’s design, functionality, and accessibility to better serve our students, faculty, staff, and community.

As part of our commitment to shared governance and ensuring that key stakeholders have a voice in this process, we will be forming committees across various areas of the college. These committees will provide valuable input and help guide the direction of the redesign.

‌While the long-term website redesign will bring more efficient solutions, we understand that interim improvements may be necessary during the transition. We expect to develop immediate solutions to ensure department pages are kept up to date. We will be working closely with key groups to identify opportunities for enhancing communication and collaboration throughout the process.

We encourage faculty and staff from all departments to participate and share their insights.

Your contributions will be essential to the success of this project, and we appreciate your engagement in shaping the future of our website.

Together, we’re building a brighter, more connected future for CSN. Let’s make it happen!

Thank you for your enthusiasm and commitment,

Dr. William Kibler
‌Acting President
‌College of Southern Nevada

 

The Fine Arts Department Music Program at the College of Southern Nevada presents CSN’s Orchestra Chamber Music Concert.

The concert will feature members of CSN’s Orchestra and special guests. This concert fundraiser takes place on Sunday, October 27^th at 2 P.M. in the Jay Morrison Recital Hall (H122) located at the North Las Vegas campus.

General Admission is $10 for this fundraising event. For more information, or to purchase tickets please visit the PAC’s website at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue, North Las Vegas, NV 89030.

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The Music Program at the College of Southern Nevada presents their annual Chamber Chorale Showcase. This semester’s special fundraising event presents “Movie Night” and premieres on Saturday, October 26^th at 7 P.M. in the Jay Morrison Recital Hall (H122) at the North Las Vegas campus.

The evening will feature a variety of popular songs from classic productions the students chose to showcase including Bohemian Rapsody, Singing in the Rain, a Sound of Music Medley, with selections from: Newsies, Into the Woods, Glee, Disney’s – The Princess and the Frog and more!

General admission for this fun-filled fundraising event is $10. All proceeds will go to benefit the Choir Club. For more information or to purchase tickets please visit us at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

# # #

As part of Deaf Awareness Month, the College of Southern Nevada’s Deaf Studies program and ASL Club hosted a screening of Sign the Show, a documentary by director Cat Brewer. The event brought together students, faculty, interpreters, and members of the local Deaf community for an evening centered on accessibility, entertainment, and community connections.

Brewer graciously welcomed the opportunity to share her documentary with our community. Sign the Show explores the barriers Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals face in accessing live entertainment, offering an insightful look into the importance of creating inclusive spaces in the world of music, comedy, and other live events.

After the screening, Brewer joined the audience for a lively Q&A session, where attendees discussed the themes of the film, shared personal stories, and engaged in meaningful conversations about accessibility and interpreting. Her presence and willingness to connect with students and community members alike made the evening even more impactful, fostering deeper connections between Deaf and hearing participants.

A highlight of the evening was recognizing Brewer’s recent transition to full-time professor in the Communications department, a moment that was warmly acknowledged by the audience. Her dedication to accessibility and her ability to create dialogue across communities continue to enrich the CSN experience.

Events like this are one of many examples of how CSN’s Deaf Studies program and our ASL Club work to foster connections to our local Deaf community and promote accessibility, creating spaces where Deaf and hearing communities can come together to learn and grow.

Follow ASL Club of CSN on Facebook or Instagram to learn more about events like these and more or reach out to the Deaf Studies faculty for future collaboration opportunities.

CSN Mesquite Release

download here

CSN will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at its Mesquite Center on October 1, 2024, at 2 p.m., unveiling state-of-the-art labs for its Medical Assisting and Air Conditioning Technology programs.

The event will feature light refreshments and a chance to tour the new facilities, which aim to support in-demand career pathways for students in Southern Nevada. These innovative labs are designed to provide hands-on experience for students pursuing careers in healthcare and technical fields, expanding educational opportunities in the region.

The ceremony will take place at 140 N. Yucca St., Mesquite, NV. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by scanning the QR code available on the flyer.

For more information, visit csn.edu/mesquite.

Friday, October 11, 2024, through Saturday, February 22, 2025
Artist Talk & Reception: Wednesday, October 23 at  6 PM

Debra March Center of Excellence Art Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts in collaboration with the City of Henderson will host an exhibition of paintings that pull inspiration from Taoist symbolism and American Abstract Expressionist art by CSN Adjunct Professor of Art & Art History, Gwaylon Leaf. Gwaylon Leaf: DisOriented will open on Friday, October 23, 2024, and run through Saturday, February 22, 2025, in the Art Gallery at the City of Henderson’s Debra March Center of Excellence. A special Artist Talk and Reception will take place on Wednesday, October 23, 2024, starting at 6 p.m.

Gwaylon Leaf has been making art across Nevada since graduating with his MFA Degree from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2020. Leaf has received recognition from the First Lady of Nevada for his artwork and his work has been exhibited in both Northern and Southern Nevada as well as Indiana and New York. In his artwork, Leaf navigates the ambiguity of his multicultural identity within a Western environment. As a non-Chinese speaking individual growing up in an environment of Chinese calligraphy, scroll painting, and poetry, Leaf adapts the visual forms and philosophies of traditional Chinese art and reinterprets it through Western influences to create a visual language that speaks to the liminal spaces between cultural boundaries. Leaf is currently investigating the role of the written form within visual arts.

Discussing his work, Leaf says, “My paintings are made as a response to the cultural ambiguity of being an outsider of both Asian-American and White-American culture as a Hapa individual. They are built in layers, representing daily thoughts and meditations on emotional states, natural phenomena, and cosmic movements. In this way, each work becomes a confluence of colors, shapes, and asemic language. These paintings exist as visual poems that defy semantic translation, reading as a language that is more felt and seen rather than being read or spoken. I want my work to be seen as a point of defiance against fitting within set cultural mores. In the words of Bruce Nauman ‘The way artists make the world a better place is by revealing mystic truths.’ As an artist, the goal is to use my art to reveal the ‘mystic truths’ I see in the world.”

The Center of Excellence is a partnership between the City of Henderson and the College of Southern Nevada. Located in West Henderson, this facility is a critical feature for diversifying our industry by fulfilling a need for high-skilled, advanced manufacturing training. This specialized training facility is a valuable resource for both businesses who want to relocate to the area as well as existing locally based companies looking to expand. The Center of Excellence is located in the burgeoning West Henderson area which boasts the popular Henderson Executive Airport and is home to a wide range of distribution centers, corporate headquarters, and industrial parks.

The CSN Arts Galleries are free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours of the Debra March Center of Excellence Art Gallery are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Debra March Center of Excellence Art Gallery is closed on Saturday and Sunday, Nevada State Holidays, and between CSN Academic Terms. The Debra March Center of Excellence is located at 2200 Via Inspirada, Henderson, Nevada 89044.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
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Ready to take your skills to the next level? Join us at CSN’s Level Up Skills Fair and get a head start on making this school year your best one yet!

Whether you need help navigating Canvas, want to sharpen your study skills, or are stressing over math anxiety, we’ve got you covered! Plus, you can learn all about scholarships and other resources that will set you up for success.

Here are the campus details:

• Charleston- Student Union – Sept. 30, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• North Las Vegas- June Whitley – Oct. 1, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Henderson- C Building – Oct. 2, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Don’t miss this chance to level up and start the year strong!

LevelUp

On October 1, from noon to 1:00 p.m., NASPA Nevada is celebrating the state’s student affairs leaders in an engaging online panel discussion. If you’re curious about the individuals shaping student life across Nevada’s higher education institutions, this is your chance to meet and interact with them!

The panel will feature top leaders from various institutions, including Dr. Stefanie Coleman from Nevada State University, Dr. Juan Avalos from the College of Southern Nevada, and Dr. Heather Speed from the University of Nevada, Reno, among others. These leaders will share insights into their roles and discuss the future of student affairs.

Hosted via Zoom, the event is open to anyone interested in learning more about the impact of student affairs in higher education. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP and submit questions beforehand through the link provided.

Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with influential voices in Nevada’s education community! For more information or to register, contact Janna Bernstein at Janna.Bernstein@csn.edu.

 

naspa panel oct. 1 (3)

CSN will host a Town Hall meeting on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the North Las Vegas campus in the Student Union Ballrooms. The event will also be available live via Microsoft Teams for those who prefer to join virtually.

The meeting will feature important updates on academic affairs, student services, and funding from several key leaders, including Acting President Dr. William Kibler, Dr. James McCoy, and Dr. Juan Avalos. A preview of the active assailant protocol will be provided by CSN’s University Police Department. Attendees will also have a chance to ask questions during the session, both in person and through the Teams chat.

Speakers for the event include:

• Dr. Lawrence Weekly – Welcome
• Dr. James McCoy – Academic Affairs Update
• Mr. Rolando Mosqueda – Funding Formula Update
• Dr. Juan Avalos – Student Affairs Update
• Dr. William Kibler – Reorganization Update
• UPD – Active Assailant Protocol Preview

This is a great opportunity to hear directly from leadership and learn about the latest developments that impact the CSN community.

Mark your calendars and join us in person or virtually for this informative session.

Career Services/Workforce featuring Stavan Corbett and Dr. Wright.

CSN Connections week wrapped up a couple weeks ago, and it was nothing short of spectacular! Held from September 3-5 across all three CSN campuses, this event has been a staple for over a decade, helping students tap into the wealth of resources and support available to them.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. James McCoy, who initially envisioned Connections over 12 years ago, shared the inspiration behind the event:

“Over 12 years ago, CSN embarked on a vision to create an event where new and returning students could get more acquainted with all of the things that will help ensure students succeed. The idea was to bring representatives from all of our Academic departments and our CSN student services to meet students where they are! The premise was simple—capitalizing on the idea that CSN students, like so many students who attend non-residential community colleges, typically go from the parking lot to their classes and then back to the parking lot. They are running from work, family, and community commitments. When on campus, they don’t often find themselves navigating our various buildings to find all of the student and academic services who are there to help them” It was from this realization that CSN Connections was born.”

Dr. McCoy’s vision has certainly come to life, as this fall’s Connections event saw the highest attendance in the event’s history. Students gathered at the Henderson, West Charleston, and North Las Vegas campuses to explore everything CSN has to offer—from academic advising and financial aid to clubs, organizations, and student support programs.

The atmosphere was electric, with faculty and staff grilling burgers, handing out swag, and creating a welcoming environment for new and returning students alike. The music was pumping, community resources were tabling, and the energy was contagious. Students left not just with full stomachs and arms full of freebies, but also with the information and connections they need to succeed.

“I certainly love this event, but more than that, I love the central premise of what this event provides for our community of students,” Dr. McCoy added.

Over the years, the CSN Connections event has evolved into what it is today, but the central premise remains the same—meeting students where they are.

Missed out this time? Don’t worry—Connections is held every semester! Keep an eye out for details on the Spring 2025 edition. Trust us, you won’t want to miss it!

Join CSN for a fun and engaging Vice Presidential Debate Watch Gathering on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, from 5:30 – 8 p.m. at the North Las Vegas Campus, Student Union, Room 121.

Hosted by the Office of Student Government & Leadership Development and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, this event will feature pre- and post-debate discussions to break down the night’s biggest moments. Plus, free pizza and drinks will be served!

Come hang out, watch the debate, and share your thoughts on the Make America Great Again 2024 and Harris-Walz 2024 campaigns. It’s the perfect chance to stay informed and get involved.

Fa24 Vice Presidential Debate Watch Flyer (1)

Two of our very own, Professors Ayla Koch and Dr. Mary Ann Hughes Butts, made waves at the “Teaching and Learning with AI” conference in Orlando, Florida, from July 22-24. This event, hosted by the University of Central Florida, brought together educators from 49 states and eight countries—talk about a packed house!

Professors Koch and Hughes Butts presented not one but two exciting topics: Navigating Innovation: Creating an Institution-Wide AI Task Force and Think You Can Catch Someone Using AI? Think Again!. Both sessions had attendees buzzing about the future of AI in education, with a focus on how schools can adopt AI while staying ahead of the challenges it presents.

With major four-year schools in attendance, CSN proudly represented the community college scene, proving we’re right there in the conversation about AI’s future. Dr. James McCoy, VP of Academic Affairs, in a recent conversation, added, “This amazing work aligns beautifully with our CSN vision—putting us as a leader among community colleges.”

In short, CSN is staying ahead of the game, making sure students, faculty, and staff are ready to tackle the future of AI head-on.

 

As the November election approaches, the College of Southern Nevada is offering students and the community an opportunity to get vote-ready with an informative event on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. The event, titled “Understanding Your Sample Ballot and Making Informed Choices”, will run from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. across all three CSN campuses: Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Charleston. Attendees can participate in person or virtually via Zoom.

Hosted by the Social Justice League and the Women’s Alliance, in partnership with the CSN Sociology Department, this event aims to break down the often-confusing details on sample ballots. Attendees will learn how to read their ballots, understand key issues, and make informed decisions ahead of the November election.

With multiple ways to attend, it’s easy to join in person or online. Registration is available via Zoom using the link: t.ly/r0Czh.

Don’t miss your chance to get prepared and make your voice heard this election season!

 

We are proud to see Vice President Clarissa Cota and Executive Director of Grants & Special Projects Frank R. Woodbeck participate in the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce’s annual fly-in to Washington, D.C., advocating for higher education policy and building essential connections with lawmakers.

As part of their visit, Woodbeck, a seasoned higher education advocate, took the stage as a panelist during the American Association of Community Colleges’ Advocates in Action event. The panel, titled “Higher Education Politics and Policy,” featured experienced lobbyists discussing the current political dynamics and strategies for advancing the community college agenda. Woodbeck’s expertise and long-standing efforts in creating strong networks with elected

officials shone through during the discussion. His insights on resource development and institutional advocacy, directly contribute to advancing CSN’s mission.

The event provided a valuable platform for community college leaders to share best practices and navigate the complexities of higher education policymaking. Both Woodbeck and Cota represented CSN with distinction, contributing to critical conversations that aim to shape the future of higher education on a national scale.

Why does this matter? CSN’s active participation in these types of national forums reinforces the institution’s dedication to expanding opportunities for its students and ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels.

Mark your calendars, Coyotes! On Tuesday, Sept. 24, you’re invited to “Pizza with the Presidents” at the Charleston Campus Student Union, followed by a second round on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at the North Las Vegas Campus Student Union.

Ever wanted to have lunch with CSN’s top leaders? Now’s your chance! CSN Acting President Dr. William Kibler and ASCSN President Janeth Vences will be on hand from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. to chat with students. Whether you’ve got burning questions, want to share ideas, or just enjoy free pizza, this is your time to connect in a casual, fun setting.

It’s a pizza party—no formal speeches, just food and conversation. Come with your appetite and curiosity, leave with answers (and maybe a second slice!).

 

This October, CSN is hosting an event for National Coming Out Day, and you’re invited! From October 7-9, stop by the Multicultural Center on Charleston Campus (Student Union, Room 121) between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. to share your story and show love and support to our LGBTQIA+ community.

You’ll have the chance to participate in a meaningful activity by contributing to our Memory Wall—a space for everyone to leave words of encouragement, pride, and solidarity.

Help make this a special celebration of identity, love, and community! C’mon out!

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Are you considering transferring to a university? Mark your calendars for the Nevada State University Transfer Resource Fair happening Oct. 23, 2024, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Nevada State University. In honor of National Transfer Student Week, this event will help guide you through the process of transferring, providing key resources like:

• Campus tours
• Application fee waivers
• Opportunities to connect with faculty, staff, and student services

But that’s not all! Throughout Fall 2024, CSN is hosting a series of Application Workshops to help students prepare for their next academic steps. These workshops will offer hands-on guidance on completing university applications, and they’re designed to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Take advantage of this opportunity to get all your transfer questions answered and receive personalized support. Don’t miss out—register for the Transfer Resource Fair by scanning the QR code!

For more info, visit CSN’s Transfer Services page or email us!

Hey Coyotes!

Mark your calendars for Oct. 11, 2024, because CSN is marching with pride in the annual Las Vegas Pride Night Parade—and we want YOU to be part of it!

This is your chance to celebrate the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community of Southern Nevada in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. Whether you’re a fierce ally, part of the community, or just love a good parade, this event is for everyone. Expect colorful costumes, music, dancing, and all the good vibes as we come together to celebrate love, diversity, and inclusion.

When & Where?

• Date: October 11, 2024
• Time: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
• Location: Downtown Las Vegas

To get all the deets, sign up here, and let’s get ready to shine together! 🌈

CSN LGBTQ Pride Parade Flyer (1)

This is BIG! CSN is excited to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of enriching and culturally immersive events. All events are FREE and open to students, faculty, staff, and the general public.

Book Discussion: Transforming Hispanic-Serving Institutions for Equity and Justice
Dr. Esther Pla-Cazares, a passionate advocate for immigrant students and the founder of the CSN Generation Dreamers Club, will lead a thought-provoking discussion on the book Transforming Hispanic-Serving Institutions for Equity and Justice by Gina Ann Garcia. The book examines the unique role of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) in promoting racial equity and social justice within higher education.

• North Las Vegas Campus: Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. in the Multicultural Center, NLV Student Union 121.
• West Charleston Campus: Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. in the Multicultural Center, WCU 121.

Chicano History: Knowing Our Roots – Forging Our Future
Explore the profound impact of the Chicano community on U.S. history through a series of workshops dedicated to Mexican-American history and the contributions of Chicanos. Lunch will be served at both events. Workshops will be held on two separate dates and campuses:

• West Charleston Campus: Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. in Student Union Ballroom 126.
• North Las Vegas Campus: Wednesday, Oct. 2, 2024, 12:30 p.m.- 2:30 p.m. in Student Union Ballroom 126.

Comunidad y Cultura: Empowering Bilingual Families
Join us on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m. at the West Charleston Campus, Student Union Ballroom 126, for a dynamic workshop led by Dra. Margarita Jara, a UNLV professor, published author, and researcher. This interactive session will explore the cognitive and academic benefits of bilingualism, as well as strategies to foster language development, cultural pride, and community engagement. Attendees will gain valuable insights on supporting bilingualism within their families. Light refreshments will be provided. 

Don’t miss these opportunities to engage with the vibrant Hispanic culture and history during Hispanic Heritage Month at CSN!

 

CSN, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Corrections, invites faculty and staff to attend a special showcase on Dec. 5, 2024 at the Florence McClure Women’s Correctional Center. The event will run from 1-4 p.m. and will highlight the work of students completing the Tourism Convention and Event Planning Entry Level Skills Certificate.

This event offers a glimpse into the practical skills these students have gained during their course. It will feature their final projects, including business plans for transitional housing, prison programming, and job placement initiatives. The students have put considerable effort into these presentations, which serve as their final assessments.

The event, titled “A Winter Wonderland, Our Story,” is also an opportunity for CSN to showcase the impact of its Prison Education Program. Dr. Genevieve Minter, the program manager, notes, “This event supports the CSN mission of empowering students and communities to achieve, succeed, and prosper by increasing college access and enhancing equity for our underserved and underprepared students.”

Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend to support the students and learn more about the program. If you plan to attend, please note that a background check is required. For more information or to RSVP, contact Dr. Genevieve Minter at genevieve.minter@csn.edu.

This event is an excellent opportunity to connect with an important part of our student community and see firsthand the positive outcomes of CSN’s educational initiatives.

Did you miss last month’s Coyote Conversation featuring Athletic Director, Yvonne Wade and Women’s Basketball Head Coach, Dan Savage? Fear not! You can listen to the entire show with a click of a link below.

Get ready for the next Coyote Conversation scheduled to air  at 10am on Monday, Sept. 23rd on KCEP Power 88.1.

LISTEN TO SHOW

Get ready to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with some friendly competition at the CSN! Campus Life is hosting Lotería Game Day across all three campuses, offering students a chance to join in on the fun and possibly win some cool prizes.

Lotería, a traditional Mexican game similar to bingo but with a twist, uses iconic images on cards instead of numbers.

Mark your calendars:

• Henderson Campus: Tuesday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Student Union
• North Las Vegas Campus: Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Student Union
• Charleston Campus: Thursday, Sept. 19, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Student Union

Bring your friends, grab a seat, and see if luck is on your side. Prizes, treats, and a good time are all in the mix. Don’t miss out on this fun way to honor Hispanic culture!

 

Need a break from the hustle of school life? Join us on Monday, Sept. 30, from 12 – 3 p.m. at the June Whitley Student Lounge for Mindful Monday. It’s your chance to unwind, explore calming coloring activities, and pick up some mindful techniques to help manage stress. Whether you’re new to meditation or a seasoned pro, this event offers something for everyone. Swing by, relax, and take a moment for yourself. See you there!

Mindful Monday's

 

CSN is excited to announce the NFTE (Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship) happening this fall!

Students sign up to complete a NFTE self-paced online course for a chance to win one of ten $100 bookstore gift cards.

Participants will develop their own business ideas, learn key entrepreneurial skills, and gain valuable insights the online course.

It’s a fantastic chance for young minds to turn their business dreams!

Space is limited, so be sure to register early to secure your spot! The deadline to apply is Monday, Sept. 30, 2024

For more information, contact eric.garner@csn.edu 

NFTE and BSLP.pdf

Need a break from the usual routine? Swing by CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus for our Paint, Plant & Sip event! On Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024 at 11 a.m., the Tyrone Thompson Student Union is the place to be for a morning of chill vibes, creativity, and good times.

Whether you’re a pro with a paintbrush or just want to try something new, this event is all about relaxing and having fun. Paint something cool, plant some fresh greenery, and sip on your favorite drinks while you hang out with friends and meet new people.

It’s the perfect way to unwind and get your creative juices flowing. Don’t miss out—come join the fun!Paint Plant & Sip NLV (2)

The NSHE Nevada Regents’ Awards recognizes faculty, staff, and students who have demonstrated significant accomplishments in the areas of academic advising, teaching, creative activities, and student academic leadership.

In order for faculty and staff to be considered for a Regents’ award, candidates must be full-time and have at least (5) five years of cumulative service within NSHE by the date of nomination.

Students must be enrolled at CSN with no fewer than (9) nine undergraduate credits and have completed no fewer than (30) credits at CSN by the time the award is granted (usually the following Spring after the nomination).

The selected nominees for each category will receive an award in the amount of $5,000.

‌Nomination Packets: All nomination materials must be submitted in PDF format in the order outlined, and sent via email to Jenn Daughtery at jennifer.daughtery@csn.edu.

‌Call for Nominations: Currently open! Due date for nominations – Friday, Sept. 20, 2024

‌Looking to nominate? Please visit the CSN IRC Webpage for nomination forms

Are you a psychology major at CSN, or thinking about becoming one? Don’t miss out on the upcoming Psychology Majors Orientation, October 2, 2024 at the Charleston Campus, Building K, Room 101.

Check-in starts at 4:30 p.m., with the main event kicking off at 5. This is your chance to connect with faculty, learn about exciting new classes, and explore the clubs that could enrich your academic journey. It’s also a great opportunity to meet fellow psychology majors and start building your network.

Whether you’re a new student or nearing graduation, this open house is designed to help you make the most of your time at CSN. Plus, who doesn’t love a good meet-and-greet with some light refreshments?

Mark your calendars and come join us for an evening dedicated to your future in psychology. We look forward to seeing you there!

For more details on this event and please contact Amy.McAuley@csn.edu

Psychology Majors Orientation (1)

As Constitution Day approaches on September 17, CSN is marking the occasion with a video lecture series presented by the Department of Social Sciences. This initiative aims to deepen the community’s understanding of the U.S. Constitution, a document that continues to shape our nation’s laws and values. This year, three new videos have been produced:

• Dr. Michael Hart discusses Culley v. Marshall (2024) and the Due Process Clause.
• Dr. Francis Carleton provides an analysis of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in U.S. v. Rahimi (2024) and the 2nd Amendment.
• Dr. Kenneth Fernandez explores the story behind the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Each lecture offers viewers a chance to explore the Constitution’s relevance in today’s world.

Constitution Day, observed annually on September 17, commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution in 1787.

The lectures will be available online, allowing participants to view them at their convenience. For more details on the video series and additional resources about the U.S. Constitution, visit Constitution Day Info.

 

Dr. William Kibler became the Acting President of the College of Southern Nevada in July 2024 after a distinguished 43-year career in higher education. He is president emeritus of Sul Ross State University in Texas, where he served as president from 2014 to 2020. Dr. Kibler’s leadership posts have included six years as a university president and 37 years in student affairs administration. He served at Mississippi State University, Texas A&M University and the University of Florida. His professional experiences include serving as a founding board member and president of both the Association for Student Conduct Administration and the International Center for Academic Integrity.

In addition, he has co-authored a book on academic integrity and co-authored and edited a book on student conduct and discipline. He has several published book chapters and articles in the areas of academic integrity, student conduct and judicial affairs, and student affairs administration. He developed and launched honor codes at two major public universities. He has consulted with leading universities on academic integrity, legal issues, student policies, ethics, leadership, and governance.

Dr. Kibler earned his Ph.D. in higher education administration from Texas A&M University after completing degrees in counselor education and economics. He was the first in his family to earn a college degree.

 

CSN is partnering with Clark County Family Services to host a special Lunch & Learn event focused on foster care. The event is scheduled for Friday, October 11, from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at the CSN Charleston Student Union Ballroom, located at 6375 W. Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas.

On any given day, more than 3,000 babies, children, and teens are in foster care in Clark County. This event is an opportunity for CSN staff, faculty, and adult learners to gain insight into how they can support these vulnerable children. Attendees will hear from foster parents who are making a difference in their communities and learn about ways to get involved, whether by donating, volunteering, or even considering becoming a foster parent themselves.

CSN Acting President Dr. William Kibler and Chief of Staff/Chief Diversity Officer Dr. Lawrence Weekly will provide a special welcome, sharing their thoughts on the importance of community involvement in foster care.

The event will also include a Q&A panel with foster parents, offering a chance for attendees to ask questions and hear real-life experiences. Free fingerprinting and assistance with foster care applications will be available to those interested in taking the next step toward fostering.

RSVP by October 4 to secure your spot. To learn more about fostering, visit clarkcountyfostercare.com.

Mark your calendars for Tuesday, September 17! We’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month at CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus from 4-5:30 p.m., and you won’t want to miss it.

Expect a lively event packed with music, dance, and delicious food. President William Kibler will kick things off, and our awesome MCs, Janeth and Ricardo, will keep the energy high. You’ll get to see traditional performances by Grupo Folklorico Libertad and enjoy a special set by Mariachi Plata of CSN.

There will be lots of tables set up with info from CSN groups and community organizations—perfect for learning more and connecting with others. And don’t worry, the Taquero will start serving up tasty bites at 4:45 p.m.!

So, come hang out, have fun, and celebrate Hispanic culture with us. It’s all happening at the Tyrone Thompson Student Union.

See you there!

Hispanic Heritage Month - CSN - 2024 (Eng)

Looking for a job? The CSN invites students to the Fall 2024 Career Fair, scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the North Las Vegas Campus. The event will run from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., offering students a valuable opportunity to connect with employers from across the Las Vegas Valley.

This fair is open to all students, providing a platform to explore career options, network with potential employers, and learn more about job openings in various industries.

Don’t miss this chance to kickstart your career and take the next step toward your future!

On the heels of Labor Day, the CSN proudly participated in a Clean Energy Career Fair hosted by Representative Dina Titus (NV-1). Held at the EmployNV Business Hub, the event was a collaborative effort with the Nevada Conservation League, Climate Power, and 19 leading employers in the clean energy sector.

Amidst historic federal investments from the Inflation Reduction Act and Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the fair connected job seekers with industry leaders, spotlighting the diverse and rewarding pathways in Nevada’s booming clean energy economy.

Dr. Rebecca Gates, Interim Associate Vice President and Officer in Charge at CSN’s Henderson Campus, emphasized the transformative role of education in driving economic growth. She said that CSN is prepared to transform with the expanding clean energy industry. “We have thousands of new jobs being created,” she said, “and we’re ready to equip Nevadans with the skills needed to thrive.”

Dr. Jonathan Wright, CSN Director of Career Services, highlighted the direct impact of federal support on CSN students. He noted that last year, CSN received a $1.9 million grant to support job-seekers in renewable energy, transportation, and broadband infrastructure sectors.

For the full press release please visit the Nevada Conservation League website.

Dr. Douglas B. Sims, Dean of the School of Science, Engineering, and Math at the CSN, has just released a new book, Mammoth Meat: Love Unveiled: How Caveman Genetics Shape Modern Relationships. Now available on Amazon in Kindle Edition, the book takes a lighthearted and insightful look at how our ancient ancestors continue to influence today’s dating scene.

Inspired by a casual chat over steaks and beers in Hawaii, Sims connects the dots between prehistoric mating rituals and modern dating apps, offering readers a unique perspective on love that spans from caveman days to Tinder swipes. The book explores both heterosexual and LGBTQ+ dynamics, revealing the timeless nature of our quest for connection.

Mammoth Meat is an engaging read for anyone interested in understanding the primal forces that still drive our relationships today.

Congratulations Dr. Sims on the publication!

From Sept. 9-13, 2024, CSN will actively participate in National HSIs Week, an observance called upon by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. The week recognizes the vital contributions of the 572 Hispanic-Serving Institutions across the nation, including CSN, for their essential role in educating and empowering Hispanic youth.

CSN’s participation will feature a series of collaborative events designed to celebrate and reflect on its journey as an HSI. Key events include the CSN HSI Journey Symposium on Tuesday, Sept. 10, from 2-4 p.m. at the North Las Vegas Campus in the June Whitley Student Lounge. This symposium will explore the college’s ongoing commitment to serving its Hispanic community.

Additionally, CSN will partner with Nevada State University on the Latinx Community Social, providing a vibrant space for students, faculty and community members to connect and celebrate their cultural heritage.

The week will also include a UNLV lecture by Dr. Marla Franco, vice president of Hispanic Serving Initiatives at the University of Arizona, on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 4:30-5 p.m. at the UNLV Student Union.

The culminating event will be a discussion on the Ascent to Excellence as an HSI via zoom on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, from 12:30-1:15 p.m.

For more information on the week’s events, please reach out to Janna.Bernstein@csn.edu.

#HSIs #HSIsWeek

HSI Week

 

Dear CSN Colleagues,

‌As many of you know, I have been considering organizational changes to the administration of CSN since my arrival two months ago. I just presented our progress so far to the Board of Regents on Thursday, and I wanted to share it with you all now, as well.‌

Please know that I have communicated personally with each individual directly or indirectly impacted by these changes. Not all the changes have been fully implemented yet, as we have hiring processes underway. I expect to have the revisions below completed by the end of September.

I have had three primary goals as I contemplated these changes:

1. Reduce the size of the top-level administration of the college.
2. Improve the efficiency and the effectiveness of our administration.
3. Enhance the quality of our student experience.

When I started as your Acting President, I had 22 positions reporting directly to me (see Figure 1). That organization was neither effective nor efficient and was not sustainable. Communication and effective supervision were adversely impacted.

By the end of this month, I will have 11 positions reporting to me (see Figure 2).

CSN ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES TO DATE

Direct Report Positions Eliminated:

• Vice President – NLV Campus
• Vice President – Charleston Campus
• Vice President – Henderson Campus
• Chief Accreditation & Institutional Effectiveness Officer
• Executive Director Governmental Affairs
• Manager Government Affairs

Direct Report Positions Reassigned (in process):

• Executive Director – CSN Foundation
• Executive Director – Marketing & Communications
• Executive Director – Grants & Sponsored Programs
• Executive Director – Workforce & Economic Development

Direct Report Positions Repurposed:

• Three Campus Vice President positions reduced to one Vice President for External Relations & Campus Operations
• Three Campus Associate Vice President positions repurposed to:
  • One Associate Vice President for Campus Operations
  • Two Associate Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs
• Chief of Staff & Chief Diversity Officer separated into:
  • Executive Director of Governmental Affairs & Chief Diversity Officer
  • Chief of Staff
• Executive Director of Grants & Sponsored Projects to Executive Director of Government Affairs & Sponsored Projects

Other Reorganizations – to date:

• Human Resources reporting to the President
• Facilities Management reporting to the Vice President for Finance & Administration
• International Student Center reporting to Student Affairs
• Multicultural Offices reporting to the Diversity Office
• Institutional Effectiveness reporting to Academic Affairs
• Institutional Research reporting to Academic Affairs

Searches will begin soon to fill all repurposed and interim positions. I expect to appoint cross-functional task forces soon that will consider strategies and initiatives to enhance efficiencies, innovation, and cost savings across the college. I continue to appreciate your patience and support as we fully implement these changes.

Please direct any questions you have to the President’s Office.

Sincerely,

Dr. William L. Kibler
Acting President

---

The Nevada Health Centers’ Mammovan will be at the CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Women can receive screenings from 7:40 a.m. – 3:20 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling 877-581-6266

Early detection saves lives, so take this opportunity to stay proactive about your health. For more information, visit Nevada Health Centers’ website.

 

CSN NLV 9.16.24 English Flyer CSN NLV 9.16.24 Spanish Flyer (1)

In honor of Deaf Awareness Month, we’re proud to highlight SIGN THE SHOW, a multi-award-winning documentary directed and produced by Cat Brewer, a full-time faculty member in CSN’s Communication Department.

Streaming on Tubi, AppleTV, Google Play, YouTube, and more, SIGN THE SHOW tackles the crucial issue of accessibility in entertainment for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community. Featuring stars like Kelly Clarkson, André 3000, D.L. Hughley, and Nyle DiMarco, the film brings much-needed attention to the importance of inclusion.

Brewer’s documentary is a powerful exploration of the challenges faced by Deaf individuals in accessing entertainment, as well as the efforts being made to break down these barriers. The film celebrates the vibrant culture of the Deaf community and advocates for the kind of inclusivity that should be the norm, not the exception.

This Deaf Awareness Month, SIGN THE SHOW is a must-watch! Catch SIGN THE SHOW on your preferred streaming platform and join the movement for a more inclusive entertainment industry.

 

 

CSN student Joseph Camel is making a name for himself as both a student and a children’s author. With just five classes left before graduation, Camel has already published three children’s books, now available at the Teacher’s Curriculum Library on the North Las Vegas campus.

The titles include Little Joe in the Big City (New York City Adventure), Little Joe in the Big City (The L.A. Adventure), and To Space We Go. These books are a big hit, and students, faculty, and staff are invited to check them out from Sept. 9 – Sept. 28.

Camel, who grew up in Southern California, has a deep passion for writing and journalism. When he’s not working on his next story, he serves as an advisor for Youth Voice of Nevada, helping young people find their own voices. And Camel’s ambitions don’t stop there—he’s eyeing a future run for public office.

One of his proudest moments? Seeing the cover of New York City Adventure displayed on a billboard in Times Square. Not bad for a college student with a growing literary portfolio.

The library previously spotlighted Camel’s first book, and now, with two more under his belt, they’re shining a broader spotlight on his achievements.

Don’t miss the chance to explore Camel’s work. Swing by the North Las Vegas campus library and check out his books. You’ll be supporting a fellow CSN student who’s well on his way to big things!

Friday, September 27, 2024, through Saturday, November 30, 2024

Virtual Artist Talk: Tuesday, October 1

North Las Vegas Campus – Fine Arts Gallery

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition of mixed media, light, and shadow by Columbia, Missouri-based artist and curator, Sarah Nguyen. Sarah Nguyen: Equinox will open on Friday, September 27, 2024, and will run through Saturday, November 30, 2024, in the Fine Arts Gallery on the North Las Vegas Campus of the College of Southern Nevada. A special Virtual Artist Talk will take place on Tuesday, October 1, 2024, starting at 6 p.m.

Sarah Nguyen received her BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design and her MFA in Painting from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. She is a mixed media artist, working primarily with paper. Storytelling is central to her hand-cut-fiber panels and paintings. Nguyen’s work has appeared in numerous national and international solo and group exhibitions and publications. Her work has been part of exhibitions in museums and festivals including (but not limited to) Seattle’s Wing Luke Museum of Asian Pacific Experience, the Daum Museum, Pyramid Hill Sculpture Grounds and Museum, the Truman Museum, Cheekwood Estates & Gardens, and Kansas City’s 2018 Open Spaces. Nguyen has taken part in several artist residencies from around the world as a visiting artist and teacher including Serbia, Bulgaria, Japan, France, and the United States. She is the Art Installations Curator for the True/False Film Fest.

Speaking of her work, Nguyen states, “Using folklore as the source of my artistic inspiration I mean to return the viewer temporarily to a state of childhood, dwelling in the senses, immersed in the images of stories, experiencing the primacy of the physical. Whether the viewer, when they turn away from the paper scrolls, seeks mental liberation, or sensory indulgence, is a matter of significance for them. I am less interested in directing their conclusions as I am in revealing them. The desired effect of this body of work upon the viewer is self-investigation.”

“Stories are one of the ways we create a sense of community,” she continues. “Artists have often turned to stories for subject matter, especially stories whose roots reach deep into their culture’s collective memory. These stories are why I create for a living, they feed the context and content of my work. I do not expect my work to discover new aspects of these stories but only to add the dialog of what is and to create a new way of looking at them.”

The CSN Fine Arts Gallery is free, family-friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Fine Arts Gallery is located adjacent to the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre Lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery

Hey CSN community! If you’ve ever struggled to find a quiet spot to study, stress no more! The Charleston Campus Library just upped its game by introducing its very first single-person soundproof study pod. Yes, you heard that right—complete silence, no distractions, just you and your thoughts (or textbooks, if you prefer).

So next time you’re at the Charleston Library, why not check out this new pod? It’s first-come, first-serve, so get in there early and experience a new level of study bliss!

Stay focused, CSN!

 

Ready to unleash your creativity? Join us on Thursday, Sept. 19, at 4 p.m. for the Maker Space Open House at the Henderson campus! Whether you’re into building, crafting, or just curious, this event is for you.

We’re throwing open the doors to our Maker Space, and we want you to come play, create, and explore with us. It’s a perfect chance to see all the awesome resources available to help you unleash your creative side.

Don’t miss out on this fun, hands-on experience. Mark your calendar, bring your friends, and let’s get creative together! For more details, shoot an email to Nanette Hilton at Nanette.Hilton@csn.edu.

Makerspace Open House (1)

Hey CSN! Get ready for an exciting day filled with school spirit and celebration on September 11, 2024. The North Las Vegas Campus is going to be buzzing with energy as we come together for the “Spirit Rally,” hosted by the awesome students at the Associated Students of the College of Southern Nevada. This isn’t just another event—it’s our way of honoring 9/11, showing love to our first responders, and cheering on our amazing athletes.

From 4-5:30 p.m., the Tyrone Thompson Student Union Ballroom is the place to be. Expect a crowd of students, faculty, staff, and community members, all coming together to show off that unstoppable CSN spirit. Our athletic teams will be there, bringing their A-game, and trust us, you won’t want to miss it.

And guess what? Yvonne Wade, our Athletic Director and all-around sports legend, will be joining us as the guest of honor. She’ll be sharing some insights on how athletics at CSN are all about building character, teamwork, and resilience.

Throughout the event, you’ll have the chance to meet and hang out with our star athletes. They represent us in sports like soccer, volleyball, and XC, and they’ll be around to chat, share stories, and maybe even inspire you to hit the field yourself.

The rally wraps up with a heads-up for the volleyball home game at 7 p.m. It’s going to be an epic end to an already incredible day, so be sure to stick around for some top-notch action on the court.

Mark your calendars and bring your friends—see you there!!

The CSN Cheer Team recently rallied up onlookers and a crowd of 72 participating faculty, administrators, staff, and student workers before going to battle on the volleyball courts of the NLV campus, Sports Center for the first annual Faculty & Staff Volleyball Tournament!

The winning teams, Team Old Souls, Team Avalos, and Team Coyote Net Ninjas, each participated in three games and walked away with medals (gold, silver, and bronze respectively), and Certificates of Participation. Akheim Peterson (Team Coyote Net Ninjas) received the honorable recognition of MVP. This event was a huge success bringing faculty, administrators, staff, and student workers across our three campuses together over a friendly “spirited” competition. Kicking off the new school year on an upbeat, the tournament was an exhilarating event encouraging camaraderie among faculty, administrators, staff, and student workers. The goal was to also create a culture of supporting Athletic events on campus.

Nine teams competed for bragging rights and gold medals. The teams included staff from Career Services aka the Career Services Crushers, FYE aka FYE Spikers, members of executive leadership banded together as Team Avalos, Facilities staff aka Team Unbreakable Net Warriors, student leaders aka Team ASCSN, athletics staff aka Team Old Souls, and a mix of faculty, administrators, staff, and student workers across various departments worked together as Team Here for the Vibes, Team Just Another Day in the Office, and Team Coyote Net Ninjas teams. Dr. Flecia Thomas refereed all games in the tournament.

Be on the lookout for future competitions in volleyball, basketball, or possibly even dodgeball!

 

CSN Athletics featuring Yvonne Wade and Dan Savage

Did you do something amazing, and now you want to tell someone about it?

That’s what we’re here for. You do excellent work, we tell people how cool you are. That’s the entire point of a marketing & communications team. In the end, CSN gets rich and famous, as any community college should be.

But getting the news from you to us hasn’t always been easy. You’re 4,000 people. We’re 5. Sometimes that creates a bottleneck — so when you need help, please give us a couple weeks’ notice.

Anyway, we spent the entire summer working on this problem (and a few others), and we’ve come up with a groundbreaking new form for you to fill out!

Go to www.csn.edu/marcomrequest and tell us what you need.

• CSN Newsroom Story – This is where you put the cool stuff you did. Groundbreaking research? A new class on forensic puppetry? A Pulitzer Prize? Write it up (don’t worry if you can’t write well; we’ll fix it), attach a photo, and we’ll take it from there. If you want an “all email,” put it here. We don’t do those for individual items much anymore.
  
  
• Blog/Calendar Access – Got an event coming up and you want people to come? Here you go.
  
  
• Commodity Approval – Need swag? Submit your proofs from the vendor to get your commodity approval before submitting your requisition. And don’t forget to use the code – SC0675 – Miscellaneous Promotional Items.
  
  
• Design Assistance – Need design help with a flyer, logo, promotional item (swag), banner, poster, ad for a sponsorship package, brochure, pamphlet, presentation design, annual report, metrics, or literally anything else? This is your category.
  
  
• ICS Submission – Do you want your event or information on the TV screens around campus? Attach your information in a JPEG format of 1920 x 1080 pixels. We’ll do the rest.
  
  
• Material Review and Approval – Need a flyer, poster, printed materials, or a video approved to be published on the website or distributed in hard copy? Upload it, and we’ll review and approve.
  
  
• Media Assistance – This is for folks who have something the TV stations and newspapers might be interested in. Not sure? Let us know and we’ll look it over.
  
  
• Promotional Items – Have a CSN event servicing students or community outreach? Request promotional items to establish a connection with our brand and promote a CSN education.
  
  
• Other – If something else is going on, and we haven’t created a category for it yet, put that here. We’ll figure it out together.
  
  

 

On April 19, 2024, the Department of Education released its final Title IX Rule to go into effect on August 1, 2024. The Rule offers protection against sex-based discrimination and adopted the current Equal Employment Opportunity Commission definition of sexual harassment, which defines sexual harassment as behavior that is severe or frequent and offensive per the reasonable person standard. Per the Department of Education’s 2024 Title IX Final Rule Overview, “The final regulations will help to ensure that all persons, including students and employees, receive appropriate support if they experience sex discrimination in schools and that schools’ procedures for investigating and resolving complaints of sex discrimination are accurate and fair to all involved. The final regulations strengthen several major provisions from the current regulations and provide schools with information to meet their Title IX obligations while providing appropriate discretion and flexibility to account for variations in school size, student populations, and administrative structures. The final regulations also provide greater clarity regarding the definition of ‘sex-based harassment;’ the scope of sex discrimination, including schools’ obligations not to discriminate based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and schools’ obligations to provide an educational environment free from discrimination based on sex.”

 

Some national groups have asserted that provisions of the 2024 Final Rule were unlawful. The federal Fifth Circuit Court imposed an injunction against the Department of Education, precluding the Department from enforcing the 2024 Title IX Rule in four states and at numerous institutions of higher education, including CSN. 

 

Until the injunction is lifted, CSN will operate under the current 2020 Title IX Rule as represented in the current version of the Handbook. In anticipation that the injunction will be lifted, CSN is prepared to apply the new rule to protect all employees, students, and visitors from sex-based discrimination, and NSHE is in the process of rewriting the Board of Regents’ Handbook, Title 4, Chapter 8, Section 14 to reflect the 2024 Rule. We will update you on this as information becomes available. 

 

Regardless of the injunction or which version of Title IX Rule is enforceable, CSN and the OIE will continue to comply with state and federal law and make it easier for everyone on campus to do so. To ensure compliance with the law, we ask for your help in performing the following. 

• If any employee of the College should become aware of potential sex-based discrimination, including sexual harassment of any kind, please notify me, Armen Asherian at x7481 or Armen.Asherian@csn.edu, Leslie Miller at x5562 or Leslie.Miller@csn.edu, and Ryan Evans at x7720 or Ryan.Evans@csn.edu. If you are serving in a legally recognized role holding confidentiality, please inform individuals who report such discrimination or harassment to you that should they choose, they may still report the discrimination or harassment to the OIE.
• If an individual requests confidentiality to share with you an experience they had, inform them that you can only promise privacy and not confidentiality based upon what they have to share. If they are about to share something about being discriminated against because of their membership in a legally protected class or being sexually harassed, you have an obligation to share that with the OIE.
• If you are a supervisor and an employee shares with you that they have a disability, a medical condition, or pregnancy-related condition, do not inquire about it and do not share anything you learn about that employee’s condition with others. Refer the individual to Kathy Eghoian at x7457 or kathryn.eghoian@csn.edu.
• If a student shares they have a disability, a medical condition, or pregnancy-related condition, do not inquire about it and do not share anything you learn about that student’s condition with others. Refer the student to the DRC. The DRC will work with ALL pregnant students and their instructors to manage the appropriate accommodation associated with this individual’s pregnancy. The process is highly individualized and nuanced and may require continual modifications. Therefore, to ensure lawful compliance, it is best to have one unit, the DRC, provide these services in a standardized manner.
• Remember, the legal concept of pregnancy covered by antidiscrimination laws goes beyond being pregnant. For example, it includes false pregnancy, childbirth, termination of a pregnancy, miscarriage, recovery, postpartum issues, fostering a new child, infant health issues, breast milk pumping, etc.
• Please review the Consensual Relations Policy effective July 13, 2021 (https://www.csn.edu/sites/default/files/pdf_file/0026/107792/Consensual-Relationships-Policy.pdf). It prohibits consensual relationships (defined as romantic and/or sexual relationships willingly engaged in by both parties) or exploitative relationships (defined as a relationship where one party takes advantage of another using the imbalance of power to benefit from a person’s vulnerabilities) between individuals or others in positions of authority over students or coworkers whenever those relationships have the potential to interfere with an individual’s right or ability to pursue academic, training, research, or professional interests.
• Lastly, if you receive instructions to provide accommodation from Human Resources, the DRC, or the OIE, do not ask the individual questions about it. Instead, be faithful to those instructions and direct any questions to the office that issued the accommodation(s).
• Please contact the OIE if you have any questions. On April 19, 2024, the Department of Education released its final Title IX Rule to go into effect on August 1, 2024. The Rule offers protection against sex-based discrimination and adopted the current Equal Employment Opportunity Commission definition of sexual harassment, which defines sexual harassment as behavior that is severe or frequent and offensive per the reasonable person standard. Per the Department of Education’s 2024 Title IX Final Rule Overview, “The final regulations will help to ensure that all persons, including students and employees, receive appropriate support if they experience sex discrimination in schools and that schools’ procedures for investigating and resolving complaints of sex discrimination are accurate and fair to all involved. The final regulations strengthen several major provisions from the current regulations and provide schools with information to meet their Title IX obligations while providing appropriate discretion and flexibility to account for variations in school size, student populations, and administrative structures. The final regulations also provide greater clarity regarding the definition of ‘sex-based harassment;’ the scope of sex discrimination, including schools’ obligations not to discriminate based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity; and schools’ obligations to provide an educational environment free from discrimination based on sex.”

 

CSN kicked off the Fall 2024 semester with a lively convocation on Monday, August 19, at the Nicolas J. Horn Theatre on the North Las Vegas Campus. Faculty, staff, and administrators came together for a morning packed with networking, recognition, and a bit of fun.

Dr. Lawrence Weekly served as the emcee, keeping the energy high and the program flowing smoothly. The event opened with a heartfelt rendition of the National Anthem, sung by CSN alum Michael Greene. The CSN faculty Jazz Band never missed a beat and added a lively touch to the event.

Acting President Dr. William Kibler had the opportunity to address the audience, focusing on the theme of transparency, with an emphasis on caring and community.

One of the standout moments was the awarding of tenure, presented by Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. James McCoy. It was a proud moment for the faculty members recognized, highlighting their hard work and dedication to CSN’s mission.

Similarly, the Years of Service awards were presented by India Barton, acknowledging the commitment and contributions of long-serving staff members. It was a touching moment, reminding everyone of the strong community that makes CSN special.

The event ended on a high note, with Distinguished Awardees accepting honors for their dedication to excellence. The CSN cheer team then brought the house down with an energetic performance of the college’s fight song, sending everyone off with a burst of school spirit.

Overall, the 2024 Fall Convocation was more than just a formal gathering—it was a celebration of the CSN community and a great way to gear up for the new academic year.

Did you miss the event? You can catch the entire show on our YouTube.

The NSHE Nevada Regents’ Awards recognizes faculty, staff, and students who have demonstrated significant accomplishments in the areas of academic advising, teaching, creative activities, and student academic leadership.

In order for faculty and staff to be considered for a Regents’ award, candidates must be full-time and have at least (5) five years of cumulative service within NSHE by the date of nomination.

Students must be enrolled at CSN with no fewer than (9) nine undergraduate credits and have completed no fewer than (30) credits at CSN by the time the award is granted (usually the following Spring after the nomination).

The selected nominees for each category will receive an award in the amount of $5,000.

Nomination Packets: All nomination materials must be submitted in PDF format in the order outlined, and sent via email to Jenn Daughtery at jennifer.daughtery@csn.edu. Incomplete nominations will be returned to the nominator.

Call for Nominations: Currently open.

Looking to nominate? Please visit the CSN IRC Webpage for nomination forms

For families at the College of Southern Nevada, the Early Childhood Education Lab (ECE Lab) isn’t just a place to leave their kids while attending classes or work—it’s a warm, nurturing environment where children from 3 months to 5 years grow, learn, and build lasting connections.

Open from August 19, 2024, through August 8, 2025, the lab is available Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., serving CSN students, faculty, staff, and even community members. And for CSN students juggling at least six credits, the ECE Lab offers a 25 percent discount on childcare tuition, making it easier to balance education and parenthood.

What really sets CSN’s ECE Lab apart is its commitment to quality. The program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and has earned a 5-star rating from Nevada’s Silver State Stars Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS). This recognition highlights the lab’s excellence in providing a safe, nurturing, and educational space for young children.

But the ECE Lab is more than just a daycare—it’s an educational hub. CSN students in the Early Childhood Education Program gain hands-on experience here, blending theory with practice. This setup ensures future educators are well-prepared for their careers while children receive top-notch care.

Visitors to the ECE Lab can experience its sensory-rich environment firsthand. Picture strolling through Monarch Butterfly gardens, watching kids play in well-landscaped playgrounds with plenty of shade and sandboxes, or exploring a small fruit orchard. The “gallery wall” invites students, staff, and families to showcase their personal artwork, adding a personal and creative touch to the lab’s welcoming atmosphere.

Marissa Anderson, whose son Diesel spent five years at the ECE Lab, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to CSN for treating Diesel like family over the past five years. Handing over my baby at just nine months old was tough as a new mom, but seeing his joy at his caregivers’ embrace was incredibly sweet. It is so fulfilling to find a program like CSN and trust that each and every one of the staff cares for my child as I would. I can’t thank you all enough for growing with us as a family and keeping both my children in a loving, safe, and nurturing environment that allows their personalities to develop. I know Diesel will miss his time at CSN.”

For more details about the CSN Early Childhood Education Lab, visit CSN Childcare. To explore CSN’s Early Childhood Education Program, check out Early Childhood Education at CSN.

Friday, September 20, 2024, through Saturday, November 23, 2024

North Las Vegas Campus – Artspace Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition of acrylic abstract paintings that draw inspiration from traditional Chinese calligraphy by Shanghai, China born and Southern California based artist, John Chang. John Chang: Word Beyond Interpretation will open on Friday, September 20, 2024, and run through Saturday, November 23, 2024, in the Artspace Gallery on the North Las Vegas Campus of the College of Southern Nevada.

John Chang earned his Master of Fine Arts Degree in Visual Art from the College of Art and Design at Lesley University. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the Shanghai Institute of Technology, School of Art and Design in Shanghai, China. Chang also studied with the well-known artists Xu Bing and Judith Barry.

Born and raised in Shanghai, China, John Chang is an artist based in Southern California. Chang’s works have been widely exhibited, including at the Alexander Brest Museum at Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL, the Fresh Paint Art Gallery, Culver City, CA. Palm Springs Art Museum, CA, and at the COOS Art Museum, CA. Massillon Museum, OH. Chang’s work has been featured in diverse publications such as Pasadena Star-News, KTLA and Art in America, Art Ltd. Chang’s work can be found in the collections of the San Diego International Airport, San Diego Civic Art Collection, The Star Hotel, Sydney, Australia, Caesar Palace, Las Vegas, the Regis Hotel, New York, New, York, and the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art, Taiwan.

John Chang dreams in many worlds and brings back remnants. In his new works, people come and go; yet no one is seen. The migrators leave their shadows in the air and their marks on the sidewalks. Their words and echoes float through storms of sharp, black fragments flying in all directions. Chang’s East/West identity enriches his memory and brings flashbacks from lives lived in many places.

The CSN Artspace Gallery is free, family friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Artspace Gallery is upstairs above the main entrance lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one-mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

Last week, CSN hosted White House National Cyber Director Harry Coker, Jr. as part of the Cybersecurity Workforce and Education Roadshow. The visit emphasized the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to expanding Nevada’s cyber workforce, particularly through community colleges and Hispanic-serving institutions like CSN.

Director Coker praised CSN’s hands-on learning approach and strong local partnerships that provide pathways to good-paying cybersecurity jobs. The event featured discussions with students and faculty, highlighting the importance of industry certifications, internships, and collaborations with institutions like UNLV.

During his visit, Director Coker toured CSN’s advanced cyber training facilities, including a lab with a room-sized Faraday cage, allowing students to gain real-world experience in a secure environment. He commended CSN’s innovative practices and its role in addressing the cybersecurity skills gap, noting that such initiatives are crucial for national security and economic prosperity.

Director Coker engaged in a listening session with students to hear about their pathways to cyber, including: high school students getting early exposure to cyber and IT through Career Technical Education programs; CSN students reskilling to support career transitions; and University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV) students who serve their local community while getting real-world experience working at the UNLV Free Cyber Clinic.

The visit also showcased the broader impact of federal investments in Nevada’s cybersecurity infrastructure and workforce development, including nearly $3.2 million for state cyber planning activities and efforts to promote digital inclusion.

For more information, read the full White House report here 

The College of Southern Nevada celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of culinary students from the Nevada Department of Corrections on August 7, 2024. The graduation ceremony, held at the Casa Grande Transitional Housing Center, marked the culmination of months of training and education for the 10 graduates. About 40-50 attendees, including family members, correctional staff, and distinguished guests, gathered to witness this momentous occasion.

The graduates received certificates recognizing their completion of the culinary program, which also grants them 9 credits of CSN coursework. These credits are directly applicable towards an associate degree in Culinary Arts, offering the graduates a tangible pathway to further education and career opportunities upon their release.

Katherine Jacobi, President of the Nevada Restaurant Association, and Amy Lee, Workforce Director of MGM Resorts International, were in attendance.

The culinary program is part of a broader initiative by CSN and the Nevada Department of Corrections to provide inmates with vocational training and education that can significantly improve their prospects post-incarceration. By equipping incarcerated students with marketable skills, the program aims to reduce recidivism and support successful reintegration into society.

Dr. Genevieve Minter, CSN Prison Education Director, highlighted the long-term goals, “We have to teach them another way. Addressing recidivism rates is complicated, and the punitive or therapeutic models don’t always work. So we are helping to address it through education. Our goals are to reduce recidivism and empty prisons, and education is key.”

The graduates, dressed in their chef’s whites, beamed with pride as they received their certificates. For many, this achievement represents a second chance and a new beginning. One graduate, Bobby Phammaly, shared his thoughts on the program, saying, “I am grateful and proud for the opportunity of higher learning. It’s giving me the skills to be an entrepreneur, and we are all learning how to become role models in our community.”

CSN Culinary Director, Chef John Metcalf added, “I know I pushed you hard at times, but you learned good time management, and you’ll continue to keep growing.” CSN Chef Instructor Kelly commented on the graduates’ journey, saying, “They are on a tough journey but navigating it with grace.”

With ongoing support from community partners and industry leaders, CSN and the Nevada Department of Corrections are committed to providing more inmates with the opportunity to turn their lives around through education and vocational training.

Find more information on the CSN Prison Education program visit their webpage.

 

The College of Southern Nevada is proud to announce its selection as a recipient of the prestigious Metallica Scholars Initiative (MSI) for 2024. This honor comes with a generous $75,000 grant, aimed at supporting 60 students enrolled in CSN’s “Ability to Benefit” program. This initiative provides a dual pathway for students to complete their high school education while earning technical skill certifications, positioning them for careers in Southern Nevada’s growing economic sectors.

The Metallica Scholars Initiative, launched by Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation in partnership with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), is dedicated to advancing workforce education for the skilled trades. Since its inception, the initiative has funded millions to community colleges nationwide, emphasizing the importance of trade skills and career readiness.

CSN’s “Ability to Benefit” program is specifically designed to help students overcome educational and economic challenges by providing comprehensive support services including academic advising, career counseling, and financial aid guidance. The Metallica Scholarship will significantly enhance these services, ensuring students have the resources to focus on their studies and achieve their career goals.

The program focuses on sectors with high job demand such as advanced manufacturing, information technology, and healthcare, ensuring graduates are equipped with the skills needed for immediate employment. This alignment with local economic needs ensures that CSN graduates are not only educated but also employable.

James “Papa Het” Hetfield, Metallica’s lead vocalist and guitarist, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative’s growth: “When we launched the Metallica Scholars Initiative, it really spoke to me. A collective goal of breaking the stigma of trade skills. Trade skills are vital to society, and what’s even more important is to support the many folks who are trying to create a career by learning and using these skills. I am so proud – we all are – to see how this program is changing lives by providing much-needed resources to empower students.”

For more information about the “Ability to Benefit” program, please visit the CSN Division of Workforce and Economic Development website.

About All Within My Hands:

All Within My Hands (AWMH) is a non-profit, philanthropic organization created by Metallica, dedicated to creating sustainable communities by supporting workforce education, the fight against hunger, and other critical local services.

About AACC:

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is the voice of the nation’s community colleges, delivering educational and economic opportunity for over 10 million diverse students. AACC advocates for community colleges to ensure they have the resources needed to increase economic mobility for all.

 

Awarded to:

Martha Panduro

August 2024

Academic Advisor

Henderson Campus

Nominated by: Ann Thompson

Martha has been an Academic Advisor at CSN for many years. She brings her vast experience and knowledge to her job. Martha’s skills with numbers, excel, and data collection are valuable to her department. Students love her.

Congratulations Martha!

The CSN Dale Etheridge Planetarium offers a unique celestial experience, attracting students and the community with its rich history and educational programs. Managed by Dr. Andrew Kerr and Lisa Goodman, the planetarium stands as a beacon of astronomical education in Southern Nevada.

Established in 1977, the CSN Planetarium has been an integral part of the college. It was thanks to the efforts of Dale Etheridge, who was instrumental in its creation. Etheridge, who was brought in from the Griffith Observatory, dedicated 38 years to the planetarium, laying a strong foundation for its current success.

“Dale was here for the first 38 years. It was his baby,” Andrew said. “He did everything for the planetarium. Even at the time, he would go out and bring people to the planetarium, bring schools to the planetarium. So he really spread that recognition back in the day that we’re here to get schools involved.”

One of only two planetariums in the state of Nevada. The planetarium boasts rare NASA artifacts, including a space shuttle tire that visitors can touch and an astronaut wall of fame with signed portraits from pioneers like Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

“Our NASA artifacts are a big hit with visitors,” Lisa said. “We have a tire from one of the space shuttle missions out for everyone to touch, unlike other museums that have it behind glass.”

The planetarium likes to help students “destress” throughout the year with “meditation Mondays” offering a variety of peaceful imagery and calming sounds in short sessions that anyone can join in on.

One of the most popular programs at the planetarium is the Pink Floyd laser light show, a staple for many years and definite crowd pleaser with it’s 45-minute out of this body experience of visuals paired to the entire album of Dark Side Of The Moon. Regular public shows are held every Friday and Saturday, featuring a diverse range of topics, from black holes to lunar landings.

“Pink Floyd has been our biggest moneymaker ever,” Andrew said. “We’ve had it since last year, and it remains incredibly popular.”

Education is at the core of the planetarium’s mission. The planetarium publishes “On Orbit,” a monthly magazine distributed to public schools and libraries statewide, featuring articles from NASA, sky calendars, and an “Astro Kids” page.

“It’s a joy to create content for ‘On Orbit,’ especially the kids’ page,” Lisa said. “We aim to make astronomy accessible and fun for children.”

The planetarium also offers field trips and private reservations throughout the year, providing tailored educational experiences for students and community groups. These visits include hands-on STEM activities, making learning both fun and interactive.

“Our field trips and private reservations are a fantastic way for students to engage with science,” Lisa said. “We offer these throughout the entire calendar year, even during the summer.”

The CSN Planetarium actively engages with the local community through various outreach programs. One notable event is the “Night at the Planetarium,” part of the Las Vegas Science and Technology Festival, which includes free shows and telescope viewing sessions facilitated by the Las Vegas Astronomical Society.

“Community engagement is crucial for us,” Andrew said. “Events like ‘Night at the Planetarium’ allow us to share our love for astronomy with a broader audience.”

Looking ahead, the planetarium aims to expand its offerings and enhance its facilities. Plans are in motion to introduce more private events, such as birthday parties and other engaging private events aimed at brining awareness and raising funds for additional resources. The team is also exploring opportunities to develop new full-dome shows and animations.

“The future looks bright for the CSN Planetarium,” Lisa said. “We have so many exciting plans, from new shows to more community events.”

UPCOMING EVENTS:

August 1, 2024-  Storytime Under the Stars at 2:30 p.m., the storybook will be paired with a short planetarium film.

August 8, 2024-  Science of Ice Cream STEM Workshop at 1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., children and families will learn all about the science behind the ice cream making process.

These family-friendly events, are free and open to the public. Please reserve your free tickets.

For more information about upcoming shows and events, visit the CSN Planetarium website or follow them on social media under CSN Dale Etheridge Planetarium.

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Board has approved $1,693,230 from the Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) fund to support three industry-led workforce training programs.

CSN will receive $376,000 to launch a logistics and operations training initiative at their North Las Vegas campus and Westside Education and Training Center. This initiative will establish four logistics labs and certify instructors, addressing a major growth sector in Southern Nevada. This is a stackable credential and can be used on a pathway to an Advanced Manufacturing degree. Employee partners include Findlay Automotive Group and Sunshine Minting. The Regional Transportation Commission estimates there are 80 jobs in this sector.

CSN will also receive $485,000 to expand its nursing program at the North Las Vegas campus, creating a new nursing lab. This expansion will increase access to hands-on training in an underserved area, complementing existing programs at the West Charleston and Henderson campuses. The hands-on training will enhance the skills of nursing students, ensuring skill retention well after graduation. CSN’s nursing programs provide one-third of the local nursing workforce and are supported by Dignity Health, North Vista Hospital, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), with an estimated 45 jobs in this sector. The VA and CSN are collaborating to create a career ladder, allowing CSN students to progress through their curriculum and gain employment at the VA upon graduation.

For more information on the latest round of WINN funding, please visit the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

The College of Southern Nevada recently reignited it’s sponsored radio show, “Coyote Conversations,” hosted by Sidney Goodall. The premier episode aired on Monday, July 22, 2024 and featured special guests Kimiko Walton and Keshia Gouveia, who engaged in a lively discussion about all things CSN.

Kimiko Walton, Director of Recruitment and College Connections, emphasized the differences between a community college and a university. “Typically, community colleges aren’t looking at students’ GPAs. They’re not looking for students to have certain SAT or ACT scores. So it just provides a level playing ground for students to be able to receive technical degrees or specific training and skills so that they can perform in the workforce and or transfer to a four-year university. So it caters to all types of students, high school students, traditional students, non-traditional students who are looking for a fresh start or looking for a specific career field. And so here at the College of Southern Nevada, we want to make sure to provide those opportunities regardless of where students are, meeting them where they are,” Walton said.

Keshia Gouveia, a CSN Recruiter, Success Coach and alum, shared her reasons for choosing CSN as her first college experience. “I was astonished by just the diversity and how everybody looked, the age difference, it didn’t matter. I know that was a big thing for me as a non-traditional student,” Gouveia noted.

These are just a few of the highlights from the one-hour show being hosted on KCEP 88.1 every fourth Monday of the month.

“Coyote Conversations” promises to be a vital platform for fostering meaningful discussions within the CSN community. Listeners are encouraged to tune in for future episodes to stay informed and engaged with the latest developments in education and other relevant topics.

For those who missed the live broadcast, the full episode of “Coyote Conversations” is available for streaming. To listen to the insightful discussions and gain valuable perspectives on the future of education, visit Coyote Conversations Full Show.

For more information about upcoming episodes and other events at CSN, visit our events website.

All about CSN Admissions featuring Kimiko Walton & Keshia Gouveia

On June 27, 2024, the College of Southern Nevada’s Manufacturing Center of Excellence welcomed 53 robotics enthusiasts for the Las Vegas Robotics Meetup.

Two startup companies shared their latest projects, while a First Robotics team from Western Technical High School demonstrated their impressive skills. The highlight was a demo by August Robotics, showcasing their automated floor painting and building layout robot.

This meetup highlighted CSN’s dedication to supporting robotics and technology. The Manufacturing Center of Excellence continues to provide a space for learning, sharing ideas, and collaboration.

For more info on upcoming events and programs at CSN’s Manufacturing Center of Excellence, visit CSN’s website.

The College of Southern Nevada is proud to announce that our Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CD) has been successfully redesignated. This prestigious recognition highlights our continued commitment to providing top-tier education and training in the critical field of cybersecurity.

Our redesignation was formally recognized during the CAE Designation Ceremony at the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Conference, held June 5, 2024.

We were honored to have Dean Dr. Michael Spangler serve as one of the three invited speakers at the ceremony. Dr. Spangler’s contributions underscore the high caliber of expertise and dedication that define our program.

To view the full ceremony, including Dr. Spangler’s speech, you can watch the video here.

This redesignation reaffirms our commitment to excellence in cybersecurity education and our role in preparing the next generation of cyber defense professionals. We extend our gratitude to the entire CSN community for their hard work and dedication in achieving this milestone.

 

 

Awarded to:

Debra Morton

July 2024

Interim Director – Disability Resource Center

North Las Vegas Campus

Nominated by: Cassandra Aguirre

Dr. Morton has a caring working ethic and positive attitude towards her co-workers and students and is always wanting to help others. She has done some great work with online therapy services for students and staff.

Congratulations Ashley!

The College of Southern Nevada hosted its second annual AWS Cloud Computing Bootcamp from June 24-28 at the North Las Vegas campus. The weeklong intensive training, led by CSN’s Computing and Information Technology faculty, attracted 23 students from diverse IT disciplines including computer science, network administration, cybersecurity, and cloud systems administration.

Aimed at enhancing student engagement with CSN programs, the bootcamp prepared students for the AWS Cloud Foundation certification, with vouchers and funding partly provided by a National Science Foundation grant. The program culminated with guest speakers from the industry offering insights, career guidance, and hands-on challenges in a competitive AWS-hosted JAM event, further enriching the participants’ learning experience and employability.

Kibler Release

North Las Vegas Campus  Fine Arts Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition ecologically minded, installation artwork by San Diego, California based artist and educator Eloisa Guanlao. Eloisa Guanlao: Darwin Finches will open on Friday, July 19, 2024, and run through Saturday, September 14, 2024, in the Fine Arts Gallery on the North Las Vegas Campus of the College of Southern Nevada. A special Artist Talk and Reception will take place on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, starting at 6 p.m.

Eloisa Guanlao was born in the Philippines. Her experiences as an immigrant and nomadic scholar-artist influence her versatile art practice and critical inquiries.  Guanlao’s interest in the natural world, history, art, languages and literature began at an early age. This multifaceted passion was nurtured at the Los Angeles High School for the Arts in California, cultivated with a liberal arts education at Carleton College in Minnesota, and further developed at the University of New Mexico, where she received her MFA in Studio Art.

Because Guanlao considers art making a social and cultural endeavor, she pursues projects that are research intensive and relevant to current issues. A trained teacher and lifelong scholar, Guanlao has taught at secondary schools and universities in Hawaii, California, Maryland, and Alabama, where students and colleagues appreciate her dedication to interdisciplinary learning and pedagogy. Guanlao practices and teaches art in California.

Referring to her work, Eloisa states, “As an artist and ecologically minded humanist, I am interested in performing history and historiography through visual means, giving careful consideration to the materials I use.  Concerns about the unexamined expansion of technology and the unrestrained use of natural resources inform my art practice and historical inquiry.  This includes a scrutiny of the impact of technological innovations on labor migrations, colonial acts, and socio-cultural development.  My work traces the creation of institutional and symbolic systems as different factions scramble for control, and the ways these systems contribute to or disrupt community relations. More broadly, I want to reveal the link between compassion and environmental justice, and specifically, I would like to identify who benefits and who suffers.  To begin a dialogue regarding my concerns, I am experimenting with spatial structures combined with photographic imagery that become performance spaces for the public. Within these structures the public enact and reflect upon their role as producers and consumers of culture and society.  I reconsider space as subjective sites to be reclaimed for socio-political interaction and creative engagement.  My approach to art comes from the perspective that our cultural environment shapes our socio-economic and political history and identity, but this perspective should not come to the detriment of the natural environment.  As a human made product, culture can be unmade, and transformed for the welfare of circadian cycles and natural, biological systems.”

The CSN Fine Arts Gallery is free, family friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Fine Arts Gallery is located adjacent to the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre Lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one-mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

Thank you so much to all who came out to wish our own Dr. Federico Zaragoza a fond farewell! We’ll miss you, “Dr. Z.”

Friday, July 12, 2024, through Saturday, September 7, 2024

North Las Vegas Campus Artspace Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition of landscape photography by New York City based multimedia and performance artist, Thomas Pickarski. Thomas Pickarski: Snow, Sand, Ice will open on Friday, July 12, 2024, and run through Saturday, June 26, 2024, in the Artspace Gallery on the North Las Vegas campus of the College of Southern Nevada.

Thomas Pickarski is a multimedia visual and performance artist. The themes he works with include minor obsessions, the bizarre landscape, self-realization, and social justice. Pickarski often integrates storytelling into his work through text and spoken word. He holds a BFA in Painting and an MFA in Performance Art, both from Arizona State University. When not traveling the globe, Pickarski lives and works in New York City.

Speaking of his exhibition, Snow, Sand, Ice, Pickarski states, “The day I moved to a desert as a teenager, someone welcoming me to the area said, “Look how big the sky is!” I became intrigued with how landscapes that are void of most vegetation can strikingly portray the illusion of vast spaciousness, as well as allow for a direct experience with the raw forms, colors, and surfaces that might otherwise be obscured by grass, moss, or trees. For this body of work, I traveled extensively through the treeless arctic deserts of Iceland, the world’s driest desert, Atacama of Northern Chile, the deserts of the American West, and the mouth of the ice fjord in Greenland where the most productive glacier in the Northern Hemisphere surrenders to the sea. I’ve created a series of landscape photographs that offer a glimpse of the most remote corners of the world, while also addressing the climate crisis in unique ways including through a spoken-word short film that is set in an imagined future. These natural and sometimes fabricated fantasy-like settings invoke the beauty and drama of fairy tales when long-ago giants and elves walked the earth.”

The CSN Artspace Gallery is free, family friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Artspace Gallery is upstairs above the main entrance lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one-mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

Congratulations to Douglas B. Sims, PhD

Exciting news in the latest NWRA waterSpot Summer 2024 newsletter! Page 29 features a spotlight on the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) and its efforts to inspire students to pursue STEM careers. CSN engages students in hands-on research through cutting-edge field and laboratory activities, fostering top-notch discoveries. The program includes projects on water quality, conservation, and innovative technologies, providing invaluable real-world experience. CSN’s initiatives not only enhance student learning but also contribute to the broader scientific community.

For more details on this impactful initiative, check out the newsletter here.

CSN Emmy Awards 2024

By: Briana Mercado

 

The College of Southern Nevada , in collaboration with UNLV and NSU, recently hosted its annual GraduAsian ceremony to honor the achievements of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander graduates. This joyous occasion brought together students, families, and community members to celebrate the remarkable accomplishments of these individuals.

Congratulations are in order for all of our graduates and their families for this significant milestone. Amidst inspiring student speeches, remarks from esteemed congressional representatives, and even captivating break dancing performances, the event was imbued with a palpable sense of pride and joy. As our graduates embark on their respective journeys, we stand alongside them, cheering them on towards their bright futures.

The success of GraduAsian wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and contributions of several individuals and organizations. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to:

Master of Ceremonies: Jaewon Jung, whose guidance and energy added a special touch to the event.
Keynote Speaker: Micaela Moore, whose words of wisdom inspired and motivated our graduates as they step into the next chapter of their lives.
UNLV Representative: Dr. Reyes Luna, for his support and commitment to fostering a sense of community among AANHPI graduates.
CSN Representative: Dr. Clarissa Cota, whose leadership and advocacy continue to uplift and empower our students.
NSU Representative: Dr. Zarah Borines, for her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion within the academic sphere.
Employer Representative: Wells Fargo, for their ongoing support of educational initiatives and commitment to investing in future leaders.
Sponsor: Sands Cares, whose generosity helped make GraduAsian a memorable and impactful event for all involved.

We also extend our sincerest appreciation to the offices of Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, Senator Jacky Rosen, Congresswoman Dina Titus, and Congresswoman Susie Lee for their unwavering support and encouragement of our AANHPI community.

As we reflect on the success of GraduAsian 2024, we are reminded of the resilience, perseverance, and collective spirit that define our AANHPI graduates. Their achievements serve as a testament to the limitless possibilities that lie ahead, and we are honored to have played a part in their educational journey.

Once again, congratulations to all of our graduates. We wish you continued success and fulfillment in all your future endeavors. Go forth and make your mark on the world!

Awarded to:

Ashley Gonzalez

June 2024

Senior Specialist – Salary Administration Human Resources

West Charleston Campus

Nominated by: Derita Hopkins

Ashley Gonzalez is an asset to the college and she’s always willing to help our Administrative Assistants with any contract concerns they may have. Ms. Gonzalez is a very pleasant and congenial employee in our Human Resources Department. She is very dedicated to helping others out and is extremely knowledgeable of CSN’s processes and policies.

Congratulations Ashley!

Thursday, Friday & Saturday, July 25-27, 2024

The College of Southern Nevada’s Music Department has partnered with the Rockley Family Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to support music education. Musical instruments provided to the Music Department or otherwise made available, will be sold at a significant discount from manufacturer retail pricing to perpetuate this valuable program, providing valuable resources and scholarship money for music students.

A large selection of grands, baby grands, digital player grands, vertical (upright) pianos, hybrid pianos, digital pianos, violins, violas and cellos will be available. This event will feature starter to professional level instruments from such famous makers as Steinway & Sons, Yamaha, Seiler, Roland, Italia Fine Violins and many others.

Most instruments are less than one-year old, include a new factory warranty, are tuned, and ready to enjoy. Delivery and special no-interest financing is available on site. Moreover, in most cases, a substantial portion of purchases are considered as a charitable contribution to the Rockley Family Foundation and may be TAX DEDUCTIBLE.*

BY APPOINTMENT: Patrons are invited to attend a special private sale on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 25-27, along with CSN’s faculty and staff. This will give people an opportunity to purchase with priority in selection and price reductions.

To secure a time call: (702) 859-2208

Patrons may also attend the final sale day on Saturday, July 27, from 2:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m., no appointment required.

This event will be held on the North Las Vegas Campus in the Horn Theatre, 3200 Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas, NV 89030. For directions and event details (including “virtual appointment” options) please call or visit:

www.RockleyFamilyFoundation.org/CSN

In a time where creative solutions are needed to maintain a properly equipped music program, the continuation of this initiative is important to us in our efforts to further education in the arts. We invite you to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity.

Dr. Richard Kravchak
Dean, School of Arts and Letters

For in formation & available appointment times call (702) 859-2208

Please welcome Mr. Chelewa “Che” Gant to the CSN Family as Director of Libraries!

After a competitive national search, Gant will join CSN beginning June 3, coming from the Denver, Colorado area where he most recently served as the Director for Front Range Community College’s Boulder Campus Library and the College’s Open Educational Resource (OER) administrator.

Che (pronounced “SHAY”) has been a public librarian committed to creating memorable learning experiences for students, faculty, and staff for nearly 10 years.  His community engagement philosophy and dedicated service is well aligned with CSN’s mission and our campus culture.  Che is an aspiring writer currently working on a young adult book series and an active community member now looking forward to volunteering within our service region.   Che began his educational journey at the Community College of Denver, before completing his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and criminology at Metropolitan State University in Denver, CO.  In 2015, he earned his master’s degree in library and information science from Kent State University in Ohio.

CSN thanks Mrs. Stephanie Villamor for serving as the Interim Director for the last 13 months. Under her leadership, the CSN Libraries have continued to serve our students, faculty, and staff with the highest level of service and dedication inherent within our Library’s culture.  Thank you to all of the library staff for your patience and support during this time.  Ms. Villamor will be working closely with the new permanent director in the coming months to ensure a smooth transition.

Saturday June 1, 2024, through Monday, September 30, 2024

Henderson Campus – Student Union Gallery

Tuesday October 1, 2024, through Friday, January 31, 2025

Charleston Campus –  Student Union Gallery

Saturday February 1, 2025, through Saturday, May 31, 2025

North Las Vegas Campus – Tyrone Thompson Student Union Gallery

 

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host a traveling exhibition of mixed media paintings by Nevada based artist and College of Southern Nevada adjunct faculty, Stanley Webb. Stanely Webb: A Syncretic Reality will open on Saturday, June 1, 2024, and will travel throughout the Las Vegas valley with showings on the CSN Henderson campus (June 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024), the Charleston campus (October 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025), and the North Las Vegas campus (February 1, 2025 – May 31, 2025). The CSN Student Union Art Galleries are free, family friendly, and open to the public.

Stanley Webb was born in Detroit, MI. Education, advancement, and family was the backbone of his life. At a young age Webb attended The Detroit Institute of Arts Children’s program, where he was exposed to many of the artists from the African Diaspora. Their way of handling materials and how they express themselves through these mediums has always interested him. In his own work, Webb takes what he has learned over the intervening years and incorporates it into his own artistic expression and vision.

Webb graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Michigan in 1984 and a Master of Fine Arts from Queens College in 1988 in Queens, NY. Webb became acutely aware of the lack of representation of people of color in the art world. Through his work he endeavored to use African American historical, literary, and visual references in his Major – sculpture, and drawing. His work was primarily figurative in the Western tradition. He learned the techniques of modeling and casting and drawing consistent with that tradition. Post-graduation he attended Queens College CUNY, where he was a sculpture major and after graduating pursued a variety of creative jobs. When he left New York City, Webb worked at Temple University as an adjunct lecturer in the English department while immersing his artistic roots within his teachings. This eventually led him, in 2013, to begin a deeper understanding of the transformative effects of the African diaspora in the west. Currently, Webb works at the College of Southern Nevada as an Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Art and with differently abled students at the Opportunity Village Fine and Performing Arts program.

Referring to his work, Webb states, “My Abstract work is an attempt to have two or more distinct mediums combine into one image. Initially, the viewer will see a painting but on further inspection the viewer will see a sculpted relief substructure that is sometimes distinct from the paint and has a relation to the whole. A process called syncretism drives my work. Syncretism is a process between different elements, the in-between condition of ‘being both’ without losing their individual distinction. This approach allows me to draw upon multiple sources and traditions; ancient, modern, jazz music and my experience as a person of color with multiethnic roots.”

This project is supported in part by the Nevada Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The CSN Student Union Art Galleries are free, family friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours vary by campus and semester. Please visit https://www.csn.edu/student-unions for current hours of operation.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

Saturday June 1, 2024, through Monday, September 30, 2024

North Las Vegas Campus – Tyrone Thompson Student Union Gallery

Tuesday October 1, 2024, through Friday, January 31, 2025

Henderson Campus – Student Union Gallery

Saturday February 1, 2025, through Saturday, May 31, 2025

Charleston Campus – Student Union Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host a traveling exhibition of paintings by Ukrainian – American artist and College of Southern Nevada alumni, Elena Wherry. Elena Wherry: Garden Party, curated by Kira – The Art Revival, will open on Saturday, June 1, 2024, and will travel throughout the Las Vegas valley with showings on the CSN North Las Vegas campus (June 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024), the Henderson campus (October 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025), and the Charleston campus (February 1, 2025 – May 31, 2025). The CSN Student Union Art Galleries are free, family friendly, and open to the public.

Elena Wherry was born in 1967. Art and creativity have been a part of her life as long as she can remember, having grown up with a father and grandfather who were both great musicians and artists. After moving to the United States in 2000, she began to study art in college and work professionally as an artist. She took Art History and almost all of studio art classes at the College of Southern Nevada and UNLV. After rediscovering watercolor and loving to work on paper surface, she began to take workshops with the best national and international water media artists.  Elena is constantly learning and searching for ways to keep her work exciting. She has accumulated numerous awards at the local and national juried exhibitions. In 2016 Elena was an artist in residence at the Neon Museum in Las Vegas. Her works were exhibited at the Barrick Museum, and her paintings are in the permanent collection of UNLV Student Union.

Speaking of her work, Wherry states, “My work has evolved from early emphasis on traditional watercolor techniques and realism to an unconventional use of water media and the exploration of the area that lies between realism and abstraction. This exhibition marks and illuminates developments in my painting and gardening of the past several years. I accumulated a vast collection of plants in my outdoor and indoor gardens. For me, painting in my studio, surrounded by lush greenery is one of the most satisfying activities there is. Precise observations of constant changes of shapes and colors of growing plants, birds and insects. With all this inspiration of our world, how can the well ever be empty?”

The CSN Student Union Art Galleries are free, family friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours vary by campus and semester. Please visit https://www.csn.edu/student-unions for current hours of operation.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

   

Saturday June 1, 2024, through Monday, September 30, 2024

Charleston Campus – Student Union Gallery

Tuesday October 1, 2024, through Friday, January 31, 2025

North Las Vegas Campus – Tyrone Thompson Student Union Gallery

Saturday February 1, 2025, through Saturday, May 31, 2025

Henderson Campus – Student Union Gallery

 

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host a traveling exhibition of mixed media collage artwork by Nevada based artist and College of Southern Nevada adjunct faculty, Evan Dent. Evan Dent: STACKS will open on Saturday, June 1, 2024, and will travel throughout the Las Vegas valley with showings on the CSN Charleston campus (June 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024), the North Las Vegas campus (October 1, 2024 – January 31, 2025), and the Henderson campus (February 1, 2025 – May 31, 2025). The CSN Student Union Art Galleries are free, family friendly, and open to the public.

Evan Dent grew up in the Great Basin area of Northern Nevada. He earned his BFA degree from the University of Nevada, Reno, followed it up with an MFA degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Dent recently completed Haywood Community College’s Professional Crafts Program with an emphasis in Jewelry/Metalsmithing. He currently lives, teaches, and makes art in Las Vegas, Nevada with his spouse and two dogs.

Before moving to Nevada, Dent owned and operated Dent Fine Art Services and described himself as an “art handyman.” He has taught art at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, the University of New Mexico, the University of New Mexico-Valencia, Winona State University, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, and currently teaches at the College of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas. Dent makes funky, eye-catching jewelry, and 2D mixed media work which are “weird, shiny, and pretty.” When he’s not making jewelry or art, Dent can be found rockhounding or scrounging new materials to use in his work.

Referring to his work, Dent states, “The works in my most recent series, are explorations into nostalgia, memory, and imagination. I work on imagery and antique photographs that I find at flea markets and antique stores. I do not know any of the subjects in the photographs, which allows me to approach them as a blank canvas. With no connection or memories tied to the images, I add my own. Personal relationships, past and current events, and even the occasional joke or one-liner become the new stories the photos tell. My intention is to leave the storylines in my artwork open-ended and somewhat ambiguous. Rather than imbuing my artwork with a specific narrative, I prefer to leave it open for the viewer to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the work.”

“I apply glitter, paint, acrylic resin, and other materials to the images, making the light bounce off the surface. This does not change the subject or the forms drastically, but what viewer sees is constantly changing as they walk around and view the artwork. Our own memories initially seem so clear but may fade over time. Memories often change slightly with each experience, each recounting. Childhood pets become a bit more loyal, sunrises become a bit more colorful, and fights become a bit more violent. This is the way that tall tales are formed, and ideals are forged. An event becomes a memory, a memory becomes a story, and a story becomes a legend.”

The CSN Student Union Art Galleries are free, family friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours vary by campus and semester. Please visit https://www.csn.edu/student-unions for current hours of operation.

 

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
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Photos by @RondaChurchill for CSN

In a thrilling championship game at South Mountain Field, the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) Coyotes emerged victorious against South Mountain Community College (SMCC) with a 13-8 win, clinching their spot in the JUCO World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Coyotes showcased a remarkable blend of resilience, power, and clutch performance to overcome an early deficit and secure their place in the prestigious tournament.

Read more at CSNCoyotes.com.

By Briana Mercado

The College of Southern Nevada announces the newly elected members of the Associated Students of the College of Southern Nevada ASCSN Executive Board and Senate. These dedicated individuals have been chosen to represent the student body and serve as advocates for their peers, faculty, and staff.

Congratulations to the incoming ASCSN Executive Board and Senators. Your commitment to leadership and service is commendable, and we are excited to see the positive impact you will make on campus.

We are proud to introduce President Natasha Niehieam Johnson, who will lead the ASCSN Executive Board. Vice President Paloma Palacios Duarte will serve along side her.

Congratulations also to Henderson Campus Representatives Mikhaelle Pablico and Giovanni Jones for their election to the ASCSN Senate, North Las Vegas Senators: Helena Bauchrowitz, Morgan Graves, and Sofia Navarro Gamboa, as well as West Charleston Senator Adan Reynolds-Amaya Ortega.

In addition, we are pleased to welcome Extension Site Representatives Ian A.R. Powers and Magly Hernandez to the ASCSN Senate.

The ASCSN Executive Board and Senate play a vital role in shaping the student experience at CSN. They serve as the voice of the student body, working to address concerns, advocate for change, and promote a vibrant campus community.

As we look ahead to the next academic year, we encourage all eligible students to consider running for the remaining positions on the ASCSN E-Board and Senate. These positions offer not only the opportunity to make a difference on campus but also a scholarship and part-time job.

Being a part of the ASCSN E-Board and Senate is more than just a title; it is a chance to be a leader, a voice for change, and a representative of the CSN community. Whether you are passionate about student advocacy, event planning, or community outreach, there is a place for you on the ASCSN team.

Awarded to:

Benjamin Mendoza

May 2024

Academic Advisor – Health Sciences Programs

Henderson Campus

Nominated by:  Angel Clemens

Benjamin Mendoza is the most dedicated employee who advocates for students and prospective individuals interested in becoming a student at CSN. He has a passion for supporting student of diverse backgrounds whether it be of AAPIME, Latinos, African American, or LGBTQ.

Congratulations Benjamin!

By: Briana Mercado

This month, from Thursday, May 2nd, through Saturday, May 4th, CSN Mesquite actively participated in the vibrant festivities of the 40th Annual Mesquite Days Event and Parade. It was an exhilarating experience! Our team, including Darlene Montague, Chantile McAllister, and Adam Hilker, set up shop at the event to spread the word about our upcoming classes for the Summer and Fall 2024 semesters.

We had all sorts of info ready to go, thanks to our friends in the CSN Marketing Team. From Phlebotomy to HVAC Technician programs, we were ready to showcase what CSN Mesquite has to offer.

During the parade, our presence was felt as volunteers and students joined us in distributing information and spreading cheer with candy. It was a joyous occasion made even more special by the participation of Dantzel Park, one of our graduating students, who proudly rode in our truck bed adorned in her Cap and Gown, symbolizing the culmination of her journey at CSN.

The Mesquite Days Event, set against the backdrop of Mesquite’s Recreation Center, provided a vibrant platform for community engagement. As our booth buzzed with activity and the parade procession led down Mesquite Blvd, we were reminded of the importance of supporting our city while seizing every opportunity to showcase the excellence of CSN Mesquite.

Events like Mesquite Days not only strengthen the bond between CSN Mesquite and the community but also serve as a testament to our commitment to providing quality education and fostering a spirit of unity and collaboration. We look forward to future opportunities to engage with our community and continue to make a positive impact together.

By: Briana Mercado

Are you passionate about making a difference on campus? Do you want to be a part of a dynamic team that advocates for student needs and promotes a vibrant campus community? If so, then we invite you to join the Associated Students of the College of Southern Nevada !

ASCSN is the student government organization at CSN, and we are dedicated to representing the interests of our fellow students, faculty, and staff. As an ASCSN member, you will have the opportunity to be the voice of change, contribute to campus initiatives, and make a real impact on student life.

We are currently seeking motivated and enthusiastic students to join our team in various leadership roles. Whether you’re interested in student advocacy, event planning, or community outreach, there is a place for you in ASCSN.

Here are the positions available for ASCSN:

ASCSN Secretary: Keep accurate records of ASCSN meetings and activities, manage communication channels, and assist with administrative tasks. This role is essential for ensuring transparency and efficiency within our organization.

ASCSN Treasurer: Manage ASCSN’s finances, including budgeting, financial reporting, and expense tracking. Work closely with other ASCSN members to allocate funds for campus events, initiatives, and student scholarships.

(1) North Las Vegas Campus Senator: Represent the interests of students at the North Las Vegas campus and serve as a liaison between the student body and ASCSN. Advocate for campus improvements, organize events, and address student concerns.

(3) Charleston Campus Senators: Represent the interests of students at the Charleston campus and serve as a liaison between the student body and ASCSN. Advocate for campus improvements, organize events, and address student concerns.

(2) Henderson Campus Senators: Represent the interests of students at the Henderson campus and serve as a liaison between the student body and ASCSN. Advocate for campus improvements, organize events, and address student concerns.

Joining ASCSN is not only a chance to develop your leadership skills and network with fellow students—it’s also an opportunity to receive a scholarship and a part-time job while making a positive impact on campus.

We encourage all eligible students to consider running for ASCSN positions and becoming champions for their peers. Together, we can create a campus community where everyone feels heard, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Ready to take the next step? Visit our website or contact us for more information on how to apply for ASCSN positions. Join us and be the change you want to see at CSN!

ASCSN Campus Locations

CSN Athletics Goodman release

 

When we say we’re the best — we mean it.

We just found out that our Videography and Film students were nominated for 13 Student Production Emmy Awards this year. That’s the highest of any college in the entire Pacific Southwest Region region.

This seems to happen every year. We’ve received 123 nominations in the last 11 years. Incredible.

We’ll follow the awards ceremony in June, and let you know who wins the awards.

Congrats to all the nominees!

2024 National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter Student Emmy Nominations

Short Form

• “Dream House”, Catherine Snow

Long Form

• “Therapy”, Ziad Doumani
• “My Biggest Teacher”, Arianna Martinez

Student Craft — Animation, graphics, special effects

• “Dream House”, Catherine Snow
• “Dyad”, Shawn Rosen

Student Craft — Writing

• “Therapy”, Ziad Doumani
• “Dream House”, Catherine Snow

Student Craft — Editor

• “Dream House”, Catherine Snow
• “My Biggest Teacher”, Arianna Martinez
• “Therapy”, Ziad Doumani

Student Craft — Director

• “Dream House”, Catherine Snow
• “My Biggest Teacher”, Arianna Martinez
• “Dyad”, Shawn Rosen

Coyotes Now Eye Region 18 Tournament at Home

In a stunning display of skill and determination, the College of Southern Nevada’s (CSN) Baseball program clinched their 12th Scenic West Athletic Conference (SWAC) title, marking a historic achievement in the program’s legacy. This victory is especially remarkable as it’s the second consecutive year they’ve claimed the SWAC crown, demonstrating a consistent level of excellence under the guidance of Head Coach Nick Garritano, who now boasts an impressive tally of 7 conference titles.

The road to this championship was paved with hard-fought victories and strategic gameplay, showcasing CSN’s prowess on the diamond. With a roster of talented athletes and a coaching staff dedicated to excellence, the CSN Coyotes dominated their conference opponents, earning the right to host the upcoming Region 18 baseball Tournament.

Morse Stadium, Lied Field, the hallowed grounds of CSN baseball, will serve as the battleground for the Region 18 Tournament from May 9th to May 11th. This prestigious event will feature the top teams from the region, including CSN, Salt Lake Community College, Utah State Eastern, and Southern Idaho, vying for supremacy in a double-elimination format.

CSN’s journey in the tournament kicks off on Thursday, May 9th, at 3:30 PM, as they face off against Southern Idaho in what promises to be an electrifying opening match. Baseball enthusiasts and supporters can secure their tickets and get detailed tournament information starting Monday afternoon through the official CSN Coyotes website at www.csncoyotes.com.

For those unable to attend in person, all tournament games will be broadcasted live on the Coyote Sports Network, ensuring that fans don’t miss a moment of the action as CSN looks to add another accolade to their storied baseball program.

As the College of Southern Nevada  gears up for the fiscal year 2024-2025, the Adult Basic Education staff is diligently crafting new strategies to elevate the educational experience for all participants. From refining class schedules to conducting comprehensive instructor evaluations, the aim is to enrich the program offerings and ensure a rewarding learning journey for students.

Gladis Barrios, Program Manager at CSN, expressed excitement about the upcoming initiatives. “We’re dedicated to enhancing our programs and providing a conducive learning environment for our students. The upcoming fiscal year holds great promise, and we’re eager to unveil our plans during the FY 24-25 Back to School meeting,” Barrios said.

Amidst the planning frenzy, CSN welcomes new additions to its workforce. Brenda Bell, Julissa Hernandez, and Jazmin Monzon join as student workers, while Zuzuki Carlson and Natalie Gutierrez step in as Advisors. Their contributions are poised to further strengthen the institution’s support network for students and faculty alike.

In a remarkable achievement, CSN surpassed its target by serving 1,020 students this year, surpassing the initial goal of 852. Barrios extended her heartfelt appreciation to the entire team for their hard work and dedication. “This accomplishment is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our staff and faculty. Together, we’ve made a significant impact on the lives of our students,” she remarked.

As the summer months approach, CSN encourages everyone to savor the well-deserved break while eagerly anticipating the promising developments in the upcoming academic year. With a commitment to excellence and a spirit of innovation, CSN remains dedicated to empowering students and fostering success in the community.

 

Stay connected with us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn for the latest updates.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

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CSN 2024 Graduation Release - Final

 

We are thrilled to announce that Reuben D’Silva, an extraordinary individual with an inspiring journey, will be the keynote speaker at the College of Southern Nevada’s commencement ceremony for the graduating class of 2024!

D’Silva’s story is one of perseverance, service, and dedication to others. As a teacher in the Clark County School District, he has not only shaped young minds but also uplifted communities and served his country as a U.S. Marine. His journey from Mumbai, India, to the United States is a testament to his determination and passion for making a difference.

Reuben’s commitment to education and community shines through his various roles as a teacher, mentor, and public speaker. Despite facing challenges, including injuries sustained during his service in Iraq, Reuben’s courage and perseverance have never wavered. His journey from the College of Southern Nevada to prestigious institutions like the University of Pennsylvania and Yale University, and his decision to return to Las Vegas to teach, reflect his deep-rooted values and belief in the power of education to transform lives.

As a teacher at Rancho High School, Reuben’s impact on his students’ lives goes beyond the classroom. His dedication to guiding and inspiring the next generation is truly remarkable. Through his involvement in various community organizations and his active role in promoting civic engagement, Reuben continues to be a beacon of hope and inspiration for many.

We are honored to have Reuben D’Silva join us as the keynote speaker for our commencement ceremony. His story is a reminder that no matter the obstacles we face, with determination, resilience, and a commitment to serving others, we can achieve our dreams and make a difference in the world.

Please join us in welcoming Reuben D’Silva as we celebrate the achievements of our graduating class and embark on the next chapter of their journey!

Molly Keyes, a shining star among our Applied Science graduates, has been chosen Student Commencement Speaker for the Class of 2024. Her story is one of perseverance, gratitude, and inclusivity, making her an ideal voice to send off our graduating class.

Keyes, 32, is of Irish and Filipino heritage. She graduated from nursing school in 2012, then went on what she calls a “journey of self-discovery.” She first thought transitioning into the Applied Science in Travel, Convention, and Event Planning program at CSN was a stepping stone toward becoming a physican’s assistant, but that’s not how it all worked out. She realized she’d become passionate about travel and tourism, thanks to Professor Vivienne Sario.

“Being selected as the commencement speaker is a true honor,” Keyes said. “I can’t wait to connect with the Class of 2024 and reflect on our journey together.”

Molly’s journey to this moment has been marked by both challenges and triumphs. She fondly remembers the support of her late father and the pivotal role of the scholarship that made her Bachelor’s degree in Applied Science at CSN possible.

“I’m thankful for the supportive community here at CSN. It’s that spirit of inclusivity that truly helped me thrive,” Molly said, underscoring the welcoming atmosphere that sets CSN apart.

Sario, the professor, praised her not just for her academic prowess, but for her leadership and inspiration to her peers. “Molly embodies the spirit of excellence and resilience that we aim to foster at CSN,” she said.

Molly’s selection as commencement speaker is not only a personal triumph but a milestone for CSN’s Tourism, Convention, and Event Planning program. She’s the first student from the Hospitality Management Department to represent the department on stage.

She plans on continuing her education, pursing her bachelor’s degree next.

“I chose CSN for its inclusive culture and acceptance, which proved invaluable as I returned to school after a decade, initially apprehensive about judgment,” she said. “However, the warmth and support I received from both students and faculty reaffirmed my decision.”

As another successful semester winds down, I’d like to invite you all to our next Town Hall, which is set for 10 a.m. May 9 in the Charleston Campus K building Room 101. You’ll be able to participate via Microsoft Teams, as well, if you can’t make it in person.

You’ll recall that we began holding town halls during the COVID shutdown — and I must say, they are one of the positive enduring legacies of that trying time. I truly enjoy connecting with our faculty and staff on a personal level. So, please, come if you can, and bring your questions. We want you to be informed.

Scheduled topics include:

• Your questions
• Presidential Search
• Flexible Work Policy
• Accreditation Update
• Budget Update
• Program Budget Requests

As reported by Interim Chancellor Patricia Charlton, plans are to appoint an Acting President of CSN from the National Registry prior to my departure on June 30, 2024. The Chancellor and the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents are working diligently on the selection of the interim.  The Acting President will serve no longer than one year. At the same time, a national search for the next permanent president will begin in the fall. Per NSHE protocol, there will be a search committee appointed that will include faculty, staff, students and administrators and community stakeholders. The CSN family will have a strong voice in the choosing the college’s next leader.

Please look for more news on this front soon, and ongoing as the process moves forward.

I am so excited for our Commencement Ceremony, set to be held on May 13. Like last year, we’ll have two ceremonies, one at 10 a.m. and one at 5 p.m., both at the Thomas & Mack Center on UNLV’s campus.

This year, we’ll award 4,000 students their degrees and certificates, sending them out into the working world or on to four-year colleges and universities. Official numbers will be available once grades are final, but did you know that, in the last decade, CSN has seen more than 25,000 students earn their degrees and certificates and go on to fuel the growth and diversification of the Southern Nevada economy?

We’re making a huge difference in so many individual lives, and I find that the most rewarding aspect of working in higher education for all these years.

Our student Commencement Speaker will be Molly Keyes, a single mom and Phi Theta Kappa member who took an 8-year break to take care of her child before coming back and finishing her degree. She’s an inspiration, and, like so many CSN students, an example for us all.

I hope to see you at the ceremony!

At its latest meetings this year, the Board took several actions benefitting CSN, our students, and our community.

• 16 CSN faculty members were awarded tenure!
• CSN Champion Ken Evans was awarded this year’s Honorary Degree.
• The Board approved our much-needed new Associate of Applied Science degree in Funeral Services.
• CSN student Rebecca Taylor was awarded the Sam Lieberman Award for Student Scholarship, also known as the Regents’ Award

Awarded to:

Bernice Cooper

April 2024

Senior Specialist – Testing Center

North Las Vegas Campus

Nominated by:  Amber Suzuki

Bernice is dedicated to CSN and the three testing centers. She is collaborative with her team, staff, students, and faculty and always has a positive and welcoming energy to all.

Congratulations Bernice!

CAPS, in collaboration with the Human Behavior Department, proudly presents Conversations with Psychology.

A compelling series of discussions focused on exploring different areas of the field. This month’s topic focuses on the intriguing realms of forensic psychology and criminology, featuring a distinguished panel of psychologists eager to share their insights.

Join us at the Charleston Multicultural Center, Student Union Room 121 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. April 23 to participate in this enlightening conversation. If you can not make it,  join virtually from wherever you are, ensuring accessibility for all interested individuals. Feel free to bring any questions you may have about the topic. The panelists are here to provide clarity and foster meaningful dialogue.

These discussions serve as a valuable opportunity for both students and staff at CSN to explore concepts related to psychology in a relaxed and inclusive environment. Whether you’re curious about forensic psychology or criminology or simply interested in broadening your understanding of the field, Conversations with Psychology offers a safe space for exploration and discovery.

Don’t miss out on this enriching experience! Mark your calendars and join us for an insightful discussion that promises to expand your horizons and deepen your appreciation for the diverse concepts of psychology.

Excitement is in the air as we eagerly anticipate the upcoming screening of the PBS award-winning documentary, “Storming Caesar’s Palace,” right here at the College of Southern Nevada. Set to take place on April 24, 2024, at our Charleston Campus in K101 from 4 to 6:30 p.m. This event promises an evening filled with inspiration, insight, and reflection.

Directed by the talented filmmaker Hazel Gurland, “Storming Caesar’s Palace” is a remarkable portrayal of fortitude and grace, centering on the compelling story of local Welfare Rights activist, Ms. Ruby Duncan. Through Gurland’s lens, audiences are invited to delve into the depths of Ms. Duncan’s journey, witnessing her unwavering dedication to advocating for social justice and equality.

The film, which premiered on “Independent Lens” during Women’s History Month of 2023, has garnered critical acclaim for its touching narrative and powerful storytelling. It serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of grassroots activism.

We are honored to host Hazel Gurland for a special Q&A session following the screening. This presents a unique opportunity for our community to engage directly with the filmmaker, gaining further insights into the creative process behind this compelling documentary.

As members of the CSN family, we understand the importance of amplifying voices that often go unheard and shining a light on stories that deserve to be told. “Storming Caesar’s Palace” showcases these values, offering a platform for reflection, dialogue, and collective action.

We invite all faculty, staff, students, and community members to join us for this momentous occasion. Let us come together to celebrate the indomitable spirit of individuals like Ms. Ruby Duncan and to reaffirm our commitment to creating a more just and equitable society.

Mark your calendars and spread the word. Together, let’s make this screening a memorable and impactful event.

In collaboration with Vote Nevada, the CSN Women’s Alliance proudly announces the co-sponsorship of a Primary Election Candidate Forum. This pivotal event will take place at the North Las Vegas Campus on April 27, 2024, from 9 a.m. to noon, held within the esteemed confines of the Student Union Ballroom.

Voters are encouraged to engage actively by dropping in anytime between 9 a.m. and noon to pose questions to the candidates, fostering meaningful discussions about their ideas and positions. To assist attendees in navigating the electoral landscape, dedicated volunteers will be on hand, providing guidance on candidate profiles and addressing inquiries regarding voter registration and the upcoming primary election procedures.

Flexibility is key to accommodating attendees’ schedules, allowing them to ask questions and depart at their convenience. The significance of participating in our primary election cannot be overstated, as it presents voters with a plethora of choices among diverse candidates and ideas.

We urge all members of our community to seize this opportunity to be informed, engaged citizens. Mark your calendars and join us on April 27th to make your voice heard and shape the future of our democracy.

The students in the Interpreter Preparation Program (class of 2024) are experiencing interpreting in the community by visiting various Las Vegas sites and practicing interpreting tours.

Recently, they visited the Lion Habitat and will soon be experiencing the Mob Museum. In the past they have visited The Bodies Exhibit, The Springs Preserve, the Neon Museum. They also had a recent opportunity to interpret “Mousetrap” by Signature Productions.This is a wonderful opportunity to prepare them for community work after they graduate and for these venues to become aware of interpreter services when they have Deaf guests.

Currently, you are probably hearing a lot about Artificial Intelligence (AI). The College of Southern Nevada has launched an AI Taskforce, a campus-wide committee tasked with advising on the future of AI for our community.

By understanding AI, and responsibly including it, we can shape a future at CSN where AI enhances our ability to create a rich, engaging learning environment.

Taskforce Purpose

Create a framework to guide both policy and practice regarding Artificial Intelligence at CSN.  This includes:

• Ethical and responsible use of AI applications at CSN.
• Integration of AI into teaching and learning standards.
• Access to AI resources by Students, Faculty, and Administration.

• • Participation in NSHE, Nevada Department of Education, and CSN policies, standards, and practices development.

How to Contribute

Feel free to share your AI experiences, observations, and suggestions with any member of the Taskforce to guide our work. You may contact the task force at AI.Taskforce@csn.edu

Taskforce Members

The members of the AI Taskforce include:

• Gerardo Aguilar
• Vartouhi Asherian
• Courtney Danforth
• Cheryl Feldmeier
• Melissa Giovanni
• Joe Hicks
• Mary Ann Hughes Butts
• Toni Jackman
• Emily King
• Ayla Koch
• Joshua Levin
• James McCoy
• Robert Peterson
• Shari Peterson
• Larry Pilon
• James Pristas
• Nicholas Snead
• Sarah Tartaglia
• Patrick Villa
• Naylee Villanueva

CSN SAXOPHONE ENSEMBLE CONCERT May 9

CSN presents “Miniature Robot Dance” featuring the Las Vegas Youth Saxophone Ensembles

The Department of Fine Arts Music Program presents the Las Vegas Youth Saxophone Ensembles(“LVYSE”) led by Artistic Director, Dr. Lindsey D. O’Connor, in their spring semester concert at CSN entitled Miniature Robot Dance featuring the music of Roberto Di Marino, Samuel Hazo, Jeremy Howell, Rika, Ishige, Lachlan Kuhn, Alexander Lee, Marc Mellits, Carter Pann, Jonathan Russell and Dayla Spencer. The LVYSE features college students, as well as local middle and high school students who are dually enrolled at CSN.

The concert will take place Thursday, May 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the BackStage Theatre at the Cheyenne Campus. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit us online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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The College of Southern Nevada Fine Arts Gallery will present our annual Juried Student Exhibition beginning Friday, May 10, 2024, through Saturday, July 6, 2024. A reception with refreshments, awards ceremony, gallery talk, and Salon de Refusés will take place on Friday, May 10, from 6 – 8 p.m. This exhibition will feature student artwork made in connection with CSN Fine Arts Department, Art and Art History Program courses with media including drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, metals, ceramics, jewelry, and design.

This year’s exhibition will feature guest judge, Ms. Rebecca Holden. Holden joined the city of Las Vegas Cultural Affairs team in 2013 and has worked with the Public Art Program since 2015. In addition to bringing large and small-scale projects to fruition, Holden applies her attention to detail and extensive knowledge of the city’s Visual Arts Program towards ensuring proper stewardship of their collection of artworks and objects. Through her work in public service, Holden supports the City of Las Vegas Arts Commission and has served on Clark County’s Public Art Committee, 1 October Memorial Committee, and as Government Liaison for the 18b Las Vegas Arts District Neighborhood Association Board. Upcoming projects in the Las Vegas Medical District and a new citywide Public Art Master Plan are just a few of the projects Holden is excited to be currently working in support of the city’s core purpose of “Building Community to Make Life Better.”

A longtime member of the Las Vegas community and proud Nevadan, Holden earned a Bachelor of Art from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, with a major in Fine Art and minor in Art History. The 2024 Juried Student Exhibition will feature awards with anticipated prize values totaling $1,500 or more courtesy of Blick Art Materials and Kendall Hunt Publishing Company. A Salon de Refusés will take place in conjunction with this exhibit in the CSN Horn Theatre Lobby on first floor of the CSN North Las Vegas campus, Main Building, “H” Wing.

The CSN Art Galleries would like to thank its guest judge, Ms. Rebecca Holden and its outstanding community partners, Blick Art Materials and Kendall Hunt Publishing Company for their generous support of this exhibition and our students.

        

CSN’s Fine Arts Gallery and all gallery events are free, family friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Fine Arts Gallery and Horn Theatre lobby are located at the half circle drive near CSN’s main entrance, on the North Las Vegas campus at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one-mile East of I-15 North.

For more information please call (702) 651-4146
https://www.csn.edu/artgallery
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CSN Creating Writing Program presents: A Faculty Reading.

CSN faculty members are invited to read original works. Students, community, and faculty, are invited to explore, recognize, and enjoy various forms and perspectives with this special event.

Sponsored by CSN Creative Writing Program; CSN English Department, Chair Dr. Levia Hayes; CSN College of Arts and Letters, Dr. Richard Kravchack.

Date: April 25, 2024
Reception: 5:30 p.m.
Reading: 6-7 p.m.

Nominate an outstanding peer, colleague or yourself for a CSN Excellence Award or a Distinguished Employee Award.

CSN Presents an evening of Mariachi Music

The Department of Fine Arts Music Program is proud to present an evening of mariachi music featuring Mariachi Plata, the 2021, 2022 and 2023 first place winners at the Mariachi Extravaganza in San Antonio, Texas. This lively and festive performance event will be presented under the direction of Perry Chacon. The show will also include performances by the rest of CSN’s Mariachi program as well as youth groups from CCSD.

The concert takes place Monday, May 6, at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre on the North Las Vegas Campus.  General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit us at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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By: Briana Mercado

 

Students, faculty and community leaders across the College of Southern Nevada are advocating for respect and acceptance of transgender individuals in response to recent comments made by NSHE Regent Patrick Boylan.

On March 27, members of CSN’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, the Q Club, and the Nevada Faculty Alliance-CSN organized two rallies to protest the regent’s comments and promote Transgender Visibility. These rallies, held at the North Las Vegas and Charleston campuses, attracted a diverse audience comprising students, faculty, staff, and community members who stood in solidarity for transgender rights.

Speakers at the rallies included GSA chair Joe Hassert, DRC staff member Gavin Davis, CSN political science professor Alethea Martic, and CSN students Alex Perdue and Lucas Rodriguez. Additionally, community members Bada Ogee Taylor, Viannah Rose Taylor, and Rio Antone shared their perspectives on the importance of community and acceptance.

Hassert said the events aimed not only to protest but also to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility, observed annually on March 31. He emphasized the significance of demonstrating support and respect for transgender members of the CSN community, countering bigotry and ignorance even when voiced by influential figures.

Friday, May 3, 2024, through Saturday, June 29, 2024

North Las Vegas Campus – Artspace Gallery

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition featuring the works of 17 student artists from CSN’s Art & Art History Program. Works featured in this exhibition are included as part of the program’s capstone experience and highlight the vast range of offerings within the CSN Art & Art History Program including ceramics, digital media, drawing, metal work, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Art 298: Portfolio Emphasis – Spring 2024 Exhibition: The New Desert will open Friday, May 3, 2024, and will run through Saturday, June 29, 2024. An Artist Reception with light refreshments will take place in the Artspace Gallery on Friday, May 10, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. All CSN art gallery events are free, family friendly, and open to the public.

The Art 298: Portfolio Emphasis – Spring 2024 Exhibition: The New Desert features the work of 17 student artists from the CSN Art & Art History Program. Artwork featured in this exhibition are included as part of the program’s capstone experience and highlight the vast range of offerings within the CSN Art & Art History Program including ceramics, digital media, drawing, metal work, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.

The Art 298: Portfolio Emphasis – Spring 2024 Exhibition: The New Desert features student artists: Astroboi, Sara Chitescu, Cassandra Espinosa, Grant Heynen, Dylan Kim, Sanaa Lloyd, Hossein Marvin, James Minton, Rob O’Brien, Suzzann Paris, Isabella Privetera, Olivia Reamer, Amarilis Rosario-Tillema, Isabelle Senn, Kaitlyn Tinnirello, Andrea Torres, and Summer Wilde. Art 298 faculty include Professor Sean Russell, MFA, University of Nevada Las Vegas, and Professor Christopher Tsouras, MA & MFA, University of Wisconsin Madison. The CSN Artspace Gallery is free, family friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Artspace Gallery is upstairs above the main entrance lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one-mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery

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Join us to celebrate, learn about, and enjoy these wonderful cultures!

The Department of Fine Arts Music Program presents CSN’s Vocal Ensembles celebrating the spring season with a Choral Music Performance!

The Chamber Chorale, under the direction of Dr. Mark Wherry and Voltaire Verzosa, will sing a wide variety of selections. The CSN Jazz Singers will perform a set of jazz standards and will be accompanied by a top-notch rhythm section. Spotlight soloists will also be featured.

Voice classes instructed by Dr. Mark Wherry and Voltaire Verzosa will sing representative selections from the repertoire they have been working on this semester, which range from folk songs to Italian art songs and musical theater.

The concert takes place on Thursday, May 2nd, at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the CSN Box Office at 702-651-LIVE (5483) or buy tickets online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The CSN Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

 

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CSN Fine Arts Music Program presents an evening of classic and contemporary jazz selections featuring CSN Jazz Combos under the direction of Dr. David Phy and Dr. Lindsey O’Connor.

The concert will take place on Saturday, May 4 at 7:00 p.m. in the BackStage Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus. General admission ticket prices are $8 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. This event is presented by CSN’s Fine Arts Department Music Program. To purchase tickets online or to contact us for more information, please go to: www.csn.edu/pac. For more information.

The CSN Performing Arts Center provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community and is located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

 

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Western HS students can earn professional certificate & college credits.
CSN’s HVAC program prepares students with hands-on experience in and out of the classroom learn how to install, maintain, service, troubleshoot, and repair residential heating and cooling systems.

Student Entrepreneurs Showcased their Visions & Talents

The Inaugural CSN Blackstone LaunchPad Side Hustle Expo took place on Thursday, March 28th from 3PM – 5PM at the CSN North Las Vegas campus. The event, which was held in the June Whitley Student Lounge, offered a platform for our students to showcase their talents and side businesses. 

With students using tri-fold boards provided by Blackstone LaunchPad to present their ventures, the atmosphere of the Expo resembled that of a dynamic science fair, filled with creativity and the entrepreneurial spirit. Those in attendance said they were impressed by the diversity and ingenuity on display.

“The CSN Blackstone LaunchPad Side Hustle Expo was a resounding success,” said Eric Garner, Director, CSN Small Business & Entrepreneurship Development. “Our goal was to give students the opportunity to share their visions and dreams and it was evident these young entrepreneurs were really excited to be there”.

Organizers of the Side Hustle Expo said this event was not just about showcasing businesses, but also fostering a supportive community for student entrepreneurs. Attendees had the opportunity to connect, exchange ideas and gain valuable insights from industry professionals. 

The first-place winner was CSN Sophomore, Salvador Duer, who launched his landscaping business, Duer Does it Green, 4 years ago. 

“I was ecstatic when I found out I won,” said Duer. “I wasn’t expecting it but this win has boosted my confidence to keep going after my dream of running my business full-time. My advice for other young business owners is to go after your passion. I see myself now starting a movement for eco-conscious lawn care which I think is very important here in Nevada”.

The second-place winner was Alyssa Daniel with her crochet business, Arttzyee.

CSN Business student Charity Logan was among the student entrepreneurs who took part in the Side Hustle Expo. She showcased her current side business, Haunted Confections, a baked goods decorating business with a “Halloween” twist.

“I have always been passionate about sweet treats and also horror-themed things,” said Logan. “This side business is a way I get to be creative and hopefully earn some extra money as well. I was excited to take part in this expo because it will allow me to learn how to network and share the story of my business with the community”.

In all, close to 40 student entrepreneurs took part in the event, and over 100 people attended. The top winners received more than $4000 in prizes, which included cash and MacBook’s.

By Briana Mercado

 

The College of Southern Nevada is proud to recognize the achievements of the students who participated in the recent College Band Directors National Association Western/Northwestern Division Conference Intercollegiate Honor Band. This prestigious event provided an exceptional platform for college and university students to showcase their musical talents and collaborate with outstanding musicians from across the western United States and Canada.

The talented individuals representing CSN were Alec Russell on clarinet, Hayden Eighmy as principal alto saxophone, and William Auflik as principal tenor saxophone. Their exceptional performances added to the richness of the ensemble’s musical journey.

The CBDNA Western/Northwestern Intercollegiate Band is renowned for providing a unique opportunity for students to work under the guidance of notable conductors and alongside peers who share a passion for music. This event invites actively enrolled students from universities, colleges, and community colleges, allowing them to be nominated based on their talent and dedication as recommended by their directors.

This year’s ensemble was a testament to the diversity and talent across the western region, with students representing 21 different universities from Arizona, California, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Utah. The participants ranged from undergraduate freshmen to graduate students, showcasing the depth of musical education and dedication to excellence in performance.

CSN is honored to have its students among this esteemed group of performers, highlighting the college’s commitment to nurturing musical talent and providing opportunities for artistic growth and collaboration.

The Program link for the event can be accessed to experience the incredible musical journey undertaken by these exceptional musicians. https://nevada.app.box.com/s/cimkqa4fr0e5bnbnz3eas4h4sker473y

The success of CSN’s students at the CBDNA Western/Northwestern Intercollegiate Band reflects the college’s dedication to excellence in music education and serves as an inspiration for aspiring musicians within the CSN community and beyond.

 

The Department of Fine Arts Music Program presents an evening of Big Band classics as well as contemporary selections with CSN’s Jazz Band Concert under the direction of Dr. David Phy. There will be a special apprearance by the, Doral Academy Red Rock under the direction of Eben Arias to open the show.   The concert will take place on Wednesday, May 1st, at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus.

General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  To purchase tickets online, visit: www.csn.edu/pac. For more information, please call the PAC Box Office at 702-651-LIVE (5483).

The CSN Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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CSN CONCERT BAND April 30, 2024

Presented by CSN’s Music Program

With special guests from Palo Verde High School

Southern Nevada audiences will be treated to a variety of works by the Department of Fine Arts Music Program’s own CSN Concert Band with special guest performers from Palo Verde High School. CSN’s Concert Band is under the direction of Dr. David Phy. The Palo Verde High School Band is under the direction of Tim Warren.

The concert is scheduled on Tuesday, April 30th at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus Performing Arts     Center. General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for Students/Seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the CSN Box Office at 702-651-LIVE (5483) or buy tickets online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The Nicholas J. Horn Theatre provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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It’s almost time for our Commencement Ceremony, and you may have noticed a Call for Volunteers that went out last week. While CSN must remain open to the public during the ceremony, I would like to ask all supervisors to be mindful and flexible with scheduling so employees who would like to volunteer can. 

On the day of the ceremony, Monday, May 13, I ask that all CSN offices operate with skeleton crews and provide flexibility as appropriate to the various employee groups. We will have several shifts of volunteers available and will need coverage from morning to night. 

Commencement at CSN is a momentous occasion that we all can take pride in. I hope all who can will pitch in and join us in this pinnacle celebration of Students First!

– Federico

This month, as we celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month at CSN, I want us to focus on the rich heritage and history of this community that has shaped the history of the United States. CSN celebrates and honors AAPI Month in April (instead of May, as is traditional) before the end of the spring semester and the excitement of Commencement.

The month was designated to commemorate not only some of the first Asian American immigrants to the United States in the mid 1800s, but to celebrate the 1869 completion of the transcontinental railroad that was built in large part by 20,000 Chinese immigrants.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are among the fastest growing communities in Nevada and Nationally and according to the U.S. Census, the AAPI population has increased by more than 175% in the last decade.  At CSN, approximately 11% of students in the CSN family are a part of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community.

This year, the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC) selected the theme of Advancing Leaders Through Innovation. This strikes me as particularly aligned with the CSN mission to enable our students and communities to achieve, succeed and prosper.

If opportunity is defined by what is possible there is no doubt that the Asian American and Pacific Islander community has a rich heritage of turning opportunity into triumph and possibilities into reality. Please join me in celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage this month and into May. And remember to keep an eye on the events calendar for diversity events.

– Federico

Las Vegas audiences will delight in an evening of classic works by Mozart, Frescobaldi, Bellini, and Ford performed by the College of Southern Nevada Department of Fine Arts Music Program’s Orchestra conducted by Eric McAllister. The evening concert event features Paris Cho who will be performing The Flute Concertino by Chaminade and will include special guest performances from Shadow Ridge High School conducted by Ed Richards.

The concert will take place on Monday, April 29th at 7:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus Performing Arts Center.

General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for Students/Seniors. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call the CSN Box Office at 702-651-LIVE (5483) or buy tickets online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

The Nicholas J. Horn Theatre provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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Are you an educator or staff member interested in expanding your horizons and engaging in transformative international experiences?

Look no further than the Fulbright Scholar Program, a prestigious initiative that offers unparalleled opportunities for professional and personal growth. Whether you’re experienced or new to the field, the Fulbright Scholar Program can open doors to unique experiences and collaborations worldwide.

Join us for an hour-long workshop led by an expert from Fulbright, where you will dive into this renowned program. Faculty and staff alike are invited to participate and discover the multiple benefits and possibilities that the Fulbright experience can offer.

The Fulbright Scholar Program is not just an opportunity; it’s a transformative journey that can shape careers and broaden horizons in profound ways. Whether you’re curious about international teaching, research collaborations, or cultural immersion, the Fulbright program offers a platform to turn aspirations into realities.

Mark your calendars and join us for an enlightening hour as we explore the Fulbright Scholar Program together.

Date: April 1, 2024
Time: 11:00 AM– Noon
Location: D Building
Auditorium Room 101
College of Southern NV
6375 W. Charleston Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV, 89146

For more information: Patricia Vázquez, Fulbright liaison
702.651.5749 | patricia.vazquez@csn.edu

ASL Club of CSN’s Maiden Voyage to the center of the Deaf World: Gallaudet University & Washington DC.

Embarking on a meaningful journey, the ASL Club of the College of Southern Nevada, along with a mix of its board members and dedicated Deaf Studies program students, made their way to Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. from March 6-10, 2024. Guided by Professor Helou, our ASL Club co-advisor, this enriching field trip—supported by fundraising, student life contest winnings, individual contributions, and an ASCSN grant—aimed to immerse participants in the vibrant world of Deaf culture and education, a key aspect of our program’s philosophy.

Gallaudet University, recognized as the only institution of higher learning specifically for deaf and hard of hearing students, holds a special place within our Deaf Studies program. Since its establishment in 1864, Gallaudet has led the way in Deaf education, research, and advocacy, serving as both an invaluable resource and a source of inspiration for our students. This trip celebrated our program’s connection to Gallaudet and underscored our commitment to Deaf culture and ASL.

The group, consisting of students from the BAS Interpreter Preparation Program, and an AAS Deaf Studies student, all under Professor Helou’s leadership, fully embraced the Gallaudet ethos of “hands up, voices off,” using ASL to meaningfully engage with the Deaf community.

Their journey included visits to key landmarks and institutions, such as the White House and the U.S. Capitol—where students had the chance to interpret their tours—the Library of Congress, and the National Mall, with insightful visits to the Holocaust Museum and Arlington National Cemetery. Stops at a Deaf-operated Starbucks and the Deaf-owned “Mozzeria” pizzeria showcased successful Deaf entrepreneurship, further inspiring our students.

Students had the opportunity to compete in a Treasure Hunt around Washington D.C.’s landmarks presented a fun and educational challenge, emphasizing the importance of education, networking, and advocacy within the Deaf community. Through this activity, students explored the city’s rich history and culture, simultaneously uncovering the wide range of offerings and possibilities in Deaf studies and interpretation. Additionally, it offered insights into the benefits of pursuing advanced education, such as a Master’s Degree at Gallaudet University, and the value of socializing and networking with Deaf college students. This experience enriched their understanding of our nation’s capital and history, equipping them with perspectives that will enhance their future work as interpreters in various educational settings, from K-12 to post-secondary levels.

This trip was more than just a valuable experience for the CSN Deaf Studies program; it was a journey of discovery and connection, fostering a deeper understanding and respect for Deaf culture and ASL. Through this visit to Gallaudet University, Advisor Helou and the students explored the rich tapestry of Deaf history, gaining insights that would guide their own paths into the Deaf community. It was a poignant reminder of the continuous journey toward understanding, inclusion, and advocacy, embodying the spirit of unity and progress that defines our commitment to the Deaf community and Deaf studies.

On behalf of Professor Angela Spires, CSN’s Achieving the Dream Faculty Liaison, I encourage you to engage with your colleagues at the upcoming Achieving the Dream Capacity Café, which will be hosted at the Charleston Campus Student Union on Friday, April 19, 2024. More details from Professor Spires at the ATD Core Team appear below.

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‌Be Part of the Movement to Close Student Success Gaps and Strengthen Communication Across CSN! RSVP Today!
‌
‌Friday, April 19, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
‌Charleston Campus Student Union Ballroom
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About this event
Come Join Us for Achieving the Dream Capacity Café!

‌Data Preview: Student Success Rates by Demographics: race, age, gender

Do you know which students have higher success rates in classes based on their demographics? How can this information help you collaborate to improve student success?
Come Find Out!
As we continue on our college-wide quest to close student success gaps and create clear communication, we want to extend an invitation to attend a capacity cafe workshop facilitated by our core ATD team and our ATD Coach Dr. Jacqueline Taylor. We want to discuss current data and trends at CSN, students success rates by demographics, and talk about equity gaps and where we feel we are making progress as well as where we still need support.
More importantly, we want to expand the conversation to include more faculty from different departments, more student services employees, and more executives to contribute to this ongoing project to help meet the needs of the CSN community, including our students, faculty, and staff.
These combined voices are needed to foster collaboration, creating clear lines of communication and making the college stronger so that we can achieve our institutional student success goals, ultimately helping our students achieve, succeed, and prosper.
While we are on three campuses, we are one institution, and want voices from all parts of the institution to be heard at our Capacity Cafe.
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‌Agenda

• 9-10 a.m. — Coffee & Collaboration: Student Success Trends at CSN with Q & A
• 10-11:30 a.m. — Capacity Cafe: Connecting Past & Current Work from Across the College
• 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. —  Lunch, Fellowship & Fun
• 12:45-1:30 p.m. — Student Panel: Centering Student Voices
• 1:30-3:30 p.m. —  Takeaways & Next Steps

Community college students do research, too.

A group of CSN students and their professors have conducted research significant enough that it’s now published!

The publication represents two years’ worth of work by nine CSN students through the SEA-PHAGES course over the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years. Two of the phages (Nibbles and OlgasClover) were discovered by CSN students in the fall 2023 semester after collecting soil samples from the local Vegas area. The other two phages (Blocker23 and JorRay) were discovered by another college in Atlanta, Georgia. All four phage genomes were annotated (or analyzed) by CSN students, and their work was reviewed by the professors teaching the course. All contributing individuals (mostly CSN students and faculty) are listed as authors in the openly accessible publication.

There are new discoveries in science every day!  The link below takes you to a peer-reviewed publication of four bacteriophages that are new to science.  The phage genetic material was isolated and sequenced as part of the Biological Sciences SEA-PHAGES program.

Click the journal article link to learn more: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mra.01256-23

Awarded to:

Kenneth Roman

March 2024

Specialist – Math & Tutoring

Centers for Academic Success

Henderson Campus

Nominated by:  Shannon Prestridge

Ken is highly skilled in helping students with math, reducing anxieties, and promoting a growth mindset. His goal is to help people as a team. In fact, his team is so vital to him that he founded a newsletter for our staff which has grown into a departmental newsletter.  He works tirelessly with students, often serving as the only math tutor on shift at Henderson as we are short staffed.

Congratulations Ken!

Henderson, NV (March 25, 2024): The City of Henderson and the College of Southern Nevada are proud to announce the launch of the Henderson Small Business Assistance Program. This collaborative effort provides underserved, late-stage businesses with the tools and skills to build long-term resilience, capacity, and job creation.

A kick-off event to recognize participating businesses will be held from 1-2 p.m. Wednesd

ay, April 3 at Henderson City Hall. Media are invited to attend and interview opportunities are available for this invitation-only event.

“Almost every business in the country is a small business, and the City of Henderson is committed to supporting, uplifting, and empowering those in our community,” said Henderson Director of Economic Development and Tourism Jared Smith. “This program is a tremendous resource for connecting underserved businesses with the necessary tools. We remain grateful to CSN for its partnership and for sharing our bold vision for Henderson’s future.”

The HSBA Program equips qualified businesses with:

• Up to 12 months of technical expertise from skilled Henderson professionals
• High-level assistance in marketing, web design, e-commerce, accounting, financing, video creation, and more
• A resiliency work plan that fosters business success

Featured speakers at the kick-off event:

• Michelle Romero, Henderson Mayor
• Jared Smith, City of Henderson Director of Economic Development & Tourism
• Dr. Federico Zaragoza, President College of Southern Nevada
• Dr. Clarissa Cota, CSN North Las Vegas Campus Vice President
• Eric Garner, CSN Director, Small Business & Entrepreneurship Development

Qualified applicants must be Henderson-based businesses operating for at least two years with annual revenue between $50,000 and $700,000. Several businesses have already been selected, but limited spots remain! Qualified business owners can apply by visiting: nvgrow.org/henderson

About CSN:

The College of Southern Nevada empowers our students and community to achieve, succeed and prosper. Founded in 1971, CSN is a nationally recognized student success leader specializing in two-year degrees and a select number of bachelor’s degrees in specialized fields.

ABOUT THE CITY OF HENDERSON

Incorporated in 1953, Henderson is Nevada’s second largest city with more than 336,000 residents. Henderson is a premier city, nationally recognized for its stunning parks, trails, master-planned communities, outstanding quality of life and patriotic past. Recognized as one of America’s Best Places to Live (MONEY and Liveability.com), one of America’s Best Cities (Business Week), one of the safest cities in America (Forbes, InsuranceProviders.com, Law Street Media, Movato.com), and a Bicycle Friendly Community (League of American Bicyclists), Henderson is a progressive and vibrant city committed to maintaining premier amenities and services for all who choose to live, learn, work and play in Henderson … a place to call home.

 

The College of Southern Nevada Dance Program presents The Spring Dance Formal 2024. In celebration of Spring we will debut new works with The CSN Concert Company in collaboration with the CSN Theatre, Videography and Music Programs. We have created a Site-Specific Dance, and Dance for Film project entitled “Desert in Motion.” The original score, “Three Scenes From the Desert,” was composed by Australian-born, Dr. Alex Stopa. Dr. Stopa, a resident of Las Vegas, is in high demand as a drummer, percussionist, marimba soloist, and composer. ​Praised for his “wonderfully creative musical instincts, dazzling technique and high-octane stage presence,” (Scott Stevens, New York Metropolitan Opera) he has performed extensively in the United States, Australia, United Kingdom, Ireland, Singapore, France, Belgium, Japan, and Hong Kong. We are proud and honored to be able to realize his piece live today, with this groundbreaking inter-departmental collaboration.

This project is being filmed by our CSN Videography Program with 4 students under the guidance of Professor Sean Collett, at the Red Rock Canyon National Park, which will then be edited as Dance for Camera to be a part of our live performance.

The score will be performed in real time by students of the Music Program as well as part time instructors, all under the guidance of Professor Robert Bonora, Chair/Department of Fine Arts and Coordinator of Percussion Studies at CSN.

Costumes are designed by CSN Theatre Student in Costume Design and Construction, Kennedy Moseley, under the guidance of Professor Dustin Shaffer.

Chorepgraphy is set in three sections by Interim Director of Dance, Denise Darnell along with Carrie Miles and Aubrey Pascoe, and is performed by the Concert Dance Company of the College of Southern Nevada.

The concert will close with “Vegas Meets Broadway.” A musical revue directed and choreographed by guests Frit and Frat Fuller. The musical revue presents musical and dance scenes from West Side Story, Hamilton, Funny Girl and The Greatest Showman. The ensemble will include student actors, dancers and singers from CSN’s Theatre and Music Programs.

Frit and Frat are the Associate choreographers under legendary Broadway and film choreographer, Julie Arenal. (Notably, she choreographed for “Much Ado About Nothing” at the Kirk Douglas Theater in Los Angeles and “Timmy The Great” at the Theater of the New City in New York City). Frit and Frat have also choreographed for several dance companies and theme parks, and have been guest artists at various schools, colleges and universities around the world, including National Institute of the Arts in Taiwan and Pineapple Dance Studios in London. The brothers recently created, directed, and choreographed the jukebox stage musical, “Down Around Brown Town” celebrating the music of Mr. James Brown performed in Los Angeles and New York City. Along with being featured in Dance Mogul Magazine, Frit and Frat received the 2013 NAACP Theatre Award for Best Director of a Musical/Local Division for “Down Around Brown Town.”

The concert takes place on Friday, April 26th, at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, April 27th at 2:00 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus.

General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  To purchase tickets online, please visit: www.csn.edu/pac. For more information, feel free to call the PAC Box Office at 702-651-LIVE (5483).

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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On behalf of the West Charleston leadership/team, it is a pleasure to announce that April Oritz will be joining the College of Southern Nevada- West Charleston as the new Campus Life Development Coordinator.

April was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas and attended Baylor University for her undergraduate studies and Columbia University Teacher College for her graduate studies where she received her Master of Arts in Higher and Postsecondary Education. She is a passionate Higher Education advocate and has been an educator in every sense of the word for the past 9 years starting her career as a Teach For America Corp Member in 2014, teaching English abroad in Bangkok, Thailand, leading cultural programming as a graduate assistant at Fordham University in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, supporting students in their higher education pursuits as a college counselor in the Bay Area, facilitating postsecondary programming for middle school and high school students with UNLV GEAR UP, and is now excited to join the College of Southern Nevada in her new role as the Campus Life Development Coordinator to continue learning, growing, and supporting students within the Higher Education community.

April is still fairly new to the Vegas community, having been here for about a year and half with her husband. She is also a new mom to her 9-month-old, Vegas baby Ace. In her free time, April enjoys traveling/ exploring new surroundings, spending time with family, and trying out different Pinterest/TikTok recipes.

We are elated to have April join our team, and excitedly look forward to her bringing her diverse skills, knowledge and wonderful personality to the WC Team/College.

By: Briana Mercado

We are thrilled to announce that Diana Martinez, one of our outstanding students here at CSN, is being honored as a 2024 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar! This prestigious recognition is a testament to Diana’s exceptional academic prowess, leadership skills, dedication to service, and remarkable accomplishments.

Out of over 2,200 applicants in the All-USA Academic Team competition, Diana stands out with the highest score in our state. We couldn’t be more proud of her remarkable achievement!

The New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar program, sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation and the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, along with support from the American Association of Community Colleges and Phi Theta Kappa, will award Diana a $2,250 scholarship. Additionally, she will be celebrated at Phi Theta Kappa’s Presidents Breakfast during the AACC Convention on Monday, April 8, 2024, at 7:00 AM, in Louisville, Kentucky.

As a college, we’ve committed to covering Diana’s travel and accommodation expenses to attend this prestigious event, ensuring she can fully embrace this well-deserved recognition.

Congratulations, Diana, on this incredible accomplishment! Your dedication and hard work serve as a model to us all. We eagerly await to see where your bright future takes you.

CSN Department of Fine Arts Music Program Presents

VOCAL JAZZ SOLO NIGHTS

Featuring CSN’s Jazz Singers

The College of Southern Nevada’s Jazz Singers will present the 46^th Annual edition of Vocal Jazz Solo Nights (“VJSN”) April 5^th and 6^th with a special guest performance on April 5^th from Clark County High School’s Shades of Blue under the direction of Rob West. The evening will feature each member singing a solo of their choice as well as selections sung by the ensemble.

A variety of jazz styles will be on display at the 46^th edition of VJSN concert at the College of Southern Nevada. There will be some swing, bebop and even R&B featured. According to Dr. Mark Wherry, the tradition of VJSN began in the fall of 2000 as a way for jazz students to sharpen their solo singing and gain a greater appreciation for jazz music.

“In any given semester, we work on six or seven songs to perfection. With every member singing solos, the ensemble is exposed to at least an additional twelve compositions. That’s quite a few songs over the course of many semesters,” Dr. Wherry explains.

“This will be the 46^th edition of the event. We do it every semester so, by my calculations, we’re at 46. I’m very proud of our CSN music students. Some of our alumni are hosting their own shows on the Strip, performing on cruise lines, and even touring in Europe. In many cases, Vocal Jazz Solo Nights is where they got their start,” Dr. Wherry adds.

Vocal Jazz Solo Nights will be presented on two evenings, Friday, April 5^th and Saturday, April 6^th at 7 p.m. in the Jay Morrison Recital Hall located in the Fine Arts Department at the North Las Vegas campus. Tickets are $8 General Admission and $5 for Students and seniors which can be purchased online anytime or at the box office the evening of the performance. To purchase tickets online and avoid box office lines, please visit our website at: www.csn.edu/pac. For more information, call the PAC Box Office at 702-651-LIVE (5483).

The CSN Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

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SUBURBIA

A PLAY BY ERIC BOGOSIAN PREMIERES APRIL 12TH

IN THE BACKSTAGE THEATRE

 

The College of Southern Nevada Fine Arts Theatre Program presents, SubUrbia, a theatrical production written by Eric Bogosian and directed by CSN’s theatre program Adjunct professor, Adrienne Showker.

SubUrbia – is a play by Eric Bogosian that takes place over one night in the 1990s at The Corner, a convenience store behind a suburban New Jersey hometown. The play follows a group of aimless 20-somethings who hang out at the convenience store parking lot, eating pizza, drinking beer, and listening to music. The play focuses on their nighttime activities and reunion with an old high school classmate, Pony, who has become a successful musician.

DISCLAIMER: This production contains the use of drugs, foul language, racism, Homophobia, and suicide. The opinions of this play do not reflect College of Southern Nevada or our actors. 

SubUrbia opens at CSN’s BackStage Theatre on Friday, April 12th, with additional performances scheduled April 13^th, 19^th and 20^th at 7 p.m. Matinee performances are scheduled on April 13^th at 2 p.m. and April 14^th at 5 p.m. General Admission is $8 and $5 for Students and Seniors. For more information, please call the PAC Box Office at 702-651-LIVE (5483) or purchase tickets online at: www.csn.edu/pac.

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas, 89030.

PRODUCTION

Robert Bonora – Producer

Adrienne Showker – Director

Jennie Walden – Assistant Director

Dustin Shaffer – Production Manager

Renee Emerton – Production Stage Manager

Calista Steffen – Stage Manager

Noelle Rivera – Scenic Designer

Jewels Atkinson – Sound Designer

Evan Rollings – Lighting Designer

Calvin Waters – Costume Designer

Dulce Herrera – Assistant Costume Designer

Hannah Skanes – Props Master

Andrew Skanes – Props Master

Ricky Lozano – Music Supervisor

CAST

Ricky Lozano – JEFF

AJ Hunsaker – TIM

Micheal Alexander – BUFF

Cierra Briggs – SOOZE

Lizzy Morse – BEE-BEE

Charles Slagle – PONY

Jocelyn Matallana – ERICA

Kelly Williams – NAZEER “NORMAN”

Paniz Samani – PAKEEZA

SubUrbia Cast and Production team are available for interviews. For more information, photos, or to arrange interviews, please contact Dustin Shaffer at dustin.shaffer@csn.edu.

# # # #

By: Briana Mercado

This year’s Sam Lieberman Award for Student Scholarship goes to Rebecca Taylor.

“Rebecca Taylor is a successful non-traditional student who already sustains two careers as CFO and co-founder of a tech company and yoga teacher trainer,” reads her nomination form, filled out by her English Professor Courtney Danforth. “After her son left for UNR, Rebecca returns to college via Pell aid. During her time at CSN, Rebecca has been active in Student Leadership Academy and is presently The Secretary for ASCSN.”

Rebecca said she was humbled.

“While I feel surprised, I also know that I deserve it,” she said. “I worked so hard in my 2 years here at CSN. It is truly validating to be recognized in this way. My mom would be proud.”

In a world where perseverance and dedication often go unrecognized, it is crucial to pause and celebrate the stories of triumph that inspire us all. Rebecca’s journey at CSN is nothing short of remarkable. Despite facing personal challenges, including battling through post-chemo recovery, she emerges victorious, proving that with unwavering determination, anything is possible.

Her academic excellence not only highlights but also underscores the transformative power of education. For her, obtaining a degree at CSN isn’t just about earning a piece of paper; it’s about rebuilding her strength, both physically and mentally.

“My primary reason for enrolling at CSN was to challenge my brain, especially post-chemo,” Rebecca said. “Learning new things creates new neural pathways and improves cognitive functioning. By setting an achievable goal with a deadline, even if challenging, there would be an end in sight.”

Rebecca’s advice to future students resonates deeply with her own journey. She emphasized the importance of self-discipline, consistency, and self-care. “Self-discipline is essential for success,” she said. “This includes steady consistent effort. Prioritize sleep and healthy eating. Our brains are part of our physical bodies, and if we take care of them, they will, in turn, take care of us.”

As Rebecca looks ahead to the next chapter of her academic and professional journey, her story serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of education. With her unwavering determination and commitment to excellence, there’s no doubt that Rebecca will continue to inspire and uplift those around her, leaving an indelible mark on the world.

Today, we congratulate Rebecca Taylor on her remarkable achievements and wish her continued success in all her future endeavors. May her story serve as a beacon of hope for those facing adversity and a reminder that with perseverance and dedication, anything is possible. Cheers to you, Rebecca, for being an inspiration to us all!

Nevada Regents’ Scholar Award (Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship)

Read More

 

We stand with transgender and gender non-conforming people in fighting hate and erasure in our schools, universities, and society. We will continue to work with transgender and gender non-conforming students, athletes, and colleagues in ensuring that they feel welcome and supported at the College of Southern Nevada. This includes providing safer physical facilities and affirming learning environments. This also involves personal reflection and active allyship from our cisgender colleagues and community members.

In honor of Transgender Day of Visibility and Women’s History Month, and in response to the recent disparaging and transphobic comments by NSHE Regent Patrick Boylan, join us for a day of celebration of love and trans-joy. We will Rally for Transgender Visibility on Wednesday, March 27.

Where:

• CSN North Las Vegas Campus, Main Building’s Main Entrance. (Noon)
• CSN West Charleston Campus, Student Union Courtyard. (3 p.m.)

Resources 

If you are a transgender student, faculty, or staff member at CSN and need support, please contact CSN’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance or visit the resources below.

• Trans Lifeline
• The LGBTQIA+ Center of Las Vegas
• Henderson Equality Center
• North Las Vegas Equality Center
• Las Vegas Trans Pride
• CSN Gender and Sexuality Alliance (Chair: joseph.hassert@csn.edu)
• CSN QCLUB (or join the student club’s mailing list.)

 

 

GSA Statement with Resources

By: Briana Mercado March 2024

In a world where safety and security should be guaranteed, domestic violence remains an alarming reality. It’s a pervasive issue that affects individuals across all demographics, regardless of age, gender, or socioeconomic status. The College of Southern Nevada’s Student Club Women’s Alliance is taking a bold step to address this pressing concern head-on, and we invite you to join us.

Event Details:

• Date: April 10
• Time: Noon to 1 p.m.
• Location: College of Southern Nevada North Las Vegas Campus (and virtual)

Panelist Representatives:

• S.A.F.E. House
• Signs of Hope
• Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada

At this event, we will delve into the complexities of domestic violence, providing a platform to explore its impact, access vital resources, and engage in an enlightening Q&A session. Our esteemed panelist representatives from S.A.F.E. House, Signs of Hope, and the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada will share invaluable insights and expertise garnered from their extensive experience in combating domestic violence.

Domestic violence is not just a private matter—it’s a societal issue that demands collective action. By attending this event, you’ll not only gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence but also equip yourself with the knowledge and resources needed to support victims and survivors in our community.

We urge you to stand with us in solidarity against domestic violence. Your presence and participation can make a difference, igniting conversations, fostering empathy, and ultimately, empowering positive change.

Join us on April 10, 2024 as we come together to confront domestic violence, advocate for change, and pave the way towards a safer and more compassionate society.

Together, Let’s stand united against domestic violence.

Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey into the world of technology? Join us at the College of Southern Nevada for a groundbreaking Women in Tech event that promises to inspire, educate, and empower you on your path to success.

Event Details:

• Date: March 29, 2024
• Time: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Location: College of Southern Nevada North Las Vegas Bld A, Room 2772

You’ll have the opportunity to dive into the fascinating realm of technology. From learning how to build a PC from scratch to gaining valuable career advice from industry experts, this event has something for everyone. Ever wondered what it takes to assemble your own computer? Now’s your chance to find out! Our hands-on workshop will guide you through the process, giving you the confidence and skills to build your own PC like a pro.

Ready to take the next step in your tech career? Our distinguished faculty and IT professionals will be on hand to share their expertise and offer valuable career advice. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, you’ll gain invaluable insights to help you succeed in the fast-paced world of technology.

Starting a career in tech may seem daunting, but we’re here to show you that it’s easier than you think. With the right knowledge, skills, and support, you can chart a rewarding career path in this dynamic and ever-evolving field.

Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, learn from industry leaders, and take the first step towards a brighter future in technology.

At the College of Southern Nevada, we believe that women have the power to shape the future of technology. Join us and unleash your potential in the exciting world of tech! See you there!

Dear CSN Family,

I am pleased to announce that Ruben Kihuen has accepted the position of Executive Director, Government Affairs, for CSN. Mr. Kihuen joins CSN on March 11 after years of government and community service. He served as Nevada’s congressional representative in the 4th District from 2017 to 2019, and was a member of the Nevada Assembly and Senate from 2006 to 2016. He is a graduate of Rancho High School, was a student at CSN and worked as student recruiter and academic advisor here before earning his bachelor’s degree and Master of Public Administration at UNLV.

Mr. Kihuen brings a wealth of knowledge about government affairs to CSN, where he will act as an advocate for our students, faculty and staff. A native of Guadalajara, Mexico, he has served on many boards and committees in our community, and has for the past several years worked in both the healthcare and immigrant advocacy fields.

Please join me in welcoming Mr. Kihuen to our family.

Federico

ChartwellsNewsletterSM

Dear CSN Family,

Please join us in congratulating the 16 academic faculty members who were awarded Tenure today by the Board of Regents for the Nevada System of Higher Education. This is an affirmation of their commitment to instructional excellence and a major milestone in their careers. Please congratulate the following colleagues as CSN’s newest tenured professors:

• Dr. Tanya Avery, Nursing
• Dorianne Bautista, Dental Hygiene
• Claudia A. Mora Bornholdt, Mathematics
• Dr. Anne H. DeClouette, Business
• Dr. Norma Lisa Flores, Social Sciences
• Dr. Eunette Gentry, Communication
• Dr. Mary Ann Hughes Butts, Business
• Paul McBurnett, Physical Sciences
• Paul E. Minto, Business
• Emily Pattni, CSN Libraries
• Laura Roots, Mathematics
• Aria Rosenblum, Criminal Justice & Emergency Services
• Janine Roza, Physical Sciences
• A. J. Shaffer, Health Related Professions
• Dr. Melissa Weinstein, Communication
• Dr. Matthew Weiss, Social Sciences

‌Congratulations to each of you. We are proud of you and your accomplishments! 

‌Our thanks to everyone who supported these newly tenured colleagues through the tenure process. A special thank you to the members of the peer tenure committees, the department chairs, and the deans for the role they each played in the tenure review process. 

‌Sincerely, 

‌

‌Federico & James

Prepare for an adrenaline-packed day, 1-2:30 p.m. April 14 at CSN’s Flag Football Tournament! Whether you’re a seasoned player or new to the game, this event offers an inclusive platform for everyone to showcase their skills and create lasting connections. Picture yourself on the field feeling the vibrant atmosphere of the Cheyenne Sports Complex. The excitement of the game is surreal and the cheers of supporters echo throughout the air.

Step onto the field and immerse yourself in the thrill of competition as teams strategize, sprint, and dive for victory. It’s more than just a game – it’s an opportunity to push your limits, embrace teamwork, and embrace the bond that embodies the spirit of fair play and teamwork.

Cheyenne Sports Complex provides the perfect field for this exhilarating event. Whether you’re putting on your cleats to join the action or cheering from the sidelines, there’s no shortage of enthusiasm to be had.

So, rally your friends, lace up your shoes, and get ready to experience the excitement of CSN’s Flag Football Competition. Join us as we come together to celebrate athleticism, community, and the joy of the game. Don’t miss out and unleash your competitive spirit!

This month, the College of Southern Nevada’s Career Services is gearing up for multiple events designed to propel students towards their professional goals. From informative sessions to networking opportunities, there’s something for everyone looking to kickstart their career journey. Mark your calendars and get ready for these upcoming events:

Tuesday, March 5, 2024 @ 10 am
Event: Career Fair
Location: West Charleston Campus – Student Union
Details: Prepare to connect with potential employers and explore diverse career opportunities at the Career Fair. Network with industry professionals, polish your resume, and take the next step towards your dream job.

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 @ 5 pm
Event: June Whitley Coyote Scholars 05
Location: North Las Vegas Campus
Details: Dive into an enriching session at the June Whitley Coyote Scholars 05 event. Explore scholarship opportunities and gain valuable insights into academic and career advancement.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 @ 12 pm
Event: TAP Info Session
Location: [Register for virtual event at tinyurl.com/Sp24TAPInfoSession]
Details: Uncover the secrets to success with the TAP Info Session. Learn about transferable skills, career pathways, and how to leverage your strengths in the job market.

Wednesday, March 20, 2024 @ 10 am
Event: CTEAP Info Session
Location: [Register for virtual event at tinyurl.com/Sp24CTEAPInfoSession]
Details: Discover the endless possibilities of career and technical education at the CTEAP Info Session. Explore innovative programs, industry connections, and hands-on learning experiences.

For virtual events, simply complete the registration form provided, and you’ll receive an invitation to join the session. Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to us at career.services@csn.edu. Don’t miss out on these invaluable opportunities to shape your future and take your career to new heights. We look forward to seeing you there!

The Fine Arts Department of Music at the College of Southern Nevada presents their annual Spring Chamber Chorale Concert on Saturday, March 30^th at 7 P.M. in the Jay Morrison Recital Hall at the North Las Vegas campus. The evening will feature a variety of songs the students have chosen to showcase.

General admission for this fun filled event is $10 with all proceeds going to the Choir Club. Please visit the PAC’s website: www.csn.edu/pac to purchase tickets. For more information, call the Box Office at 702-651-LIVE (5483).

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

# # #

The former congressman and state legislator will advocate on behalf of 30,000 students

Feb. 26, 2024 — The College of Southern Nevada is pleased to announce the selection of Ruben Kihuen to serve as the college’s new Executive Director of Government Affairs.

“As a proud CSN alum, I’m very grateful for this opportunity to serve and advocate on behalf of the students, faculty, and staff of the state’s largest community college. CSN is where I started my professional career 25 years ago, and I couldn’t be more excited to be coming back to advocate for college affordability, funding equity, and accessibility to higher education,” Kihuen said.

Kihuen joins CSN after years of government and community service. He served as Nevada’s congressional representative in the 4th District from 2017 to 2019, and was a member of the Nevada Assembly and Senate from 2006 to 2016. He is a graduate of Rancho High School, and was a student at CSN and worked as student recruiter and academic advisor at the college before earning his bachelor’s degree and Master of Public Administration at UNLV.

“Ruben Kihuen will be a staunch advocate for our students,” said CSN President Dr. Federico Zaragoza. “He brings a wealth of knowledge about the ins and outs of government relations nationally and in Nevada, which is critical for someone in this position. We’re excited to bring him on board.”

A native of Guadalajara, Mexico, Kihuen begins at CSN on March 11.

The CSN Foundation Scholarship online application closed on February 15, and we you to help review and score student scholarship essays. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please fill out this form:

This group will be reviewing CSN Foundation scholarship student essays, at random and anonymously, for scholarships in which they have applied. The number of essays each committee member will review and score will depend on the number of committee members recruited. The more committee members who sign up, the more we can distribute essays amongst the group. Our goal is to recruit enough committee members so that each member is reviewing about 30-40 essays (about 500 words each).

Timeline:

·       Friday, March 15 – deadline to volunteer.

·       Monday, April 1 – on or before this date, reviewers will receive a unique link with their assigned essays to review and score.

·       Friday, April 12 – all scores are due electronically.

Reviewers will read, score, and submit their scores using our online platform. All student information will be removed. Reviewers will be provided with a rubric to use while scoring and will have at least two weeks to complete the review process and submit their scores.

Thank you for your interest in serving on the 2024 CSN Foundation Scholarship Review Committee!

 

As March approaches, we’re gearing up for a month-long celebration of Women’s History Month, honoring the achievements and contributions of women throughout history and in our community today. This year, we have an exciting lineup of events planned, designed to empower, educate, and inspire students from all walks of life. Whether you’re passionate about women’s issues, leadership, or simply looking to connect with others, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Creating a Workforce & College-Going Culture for African American Students at CSN

You’re invited to join us for a special symposium aimed at supporting African American students from the Clark County School District at the College of Southern Nevada. Our goal is to improve academic support and create a welcoming environment where students can excel. We’ll discuss important topics like admissions, retaining students, and how to better serve our community. The event will take place from 5-7:30 p.m. March 1 and from9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 2 at the CSN North Las Vegas Campus. We hope to see you there!

Women’s Alliance Student Club & Men of Color Meet and Greet

Kicking off the month, we’re proud to announce the Women’s Alliance Student Club & Men of Color Meet and Greet. This event provides a welcoming space for students of all backgrounds to come together, share experiences, and foster connections. It’s a fantastic opportunity to build relationships, gain support, and celebrate diversity within our community. March 5-7 rotating through all of our main campuses.

International Women’s Day Forum: Leadership and Empowerment

Join us for an insightful discussion at our International Women’s Day Forum, focusing on leadership and empowerment. Hear from inspiring speakers, engage in thought-provoking conversations, and gain valuable insights into navigating the professional world as a woman. This forum is not to be missed for anyone passionate about gender equality and women’s rights. This event is expected to take place from noon to 1:30 p.m. March 8 at the North Las Vegas and Charleston Campus student unions 121.

Poetry on the Patio 

Come join us for an inspiring event, Poetry on the Patio, where we’re providing a platform for student voices to be heard through the art of spoken word. As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we’ll delve into themes of graduation, perseverance, the importance of education, race, culture, identity, and the powerful voices of women. It’s a chance to share stories, express creativity, and connect with fellow students in a meaningful way. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be a part of something special. See you there! March 19, 1-3 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, June Whitley.

Community Resource Fair: Wellness Day

Take a step towards better health and well-being at our Community Resource Fair, dedicated to Wellness Day. Explore various resources, services, and activities aimed at promoting physical, mental, and emotional wellness. From fitness demos to mindfulness workshops, there’s something to help everyone prioritize self-care and overall wellness.

Henderson Mixer: Women’s History Month Celebration

Join us in Henderson for a lively celebration of Women’s History Month at our special mixer event. Enjoy an evening filled with music, food, and camaraderie as we honor the achievements of women past and present. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow students and celebrate the incredible women who have shaped history.

Video of Shirley Chisholm

As part of our Women’s Month programming, we’re excited to screen a video featuring the remarkable Shirley Chisholm, an iconic figure in American politics and a trailblazer for women and people of color. March 22, 6-8 p.m.

Personal Safety Training

Additionally, don’t miss our personal safety training session, providing valuable skills and knowledge to help ensure the well-being of all members of our community. March 25-26 North Las Vegas and Charleston Campus Student Unions 121

Women’s Basketball Playoff Game Tailgate

Cheer on our women’s basketball team as they compete in the playoffs, and join us for a tailgate celebration before the game. Show your support for our talented athletes while enjoying good food, music, and company. It’s a great way to come together as a community and rally behind our team.

This Women’s Month, we invite you to join us in celebrating the achievements, resilience, and strength of women everywhere. Whether you’re attending one event or all, your presence helps make our community stronger, more inclusive, and more vibrant. We look forward to seeing you there!

Stay tuned for more events throughout the month, including candidate Q&A featuring influential women, another movie night on leadership and empowerment, and opportunities to engage in meaningful dialogue about the issues that matter most to women. Together, let’s make this Women’s Month one to remember, as we honor the achievements, resilience, and strength of women everywhere. Get ready to be inspired, uplifted, and empowered. We can’t wait to celebrate with you!

https://www.csn.edu/womens-alliance

THE DEPARTMENT OF FINE ARTS MUSIC PROGRAM PRESENTS

CSN FACULTY CHAMBER MUSIC

The Fine Arts Department Music Program at the College of Southern Nevada presents CSN Faculty Chamber Music Recital on Sunday, March 24^th at 2 P.M. in the Jay Morrison Recital Hall at the North Las Vegas campus.

Admission is $10 with proceeds going to benefit the Dick McGee Scholarship fund. Please visit the PAC’s website: www.csn.edu/pac to purchase tickets. For more information, call the Box Office at 702-651-LIVE (5483).

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

# # #

We’re excited to invite you to the Coyote Scholars Male Mentoring Social Mixer, which aims to create a welcoming space for male students of color on our campuses. This event is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. March 19 in the North Las Vegas Campus Main Bldg. E – June Whitley Student Lounge. This event promises to be a key moment in fostering a supportive environment for our male students of color.

At the heart of this mixer lies a strong vision—to create a space where male students of color can connect with important campus resources and cultivate a powerful support network. By facilitating meaningful interactions among students, faculty, and staff, our aim is to empower these individuals to excel academically while feeling embraced as integral members of our community.

The success of this event hinges on your involvement. As representatives of various student support services and organizations, you possess the unique ability to shape the campus experience for our male students of color. Your presence and contributions are invaluable in creating an inclusive and supportive atmosphere.

Here’s how you can make a difference:

1. Connect with Students: Engage with attendees, share information about your services, and foster relationships.
2. Offer Guidance and Support: Highlight resources and initiatives geared toward academic success and overall well-being.
3. Engage in Dialogue: Listen to students’ needs, concerns, and suggestions, and collaborate on potential solutions.
4. Celebrate Achievements: Showcase the accomplishments of successful male students of color to instill a sense of pride and belonging.

Kindly RSVP by Monday, March 4th, to ensure proper planning for the event. We encourage you to bring handouts and be prepared to actively engage with students at your designated table.

We invite you to join us for an evening filled with connection, empowerment, and inspiration as we rally behind the success of our male students of color. Your consideration and support are deeply appreciated, and together, we can make a meaningful impact.

Thank you for your commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive campus community. We look forward to seeing you at the mixer!

 

Awarded to:

Miriam “Mimi” Linck

 

February 2024

 

Senior Academic Advisor

Advising Department,

North Las Vegas Campus

Nominated by: Gregrette Simmons

Mimi’s exceptional leadership and teamwork make her a standout candidate for Administrative Faculty of the Month. In the past three months, she excelled as Sr. Advisor, effectively managed the entire office, and led programming. Mimi’s dedication ensured a seamless operation and exceptional service.

Congratulations Mimi!

 

 

Awarded to:

William “Billy” Thomas

 

January 2024

 

Coordinator for Math Dual Enrollment

Math Department,

Henderson Campus

Nominated by: Kenneth Roman

Billy has been an instrumental team member in building the Jumpstart Program for the Math Department, ensuring accreditation compliance,  as well as a pivotal team member in hiring new adjunct instructors. His help and comradery with the adjunct he supervises is exemplary. Billy demonstrates leadership and guidance that has earned the trust and respect of those he supervises and works collaboratively with.

Congratulations Billy!

 

Vice President of Student Affairs Juan Avalos oversees everything from registration and financial aid to advising and student life at CSN — and he wants to hear from you. Dr. Avalos wants your ideas, your questions, and your insights. After all, who knows CSN better than you?

There’s no need to visit a stuffy executive office, though. Dr. Avalos is coming to you, visiting all three CSN campuses next week just to chat. Come say hi, and please bring your best question.

 

Ken Evans is CSN’s 2024 Honorary Degree awardee, a recognition reserved for individuals whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the institution and the wider community. As a former member of CSN’s Institutional Advisory Council, Evans brings an impressive background that combines military service, engineering, entrepreneurship, and community leadership.
As a Community Programs Advisor for the M.Y.S. Firm, Evans lends his considerable experience to offer advice, guidance, and consultation to a broad spectrum of clients, including non-profit, for-profit, and public sector entities. With over 35 years in engineering, construction, and real estate development, his expertise helps shape community programming plans for implementation within various regions.

Evans, a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy with a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix, has a distinguished military career, serving as a Commander in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2010, his exceptional contributions earned him the Air Force Civil Engineering Officer Manager of the Year award for the Air Reserve Component.

Transitioning into entrepreneurship in 2001, Evans became a small business owner, starting and managing a real estate development consulting firm which completed several residential and commercial projects. In 2013, he assumed the role of President for the Urban Chamber of Commerce, strategically forging alliances, creating new partnerships, and boosting Chamber membership.

Beyond his professional achievements, Ken Evans has actively participated in community affairs since his military assignment to the area in 1989. Graduating from the 1993 Leadership Las Vegas program and the 1995 Project Blueprint program, he immersed himself in programs designed to foster leadership and community development. Additionally, Evans served as the Sergeant at Arms for the Nevada State Senate during the 2011 legislative session, highlighting his commitment to civic duty and governance.

As CSN’s Honorary Degree awardee, Ken Evans exemplifies commitment to excellence, resilience in the face of challenges, and a profound dedication to positively impacting the community he serves. As the Board of Regents considers this nomination, they can honor a man whose contributions have left a legacy in the Southern Nevada community and beyond.

Dear CSN Family,
‌
‌Please join me in welcoming Undocumented Student Programs Coordinator Brenda Romero to CSN’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
‌
‌As an immigrant and first-generation college graduate, Brenda is excited to join CSN in her new role as the Undocumented Student Programs Coordinator. Having been a DACA recipient herself, she understands the barriers that many students encounter as they pursue their educational dreams. Brenda has always been passionate about education; providing resources, 1-1 support, and advocating for underserved first-generation students, primarily Undocumented in the Vegas community.
‌
‌For the past five years, Brenda had the pleasure of supporting high school students at Fulfillment Fund Las Vegas, a non-profit organization dedicated to breaking down barriers to support students as they strive to reach their post-secondary dreams. She served many roles at FFLV, creating college access-focused curriculum and teaching grades 9th-12th as a college access advisor, supporting students through the college application process as a college counselor, and supporting her department by developing new programming initiatives as their high school programs coordinator.
‌
‌Brenda has continued to stay engaged in efforts to create equitable opportunities for Undocumented students at all levels of education. Although she considers herself a Vegas native, she is proud to be de alla, y de aqui, (from there and here) calling Estado de Mexico her native home.
‌
‌She obtained an AA from CSN (while serving as ASCSN President) and a Bachelor of Science in Human Services with a minor in Family Studies from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Brenda loves exploring the outdoors, trying new coffee shops, and spending time with her family and doggy, Rocco. Let’s give Brenda a warm welcome back to the CSN community!

This captivating close-up, courtesy of a talented CSN photography student, is a mesmerizing dance of lace and light. The intricate details of the fabric are brought to life by masterful use of illumination, casting delicate shadows that play across the model’s skin like whispered secrets.

Lost in the intricate patterns, we are drawn into a world of ethereal beauty and quiet sensuality. Each curve and line is accentuated by the light, creating a story untold, yet deeply felt.

#LightAsArt #LaceSymphony #ShadowPlay #EtherealBeauty #CSNphotography #CreativeLighting #SensualityUntamed #LasVegasNevada

Desert Divas:

Sun-kissed skin, captivating eyes, and a beautifully muted desert background – our latest masterpiece by a skilled CSN photography student captures the essence of desert chic! These two young women, with their striking features, exude confidence and a touch of mystery, perfectly complementing the rugged beauty of the landscape.

Are they adventurers on a journey, friends lost in laughter, or sisters sharing a bond as strong as the mountains themselves? The photo sparks endless possibilities, leaving us wanting to know more about their story.

#DesertVibes #StrikingFeatures #WanderlustSisters #NatureLovers #CSNphotography #MountainMagic #AdventureAwaits #LasVegasNevada

Dear CSN Family,

I hope you’ll join me in recognizing the Lunar New Year on February 10, a time of celebration and renewal in Chinese culture. The Lunar New Year begins the Year of the Dragon, more specifically the wood dragon, which represents growth, progress and abundance – all providing opportunities to build on CSN’s long-term goals. May the coming year bring you the personal growth and professional success that leads to a positive social impact for our students, fellow staff and the community.

‌

‌- Federico

CSN’s Dance Program presents The SPRING FESTIVAL OF DANCE 2024, in celebration of Spring and new works by faculty, guest artists and alumnae. To give our students the full experience of what it takes to become a working artist, choreographer and performer, our students have had the opportunity to experience working alongside professional choreographers and companies. We are excited to present, share and build connections within the Las Vegas Dance community.

Within the 60 minute performance, audience members will experience a range of diverse works ranging from Folklorico, West African, Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Contemporary, all choreographed by our esteemed faculty, students and guest artists, , Alison Kravenko, Pendu Malik, Carrie Miles, Danny Mendoza, Liezel Marie Guzman, Denise Darnell, Jacquelyn Guzman.

The dance program is excited to present the overall winner of the Standing on the Edge Youth Choreography Festival under the artistic direction of Frit and Frat Fuller. Based in Los Angeles, Frit and Frat graciously have brought their Standing On The Edge [SOTE]  to Las Vegas to be held at the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre, March 1st and 2nd, 2024. The SOTE Festival is a competition platform for Youth to share and express their choreography skills, creativity and storytelling through movement. The winners of this competition are presented today for your enjoyment.

Trinity Dance Conservatory of the Performing Arts are the guests this semester. Under the direction of Monica Armstrong, Trinity Dance is based locally, in North Las Vegas. Monica states: “Trinity Conservatory is not just another studio, it provides mentoring, ministry, leadership, and professional training starting at the age of two. This non-profit has been a great life work that I will continue to pour my heart and soul into to see the dreams and goals of youth realized in our local and global communities.” The piece performed by Trinity Dance Concservatory was choreographed by Kimberly Fedele-Kaye, instructor at CSN. The program happy to make another bridge in connecting with with young dancers and artists.

This year they added a West African Fusion Dance course with Pendu Malik who will be showcasing her students and bringing in live drummers and dancers to accompany them. Kishema “Pendu” Malik is a professional dancer, choreographer, instructor and educator with over 25 years in the entertainment industry. Pendu has trained in many styles in her career but her choreography and teaching heavily displays her love for Modern fusion with Dunham, Contemporary, Jazz, West African and Afro Fusion. She has many credits in the US and abroad as a performer, choreographor and educator with companies such as Cirque Du Soleil, Dance Theatre of Harlem, NIKE, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and artists such as Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Debbie Gibson and many more. Pendu loves sharing her love of dance and culture wherever she goes and has taught in more than 30 countries.

The Silver State Ballet will present a new work under the direction of Alison Kravenko (CSN Dance Faculty). Silver State Ballet is a neoclassical company serving Las Vegas as a company and school of ballet. Alison Kravenko, a native of Las Vegas, is a third-generation dancer and ballet teacher. Alison began at the Robert Gilbert School of Ballet, followed by mentorship of Garold Gardner (ABT), Jacqueline Douguet (Paris Opera Ballet), legendary coach Joanna Kneeland and master teacher David Howard. In 2002 and in 2022 Alison was an Artist-In-Residence for the UNLV Dance Department. In 2003, she was nominated five times by her colleagues for the Nevada Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching Arts and between 2005-2008 held a position as Adjunct Professor at UNLV teaching Dance Theory.

In addition, the program is thrilled to announce their invitation to perform “Arrival” choreographed by Carrie Miles in the upcoming UNLV concert. “Arrival” was set on the Intermediate Modern Dance Class. Carrie Miles Carrie’s signature dance style is based in ebb and flow in addition to relatable content that one can insert themselves into.  Sweeping, fall and recover with sustaining moments all inside the anguish of the storyline. She perceives her movement as a way to escape into something bigger than herself to develop a world that needs to be viewed and experienced by the onlooker. She is greatly inspired and influenced by Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, Pina Bausch and Akram Kahn.

The concert takes place on Friday, March 8th, at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 9th at 2:00 p.m. in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at the North Las Vegas campus.

General Admission is $8.00 and $5.00 for students and seniors.  To purchase tickets online, please visit: www.csn.edu/pac. For more information, feel free to call the PAC Box Office at 702-651-LIVE (5483).

CSN’s Performing Arts Center, provides quality artistic, cultural, educational, and entertainment opportunities for the college and the community. It is located at 3200 East Cheyenne Avenue in North Las Vegas.

# # # #

Int Modern “Arrival” – Carrie Miles/MENTION UNLV February 23^rd and 24^th.

Beg Modern -Danny Mendoza

Jazz- Danny Mendoza

Hip Hop – Liezel Marie Guzman

African Fusion/West African – Pendu Malik

Folklorico/ 2 Pieces – Jacquelyn Guzman

Dance Project – Marley Reynoso

Guests

Silver State Ballet – New Works

Trinity Dance Conservatory – Kimberly Fedele/Monica Armstrong.

Standing on the Edge Youth Choreography Festival. – Frit and Frat Fuller.

The CSN Coyote Closet Fashion Show is not your average runway event. It’s a celebration of style, professionalism, and the diverse fashion choices that make our community unique. The Coyote Closet is more than just a collection of clothing; it’s a resource for students to access professional attire for interviews, internships, and career fairs. During the fashion show, we’ll showcase how to turn second-hand finds into chic and polished looks that make a lasting impression in the professional world.

The fashion show isn’t just about clothing; it’s about empowerment. We will feature real students confidently strutting their stuff on the runway, demonstrating that professional attire can be both affordable and accessible. The CSN Coyote Closet aims to break down barriers and boost confidence by providing students with the tools they need to put their best foot forward in the professional arena.

COME JOIN US!
Tuesday. February 27, 2024 @ 12 pm
North Las Vegas Campus – Student Union
Questions? Contact us at career.services@csn.edu
or abraham.gomez@csn.edu
CSN

February marks the beginning of Black History Month, a time to celebrate the rich cultural heritage, achievements, and contributions of African Americans. At the College of Southern Nevada (CSN), the spirit of unity, diversity, and recognition was extremely noticeable during the kick-off party held to commemorate this significant month.

The event, held in the heart of the CSN campus, was a jubilant affair, filled with music, dance, and the vibrant colors of African attire. Students, faculty, and staff came together to honor and embrace the invaluable impact of African American history on our society.

The festivities commenced with a inspiring speeches from the college president of the Black Student Union (BSU), highlighting the importance of acknowledging and honoring the struggles and triumphs of African Americans throughout history. This set the tone for an evening of enlightenment and celebration.

Attendees were treated to a diverse array of performances, showcasing the talents of local African American Dancers. From soulful renditions of classic gospel songs to powerful spoken word performances, each act paid homage to the resilience and creativity of the African American community.

In addition to the entertainment, the kick-off party provided attendees with insights into key moments and figures in black history. From the civil rights movement to groundbreaking achievements in the arts, science, and beyond. They served as a reminder of the enduring legacy of African Americans in shaping our world.

As the evening drew to a close, there was a sense of unity and inspiration among those in attendance. The kick-off party not only celebrated the past but also looked towards the future, emphasizing the importance of continued dialogue, understanding, and action in the pursuit of equality and justice for all.

As we embark on this journey through Black History Month, let us carry the spirit of celebration, reflection, and appreciation with us. Let us honor the past, embrace the present, and strive towards a future where diversity is celebrated, and equality is a reality for all.

 

 

Dear CSN Family,

‌This month we celebrate the sacrifice, resilience, and bravery of African Americans throughout history. It is our goal at CSN to lift the voices of our students, staff and faculty with the strength and fearlessness to help create a better tomorrow through unity and solidarity. Join me in paying tribute to past, present and future African American leaders.

At CSN, we strongly believe our diversity is our strength, and we celebrate and honor the legacy of African Americans among our students, alumni and leadership. As our mission states, we are here to empower all our students and communities to achieve, succeed, and prosper. So let us devote this month to understanding, open dialogue, and honoring the many contributions of African Americans to our college, community, and nation. It is also a time to reflect on the work ahead and to remain steadfast in our commitment to racial equity diversity and inclusion.

As we kick off this monthlong celebration, I encourage our entire CSN community to recommit themselves to actively pursuing racial equality and social justice. My thanks to the CSN African American Heritage Committee for a series of events in honor of this special month.

‌- Federico

Approximately 200 attendees and community partners participated in the Mental Health 360 Conference on the CSN North Las Vegas Campus.

Working with NSHE via a $2.6 million federal grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, CSN hosted the Mental Health 360 Conference in April. Public forums like this are essential for promoting open discussion about mental health.

Approximately 200 attendees and community partners joined the daylong conference to learn about topics such as student needs, crisis, trauma and diversity in mental health. It was our honor to host the Vice President of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Dr. Sheldon Jacobs as the keynote speaker.

It was my honor speak at a congressional briefing hosted by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) on the importance of Pell grants to community colleges.

The spring 2023 semester concluded with a near record number of CSN graduates. More than 3,800 graduates earned over 3,900 degrees joining the 25,000 alumni who have earned a degree at CSN in the last decade.

Dear CSN Family,

I hope your summer is off to a great start and that you have found time to reflect, reset and recharge since the conclusion of the spring semester. It was my honor to represent you at the quarterly NSHE Board of Regents meeting earlier this month. In this edition of The Chronicle, you will see many of the major updates from my report as well as highlights of some of our favorite memories of the spring semester.

June marks the midway point in the calendar year. As we head into the Independence Day holiday, I encourage you to reflect on your goals and aspirations for the year and recommit yourself to achieving them. The days will come without fail and each of them brings us closer to the opportunities our future holds. Your future indeed starts here.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition of paintings by Apt, France based artist and Institute of American Universities (IAU) Art Professor-Coordinator, William Ruller. William Ruller: Mohawk will open on Friday, February 9, 2024, and run through Saturday, April 20, 2024, in the Fine Arts Gallery on the North Las Vegas Campus of the College of Southern Nevada. A special Virtual Artist Talk will take place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, starting at 6 p.m.

William Ruller is an artist and educator from Gloversville, New York. He joined IAU in September of 2023 as an Art Professor-Coordinator. Ruller earned his B.A. in painting and ceramics from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh in 2007. Following his undergraduate degree, Ruller moved to Oregon where he worked as a production potter and ceramics instructor. In 2014 Ruller earned his MFA from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Prior to teaching at IAU, Ruller taught at the College of Charleston, Savannah College of Art and Design and the Paris College of Art. Ruller has lectured and exhibited throughout the Europe and the United States in group and solo exhibitions. His paintings have been featured in publications such as, Friend of the Artist vol. 12, Whitewall Magazine, New American Paintings Issues 111, 124 and Studio Visit Magazine Issues 20, 21, 23. His work is featured in private collections such as Hyatt Hotel Corporation, Savannah College of Art and Design and Museo Riso. Ruller currently lives and works in Apt, France.

Ruller states, “Since 2012 my work has focus on using my hometown of Gloversville, NY as a visual metaphor for the issues that modernity has caused to the environment in contemporary times. The abandoned mills and tanneries of my youth and the dilapidated areas of metropolitan and rural sites, with its rust grey tones inform the visual and aesthetic language present in my work. These residual sites serve as the foundation for the work, which allows for a reinterpretation of the space into abstracted images. Allowing the viewer to place themselves within a nondeified place that seeks to find answers to the questions of entropy and the aftermath of human’s incursions within a space.”

The CSN Fine Arts Gallery is free, family friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. The Fine Arts Gallery is located adjacent to the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre Lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one-mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

The College of Southern Nevada, School of Arts & Letters, and Department of Fine Arts will host an exhibition of fiber and book art by Nacogdoches, Texas based artist and Stephen F. Austin State University Associate Professor of Art and Coordinator of Foundations, Candace Hicks. Candace Hicks: Notes for String Theory will open on Friday, February 16, 2024, and run through Saturday, April 20, 2024, in the Artspace Gallery on the North Las Vegas Campus of the College of Southern Nevada. A special Artist Talk and Reception with light refreshments will take place on Monday, February 26, 2024, starting at 6 p.m.

Candace Hicks earned her Master of Fine Arts Degree from Texas Christian University and her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas. She collects coincidences from the books she reads and gathers them in her artists’ books and installations. She is an Associate Professor of Art and Coordinator of Foundations at Stephen F. Austin State University where she teaches foundational courses in two-dimensional media. Her books are in collections including the Museum of Modern Art New York and many universities special collections including those at Harvard, Yale, and Stanford.

With respect to her work, Hicks explains, “I once read two unrelated books in a row that both contained the phrase “black currant lozenge.” Unlikely synchronicities seem to happen to me often, and that’s true in part because I expect them. My work centers on being a reader of fiction. Literature informs every project. Artist’s books and writing complement imagery and objects. Text allows me to explore in depth the ways we construct meaning from mundane coincidences. Inspired by genre fiction, I critically assess the morality of our obsession with murder mysteries and investigate the ways that science fiction has a hold on our collective imagination to a greater extent than fact. To complicate the reader/viewer experience I encode text within interactive exhibits, populate dioramas with invisible ink clues, and create baffling optical illusions. Privileging craft traditions I employ embroidery, quilling, and paper constructions to illustrate interconnected stories. Regardless of medium I am forever exploring our complex relationship with storytelling.”

The CSN Artspace Gallery is free, family friendly, and open to the public. Gallery hours are from 8 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Artspace Gallery is upstairs above the main entrance lobby on the North Las Vegas campus located at 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, one-mile East of I-15 North.

For more information, please call (702) 651-4146
http://www.csn.edu/artgallery
####

The spirit of unity and commemoration filled the streets of Las Vegas as the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) proudly participated in the Annual MLK Parade alongside our esteemed President, Dr. Zaragoza.

The MLK Parade, a cornerstone event in Las Vegas, serves as a poignant tribute to the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It’s a time for communities to come together, reflect on the progress made, and recommit to the ideals of equality, justice, and social change that Dr. King championed.

CSN’s presence in the parade symbolized our unwavering dedication to these principles. Led by Dr. Zaragoza, our college community marched in solidarity, showcasing our commitment to diversity, inclusion, and the pursuit of a more just society.

As we walked alongside fellow participants, waving to cheering crowds lining the streets, we were reminded of the profound impact Dr. King’s message continues to have on our nation. His vision of a world where individuals are judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character remains as relevant today as it was during the Civil Rights Movement.

Participating in the MLK Parade was not just an act of solidarity; it was a reaffirmation of CSN’s values and our ongoing efforts to foster a campus environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.

As the parade came to a close, and we bid farewell to the lively atmosphere, the spirit of Dr. King’s dream lingered in our hearts and minds. It served as a reminder that the journey towards equality is ongoing and that each step we take, together, brings us closer to realizing his vision. After all, witnessing our new athletic mascot Cooper and Sting the Nevada State’s mascot capturing a photo together, exemplifying the love and unity that our community fosters to uphold our enduring legacy of diversity, inclusion, and, of course, education.

At CSN, we are proud to have taken part in this meaningful event, and we remain committed to advancing Dr. King’s legacy, both on our campus and in the broader community.

MLK Parade Recap Video

 

Awarded to:

Amber Suzuki

Senior Specialist

Testing Center

Henderson Campus

Nominated by: Dr. Uche Dappa

Amber puts “Students First” in all testing and other student service activities. She is very passionate about helping, ensuring a smooth handover of confused customers, and not allowing students to be bounced around services.

Congratulations Amber!

 

Dr. Lawrence Weekly was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. He graduated from Western High School in West Las Vegas beginning his journey in higher education at the College of Southern Nevada. Dr. Weekly went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Grambling State University and a Master of Art in Public Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He received a PhD in Public Policy from UNLV. Dr. Weekly extensive career in public service accelerated when he joined City of Las Vegas Neighborhood Services Department in 1995 as a management analyst. He later became the liaison for City Councilman Gary Reese and maintained that position until he was appointed as the City Councilman for the City of Las Vegas Ward 5 in 1999. He maintained this seat for seven years, until resigning his position in 2007.

Dr. Weekly served as a Clark County Commissioner from 2008-2021. He served as the Vice Chair of the Clark County Commission from 2019 to 2021. His legacy of public service continues as he serves as a part-time instructor at UNLV and the Chief of Staff & Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at the College of Southern Nevada. He is a life-time member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity and a mentor for the Kappa League. Dr. Weekly also hosts the Straight Talk radio talk show on KCEP Power 88 FM that has aired weekly each Saturday since 1989.

Rolando Mosqueda has nearly 17 years of experience in the Nevada System of Higher Education working at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in various capacities prior to joining the College of Southern Nevada in 2013. Mr. Mosqueda served as Associate Vice President for Procurement and Auxiliary Services managing the contracting, purchasing, and business functions for the College. Prior to his employment at the NSHE, Mr. Mosqueda worked in the technology field at several fortune 50 companies. He is a graduate of St. Edwards University in Austin, Texas and earned his Juris Doctorate in 2010 from the William S. Boyd School of Law at UNLV.

Dr. James McCoy is an award-winning scholar, community leader, and ambassador for our students. His higher education career spans more than 20 years, including Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success for the Nevada System of Higher Education, as well as several roles at CSN, including Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Vice President for Academic Success, Chair and Lead Faculty for the Department of Communication and as a tenured Communication Professor.  Dr. McCoy was also an instructor at several community colleges in California, where he taught an array of communication courses. Prior to working in academia, he worked in radio broadcasting as a radio morning show host and radio station program director. He was the Co-Creator and Executive Producer of the acclaimed documentary No Greater Odds, serves as a national Fellow and Content Expert for Complete College America, and has served as the CCA state lead in Nevada. His latest work with CCA involves the development and implementation of the Momentum Year — this includes Guided Pathways strategies complete with purpose first, academic mapping, proactive advising, 15 to Finish, Meta Majors and co-requisite math and English in the first year.

A highly sought-after national keynote speaker and presenter, Dr. McCoy often talks about the important work that community colleges do in the United States. Additionally, he speaks and consults for corporations, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions throughout the country.

Dr. McCoy earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Master of Arts in Communication from California State University, Fresno. He will have an earned doctorate in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University prior to beginning his tenure as VPAA at CSN.

Dr. Rebecca Gates (she/her/hers) currently serves as the Interim Associate Vice President & Officer in Charge for the Henderson Campus at the College of Southern Nevada. In this role, she is responsible for the overall student experience at CSN Henderson. She serves as an Evaluator for the NWCCU and was a part of the first cohort of NWCCU Mission Fulfillment Fellowes. Previously, she oversaw assessment and strategic planning efforts for the Division of Student Affairs at CSN. With over 20 years professional experience in progressive levels of scope and supervision within higher education, focusing on both student and academic affairs, Dr. Gates’ work seeks to collaboratively create seamless learning environments that encourage student success.

Dr. Gates’ research agenda focuses on the intersection of student access and success. Her research projects have been focused on issues of campus climate and institutional culture at federally designated Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).

Dr. Gates earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education from University of Nevada, Las Vegas, holds a Master of Science in Counseling and Student Personnel Service from Oklahoma State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Sam Houston State University. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and the arts.

Dr. Avalos brings twenty-nine years of experience in higher education including four-year private, four-year public, and two-year public institutions to his role of Vice President of Student Affairs. Dr. Avalos brings strong accreditation and educational research backgrounds, as well as, extensive professional experiences leading Instructional, Student Support, and Administrative Services programs. He was previously at Chief Student Services Officer at Saddleback College and has a strong instructional background. Dr. Avalos grew up in South Los Angeles and was raised in a Spanish-speaking, blue-collar, immigrant-family household where he learned the importance of education, hard work, pursuing your dreams, and being of service to others. He is the first in his family to earn a college degree, earning his Bachelor of Science from UC Davis and Master of Arts and Doctorate degrees from UCLA. He has a vested interest in the success of CSN, as he has made it his life’s work to contribute to the empowerment of students, families, and communities.

Stavan Corbett serves as executive Director for Division of workforce and economic development at the College of Southern Nevada. He holds local, state, and national policy experience, has served as an education official at local and state levels and has led as an executive in the education and social enterprise sectors.A native of Las Vegas, he served on the Clark County Board of School Trustees from 2013 to 2015 and was elected to the Nevada State Board of Education, where he served as President of the Board.

Serving in executive leadership and case management for youth and families, including as an administrator at Nevada State College. Mr. Corbett has developed evidence-based programs in educational instruction, mentoring, life skills, workforce development, substance abuse prevention, and juvenile re-entry programs. He is a graduate of the McCourt School of Public Policy, Education Management, and leadership program from Georgetown University.

Mr. Corbett sat on the board of directors for West Ed, a nationally educational laboratory from 2013-2014 and served as a Trustee of the Latin Chamber Foundation, an organization promoting services to impoverished families. In 2014, he served as an Education Delegate for Clark County School District (CCSD) to China engaged in international education, college and career readiness.

Frank Woodbeck recently joined the College of Southern Nevada as the Executive Director for Grants/Special Projects.

Woodbeck comes from NSHE, serving three years as executive director of the Nevada College Collaborative and one year as Executive Director of Workforce Development. He was responsible for launching workforce development initiatives within all NSHE institutions, including two universities, a state college and four community colleges; and establishing inter-agency linkages that will aid in the growth of career pathways that incorporate the curricula offered by NSHE institutions. Previous to NSHE, Frank served as the director of the Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR), where he oversaw operations for Nevada’s Employment Security Division, Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation, Nevada Equal Rights Commission, Research and Analysis Bureau, and Information Development and Processing. Prior to becoming director of DETR, he served as the director of Las Vegas Operations and Workforce Initiatives with the Nevada Commission on Economic Development (predecessor to the Governor’s Office of Economic Development).

In his earlier career, Woodbeck spent several years as an executive in the broadcast industry with ABC Radio and The Washington Post Company.

He currently serves on the Superintendent’s Budget Task Force for the Clark County School District and is Board chair of Jobs for Nevada’s Graduates. He also serves on the Board of the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, the Board and Executive Committee of Three Square Food Bank, and the Board of Goodwill of Southern Nevada.

He previously served on the cabinet of Governor Brian Sandoval, as well as the board of directors for the Nevada Center of Excellence.

He received his bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Buffalo and has also completed graduate management courses at the University of Buffalo and Harvard University.

Woodbeck is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and is a recipient of the Vietnam Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation.

Danita Simons joined the CSN Foundation as Eexecutive Director in December of 2022 after serving as the Foundation Director of Western Dakota Technical College for four years. She brings brings over 15 years of experience in the philanthropic and donor relations area, within her 30+ years in the non-profit sector.

Clarissa M. Cota has a distinguished 25-year career in higher education. As a proud member of a family with Mexican immigrant roots, she has seen firsthand the impact of educational attainment on family structures. She is passionate about improving educational access for all, aligning intentional pathways to the workforce and increasing student success outcomes by promoting innovation and making data-driven student focused change. She currently serves as the vice president of the North Las Vegas Campus for the College of Southern Nevada. In 2018, she served as the interim vice president for academic affairs for the College of Southern Nevada and previously, as the interim dean for the School of Business, Hospitality and Public Service, department chair and professor of legal studies.

She holds B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Arizona and is a member of the State Bar of Arizona. She has institutional accrediting experience and has served as the Accreditation Liaison Officer (ALO) for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).

She serves in numerous leadership roles with local and national boards, including chairing the HSI Task Force for the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and serving as the American Council on Education (ACE) Office of Women in Higher Education, Nevada coordinator. She has been awarded academic recognitions including the president’s Outstanding Teaching Faculty Award for the College of Southern Nevada.

Steve Goebel holds a master’s degree in Visual Communication and Packaging Design from Pratt Institute in New York City and a bachelor’s degree of fine arts from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He has more than 20 years of experience in visual communication design and creative management from international banking, medical and corporate communications design to editorial, entertainment and agency campaign design.

He served as creative director for Empire BlueCross BlueShield in , where he managed national campaigns for Empire’s associated brands including BlueCross BlueShield, BlueCross, WellChoice New Jersey and WellChoice, Inc.He served as senior art director at Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, Union Bank of Switzerland and Warburg Dillon Read. He has produced award-winning campaigns forNevada Humane Society, Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood, Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada, American Petroleum Institute, Greenspun Media Group, American Nevada Company, Tronox and The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services.

Mr. Goebel is a published, graphic designer, and received a Golden Quill© Award for Corporate Communication design work completed for Empire BlueCross BlueShield. He received the Hermes Gold Design Award (2012), Videographer Award of Distinction (2013) and PRSA Pinnacle Award for visual communications (2013).

Blackstone

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Dear CSN Family,

Today we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor Native Americans for their resilience and contributions to American history. It is more important than ever to honor the proud Native culture and to affirm the legacy of our Native communities, especially in Nevada with so many great tribal communities. Today we celebrate the many tribes and Indigenous People Organizations like the Yomba Shoshone, Walker River Paiute, Shoshone-Paiute, Moapa Band of Paiute, Duckwater Shoshone, Confederate Tribes of Goshute Indian Reservation, Fallon Paiute Shosone, Las Vegas Indian Center, Pyramid Lake Paiute, Reno-Sparks Indian Colony, Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone Indians, and Washoe Tribes.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first conceptualized by the United Nations in the late 1970s. Since then, many states have established observances and celebrations to honor Native Peoples’ and in 2021 and again this year, President Joe Biden issued presidential proclamations of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. I encourage each of us to reflect, recognize and celebrate the contributions of Indigenous Peoples to our CSN community and beyond.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

Today, we remember the victims of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and we honor the courage of the service members and first responders who risked their lives to protect our freedom.

Dedication to the safety, security and well-being of others is a cause we know very well here at CSN. As I have mentioned before, the work we do can be difficult, but we choose to do it because it benefits our students and the wider world around us all.

Today, now known as Patriot Day — a National Day of Service and Remembrance, I encourage you to take a moment to remember the lives we lost and turn once again to one another to renew our commitment to enabling our students and communities to achieve succeed and prosper. 

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

The Labor Day holiday on Monday will honor and recognize the American Labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the American way of life.

This Labor Day is of special significance to CSN because we have just wrapped up negotiations for a second collective bargaining agreement with the Nevada Faculty Alliance. I encourage us to reflect on the words of Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers. “For me, the labor movement and public education are linked as the essential building blocks to a strong middle class and a path to the American Dream.”

As I mentioned at convocation, our work is not always easy, but it is always rewarding when our students succeed. Please accept my sincere appreciation for the hard work you do, day in and day out. Your individual commitments to CSN students and to each other make CSN the beacon of hope and Segway to the Middle Class and the American Dream for so many in our diverse communities.

Thank you for your continued hard work and for making a difference.

God Bless, stay safe, and enjoy your Labor Day holiday

Dear CSN Family,

Please join me in celebrating LGBTQIA+ Pride Month during the month of June. This is a time to honor the legacy and annual observance of the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969. This month, our nation will again commemorate this decisive moment in the modern movement for LGBTQIA+ equality on a federal level.

LGBTQIA+ individuals have seen progress in the pursuit of social justice, but this community continues to face discrimination at alarming rates. Pride Month is an acknowledgement of the hard-fought battles for equality, a celebration of visibility and self-worth and call to action to end hatred towards the LGBTQIA+ community.

I am proud to support all the expressions of LGBTQIA+ Pride during the month of June and beyond because, our greatest strength lies in our ability to celebrate the beautiful diversity of our CSN family.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, the Office of the Governor issued this memorandum updating COVID-19 weekly testing for current unvaccinated state and NSHE employees that ends the testing program effective Friday, March 25, 2022. As you know, weekly COVID-19 testing has been a requirement for unvaccinated employees who had medical or religious waivers.

As the Office of the Governor has indicated and Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose notes in her memo, the discontinuation of the testing program is due to improvements in Nevada regarding COVID-19 infection rates.

We encourage our CSN family to continue to be diligent and to follow all COVID-19 health and safety protocols and best practices so we can continue to support the safety of our campuses and improvements in our COVID-19 trends. Please continue to report exposures, pending or positive COVID-19 results through our Wellness@csn.edu for case management, support and services. 

Thank you.

Dr. Federico Zaragoza

President

College of Southern Nevada

CSN Family,

On this International Women’s Day, I invite you to please join me in celebrating women, and the entire Women’s History Month during the month of March. This month is dedicated to celebrating contributions of women throughout the course of history.

Having grown up in a household headed by a single mom and two sisters, I can affirm to the courage, strength, talent, and dedication that women possess, as well as their tireless efforts to overcome gender biases inherent in society. This month we celebrate women who have advocated tirelessly to achieve gender parity by championing important issues such as equal pay, voting rights, reproductive rights and access to education.

At CSN, we proudly join the National Women’s Alliance in promoting this year’s theme “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” This year, we honor the work of caregivers and frontline health care providers nurturing our communities during the pandemic and reflect on the generations of women who have provided healing and hope throughout history.

Our values as an institution are deeply rooted in the contributions, achievements, leadership, and strength of the women who help make CSN the family that it is.

We will be hosting several events and opportunities to celebrate the many contributions women have made to shape this country. This will also be an opportunity to recognize, thank, and witness the current and past work of our CSN women colleagues in a variety of fields. I encourage you to join us on as many Women’s History Events as possible.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

Today, Governor Sisolak announced that effective immediately the use of face coverings in public spaces will no longer be required. Following Governor Sisolak’s directive, NSHE employees, students, and members of the public are no longer required to wear face coverings while inside NSHE buildings irrespective of the COVID-19 vaccination status, effective immediately. This includes classrooms and workspaces.

As noted in the memorandum issued by NSHE, individual NSHE institutions do not currently retain the authority to unilaterally impose more stringent face covering requirements beyond Nevada law.

While we encourage the use of face coverings on campus, we respect personal choice on the decision to use them. Please avoid stigmatizing any individual based on their personal decision to wear a mask.

We will remain diligent in our COVID-19 efforts and ask the CSN community to continue to report cases, close contacts, and pending COVID-19 test results or symptoms to Wellness@csn.edu.

The best way to protect yourself and others is to get vaccinated and boosted if you are eligible. CSN continues to work with our Southern Nevada Health District partners to offer free COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at each of our three campuses. You can schedule an appointment for testing here or vaccination here.

We recognize that this news may be difficult for some in our community. Please reach out through your leadership structures for additional support.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico

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Dear CSN Students,

Welcome to the Spring 2022 semester! We want to remind you that the health and safety of students and employees continues to be our top priority. Unfortunately, we are in yet another surge of positive COVID-19 cases, due in large part to the highly contagious Omicron variant. 

The good news is that approximately 98 percent of CSN employees are fully vaccinated, as are an estimated 72 percent of the state’s college students. We must continue to be flexible and vigilant. In addition to encouraging vaccinations, CSN continues with the following strategies: 

• Report COVID-19 symptoms, testing status and close contacts via the COVID-19 Reporting Form or Wellness@csn.edu so our Case Management team can provide guidance and assist with coordination with your faculty member(s). Case Management provides guidance as to when you can be on campus when a COVID-19 report is needed as well as quarantine protocols consistent with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Students with COVID-19 related symptoms, a positive COVID-19 test or who have been in close contact with someone who tested positive should not come to campus until they have been cleared by our team. 
• Face coverings remain a requirement indoors, and outdoors when around others. 
• Safety signage is provided across all buildings on campus and sites. 
• CSN has partnered with the Southern Nevada Health District to provide COVID-19 testing and vaccinations on all three CSN campuses.  

Campus support services and classes will remain in person. Our CSN departments, faculty, and support areas have contingency plans in the event temporary measures become necessary. 

On-campus events will be deferred until the current environment improves. 

CSN has a broad array of services and support to assist our students, including counseling, support for those with disabilities, free resources for STEM students, and free clothing or personal items for those in need. In addition, the Student Emergency Fund | CSN provides students with assistance when faced with an unexpected emergency situation.  

Please continue to look for additional guidance and information on our COVID-19 webpage https://at.csn.edu/covid19 and from the CSN leadership team.

Wishing you a great Spring 2022 semester. 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

There are some icons of American history who simply rise above the others as true symbols of unity, justice, and hope. Men and women whose very image inspires us almost universally across political, religious, and racial barriers. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is just such a figure in the American story.

Just days ago, during my Presidential Address at Convocation, I spoke about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in our workforce, as well as closing the achievement gap for our students of color as imperatives to the success of our college and its mission. This reminds me of one of Dr. King’s most well known quotes, “Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” It is so true, that when one goes without, we all suffer, but just as true is the fact that when one is raised up, we all benefit! Intentionally reaching out to the underserved is simply part of being a Students First institution.

As we take today to reflect upon the life, work, and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I ask you to think about how we all can be a part of bringing about the dream he spoke of in his most quoted speech; and, how we are all positively affected by making that dream a reality. Let us take this national day of service and introspect on how we can each individually move the needle on economic and educational equity in our community and our world. It not only helps lift us all up, it is the human thing to do.

God Bless and Have a Great MLK Day!

Federico Zaragoza

President College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

The health and safety of students and employees continues to be our top priority. As we prepare to begin our Spring 2022 Semester, we find ourselves in yet another surge of positive COVID-19 cases throughout our state and nation. This surge is due in large part to the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, which is highly contagious and presents particular concern for members of our communities who are unvaccinated. At CSN, we will continue to be diligent in our efforts to mitigate the impact.

The good news is that approximately 98 percent of CSN employees are now fully vaccinated and we estimate system-wide approximately 72 percent of NSHE students have completed a COVID-19 vaccination series. The guidance and best practices that we are receiving from medical experts affirm that we must continue to be flexible, vigilant, and informed as we continue to confront these historic challenges. In addition to encouraging vaccinations, effective immediately, CSN is implementing the following strategies that will enable ongoing campus operations and to support our college’s health and safety. 

• Face coverings remain a requirement inside of all buildings, regardless of vaccination status, and outdoors when around others. CSN continues to secure a variety of effective masks including KN95 and when appropriately provided and used N95’s. COVID-19 PPE and supplies are available to departments via the PPE Ordering System. Supplies include cleaning products, gloves, hand sanitizer and a variety of face coverings.   
• Report COVID-19 symptoms, testing status and close contacts via the COVID-19 Reporting Form or Wellness@csn.edu so our Case Management team can provide timely guidance. Case Management will provide guidance consistent with revised quarantine protocols as established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 
• In-person meetings must adhere to COVID-19 spacing and safety protocols and whenever possible should include virtual options as an additional mitigation measure.

Campus support services and classes will remain operational in traditional in-person manner. Departments, faculty, and support areas should continue to maintain contingency planning should the need for temporary measures be necessary.

At this time, on-campus events for both internal and external groups will be deferred based on our local transmission levels. CSN’s COVID-19 and Events Office will work with groups on deferral and communicate when activities can resume. 

We know that these times are challenging and further exacerbated by COVID-19.   Together we will address these trends and concerns, and will work confidently together to keep our faculty, staff, students and campus communities safe. Please continue to be empathetic, compassionate and flexible to our students, employees and each other. 

Finally, please know that CSN is committed to providing services and support to our campus community in providing assistance as may be needed. Services to support physical and mental health are available and if needed we encourage you to reach out to HR and Employee Assistance Program (EAP). We know there are many stresses on our services across the CSN campuses. Thank you for your patience.  

Please continue to look for additional guidance and information on our COVID-19 webpage https://at.csn.edu/covid19 and from the CSN leadership team. During the Spring 2022 semester we will continue to hold Town Hall meetings to provide updated information and respond to questions.  

Thank you for all you do on behalf of CSN.  Wishing you a great Spring 2022 semester. 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

This is to inform you that the emergency regulation to require a COVID-19 vaccination for NSHE students has expired. Today, the Interim Legislative Commission met, and item R069-21 (vaccination requirement) failed to pass, effectively eliminating the legal basis for student vaccines to be a requirement for registration for classes at NSHE’s institutions. This includes CSN students.

Following the direction of the Legislative Commission, we will immediately begin the process of lifting student registration holds related to the COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

Although the student vaccine regulation is now expired, we still strongly encourage those who are unvaccinated to seek medical advice and make plans to get vaccinated. 

The Board of Regents’ NSHE employee vaccine requirement remains in place, as does the current state mask mandate for the NSHE community.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

I am thrilled to let you know that CSN’s Mariachi Plata has been named the top college mariachi group in the country!

Mariachi Plata took first place in the Mariachi Vargas competition this weekend in San Antonio, Texas, competing against the best college mariachi programs in the country. 

I am so proud of our Mariachi Plata, which we started in my first year at CSN. Las Vegas has a large and talented Hispanic and Mexican community and mariachi speaks to who we are as a Mexican community. 

Winning the Mariachi Vargas competition is big. It is the Super Bowl of the genre. This was a big national upset and our students worked so hard to accomplish this goal. Fine Arts Chair Robert Bonora, Coach Fernando Gonzalez, his assistant Lupe Gonzalez, and our students had the vision and made their dream happen. 

This is still sinking in…WOW…the CSN Mariachi Plata the best mariachi in the country. Congratulations Mariachi Plata…You make us CSN Proud!

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

Today we salute our brave service members for their patriotism and willingness to sacrifice to protect our freedom and liberties. It is my honor to recognize the dedication and service of our veteran students, faculty and staff in the extended CSN Family on the centennial commemoration of the Veterans Day holiday. 

We value the far-reaching impact our veterans have in our communities and are committed to helping our veterans achieve, succeed and prosper. The CSN Veterans Education & Transition Services (VETS) Center was established to act as a liaison between CSN students and the Department of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans and their dependents with their educational benefits and academic needs. I encourage the CSN Veteran community to explore resources and services available at the VETS Center directly at csn.va@csn.edu.  

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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US Department of Veterans Affairs – About Veterans Day 2021 

The theme for Veterans Day 2021 is centered on the centennial commemoration of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Located at Arlington National Cemetery, the Tomb was initially dedicated by the Army on Armistice Day, November 11, 1921, with the burial of an unknown service member from World War I.  

Over the past century, additional unknowns have been buried at the Tomb, and the site has become a people’s memorial that inspires reflection on service, valor, sacrifice and mourning. This year’s Veterans Day poster competition asks artists to envision a design that evokes elements of the history, legacy, and meaning of the Tomb during its centennial anniversary. 

Learn more at va.gov/opa/vetsday

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Dear CSN Family,

Today we celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day to honor Native Americans for their resilience and contributions to American history. It is more important than ever for the CSN family to honor Native cultures as a means of combating a dominant European perspective that often omits the proud legacy of our Native communities.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day was first conceptualized by the United Nations in the late 1970s. Since then, many states have established observances and celebrations to honor Native Peoples’ and on Friday, President Joe Biden declared issued the first presidential proclamation of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. 

I encourage each of us to reflect, recognize and celebrate the contributions of Indigenous Peoples to our CSN community and beyond. You can learn more about the ways in which CSN celebrates our Indigenous communities at csn.edu/DiversityEvents.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

On August 20, the Nevada State Board of Health mandated that higher education students with  credit or non-credit enrollment demonstrate completion of the COVID-19 vaccination prior to enrollment for spring 2022 classes. This mandate includes certain exemptions, which includes students who are participating in fully online courses of which no portion of educational requirements include a face-to-face interaction, such as student teaching, laboratory, field experiences, internships, or other student learning. Students who have a documented medical condition that prohibits receiving the vaccination or cannot receive the vaccination based on a religious belief can also request an exemption.  

In the coming days, all students will receive a communication through their CSN student email and preferred email address regarding important information in preparation for spring 2022 registration. A copy of the communication can be found in the MyCSN Communication Center.   

On Friday, October 8, you will find a link available on the CSN main page to the Student Vaccination Requirement webpage where you can learn what documentation will be needed to submit COVID vaccination records or a request for exemption, FAQs, links to forms, and to the option to submit documentation. Questions can be submitted to Wellness@CSN.EDU and responses will be coordinated with the Office of the Registrar.  Spring 2022 registration begins on November 1 and we encourage students to submit documentation as soon as possible. 

The Registrar’s Office will ensure legibility and completeness of submitted forms. Medical and religious vaccination exemptions will be reviewed by a designated CSN Review Committee. Once reviewed, a determination will be communicated to the student including any additional guidance as appropriate. 

As is our practice, we will continue to provide timely information on COVID-19 developments.   

Thank you.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

Today, we pause to remember the lives of those we lost on Oct. 1, 2017. Whether you are on campus today or off, I hope you take a moment to reflect on the events of that day — and on how our community responded.  Many of our CSN EMT, Nursing, and Police Academy graduates were on the ground that evening, saving lives and keeping us safe. 

CSN joins our Southern Nevada community on the anniversary of that tragic night to remember the victims and the first responders who do so much to help save lives, and to once again come together in the spirit of community.

As we celebrate our 50th year of putting students first at CSN, let us remember that we are all part of this incredible CSN family and Las Vegas Strong community. 

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

Today the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education approved a new policy regarding mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for existing employees and includes a provision of vaccination as a condition of hire for new employees. Please read Chancellor Melody Rose’s letter here. 

This policy will be included in a new Chapter 12 within Title 2 of the Code regardless of job title or status, to receive a verifiable and complete COVID-19 vaccination series on or before December 1, 2021. This policy includes a provision to preclude from vaccination those employees who have a verified medical condition or a sincerely held religious belief.   

On October 15, 2021 non-vaccinated employees will receive their initial Notice of Non-Compliance. Employees who are identified as unvaccinated will receive a communication from Human Resources Daniel.Gutierrez2@csn.edu.  

As is our practice, we will continue to provide timely information on COVID-19 developments.  

Take care and be safe. 

Thank you.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

I would like to take this opportunity to share important information with our CSN campus community regarding proposed mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for NSHE employees. On September 10, the Board of Regents voted unanimously for the  Chancellor’s Office to prepare a policy draft regarding a vaccination mandate, to be reviewed and considered at a special Board of Regents meeting on September 30. 

Over the past 10 days, the System Administration Office has held a series of review and input sessions with shared governance groups to obtain feedback regarding the policy draft. The agenda for the special Board of Regents meeting has been released and can be found at the NSHE webpage https://nshe.nevada.edu/leadership-policy/board-of-regents/meeting-agendas/

For those employees who have completed the COVID-19 vaccination process please remember to check Workday to ensure that the information is complete. If you have any questions please contact Daniel.Gutierrez2@CSN.EDU.   

Finally, CSN has COVID-19 vaccination and testing centers located on each of the campuses for your convenience. These locations are in collaboration with the Southern Nevada Health District and are available Tuesdays through Fridays.  

We will continue to bring the CSN community updated information as it becomes available.   

Take care and be safe. 

Federico

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Dear CSN Family, 

Please join me in celebrating LatinX Heritage Month now through October 15. As CSN’s first LatinX president, I am proud to join all Americans as we celebrate the remarkable contributions of LatinX people to American culture throughout history. This month provides an opportunity to learn about the history, culture, and contributions of Americans whose ancestry can be traced to over 20 Spanish-speaking countries in including Mexico, Latin America, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.  

I invite you to join the CSN family to celebrate the occasion at one of the CSN LatinX Heritage Month kickoff events or any of the upcoming events honoring our five Central American neighbors who celebrate their independence in September.   

CSN LatinX Heritage Month Celebration 

September 15, 5-7 p.m. 

North Las Vegas campus — Tyrone Thompson Student Union 

I am proud that CSN is classified as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and LatinX students represent more of our current student body than any other ethnicity. CSN is a proud member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, a national organization that recognizes over 500 Hispanic Serving Institutions throughout the nation for their work and critical role in educating and empowering LatinX youth. I encourage you to join in their upcoming celebrations. 

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week 

September 13-19  

Please visit csn.edu/events for a complete list of CSN events celebrating LatinX Heritage month.  

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

Please join me in celebrating LatinX Heritage Month now through October 15. As CSN’s first LatinX president, I am proud to join all Americans as we celebrate the remarkable contributions of LatinX people to American culture throughout history. This month provides an opportunity to learn about the history, culture, and contributions of Americans whose ancestry can be traced to over 20 Spanish-speaking countries in including Mexico, Latin America, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.

I invite you to join the CSN family to celebrate the occasion at one of the CSN LatinX Heritage Month kickoff events or any of the upcoming events honoring our five Central American neighbors who celebrate their independence in September.

CSN LatinX Heritage Month Celebration
September 15, 5-7 p.m.
North Las Vegas campus — Tyrone Thompson Student Union

I am proud that CSN is classified as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and LatinX students represent more of our current student body than any other ethnicity. CSN is a proud member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, a national organization that recognizes over 500 Hispanic Serving Institutions throughout the nation for their work and critical role in educating and empowering LatinX youth. I encourage you to join in their upcoming celebrations.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week
September 13-19

Please visit csn.edu/events for a complete list of CSN events celebrating LatinX Heritage month.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

Today, the Board of Regents voted unanimously to create a new policy to require all system employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. 

The proposed policy will be considered by the Board at a special meeting on September 30, 2021. The approval today was to have NSHE staff draft policy language regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for a future meeting to include appropriate medical and religious exemptions.  

The exact details of specific policy language is not currently known at this time but will be available prior to the meeting. 

Federico

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Today, the Board of Regents voted unanimously to create a new policy to require all system employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

The proposed policy will be considered by the Board at a special meeting on September 30, 2021. The approval today was to have NSHE staff draft policy language regarding COVID-19 vaccinations for a future meeting to include appropriate medical and religious exemptions.

The exact details of specific policy language is not currently known at this time but will be available prior to the meeting.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

As you know, the State Board of Health has instituted a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all Nevada System of Higher Education students who wish to enroll in in-person courses for the spring 2022 semester. This will not impact enrollment this fall in any way.

Registration for spring 2022 courses begins on or about November 1. Proof of vaccination will be required to enroll in any courses offered on campus for the spring. To complete your vaccination process by November 1 with either of the two-dose vaccines, we encourage students to get the first dose as soon as possible and should be initiate the second dose no later than mid-September.

The COVID-19 vaccination is the most powerful tool to combat the virus and to prevent its spread on our campuses and the broader community.

Vaccination exceptions apply to students who are enrolling in only online courses, those with documented medical reasons, and those who qualify for religious exemptions. Additional information about how to provide proof of vaccination or to ask for a religious or medical exemption will be coming soon.

The CSN North Las Vegas and Charleston campuses have free COVID-19 vaccines available Tuesday through Friday, via a partnership with the Southern Nevada Health District. The Henderson Campus will also have vaccinations available beginning on Tuesday, August 31. All three COVID-19 vaccinations are available at these sites and individuals can choose which vaccine they prefer.

We will continue to bring the CSN community updated information as it becomes available in collaboration with our health and safety and emergency management partners across southern Nevada. We ask that the CSN family continue to be flexible should the need arise to revise direction. Please continue to utilize Wellness@csn.edu for communication regarding cases, close contacts, testing, and any questions regarding COVID-19.

Take care and be safe.

Thank you.

Federico

Today, we celebrate Women’s Equality Day – a national recognition of the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution granting women the right to vote. I’d like to take a moment to honor the community of inspiring women leading and supporting the CSN mission to empower our students and communities to achieve, succeed, and prosper. The spirit of the Women’s Equality movement lives in you.

Dear CSN Family,

First introduced in 1878 as the women’s suffrage Amendment, the 19th Amendment was signed into law on Aug. 26, 1920. Fifty years later, women joined together in a nationwide Women’s Strike for Equality to press for equal opportunities in employment and education and 24-hour childcare centers. This national attention led to a bill designating Aug. 26 as Women’s Equality Day – a symbol of women’s continued fight for equal rights.

I encourage you to revisit the Women’s Empowerment video created by the CSN Women’s Alliance on the CSN YouTube Channel. It is a testament to how women have honored sisterhood at the College of Southern Nevada.

Women’s Equality Day falls before the beginning of the fall 2021 semester and during our annual Convocation. The CSN Women’s Alliance will celebrate the day after the beginning of the semester to ensure this important observance receives the attention it deserves. Please be on the lookout for details.

Happy Women’s Equality Day!

Federico

Looking for more resources?
Department of Defense Education Activity
National Women’s History Museum
National Women’s History Alliance
There is a Day for That

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Dear CSN Family,

Today, the Nevada State Board of Health voted to require COVID-19 vaccinations for all Nevada college students who wish to register for Spring 2022 classes, with a few, limited exceptions. This includes CSN students.

Details on the implementation of the vaccine mandate will be forthcoming, but please know that I and everyone at CSN take this very seriously. We will work with local health authorities and NSHE and state officials to develop clear protocols and communication for implementation.

As a reminder CSN has partnered with the Southern Nevada Health District to make COVID-19 testing and vaccinations available at the Charleston and North Las Vegas campuses.  As you know, the numbers locally, statewide and nationally regarding COVID-19 infections have been trending in the wrong direction — and it is driven largely by infections among the unvaccinated. 

I stand in solidarity with Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose and Board of Regents Chair Cathy McAdoo in thanking those who participated in today’s Board of Health meeting. I want to remind the CSN Family that vaccinations and testing will also be available at the Henderson campus. In addition, vaccinations are available throughout Southern Nevada including neighborhood pharmacies and pop-up sites. 

Please continue to utilize Wellness@csn.edu for communication regarding cases, close contacts, testing, and any questions regarding COVID-19.

God Bless and Be Safe.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

At CSN we value the service of our veterans. We have all been watching and reading the news coming from Afghanistan as our troops leave after 20 years on the ground. Please let our veterans who have served in Afghanistan know that their hard work, sacrifice, and dedication have not gone unnoticed.

Veterans, we appreciate you and we are here for you. Please know that you can reach out to our Veterans Education & Transition Services Center for any kind of assistance or simply to chat. Of particular note is the Afghanistan support group, operated by James Taylor, Program Coordinator for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs VITAL program. Those interested should reach out to the VETS Center directly at csn.va@csn.edu or 702-651-5060.

Again, veterans, please accept our heartfelt appreciation for your service and know that we are here to support you in these difficult times.

Thank you.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

I am pleased to let you know CSN has received the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) III under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021, which was signed into law on March 11. The HEERF III funds will go out in the next couple of weeks to eligible students.

CSN will provide $30,588,877 directly to students under the HEERF III requirements due to further disruptions caused by the COVID–19 national emergency, which was declared March 13, 2020.

Eligible CSN students will be awarded HEERF III funding automatically and do not need to apply for these funds. They will receive between $100 and $1,330. The award criteria include enrollment during Spring 2021 or Summer 2021 and a student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) index from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, any student who is a U.S. citizen, eligible non-citizen, DACA, Undocumented or International are eligible for HEERF III funds. More information can be found on our coronavirus webpage.

This emergency funding is intended to help cover expenses related to students’ cost of attendance (e.g., tuition and fees, room and board, transportation) and/or emergency expenses that arise due to the pandemic (e.g., tuition, food, housing, childcare/mental health care). 

Students who need financial help or find that the award amount is not enough to cover expenses are encouraged to apply for the CSN Student Emergency Fund.

Please know we remain committed to the well-being of our faculty, staff and students during these challenging times. 

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico

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Dear CSN Family,

Today, the Nevada State Board of Health voted to require COVID-19 vaccinations for all Nevada college students who wish to register for Spring 2022 classes, with a few, limited exceptions. This includes CSN students.

Details on the implementation of the vaccine mandate will be forthcoming, but please know that I and everyone at CSN take this very seriously. We will work with local health authorities and NSHE and state officials to develop clear protocols and communication for implementation.

As a reminder CSN has partnered with the Southern Nevada Health District to make COVID-19 testing and vaccinations available at the Charleston and North Las Vegas campuses.  As you know, the numbers locally, statewide and nationally regarding COVID-19 infections have been trending in the wrong direction — and it is driven largely by infections among the unvaccinated. 

I stand in solidarity with Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose and Board of Regents Chair Cathy McAdoo in thanking those who participated in today’s Board of Health meeting. I want to remind the CSN Family that vaccinations and testing will also be available at the Henderson campus. In addition, vaccinations are available throughout Southern Nevada including neighborhood pharmacies and pop-up sites. 

Please continue to utilize Wellness@csn.edu for communication regarding cases, close contacts, testing, and any questions regarding COVID-19.

God Bless and Be Safe 

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

Attached please see the latest letter from NSHE Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose regarding COVID-19 protocol updates for NSHE institutions. The letter provides guidance to ensure consistency amongst all of the NSHE institutions regarding COVID-19 protocols and has been signed by the NSHE institution presidents.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

This is another quick update on our work with the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and with State of Nevada departments regarding recent developments with the implementation of the requirements of employee vaccinations and/or testing. Please know that we will contine to provide you with updates as information becomes available.

Progress toward meeting the State of Nevada requirements of establishing record verification and tracking of testing is in process. CSN, along with our fellow institutions, is steadfastly working to meet this requirement. CSN is working collaboratively and transparently with our employee stakeholder groups. Vaccination and/or testing verification timelines and process will be shared once finalized.

We have communicated with the State of Nevada the progress underway to meet compliance. The additional implementation timeline has been extended to August 30. Commencing on that date, employees who do not provide vaccination status to Human Resources will be required to undergo a weekly COVID-19 test, as required by the Governor’s Office. Please look for more detailed information to be forthcoming from Human Resources later this week.

As a reminder CSN has partnered with the Southern Nevada Health District to make COVID-19 testing and vaccinations available at the Charleston and North Las Vegas campuses. In the coming weeks, vaccinations and testing will also be available at the Henderson campus. In addition, vaccinations are available throughout Southern Nevada including neighborhood pharmacies and pop-up sites. Please refer to https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/vaccine/distribution/ for a location near you to obtain or complete the vaccination as soon as possible.

Please continue to utilize Wellness@csn.edu for communication regarding cases, close contacts, testing, and any questions regarding COVID-19.

Take care and be safe.

Thank you.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak has announced that the state Board of Health will consider mandating COVID-19 vaccinations for all Nevada System of Higher Education students at its September 3 meeting.

As you know, the COVID-19 landscape continues to rapidly evolve. Last week, the governor gave updates on the increasing transmission rate and state employees’ vaccination and/or testing requirements, and encouraged those who are eligible to get vaccinated.

If the Board of Health approves mandating vaccinations for NSHE students, students would be required to complete the vaccination process and demonstrate proof prior to registration and enrollment as soon as the Spring 2022 semester.

CSN has partnered with the Southern Nevada Health District to make COVID-19 testing and vaccinations available at the Charleston and North Las Vegas campuses. In the coming weeks, vaccinations as well as testing will also be available at the Henderson campus. In addition, vaccinations are available throughout Southern Nevada including neighborhood pharmacies and pop-up sites. Please refer to https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/vaccine/distribution/ for a location near you to obtain or complete the vaccination as soon as possible.

We will continue to bring the CSN community updated information as it becomes available in collaboration with our health and safety and emergency management partners across Southern Nevada. We ask that the CSN family continue to be flexible should the need arise to revise direction. Please continue to utilize Wellness@csn.edu for communication regarding cases, close contacts, testing, and any questions regarding COVID-19.

Take care and be safe.

Thank you.
Federico

Additional questions from July 29, 2021 President’s Town Hall that panelists did not get to answer before the town hall ended. 

Will employees be allowed to telecommute if they must quarantine?

• Employees will be able to work virtually if an approved telecommuting agreement has been agreed upon and in place.

Just to be clear, will we be teaching in-person classes in the Fall semester with both faculty and students wearing a mask?  

• Under Governor’s Directive 47, yes, faculty and students will be required to wear face coverings on campus.  

The signage at the new building at the Henderson campus reads, ‘The Betty Engelstad…’ but leaves off Mr. Ralph Engelstad. The School of Health Sciences at CSN is called, ‘The Ralph and Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences.’ Why is it different in Henderson?

• The naming of the building was determined by the donor. The building houses a select subset of health programs, science courses and NSC Nursing Simulation.

Recognizing that COVID-19 is very dynamic, are there predetermined conditions that will trigger hybrid classes becoming remote? Will faculty and/or students be able to decide together when they are uncomfortable enough to meet less than published?

• The environment is very dynamic, and we have plans in place to be able to pivot to more distance learning and/or hybrid courses if we need to.  Guidance from the County, State and NSHE will continue to be provided to the NSHE institutions in this regard.  Faculty and/or students are not permitted to change the published modality of instruction for their classes.

We will soon start having new student employees returning to our departments, will they be required to fill out the return to campus protocols form? If so, where can they access it to complete it?

• At this time, the Return to Campus Acknowledgement has been suspended due to the changing environment.  Rather, return to campus protocols will follow the guidance provided by NSHE, the Southern Nevada Health District, and the governor.

Who will be enforcing mask mandates on campus?

• Masks are required of all individuals on campuses, sites and centers.  In the case of a non-compliance with an employee, please contact Human Resources.  In the case of a student that will not comply, please contact the Campus Provost or designee for purposes of student conduct.  However, any issues that arise of a confrontational level, please contact UPD. 

Do we practice COVID contact tracing @ CSN?

• Yes, we practice contact tracing through our case management approach.  Additionally, we coordinate and work with the Southern Nevada Health District.  It is important that individuals communicate with our WELLNESS@CSN.EDU so that our process is effective. 

If you don’t have an office, but are in your own cubicle, is it ok to take off your mask while in your cubicle?

• Please wear a face covering while in your cubicle space.  

During this time, are people currently at risk of losing their tenure track jobs that are under ADA & FMLA accommodations for unusually high risk of COVID19 complications and being required to work from home as signed off by a physician?

• Tenure cannot be revoked based on an employee exercising their rights under the FMLA and ADAAA.

For those who cannot attend convocation in person but are at the North Las Vegas campus, will they be able to purchase items from the food trucks out of pocket?

• Yes. On the RSVP form choose “Remote Online” as your attendance venue and select Yes as your answer to the question Do you plan to attend on-site food truck lunch. Please see visit the Horn Theater on the day of the event for a lunch coupon.

Will we need to wear our masks while actively teaching in the classroom on campus?

• Yes, face coverings are required in classrooms and during instruction. 

The UC system is mandating vaccinations. Does the chancellor have the authority or inclination to enact mandatory vaccinations to attend in person classes?

• The State of Nevada has communicated that vaccination requirements for students is determined by the State Department of Health.  The Department is considering vaccinations for NSHE students.  As we have updated developments we will keep the college apprised. 

What are the chances that we will be returning to a distance learning model or hybrid model?

• The environment is very dynamic, and we have plans in place to be able to pivot to more distance learning and/or hybrid courses if we need to.  Guidance from the County, State and NSHE will continue to be provided to the NSHE institutions in this regard.

Has there been any discussion about reducing classroom capacity for the fall? 

• At this time, we do not anticipate a change in classroom capacity.  CSN continues to be flexible in instructional modality, and recognize that some disciplines and/or programs may not lend themselves to a remote environment.  

NSHE allows professional staff sick leave for “personal illness”. Does personal illness include mental illness or only physical illness? It seems some supervisors/divisions allow the use of sick leave for mental health issues while others require use of vacation time for those struggling with mental health issues. Thank you for clarifying.

• Employees and supervisors should contact HR for each circumstance that may involve sick or vacation leave and if there are questions.  HR can provide guidance on the appropriate leave for each specific circumstance.

Is there a projection about the demand for online classes vs classroom? Also, do we have estimates about how many students we expect that have not yet registered for classes? It is very challenging to adjust schedules in this ever changing landscape. Thanks for any guidance.

• CSN conducted a student instructional modality survey in Spring 2021 and asked students to share their preferences for instructional modality for their Fall 2021 class schedule.  48% of student respondents indicated that they wanted in-person class experiences, 48% of student respondents indicated that they preferred fully remote classes and 4% did not have a preference.  The class schedule for fall 2021 was built with these student preferences in mind.  Student enrollment for fall 2021 continues.  As of August 1^st, there are still several thousand new students and returning students who have not yet enrolled for fall 2021.  The last month of enrollment prior to the start of the regular 16-week fall semester is important.  The CSN Strategic Enrollment Management leadership team has engaged a variety of strategies to ensure every student who wants to enroll, can enroll.  We are monitoring enrollments daily and responding to enrollment trends strategically.

Will an instructor be required to wear a face mask while actually lecturing, or can they remove the mask while talking?

• Yes, face coverings are required in classrooms and during instruction. 

Does the new Telecommuting Policy effect academic faculty or just administrative faculty.

• The Telecommuting Policy applies to Administrative Faculty and Classified Staff.  Academic Faculty are exempted from the Telecommuting Policy.

If our supervisor approves the telecommuting schedule for our department, do we need to wait until our request has been signed by everyone before beginning to work from home?

• The signature of the supervisor and appointing authority, with confirmation of receipt in HR is needed prior to a telecommuting arrangement commencing.

Will there be any possible requirements for staff, faculty, or students to get a vaccine?

• Vaccination requirements for staff, faculty or students will be determined by the appropriate State of Nevada entity and/or body. 

Why isn’t there more prominent signage showing where the COVID vaccines and tests are being conducted? Speaking specifically for the NLV campus, community members entering from the NE end of campus (by the T building) have no idea where to go on campus. Even the signage that use to be on Cheyenne Ave is spotty. Will this change?

• CSN will augment the Southern Nevada Health District signage regarding vaccinations and testing.

There’s lots of mixed messages, with executive leadership saying not 100% in person but that is NOT the message many of us are receiving. What are we doing to communicate what the plan for fall actually is?

• If this question is about instruction for fall 2021, there are three instructional modality options for students across the class schedule. The proportion of class offerings by modality is dependent on the course discipline and equipment/facility instructional needs.  Here is the latest (August 1^st) snapshot of instructional modality for Fall 2021 by academic school:

School	Modality	Number of Sections	Proportion of Class Sections by Modality
AAT	Hybrid	47	9.42%
In-Person	247	49.50%
Web Remote	205	41.08%
Total	499
A & L	Hybrid	49	4.36%
In-Person	307	27.31%
Web Remote	768	68.33%
Total	1124
BHPS	Hybrid	43	9.03%
In-Person	139	29.20%
Web Remote	294	61.76%
Total	476
EBSS	Hybrid	55	6.89%
In-Person	202	25.31%
Web Remote	541	67.79%
Total	798
HS	Hybrid	47	13.13%
In-Person	192	53.63%
Web Remote	119	33.24%
Total	358
MS	Hybrid	76	8.68%
In-Person	440	50.23%
Web Remote	360	41.10%
Total	876

Can you please give an update on the status of the student unions re-opening? We want coffee!!

• The Student Unions are currently open for services. Beginning in the Fall 2021 semester, the Proudly Serving Starbucks coffee shops will be available at our three main campus locations. In addition to serving the full menu of hot and cold beverages, the locations will also make available for purchase pastries, bottled drinks, breakfast items, and hot food options for lunch and dinner.  

We are super excited about the opening of the Henderson Health & Sciences building!!!! What can we expect at the event?

• The Grand Opening will be on August 25^th at 6pm – please plan to attend!

Obviously you cannot answer this definitively, but has there been anything in communications from NSHE or the Governor that suggests we will again have to all go home like mid-March last year?

• We do not anticipate a campus closure.  Increasing vaccinated rates within the southern Nevada community including our faculty, staff, and students is an important step to managing COVID. 

Will faculty be required to hold in-person office hours even if they are teaching fully online?

• The CSN Faculty Workload Policy remains in effect.  Here is the language regarding full-time faculty office hours from the policy: 

Office Hours: Each full-time Academic Instructional Faculty contract will include five (5) office hours per week, per semester on average; to be spread over several days during each semester. Access provided by office hours should account for the mode of delivery and schedule of the course(s) taught at any given time.

Are the class modality being changed as cases continue to rise or are we sticking to what we have planned?

• The environment is very dynamic, and we have plans in place to be able to pivot to more distance learning and/or hybrid courses if we need to.  Guidance from the County, State and NSHE will continue to be provided to the NSHE institutions in this regard.

Will Vegan lunches be provided from the food trucks at convocation?

• Yes.

We are being told we are a priority, but honestly, it does not feel like it. A coworker tested positive for COVID, was in the office and we were never informed even though many of us are immune compromised. We have made this very clear. The honor system is not working. We can still get sick if the conditions are outside of guidelines. There has been little support for telecommute even though it is unnecessary to be in the office and it feels like we are forced to work in potentially dangerous situations for no valid reason.

• HR cannot provide a response for an unconfirmed circumstance.  Please contact HR with concerns regarding this matter.  Mask requirements are effective for all individuals (vaccinated or unvaccinated) effective July 30^th.  We cannot stress enough the importance of completing the daily health assessment, not coming to work if you are not feeling well, communicating with WELLNESS@CSN.EDU, and getting vaccinated if possible.   

Is mandatory vaccination on the table with NSHE Board of Regents and CSN? Many US institutions across the US have already imposed this requirement for Fall 2021.

• Vaccination requirements for staff, faculty or students will be determined by the appropriate State of Nevada entity and/or body.

Is it a good idea to have beginning of semester meetings live?

• Please work with your respective dean or department leadership regarding in-person meetings.  If the meeting is needed to be conducted in person, we recommend using larger venues such as lecture halls or Student Union ballrooms if available.  It is recommended that a virtual option be provided for academic school and department meetings for those that prefer to participate virtually at this time.  

Will academic affairs/school departments offer some type of standardized language for faculty to include in our syllabus related to COVID/face covering requirements/attendance, etc.?

• This is under discussion and should there be some boiler plate language, it will be provided to all faculty.

Is there any talk about moving face-to-face classes to web-remote if the transmission rates get above a certain amount?

• The environment is very dynamic, and we have plans in place to be able to pivot to more distance learning and/or hybrid courses if we need to.  Guidance from the County, State and NSHE will continue to be provided to the NSHE institutions in this regard.

Regarding telecommuting, how likely is it that the supervisor’s decision will be upheld and supported by upper administration, without being dictated otherwise?

Are students’ input included in this decision making process? And if not, where can students go to make their voices heard?

• Student government is the representative body for student stakeholders.  In addition to the student government executive officers, each campus has senators. CSN Administrators systematically seek input from student leaders in decision making.  

Bill stated that we are using a Hybrid model however some supervisors are telling their staff they will not approve it and know that there is no an appeal process for the staff to get assistance.

• Please contact HR for questions regarding a specific telecommuting circumstance.

Many of us do not have an hybrid option as Bill said. In fact we have lost many employees because of this. What is going to be done to ensure that we will have hybrid options in all areas?

• Please contact HR for questions regarding a specific telecommuting circumstance.

I am glad that CSN is now being very clear that Supervisors need to be flexible with schedules especially with COVID is now on the rise. A lot of supervisors are denying and are not open to a more hybrid schedule for staff.

• Please contact HR for questions regarding a specific telecommuting circumstance.

What is the likelihood of CSN going back to complete online/remote operations for Fall 2021? 

• We do not anticipate a campus closure.  Increasing the southern Nevada community including our faculty, staff and students that are vaccinated is an important step to managing COVID. 

The current directive states that everyone should wear masks in all public spaces beginning Friday, are our own offices included?

• If you are alone in private office you are not required to wear a face covering however, can continue to do so.  

Is mandatory vaccination on the table with NSHE Board of Regents and CSN? Many US institutions across the US have already imposed this requirement for Fall 2021.

• Vaccination requirements for staff, faculty or students will be determined by the appropriate State of Nevada entity and/or body.

I believe my question about hybrid/remote was misunderstood. What I am asking is if the Delta variant gets to a certain dangerous level – do you already have a plan to make things hybrid/remote across the board to provide everyone the same protection and safety, not just those who have roles that can easily be performed remotely?

• The environment is very dynamic, and we have plans in place to be able to pivot to more distance learning and/or hybrid courses if we need to.  Guidance from the County, State and NSHE will continue to be provided to the NSHE institutions in this regard.

Why isn’t the Chief Diversity Officer a panelist? Many of us have questions about Sawgrass and other diversity concerns but we are not able to get answers.

• Our Chief of Staff/Diversity Office is typically our moderator, we apologize but Mr. Weekly was not available to participate today.  

Several staff/people on CSN campuses are testing positive or around people who are positive, but they are not reporting. I feel uncomfortable being in the same space if a person has tested positive. How can I report them so that CSN has better data to the true numbers?

• HR cannot comment on an unconfirmed positive test.  Please utilize the Wellness@CSN.edu to report any confirmed cases or exposure.

If the numbers of Covid cases continue to rise, will CSN go completely remote for both students and CSN staff?

• The environment is very dynamic, and we have plans in place to be able to pivot to more distance learning and/or hybrid courses if we need to.  Guidance from the County, State and NSHE will continue to be provided to the NSHE institutions in this regard.

Will we force staff to take ALL vaccines (shingles, flu…) for the safety and wellbeing of students and staff?

• Vaccination requirements for staff, faculty or students will be determined by the appropriate State of Nevada entity and/or body.

Many of our students’ financial situation has been exacerbated by the COVID-19, what is the college doing to help these students with the federal funding that CSN received. Spelman College is clearing outstanding tuition balances using federal funding from COVID-19. Where did the federal funding for CSN go?

• Through the CSN federal HEERF funding, the College has supported students registered during Summer 2020, Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 that had an outstanding balance.  CSN was able to support over 3,400 students with funding that addresses all or a portion of their outstanding balance.  Student received a communication regarding this support and have been encouraged to reach out to Financial Aid, Advising and Counseling for additional assistance to enroll and continue their academic programs.  Additionally, the Counseling department is supporting students needs through the Student Emergency Fund application and funding. Financial aid has awarded $7 million twice (total $14 million) during the pandemic.  The first was in spring 2020, and the second was in Spring 2021. There is an additional $30 million to be awarded to ease the financial impact of the covid pandemic.  A task force is working on criteria for such awards.  Additionally, a portion of the institutional HEERF funding will be used to support students impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.  

Can more signage be placed outside of buildings and the parking lots where the COVID-19 testing and vaccination is being held for the students?

• CSN will augment the Southern Nevada Health District signage regarding vaccinations and testing.

Please consider having outside signage to direct those seeking COVID testing/vaccine to prevent them from entering buildings or stopping others to ask for directions. Someone (unmasked) knocked on my car door window to ask me where they could get the vaccine. I’d prefer signs direct them rather than they feel the need to ask. Thank you!

• CSN will augment the Southern Nevada Health District signage regarding vaccinations and testing.

Will our department meetings and deans meetings be remote during convocation?

• Please work with your respective dean or department leadership regarding in-person meetings.  If the meeting is needed to be conducted in person, we recommend using larger venues such as lecture halls or Student Union ballrooms if available.  It is recommended that a virtual option be provided for academic school and department meetings for those that prefer to participate virtually at this time.

I think we all know confrontations with people who refuse to follow mask guidelines on campus are inevitable. What extra security and support will be provided to faculty and staff to handle this problem? 

• Masks are required of all individuals on campuses, sites and centers.  In the case of a non-compliance with an employee please contact Human Resources in the case of a student that will not comply please contact the Campus Provost or designee for purposes of student conduct.  However, any issues that arise of a confrontational level please contact UPD.  

President Biden just imposed a policy of all federal employees be either vaccinated or submit to regular testing, so why our President Z cannot impose the same on our faculty, staff and students? 

• The College works within the framework of the Nevada System of Higher Education.  

The Spring 2022 teaching request form in my department didn’t have a space to request an overload class. Are overload classes being suspended for Spring 2022?

• Overload classes are not suspended for Spring 2022.  Faculty should work with their respective department chairs regarding their workloads for spring 2022.

Please clarify… if you test positive if vaccinated you don’t have to quarantine?

• All positive cases of COVID-19 will need to quarantine regardless of vaccination status. Fully vaccinated individuals that are exposed to a positive case may not need to quarantine if they meet certain criteria please communicate with WELLNESS@CSN.EDU.    

Can CSN reinstate Covid sick time?

• Restoration of Administrative Leave is a decision made by NSHE in collaboration with any communications or directives given by the Governors Office.  If an employee has been confirmed to have been vaccinated, they may be eligible for paid administrative leave under the Governors Directive, if it is confirmed they have been exposed to COVID or are required to quarantine due to exposure.  

Businesses are starting to require weekly testing for COVID-19 for unvaccinated individuals. Will CSN start this process?

• Under the Governors Directive, mandatory testing will be required for unvaccinated employees beginning August 15.

To return to the question about whether school and department meetings will be in-person: our dean has stated that we are expected to attend in-person. That message came to us over a week ago, but there has been no recanting of that demand. Will deans be required to allow faculty to opt out of in-person attendance despite this dean’s demand?

• Please work with your respective dean or department leadership regarding in-person meetings.  If the meeting is needed to be conducted in person, we recommend using larger venues such as lecture halls or Student Union ballrooms if available.  With that said, it is recommended that academic department and school meetings be conducted in the hybrid environment with a virtual option for those that prefer to participate virtually at this time.

Dear CSN Family,

The state of Nevada, including the Nevada System of Higher Education and CSN, will adopt the latest CDC guidelines and reinstitute the state’s mask mandate effective at 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 30, due to rising positive COVID-19 transmission rates and a lower than ideal vaccination rate.

As NSHE Chancellor Melody Rose notes in her latest memo, “all unvaccinated and vaccinated NSHE students, employees, and members of the public will be required to wear a face covering while inside any building or structure on any NSHE campus or property.”

As the entire CSN Family knows, the health and safety of each and every one of you, and of our community as a whole, will always be our top priority.

These requirements are consistent with Governor Steve Sisolak’s Directive 47 and follow recommendations as outlined by the CDC. We will continue to bring the CSN community updated information as it becomes available in collaboration with our health and safety and emergency management partners across southern Nevada. Please continue to use Wellness@csn.edu for communication regarding cases,close contacts, testing, and any questions regarding COVID-19. Remember that CSN has partnered with the Southern Nevada Health District to make available COVID-19 vaccinations at the Charleston and North Las Vegas campuses. In addition to vaccinations, all CSN campuses serve as free COVID-19 testing sites. To register for testing, please find information athttps://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/

Please visit https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/vaccine/distribution/ for a location near you to obtain vaccinations as soon as possible.

Take care and be safe. Thank you.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

Today we want to share with you some very important updates regarding the COVID-19 environment in Clark County and at CSN. On Tuesday, July 20, the Clark County Board of Commissioners met to address the increasing positivity rate of COVID-19 in our community and to discuss mitigation efforts.

Effective at 12 a.m. July 22, 2021, employees are required to wear face coverings in indoor public spaces whether they are vaccinated or non-vaccinated. The Southern Nevada Health District recommends all individuals in indoor public spaces wear a face covering; this includes our CSN locations. This requirement will be reevaluated on August 17, 2021. We are hopeful that the transmission of COVID-19 will be reduced and that positivity levels will decline by that time. Please look for further guidance from NSHE soon.

THE WEARING OF FACE COVERINGS IS REQUIRED
for all employees at CSN campuses, sites and locations while in indoor spaces if vaccinated or unvaccinated.

As this is a temporary order, we will be placing signage on all building access points to reflect the updated requirements. It is imperative that we work together and that all full-time and part-time employees wear face coverings in internal campus, site and center locations. If you are alone in a private office a face covering is not necessary.

Thank you to those who have taken the opportunity to be vaccinated, and I again encourage all who can to do so as soon as possible. Only through the continued efforts of vaccination will we be able to fully return to the pre-COVID-19 environment.

CSN has partnered with the Southern Nevada Health District to make COVID-19 vaccinations and testing available. The CSN Charleston and North Las Vegas campuses are providing both COVID-19 testing and vaccinations Tuesday-Friday at this time. Henderson Campus is serving as a testing location. To register for testing and/or vaccinations at the appropriate campuses please find information at https://covid.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/

We are continuing to monitor the changing environment and will keep the CSN community apprised of any developments. CSN continues to work in collaboration with our partners throughout southern Nevada to monitor the environment and will continue to be flexible should the need arise to revise direction. Please continue to utilize our Wellness@csn.edu for communication regarding close contacts, testing, and questions regarding COVID-19.

Take care and be safe.

Thank you.
Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family, 

Today, I join with the White House, NSHE Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, the Community College Consortium for Immigrant Education, the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and countless others in expressing our concern over a recent federal court ruling regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.   

The DACA program was implemented in 2012 through an executive order to give thousands of undocumented young adults a work permit and shield them from deportation. This past Friday, a U.S. District Judge in Texas ruled the program unlawful. Judge Andrew Hanen’s ruling barred the administration from approving new DACA applications. The ruling, however, does allow the current DACA recipients to remain protected and able to renew their protected status. It is imperative that the United States Congress act as soon as possible to pass federal legislation to provide a permanent immigration solution for the hundreds of thousands of youths covered by the program.   

At CSN, we value the diverse population of students, faculty and staff that make up the CSN family. We strongly support the pursuit of education by all of our students including DACA-undocumented students. As a community college, we must reflect the diverse sectors of the community we serve.  

There are resources available for those who may need them. The UNLV Immigration Clinic’s University Legal Services Program offers free legal advice and representation to the UNLV and CSN communities. To schedule an appointment, call (702) 895-2080 or email immigrationclinic@unlv.nevada.edu. The Immigrant Home Foundation also provides assistance and resources to immigrant families. To schedule an appointment, call (702) 889-4431 or email info@immigrantfoundation.org.  

For additional information, please contact the CSN All-Access Committee. Some of the resources available to our DACA and undocumented students include the CSN Alternative Scholarship Application and the CSN Student Emergency Fund. To learn more about immigration resources in general, see the Nevada Immigrant Resource Guide.  

Thank you.   

Federico Zaragoza 

President 

College of Southern Nevada 

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Dear CSN Family,

As we celebrate our nation’s freedom and independence today, I encourage you to reflect on the heroic efforts of our CSN alumni and graduates who are amongst front-line health professionals and first responders who have put themselves at risk to ensure our safety and thus to provide all of us with the freedom to celebrate Independence Day with our families and loved ones. These sacrifices epitomize the type of heroic actions that Americans have made throughout our nation’s history to preserve the liberties and freedom we enjoy today. 

As Americans, we are inspired by our Declaration of Independence that address principles of diversity and inclusion. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” At CSN, we celebrate the diversity of our students and employees and provide safe and welcoming learning environments for everyone regardless of gender, sexual orientation, race, or religious beliefs.  

Thank you for all that you do to our help our students and community to achieve, succeed, and prosper. Please know that our collective work contributes to our nation’s ability to create opportunity and evolve into a more perfect union.  

Have a safe and happy 4^th of July holiday. 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

I am pleased to announce that James McCoy has accepted the position of Vice President of Academic Affairs after a national search. Mr. McCoy has been serving as interim VPAA since November 2020, and joined CSN in 2003

James is an award-winning scholar, community leader, and ambassador for our students. His higher education career spans more than 20 years, including Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Success for the Nevada System of Higher Education, as well as several roles at CSN, including Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, Associate Vice President for Academic Success, Chair and Lead Faculty for the Department of Communication and as a tenured Communication Professor.  James was also an instructor at several community colleges in California, where he taught an array of communication courses. Prior to working in academia, he worked in radio broadcasting as a radio morning show host and radio station program director.  

He was the Co-Creator and Executive Producer of the acclaimed documentary No Greater Odds, serves as a national Fellow and Content Expert for Complete College America, and has served as the CCA state lead in Nevada. His latest work with CCA involves the development and implementation of the Momentum Year — this includes Guided Pathways strategies complete with purpose first, academic mapping, proactive advising, 15 to Finish, Meta Majors and co-requisite math and English in the first year. 

A highly sought-after national keynote speaker and presenter, James often talks about the important work that community colleges do in the United States. Additionally, James speaks and consults for corporations, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions throughout the country.   

James earned a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication and Master of Arts in Communication from California State University, Fresno. He will have an earned doctorate in Community College Leadership from Ferris State University prior to beginning his tenure as VPAA at CSN. A cancer survivor and cancer research activist, he actively serves on the Board of Trustees for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. James and his wife reside in Las Vegas, where they are raising their two children and serving their local community.        

Please join me in congratulating VPAA James McCoy!

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

• 

Dear CSN Family,

Now that the 81st session of the Nevada State Legislature has concluded, I wanted to update you on how CSN and higher education in general did in several key areas.

On May 15, the State Legislature approved approximately $93 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) dollars to help the Nevada System of Higher Education hire back or fill frozen positions. This reduced NSHE’s total projected budget cuts from the anticipated $169 million to $76 million. This is good news for CSN, but unfortunately, this still means that we have an operating budget cut of approximately eight percent in FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23. Additionally, these ARP funds are not a permanent restoration.

Lawmakers also passed a one percent cost-of-living increase for FY 2022-23 for all state employees (AB493). Professional employees will see the increase on their August 1, 2022 paychecks. Classified staff get an additional two percent if covered by a Collective Bargaining Agreement. Classified employees will see the increase on their July 25, 2022 paychecks.

Despite the state’s overall budget cuts that resulted from COVID-19, CSN had a very successful 2021 legislative session. A summary of some of our legislative priorities are included below:

• General Fund appropriations for Caseload Growth of $12 million for CSN for the next biennium (FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23). The Governor’s recommended budget utilized the FY 2020-21 calculated weighted student credit hour value of $164.61 in the caseload calculation, consistent with prior biennia calculations. These funds will support CSN’s additional caseload growth of 36,555 with enhancements to direct instruction, academic support, and areas of compliance and accreditation.
• CSN received $10.4 million of Capacity Enhancement funds for the next biennium from the State General Fund. These funds will support CSN’s expansion of health sciences, advanced manufacturing, cyber security and dual enrollment programs. Capacity funds will also help the development of short-term training programs and weekend college options for high-demand fields with a focus on unemployed and displaced workers.
• The Nevada Promise Scholarship Program was also continued, with $7.3 million in new funding for the biennium for all NSHE community colleges. CSN received almost 5,000 Promise applications for this upcoming academic year, which marks a five percent increase from last year (AB454).
• NSHE received $897,000 from the State General Fund for the continuation of the NSHE Prison Education Program for the biennium. CSN’s allocated portion of the funding for the biennium is $300,000.
• AB319 requires CSN to continue to partner with the Clark County School District to establish the CSN-CTE Concurrent Enrollment Pilot Program, which will allow students to earn up to 15 college credits. The pilot program will focus on expanding dual enrollment opportunities to underserved populations, low income students, students who might need to get college-ready for math and English, and students who are interested in pursuing a career in a high demand industry.
• The Nevada System of Higher Education received an appropriation of $400,000 over the biennium to enable CSN to continue to carry out the Nevada Grow Program. This program stimulates Nevada’s economy by helping Nevada small businesses (SB310).
• The Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) Account was allocated $1.5 million for FY 2021-22. WINN funds require the Governor’s Office of Economic Development to develop and implement programs to provide customized workforce development services to companies that create, expand and relocate business to the state (AB494). CSN is eligible to apply for some of these funds.
• The Nevada Millennium Scholarship Trust Fund was allocated $42 million to support the Governor Guinn Millennium Scholarship Program. At CSN, the Millennium Scholarship funds approximately 5,000 students annually (AB475).
• The Silver State Opportunity Grant (SSOG) Program received an allocation of $8.8 million for the biennium. Additionally, AB495 allocates $600,000 each year of the biennium to the SSOG Program.

Even in a COVID-19 environment, CSN successfully carried out its first (and hopefully last) virtual CSN Day at the Legislature, which included premiering a video with testimonial support for our legislative priorities from Governor Steve Sisolak, Attorney General Aaron D. Ford, Superintendent Jesus J. Jara, and Senate Education Chairman Senator Moises “Mo” Denis, among other state leaders.

I especially want to thank all the administrators, faculty, staff and student leaders who worked together as a team to ensure that CSN’s voice was heard during this legislative session.

Thank you,

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

Most of us are aware that our freedom isn’t free, and that many brave men and women have paid the ultimate price for the freedoms that we enjoy. On this Memorial Day, we pay homage to those who have laid down their lives selflessly for our country and all that it stands for.

Like many of you, this is a day of remembrance for those of us who have lost loved ones, family, or friends in service to our country. This day has a special and profound meaning and it provides us all an opportunity to pause, reflect, and express our gratitude for those amazing patriots who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom. Have a wonderful Memorial Day.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

Please join us in celebrating LGBTQ+ Pride Month during the month June. This is a special time to celebrate the contributions of the LGBTQ+ persons to society while honoring the origins of the equality movement.

Pride month is celebrated in June for the annual observance of the Stonewall uprising on June 28, 1969 which proved to be a pivotal moment for LGBTQ+ equality. Our strength as a community is defined by our ability to create spaces in which all of our diverse CSN communities are embraced as their authentic selves.

As we kick off a monthlong celebration and education activities, I want to remind us all that LGBTQ+ identities are central to our pursuit of social justice. At CSN, this month provides us with the opportunity to show our appreciation to the LGBTQ+ community and I encourage you to engage in these upcoming events and activities.

Federico Zaragoza

Dear CSN Family,

Today we want to share with you some very important updates regarding the COVID-19 environment here at CSN. On Tuesday, May 19, the Clark County Commission approved revisions to mitigation efforts consistent with the State of Nevada reopening plans and as adopted in the Clark County Mitigation and Enforcement Plan implemented effective May 1.

Effective June 1, 2021, social distancing and capacity limitations will be discontinued and CSN will return to full capacity levels. Additionally, prior approval for large gatherings of greater than 250 people will be discontinued effective June 1.

THE WEARING OF FACE COVERINGS IS REQUIRED
for all individuals, including students, employees, and members of the public who have NOT been fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

For unvaccinated individuals, face coverings MUST be worn:
At all times while inside CSN buildings, regardless if others are present;
While outside on campus whenever other individuals are present, including group settings and congested areas.

Fully vaccinated is defined by the CDC as two weeks following the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna, or two weeks after a single dose vaccination, i.e. Johnson & Johnson Janssen (J&J). Face coverings/masks are optional for fully vaccinated students, employees and members of the public.

On-campus signage will communicate the face covering/mask requirements for non-vaccinated individuals. The campus signage will continue to communicate appropriate practices to mitigate transmission such as hygiene protocols, hand sanitizing, and completion of a daily health assessment.

CSN continues to work in collaboration with our partners throughout southern Nevada to monitor the environment and will continue our ability to be flexible should the need arise to revise direction. Please continue to utilize our Wellness@csn.edu for communication regarding close contacts, testing, and questions regarding COVID-19.

Thank you for those who have taken the opportunity to be vaccinated, and I again encourage all who can, to do so as soon as possible. Only through the continued efforts of vaccination will we be able to fully return to the pre-COVID environment.

Thank you.
Federico

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Dear CSN Family,

I am pleased to let you know CSN has received the Higher Education Emergency Relief Funds (HEERF) II under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSSA), which was signed into law on December 27, 2020. The HEERF II Student funds will go out this week to eligible students.

CSN will provide $7,039,204 directly to students under the HEERF II requirements due to further disruptions caused by the COVID-19 national emergency, which was declared March 13, 2020.

Eligible CSN students will be automatically awarded HEERF II funding and do not need to apply for these funds. Students will receive between $150 and $836. The award criteria include current enrollment in the Spring 2021 semester, a financial aid-eligible major, as well as the student’s Expected Family Contribution (EFC) index from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Additionally, only U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens are eligible for HEERF II Student funds. More information can be found on our Coronavirus webpage.

This emergency funding is intended to help cover expenses related to the student’s cost of attendance (e.g., tuition and fees, room and board, transportation) and/or emergency expenses that arise due to the pandemic (e.g., tuition, food, housing, childcare). We understand that the funds will not reach all students who need or deserve them.

Students that find that they need additional help to cover extraordinary expenses, are encouraged to apply for the CSN Student Emergency Fund. International, undocumented, DACA and non-credit students may be eligible for HEERF II Institutional and/or the CSN Student Emergency Fund.

Please know that we remain committed to the well-being of our faculty, staff and students during these challenging times.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

As you have likely heard, Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose has announced intentions to develop a plan that would require COVID-19 vaccinations for students who enroll in the state’s public colleges and universities, including CSN.

I want you to know that I support the chancellor’s intention to mandate vaccines for all CSN students. Such a mandate would be in line with best practices currently being developed and implemented at colleges and universities across the country, including within the California State University System, the University of California System, Oregon State University, the University of Washington, Washington State University and dozens of others. Our top priority must always be the safety of the people who come to our campuses. You are aware that the state’s colleges and universities already require, in accordance with current law, that students be vaccinated against certain diseases, such as measles, mumps and rubella. A COVID-19 vaccine requirement would simply add to that list, and it would include exemptions on religious and medical grounds.

The COVID-19 vaccines have proven safe and effective, and they are free and easily accessible. The Southern Nevada Health District has information on vaccine sites throughout the community. CSN and NSHE have been enthusiastic partners, administering more than 150,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines at the CSN Henderson, CSN North Las Vegas and the UNLV sites. Should new requirements go into effect, we will continue to work with the Southern Nevada Health District to maximize availability of vaccinations, including operating “popup” vaccination sites on all our campuses for those who need it. 

To be clear: A mandatory vaccination plan would require several levels of approval before being implemented. First, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration would have to fully approve the COVID-19 vaccinations. Next, both the Nevada State Board of Health and the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents would have to approve the plan.

Any plan presented to the Board of Regents would be done in a public meeting subject to the state’s Open Meeting Law — meaning there would be ample opportunity for public input and comment.

Please know that this is the beginning of a process, not the end. As the system’s plans are further developed, I will make sure the CSN Family is kept informed.

Thank you.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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It has been over a year now since CSN began remote work and instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic — and what an incredible year it has been. Despite the challenges, we have come together as a team to ensure that our students come first, our CSN Family remains safe, and our community can continue counting on us.

We will see a record-sized graduating class this month, we will see a gradual return to campus for our faculty and staff this summer, and we will see thousands of students in our classrooms this summer and fall. It is an exciting time at CSN.

I could not be more proud of the entire CSN Family for your efforts day in and day out. On behalf of the students who depend on us all, thank you for another successful academic year.

Federico

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Return to Campus
As we discussed in our Town Hall last month, we will begin a gradual, phased-in approach to returning to campus in June, leading to what we expect to be a fall semester with full services available to our students on campus.
June 1 — President’s Direct Reports Return
June 14 — Academic Deans, AVPs, support staff return
June 28 – July 1 — Employees Return, In-Person Services Resume
August 23 — Fall Convocation, Faculty Return
August 30 — Fall Semester Begins

All employees will be provided with a 10-day notice from their supervisor before returning to campus. Please be on the lookout for information soon about Return to Campus preparation sessions. And please know that all protocols and safety guidelines in effect at the time will be followed. We want to keep ensuring that the health and safety of our faculty, staff and students remains our top priority.

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Class of 2021 Commencement

I know you are all as excited as I am that the Class of 2021 — our largest graduating class ever — will be honored with an in-person Commencement Ceremony on May 15! Graduating from college is an incredible accomplishment, particularly during the challenges we have all faced in this last year. Please join me in congratulating the CSN Class of 2021.

Read more …

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Congratulations 2021 CSN Outstanding Students!
We are pleased to announce this year’s Outstanding Student Awards! This is an incredible group of students, who worked incredibly hard during a challenging year. The virtual celebration will premier at 5:30 p.m. Friday, May 7.

Watch the premier …

CSN’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations
As CSN prepares for its 50th year starting in fall 2021, we want you to help us tell the college’s story. If you have memories, pictures, or mementos to share please email celebrate50@csn.edu. Thank you for your dedication to our students & to CSN’s continuing story.

Hope for Prisoners

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Welcome to Nevada State College’s New President, Dr. DeRionne Pollard

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New Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Chief Innovation Officer

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Workforce Development Grant-funded Expansion

I want to once again thank Gov. Steve Sisolak for his continued support of CSN and our workforce development efforts. The governor joined us on the Henderson Campus last month to celebrate our efforts, the result of a Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada grant. This will allow our students to obtain Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC) and National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) industry-recognized certifications.

Read more …

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DWED
A new tool donated to the our Division of Workforce & Economic Development will help local job seekers obtain the skills needed to succeed in an increasingly crowded job market. CSN received a donation of a Skill Boss Manufacturing: MSSC CPT Plus Certification & Assessment from Klein Educational Systems. The machine, housed at CSN’s Sarah West Center, is valued at $25,000 and tests proficiency in more than 66 skills commonly utilized in manufacturing trades. I want to thank Ken and Linda Baxter for their generous support of our students.

Read more …

New Deans Appointed
I am pleased to announce that Janice Glasper has accepted the position of Dean of the Engelstad School of Health Sciences, while Dr. Richard Kravchak has accepted the position of Dean of the School of Arts & Letters. Please join me in congratulating them both.

CSN & Assistance League Team Up
We are extremely grateful to the Assistance League of Las Vegas for their recent donation drive to benefit CSN’s Coyote Cupboards food pantries. In all, several thousand food and personal hygiene items were donated through the group’s coordinated efforts to help CSN students.

Read more …

CSN Faculty Earn Tenure
Please join me in congratulating the 26 members of the CSN Family who were awarded Tenure this month by the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents. This is an affirmation of their commitment to instructional excellence and a major milestone in their careers.

Read more …

Student Emmy Nominations
Six CSN students have been nominated for Student Emmy Awards! This is a remarkable accomplishment. In all, students from the Videography & Film Program have received 94 Student Production Emmy nominations and 44 wins in the last seven years. Winners will be announced next month. Congratulations!

Read more …

Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity
I’m extremely pleased to announce that I have joined higher education leaders from around the country on the Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity. The Taskforce is committed to addressing major barriers to higher education facing students and communities nationwide. It formed in response to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and will provide opportunity to students and their communities, share insights with the education community and reimagine the impact of higher education on society.

Read more …

CSN Student, Professor Win Regents’ Awards
CSN Student Adrian Edward Bell earned the Regents’ Scholar award from the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents, and CSN Nursing professor Ronald Gonzalez won the Nevada Regents’ Teaching Award. Congratulations to them both!

Phi Theta Kappa

Reach Awards
Once again, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society chapter at CSN has received national recognition. Our chapter has been named a 2021 REACH Chapter and will receive special recognition in the form of three PTK graduation stoles for chapter officers or members to be worn during graduation. Phi Theta Kappa’s REACH Rewards program recognizes and rewards chapters that excel in membership development. Congratulations!
Read more …

New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar
CSN student and PTK member Tomas Luna has been selected as a 2021 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar! This scholarship supports students at associate degree-granting institutions on a national scale as they plan to enter the workforce upon the completion of a degree or certificate. The scholarship program is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Foundation and Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Congratulations to Mr. Tomas Luna on this outstanding achievement.
Read more …

Two PTK Scholarship Winners!
CSN student Alejandra Zambrano Alvarado won the New Century Transfer Pathway Scholarship, worth $2,250, and student Tomas Luna, Jr. won the New Century Workforce Pathway Scholarship worth $1,250. Congratulations Alejandra and Tomas!

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Meaningful Writing Experience
Ten students have been selected to receive $1,000 Meaningful Writing Experience Scholarship awards. Congratulations! Read the award recipient testimonials and see what projects students submitted to the MWE Scholarship.
Read more …

CSN Leadership Academy Applications Available
Prospective class members are now being solicited for the CSN Leadership Academy Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 cohorts. Applications and more information are available online.
Read more …

Awards Deadline
The deadline to nominate yourself, an outstanding peer, or a colleague for a CSN Excellence Award or a Distinguished Employee Award is May 10. Don’t delay! Cash prizes of up to $2,500 are available. Visit the CSN recognition website for details and to apply.
Read more …

Accessible Space Board of Directors
Dr. Sonya Pearson, Vice President & Provost on the Charleston Campus, has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors of Accessible Space, Inc., a nonprofit that works to provide accessible, affordable housing, property management and supportive living services to over 3,000 adults with physical disabilities and brain injuries, as well as seniors.
Read more …

CSN Students’ Scientific Research
CSN students and faculty were instrumental in research about Lake Ivanpah at Ivanpah Dry Lake near Primm, Nevada. Twelve CSN students participated in the field and laboratory portions of this project. Their published work showed that the occurrence of pluvial lakes in isolated desert basins of the Mojave Desert during the late Pleistocene was possible.
Read more …

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CSN HVAC Students Help Local Groups

In addition, HVAC students also helped with the replace units and duct work on the Shade Tree facility downtown.

I am so proud of our instructors and students for helping our community.

Read more …

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Dear CSN Family,

The COVID-19 vaccination site at the North Las Vegas Campus and the UNLV location are in the process of winding down operations as decline in demand across our community has been realized. To date, more than 150,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered at the CSN Henderson, CSN North Las Vegas and the UNLV sites. 

If you haven’t done so, I strongly encourage you to receive the vaccine. We all are anxious to return to as close to “normal” as possible. The more people who are vaccinated the closer we will get. The UNLV site will end first dose appointments this Friday, May 7. The site will remain open to administer second doses to those who receive their first vaccination at UNLV. This location will accept walk-in availability from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. through Friday, May 7. Remember, anyone 18 years and older can get vaccinated at UNLV, and appointments can be made online.

The CSN North Las Vegas location will be completing vaccinations on May 14. Anyone 16 years old or older can get vaccinated at this location, as this site provides the Pfizer vaccine.  Appointments can be scheduled at online here as well. First and second doses are available, and if a first dose is administered at the North Las Vegas site the second dose will be scheduled at an alternate location.

The vaccination deployment has been an extraordinary effort in partnership and collaboration across southern Nevada. Students, faculty and staff at CSN, the School of Nursing and the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Student Health, Nevada State College and the City of North Las Vegas have been instrumental. This has truly been a team effort from the start. I want to extend my sincere thanks to all who have worked so hard to make sure our community is safe.

In addition to the locations at CSN North Las Vegas and UNLV, vaccines are available at local pharmacies and community locations. For more information please refer to the Southern Nevada Health District.

Should you have additional questions, please contact our case management team at Wellness@csn.edu.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

Happy Administrative Professionals Day!

Today is a day to highlight and celebrate the hard work of our administrative personnel, often the behind-the-scenes employees that truly do the administrative work required to help our students and communities achieve, succeed and prosper. The bottom line is that CSN could not function without you. That has never been more true than now, as we prepare to emerge from more than a year of altered work habits caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through it all — changing work schedules, virtual meetings and events, an unprecedented level of safety protocols — the administrative professionals at CSN have been tirelessly at work in support of students, faculty, and staff.

On behalf of the entire CSN Family, please accept our gratitude for your hard work and dedication. CSN excels because of you.

Thank you.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

Today I join CSN students, faculty and staff whose calls for justice were answered. Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer, was found guilty of the murder of Mr. George Floyd by a jury of his peers. 

While today’s verdict cannot bring Mr. Floyd back, I hope this is a turning point in our collective pursuit of social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusiveness, especially for our Black students, faculty, and staff who may feel marginalized and disenfranchised by the emotions triggered by this case. 

This disturbing case — and far too many others like it — has brought to light serious inequities in our nation, sparking a yearlong series of protests and giving energy to the Black Lives Matter movement that seeks to end racially motivated violence against Black people.

At CSN, we are a community of compassion and empathy and we strive to be a beacon of hope, a pathway to prosperity for our students and residents. I pray that today’s verdict will help our country heal. Let us not live through this historic moment without affirming our commitment to a more equitable and just world.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

I am pleased to announce that Dr. Richard Kravchak has accepted the position of Dean of the School of Arts & Letters. Dr. Kravchak joins us from the University of Southern Mississippi, where he has been since 2016, most recently as the Dean’s Coordinator for Performing Arts. He begins at CSN on July 1.

Dr. Kravchak is an award-winning scholar and student-focused administrator with decades of experience serving students. His roles in education have spanned from K-12 teaching through leadership in higher education institutions, establishing a record of improving student success rates, boosting enrollments, and mentoring faculty. In addition to his work in higher education, Dr. Kravchak continues to be an internationally recognized oboe performer and pedagogue.

Originally from New Jersey, he was the first in his family to earn a college degree. He has held academic and administrative appointments at Luther College, Moorpark College, the Los Angeles Unified School District, California State University Dominguez Hills, Marshall University and the University of Southern Mississippi. He has also shared the stage with some of the greatest musical artists of our time as well as appearing as an oboe soloist in Europe, Asia, and throughout the Americas, with over 100 musical compositions created specifically for him. More important to him than his career as a performer, Dr. Kravchak has had the privilege of participating in the education of thousands of students from kindergarten through the doctoral level, many of whom have their own stories of success —  including professorships, success in business and the arts, K-12 teaching positions, and the personal and professional enrichment gained through the transformational magic of a college education.

As Dean of the School of Arts & Letters at CSN, he will work passionately to provide access to and success in a college education for students, enabling them to live the life of the mind in which they are able to make professional and personal decisions through a dispassionate assessment of facts and data within the context of a deep understanding of the social, historical, and political context of our society. Dr. Kravchak holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music, the Juilliard School, and Florida State University.

Please join me in congratulating Dean Kravchak!

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family, 

It is with great pleasure I announce that CSN will hold its 49th annual commencement ceremony in person at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 15 at Sam Boyd Stadium to honor the Class of 2021. Our Class of 2021 is among the hardest working group of college students we have ever had the pleasure of serving, and that hard work deserves a commencement ceremony befitting the accomplishment of completing a college degree.

Our Commencement Committee is already hard at work to complete the many details that are necessary to make this happen in a very short time, but I wanted to announce the great news to you as soon as possible. Please watch your email over the coming days and weeks as we provide more information on how you can help us celebrate our next graduating class at CSN.

All current COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place, including social distancing, temperature checks, and mandatory face masks. In accordance with COVID-19 requirements, capacity will be limited and each student will be eligible to receive not more than three tickets for family and friends. Students should arrive by 4:30 p.m. and should look for official communication from the Office of the Registrar to RSVP and to purchase their caps and gowns. Festivities will be streamed live online via CSN’s website and social media channels to accommodate additional family and friends, as well as those who cannot or are not comfortable attending in person.

Commencement Details:

What:              College of Southern Nevada 49th Annual Commencement Ceremony
When:             6 p.m. Saturday, May 15
Where:            Sam Boyd Stadium, 7000 East Russell Road, Las Vegas, NV 89122

I know that you are as excited as I am to honor our graduates with the ceremony they deserve.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

Please join me during the month of April for Celebrate Diversity Month and Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage month. At CSN, we have opted to honor our Asian American Pacific Islander community during April to ensure there is plenty of time to celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage before the spring semester concludes in May.

Students of Asian descent comprise approximately 10 percent of our student body at CSN and contribute greatly to the cultural diversity of our institution and community. I would like to re-iterate our condemnation of the recent alarming rise in hate crimes against the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Hate has no home at CSN and I encourage our CSN community to remain vigilant in the pursuit of social justice for all.

I encourage you to take time this month to reflect on recent events and honor the vital contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islanders to our cultural fabric. Join us as we host events celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage and explore the rich cultural traditions and histories AAPI people.

For more on that topic, and a full list of diversity related events, please visit csn.edu/DiversityEvents. Visit the CSN Events Calendar for a listing of all events.

God Bless and Stay Safe

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Beginning Monday, April 5 all Nevadans 16 or older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Please note that the Pfizer vaccine is available for those who are 16 or 17. The Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available for those who are 18 or older.

The NSHE UNLV location is administering the Moderna vaccine and is available for all students, faculty, staff, and their eligible family members.

A few things to note in registering at the UNLV location:
You may register for the UNLV location at: COVID-19 Vaccine Registration | UNLV (CSN) (mycareally.health). This registration is for first doses only. If you have had your first dose or have an appointment for your first dose at another location, please continue to that location.

You will need to enter your NSHE/Student ID number. If you do not know your NSHE/Student ID number, type “Student” in this field.
Family members should type “Family” in the NSHE ID field.
Registration is currently for individuals 18 years and older.

You will receive a registration confirmation via email. To ensure you will receive the message, please add the following email address to your safe senders list: no-reply@parse.unlv.mycareplan.health

Please direct questions to Wellness@csn.edu or Patricia.Charlton@csn.edu.

Vaccine Eligibility
The opening of vaccine eligibility must be balanced with availability and demand and the majority of vaccine sites require an appointment. The CSN North Las Vegas Campus in partnership with the City of North Las Vegas has opened as a POD, please visit our CSN COVID-19 page for registration information.

This is a tremendous step forward for our state, community and our CSN family. We encourage you and your family to take advantage of this opportunity.

Be safe and God bless.

Federico

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The State of Nevada has set an aggressive schedule to expand availability of the COVID-19 vaccine to all Nevadans. Please be advised that with the expanded access of the vaccine, eligibility must be balanced with availability and demand. The majority of vaccine sites require an appointment, so please schedule accordingly.

The updated groups are eligible as follows:

• Wednesday, March 17:  Faculty and staff returning to campus for the summer and fall.
• Monday, March 22:  Retail pharmacies began offering vaccinations to those 16 years and older with underlying medical conditions.
• Monday, April 5:  All Nevadans 16 years of age or older are eligible.  Specific locations may be restricted for 18 years of age or above, please check with the location in advance.

Additional information on underlying medical conditions is available from the CDC.

Students, faculty, staff, and their families (18 years of age or older) can register at the Nevada System of Higher Education’s UNLV location.  Registration dates for students and/or family members will be open on or about April 1 or 2. A few things to note in registering at the UNLV location:

• You may register for the UNLV location here.
• This registration is for first doses only. If you have had your first dose or have an appointment for your first dose at another location, please continue to that location.
• You will need to enter your NSHE/Student ID number. If you do not know your NSHE/Student ID number, type “Student” in this field.
• Family members should type “Family” in the NSHE ID field.
• Registration is for individuals who are 18 years old and older.
• You will receive a registration confirmation via email upon completing the form. To ensure you will receive the message, please add the following email address to your safe senders list: no-reply@parse.unlv.mycareplan.health.
• Please direct questions to Wellness@csn.edu or Patricia.Charlton@csn.edu.

The CSN North Las Vegas Campus in partnership with the City of North Las Vegas opened a Point of Distribution (POD) on March 22 and will be operating primarily Tuesday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (hours and days are subject to change). Registration information is available here.

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Dear CSN Family,

As you may know, Gov. Steve Sisolak announced several changes this week to the COVID-19 vaccination process that will allow more Nevadans to receive their vaccines. This will affect many faculty, staff and students at CSN — many of whom are now or will soon be eligible to receive the vaccine. This is exciting news for CSN and for our community.

The following groups are eligible as follows for registration:

• Wednesday, March 17:  Faculty and staff returning to campus for the summer and fall.
• Monday, March 22:  Retail pharmacies will begin offering vaccinations to those 16 years and older with underlying medical conditions.
• Monday, April 5:  All Nevadans will be eligible at all vaccination sites.     
• More information on underlying medical conditions is available from the CDC.

Students, faculty, staff, and their families are also eligible to register at the Nevada System of Higher Education’s UNLV location. A few things to note in registering at the UNLV location:

• You may register for the UNLV location here.
• This registration is for first doses only. If you have had your first dose or have an appointment for your first dose at another location, please continue to that location.
• You will need to enter your NSHE/Student ID number. If you do not know your NSHE/Student ID number, type “Student” in this field.
• Family members should type “Family” in the NSHE ID field.
• Registration is for individuals who are 18 years old and older.
• You will receive a registration confirmation via email upon completing the form. To ensure you will receive the message, please add the following email address to your safe senders list: no-reply@parse.unlv.mycareplan.health.
• Please direct questions to Wellness@csn.edu or Patricia.Charlton@csn.edu.

Please note that with the opening of vaccine access CSN employees will no longer be required to have an “invitation” or to provide documentation from the respective institution or an employee ID. Note also that the opening of vaccine eligibility must be balanced with availability and demand. The majority of vaccine sites require an appointment. 

Lastly, I want to remind you that while the CSN Henderson Point of Distribution (POD) will be completing vaccinations on March 25, the CSN North Las Vegas Campus in partnership with the City of North Las Vegas will open a POD beginning next week. Additional information is available here.

This is a tremendous step forward for our state, our community, and our CSN family. I encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to help ensure not only the safety of you and your family, but of our entire community.

Thank you, be safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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We are excited to announce that in partnership with the City of North Las Vegas a COVID-19 Vaccination Point of Distribution (POD) will open on March 22 at the North Las Vegas Student Union. Vaccine availability will begin on Monday, March 22through Friday March 26 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. In subsequent weeks the schedule is planned for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Dates are subject to change.

Those with questions regarding appointments or registration for the vaccine should direct them to the City of North Las Vegas’ vaccine hotline (702) 342-8417. Additional information is available at VaxNLV.com. Anyone wishing to volunteer at the site can contact the city’s Volunteer Coordinator Solome Barton at BartonS@cityofnorthlasvegas.com.

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Dear CSN Family,

I am pleased to announce that Janice Glasper has accepted the position of Dean of the Engelstad School of Health Sciences after a nationwide search. She has been interim dean since 2018, and has served CSN’s students in various roles for more than 20 years.

Dean Glasper is also a healthcare professional with a 30-year history as a Diagnostic Medical Sonographer in our community. She holds numerous sonography certifications, and serves as an Accreditation Site Visitor for the Joint Review Commission on Diagnostic Medical Sonography and the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs. She has performed more than 100 site visits across the country, bringing back ideas to help CSN’s Sonography Program rise above the competition.

Glasper, a native Nevadan, holds an MEd in Educational Leadership with an emphasis on Workforce Education from UNLV. As a first-generation college graduate, her students are her passion.

In her spare time, Glasper teaches Bible Study at her local church, enjoys playing with her 6-year-old Rottweilers (Justis and Elyon), and likes reading, dancing, and movies. Her greatest joy comes from being a grandmother and playing with her two grandchildren, Dante and Reena.

Please join me in congratulating Dean Glasper!

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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CSN President Dr. Federico Zaragoza has joined the higher education leaders from around the country on the Taskforce on Higher Education and Opportunity. The Taskforce is committed to addressing major barriers to higher education facing students and communities nationwide. It formed in response to the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and will provide opportunity to students and their communities, share insights with the education community and reimagine the impact of higher education on society.

The impact of this crisis is falling unevenly across groups, disproportionately impacting people of color irrespective of educational background. Unemployment among recent college graduates is nearly double the 2008 recession.

The Taskforce brings together higher education leaders from public, private, two-year, and four-year institutions who represent 2.5 million students nationwide. Members are focused on three key goals: ensuring student success despite the recession, partnering with local communities, and reimagining how higher education is delivered.

CSN will take action to achieve the shared mission of the Taskforce through new goals set every six months launching the first round of initiatives to prepare the graduates of 2021 – 2023 for success in the post-pandemic economy. This includes creating opportunities for students to gain valuable skills and professional experience through internships, mentoring, credentialing opportunities, and other professional development programs. 

Taskforce membership will continue to grow to diversify and scale impact with a focus on action – uniquely positioning the Taskforce in the higher education space. CSN and other institutions will focus on building bridges to in-demand careers, expanding applied learning and work-based learning experiences and providing students with coaching and mentorship to guide career choices.

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Dear CSN Family,

At CSN, Asian students constitute approximately 10 percent of our student body, thus I join the American Association of Community Colleges and leaders from around the nation as we stand arm-in-arm in condemnation of the alarming rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The horrific incident in Atlanta this week is a reminder that we must all be diligent in our call for social justice for all Americans.

Take care and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

Today marks one year since the COVID-19 pandemic caused CSN and the rest of the Nevada System of Higher Education to announce that we would begin remote work and instruction immediately. This pandemic has caused untold devastation around the world, and I want to pause today to remember all of those we have lost.

It has also shown the remarkable resiliency that we are all capable of, especially here at CSN. I want to thank each and every one of you for your continued dedication to our mission to ensure that our students and communities achieve, succeed and prosper. A brighter time is on the horizon, as NSHE Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose notes in her letter today.

In recent weeks, trends in Nevada’s COVID environment have continued to improve with lower positivity rates and hospitalizations. This positive trend coupled with the increase in vaccine availability gives us hope for the fall 2021 semester and our planning, including prevention and the health and safety of our faculty, staff, students and visitors.

Gov. Steve Sisolak has announced that, effective March 15, capacity limitations have been increased to 50 percent of the fire code or a maximum of 250 people, whichever is more restrictive. All safety practices remain in place, including six feet of social distancing, face coverings indoors and outdoors, completion of health assessments, staying off campus when not feeling well, and exercising good hygiene habits.

Vaccine Update

I am pleased to report that NSHE personnel who have not yet been vaccinated and will be returning to campus may soon be eligible, based on the following criteria, as determined by updated state guidelines:

• Increasing availability of vaccines
• Declining COVID-19 cases
• Plans for gradual return to campus activities over the next few months
• Possible full return to fall 2021 campus activities
• Return of many employees in the coming months
• Possible large scale events
• Possible additional face-to-face classes for summer term

Please monitor your email closely for an invitation from our COVID lead Patricia Charlton.

Vaccine Points of Distribution

We are excited to announce that in partnership with the City of North Las Vegas a COVID-19 Vaccination Point of Distribution (POD) will open on March 22 at the North Las Vegas Student Union. Vaccine availability will begin on Monday, March 22through Friday March 26 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. In subsequent weeks the schedule is planned for 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays. Dates are subject to change.

Those with questions regarding appointments or registration for the vaccine should direct them to the City of North Las Vegas’ vaccine hotline (702) 342-8417. Additional information is available at VaxNLV.com. Anyone wishing to volunteer at the site can contact the city’s Volunteer Coordinator Solome Barton at BartonS@cityofnorthlasvegas.com.

Finally, the CSN Henderson POD will conclude vaccine operations on March 25. I want to personally thank all those who have made this partnership between CSN, UNLV, and Nevada State College a success. Our Health Sciences and EMS faculty and students have been instrumental in providing vaccines and assisting in observation. Additionally, I extend our gratitude to all the faculty, staff and students who volunteered in support of those who have received vaccines at this location. The POD on UNLV’s campus will continue operations and will be available for scheduling vaccine doses.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

On this National Employee Appreciation Day, I wanted to express my tremendous gratitude to every one of you for your… Click below to watch video.

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[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z__j_UomxY[/embedyt]

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Dear CSN Family,

Please join me in congratulating CSN student Adrian Edward Bell and CSN Nursing Professor Ronald Gonzalez for earning Regents’ Awards today from the Board of Regents.

Mr. Bell was awarded the Sam Lieberman Regents’ Award for Student Scholarship and Gonzalez received the Regents’ Teaching Award. Both are outstanding examples of the world-class, students first standards we rigorously follow at CSN. He is an incredible student, the first in his family to go to college and is a facilitator for the Nevada Promise Scholarship program, helping increase the number of Nevada residents who pursue a college education. He is due to graduate this year with an Associate of Business degree and plans on continuing his education at a four-year institution.

Professor Gonzalez graduated from nursing school in 1992 and has been a registered nurse for over 28 years. His nursing background ranges from medical/surgical staff nurse, operating room nurse, emergency/trauma nurse, IV nurse, and nursing administration. He has a Master’s in Healthcare Administration and in Nursing and was hired as a full-time Nursing instructor at CSN In 2011. He is the co-coordinator of NURS 101 Fundamentals of Nursing at CSN, where he teaches lecture, lab and clinical. He has taught NURS 115, NURS 205, NURS 208, and was the Program Director of the Practical Nursing program.

Professor Gonzalez has been married for 21 years, and his hobbies include playing the piano and traveling. He is currently pursuing a doctorate degree and names his parents as the inspiration for his dedication to his students and the nursing profession. 

Congratulations to Mr. Bell and Professor Gonzalez!

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Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

Please join me in congratulating the 26 faculty and staff members who were awarded Tenure today by the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents. This is an affirmation of their commitment to instructional excellence and a major milestone in their careers. 

• Karen Ahern, Instructor Computing & Information Technology
• John Aliano, Instructor Media Technologies
• Cathy Beauvais, Instructor English
• Rebecca (Becky) Blunk, Librarian
• Joseph Borromeo, Instructor Math
• Dr. Adam Burgess, Instructor English
• Patricia Clark, Instructor Dental
• Stephanie Clester, Instructor Dental
• Sean Collett, Instructor Media Technologies
• Brett Enge, Instructor Math
• Dr. Michele Howser, Instructor Human Behavior
• Ayla Koch, Instructor Math
• Philip Koch, Instructor Math
• Claudette (Dette) Lachowicz, Instructor Nursing
• Dr. Sherri Lindsey, Instructor Nursing
• Dr. Leilani Lucas, Instructor Human Behavior
• Dr. Jeannette Magbutay, Instructor Nursing
• Deven Matthews, Instructor Hospitality Management
• Flora Rudacille (formerly Woratschek), Instructor Human Behavior
• Elizabeth Solomon, Instructor Nursing
• Robin Stark, Instructor Fine Arts
• Steven Thornberry, Instructor English
• Dr. Gerald (Jerry) Turner, Instructor Nursing
• Dr. Jason Tyndal, Instructor Social Services
• Dr. Michael (Mike) Webber, Instructor Biological Sciences
• Earl Yoon, Instructor Biological Sciences

Congratulations!

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Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

Please join me in celebrating Women’s History Month during the month of March. Let us acknowledge and celebrate the fact that the vast majority of our student and staff population at CSN are women and that their contributions achievements, leadership, strength and courage are deeply rooted in our values and who we are as a CSN family.

Having grown up in a household with two sisters and a single mom, I proudly join our fellow Americans and the National Women’s Alliance in promoting this year’s theme “Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced.” We will be hosting several virtual events and opportunities to celebrate the many contributions women have made to shape this country. This will also be an opportunity to recognize, thank, and to witness the current and past work of our CSN women colleagues in a variety of fields.

I encourage you to join us on as many Women’s History Events as possible and visit csn.edu/Diversity Events for a list of events related to Women’s History month. You can also visit the CSN Events Calendar for a listing of all current events.

God Bless and Stay Safe.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

Please join me during the month of March 2021 in celebrating Native American Heritage Month to honor the legacy of the American Indian and Alaska Native people. At CSN, we chose to listen to our student groups and decided to celebrate Native American Heritage Month in March because November can be a difficult time of year for the Native community.

Join us this month at CSN as we host events that will feature Native American traditions, languages and stories that recognize the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories as well as to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people.

I encourage you to take some time this month to reflect on the ways in which Native Americans have contributed to the success of our nation.

For more on that topic, and a full list of diversity related events, please visit csn.edu/DiversityEvents. Visit the CSN Events Calendar for a listing of all events.

God Bless and Stay Safe.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Reflecting an overall trend of declining COVID-19 positivity rates throughout Nevada, the state has altered guidelines to allow for increased capacity in some situations, including on CSN’s campuses. Under Directive 37:

• As of February 15: Capacity limits were increased from 25 percent of the fire code to 35 percent or not greater than 100 individuals, whichever is less.
• As of March 15: Capacity limits will return to 50 percent of the fire code or not greater than 250 individuals, whichever is less.

Social distancing of at least six feet will continue, as will mandatory face coverings.

Vaccine Eligibility

Effective February 22, we have been authorized by the Southern Nevada Health District to expand offerings of the COVID-19 vaccine appointments to NSHE faculty, staff, students and community members age 65 and older. Individuals within CSN will receive an email with registration information from the email account Patricia.Charlton@csn.edu.  Should you have community members interested in receiving the vaccine through the NSHE Point of Distribution (PODs) at UNLV or the CSN Henderson Campus, we have included registration information on our Coronavirus vaccine page under General Public Information. Also a reminder to submit your questions to Wellness@csn.edu so that we can address issues and questions on a timely basis.

Provided below is information regarding eligible groups for vaccination at this time:

• Health Care Workforce (previously “Tier One”) including personnel who work in:
  • Hospitals
  • Long-term care (includes residents)
  • Laboratories
  • Diagnostic imaging
  • Pharmacies
  • Medical/dental services
  • First responders (EMT/paramedics)
• People 65 and over
• Public Safety & Security
  • Nevada Department of Corrections staff
  • Law enforcement, public safety, and national security
  • State and local emergency operations managers/staff
• Frontline Community Support
  • Education (Pre-K & K-12) and childcare – public/private/charter school settings
  • Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) frontline educators, staff, and students
  • Community support frontline staff (e.g., frontline workers who support food, shelter, court/legal services, social services, public utilities, and other necessities of life for groups and individuals)
  • Continuity of governance (state and local)

Please note that appointments and scheduling are dependent on the availability of vaccines within our community and we appreciate your patience as we have experienced limitations in vaccine availability. While the eligible groups have expanded, please be patient as appointments may be limited. Our goal is to increase appointments as additional vaccines become available and expanded authorization for specific groups is received. 

Thank you.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

I want to congratulate two exemplary CSN students who took Best Overall last weekend at the Dixie State University Woodwind Day Young Artist Competition! Student Sebastian Carlson, a freshman, won Best Overall College Woodwind and was a Grand Prize Winner, and student Declan Pastorino, a CSN High School dual enrollment student, won Best Overall High School Woodwind and was a Grand Prize Winner.  

Sebastian and Declan bested students from Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. Winners were chosen by a panel of three adjudicators. As Grand Prize winners, Sebastian and Declan will both solo with the Dixie State University Flute Choir in the Fall of 2021!  

In addition, I would also like to congratulate saxophone instructor Dr. Lindsey O’Connor, and thank her for her dedication to her students.  

This incredible accomplishment by our students and faculty once again show that our Music and Performing Arts programs are indeed among the best in the nation. I could not be more proud of what we are able to accomplish here at CSN when we all work toward putting our students first.  

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Colleagues, we are living through a historic time — and I’m not referring only to the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be difficult to maintain perspective when we are dealing with an unprecedented public health emergency, but I would like to take a moment to focus on Black History Month, both here at CSN and in our nation as a whole.

For the first time in our history, we have elected woman as Vice President of the United States. Vice President Kamala Harris is not only the first woman elected to the office, she is also the first Black American and the first South Asian American Vice President. As her official White House biography notes, she is determined not to be the last. Vice President Harris has made history, becoming a shining example of the kind of success that is possible for every American.

This month, we have a host of events planned at CSN that focus on Black History Month. You can see them on our diversity events calendar, csn.edu/DiversityEvents, as well as on our overall events calendar, csn.edu/events.

I also want to recognize the significance of the newest member of my Executive Leadership team, Chief of Staff and Chief Diversity Officer Lawrence Weekly. As many of you know, Lawrence joins CSN after a successful career as a public official who always advocated for his constituents. He has a proven lifetime record of leadership and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. His background aligns with our mission and values in a profound and inspiring way. I am thrilled to welcome him to CSN during this critical time in our history — a time characterized by organizational and transformational change.

As we kick off another semester at CSN, always putting our students first, please take a moment to reflect on how far we have come on the issues of diversity, inclusion and fostering a multicultural perspective.

Federico

In This Issue:

• COVID-19 Update
• Nevada’s Community Colleges
• Legislative Session
• Historic Westside Education & Training Center
• Mariachi Plata!
• CSN Leadership Academy
• Free Laptops for Students
• Welcome to New NSHE Regents
• CSN Foundation

COVID-19 Update

As you know, CSN and the UNLV School of Medicine have been working together to help vaccinate our community members against COVID-19. Vaccinations began on our Henderson Campus last month and are continuing. I am so proud of our nursing students, who have been working on the front lines. We began with the Tier 1 group that includes first responders, health care workers, public safety, and law enforcement, and expanded to CSN instructional and administrative faculty, staff, students, and contractors who must work on campus in close contact with others, and who cannot and have not been able to conduct their job duties from home, as well as those CSN faculty, staff, or students who are 70 years of age or older. Individuals identified as part of these priority groups received an invitation to register directly from this email address: Patricia.Charlton@csn.edu. Please see our COVID-19 site for full details.

Nevada’s Community Colleges

Last month, during his State of the State Address, Gov. Steve Sisolak noted the importance of community colleges and suggested that the state’s community colleges be placed under a “new independent authority that will focus on making Nevadans job ready.” We have not heard details of the governor’s plan as of yet.

I want to take this opportunity to note that the four community colleges in Nevada — CSN, Truckee Meadows Community College, Great Basin College and Western Nevada College — are doing critical work to help our state recover from the economic downturn that resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re also the state’s most affordable pathway to a bachelor’s degree, as I and the presidents of the other three community colleges detailed in a recent piece in the Nevada Independent. I am proud of the work we do here, always putting our students first.

Legislative Session

The 81st session of the Nevada Legislature began on February 1, and I want you to know that CSN is making sure that all of our legislators are aware how important our top priorities are to the state’s students and economy. See our legislative priorities.

Historic Westside Education & Training Center

I am thrilled to announce that CSN and the City of Las Vegas have partnered to create a new Education & Training Center in Historic West Las Vegas. This center, funded by a CARES Act grant of $6.9 million from the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration, will be a 10,000-square-foot facility located on a​​ two-acre site adjacent to the Historic Westside School on West Washington Avenue in Las Vegas — an area with traditionally high unemployment.

The new center will focus on entry level skills training in advanced manufacturing, construction trades, information technology, and healthcare,​​ top in-demand industry sectors in the region. CSN will also provide English as a Second Language, Adult Basic Education, High School​​ Equivalency, Job Readiness and “soft skills” training. Once trained, up to 300 residents can expect to obtain high-wage jobs every year.​​

Mariachi Plata!

In only its second year, CSN’s Mariachi Plata bested competition from across the country recently at the 26th Annual Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza National Vocal Competition. Student Yasmine Duenes took first place, and student Precious Carrasco took third in the vocal competition. The event was held virtually this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, students from Mariachi Plata took first and second place in the vocalist competition.

I am so incredibly proud of our students and staff members who work so hard to make Mariachi Plata a success. Taking top honors in the nation’s largest competition is no small feat. It is yet more evidence showing that Mariachi Plata reflects the world class standards of our Music and Performing Arts programs.

CSN Leadership Academy

Prospective class members are now being solicited for the CSN Leadership Academy Summer 2021 and Fall 2021 cohorts. The personal and professional enrichment program is open to all classified employees, administrative faculty, adjunct and full-time teaching faculty. It utilizes the well-regarded 7 Habits of Highly Effective People model of principle-based leadership, and concentrates on proactivity, strengthening time management, ethical decision-making, and communication competency. Supervisors encouraged to offer their support to applicants.

Those interested may download the application here.

Unless otherwise indicated on the form or in the e-mail submission, the applicant will be considered for the Summer 2021 program cycle (in a condensed four-week period in June). If a large volume of interest exists, all accepted prospects beyond the 30-person class limit will be placed on a Wait List. Those wait-listed will be informed of their acceptance into the Academy, and given the opportunity to participate in the next academic year — space permitting.

If at the time of application, the individual expresses a preference to be included in the Fall 2021 or Spring 2022 sessions, they will have priority placement. Next, openings will be filled through the Academy Wait List.

Participants will be selected based on:

• Date of submission, to determine priority order
• Category (Classified, administration or faculty)
• Supervisor’s permission.

Notification of acceptance, and cohort placement, will be confirmed by April 2021.

Please contact program director Dr. gillian.silver-rodis@csn.edu, for more information.

Free Laptops for Students

Last month, CSN became the first NSHE Institution to distribute free laptops to all full-time, first-time in college students. With the majority of our students attending classes remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, access to technology is critical.

I am glad CSN is able to help support our students during this time of need. To learn more about the program, visit csn.edu/firsttimefulltimelaptops.

See media coverage here.

Welcome to New NSHE Regents

I want to welcome four new members of the Board of Regents, who were formally sworn in last month. I sincerely look forward to working with Lois Tarkanian, Byron Brooks, Patrick Boylan and Joseph Arrascada.

CSN Foundation

Many of you are aware that Barbara Talisman, executive director of the CSN Foundation, has moved on from CSN. I am pleased to report, however, that Frank Woodbeck, Executive Director for Grants & Special Projects, will fill her role on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is found.

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Dear CSN Family,

As you all know, the roll out of the COVID-19 vaccination is ongoing in Southern Nevada. Our CSN Henderson Campus is a Point of Distribution (POD), and has been very successful in helping us and our fellow Nevadans to receive their vaccinations. Please review my recent message regarding the vaccine roll out, and review below how to volunteer time to serve at the POD if available and willing to do so.

Volunteer Registration

• Fill out the volunteer application at our GivePlus Portal. Applications will be approved by the volunteer coordinators and you will be added to the CSN Volunteer Group.
• Go to the CSN Henderson POD Event Page and click the green Register button to select the shift(s) for which you would like to volunteer.

As part of the volunteering process, I want to make very clear that under no circumstance should a supervisor ask an employee to use furlough time should they wish to volunteer. There needs to be a collaborative communication between an employee and supervisor regarding volunteering and balancing work duties. As we continue to operate under unique circumstances during the pandemic, if able, an employee should receive permission to volunteer.

Should you have questions or concerns regarding volunteering, please email Wellness@CSN.edu or HRCustomerService@CSN.edu.

Thank you for all you do for CSN as we work together during this vitally important time period.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

Please join us in celebrating Black History Month during the month February. This is a special time to celebrate the contributions of African Americans throughout history while exploring the lived cultural experiences of African Americans today. As we kick off a monthlong celebration of the rich contributions that African Americans have made to our communities, country and society throughout history, I encourage our entire CSN community to recommit themselves to actively pursuing racial equality and social justice. My thanks to the CSN African American Heritage Committee and the Office of Inclusive Learning & Engagement for a series of events in honor of this special month. Visit csn.edu/DiversityEvents for more information, and visit the CSN Events Calendar for a listing of all events.

Thank you.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Black History Month Trivia Contest

February 1 | Drawings at Noon, 12:30 p.m. and 1  p.m.

HBCU Virtual Admissions Event – University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff

February 3 | 11 a.m.

Alternative Health & Wellness Forum

February 11 | 3 – 5  p.m.

My Sister’s Keeper: The Push to Protect Black Women


February 16 | 4 – 6  p.m. 


Active vs. Activism: Is There a Difference?

February 19 | 6 – 8  p.m.

Different Shades of Blackness: Are You Black Enough?

February 23 | Noon – 1:30  p.m.

“Y tu abuela, ¿dónde está?”: Exploring Afro-LatinX Culture

February 23 | 5:30 – 6:30  p.m.

Divine 9 Virtual Exhibition

February 26 | 1 – 3  p.m.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vnEL4No5yI[/embedyt]

Dear CSN Family,

The UNLV School of Medicine has provided leadership and program development and has been instrumental in the launch of the COVID-19 vaccine process for our southern Nevada institutions. We are very grateful and appreciative of the guidance and leadership of Dr. Michael Gardner, Vice Dean Clinical Affairs and Strategy, Julie Young, Vice President Business Operations and Strategy, and Gregg Maye, Assistant Director of Emergency Management, for their efforts for the launch and continued operations of the NSHE Point of Distribution locations at UNLV and CSN. There is much work that occurs behind the scenes and we are extremely grateful. Messaging across our NSHE institutions remains consistent and is possible because of our partners at UNLV, including Executive Provost Chris Heavey and Communications Director Cindy Brown. 

On January 19, NSHE southern Nevada institutions began vaccinating the next authorized group of CSN faculty, staff and students. Vaccinations continue to be provided to our Tier 1 group that includes first responders, health care workers, public safety, and law enforcement. The additional expanded group includes individuals who belong to the following two categories:

• CSN instructional and administrative faculty, staff, students, and contractors who must work on campus in close contact with others, and who cannot and have not been able to conduct their job duties from home, or
• CSN faculty, staff, or students who are 70 years of age or older.

Invitations to Register for Vaccination

Individuals identified as part of these priority groups received an invitation to register directly from this email address: Patricia.Charlton@csn.edu.  Please note that the registration portal link was updated on January 25 and new invitations were sent out. If you received an invitation prior to this date, the link is no longer valid and we apologize for any inconvenience while the system was offline and enhancements were being completed. Please use the most recent email invitation for making an appointment. If you did not receive an invitation to register and you believe you are eligible for vaccination, faculty should contact their respective dean, and staff should contact their vice president. 

To receive your vaccination, you must verify your eligibility by producing a copy of the invitation (e.g., on your phone or a printout) and the CSN Confirmation Letter that was included in the email registration. We have also provided a complete list of all eligible individuals to the vaccination sites.  

If you have not been directly invited to register as a member of the latest priority group and have an appointment, you are not currently eligible. Without proof of your eligibility, you will be turned away when you arrive at the vaccination site.  

We understand that many of you are eager to receive the vaccination as soon as possible, but please allow the process developed by the State Division of Public Health to unfold as planned.  Vaccines are limited in availability. As more doses become available and we receive authorization from the state to expand our administration of vaccines, we will invite additional groups of faculty, staff, and students to register. CSN continues to work with our NSHE partners, the Southern Nevada Health District and the state to provide vaccinations to everyone in our campus community as expeditiously as possible.

Volunteers

On January 21, the CSN Point of Distribution began operations at the Henderson Campus Student Union. The POD operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is expected to continue operations through the spring semester and into the summer. In addition to the medical and clinical staff, nine non-medical volunteers are needed throughout the day to support various roles needed for the successful operation. We are requesting volunteers from across the campus should you be interested to assist in this important effort. Shifts are available for a half day (7:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. or noon – 5 p.m.) or a full day or 7:45 a.m. – 5 p.m. If you are interested in volunteering, please consult and obtain approval from your supervisor. Additionally, the UNLV site has been in operation since January 11; days and hours of operation are consistent with the CSN location. As both sites will be operational for the foreseeable future the opportunity may also be available to serve as a volunteer at UNLV. The  non-medical volunteer coordinator is Michelle Word, for more information, please contact her at Michelle.Word@csn.edu.  

CSN Campus Services and Facility Updates

For an update on the status of CSN activities, services available, campus operations, and hours of operation, please visit my blog.

For up-to-date information on our vaccination program, please visit https://at.csn.edu/covid-19-vaccine. You may also contact wellness@csn.edu with any questions.

Thank you for your patience, and please stay safe. 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

CSN Campus Services and Facility Updates

Unfortunately, COVID-19 cases remain elevated throughout Nevada. As a result, our campuses and sites continue to operate under restrictions set by Gov. Steve Sisolak laid out in Executive Order 35, which has been extended through February 15. This order includes recommendations for capacity limitations for public and private gatherings, retail, restaurants, and other areas within the community. As Nevadans have been urged to stay home, limit gatherings and to telework to the greatest extent possible. At CSN, we continue working to implement these requirements as the spring 2021 semester begins.  

A current update on the status of CSN activities is as follows.

Academics

Lab courses identified by deans and department chairs that are scheduled on campus and in-person will operate as coordinated through the Office of the Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs.  Lecture classes identified on campus will operate at 25 percent of the fire code capacity.  For additional questions, please contact the respective department chair and dean.

Bookstores

All three CSN bookstores will continue to operate services in a remote environment with curbside services as communicated by the Office of Auxiliary Services until further notified.   Follet Bookstore operations staff will remain in the stores throughout the suspension of in-store service but provide curbside service at this time.

Signage has been placed on doors of each bookstore and the bookstore websites have been updated. 

Campus Child Care/Early Childhood Lab

Deemed an essential service, the CSN Child Care Centers will continue operations at this time.  For additional information please contact the Early Childhood Lab School at 702-651-4004.

Campus Life/Coyote Cupboards

Coyote Cupboard Services will continue on an appointment basis and by curbside pick-up on the following campus schedule.  

Cashiering Services

Cashiering services are available at all campuses for payment processing for students.  Services are available through Friday, January 22 till 5 p.m. for in-person payments.

Computer Labs

Computer labs at the main campuses will reopen on January 19 and will remain operational during this time, however new capacity limitations will permit only 25 percent of stated occupancy and workstation availability.   Labs will be open between 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Monday through Friday for the spring semester.

Dental Faculty Practice (DFP)

The DFP will continue essential services on an appointment basis. Patients will continue to be required to complete temperature checks and a health questionnaire.

Delivery Services

Receiving and Mail Services will continue delivery of essential mail and orders. Courier service between the campuses is suspended.

Division of Workforce & Economic Development (DWED)

DWED courses will operate as guided by the course schedule and must adhere to 25 percent capacity of the fire code and 6-feet social distancing at all times. 

Events

All on and off campus events have been suspended  and CSN is not approving external parties or entities on campus at this time, unless recommended by the Campus Provost and approved by the COVID-19 Task Force.     

Facilities

CSN buildings not in use will remain locked down.  Buildings will be accessible based on the course schedule only and are intended for use by CSN faculty, staff and students with classes or approved access only.  Building systems will continue to be maintained to ensure operation continuity.

Food Service Operations

The Starbucks locations at all campuses have been suspended at this time.    

Signage has been posted in the student unions informing customers of the closures. The Boost Mobile food ordering application has been updated to reflect the closures. 

Libraries

Campus libraries will provide curbside services January 19-28 and resume in person services on February 1 at all three campus libraries.  In person services will be limited to NSHE student, staff and faculty at 25 percent capacity.  Library personnel and staff continue to be available to assist students remotely including online books and articles, online library instruction and online research assistance (chat, email and video conferencing).  For more information on the library services for Spring 2021 please use the CSN Library webpage at  https://library.csn.edu/

The outside library book drops at each campus are open for item returns.

Performing Arts Center

The Horn Auditorium will remain closed until further notice.   

Planetarium

The CSN Planetarium and Gift Shop will remain closed until further notice.

Russell’s Restaurant

Operations at Russell’s Restaurant are not available at this time and is closed at this time. 

Student Services

Services will continue to be provided remotely. Identified individuals will remain on campus for critical select time-sensitive services including financial aid processing and admission/registrar requirements.

Student Unions

The Student Unions are closed for operations and services. As noted above, food vendor Culinart has discontinued operations through the end of the calendar year and Coyote Cupboards will be available on an appointment basis and curbside pick-up.

Testing Services

Placement testing activities will be delivered solely in the remote environment until further notice.    

In closing, the CSN campus community must remain diligent in the use of mandatory face-coverings, social distancing requirements, limiting gathering capacity, the use of hand sanitizing and good hygiene practices.  The use of face coverings is required at all times and in all locations on campus both interior and exterior, regardless of social distancing and/or in open areas by yourself. We ask that you continue to be diligent in these COVID-19 mitigation efforts not only at CSN but also in your home and outside experiences.

We recognize that these are challenging times. The health and safety of all students, faculty, staff, visitors and the community is our paramount priority.  All planning at CSN has included contingency plans should the need arise to transition to remote activities.  As new information is known and operational changes are required, we will keep you apprised.    

Vaccine

CSN is working in partnership with the UNLV School of Medicine, the Southern Nevada Health District and our NSHE southern Nevada institutions as the COVID-19 vaccine becomes available to identified groups as prescribed in the Vaccine Program Playbook.  Registration eligibility has begun for healthcare providers, faculty and staff providing services and in clinical the clinical environment; EMS and law enforcement personnel; individuals aged 70+ and faculty, staff and students providing student facing services and those individuals that cannot work in a remote environment. As additional registration eligibility groups are approved updates will be provided by the Office of the President.  Please continue to monitor COVID-19 Vaccine | AtCSN  current information. 

Dear CSN Family,

Below please find the statement that NSHE Chancellor Melody Rose and NSHE’s Community College Presidents have agreed to release regarding the Governor’s announcement during his State of the State Address. We will utilize the CSN town halls and my updates to keep you informed as more details of the governor’s budget and policy proposals become available.

Chancellor and NSHE Presidents Statement:

“Nevada’s community colleges and NSHE’s workforce development programs offer vital contributions to our state. We look forward to learning more details about Gov. Sisolak’s proposal and we intend on working in collaboration and partnership with policy makers to move Nevada’s public higher education system forward to best meet the needs of our students and state.”

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

Today, we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his lifetime of work in pursuit of his dream of equality and justice for all. At CSN we remember his prophetic words that are as relevant today as they were during his life, “When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds of despair … let us remember that there is a creative force in this universe … a power that is able to make a way out of no way and transform dark yesterdays into bright tomorrows. Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”

Martin Luther King Jr. lived through a period of social injustice, political cynicism, and economic disparity that is reminiscent of contemporary events. Yet he showed us that the way forward was through courage, action, and hope.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday is the only federal holiday that is also dedicated as a national day of service. I encourage all of us to commit to engage in community service and to reflect on his vision during these times of adversity in our great country.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

As you may be aware, the Southern Nevada NSHE institutions are partnering to provide COVID-19 vaccinations to those who are working in frontline roles in health care, public safety, law enforcement, public health and emergency first response, both within NSHE institutions and in the broader community. Since we began this effort on Monday, more than 2,000 people have received vaccinations at the UNLV site. A second site, located at our CSN Henderson Campus Student Union, will open on Thursday, January 21.

We are preparing to notify the next two priority employee groups to register for their appointment to receive their first vaccination in the coming weeks. The first group, as defined by the state’s latest vaccination playbook, is instructional and administrative faculty, staff, students and contractors who must work on campus in close contact with others, and who cannot and have not been able to conduct their job duties remotely. Next are those faculty, staff and students age 70 or older whether on-campus or remote. Registrations are non-transferrable as they are based on an employee’s role, which will be verified when employees arrive for vaccination.

Human Resources is working with the vice presidents to confirm or obtain updated names of faculty and staff working in these roles. Notifications will go to each individual and will be sent from Patricia.Charlton@csn.edu, the COVID-19 CSN Lead. If you do not receive notification and you believe you fall into this category, faculty should contact their respective dean, and staff should contact their vice president. 

We are in a rapidly changing environment and we encourage you to visit the COVID-19-vaccine  webpage for updated information based on guidance as it is released. You may also contact wellness@csn.edu with questions. We are working with our colleagues at UNLV, NSC, and DRI to ensure coordinated messaging and processes and in adherence to state guidelines. Please see Chancellor Melody Rose’s latest communication on vaccine distribution within NSHE.

NSHE is partnering with the Southern Nevada Health District and the state to provide vaccinations to everyone in our university community as expeditiously as possible. Thank you for your patience.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

It is a sobering time in our great nation. The events that took place yesterday in our nation’s capital shocked us all. Four people lost their lives as we watched in horror, a mob of invaders laying siege to the U.S. Capitol, no regard for the safety of others, no regard for the safety of the police on hand to protect us, no regard for the safety of the members of the media who were there to make sure we are all informed.

This is a nation of ideals — ideals that have inspired generations. It is a nation of tradition, a nation of laws and not men, a nation that has healed from division before, and one that will recover from this latest rupture as well. We applaud the actions of our nation’s elected officials as they did their duty, as prescribed in the Constitution. They completed one last formal step in the electoral process, ready now for the peaceful transfer of power that we all have come to take for granted.

The College of Southern Nevada denounces the attack on our democracy. As a Latino American, I reject the symbols of hate and intolerance that were intended to inspire fear in the hearts of people of color, both present in Congress and across our nation. Moreover, I stand by our elected officials, our formal processes, and the integrity of the countless thousands of election workers and volunteers who oversaw an election that our nation’s top cybersecurity officials called “the most secure in American history.”

The nation has endured, and so shall we. If there is one thing this past year has shown, it’s our resilience. As NSHE Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose noted, education — not violence — is the path to real, lasting change. That bestows upon us, this nation’s educators, a great responsibility. It is a responsibility I know that we all cherish.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

As you are aware, Nevada has begun its COVID-19 vaccination efforts. I’m pleased to report that NSHE Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose has shared information with the NSHE community regarding vaccine distribution within the system.

Vaccine inoculation for residents is being guided by the requirements established by the Vaccination Program Playbook and CDC guidelines. The system includes four tiers, with sub-group priorities within those tier groups. Tier 1 includes healthcare workers, residents of long-term care facilities, and law enforcement and public safety officials. The State of Nevada plan includes various NSHE personnel in Tiers 1, 2, and 3.  

In supporting the state’s effort, CSN is working with our partners across southern Nevada to conduct vaccinations. Working with the Southern Nevada Health District, University Nevada School of Medicine/UNLV, and University Police Services, we are collaborating across the valley to support the needs for deployment of the vaccine for Tiers 1, 2, and 3 for NSHE employees and our affiliated contract personnel.

All of our CSN family — faculty, staff, students, and our contract personnel — are important to us and we want everyone to have access to the vaccine as soon as possible. We will work with our partners to provide vaccinations to all of our CSN family as quickly as possible.

Availability and receipt of vaccines is uncertain, and we are unable to say when members of each group will be contacted to be vaccinated. Please understand that this is a changing environment and that priority tiers are subject to change based on revised and updated guidelines. We will provide updates as received. 

Prioritized roles within NSHE

The initial vaccinations dispensed by NSHE will first be given to remaining members of Tier 1  within NSHE and may include qualified individuals in the broader community.

NSHE has prioritized roles at its institutions as defined under Tiers 2 and 3 in the state’s plan in this order:

• Instructors (faculty) teaching in person during the spring semester
• Employees in facilities maintenance and custodial services currently working on campus
• Staff and student employees currently providing in-person services
• Instructors (faculty) teaching remotely during the spring semester 
• Faculty and staff who typically have low to no in-person contact or who are working remotely
• All remaining students

Times and locations

The CSN Henderson Campus Student Union and the UNLV Student Union will serve as vaccination locations. Vaccinations are dependent on the availability of supplies and will begin January 11 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday on the UNLV Maryland Parkway campus. Vaccinations at the CSN Henderson campus are anticipated to begin on or about Tuesday, January 19, dependent on receipt of equipment and availability of staffing and supplies/vaccines. The CSN Henderson campus will also operate Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments will be required at both locations. You will be provided with specific location information when your appointment is confirmed.

Again, the initial vaccinations that will be provided at UNLV and CSN will be given to individuals in Tier 1 who are with NSHE and in the broader community.  

How to register

CSN faculty, staff and students in Tier 1 will begin to receive emails this week with a link to register through a portal. Individuals in Tiers 2 and 3 will receive an email invitation to register when their roles become eligible for vaccinations. 

A few important things to note about registration:

• You will complete registration information and your role will be crosschecked to determine when you are eligible for vaccination. Please enter all information as your appointment may be canceled if full information is not provided.
• You will be asked to upload a photo of your insurance card. While your insurance will be billed for services, you will not receive a bill and will not incur a personal charge for the vaccine. 
• You may be able to select a preferred date and time for vaccination based on appointment availability. If appointments are not available, instructions will be provided through the registration site. You will receive an email confirmation. Do not go to the vaccination site without confirmation.

What to expect

When you arrive at the vaccination site for your appointment, you will need to show identification by NSHE ID and/or other form of confirmation that will be provided regarding your role with CSN and state issued ID such as a driver license. You will also need to provide your insurance card. Remember, stay home if you’re not feeling well or have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19.

After you get your vaccination, you will be provided with a CDC vaccination record card noting the type of vaccine (Moderna or Pfizer) you received and the date you will need to return for your second dose. Depending on the vaccine you receive, you will be scheduled to return 21 to 28 days later. It is vital that you return for your second dose for the vaccination to effectively protect you against contracting COVID-19. You will receive appointment reminders several days before your second dose appointment via phone, text email.

Information Resources

CSN has established a vaccine webpage. Questions you might have can be found in the links, including up to date information from the CDC, Immunize Nevada, and the Southern Nevada Health District. The Vaccine Playbook information can also be found on this site.

The environment is changing and while at this time there are two vaccines that have been approved for Emergency Use Authorization — Pfizer and Moderna — we are mindful that additional vaccines are in final trial or the review processes. Should you have any questions, please reach out to wellness@csn.edu. We are looking forward to having a dedicated town hall focused on the medicine and science of the vaccines early in the spring semester. 

I wish you a happy and healthy start of the spring 2021.  

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

I am pleased to announce that former Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly has been appointed the Chief of Staff-Chief Diversity Officer for the College of Southern Nevada.

Weekly has a proven lifetime record of leadership and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. His background aligns with CSN’s mission and values in a profound and inspiring way. I am thrilled to welcome Mr. Weekly to CSN during this critical time in our history — a time characterized by organizational and transformational change.

During his tenure as commissioner, Weekly was widely regarded as a champion for education, workforce development, and social causes. More recently, he served as vice chairman of the Clark County Commission. He was also the first African-American to chair the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority Board of Directors. He has served as Chair of the Board of Trustees for University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, Western Regional Representative for the National Association of Black County Officials (NABCO), and served with the Nevada Association of Counties (NACO), the Clark County Liquor & Gaming Licensing Board, and the Local Law Enforcement Advisory Board that awards millions to valley wide programs dedicated to improving the quality of life for families in Clark County.

As chief of staff, Weekly will report directly to me and will work closely with CSN leadership to develop and implement an action plan intended to further diversity and inclusion, at all levels, so our institution mirrors the diversity of our students and community.

Weekly is a native Nevadan and graduate of Western High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Communication from Grambling State University, and holds a Master of Public Administration from UNLV, where he also teaches public policy. He and his wife Kim have two children, Malik and Kenya.

Please join me in welcoming Lawrence Weekly to the CSN Family!

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

I want to formally invite you to the 48^th Annual CSN Commencement Ceremony! The virtual ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 19, on our website, our Facebook page or our YouTube page. Among our distinguished speakers will be Student Commencement Speaker Krista McFarling-Kelly, NSHE Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose, and, as keynote speaker, Gov. Steve Sisolak.

We are excited that we will be able to honor the Class of 2020 in the midst of a challenging year. We have all experienced canceled events, weeks and months on end of stay-home orders, and safety protocols we had no idea were coming at the start of this incredible year. All of you have risen to the occasion and taken the opportunity to learn and grow.

The Class of 2020 is the absolute embodiment of success in the face of adversity. Every story is unique. Every journey has been different. But the common threads have been, and will always be, determination, courage and the steadfast support of the CSN community. 

It is my pleasure to extend a heartfelt thanks the CSN faculty and staff who have provided a solid foundation for students to achieve their ultimate goal of graduation. Thank you for putting students first. Thank you for developing creative solutions to help our community thrive. Thank you for remaining optimistic in our most challenging times.

I invite you to join me in cheering our graduates’ success and anticipating what they will accomplish in the weeks, months and years ahead. I couldn’t be prouder knowing that their time with us here at CSN has helped shaped who they will become.

Congratulations Class of 2020!

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

Our Mariachi Plata continues to impress and grab national headlines. This weekend, group members took first and third place in the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza National Vocal Competition!

This is the nation’s largest and most prestigious mariachi festival and competition, and I couldn’t be prouder of our students, faculty and staff involved in the program. Student Yasmine Duenes took first place, while student Precious Carrasco took third place. What an incredible accomplishment. Congratulations to Yasmine and Precious!

This historic milestone for the CSN family shows that Mariachi Plata comes out of our world class Music and Performing Arts programs. In only the program’s second year, these results are indeed impressive. Last year, you will recall, Mariachi Plata placed third overall, while two CSN students took first and second place in the vocalist competition.

Mariachi is an important part of the culture in Southern Nevada, particularly among the region’s growing Latino population of Mexican descent. I want to thank Fine Arts Chair Bob Bonora and Mariachi Director Fernando Gonzalez for their dedication and hard work. Without dedicated individuals like them who put students first, none of this would have been possible.

Thank you.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

Over the past month, Nevada and the rest of the country have seen marked increases in COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. It is now more important than ever that we all work together to ensure that we are following the latest state and federal protocols and guidelines, as well as making sure we do our part to help stop the spread of this disease by following the advice of health professionals.

Earlier this month, CSN imposed further restrictions and safety measures that moved all but essential operations online. Since then, Gov. Steve Sisolak has issued Emergency Directive 35, which tightens protocols in order to stop the disease from spreading. It is in effect through December 15. For us, that means we will follow these protocols through at least the end of the fall 2020 semester.

In addition to capacity limitations and the transition of the vast majority of our services to a remote environment, CSN is implementing increased requirements on face coverings that are effectively immediately. All individuals who are not activity eating or drinking must wear a face covering both indoors and outdoors, even when social distancing protocols are otherwise maintained. This includes all interior and exterior CSN spaces — regardless of social distancing or whether you are alone. Please see our Coronavirus website for full information on restrictions and closures at CSN, including hours that certain facilities and services are available.

By working together I am confident we will enter the post-pandemic world a stronger institution. Thank you all for your cooperation and support.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

On Sunday, November 22, Gov. Steve Sisolak set forth the guidelines provided under Executive Order 35, Statewide Pause due to the continued COVID-19 transmission rates and increasing positive cases, imposing increased restrictions to those established during Stay At-Home 2.0.  Directive 35 includes capacity limitations for public and private gatherings, retail, restaurants, and other areas within the community.  This directive is in effect from November 24 at 12:01am until December 15, unless otherwise stated.  As Nevadans have been urged to stay home, limit gatherings and to telework to the greatest extent possible, CSN continues to work to implement these new requirements as the fall 2020 semester comes to a close. 

A current update on the status of CSN activities is as follows.

Academics

As you know, in mid-November all on-ground courses that could be moved online were transitioned into the remote environment through the end of the semester and in some cases for a two-week period. Lab courses identified by deans and department chairs that have remained in-person will continue without change through the completion of the semester.   Lecture classes identified on campus will be reduced to 25% of the fire code capacity. These changes are being implemented by the deans and departments.  For additional questions, please contact the respective department chair and dean.

Bookstores

All three CSN bookstores will suspend in-store service through at least November 30. During this time, textbook, learning material, and supply orders can be placed via the web-based storefronts and items will be shipped to a home address. Textbook buybacks will also be performed online through an e-service provided by Follet. Follet staff will remain in the stores throughout the suspension of in-store service, but only to attending to necessary end-of-semester tasks. Curbside service will not be provided during the closure.

Signage has been placed on doors of each bookstore and the bookstore websites have been updated. 

Campus Child Care/Early Childhood Lab

Deemed an essential service, the CSN Child Care Centers will continue operations at this time.  Contingency planning continues with families should additional measures be necessary.  For additional information please contact the Early Childhood Lab School at 702-651-4004.

Campus Life/Coyote Cupboards

Coyote Cupboard Services will continue on an appointment basis and by curbside pick-up on the following campus schedule.  

• Charleston Campus:  Wednesday 11am – 1pm

• Henderson Campus:  Tuesday and Wednesday 9am – 3pm 

• North Las Vegas:  Monday and Tuesday 10am – 12pm

Computer Labs

Computer labs at the main campuses will remain operational during this time with revised hours, however new capacity limitations will permit only 25% of stated occupancy and workstation availability.   Labs will be open between 9 am – 6 pm through completion of the fall semester and then will close until the spring 2021 semester.

Dental Faculty Practice (DFP)

The DFP will continue essential services on an appointment basis. Patients will continue to be required to complete temperature checks and health questionnaire.

Delivery Services

Receiving and Mail Services will continue delivery of essential mail and orders. Courier service between the campuses is suspended.

Division of Workforce & Economic Development (DWED)

All DWED courses that have not been transitioned to the remote environment must adhere to 25% capacity of the fire code and 6-feet social distancing must be maintained at all times. 

Events

All on and off campus events have been cancelled through the end of the calendar year 2020.  

Facilities

As final academic schedules are completed during this time, any buildings not in use will be locked down.  Building systems will continue to be maintained to ensure operation continuity.

Food Service Operations

The Starbucks locations at North Las Vegas and West Charleston campuses have been suspended for the remainder of calendar year. 

Signage has been posted in the student unions informing customers of the closures. The Boost Mobile food ordering application has been updated to reflect the closures. 

Libraries

Campus libraries will provide services in a remote environment during this time. Library personnel and staff are available to assist students for more information please use the CSN Library webpage at https://library.csn.edu/

The outside library bookdrop at each campus will be open for item returns.

Performing Arts Center

The Horn Auditorium will remain closed until further notice.   

Planetarium

The CSN Planetarium and Gift Shop will remain closed until further notice.

Russell’s Restaurant

Operations at Russell’s Restaurant have been completed for the fall 2020 semester and will be closed at this time.

Student Services

Services will continue to be provided remotely. Identified individuals will remain on campus for critical select time-sensitive services including financial aid processing and admission/registrar requirements.

Student Unions

The Student Unions will be closed for operations and services. As noted above, food vendor Culinart has discontinued operations through the end of the calendar year and Coyote Cupboards will be available on an appointment basis and curbside pick-up.

Testing Services

Placement testing activities will be delivered solely in the remote environment until further notice.    

In closing, the CSN campus community has been diligent in the use of mandatory face-coverings, social distancing requirements, limiting gathering capacity, the use of hand sanitizing and good hygiene has been reinforced by of faculty, staff and students.  Increased requirements on the use of face coverings are required and include the use at all times and in all locations on campus both interior and exterior, regardless of social distancing and/or by yourself.   We ask that you continue to be diligent in these COVID-19 mitigation efforts not only at CSN but also in your home and outside experiences.

We recognize that these are challenging times, the health and safety of all students, faculty, staff, visitors and the community is our paramount priority.  All planning at CSN has included contingency plans should the need arise to transition to remote activities.  As new information is known and operational changes are required, we will keep you apprised.    

As the holiday season is upon us, I want to wish you and your families a very happy Thanksgiving on behalf of the entire CSN family. Traditionally, this is a time when we gather with friends and family; however in light of the COVID-19 pandemic we must be diligent now more than ever in ensuring health and safety. Although we may not be gathering as we have in years past, I pray that we retain the season’s spirit of joy and hope.

I especially want to thank each you for helping us get through the many challenges posed by the pandemic. Together we have overcome every challenge by putting our students first — and I am confident that we will continue doing so, no matter the circumstances. We emerge a stronger and better institution every time we overcome adversity. Thank you all for that.

As you know, the challenges we must face are far from over. The news surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is not good — not here in Southern Nevada, in the entire state, or anywhere in the country. We are in the middle of a spike in reported cases, hospitalizations and deaths. We must continue to be diligent in our efforts to mitigate transmission rates. Remember the advice of health professionals: wear your face coverings, reduce the size of gatherings, maintain social distancing, and remain home if you are feeling sick. Additionally, experts recommend that you minimize travel and stay at home to the greatest extent possible. Please be aware that if travel is necessary, many states have imposed increased limitations, which you can find information on here, as well as a list of best practices when traveling here.

I am sure you are aware that Gov. Steve Sisolak provided information on Sunday regarding new limitations of private gatherings to no more than 10 people from no more than two households — whether the activity is indoors or outdoors. You can find a full list of restrictions and guidelines on the Nevada Health Response website. We at CSN will follow guidance from the chancellor’s office when it is released.

Finally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shared a number of resources that include important recommendations and guidelines for holiday celebrations and gatherings. 

COVID is not the only news going on, as the winds of change come at us from several different directions. In addition to a contested presidential election, an ongoing social justice campaign, and economic consequences stemming from the pandemic, we at NSHE are experiencing changes that include a new chancellor, new presidents at the state’s flagship universities, and four newly elected regents who will be seated after the first of the year. I want to thank outgoing regents Trevor Hayes, Kevin Page, Lisa Levine, and Rick Trachok for their tireless dedication to Nevada’s students. I also want to wish a warm welcome to newly elected regents Lois Tarkanian, Byron Brooks, Patrick Boylan and Joseph Arrascada. I look forward to working closely with them as we prepare for a successful 2021 and beyond. It is an exciting and challenging time for all of us, and I know we are up to the challenge.

You will recall that the governor’s office called for budget cut proposals earlier this year. We responded with plans for reductions that resulted in no layoffs. Now, the call for more cuts has come, and again, thanks to the hard work of our Budget Reduction Task Force, we submitted plans to NSHE for cuts that avoided any layoffs. I want to caution, however, that we are not out of the woods. There may be calls for more cuts in the future. In addition, our full-time equivalent enrollment was down more than 10 percent this semester compared to last year, which will mean a further reduction in state funds for CSN in the upcoming biennium.

The bottom line is that there is much uncertainty and ambiguity on the horizon. As always, every decision we make will be guided by a concern for the health and safety of our faculty, staff, students and community.

Federico

Reflect upon your present blessings — of which every man has many — not on your past misfortunes, of which all men have some. — Charles Dickens

In This Issue:

• CSN Foundation Campaign
• Commencement Ceremony
• Spring 2021 Enrollment Open
• Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
• James McCoy Selected as Interim VPAA
• EmployNV Career Hubs
• International Education Week
• NSHE Furlough Policy
• Employee Assistance Program
• Holiday Toy Drive
• Nevada Promise Mentors
• S/U Grading Policy Extended

CSN Foundation Campaign

I hope you saw my note last week about the CSN Foundation’s fundraising campaigns designed to help our students in this time of incredible need. During these difficult times, many of our students are facing difficult financial choices that can shape the rest of their lives. They must balance the costs of rent, utilities, food — and their college expenses. You can give the gift of hope by supporting the Foundation’s student-focused campaigns.

Commencement Ceremony

While we were unfortunately forced to cancel our planned Commencement photo op for our Class of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are still thrilled that we’ll be holding a Virtual Commencement Ceremony at 1 p.m. Saturday, December 19. The Class of 2020 has been through an extraordinary time, and we believe it’s critical to publicly recognize their accomplishments. Please look for more information on the ceremony in the coming weeks.

Spring 2021 Enrollment Open

Registration for the spring 2021 semester is open now. Similar to the current semester, we plan to offer about 85 percent of our spring 2021 classes online, with hands-on classes such as welding and science labs in person.

President Zaragoza Appointed to Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities Board

I’m extremely pleased to announce that I have been appointed to the national governing board for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities — a first for Nevada higher education. CSN is an important part of the national conversation about higher education and the role of community colleges in training and retraining our nation’s workforce, especially now as we prepare for a post-pandemic economy. I am honored to represent CSN on the Governing Board and I want to thank our entire NSHE family and congressional delegation for their support.  

James McCoy Selected as Interim VPAA

I am happy to report that James McCoy is the new interim Vice President of Academic Affairs at CSN. The appointment, which begins December 1, comes after an internal search, open to all NSHE employees. James most recently served as the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs and Director of Corequisite Implementation at the NSHE System Office. The move marks a return to CSN for McCoy where he previously served for more than two decades in multiple leadership positions including Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Associate Vice President for Academic Success, Chair and Lead Faculty for the Department of Communication and tenured Communication Professor.

Please join me in welcoming James back to CSN.

EmployNV Career Hubs

We held the official grand opening for the first of several planned EmployNV Career Hubs on our Charleston Campus this month. The centers are the result of an unprecedented partnership between CSN and Workforce Connections. They’re designed to help train and retrain our region’s workforce and fill critical jobs in manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, skilled trades and logistics. Centers are also planned for our Henderson and North Las Vegas campuses, as well as our Sahara West Center. 

I want to thank Workforce Connections Executive Director Jaime Cruz for the partnership and his devotion to the cause of helping to get Nevadans back to work.

International Education Week

International Education Week commenced worldwide from November 16-20, and we at CSN were glad to participate. The virtual celebration was an opportunity to explore the benefits of international education and exchange. This joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education was part of an effort to promote programs to prepare Americans to contribute to a global community and attract future leaders from abroad to study, learn, and exchange experiences in the U.S.

CSN programming hosted by faculty and staff throughout the week focused in part on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Set forth as a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future, the goals address global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. More than twelve events were held virtually over five days underscoring the importance of global collaboration for collective success.

I want to thank International Center Director Carol Fimmen for her hard work in putting these events together and ensuring their success.

NSHE Furlough Policy

The Board of Regents this month formally approved the legislatively mandated employee furlough policy as part of a strategy to dramatically reduce costs. This policy requires all system employees — academic faculty, administrative faculty, and classified staff — to take unpaid time off from December 1, 2020, through June 30, 2021. As we have noted, these furloughs will result in pay reductions of 4.6 percent.

For full details, see the memo from Human Resources, and contact HR at HRcustomerservice@csn.edu should you have any questions.

Employee Assistance Program

CSN has launched a new Employee Assistance Program from Guidance Resources. The program offers counseling, legal and financial consultation, work-life assistance and crisis intervention services to all employees and their household family members.

Employees and their families can access the program confidentially at

guidanceresources.com or by downloading the GuidanceNow app on their mobile device using the web ID: CSNEAP. For more, please read the FAQs.

Holiday Toy Drive

The annual University Police Services Holiday Toy Drive is underway. Collection bins are available at all UPD location across southern NSHE campuses:

• UNLV – UPD Headquarters, University Gateway Garage
• CSN Henderson – Building C, Information Desk
• CSN North Las Vegas – UPD Substation, Building P
• CSN Charleston – UPD Substation, Building M
• NSC – UPD Substation, Dawson Building.

Nevada Promise Mentors

The Nevada Promise Scholarship program is once again seeking mentors of all backgrounds who are willing to give 3-5 hours each semester to guide CSN students as they pursue a college education. Become a mentor and change a life.

Those interested community members can find out more by attending a virtual information session at noon December 2 via Microsoft Teams at https://tinyurl.com/y2dkzw9a.

S/U Grading Policy Extended

NSHE Chancellor Melody Rose issued an update on S/U grading for all NSHE institutions. NSHE’s institutional presidents have unanimously agreed to continue the Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grading option for the 2020-2021 academic year under the authority granted them by the Board of Regents last spring.

[embeddoc url=”http://blog.csn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Academic-Adminstriative-Furlough-Official-10-Day-Notice.doc” download=”all” viewer=”microsoft”]

Dear CSN Family,

This has been a challenging year for all of us, but it is moments like these that allow us to define ourselves and choose the path we take forward from here. As social activist and Nobel Laureate Wangara Maathai said, “There are opportunities even in the most difficult times.”

Today, as we prepare for a holiday season like none we have ever experienced, I want to ask you to help our CSN students. In this year of crisis, our students face difficult financial choices that can shape the rest of their lives. They must balance the costs of rent, utilities, food — and their college expenses. You can give the gift of hope by supporting the CSN Foundation’s student-focused campaigns.

CSN Student Emergency Fund

Give the gift of an emergency grant to a CSN student, empowering them to meeting pressing day-to-day expenses and allowing them to stay in college. Schwab Bank will match your gift up to $10,000!

Join us Today

Angel Holiday Fund

Give the gift of a joyful holiday by helping CSN students purchase gifts for their children with special gift cards.

Become a Holiday Angel Today

If you are able, please consider giving the gift of hope this holiday season: Hope for today and for the prosperous future that staying in college can bring. Please direct any questions to foundation@csn.edu.

Thank you, stay safe and God bless.

Dear CSN Family,

I’m pleased to announce the appointment of James McCoy as the Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs. This appointment comes after an internal search process that was open to all NSHE employees. Mr. McCoy will serve in the interim role through June 30, 2021 while we commence a national search in the coming months.

Mr. McCoy currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs and Director of Corequisite Implementation at the NSHE System Office. Prior to serving in that role, he was Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and a faculty member at CSN.

I want to thank the screening committee and hiring committee for their efforts in this search.

Please join me in welcoming James back to CSN in his new role.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

As I communicated last week, CSN has responded to Gov. Steve Sisolak’s Stay at Home 2.0 plan by suspending all but essential on-campus operations through at least November 30. We have all been watching and reading the news surrounding COVID-19, and it is not good. New cases, hospitalizations and fatalities remain on the rise in Nevada, and we must all do our part to help contain the pandemic.

At CSN, this means we must reconsider how we deliver all of our services, from academics and student support to childcare and community services. Below you will find a list of services and facilities that have been impacted by our altered semester plan. For full details, please see our Coronavirus web page.

Service	Availability
Academics	A select few hands-on courses will remain on campus. Instructors will communicate directly with students.
Bookstores	Closed. Online services will continue.
Childcare	Open.
Coyote Cupboards	Open by appointment only.
Computer Labs	Open 9 am to 6 pm.
Dental Faculty Practice	Open based on appointments.
Delivery Services	Mail continues; courier services between campuses suspended.
Facilities	Buildings will not be locked down.
Food Service	Starbucks locations are closed.
Libraries	Services available remotely.
Performing Arts Center	Closed.
Planetarium	Closed.
Russell’s Restaurant	Closed.
Student Services	A select few critical back office and time-sensitive services will remain available. Remote services are available for direct student support.
Student Unions	Closed.
Testing Services	Closed.

As noted above, full details are available on our Coronavirus web page.

We will continue following guidelines and directives from local, state and national health experts as we all navigate this crisis together. We recognize that these are challenging times, but please know that the health and safety of all students, faculty, staff, visitors and the community is our paramount priority.

As we adapt to the changing environment and new information, we will be sure to update you prior to November 30 about our plans going forward.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

On Tuesday, November 10, Gov. Steve Sisolak outlined the Stay at Home 2.0 for Nevada as a result of current transmission rates of the coronavirus which in our community, state and across the country have seen increasing positive cases. As Nevadans have been urged to stay home, limit gatherings and to telework to the greatest extent possible, CSN has transitioned classes that could be remote as well as services and staff, effective Friday, November 13 through at least November 30 or until otherwise notified. As we near the end of the semester, CSN recognizes that a select number of classes and services must remain in person to support students first. The following update on status of activities is provided.

Academics

In consultation with Vice President for Academic Affairs Margo Martin, deans and department chairs, CSN has transitioned on-ground courses that could be moved into the remote environment. Courses with hands-on laboratory instruction will remain in person. Communication to students regarding classes transitioned to remote will be communicated by their respective faculty. For additional questions, please contact the respective department chair and dean.

Bookstores

All three CSN bookstores will suspend in-store service through at least November 30. During this time, textbook, learning material, and supply orders can be placed via the web-based storefronts and items will be shipped to a home address. Textbook buybacks will also be performed online through an e-service provided by Follet. Follet staff will remain in the stores throughout the closure attending to end-of-semester tasks. Curbside service will not be provided during the closure.

Signage has been placed on doors of each bookstore and the bookstore websites have been updated. 

Campus Child Care/Early Childhood Lab

Deemed an essential service, the CSN Child Care Centers will continue operations at this time.  Contingency planning continues with families should additional measures be necessary.  For additional information please contact the Early Childhood Lab School at 702-651-4004.

Campus Life/Coyote Cupboards

Coyote Cupboard Services will continue on an appointment basis and by curbside pick-up on the following campus schedule.  

• Charleston Campus:  Wednesday 11am – 1 pm
• Henderson Campus:  Tuesday and Wednesday 9 am – 3 pm 
• North Las Vegas:  Monday and Tuesday 10 am – noon

Computer Labs

Computer labs at the main campuses will remain operational during this time with revised hours.   Labs will be open between 9 am – 6 pm.  

Dental Faculty Practice (DFP)

The DFP will continue essential services on an appointment basis. Patients will continue to be required to complete temperature checks and health questionnaire.

Delivery Services

Receiving and Mail Services will continue delivery of essential mail and orders. Courier service between the campuses is suspended.

Facilities

As final academic schedules are completed during this time any buildings not in use will be locked down.  Building systems will continue to be maintained to ensure operation continuity.

Food Service Operations

The Starbucks locations at North Las Vegas and West Charleston campuses will suspend service for the remainder of calendar year beginning close of business November 12 (the Henderson campus location was shut down last week). 

Signage has been posted in the student unions informing customers of the closures. The Boost Mobile food ordering application has been updated to reflect the closures. 

Libraries

Campus libraries will provide services in a remote environment during this time. Library personnel and staff are available to assist students for more information please use the CSN Library webpage at https://library.csn.edu/

Performing Arts Center

The Horn Auditorium will remain closed through at least November 30. 

Planetarium

The CSN Planetarium and Gift Shop will remain closed at this time.

Russell’s Restaurant

Operations at Russell’s Restaurant have been completed for the fall 2020 semester and will be closed at this time.

Student Services

Services will continue to be provided remotely. Identified individuals will remain on campus for critical select time-sensitive services including financial aid processing and admission/registrar requirements.

Student Unions

The Student Unions will be closed for operations and services. As noted above, food vendor Culinart has discontinued operations through the end of the calendar year and Coyote Cupboards will be available on an appointment basis and curbside pick-up. Staff will perform final action items (e.g. equipment cleaning, cancelling orders, managing inventories, etc.) the week of 11/16 – 11/20 in preparation for a prolonged closure. 

Testing Services

Placement testing activities will be delivered solely in the remote environment through November 30 and may be subject to change.  On campus testing will not be available through November 30.   

In closing, the CSN campus community has been diligent in the use of mandatory face-coverings, social distancing requirements, limiting gathering capacity, the use of hand sanitizing and good hygiene has been reinforced by of faculty, staff and students. We ask that you continue to be diligent in these COVID-19 mitigation efforts not only at CSN but also in your home and outside experiences.

We recognize that these are challenging times, the health and safety of all students, faculty, staff, visitors and the community is our paramount priority.  All planning at CSN has included contingency plans should the need arise to transition to remote activities.   As more information is known, additional information is available and prior to November 30^th we will notify you of updates and/or changes to operations.

Dear CSN Family,

In response to Gov. Steve Sisolak’s recent statement on the COVID-19 pandemic, NSHE Chancellor Dr. Melody Rose released a letter this morning that called for the system’s eight institutions to remain vigilant in the fight against virus. You can read her letter here.

You will recall that CSN has adopted our own Stay at Home 2.0 plan calling for heightened restrictions through at least November 30. Please know that we all take this pandemic seriously and I remain confident that our CSN community will continue doing all we can to mitigate the virus’ effects.

Thank you. Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

The CSN campus community has been resilient this year as the global COVID-19 pandemic has taken hold, and it is time now to come together once again to do our part to help fight this disease.

As you know, data regarding COVID-19 in our nation, our state and our community are trending in the wrong direction. New cases, hospitalizations and fatalities are on the rise and there does not appear to be an immediate end in sight. As a result, Gov. Steve Sisolak announced his Stay at Home 2.0 plan on Tuesday, calling for us all to remain at home as much possible for the next two weeks, wear our masks when we must go out, telework whenever possible, and minimize exposure to those outside our own households.

At CSN, we are taking the governor’s recommendations seriously. Beginning today and going through at least November 30, only essential on-campus college operations will continue. All employees who can work remotely will do so. Employees should work with supervisors and the Campus Vice Presidents & Provosts to stagger visits to campus to retrieve belongings that may be needed during the telework. Any campus visits must be completed by close of business on Friday, November 13. During this period, campus access protocols will be suspended.

Any classes that can be conducted remotely will be conducted remotely; there will be only a few healthcare and career & technical education classes conducted in person. We will strive to maintain academic continuity for all our students, regardless of the method of course delivery. Our faculty and staff are committed to ensuring that we always put our students first — and that means putting safety first in all matters

In addition, all on-campus events scheduled for the remainder of this month have been cancelled or postponed.

Friends, this is serious. The governor has indicated that if our state’s numbers do not show a marked improvement soon, he will be forced to take more serious actions that could further exacerbate the economic problems this pandemic has already caused. Many of us have gotten used to the conditions we are living under, and perhaps are not taking the crisis as seriously as we once did. But we must remain vigilant. This virus will not go away on its own — we must choose to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.

The CSN campus community has been diligent in the use of mandatory face-coverings, social distancing requirements, limiting gathering capacity, the use of hand sanitizing and good hygiene has been reinforced by of faculty, staff and students. We ask that you continue to be diligent in these COVID-19 mitigation efforts not only at CSN but also in your home and outside experiences.

I know this is difficult, but we are prepared. The ability to pivot or adapt operations to ensure health and safety, informed by science and data, has been part of all of CSN’s planning efforts. We completed the final two months of the spring 2020 semester under such conditions, and we did so successfully. We have an amazing team of people at CSN who will help us all work through this crisis. Leaders in academic affairs, human resources, student services and elsewhere across the college are working together on specific plans for their respective areas. Employees, please look for further information from your supervisors in the coming days. And students, please maintain contact with your instructors to ensure you’re well informed.  

As I noted, we hope these new restrictions are temporary and that, by November 30, we can resume activities on a limited basis, as we have been doing for the bulk of this semester. But please know that if the state’s numbers do not improve, we may be forced to remain in an almost completely remote environment through the end of the fall 2020 semester.

As events develop, please check CSN’s Coronavirus web page frequently. CSN will continue to follow recommendations from the governor and health authorities. And as always, my office will keep the entire CSN family informed about a return to campus date — whether that turns out to be November 30 or not.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

We are more than halfway through the fall 2020 Semester, and you have no doubt noticed the upward trend in COVID-19 cases. Unfortunately, our fall 2020 enrollment is approximately 10 percent down (FTE) from fall 2019 levels, and this will have an adverse impact on our budget.  Moreover, even though some restrictions have been lifted, we are preparing for a spring 2021 semester that will look a lot like our current semester.  We are planning for perhaps 85 percent of our classes to be delivered remotely or online and 15 percent in person. Please know that we will continue to make the safety of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors our top priority.

In spite of the recent COVD-19 developments there are many positive things happening at CSN as well. Our Class of 2020 will have their Commencement Ceremony! Details will be forthcoming shortly, but we are planning a virtual ceremony and a drive-in opportunity to take photos and receive a diploma cover at events on each of our campuses. Please look for more details soon. 

In This Issue:

• Digital Transformation at CSN
• Cybersecurity
• Community Partnerships, Free ESL classes
• Drone Training Initiative
• Events with Distinguished Elected Officials
• Nevada Promise Deadline
• Congratulations to Dr. D. Gause
• CSN Biology Department Excels
• Enrollment and Institutional Data

Digital Transformation at CSN

During this pandemic, digital communication has become more important than ever. That’s why I am pleased to report that CSN’s Office of Technology Services has been hard at work to enhance the faculty, staff and student experience. In that spirit, the team is beginning the process of Digital Transformation at CSN, which is much more than supplementing business processes with online software or enabling online learning for our students. This will create a more accessible, dynamic and fluid experience for our students from when they first show interest in CSN all the way through graduation and beyond. It will provide systematic ways of using technology for getting the work of the college done. 

We want our students to be able to engage with us anywhere, at any time, and on any device. Our students want to be able to register, pay, see their grades, get help in a difficult subjects or schedule appointments with student services more easily and intuitively. Over the coming months you will begin to see new processes, platforms and initiatives from our technology team that will make your job easier and improve the stellar service they already provide, so stay tuned for more exciting news.

Cybersecurity

Staying with the theme of technology for a moment, please note that October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. You can learn tips, tricks and policies at www.csn.edu/cybersecurity. I also encourage you to attend one of NSHE’s cybersecurity presentations this month. Attendees can expect to learn how to: 

• Detect and avoid current phishing scams
• Best protect yourself when conducting online financial transactions and banking
• Protect yourself from being hacked on social media
• Use cyber security best practices when working and learning remotely

The presentation series is geared toward all NSHE institution community members including faculty, students and staff who have an interest in learning how to better protect their online information and their privacy. A series of four virtual presentations hosted by guest experts begins October 26 and continues through October 29. Each presentation will run from noon to 1 p.m. Registration is required and is limited to 490 attendees per presentation.  Click here to register. Once registered, you will receive a confirmation email with a link to attend the presentation(s) of your choice.

Community Partnerships, Free ESL classes

This month, we formally launched our community partnership with Dream Big Nevada and the Immigrant Home Foundation, announcing a variety of initiatives designed to help our community get back to work. Free English as a Second Language Classes and clear, proven pathways to train and enter the region’s workforce are among the many benefits this partnership will bring to the community.  

I want to thank Immigrant Home Foundation Executive Director Luz Marina Mosquera, Dream Big Nevada Executive Director Astrid Silva and IHF Director of External Affairs Ruben Kihuen for their hard work, dedication to our community, and commitment to ensuring that a higher education should be available to all.

Read more about the partnership.

Drone Training Initiative

I am pleased to report that CSN has been certified as one of the schools under the Federal Aviation Administration’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Collegiate Training Initiative. This is great news, and it will help ensure that our graduates have the skills required for this growing sector. Our graduates will qualify for a broad range of jobs in fields that include electronics, robotics, programming, data management, system integration, data processing, sensor systems, project management and drone operations.

We should all be proud to know that CSN’s graduates leave here ready to become world class technicians in this exciting, emerging field.

Read U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto’s press release

Events with Distinguished Elected Officials

I hope you were able to connect with one of our Latinx Heritage Month events held recently featuring U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and U.S. Rep. Susie Lee. I could not be more honored to have each of them join us to engage the community. 

Senator Cortez Masto joined us for a virtual conversation about involvement in the community moderated by North Las Vegas Campus Provost & Vice President Clarissa Cota. Congresswoman Lee joined us to celebrate the accomplishments of CSN’s Mariachi Plata. I am grateful for their time and their conversations. I also want to thank our Government Affairs Director Mariana Kihuen for her hard work to ensure that these events happen at CSN. 

Nevada Promise Deadline

As a reminder, the deadline for this year’s high school seniors to apply for the Nevada Promise Scholarship is October 31. Please remind those in your lives who might benefit from this incredible scholarship.

Congratulations to Dr. D. Gause

Congratulations to CSN music faculty member Dr. D. Gause, who was recently appointed to the Board of Directors of Dorland Mountain Arts, a resident artist community in California.  

Gause is a recipient of residencies for the last three years and has been involved with Dorland since its inception. She has assisted two former CSN students and a current CSN faculty member to receive residency awards.

CSN Biology Department Excels

More congratulations are due to the faculty, staff and students in CSN’s Department of Biology. The recent publication of an article on their research into SEA-PHAGES in “Microbiology Resource Announcements” from the American Society for Microbiology showcases their tremendous efforts. It is expected to be the first of several publications to come.

This is what Student First looks like, and it highlights the leadership and innovative teaching and learning approach used by our Biology faculty. I’m looking forward to the next publication from this incredible team of researchers.

Enrollment and Institutional Data

To review the latest enrollment data, visit the Institutional Research Data Dashboard. The site houses publicly available interactive reports created to support institutional decision making.

Dear CSN Family,

Please join me in celebrating and recognizing the contributions of our CSN LGBTQ+ community during LGBTQ+ History Month October 1-31. The monthlong celebration is dedicated to recognizing the achievements, talents and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history.

First initiated in 1994 by high school history teacher Rodney Wilson, with the support of GLSEN, the Gerbert/Hart Library and other educators, LGBTQ+ History month quickly became an important opportunity to elevate the voices and experiences of LGBTQ+ people. Recent years have seen significant progress in the telling of these stories so often overlooked in the mainstream historical narrative.

While we remain vigilant about the work left to do, let us pause to reflect on the advancements we have made in equality and celebrate the significant contributions that generations of LGBTQ+ people have made to our diverse communities. To learn more about LGBTQ+ culture and events at CSN, or to join the Queer Inclusive Campus Committee, please visit https://www.csn.edu/csn-lesbian-gay-bisexual-transgender-queerquestioning-allies-resource-page

For news on all diversity events, please bookmark: www.csn.edu/diversityevents.

Federico

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This Month’s Diversity Events

• October 1-October 31: LGBTQ+ students, faculty, and staff are invited to post their “Coming Out” stories to our Coyote Coming Out Story Kudoboard. Messages of support and affirmation from allies are also welcome! Please share at: https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/H3ze62Sc.
• Friday, October 2, 10:45 a.m. to noon. “Best Practices for LGBTQ+ Inclusion in the Classroom” presented by Dr. Adam Burgess at the Southern Nevada Diversity Summit.
• Sunday, October 11: National Coming Out Day. Don’t forget to share your story or support at the Coyote Coming Out Story Kudoboard!
• Tuesday, October 13, noon to 1 p.m. “Free to Be Me: Unleashing Your YOUnicorn Power” with Norman J. Liverpool IV. Tuesday, October 13th via MS Teams. Register for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/122132466495.
• Tuesday, October 20, 3 – 4:30 p.m. “In a Moment of Danger: An LGBTQ History Panel,” featuring Jennifer Basquiat (Anthropology); Adam Burgess (English); Joe Hassert (Communication); and Patricia Vázquez (English). Register for the event here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-a-moment-of-danger-csn-lgbtq-history-panel-tickets-122137888713.

Resources for Faculty, Staff, and Students:

• Henderson Equality Center
• The LGBTQ Center of Southern Nevada (Las Vegas)
• Safe Zone Training for CSN Faculty & Staff

Dear CSN Family,

Whether you are teaching, in a virtual meeting, walking across campus or working from home, I hope you take a moment today to reflect on the events of October 1, 2017. CSN joins our Southern Nevada community on the anniversary of that tragic night to remember the victims and their families. 

View our October 1, 2020, remembrance video and leave your thoughts — or upload your own video and use the hashtag #CSNVegasStrong on social media. 

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

Much is happening at CSN this semester, and I want to ensure that we will keep you updated on all the latest developments.  But first, I again want to apologize for the confusion caused by my message earlier in the semester regarding the timelines for implementing of the faculty overload pay provision of the CSN-NFA CBA. Please know that I am committed to working with Chancellor Rose, the NFA, the Faculty Senate, and the Board of Regents to advocate for approval of the retroactive increase included in the BNA-CSN Collective Bargaining Agreement to increase overload pay to $925/IU, as well as to increase base pay, retroactive to July 2020. I continue to support the NFA focus on attaining parity for CSN staff and faculty compensation in relationship to our sister NSHE community colleges.

I am also pleased to report that the CSN Sawgrass Report on diversity and inclusion at CSN is now available on my blog. The report provides a framework for CSN to affirm our commitment, and will help guide our work, to attain our collective vision for an exemplary, inclusive, and diverse institution. 

Human Resources
I want to take a moment to recognize and thank our Human Resources office, which has been working incredibly hard over these last several months. Over the summer, HR collaborated with academic faculty and academic affairs to recruit for 39 open faculty positions.

The office has continued to work collaboratively with the Faculty Senate, Administrative Faculty Assembly and Classified Council to ensure both student and employee success in the virtual environment, as well. This has included return to campus protocols, FFCRA/COVID Virtual Panel Training for all employees, and the creation of a work schedule template to assist employees and supervisors in preparation to return to campus.

In addition, HR and the NFA continue to work together to administer the collective bargaining agreement.

CSN Athletics
Even though there are no athletic competitions taking place until the spring semester, our CSN Coyotes have been busy. Our Lady Coyotes softball team recently visited Three Square to help with food distribution for those who are facing food scarcity due to COVID-19. Our athletes are out there practicing now in anticipation of competition next semester — including our new men’s and women’s basketball teams!

CSN Athletics is planning its annual November fundraising golf event at Reflection Bay at Lake Las Vegas, with the Coyote Golf Classic, presented by Best Mattress, scheduled for November 15-16. The tournament, which will move to a two-day event to help with spreading donors and attendees out at Reflection Bay, will feature special opportunities for giveaways and opportunities to meet CSN student-athletes and coaches.

Athletics has also announced that all CSN faculty & staff are automatically members of the Coyote Club, which includes a season pass and other benefits. If you’re able, please consider upgrading from the basic, free membership to a paid one that helps support our student athletes — 80 percent of whom continue their education at four-year institutions after CSN. For more information, contact Lance Thompson.

Workforce
Our Division of Workforce & Economic Development has several initiatives underway to help train or retrain the region’s workforce in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. DWED is forming important community partnerships that will soon result in one-stop shops at CSN locations around Southern Nevada aimed at helping our community and displaced populations recover by providing services ranging from ESL and high school equivalency classes to filing unemployment claims and signing up for job retraining.  

Regents’ Awards
It is time to nominate a colleague or student for a Regents’ Award. Faculty and staff nominations are due October 5, and student award nominations are due November 16.

Thank you. Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

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Dear CSN Family,

Today, we remember the victims of the worst terrorist attack in American history and honor the courage of the service members and first responders who risked their own lives to protect ours. Let us never forget them.

Reflecting on that day and its aftermath now, I see similarities to how we are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. We see heroism and selflessness like we saw then, whether it is from frontline healthcare workers or behind-the-scenes facilities crews keeping us all safe.

The way we have repeatedly pulled together as a family in the face of hardship is truly inspiring. Thank you all for your dedication to CSN and our community.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

The Fall 2020 semester has gotten off to a wonderful start and I hope that you and your family are in good health.  I want to thank those of you that participation in our Fall 2020 Virtual Convocation Ceremony.  In spite of the virtual format, the five-day convocation events received our highest ratings ever and proved to be a tremendous success. 

Already your commitment to student success is evident in how you interact with our students and each other. While there are many changes on campus, these changes are driven by a concern for safety. Reminders of our return to campus safety plan are all over our campuses as evidenced by signage, social distancing, sanitation stations, and of course mandatory use of face coverings such as masks inside and outside the classroom. We have also minimized exposure to COVID-19 by conducting approximately 90 percent of our Fall 2020 classes online, and about 10 percent on campus.  Our on-campus classes include those that require hands-on or interactive components, such as the requirements of many career and technical education classes, as well as health care and science labs. 

We continue to deliver a full array of online and limited face to face student services, including advising, counseling, career and transfer services, the testing centers, and much more. Please see our Coronavirus page for all of the details. Another new safety app has been developed by the state of Nevada designed to help us all fight the COVID-19 pandemic. This new app, available for Android or iPhone, will help Nevadans protect each other and slow the spread of COVID by notifying you if you’ve likely been exposed. This empowering us to quarantine effectively, seek medical attention, and reduce risk to others.  Learn More and Download the App.

Enrollment and Institutional Data

Our Fall 2020 Return to Campus transition is well underway. Our current Fall enrollment is approximately 12 percent down, when compared to last Fall, but we expect our enrollment to increase as we continue to work with students on payment plans and as we continue to accelerate on-boarding for students on waiting lists, dual enrollment and apprenticeship programs.  Moreover, we have intentionally created a robust Fall 2020 late-term session, I am pleased to announce that we have been working on our “First Responder – Education and Training plan since day one of the pandemic. These efforts are a direct response to Gov. Sisolak’s call for community colleges to be the “first responders” for the thousands of Nevada’s displaced workers and long term unemployed. Given these efforts, we expect our final Fall enrollment to be similar to last year. To review the latest enrollment data, visit the Institutional Research Data Dashboard. The site houses publicly available interactive reports created to support institutional decision making.

Welcome to a new academic year. I hope you are looking forward to this historic semester as much as I am.

Federico

In This Issue:

Convocation
President’s Cabinet
Town Halls
Historic Grant
Meaningful Writing
Diversity Summit

Convocation

Our Convocation and Welcome Back event was a resounding success this year. Hundreds of you attended the virtual event for policy updates, our CIO’s Technology Keynote, professional development sessions and our annual awards ceremony for Distinguished and Excellence Award winners.

I want to again congratulate all the winners:

Distinguished Administrative Faculty – Uche Dappa
Distinguished Classified Staff – Bobby Barajas
Distinguished Full-Time Faculty – Emily King
Distinguished Part-Time Faculty – Eugene Shapiro
Excellence in Community Service – Melissa Giovanni
Excellence in Community Service – Kathy Kazemi
Excellence in Online Teaching – Ayla Koch
Excellence in Research – Earnest Bracey
Excellence in Service to CSN – Patrick Villa
Excellence in Service to CSN – Freley Hosannah
Excellence in Service to CSN – Courtney Schmitz

See the President’s State of the College Address

President’s Cabinet Updates

I want to take this opportunity to let you know about some personnel changes that I have made to my leadership team. I have purposely reengineered existing positions to ensure no budget increased.

• I am using the NSHE Chief of Staff – Governmental Relations model to change the position description for the Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion, to that of CSN Chief of Staff-Diversity Officer. The approach is designed to build accountability surrounding diversity issues among our executive leadership team. The search for that position is currently open.
• Dr. Margo Martin will be reassigned from Vice President of Academic Affairs to Chief Accreditation Institutional Effectiveness Officer. This change fills a gap for accountability in the accreditation and institutional effectiveness area, currently addressed by special assignments. We will soon appoint a one-year interim VPAA via an NSHE-wide search.
• I have also moved the Office of Marketing & Communications under the leadership of CIO Mugunth Vaithylingam. This should facilitate a more integrated communications approach between our social media, web-based, and marketing efforts.

Town Halls

Our weekly Town Halls for faculty and staff continue to be very popular, typically with more than 400 people attending. I truly enjoy answering all your questions in this live setting. Our next town hall is scheduled for 1 p.m. September 15.

I am also pleased to report that we will soon be holding monthly town halls for our students, continuing where we left off in the spring. We are working with ASCSN leadership to find optimal times for these, so please look for more information soon that you can pass along to students.

Town Hall 1 p.m. September 15

Math Map HSI Grant

We received some wonderful news last week: CSN has been awarded a $2.9 million grant from U.S. Department of Education grant under the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program to fund our El Mapa Matemático/Math Map program.

This is significant for a multitude of reasons. As many of you know, CSN became the state’s first Hispanic Serving Institution in 2015, opening up a pathway for new funding opportunities. We expect that while this grant is our first under the HSI program, it will be far from the last.

The El Mapa Matemático/Math Map program is intended to help guide students through college-level math by integrating our efforts at four major milestones for students: placement, support, instruction and pre-graduation. Students who struggle with math can expect more guidance at critical times during their journey to graduation.

In addition to helping our students, this grant opens the door for CSN to have a stronger national presence as an institution and, hopefully, will lead to more funding opportunities. 

Meaningful Writing Experience

I wanted to let you know about a new scholarship available to students who have engaged in coursework at CSN that inspired, transformed, or connected them to their future personal,

academic, or professional goals. It is available to CSN students who have completed a meaningful writing project at CSN in Summer or Fall 2020 and are planning to return to the college for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Learn more about the scholarship

Southern Nevada Diversity Summit

We are lucky enough to be the host institution for this year’s Nevada System of Higher Education Southern Nevada Diversity Summit. This annual event is designed to facilitate discussion about emerging challenges and successes in achieving diversity, equity, and inclusion inside and outside NSHE institutions. The event will be hosted virtually via Microsoft Teams on Friday, October 2, 2020.

The theme for this year’s summit is “Knowledge to Action” — appropriate given the social protests that have captured the nation this year. The goal is to inspire us to make changes in our daily lives affect the world around us. 

Please look for more information in the coming weeks.

Find out more details and register

Dear CSN Family,

I am pleased to report that the budgeted increase in the adjunct and overload pay rate from $875 to $925 per instructional unit for the fall 2020 semester will be moving forward as planned.

This higher pay rate will be reflected on employees’ upcoming employment contracts for the fall semester. Human Resources will contact affected departments to work out the details.

I know you are all as excited about this historic semester at CSN as I am. Thank you for your continued enthusiasm and support.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

During these difficult economic times, we at CSN know that every dollar counts. That’s why we have decided to waive the $1 per credit Student Union Operations and Maintenance fee for the fall 2020 semester. The majority of our classes will be online this semester, so we do not expect the student unions to be heavily used.

Those students who have not paid their fall 2020 bill yet will not get charged the fee. Those who have paid already will be issued refunds.

As a reminder, for those faculty, staff and students who will be on campus this semester, CSN is strictly following health and safety guidelines set by federal, state and local officials. Masks will be required at all times, social distancing protocols will be in effect, and gatherings will be strictly limited. We want our entire family to remain safe.

I want to thank our faculty, staff and students for your continued support as we navigate an unprecedented situation.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

August 2020

Dear CSN Family,

I wanted to let you know about a disturbing incident that occurred on Friday near our Charleston Campus. No one was harmed on our campus, but the incident  is a reminder to stay diligent and If you see something, say something.

The Facts

About 2 p.m., Las Vegas Metropolitan Police officers responded to an attempted robbery at the Lantana Apartments at 6501 West Charleston Boulevard. About two hours later, police were called to Building B on our Charleston Campus to provide an escort. A CSN employee told officers that, earlier, the victim of the crime at the apartment complex had entered campus. When the victim pointed out the suspect fleeing on Torrey Pines Road, the suspect pointed a handgun in their direction. Police were not initially notified of this incident. The suspect did not enter campus and fled the scene.

What CSN is Doing

Because police determined that there was no danger to the campus community by the time the crime was reported, it was determined that there was no need for an emergency alert. A report for aggravated assault was taken.

In keeping with our values of transparency and having an informed CSN community, we will continue to inform you of security related incidents that directly or indirectly may impact CSN students, faculty, and staff.

How You Can Help

If you see something, say something. We all do our part to keep the campus community safe — and that includes reporting crimes and suspicious behavior to the police. Visit University Police Services for more safety tips and to download the CSN Mobile Safety App. For immediate assistance, please contact University Police Services at 702-895-3669 (Emergency) or 702-895-3668 (Non-Emergency).

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

This afternoon, the Nevada State Senate joined the State Assembly and passed AB3, which cuts an additional $25 million from the Nevada System of Higher Education’s fiscal year 2021 budget. These cuts are on top of cuts already approved, but are half the amount of the cuts originally proposed.

I want to acknowledge the hard work behind the scenes from our finance and government affairs divisions, the numerous written communications to our lawmakers from the higher education community across Southern Nevada, and testimony before the Legislature from CSN Faculty Senate President Maria Schellhase and ASCSN President Karli McFarling-Kelly. Many people stood up for CSN’s students as potentially devastating cuts loomed.

Of the $25 million in additional cuts that were passed, $15 million will be taken from the operating pool, and the remaining $10 million will be split between the NSHE institutions. At CSN, this translates into an additional $1.6 million in cuts. As you will recall, we have already taken cuts of $17.5 million for fiscal year 2021, on top of the faculty and staff furloughs that we will all have to take.  We plan to discuss the budget in more detail at our next Town Hall meeting at 1 p.m. this Friday, July 24. 

As I noted in my communication to you last week, our budget reduction plan to deal with these additional cuts includes but is not limited to:

• Freezing approximately 50 positions indefinitely;
• Reducing operational costs by approximately 50 percent for travel, hosting, printing, supplies, and FFE;
• Limiting personnel in facilities, administrative, academic, and student service areas; 
• Limiting the number of sections and classes that are funded to meet student demand;  
• Reducing service and possibly closing CSN Hi-Tech and Community Centers, such as those at Nellis Air Force Base, Summerlin, Green Valley and Mesquite;
• And limiting the number of accelerated short-term workforce training programs in Health Professions, Information Technology, Logistics and Manufacturing, and Skill Trades (automotive, diesel tech, dental hygiene and dental assisting, veterinary nursing) being designed for long-term unemployed and displaced workers.

As most of you know, CSN is no stranger to adversity and I am confident that together we will overcome these financial difficulties and continue to be the pathway to higher education and a beacon of hope for current and future generations of CSN students.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

Tomorrow, the State Legislature is expected to propose additional reductions to the Nevada System of Higher Education budget. The additional cut will add to CSN’s budget cuts for fiscal year 2021, which has already been cut by 16 percent, or $17.5 million, excluding the cuts to professional and classified staff salaries. Taken together, these cuts will adversely impact our ability to sustain the recent academic success momentum that has seen our graduation and transfer rates almost double in the past three years.

As a result of these cuts, CSN will be required to:

• Freeze approximately 50 positions indefinitely;
• Reduce operational costs by approximately 50 percent for travel, hosting, printing, supplies, and FFE;
• Limit personnel in facilities, administrative, academic, and student service areas; 
• Limit the number of sections/classes that can be funded to meet student demand;   
• Reduce service and possibly close CSN Hi-Tech and Community Centers, such as those at Nellis Air Force Base, Summerlin, Green Valley and Mesquite.
• Limit the number of accelerated short-term workforce training programs in Health Professions, Information Technology, Logistics and Manufacturing, and Skill Trades (automotive, diesel tech, dental hygiene and dental assisting, veterinary nursing) being designed for long-term unemployed and displaced. 

No matter what occurs, we will make every effort possible at CSN to reduce the impact on student services and academic instruction. At CSN, we understand the need for significant budget reductions. But we are concerned that any further financial cuts will cause negative long-term damage to CSN, our students, and to our community.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

NSHE Chancellor Thom Reilly, along with the Board of Regents, has approved the satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade change option for summer 2020 courses. Students will be permitted to request an S/U grade rather than a traditional letter grade. Instructors will still assign letter grades at the end of the semester, but students have the option to ask that the letter grade be changed to an S/U grade.

We have prepared a Frequently Asked Questions document to help students, faculty and staff understand the process. Students who want to change their grades are required to discuss the pros and cons with a CSN counselor prior to submitting the official grade change request. The steps of the grade change process are included in the FAQs.

Following are the deadlines to submit a grade change request after communicating with a counselor:

• Friday, August 7, 2020 by 11:59 p.m. – summer 2020 sessions ending July 26, 2020 and earlier
• Monday, August 17, 2020 by 11:59 p.m. – summer 2020 session ending August 9, 2020

If you interact with students who are interested in this option, please let them know about the FAQ.

Thank you,

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

On Monday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced its final guidance that the agency intends to implement in a few weeks that would ban international students from enrolling in online-only courses this fall. Specifically, this rule would prohibit our nonimmigrant F-1 students from returning to CSN this fall or remaining in the United States if CSN is forced to adopt an online-only model due to COVID-19.

At this point, CSN intends to offer a combination of courses this fall, including both online and in-person instruction. However, we have serious concerns about this new rule because it would prohibit our F-1 students from finishing their semester if our institution must transition to a fully remote learning environment again this fall.

At CSN, we value diversity and believe we are stronger because of that diversity. We are proud to stand with and support our international students. In the spring 2020 semester, we had approximately 345 students enrolled at CSN with a nonimmigrant F-1 visa. We value their contributions and oppose any rule that would discourage them from attending CSN or any of our sister NSHE institutions in the future.

Thank you.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

I know many of you will celebrate our nation’s beginnings this holiday weekend with family and friends. Independence Day allows us to observe the traditions we have come to know — family, barbecues, and fireworks — and also reminds us of who we are as Americans.

It has been nearly 250 years since our founders signed the Declaration of Independence as a protest against a tyrannical government and launched the phrase “all men are created equal” into the world, an act of bravery that echoes to this day. All of us strive to live up to that enduring promise. Recent events have made it all the more clear that, although we have come far, we still have much work to do when it comes to ensuring that the American dream is available to all. The fact is that for many in Southern Nevada, CSN is their first step toward attainment of their dreams.

Let us thank those who have protected our freedom, remember those who helped establish it, and thank those who continue to fight for it.

Thank you for all you do to keep the flame of freedom, hope, and opportunity burning brightly in Southern Nevada. Have a safe and happy holiday.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

July 2020

Dear CSN Family,

As you are aware, there has been an increase in COVID-19 cases in Nevada over these last several weeks, leading Gov. Steve Sisolak to extend the state’s Phase 2 reopening plan through the end of July. As a result, CSN will re-evaluate the return to campus for those individuals or work groups identified for return to the workplace, either full-time or on an intermittent basis. Support units and functions scheduled to return prior to July 31 will be evaluated and may be delayed until further notice.

Academic classes associated with summer session 2 scheduled to be on campus will continue.   Faculty and students within these sections will be required to wear face coverings at all times on campus, unless on a break period and eating. Additional safety precautions include social distancing of at least six feet, section sizes not greater than 50 percent of the room’s fire code limit, and strictly limiting gatherings to no more than 50 people in a given space.

Your health and safety are paramount. We consider the well-being of our faculty, staff, students and community one of the highest guiding principles of all activities within the college. Since the coronavirus was first diagnosed in Nevada, decision making and actions have been guided by science and data from our federal, state, and local governments and consistent with guidance from the Center of Disease Control and Prevention and state and local health authorities.

During this time, all faculty, staff, students and visitors will complete a self-health assessment questionnaire daily as part of campus entrance requirements. This includes screening for virus symptoms, noting possible exposure to an individual identified with the coronavirus or who is quarantined, and not being directed to self-quarantine. Students enrolled in allied health or EMS courses will continue to be required to have temperature checks on site.  

Faculty, staff, and students will report any possible exposure or positive results through our confidential reporting portal at WELLNESS@csn.edu. Faculty or staff will be contacted by Human Resources for further guidance and information. Students will be contacted by our Director of Environment, Health and Safety for further guidance. Receipt of this information is necessary to ensuring the health and wellness of all of our CSN family. The college takes steps to ensure:

• Protocols consistent with Southern Nevada Health District reporting (for contact tracing) are addressed;
• Campus facilities, if accessed, are closed and property disinfected; and
• Reporting requirements consistent with the Department of Education, Clery Act are reviewed.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact our on-campus Crisis Team members Patty Charlton, Bill Dial or Carey Sedlacek.

Thank you for your continued efforts to stay Vegas strong and CSN proud.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

As we continue our gradual, phased approach to returning to campus, I want to highlight several safety measures that are in effect for anyone visiting CSN’s campuses, sites and centers. We consider the health and safety of our faculty, staff, students and visitors our top priority, so we continue to follow guidelines from state and federal officials, as well as health and safety experts from federal, state and local public health agencies.

• All individuals on campus are required to wear face coverings. Coverings are required both indoors and outdoors.  
• Social distancing of six feet from others is required. Class sizes have been reduced to ensure that distancing occurs among individuals, that not greater than 50 percent of any room’s capacity is reached, as defined by the fire code, and that not greater than 50 individuals are gathered.
• Capacity on campus elevators is limited to no more than two riders at a time.

Additional health and safety protocols are important for CSN students, faculty, staff, and community. Most importantly, if you are feeling ill you must not come to campus. Symptoms related to COVID-19 include cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing; or at least two of the following: fever, headache, chills, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, muscle aches, vomiting, nausea or diarrhea.

Additionally, please note:

• Students who have been in contact with someone who has been ordered to quarantine or isolate are not permitted on campus until completion of the quarantine period, and must notify Wellness@csn.edu.
• Students who have health concerns shall coordinate with appropriate medical professionals.
• Additional guidelines and requirements may be implemented as determined by state and NSHE officials, or local agencies.
• Students are urged to avoid non-essential travel to the greatest extent possible. 

Anyone not wearing a face covering on campus will be advised to wear one. If they refuse, they will be removed from campus.

Please know that these measures are designed with your safety in mind. As our experience with the COVID-19 virus evolves, our policies and plans will evolve with it. As always, we will keep the entire CSN family informed.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this morning to uphold the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Court held that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s decision to end the DACA program was “arbitrary and capricious.” This decision is long overdue and is a tremendous win for our students, our college and our community. As an immigrant who benefitted from the opportunities provided by the American higher education system, I am so happy for our CSN DACA students who can continue to pursue their dreams and aspirations.

As I stated on April 25 and reiterate today, we strongly support all our students at CSN, including DACA-undocumented students. We value the diverse population of students, faculty and staff that make CSN what it is. Indeed, we believe our rich diversity makes us a stronger institution and community partner. As a community college, we must reflect the community we serve, and we do.

It is important to note that the right to protect the DACA program may not be over yet. The Court explained that the decision to unwind the program did not violate the U.S. Constitution. However, the ruling rejected the legal basis on which President Trump’s administration relied on to unwind the program, which was that the program was illegally implemented in the first place. This means that the program could still be terminated in the future.

It is as important now as ever for current DACA recipients to renew their status. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services stopped accepting new DACA applications in 2017 after the program was ended. However, officials continued accepting renewal applications pending today’s decision. Today’s decision now allows eligible recipients to submit new applications.

Chancellor Thom Reilly noted this morning that NSHE and the Board of Regents will continue to work with Nevada’s federal delegation, Gov. Steve Sisolak, and state lawmakers on a permanent solution to DACA.

The UNLV Immigration Clinic’s University Legal Services Program offers free legal advice and representation to the UNLV and CSN communities. This includes free DACA renewals. To schedule an appointment and/or determine your DACA eligibility, call (702) 895-2080 or email immigrationclinic@unlv.nevada.edu. The Immigrant Home Foundation also provides assistance with DACA renewals and other resources to immigrant families. To schedule an appointment, call (702) 889-4431 or email info@immigrantfoundation.org.

For additional information, please contact the CSN All-Access Committee. Some of the resources available to our DACA and undocumented students include the CSN Alternative Scholarship Application and the CSN Student Emergency Fund. To learn more about immigration resources in general, see the Nevada Immigrant Resource Guide.

Please know that CSN supports all our students on their journey toward completion. We stand ready to help in any way we can.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Dear CSN Family,

I am pleased to inform you that our detailed Return to Campus plan was approved by NSHE on Friday. This plan, available online and outlined below, is designed first and foremost to ensure that we proceed in the safest manner possible.

Our official return to campus began this week, with my cabinet and myself. The rest of our employees will return in a gradual, phased-in approach over the next few weeks and months. Employees not identified as Essential On-Campus personnel will be provided a 10-day notice of return to campus. We want to ensure that all employees are able to properly prepare for their return to campus and coordinate any needs they may have with supervisors or Human Resources. Some employees may be rotating on campus with scheduled days on site and other days remote. Please consult with your supervisor.

Academic deans and select personnel will return to campus next Monday, June 15. A select group of support staff, faculty and lab support personnel will return to campus the week of June 22-29 in preparation for the second summer session. As we progress through our four-stage return, there will be a continued gradual phasing in of faculty and staff returns to campus over July and August, with a modified Fall Convocation scheduled for August 17. Convocation will signal the return of all faculty to campus before the start of the fall semester on August 24. Look for more information about Fall Convocation soon.

Please know that there will be significant changes to campus life, including mandatory masks for faculty, staff and students, strict social distancing guidelines, plexiglass in select areas and many more safety precautions outlined in our plan document.

All employees will be required to complete a self-assessment each day before coming to campus to help prevent the spread of disease. In addition, employees who feel sick, even mildly so, must stay home and notify their supervisor. Employees will soon receive information from CAPE on how to sign up for and take mandatory COVID-19 Prevention Training.

In addition, our Environment, Health & Safety team is working on an Employee Return-to-Campus Handbook and a Student Guide to Health & Safety to help ensure that we are all following safety protocols as we prepare for a new era at CSN.

We are also establishing strict cleaning and disinfection practices on campus. High-touch areas such as door knobs will be cleaned frequently, for example, and cleaning wipes will be made available to employees to help keep their own areas sanitized as necessary.

These measures are designed to keep the entire CSN family safe. We will alter or transform our plan should guidelines from health officials, NSHE or the state of Nevada require that. As always, your safety and well-being will remain our focus, no matter our location.

Thank you all for remaining Vegas strong and CSN proud.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

In addition to the summer semester kickoff this week, registration for the fall semester opens to new students this Friday. I look forward to welcoming them to campus in August — but please know that our campus will look and feel different than you remember it. Cleaning protocols and social distancing guidelines will be in full effect. This will include mandatory face coverings while in classrooms and lab areas, as well as while near other people on campus. It will also include plexiglass in certain areas such as library desks and computer labs, limited capacities in classrooms, spaced-apart seating and staggered schedules.

We have developed a robust academic plan for our fall semester that will include a mix of in-person, hybrid and online courses. Approximately 45 percent of our classes this fall will be fully online and 55 percent will be in-person or hybrid. Some of you may notice that there are two categories of online classes listed. Web-Online classes are our traditional online offerings, while Web-Remote are those courses that were originally scheduled to be in-person classes but will now be online. We will share more details with faculty, staff and students this week.

Finally, while NSHE has not yet received further input from the governor’s office on potential budget reductions, the Board of Regents is moving ahead in preparation for the upcoming fiscal year. You will recall that the governor asked system institutions to prepare for scenarios of 6 percent, 10 percent or 14 percent cuts in fiscal year 2021, which starts July 1. Under the two higher levels of potential cuts, furloughs for faculty and professional staff may be required. Last week, the board approved adjustments to the system’s furlough policy to prepare for this possibility. You can see the details online, but a summary is that these policy adjustments will allow the board to implement furloughs if and when they are declared necessary by state officials.

The governor has indicated that he will call a special session of the Legislature this year. Please know that our internal Budget Reduction Task Force is ready to take on the challenge by looking carefully at both cost-saving and revenue-generating measures. At all times the task force will follow the guiding principles of ensuring student success, maintaining institutional accreditation, honoring shared governance and institutional values, and maintaining business operations.

Federico

In This Issue:

• HR Forums for Supervisors
• Graduation
• Student Emergency Fund
• CSN Emmy Nominations
• CSN Leadership Academy
• Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading Policy
• Interim AVP for Academic Affairs
• Enrollment and Institutional Data

HR Forums for Supervisors

Graduation

Student Emergency Fund

CSN Emmy Nominations

CSN Leadership Academy

I want to offer my sincere congratulations to the first graduates of the CSN Leadership Academy! A full 100 percent of the academy’s inaugural class met all requirements and completed the program. The class included employees from classified, administrative faculty, adjunct faculty, tenured faculty, tenure-track faculty and emergency-hire faculty:

Karen Ahern	Robert Bonora	Paula Bourne
Alicia Briancon	Kayla Buscher	Taylor Cayro
Michelle Chan	Shawn Claxton	Angel Clemens
Sabrina Cruz	Sherida Devine	Phillip Dixon
Tamara Flores-Sahagun	Jeff Fulmer	Eileen Hamilton
Emily King	David Leavell	Annette Lord
Angela Nelson-Swearingen	Roberta Palomo	Dana Phillips
Theresa Pugh	Dora Reyes	John Rios
Marissa Robledo	Kenneth Roman	Ashley Snipes
Nancy Swanson	Carla Wright	Carolyn Wright

Graduates reported that they appreciated the inclusive and diverse composition of the class, the ability to network beyond traditional work and social circles, the immediate applicability of the academy experience, the rich curriculum and content that expanded on the 7 Habits principle-centered leadership base, and an emphasis on both professional development and personal enrichment. The CSN Leadership Academy was launched in fall 2019 and developed and facilitated by Dr. Gillian Silver. Annette Lord provided logistical guidance, and Nancy Webb served as the program’s assistant director. Placements for the summer and fall 2020 academy cohorts are being confirmed. The activities will include a variety of live meetings and technology-based activities. For more information, contact Gillian.Silver-Rodis@csn.edu.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading Policy

As you know, the Board of Regents amended NSHE grading policy so students will now be permitted to request a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade rather than a traditional letter grade. Instructors still assign letter grades at the end of the semester, but students have the option to ask for that to be changed to an S/U grade.

The deadline to submit the interest form has passed for students who are graduating in the spring 2020 term, receiving financial aid, or on academic warning or academic probation. It is 5 p.m. Tuesday, June 15 for all other students.

We have prepared Frequently Asked Questions guidelines to help students, faculty and staff understand the process, and I encourage you to make yourself familiar with the details.

Interim AVP for Academic Affairs

• Prison Education
• e-Learning
• Libraries
• Curriculum and Scheduling
• Assessment
• Guided Pathways/Complete College America/Lumina Foundation work

Please join me in thanking Caprice for taking on this vital position during this critical time.

Enrollment and Institutional Data

To review the latest enrollment data, visit the Institutional Research Data Dashboard. The site houses publicly available interactive reports created to support institutional decision making.

Dear CSN Family,

Under normal circumstances, tonight would have been a celebration of our 2019-2020 graduates.  And although we’ve postponed our official Commencement Ceremony, we don’t have to wait to celebrate the accomplishments of our amazing Class of 2020! CSN graduates: I am eager to see you all decked out in your blue caps and gowns, but for now, we will celebrate you online with a special Class of 2020 website we’ve created.

A semester ago, no one would have expected the challenges many of our incredible students have faced — and overcome. To all of our graduates, faculty, staff and returning students alike, please take a moment to visit www.csn.edu/2020class, where you will find our commencement program with a list of all graduates, information about this year’s honorary degree recipient and stories about some of our graduates, including a profile of our commencement speaker.

Our graduates are incredible — poised to continue their education at a four-year institution or join the workforce and make an immediate difference in our community. They’ll be healthcare professionals like Krista McFarling-Kelly, researchers like Silvio Ernesto Mirabal Torres and Ariana Thompson, or skilled workers in high-demand, challenging fields like Emily Hedwall. CSN’s Class of 2020 will achieve, succeed and prosper.

Each and every one of them is truly inspiring.

So, until we are able to safely gather together and celebrate them all in person, please visit the Class of 2020 website. There, you will find a link to a message board where I encourage everyone to pass along congratulations and well-wishes.

So once again, congratulations to the Class of 2020. May your hard work and persistence carry you far.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

As you may be aware, Gov. Steve Sisolak outlined plans yesterday evening to reopen Nevada. His announcement triggers our reopening phase that we have been eagerly awaiting. As discussed in our last Town Hall meeting, our primary concern will be to create a safe and effective environment for students, faculty and staff.   

CSN and its sister NSHE institutions are planning for increased online, hybrid and COVID-19 protocol compliant on-campus courses. We are working with our college stakeholders to design a schedule that can quickly transition to an online environment in the event that we were to experience a second wave of the pandemic. We will be discussing the approach to the fall 2020 schedule and seeking your input and feedback on our preliminary plans at our next town hall, scheduled for 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, so please be sure to join us.

On a related note, you may have noticed in the governor’s report, “Nevada United:

Roadmap to Recovery” linked above, that he considers the state’s community colleges to be the “First Responders” to reboot the economy by training and educating students for jobs in occupational demand fields. The expectations for CSN have never been higher and we are working with our workforce partners to launch an enrollment campaign largely focused on getting our community back to work.

This enrollment campaign will focus on accelerated retraining to re-skill displaced workers to attain employment in high demand growth industries such as IT, healthcare, manufacturing and the middle-skill trades. This will be done through a combination of credit and non-credit programs, and many will be short-term skill certificates or accelerated programs to accommodate a rapid return to work.

In the short term, CSN and our NHSE sister institutions could see declining enrollments, especially for our fall transfer programs. As of today, we have almost 2,000 fewer applications for the fall semester than this time last year. Moreover, our summer FTE enrollment, which was up 10 percent two weeks ago, is now flat. So while we anticipate a surge in enrollment once the economy begins to improve, there is much uncertainty for the short term. As this edition of the Chronicle will document, this is truly a transformational period for higher education and definitely for CSN.

Federico

In this issue:

• Thank You
• DACA Students
• Student Emergency Fund
• Commencement
• Outstanding Students
• DWED Training Program
• Budget Reductions
• Grants
• Enrollment & Institutional Data

Thank You

As we draw near the end of another academic year, I would be remiss if I failed to thank the leaders at CSN who have helped us all ensure our students always come first, even over these last few weeks as we faced extraordinary challenges.

Thank you Arnold Bell, Natalie Nelson and John Woodbury for your leadership of the Faculty Senate, Administrative Faculty Assembly and Classified Council, respectively. These groups are incredibly important to our model of shared governance, and I appreciate your wisdom and advice.

And a special thank you to student government President Dan Gutierrez, who has been a beacon of leadership for our students the entire academic year, and especially now. We know Dan will go on and do great things after graduation, and we’ll remember him fondly.

CSN would not be the great institution it is if it weren’t for visionary leadership from all of you.

DACA Students

The U.S. Supreme Court may soon rule on a case that will affect many people in our community, including many CSN students. The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program may be in jeopardy, and as we hope for the best, we must prepare for the worst. I strongly encourage all DACA recipients to renew their status as soon as possible.

CSN fully supports our DACA students, and we want them to know that there are resources available to help, including the UNLV Immigration Clinic. Please visit my blog for more details.

Student Emergency Fund

The CSN Student Emergency Fund has been a critical resource for many of our students who find themselves in financial dire straits.

The Wells Fargo Foundation is matching contributions made to the fund before May 8. You can make your gift online here. A gift of $55 makes a difference to our students.

The fund has distributed more than $35,000 to our students, 95 percent of them since the COVID-19 shutdown. The fund will experience a $30,000 boost on May 8 thanks to a contribution from the 2019–20 ASCSN Student Government.

Thank you to the many CSN employees who have donated to this fund. Your contributions impact the lives of our students.

Commencement

We are all more than a little disappointed that we won’t be able to hold our traditional Commencement Ceremony this month. Because this event is about our students, we asked them what they wanted: A virtual ceremony now or a delayed, in-person ceremony. Students overwhelmingly said they wanted to wait until we could hold an in-person ceremony, and I couldn’t agree more. Our Commencement Committee is working on securing a date and a location for a ceremony this fall.

The Commencement Speaker Committee heard audition speeches from a wonderful group of students this week, and we’re looking forward to sharing the name of this year’s speaker with the CSN Family soon. Look for information on our Commencement Speaker and other graduates on our website later this month. And as always, I will keep you informed as details develop about our in-person ceremony.

Outstanding Students

Congratulations are also in order for this year’s winners of the CSN Outstanding Student Awards, an amazing group of students who show how hard work and determination can help overcome obstacles. While we will not have a ceremony this year, we will still honor our students with these awards and scholarships.

The winners are chosen by the academic departments. Awards are intended to honor CSN students who demonstrate what our college is all about – ensuring our students graduate, complete, transfer and prosper. One student from each department is honored, as well as the Regents’ Scholar Award winner and the Kim Gregory Memorial Scholarship recipient.  

I am extremely proud of these students, and of our outstanding faculty for their guidance and teaching. Congratulations to all.​​

DWED Training Partnership

As our region goes through these unprecedented times and begins to recover, CSN will be a critical local resource for those who have suffered economically during this crisis as they seek education and job training.

I am pleased to report that our Division of Workforce & Economic Development is ready. DWED Business Development is working with Resorts World to offer online offerings that will give people the opportunity to develop skills and be certified.

We want to make sure our community can access the valuable education we offer. That’s why we put together online offerings that will give people and companies the ability to train or retrain in areas including personal branding, effective communication, conflict management, customer service, Microsoft Excel, quality control management, safety, Six Sigma, stress management, teamwork and time management. The opportunity is there for businesses to transform their teams while they work remotely.

This is a great first step toward getting our community back to work.

Budget Reductions

As you know, the governor’s office has asked all state agencies to submit various budget reduction scenarios for the rest of this fiscal year and for the next fiscal year. Under CSN’s proposal, which was approved by the Board of Regents last month, we will absorb cuts of 4 percent this year and as much as 14 percent next year.

We have proposed to accomplish this through a variety of means including the use of federal stimulus dollars, a hiring freeze and reductions in travel and operating budgets. Cuts at the highest proposed levels could result in temporary student surcharges and professional staff furloughs, although layoffs are not part of our proposal.

Although any budget cuts are serious, I remain optimistic that we can protect our student success mission, our accreditation and shared governance standards, and our ability to perform essential business functions.

These are trying times, but the CSN Family has already shown that this crisis brings out the best in all of us. I am proud to be part of this family.

Grants

Another way to help cover expenses at CSN is through grants, especially during possible budget reductions. As of now, CSN has secured over $11 million in active grants that will help offset possible cuts. These grants will cover expenses in areas ranging from helping disadvantaged students prosper academically to providing state-of-the-art equipment to future surgical technologists and environmental specialists.

In addition, we have $20 million more in grant applications submitted and awaiting review and decisions. If approved, these funds would help us in a variety of ways, including construction of a Workforce Education and Training Center and the expansion of our prison education program. I want to express my gratitude to the team in the Office of Sponsored Projects for its hard work in pursuing external funds to ensure that our students succeed and prosper.

Enrollment and Institutional Data

To review the latest enrollment data, visit the Institutional Research Data Dashboard. The site houses publicly available interactive reports created to support institutional decision making.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,

As the U.S. Supreme Court readies its decision on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, I want to reaffirm CSN’s strong support for these students, and to let you know that there are resources available to help in this time of increased uncertainty.

At CSN, we value our diverse faculty, staff and student populations, and we believe we are stronger because of that diversity. As a community college, it is important that we reflect the community we serve, and we do. Per capita, Nevada has the highest population of undocumented immigrants in the nation. One of out of every 10 Nevada workers is an undocumented immigrant.

We are proud of all of our DACA students. Since the DACA program was started in 2012, we have witnessed the critical benefits of this program for our students and our college community. Across the nation, more than 200,000 DACA recipients are right now working the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis — 4,400 of them in Nevada — protecting all of us. They deserve our thanks, and our support.

I strongly encourage all DACA recipients to renew their DACA status before a Supreme Court decision is made, even if the status is set to expire in more than six months. I also want to encourage you to join NSHE’s Virtual Town Hall on DACA Issues at 4 p.m. Tuesday.  Students, employees and community stakeholders are encouraged to submit questions prior or during the live event.

Below are some resources to further support our immigrant students.

The UNLV Immigration Clinic provides free DACA renewals. To schedule an appointment, call (702) 895-2080 or email immigrationclinic@unlv.nevada.edu. 

The Immigrant Home Foundation also provides assistance with DACA renewals. To schedule an appointment, call (702) 889-4431 or email info@immigrantfoundation.org.

The NSHE All Access Committee is building a comprehensive state-wide support system for students who are undocumented, students with DACA, as well as immigrant students under other immigration statuses. You can find more information in the NSHE All Access DACA Renewal Guide or contact the CSN All Access Committee.

CSN Alternative Scholarship Applications for 2020-2021 are still being accepted. The Alternative Scholarship is for students who cannot qualify for federal aid due to U.S. citizenship requirements.

To learn more about our CSN Generation Dreamers Student Club and upcoming faculty and staff trainings designed to establish a visible support network for DACA and undocumented students at CSN, please contact Esther Pla-Cazares at Esther.Pla-Cazares@csn.edu.

For more statewide support, refer to the Nevada Immigrant Resource Guide.

Please know that CSN supports you and your journey toward completion and will be here for you now and in the future.

Thank you.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,

As we prepare for budget reductions, the staff in our finance division has been entrenched in budget reviews and our budget reduction proposal in response to requests from the governor and chancellor. Putting this proposal together on such short notice required an extraordinary effort from the CSN team, and I am deeply grateful to all involved.

As you know, many of our students have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and its social consequences, and we want them to know we are here to help. The Controller’s Office has been working with Student Life and Leadership to ensure that cash grants from the Student Emergency Fund are disbursed in a timely manner each week to students. The student emergency funds have been especially needed as the magnitude of the COVID-19 public health crisis continues to weaken our local economy. A total of $32,340 has been disbursed so far during Spring 2020; 105 students have received funding after the campus closure. Funding has been provided by student government, the Office of Sponsored Projects and the CSN Foundation through generous contributions from within CSN and from the wider community.

I want to remind you all that the CSN bookstores are operating to support our students and staff for the end of the spring semester and beginning of the summer term. The bookstores are offering free shipping for rental textbook returns and for all new online orders. Additionally, a remote textbook buyback option is now available featuring free shipping and quick, easy payment. To accommodate academic faculty currently working remotely, summer and fall semester textbook adoptions can be submitted online, but the bookstore staff is available Monday through Friday to answer any questions. Summer textbooks and materials can be rented or purchased through the campus bookstore website.

Lastly, please join us at 2 p.m. today for our Virtual Town Hall. We will hold these events each week for the next several weeks to be sure we are all communicating with one another during this unprecedented situation.

Thank you all for your dedication to our students, and for remaining Vegas Strong and CSN Proud.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,

Today’s email update highlights important information from Human Resources as we sustain our remote working environment, plan our eventual return to campus, and prepare for several possible budget scenarios.

As you know, at the request of the governor and chancellor, we presented our initial budget reduction proposal to the Board of Regents last week. I am pleased to report that we can achieve the entire $19.5 million budget reduction target without layoffs. However, at either the 10 percent or 14 percent levels of proposed cuts in the fiscal year beginning July 1, furloughs will be required for all NSHE institutions. Should these occur, Human Resources will work proactively to answer questions, address concerns, and most importantly move forward with an equitable approach. At this time, potential furloughs do not affect classified employees.

There have been questions about when we might return to campus. As of now, what we know for certain is that all instruction will remain remote through June 30. While a firm date has not been set for employees to return to campus, our current expectation is that non-teaching staff will remain in their virtual work environment or on paid administrative leave status at least through the remainder of the spring semester. As you know, this situation is fluid and sometimes it changes rapidly so we will keep you informed.

After a month of working under unusual conditions, there has been an increase in requests for assistance in ergonomic workplace guidance. HR works individually with each employee on these requests, as each one is unique. However, we would like to pass along work-from-home ergonomic tips that we hope will help.

Since we are not on campus, I am going to use this opportunity to “post” this Families First Coronavirus Response Act employee rights poster. Please take a moment to learn about federal law regarding paid sick leave and related topics. Should you have questions, please email HRCustomerService@CSN.edu.

Lastly, please remember that we have scheduled a Virtual Town Hall this Friday, and will hold them every week through the beginning of May. We want to make sure all our faculty, staff and students remain aware of the news that affects all of us. 

Thank you all for your hard work and for remaining Vegas Strong and CSN Proud.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,

Today we provide a couple of examples of the work that our student services team is engaged in to launch new remote platforms for delivering core student services in the important areas of student orientation and degree planning.

Our First Year Experience (FYE) team is scheduled to launch a new online student orientation next week. The web-based format will be an interactive experience, with dynamic videos, quiz questions and multiple points of connection to online resources at CSN. The format will generate robust data from pre- and post-tests to inform Academic Advising, Career and Transfer Services, and the Disability Resource Center, on appropriate services that will need to be provided by each of their respective areas. FYE will have the ability to make content, assessment, and student communication updates easily to promote student success.

We are also excited to announce that the Degree Planner platform, an easy-to-use online tool from Starfish (MyCoyotePLAN) that allows students and their advisors to map out and track an entire academic path to graduation, will launch this summer, with August as our target for implementation. Once operational, Degree Planner can also help administrators by providing insights into course demand and influencing decisions on the best times for offering additional course sections.

These are but two of the examples of the “Students First” work undertaken by our student services team to improve student success in this remote environment. 

Finally, we want to remind you that we have scheduled another Virtual Town Hall this Friday and every week through the beginning of May. If you have questions about online services, remote summer instruction or the budget reduction plan, please be sure to attend. Our leadership team will be on hand to make sure you’re getting the information you need.

Rest assured that we will continue to provide you with the most recent information and operational updates that document our collective efforts to stay Vegas Strong and CSN Proud.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,

I am pleased to report that summer enrollment is underway, and it does not appear to be slowing down. Currently, enrollment for this summer is tracking with last year’s enrollment. We are about one-third full so far. That is excellent news for CSN and our students.

Our Academic Affairs team is working hard to transition all on-campus summer classes to the online environment or pushing them into the latter part of the summer session. As you know, all NSHE institutions have been directed to remain in a remote teaching and learning environment until at least June 30 for the vast majority of our classes. 

In accordance with the governor’s and NSHE directives, we are looking to continue our in-person emergency management services instruction and paramedic training. We are also hoping to get our health sciences students back on campus to continue lab experiences that cannot be completed virtually. These programs are the only areas that will be allowed back to campus for instruction before July 1 and are part of the state plan to accelerate graduation of health professionals to assist in the COVID-19 battle.

There may be good news soon for students who need to take placement exams. Because Accuplacer tests cannot be administered off-campus, we have been searching for a solution. We are nearly ready to deploy Aleks PPL as the new math placement tool, which can be deployed remotely — the estimated launch is next week. If you have questions about this launch, summer classes or anything else please attend our Virtual Town Hall this Friday.

Lastly, our CSN Libraries and librarians have been true advocates for students these past few weeks. Anyone with questions about remote library services should visit their website.

Since we transitioned to a remote environment, the libraries have:

• received and responded to 41 email tickets,
• engaged in 168 online chats for a total of 46.2 hours of live one-on-one librarian assistance,
• and filled 35 textbook requests, which required staff to come to campus to collect and send the materials to students.

The work continues and together we continue to be Vegas Strong and CSN Proud.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,

Today’s message focuses on the important role that federal incentives are playing to help address the CSN budget cuts proposed by the governor’s office of up to $19,587,173. I hope you took a moment to read through our proposal and noticed that the first tier of our FY 20-21 proposed cuts — 4 percent — was covered entirely by CARES Act funding. This funding totals $14,078,408, half of which can be used to offset lost revenues and other expenditures related to COVID-19. That equates to $7,039,204. We will apply $6,550,485 to cover the proposed 4 percent cuts, and the remaining $488,719 being applied to our proposed tier 2 cuts. As you can see, these funds are incredibly important to CSN.

The other half of the CARES Act funding will be awarded to students as emergency cash grants to pay for technology, course materials, food, shelter, health care and other essentials. The U.S. Department of Education will not mandate how colleges should allocate the funding, but will make recommendations, such as targeting students based on need. We have formed an internal group to help work on these recommendations and develop a plan for awarding these direct-to-student funds.

We are also waiting for information on the national supplemental funding in the amount of $1 billion that is slated to go to historically black colleges & universities, tribal colleges and universities, and other Minority-Serving Institutions. As you know CSN is both a Minority-Serving Institution and a Hispanic-Serving Institution so we will be eligible for this additional funding. More to come as details become available. 

Our Office of Sponsored Projects may also be able to help our students with additional funding, as well as our community overall. The team is busy working on grant applications for both students who need aid and for prospective students who may need job training as we emerge from this crisis. Look for more information about our workforce development grant efforts in the coming weeks.

Our own Student Emergency Fund puts Students First by directly assisting them financially. With the help of donations from faculty, staff and the community, as well as a challenge match from Charles Schwab Bank and donations from Wells Fargo and AT&T, I am happy to report we have raised nearly $55,000 toward this critical resource. View the list of donors on the CSN Foundation’s page. As you know, this fund can help students pay necessary expenses such as housing, utilities, books, tuition and other costs to make sure the student can attend CSN. More than $23,000 has been granted to students so far — the vast majority since mid-March.

We want to thank you for your participation in our previous town halls and want to remind you of our Virtual Town Halls later this week. These events give faculty, staff and students an opportunity to ask questions of our administration and to receive critical information. We are in this together, and that’s how we will remain Vegas Strong and CSN Proud.

Stay safe and God bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,

As you know, our successful transition to a remote learning and working environment could not have been possible without the outstanding work of our Office of Technology Services. If you find yourself still in need of help with internet access or computer equipment, I encourage you to reach out to them.

I know many of you are aware of how important OTS has been to our CSN family lately, but I wanted to share a few of the positive notes left on our online message board:

• Many thanks to OTS for going above and beyond to get me the software I need to work from home. Gracias! Danke! Merci! Obrigado! Salamat! Takk! Asante! Grazie!
• I’d like to send out a BIG Thank You to OTS for helping me navigate some issues working from home. A special shout out to Aaron Fletcher, who went the extra mile to troubleshoot and get back to me in record time. I know you are all overwhelmed with requests but you truly made me feel valued. Greatly appreciated!
• Sam Bachert (and his team who helped me initially) was instrumental in providing WebEx support so I could get back in to meeting with my classes. Thank you, Sam!!!

Keep those positive messages coming! I know Mugunth and his team appreciate the support and we all enjoy reading the positive stories.

Since, for the most part, we shut down our campuses three and a half weeks ago, OTS has remained onsite supplying faculty, staff and students with devices to help them teach, learn and work remotely. Over 100 laptops have been distributed, as well as monitors, wi-fi hotspots, docks and other devices. Students have also benefitted, with several dozen devices distributed to them.

Finally, I want to remind you once again that the Board of Regents is scheduled to meet later today to hear initial budget reduction proposals from each of the NSHE institutions, including CSN. After the meeting, look for more information from my office regarding our proposal and next steps.

Thank you. Stay Safe and God Bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,

The focus of our message today is on our changing work environment and the important role of our Human Resources and CAPE teams. There have been several questions about when remote instruction and remote working will end and when employees can return to work. Keeping in mind the dynamic nature of our environment and that NSHE will provide definitive guidance based on health and safety considerations, the current plan calls for:

• All academic instruction to remain online throughout the first summer term, through June 30.
• Non-teaching staff to remain in their virtual work environment or on paid administrative leave status through the remainder of the spring semester.

We will of course keep the entire CSN family updated should details surrounding our virtual work schedule change.

HR reports that there are over 200 Telecommuting Agreement forms still outstanding. If you are working remotely and have not yet submitted your form to CAPE@CSN.edu, please do so no later than Monday, April 13. If you have already submitted a completed form, you can check your status on your CAPE My Learning dashboard. Once you are logged in, search for the Telecommuting Agreement (Temporary) – Checkpoint, to see if it has been approved and completed. Email CAPE@CSN.edu with questions.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not remind you of the special Board of Regents meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday. You can view the meeting online via NSHE’s website. As I said in yesterday’s email, the Board will hear presentations on initial budget reduction plans for all NSHE institutions.

Thank you all for your hard work and for remaining Vegas Strong and CSN Proud.

Stay Safe and God Bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,

Yesterday, I mentioned that the Board of Regents will meet on Friday to discuss the latest direction from Gov. Steve Sisolak regarding budget cut proposals from all state agencies. I need to clearly state that the task in front of us is complicated and there are no easy solutions. But we must ensure our student success mission is preserved in any scenario moving forward.

I can assure you that we will be transparent and forthcoming with information. As you can see on this list of targets released by the governor’s office, NSHE must submit initial plans for cuts of approximately $27 million for the current year and $97 million for the following year. For CSN, NSHE has released estimates calling for plans to cut 4.3 million this year and up to 15.2 million next year. As a result, we will submit initial plans to the Board by tomorrow for these cuts of 4 percent for the rest the current fiscal year, and as much as 14 percent for fiscal year 20-21.

Let me emphasize that we are at the very beginning of the planning stage and the projected budget reductions are preliminary. All NSHE institutions’ plans — including CSN’s — will be presented to the Board at its meeting this Friday. You can view the meeting online via NSHE’s website. At this early stage, there will not be many details. But moving forward, we will be true to our principal of shared governance, and that means our faculty, employees, and our students will have input into the process. 

Please know that many of us at CSN have significant experience with budget reductions. In fact, our diversity of our leadership team includes experiences dealing with these types of situations at various different institutions throughout the country. Moreover, we have many CSN faculty, staff, and administrators who have been through the NSHE budget reductions of the Great Recession of the late 2000s and early 2010s. We will exploit this collective knowledge to implement proven best practices that will help us navigate through this economic crisis.

Lastly, at its meeting yesterday the Board took actions that will significantly help our students during this crisis. First, regents suspended some policies regarding delinquent student accounts. What this means is that students with delinquent accounts will still be allowed to register for courses and access their academic records for the summer and fall terms. In addition, regents adjusted the grading policy so that students who choose to can pursue a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory grade. Regular letter grades will be issued this semester, but any student who wants to can pursue the S/U option afterward by making an appointment with their academic advisor.

Students are understandably in need of options and advice, and our Division of Student Affairs has contacted over 8,000 students this semester to make sure they get the help they need to be successful:

• We’re proactively reaching out to first-time in college students to make sure they’re receiving academic advising so they don’t lose their way.
• Our Career & Transfer Services office is encouraging students who expect to graduate soon to take advantage of services offered, including resume writing, job search techniques, interview coaching and help with CareerLink. They are also encouraging first-time students who haven’t declared a major to complete the TypeFocus assessment, meet with a career services specialist for guidance on interpreting TypeFocus results and make an appointment with an academic advisor to select a major.
• And one of our newest student services offices, First Year Experience, is contacting hundreds of first-time college students who received academic honors in the fall to encourage them to remain in touch with FYE and their instructors during remote instruction. We don’t want to lose a single student because they didn’t know where to go for help.

This is an unprecedented time but be assured that we will get through this adversity together, Vegas Strong and CSN Proud.

Stay Safe and God Bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,
 
As I have noted before, our students, faculty and staff have gone above and beyond during this crisis. I am not the only one who’s noticed that, either. Take a look at the online message board we created for people to post positive stories about our CSN Family. Here are just two of the dozens of entries made already:

• I want to give a shoutout to EVERYONE. Transitioning from in-person class to online classes is not as easy as it seems, but we are all doing our very best and I am proud of my fellow CSN students! I also wanna thank CSN Professors for making the transition as smooth as possible, you guys are rockin’!
• I just wanted to thank the Student Emergency Fund Committee for taking time to help me make ends meet during these tough times! I know a lot of us are going through tough times right now but I hope you’re all doing okay 🙂 Thank you CSN for always trying to provide all the resources we need to gain academic success.

That is amazing! Thank you to everyone who has posted so far. Your stories are inspirational.
 
I also want to remind you that we have scheduled virtual town halls every week this semester. There will not be one this week because of spring break, but look for information from my office on next week’s sessions. If you were unable to participate in last week’s, you may view them in their entirety on my blog.
 
You will note that many questions about in-person classes and remote instruction came up. As you know, we will be delivering remote instruction at least through June 30. With the exception of some healthcare classes, there will be no in-person classes for the summer sessions. There are a few classes still meeting in-person now, such as science labs, automotive and welding labs, and field experiences. We will cease these in-person courses for now and explore ways we can resume them after June 30. We will keep everyone updated as events develop.
 
We are also discussing the possibility that a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading option could be deployed this semester in lieu of a letter grade once the issue has been addressed by the Board of Regents. Further discussion is underway regarding the placement of students in the proper courses with in-person math, English and reading placement testing unavailable right now. Again, we will update you as soon as possible.
 
Lastly, I want to remind you that the Board of Regents is scheduled to meet today at 1 p.m. There are several important items on the agenda, including delinquent student accounts, the satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading policy I mentioned above, and alternatives to postponed commencement ceremonies. The Board will meet again on Friday to discuss the latest direction from Gov. Steve Sisolak regarding budget cut proposals from all state agencies.
 
I want to wrap up today’s message by reminding us all that collectively we are indeed Vegas Strong and CSN proud.
 
Stay Safe and God Bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,

I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you in the CSN family who participated in our Town Hall meetings last week.  Your guidance and feedback are critical.  As such, today’s message is a direct response to two important topics raised by you that we must continue to clarify.  The topics of remote instruction and remote working environment.

I continue working with Chancellor Reilly as we plan for the rest of the semester and the summer sessions during this evolving crisis. As you may recall, last week the Chancellor directed all NSHE institutions to teach only in a remote learning environment until June 30. This means all courses will continue as is for the rest of the current semester, and all courses offered during the summer will be remote only. This does not mean campuses will necessarily remain inaccessible through June 30. We must be prepared to adapt to directives from the Governor’s Office and NSHE.

We have received revised direction on essential on-campus employees. Only public safety employees, those providing health care services to students or the community, custodial and facilities staff and information technology employees who cannot work remotely may be on campus. Any other exceptions, including those involving administrative faculty, must be approved by my office.

In addition, we will not hold classes this summer that require access to labs and heavy equipment, such as science labs, automotive and welding labs, and field experiences. Exceptions to this mandate include classes that prepare students for jobs in health care, such as nursing and paramedic classes. In fact, we are discussing how we might accelerate instruction in these areas so we can help meet the need for workers in the healthcare sector. During the next week, we will closely inspect our instructional spaces to determine the best way to facilitate this critical instruction while making sure to adhere to social distancing and deep cleaning protocols.

Please keep our healthcare professionals in your prayers as they are at work at the front lines of this crisis; remember, one in three nurses in the region are CSN graduates. They are there because of you and the knowledge that you imparted while they were with us. Remember that the health and safety of our CSN Family remains our top priority. We are in this together.

Stay Safe & God Bless.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

The entire CSN Family grieves with Regent Lieberman’s family, friends and loved ones. He was a true friend to CSN and all the region’s college students, having been involved in shaping policy since his time as an active UNLV student, volunteer and donor in the 1980s. He was first elected to the Board in 2015, and later said, “Joining the Board of Regents was simply the next phase of my three-decade love affair with Nevada higher education.”

No one believed more in the power of higher education that Regent Lieberman did. He will be sorely missed, not only by those involved in higher education, but by all Nevadans. He was truly a champion for our state who believed, as we do, that we should always put Students First.

Dear CSN Family,

Today’s email update highlights important information from the Finance Division, which will be a critical area going forward as the economic effects of this crisis come to bear.

First, I want to thank everyone who participated in yesterday’s Virtual Town Hall. We will post the videos soon. There were several questions that focused on the summer term. Following Chancellor Thom Reilly’s direction, we will remain in a remote learning environment through June 30. All CSN classes that are currently being conducted remotely will remain so for the duration of the spring semester.

Please also note that the Board of Regents is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday to discuss a variety of related issues, including grades, commencement ceremonies, delinquent student accounts and the fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the 2020 and 2021 budgets.

We’ve fielded a lot of questions about the budget, the hiring freeze, and lay-offs. Unfortunately, we don’t have all the answers yet about a budget cut, although we anticipate large cuts in fiscal year 2020-2021. Once we have more information, we will share it with the CSN Family. Our first priority will be to reduce the negative impacts any cuts will have on students. We do expect federal aid to help, but how much that aid will be remains to be determined.

I hope you saw the email earlier this week from Vice President of Finance & Administration Mary Kaye Bailey containing guidance on using a new COVID-19 activity code (AC00994) in Workday for purchasing requisitions, P-Card expenditures, and supplier invoice requests. Your diligence in entering the code in the “additional worktag” field will help us provide accurate information to NSHE and the governor’s office when requested. We have already had one request for this from the governor’s office, so we appreciate your attention in this matter. 

Lastly, I hope that those of you who will be off for spring break next week find a few moments to relax. We know it has been a challenging few weeks for all. Please know that I deeply appreciate all you do for our students, as I express in the first of a series of videos we’ll be creating.

Stay safe and be CSN proud.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,

Today’s email update highlights important information from Human Resources, one of many topics that we will bring to you to keep you informed about CSN developments over the coming weeks.

First, I want to alert you to the Virtual Town Hall that we have scheduled for 3 p.m. today. Visit our Newsroom blog to learn how you can participate. Please be sure to bring your questions if they are not answered here. As we navigate the remote working environment it is understandable that many of us have questions right now.

I realize that some Human Resources and Workday processes have changed in this new environment, so I’ve asked Chief Human Resources Officer Bill Dial to provide guidance:

• Some employees have asked how to enter hours worked for those employees who are on administrative leave. For full time-employees who are not currently telecommuting, hours entered should be listed as Administrative Leave, and change the costing allocation. Part-time employees should enter their hours as they normally would and change the costing allocation. Please see the Workday Job Aid for help in entering your time.  
• Although CSN has successfully transitioned to a fully remote environment, it is important that all members of the CSN Family understand that they have a responsibility to report possible exposure or development of symptoms by using our online Confidential Reporting Form. By having this information, CSN can help connect individuals to resources and information, and answer any related questions.
• We understand there are challenges any time major change occurs, so CAPE has created an online training for our employees with tips and best practices to help you succeed in the virtual environment: Telecommuting Basics: How to be Successful Working from Home.

Finally, we are so appreciative of the collaboration, flexibility, innovation, and patience our employees have demonstrated in moving into a totally new work environment. Remember, if you still have questions, please attend our virtual town hall this afternoon. I look forward to joining you.

Lastly, I hope you have had a chance to visit our online message board to view all the wonderful, positive stories out there about our students, faculty and staff. Your hard work and dedication to putting our students first are truly an inspiration. Stay safe and CSN proud.

Thank you.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Thank you, CSN Family. Your efforts as we transitioned to a remote environment have been inspirational.

Often people and institutions are defined by how they respond in times of adversity. Over these last few weeks, I have watched the most talented group of people I have ever known come together as one and work non-stop to put our Students First and make sure they have what they need to complete their education. Through courage and hardship, both personal and professional, you have more than endured. You have excelled.

Just one month ago, this crisis had not yet touched our community directly. Quickly though — much more quickly than any of us could have predicted — the crisis escalated; indeed, CSN had its first confirmed positive case this week. By the second week of March, we were preparing for a possible transition to remote learning by April 3. We thought we had a few weeks to prepare.

We did not, of course. We were soon directed to do what seemed impossible: Transition one of the nation’s largest community colleges to a fully remote operation in the span of one week.

And so we did. Together.

There were challenges to becoming fully remote by March 18, to be sure. A few CTE classes and clinicals simply cannot operate remotely. It’s true, too, that some student services were difficult to transition. But your innovation and teamwork made it happen, all while we stayed true to our mission and values.

Take the Office of Technology Services, which created the website www.csn.edu/collaboration so our faculty and staff have a central hub to access remote learning tools.

The list goes on and on. Campus life, the Multicultural Centers, Facilities and Maintenance, Mail Services, Academic Advising, and so on. Each and every area of this college has performed incredible feats in the face of seemingly overwhelming obstacles. The development has at times moved so quickly that you may not even be aware of all that is now available online to our students. Please take a look at our coronavirus page at www.csn.edu/coronavirus for a full list of resources for both staff and students, as well as an FAQ, links to all communications sent by my office on the topic, and much more.

I am fully confident that our students are receiving the world-class education they’ve come to expect from CSN. I know this because I have seen how the CSN family reacts to a crisis. We share ideas, learn from one another, lean on each other when we need to, and boost our students and our colleagues whenever we are able.

I know this has been a tough time for everyone, including you and your families. As with many of life’s hardships, I know that we will come out of this because we are Vegas Strong and CSN Proud. We will be all the better for it. And the same goes for our CSN We will continue to serve our community and witness our students graduate, complete, transfer and prosper.

Federico

In this issue:

• How You Can Help
• Kudos to All
• Health Sciences Donations
• Chancellor Reilly’s Memo
• Office of Technology Services
• Facilities & Maintenance
• Congratulations on Scholarships
• Virtual Connection
• Spring 2020 Enrollment

How You Can Help

We can only imagine how challenging it must be right now for our students, many of whom have experienced great upheaval in their lives. Our city, the state of Nevada and the world are responding with the well-being of our communities in mind, and I know that our CSN Family is no exception.

If you would like to help, you can do so by supporting the CSN Student Emergency Fund. All donations made before April 17 will be matched by Charles Schwab Bank. This is an extraordinary time in the lives of our students, many of whom have lost income as a result of the social distancing guidelines we are all following. If you can, please consider a donation to the Student Emergency Fund, which provides up to $250 to a student in dire need of financial help. The fund has already distributed over $10,000 to our students — the vast majority in the last three weeks.

Thank you again for always putting our students first, especially now in these challenging times.

Kudos to All

The Advanced & Applied Technologies Department surveyed faculty, and the results show that they have things well in hand when it comes to going remote. Our faculty have responded with incredible enthusiasm and ingenuity.

Take Geography Professor Barbara Graham, for example. She reports that “Great things happening in the trenches/homes out here!!”

She knew she needed some white boards if she was going to be teaching from home, so she found some on Craigslist. Once the seller realized what she needed them for, they gave them to her for free. When she picked them up, she kept one for herself and delivered others to two more faculty members. They all were able to turn their kitchens into “virtual classrooms!”

There are countless stories like this from faculty and staff all across this great institution, far more than we have room to share here. That’s why we’ve set up an online message board where you can share your good news stories, praise those who’ve helped, encourage our students and your colleagues, and generally spread good cheer during a time when it’s more necessary than ever. Even if you don’t have anything to post, please visit the board and read the short stories from your students and colleagues. They are all incredibly inspirational. Thank you to everyone who has shared their story so far.

Here are two of the many kudos already posted:

• I want to thank Professor Chris King for going above and beyond. Obviously he couldn’t hold office hours in person for concerns and questions, and I was stuck on a lesson for days. When I reached out to him via email, he was kind enough to patiently walk me through the problem step by step over the phone (with my kids yelling in the background haha). He spent a long time explaining the process to me until he was sure I understood it. Thank you Professor King!!
• Super Kudos to Paula Michniewicz of E-Learning who figured out how to take a manual midterm exam and convert it into Canvas activities, all while conducting webinars and Canvas classes! One of my students who had no computer and had relied on the Computer Centers, had bit the bullet and bought one, but was unable to consider buying a printer/scanner. Paula made the online version possible! And the student, when hearing the news, said a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Thank you Paula and Team for all you do!

Health Sciences Donations

Kudos are certainly due to our health sciences faculty and leadership team for their efforts to donate much-needed medical equipment including ventilators, N95 respirators, masks, gloves, and gowns to local health care facilities. We will continue to look for ways to help our community partners in this difficult time. Other NSHE institutions are taking similar actions, as detailed in this NSHE press release.

Chancellor Reilly’s Memo

The Board of Regents will hold a special meeting via teleconference on April 7 to discuss and resolve issues surrounding this crisis. Chancellor Thom Reilly brought up several related issues in his March 25 memo, such as classifying the COVID-19 pandemic as an extenuating circumstance for faculty who want to request a pause in the tenure evaluation timeline, permitting a satisfactory grade for students to earn credit for a course and making that available to students through the end of the semester, delinquent student accounts and deferred payments, clarifications about the hiring freeze, and student withdrawals.

Office of Technology Services

As you can imagine, OTS has been one of the busiest offices at the college since the decision was made to go remote. And they have performed spectacularly. In addition to creating the central hub on the website, the OTS crews have created virtual teams for all CSN departments, and made the Microsoft Teams software available on all employee laptops so that everyone could continue to meet, share resources and collaborate as if they were still on campus.

OTS also worked with our mobile communication vendor to acquire critical hot spot devices at a reduced cost so those without internet connections at home can connect. They also prepared laptops and purchased Microsoft Surface tablets with keyboard for use by employees and students who needed them.

I can’t say enough about how important their hard work has been.

Facilities & Maintenance

It is said that crisis reveals character, and nowhere has that been more evident than among our facilities and maintenance team. While most of us have been at home, crews have been hard at work on our campuses deep cleaning and disinfecting everything. This work will continue throughout the time faculty, staff and students are working remotely.

Our maintenance and technical services teams continue to support campus buildings addressing critical life safety projects and building support. In addition, our construction planning and grounds teams have been working with contractors and vendors to maintain our grounds and fields and continue working on ongoing construction projects including the Health & Science Building.

Approximately 40 staff members are on campus responding to emergency situations as they arise. CSN has in excess of 1.6 million square feet throughout our campuses, sites and centers, and the staff is ensuring that our buildings are maintained and operational in preparation for resumption of activities on campus.

Finally, our safety officer has been working to ensure that employees on campus have the necessary materials including sanitizing wipes, masks, and gloves in addition to maintaining appropriate distancing to ensure they are kept safe; supporting faculty, staff, and students with inquiries, and performing safety reviews and investigations as needed.

Congratulations on Scholarships

I want to personally congratulate several CSN students who were awarded prestigious scholarships.

Mary Raycialyn Jacobe Anteza and Amanda Uren won scholarships from the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Both are studying in our top-notch cybersecurity program and are scheduled to graduate this semester.

Mary was selected as a PTK 2020 New Century Workforce Pathway Scholar and will receive a $1,250 scholarship. Amanda was named a 2020 New Century Transfer Pathway Scholar and will receive a $2,250 scholarship.

Mengting He was awarded an $8,000 scholarship from the Hite Family/MGM Scholarship fund through the CSN Foundation. Mengting recently completed a nursing degree at CSN and is moving on to Nevada State College. This is the first of five such scholarships that will be awarded.

Congratulations to all of these outstanding students!

Virtual Connection

The Multicultural Center in collaboration with several offices including Campus Life, First Year Experience, and Career & Transfer Services has launched a Canvas shell for virtual programming called The Spot: Engaging Virtually. What an innovative idea! Student engagement opportunities such as Movie Mondays and Adulting 101 sessions are now available virtually for all CSN students to enjoy and continue their development. Activities will be offered through the The Spot’s conference feature or a link will redirect the student to the necessary site. The shell is one more access point for our students to build connections and access resources such as the virtual library and online tutoring. Questions about The Spot can be directed to Nadia Czesky or Natalie Nelson at diversity@csn.edu

Henderson Campus Life and the Multicultural Center are working together to ensure faculty and staff stay connected, too. All CSN faculty and staff can complete an interest survey that will connect them to an interest group and help launch various social events. Fill out your survey today so we can better support one another during this time.

ASCSN is hosting Coyote Fireside Chats on their Instagram feeds featuring live discussions about student life in this remote learning environment.

Spring 2020 Enrollment

Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our spring enrollment through March 13. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data.

See the Enrollment Report

Dear CSN Family,

Today’s email update highlights important information from Student Affairs. As you know, I will bring you news every day from several critical divisions of the college such as Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Human Resources and Finance.

I’d like to start by noting that we are planning to hold Virtual Town Halls every week for the foreseeable future to help disseminate information and answer any questions our faculty, staff and students may have. We’ve scheduled this week’s faculty and staff town hall for tomorrow at 3 p.m. Please see our Newsroom blog post for more information about how you may participate.

The Student Affairs team has been hard at work to make sure our students come first during this crisis.

Only two days after we began remote instruction, the division implemented a daily metrics report for its units. This report captures data on several areas of student engagement, including the number of student interactions, the nature of these interactions, frequently asked student questions, actions taken to ensure two-way communications with team members, operational concerns, support requests and questions for senior leadership.

Each unit is developing fact sheets and FAQ lists for team members assigned to help students so they will have the correct answers close at hand. This data has been vital to helping inform our team to ensure we are responding to student problems or challenges to the best of our ability.

The division has also developed an online exit survey for students who have withdrawn from at least one class this semester. We expect this information will help identify to what extent the current crisis and remote learning environment may have contributed to the students’ decisions.

I want to end today’s message by acknowledging your hard work and commitment to putting our Students First in these difficult times. If you have not yet done so, please check out the online message board we created to highlight the many positive stories happening right now at CSN. Feel free to post your own story, too.

Thank you.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

Dear CSN Family,

In response to feedback from the CSN family, I am pleased to report that we are introducing a new, daily highlights email to ensure that everyone has access to current and up-to-date information on the latest happenings at CSN.

Today’s email update highlights important information from Academic Affairs. Throughout the week, I will bring you news from several critical divisions of the college, including Student Affairs, Human Resources, Finance and other areas as needed.

There is much to update when it comes to academic affairs. First, please take note of the actions of our health sciences faculty and leadership team in their efforts to donate much-needed medical equipment including ventilators, N95 respirators, masks, gloves, and gowns to local health care facilities. Other NSHE institutions are taking similar actions, as detailed in this NSHE press release.

You should also know that our Centers for Academic Success reports that many of their tutors/learning assistants have been successfully trained to use the online platform Smarthinking. This means that our students now have access to this critical resource remotely. Learn more details on the Centers’ website.

In addition, the CSN Libraries are committed to remotely providing all services that students and faculty might need right now. The Libraries have expanded virtual reference hours, have made more online resource available, and have implemented new services such as textbook digitization so students have what they need to be successful. Please learn more on the Libraries’ website.

To find out more about what’s going on and to pose your questions, we are scheduling town halls for students, faculty and staff on Thursday. We will update you with details tomorrow.

Lastly, I want to say once again how proud I am to be a member of this family. Coyote Proud if you will. Your commitment to Students First and your efforts to come together and help each other in these difficult times is truly inspiring. If you have not yet done so, please check out the online message board we created to highlight the many positive stories happening right now at CSN. Feel free to post your own story, too.

Thank you.

Federico Zaragoza
President
College of Southern Nevada 

“The College of Southern Nevada empowers our students and communities to achieve, succeed, and prosper.”

• CSN’s new Mission Statement

“CSN is recognized as a leader among community colleges in fostering student success, shared governance, and performance excellence.”

• CSN’s new Vision Statement

Our new mission and vision statements were approved today by the NSHE Board of Regents. Together, they encapsulate our purpose in a few simple words, but they are more than that. To me, our mission affirms our focus on student learning and success in the classroom, in life, and in the economy. Our mission also affirms our responsibility and impact on our diverse communities.

Along with our new mission and vision statements, the Board also approved our revised strategic plan, which you are all aware we have been working extremely hard on. I want to thank everyone involved, particularly Patty Charlton and Dr. Joshua Levin, who led the strategic planning team and worked hard to ensure the plan reflects the needs of our students and our diverse communities.

Please take a moment to review the revised plan, which you will recall was put together with a great deal of input from our internal and external stakeholders. I am proud of what the team produced. This is more than a document, but rather a guide that lays out what we want to accomplish and how best to get there. In short: It is a roadmap to help ensure that we are always doing our best for our students.

Federico

In this issue:

• NSHE Regents Meeting
• Update: Important Coronavirus Precautions
• CSN & Workforce Connections Partnership
• Accreditation Update
• Henderson Health & Science Building
• MGM Foundation Supports Scholarships
• 2020 Census
• CSN Connections
• Raymond Santana Comes to CSN
• CSN Ombuds Coffee Corner
• 48th Annual Commencement Ceremony
• Spring 2020 Enrollment

NSHE Regents Meeting

The NSHE Board of Regents has been meeting on our Henderson Campus this week. I hope you got the opportunity to attend, as many important topics were discussed. In addition to approving our strategic plan and mi

ssion statement, as I discussed above, the Re

gents also approved several very important awards.

• The 2020 CSN Regents’ Scholar is Jennifer Stevens, whose inspirational story should drive everyone to work as hard as she does.
• CSN Surgical Technology instructor Cris Aguilar won the Regents’ Teaching Award for non-tenured faculty at community colleges.
• Mark Wherry, CSN’s Director of Vocal Music, took home the Creative Activities Award for community colleges.
• And 23 CSN faculty members were awarded tenure. Congratulations!

Update: Important Coronavirus Precautions

There is understandable concern regarding the coronavirus, and rest assured that CSN is taking the matter seriously. As of today, there have been no confirmed cases reported in Nevada — the Southern Nevada Health District did announce the first presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in a Clark County Resident. Test results are considered “presumptive positive” until the result is confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

At CSN, we have created a website, www.csn.edu/coronavirus, to help keep the campus community up to date. You can see the latest news from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention there, as well as updates from the Southern Nevada Health District. You can also read about precautions that we are already taking at CSN.

There is growing fear and misinformation surrounding the coronavirus. CSN supports all students, faculty and staff members regardless of their ethnicity or background. We are committed to creating a campus free of bias. Students in need of support are encouraged to contact CAPS and all members of the CSN community should report acts of bias or discrimination to the Office of Institutional Equity & Title IX.

Additionally, should you have any questions or concerns about CSN’s precautions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Carey Sedlacek in Environmental Health & Safety at 702-651-4817.

MUTLICAMPUS UPDATE

CSN & Workforce Connections Partnership

We are pleased to announce a developing partnership between CSN and Workforce Connections of Las Vegas. Workforce Connections provides access to 17 community agencies and services to individuals seeking employment, housing, food and transportation support through a one-stop delivery system and several affiliate centers serving southern Nevada. CSN and Workforce Connections are joining forces to create one-stop service centers at CSN’s three student unions. The partnership is an important step in our efforts to eradicate equity gaps, scale resources and create seamless student services. As we continue to move forward together in our efforts to implement the multi-campus model, your continued support and collaboration is critical and greatly appreciated.

Discussions surrounding the addition of these exciting new wraparound services have been occurring for a number of months. Please read my blog post, linked below, to learn more about our implementation plans regarding some of our planned wraparound services.

As usual, we will keep you informed of our progress.

Read More on the President’s Blog

CSN ACADEMICS

Accreditation Update

The CSN accreditation steering committee is actively working on collecting data to show mission fulfillment and institutional effectiveness for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities as part of the formal accreditation process. The NWCCU’s accreditation standards have been updated this year. You may review them at the link below, and learn more about the accreditation process on our accreditation page. Please know that the full engagement of every faculty and staff member will be necessary for a successful accreditation process.

In the spring 2021 semester, we will submit our year six Policies, Regulations and Financial Review report. This will be followed in spring 2022 when we submit our year seven Evaluation of Institutional Effectiveness report. All of this is in preparation for the formal site visit from NWCCU in the fall of 2022.

See the 2020 NWCCU Accreditation Standards

CSN/NSC Health & Science Building

I am so pleased that the CSN Foundation was able to raise $6 million to contribute to the health and science building on our Henderson Campus. The funds came from community leaders and our own CSN employees, so thank you for all you’ve done and continue to do. As you know, this building will be a game changer for our students when it opens in fall 2021, as it will support the workforce demand in the region for skilled nurses and will expand biology classes so students can move through their program of study faster.

MGM Foundation Supports Scholarships

I want to offer my sincere thanks to the employees of MGM and the MGM Foundation for their generous support of CSN High School with a $40,000 grant toward scholarships. Combined with previous donations, the MGM Foundation’s gifts will now support 60 CSN High School students who are working on obtaining associate degrees before they even graduate high school! Thank you, MGM, on behalf of our students.

2020 Census

As you know, 2020 is a Census year and I’m pleased to be working with our other NSHE institutions and the 2020 Nevada Statewide Census Complete Count Committee to make sure all of our students are counted. Participating in the Census opens opportunities to bring valuable resources to our community. Participating in the Census, which is free, fast and confidential, can help bring in more than $67 billion in funding. CSN will be working to host Census Days of Action on campus, in coordination with student government, and I encourage each of you to take part.

It’s important to note, the Census will not ask for personal information like citizenship status, or ask for a donation. To learn more, visit www.census.nv.gov

CSN EVENTS

CSN Connections

Thank you to all the CSN staff who volunteered at our Spring 2020 Connections events. This is a proud tradition for CSN and helps connect our students to the college. Our staff goes above and beyond each year to make sure our students are taken care of, included cooking up thousands of burgers and hotdogs for them. Thank you all!

Raymond Santana Comes to CSN

I was so pleased to attend the first Den Talk speaker series with Raymond Santana Jr, one of the five men convicted of the 1989 sexual assault of a woman jogging in Central Park. The men were all later exonerated and have become known as “The Exonerated Five.” The daylong visit was an important opportunity for our students and staff to learn from Mr. Santana. The evening culminated with intimate question and answer session led by our very own Natalie Nelson, who is Mr. Santana’s cousin. The Nicholas J. Horn theatre was completely full, and we opened an overflow room to welcome all those who came. Thank you to all those involved in planning this event, including student government and Sean Tory.

CSN Ombuds Coffee Corner

Chief Information Officer Mugunth Vaithylingam will join the Ombuds Coffee Corner from 9 to 10 a.m. on March 12 in the Charleston Campus Student Union for an informal gathering with coffee and doughnuts. Please take this chance to stop by, chat with the CIO and the Ombuds and enjoy some coffee.

Find out all the details

48th Annual Commencement Ceremony

Mark your calendar, our 2020 Commencement Ceremony will take place on Monday May 18 at 6 p.m. at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center. Commencement is my favorite event of the year and I hope to see you all there as we watch our students graduate and head into the world to prosper.

CSN ENROLLMENT

Spring 2020 Enrollment

Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our spring enrollment through March 2. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data.

See the Enrollment Report

Congratulations to the 23 faculty and staff members who were awarded Tenure today by the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents. This is a major milestone for each of them.

• Dr. Patricia A. Armour, Dental Sciences, Diagnostic Evaluation & Rehabilitation Services
• Lorraine U. Brown, Health Related Professions
• Dr. Amy J. Chaffin, Nursing
• Dr. Kenneth E. Fernandez, Social Sciences
• Dr. Katherina J. Fontanilla, Nursing
• Dr. Melissa K. Giovanni, Physical Sciences
• Dr. David A. Hanley Tejeda, Communication
• Dr. Aaron B. Harris, Mathematics
• Keith A. Hess, Social Sciences
• Dr. John W. Howard, Physical Sciences
• Damon S. Lasiter, World Languages
• Andrzej M. Lenard, Mathematics
• Ramona J. Panter, Nursing
• Phillip J. Pedote, Hospitality Management
• Darryl A. Raiford, Accounting, Finance & Computer Office Technology
• Lawrence A. Rodis, Computing & Information Technology
• Anne C. Sagel, English
• Dr. Beth A. Seacord, Social Sciences
• Dr. Mark Taormino, Computing & Information Technology
• Constance A. Toney-Jackson, Computing & Information Technology
• Chelsi M. Walls, Communication
• Dr. Brett A. Winkelhake, Business
• Dr. Nicholas G. K. Wong, Mathematics

Congratulations are also in order for CSN student Jennifer Stevens, named the Regents’ Scholar, Mark Wherry, the director of vocal music at CSN, who was awarded the Nevada Regents’ Creative Activities Award and Cris Aguilar, surgical technology instructor, who was awarded the Nevada Regent’s Teaching Award.

Challenges:  What problems in our system block services? How do they show up?

• CSN’s Division of Workforce and Economic Development (DWED) reported that there are about 5,000 students under the Division of Apprenticeship Studies. About 2,800 of them can register for classes, while the rest have either holds or are classified out of state.
• Childcare is greatly needed; either low fees or free. There should also be an option for students to drop children off as an after-school type system or when students need to study or take classes.
• There are stigmas and myths surrounding welfare.
• CSN does not have a streamlined process to identify needs with one shared intake form.
• Resources are housed in different areas and not everyone knows about all of them, including faculty, staff and students
• We must identify how to disseminate all of the information.
• There is limited or no data collaboration or sharing among the 17 agency partners and within CSN.
• Some services are duplicated even with the same agencies.
• Students do not know that they need a budget to be successful during and after college.
• Nevada does not have all partners under one umbrella (150 million budget).
• There is difficulty streamlining services among multiple partners within and external to the college.
• Students and participants must complete multiple forms or applications due to a lack of system integration among state agencies.
• Student work hours and school schedules interfere or prevent time to connect with resources.
• There is limited transportation to off-campus resources.
• The availability of childcare and funding is limited.
• Some students have housing and food deficiencies.

Gaps: Why are students falling through the cracks if so many resources and services are available? What does the data say? 

• Nevada does not have all 17 state agencies under one funding umbrella. Workforce Connections, One-Stop Center links participants to services but the 17 agencies have no integrated system or single application.
• It is unclear how students want to be helped, how students want to learn about the resources and how they want to be notified of services.
• The information pipeline is broken.
• No student survey to find out how students want to be assisted when they are facing challenges, how they want to be notified of services and how to increase their awareness of services.
• MyCoyotePLAN is not utilized, at the point of admission, as a Student Intake Survey to help students self-identify their needs and link to timely resources on or off campus.
• There is no CSN Resources webpage with both campus and community partners’ services.
• There is no current comprehensive Community Services Resource Guide available.
• Employees must be trained on available campus and community resources.

Opportunities: What is the desired state?

• Pre-screen needs at the admission application point.
• Grant override access to CSN core stakeholders to remove the First Steps holds for DWED participants; coordinate with Director of Advising.
• Send “E-Alerts” as soon as students signs up for classes via text.
• Develop a SIMPLE webpage introducing the resources on and off campus, along with contacts and office hours/appointment availability.
• Cross train CSN Counselors, Workforce Connections, faculty and other key stakeholders on basic services available.
• Develop new partnerships with community agencies on and off campus.
• Provide students with easy access to resources and agencies that provide a variety of services.
• Embed Operation Hope – DWED Financial planning classes to reach more students and community in need.
• Tittle I – DWED provides bus passes.

30-Day Action Items:

CSN action items:

Sponsor: Charleston Campus Vice President & Provost Sonya Pearson

• Modify CSN admission application to include a short intake questionnaire to gather information on student needs. Counselors can work with various stakeholders to contact students and help provide timely services. Other campus departments (Advising, FA, Tutoring, etc. can refer students to the questionnaire to help connect students to resources and counselors).
• Contact Webmaster to discuss a process to create new webpage and how to obtain access.
• Create a needs assessment or MyPathWay.
• Create a shared landing page with Workforce Connections.
• Create shared Resource Hotline with Workforce Connections.
• Marketing plan, create brief promo video and PR that highlights resources.
• Develop a marketing plan for communicating the partnership to faculty, staff and students.

Sponsor: Henderson Campus Vice President & Provost Patty Charlton

• Invite all 17 agencies within or coordinate with Workforce Connections to present on their services.
• Set dates with the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services to come out and deliver a “Myth Busting/Stigma on Welfare” workshop and also do on-the-spot applications.
• Create a community resource book and a CSN website for wraparound services to supports student even if they do not take classes on campus.
• Develop Employee Resource Manual – make it part of the Onboarding Orientation resources.
• Research if CSN faculty can to develop a mobile resource app.
• Develop CSN Binder/Directory of all services (for partnership participants).
• Develop a one page or pamphlet of services (brief description of services).

 Sponsor: North Las Vegas Campus Vice President & Provost Clarissa Cota

• Identify the human resources (staff needed) to lead the effort and complete the projects.
• Create a Workforce Connections and CSN Resource and Career Fairs.
• CSN will offer RTC pilot program this spring: One-way, nonstop WCH to NLV to east Library to NSC.
• DWED contact Advising to get access for hold releasing.

Community partners action items:

• Develop a list of emergency housing contacts.
• Develop a list of transportation contacts.

Community partnership work session participants:

• Workforce Connections
• Nevada Division of Welfare and Supportive Services
• Operation Hope
• Accessible Spaces Incorporated, LLC
• Counseling
• Career Services
• DWED
• Campus Life

This is an exciting transition for the College of Southern Nevada. As we continue efforts to implement the multi-campus model your support and collaboration is important and greatly appreciated.

As CSN positions itself to close gaps in student retention and completion, the transition plan will require focused attention on Student Enrollment Management (“SEM”). The counseling team has identified opportunities to help advance the college’s priorities of helping student graduate, complete, transfer and prosper. The Campus Vice Presidents and Provosts are responsible for directing and monitoring the results of the following initiatives at their respective campuses.

The goal is to enhance the system to support our operations and help us deliver support services more efficiently. The Counseling Department Program Leads will oversee four important projects.  During the next 30 days, the Program Leads will share updates and solicit feedback to ensure resources and processes are easier to navigate and more accessible.

Open houses will be held monthly, in which Interim Chair Valerie Conner and Program Leads welcome faculty, staff and students to learn about and comment on the departments services. The information below provides a snapshot of the 30-day plan and assigned leads.

E-Alert: Lead – Amy Palmer

• Coordinate with OTS and Student Affairs to increase system automated workflow and assignments for referrals and alerts.
• Coordinate with OTS and Student Affairs to modify E-alert system to remove unnecessary flags.
• Consult with Faculty Senate, add E-Alert link to Canvas shell.
• Consult with Faculty Senate, add E-Alert Kudos link to Canvas.
• Consult with Faculty Senate, develop and E-Alert training program and modules (online and in person) and link to CSN web and Canvas.
• Consult with Department Chairs, schedule department information sessions.
• Develop an E-alert Guide.

Wrap Around Services: Lead – Luis Ortega

• Coordinate with Research and Planning and Nevada Promise Program to develop reports of Promise Students with lost eligibility.
• Coordinate with the Promise Program, Advising, First Year Experience for the following populations: 1) applied & accepted and 2) applied, not accepted.
• Coordinate with Marketing & Communications and the Office of Technology Services teams to develop automated email communication to Nevada Promise Students who lost eligibility and connect students to Workforce Connections paid training program and promote late registration, late start and early registration options.
• Coordinate with OTS to develop a community resources web landing page.
• Collaborate with Recruiting, Advising and FYE connect with students who applied but not accepted in NV Promise or enrolled at CSN.
• Coordinate with Campus Life, Student Affairs and Student Government to increase services through the food pantry and access to on-campus wrap around services with Workforce Connections, Operation Hope, Department of Health and Human Services, DWED, Accessible Spaces Inc., UNLV Immigration Law services.
• Coordinate with Assessment and Planning to develop a student survey to obtain more information about the services students need.
• Coordinate with Student Government, Multicultural Center and Campus Life and Leadership Development to conduct focus group discussion.
• Coordinate with OTS to create a student feedback to learn more about the student experiences.

Co-curricular Programs: Lead – Esther Pla-Cazares

• Coordinate with Promise Program, Multicultural Center and Campus Life and Leadership Development staff to develop workshop to connect with Promise Program and Bump Up and other students at risk of early withdrawal.
• Coordinate with OTS to develop a centralized schedule of co-curricular programs on the web.
• Coordinate with Assessment and Planning and CSN Leadership Academy team to develop pre/post assessment survey based on institutional student learning outcomes.
• Connect with innovative educators to link webinars/ “Go To” knowledge page to co-curricular workshop page.
• Develop co-curricular programs and workshops to reach and support target populations with higher withdrawal rates (African American and Native American students).

Mentoring: Lead – Shawn Claxton

• Coordinate with counselors to develop a mentoring program.
• Assign counselors to at-risk population of students (academic probation, warning or suspension, Financial Aid warning or suspension along with Nevada Promise and Bump Up students).
• Coordinate with Promise Program and Multicultural Center to expand the mentoring program to more CSN students.
• Partner with Nevada Promise program and Multicultural Center to develop pre-post assessment survey for mentor assignments.
• Partner with Nevada Promise program to develop mentoring program/standards that align with institutional student learning outcomes.
• Coordinate with prison education program staff to create a mentoring bridge program to increase student matriculation and access to wrap around services.

 

January & February 2020 Chronicle

Welcome to the beginning of our 2020 Spring Semester. I hope you are rested and ready to continue on our students first agenda. As I discussed during convocation, we are making amazing progress on our journey to performance excellence. I want you to know that CSN is one of the most improved colleges of our size in the country! Because of all of your hard work, I am so pleased to report that we are on target to reach a combined 40 percent graduation and transfer rate.  Our most recent IPEDS data show that we have graduation rates of 14 percent and a 26 percent transfer rate! This puts us well on our way to reaching the NSHE goal of 49.5 percent by 2025. This data is proof that your hard work is paying off and we should all celebrate the progress we are making in our student success efforts. I thank you on behalf of all our students and Southern Nevada stakeholders.

See our detailed presentation from last month’s Board of Regents meeting, read more on the Newsroom blog, watch the Convocation event online, and download the Convocation PowerPoint presentation.

In this issue:

• MLK Parade
• University Legal Services 
• Latin Chamber Luncheon 
• Campus Commuter 
• Chief Human Resources Officer
• CSN Leadership Academy
• Student Email Changes
• Mariachi Plata
• Holiday Party
• Dr. Paul E. Meacham
• Enrollment Report

Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

Nearly 100 CSN students, faculty and staff participated in the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in downtown Las Vegas last month. It was a beautiful day and I enjoyed spending time at this meaningful event with our students, who showed off their dance moves all morning long. The CSN float was organized by the African American Heritage Committee, led by Campus Life Development Coordinator Sean Tory. A big thanks to all those who helped make this parade a success.

University Legal Services

I’m pleased to let you know that the UNLV Immigration Clinic is now offering its services to all CSN faculty, staff and students. The clinic opened in 2018 and recently expanded to include CSN. The clinic can provide help on a variety of immigration issues, including DACA renewals, deportation issues and children’s rights. We held a wonderful event on Thursday night where community members were able to come in for free legal help. My thanks to Gov. Steve Sisolak, NSHE Chancellor Thom Reilly, UNLV President Marta Meana, UNLV Boyd School of Law Dean Daniel Hamilton, Immigration Clinic Director Michael Kagan, North Las Vegas Campus Vice President & Provost Clarissa Cota and everyone who helped make the event such a success.

Latin Chamber Luncheon

Recently I was able to share the good news about CSN with members of the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce. The state of CSN is strong and our future is bright. I know that many of the small businesses in our community struggle to hire the best local talent. We are working very hard here at CSN to make that a thing of the past and our numbers are telling. As I noted above, our graduation rates have doubled from 7 percent in 2016 to 14 percent in 2021 and our transfer rate has increased from 15 percent to 26 percent in the same time period. I am always pleased to share the good work happening at CSN with our Southern Nevada community. For more on the Chamber luncheon, see the CSN Newsroom article.

Campus Commuter

I hope you all have seen the new Campus Commuter shuttles on our campuses, which we are piloting in partnership with Nevada State College to help solve a transportation issue faced by many of our students. As the program launches, rides are free of charge to both CSN and NSC students. There are two routes with stops at all three CSN campuses, the East Las Vegas Library and NSC’s campus in Henderson. Many thanks to those who have helped put our students first in this endeavor and learn more about this program by visiting www.csn.edu/csnshuttle.

Chief Human Resources Officer

I am thrilled to welcome Dr. Bill Dial to CSN as our new Chief Human Resources Officer. As I noted in my earlier announcement, the previous candidate for this position withdrew acceptance of our offer. Dr. Dial’s first day at CSN will be this Monday, February 3. He brings with him a wealth of experience in human resources, joining us from Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, where he served in the same position. Previously, he had served in human resources leadership roles for more than 10 years at Richland College in Dallas and Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Colorado.

Dr. Dial holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville; a master of science in human resources management from Lindenwood University in St. Louis; and a Ph.D. in organizational management from Capella University in Minneapolis. For more about Dial, please see his resume.

Please join me in welcoming him to the CSN family.

CSN Leadership Academy

I am pleased to offer my congratulations to the first cohort of CSN employees in the CSN Leadership Academy. The academy will be a wonderful personal reflection and development opportunity. It utilizes the well-regarded 7 Habits of Highly Effective People model of principle-based leadership, and concentrates on proactivity, strengthening time management, ethical decision-making, and communication competency.

There were more than 140 applications submitted! The first cohort began last month and cohorts will begin in fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters as well. Those cohorts will be announced at a later date. Those who started in January include:

Dora Reyes	John Rios	Kenneth Roman
Taylor Cayro	Carla Wright	Ashley Snipes
Dana Phillips	Shawn Claxton	Annette Lord
Angel Clemons	Emily King	Michelle Chan
Paula Bourne	Karen Ahern	Angela Nelson-Swearingen
Nancy Swanson	Alicia Briancon	Kayla Buscher
Theresa Pugh	Michael Schoenberger	Tamara Flores-Sahagun
Sabrina Cruz	David Leavell	Marissa Robledo
Rachel Garcia	Robert Bonora	Sherida Devine
Eileen Hamilton	Phillip Dixon	Carolyn Wright

Student Email Changes

Starting on February 1, all official communications coming from CSN to active students will be directed only to the official, CSN-issued email address that you were assigned when you created your account. Please start checking this email account starting now to ensure that you are able to see important notifications that come from CSN. Read more online.

Mariachi Plata

What an amazing celebration of our students! In December, we celebrated our new competitive Mariachi Plata with an incredible performance in the Horn Theatre. Prior to the performance on the North Las Vegas Campus, our students took home third place in a national mariachi competition in San Antonio, Texas, and students Jose Mejia and Precious Carrasco took first and second, respectively, in the vocalist competition. The sold-out concert was truly a community event, featuring performances from a number of local mariachis. You can read see an album of photos on the CSN Facebook page. (As a reminder, you do not need a Facebook account to view these photos) and see their performance on YouTube.  https://www.facebook.com/pg/CSNNV/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10156829209193603

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Lah95FvBOQ&feature=youtu.be

Holiday Party

It was truly a pleasure to celebrate the holidays with the CSN family last month. The events team did a wonderful job transforming the Charleston Campus student union ballrooms into a beautiful space to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff to make sure students succeed. I was honored to present a $500 gift card to CSN student Cecilia Belio, who won the inaugural contest and designed this year’s beautiful holiday card. Belio is studying sonography at CSN and uses her artwork as a way to relax and destress. Please see photos from our holiday party here.

 

Dr. Paul E. Meacham

As you know, the CSN community mourned the loss of former CSN President Paul E. Meacham in December. Dr. Meacham was a very influential figure in the CSN history, as our first African-American president and the longest tenured president at CSN. The student services building on our Charleston Campus is named in honor of Dr. Meacham’s dedication to our students. Read more about Dr. Meacham here. http://blog.csn.edu/?p=2690

 

Enrollment Report

Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our spring enrollment through January 28. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data. See the enrollment report.

 

Dear CSN Family,

This is to inform you that several posters were placed this week on CSN and NSC bulletin boards that expressed a message contrary to the values of inclusion and cultural diversity that we celebrate at CSN. While CSN respects the right of free expression, we must follow posting rules which are guided by the NSHE policy on Freedom of Expression. This policy embraces the principles of free expression while also encouraging inclusivity, diversity and critical thinking. As a result, these bulletins were removed.

In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, I would like to remind the CSN family that in the coming weeks CSN will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. and host several events surrounding Black History Month. I hope you will join us.

Thank you for all you do for our students.

Federico

This message is sent on behalf of Carol Fimmen, Director of International Programs:

Dear Colleagues,

The CSN International Office would like to invite faculty and staff to participate in upcoming webinars and learn more about various Fulbright opportunities. Through these sessions, you will learn about the opportunity we have to bring scholars from many countries around the world to give lectures and presentations for our faculty, staff and students. You will also learn about opportunities to go abroad and participate in the Fulbright programs. After you view these webinars, I will be happy to meet with you and discuss the details.

• Fulbright Outreach Lecturing Fund
• The Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program
• Fulbright U.S. Scholar Opportunities in Western Hemisphere
• Fulbright U.S. Scholar Opportunities in Europe and Eurasia

Have a great semester and please do not hesitate to contact me or stop by my office anytime.

Carol

https://www.cies.org/event-type/webinar-schedule

Dear CSN Family,

Bill Dial I wanted to let you know that Chief Human Resources Officer candidate Tracey Cleveland has withdrawn her acceptance of our offer for personal and family reasons. We wish her well.

I am pleased to report that we had a highly qualified pool of applicants and that the search committee had recommended two applicants to the hiring committee. Thus, we were able to expediently hire Dr. Bill Dial to

be our new Senior Associate Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Human Resources Officer. He is expected to begin in his new role on February 1; his first day in the office will be February 3.

Dr. Dial joins CSN from Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, where he served in the same position. Previously, he had served in human resources leadership roles for more than 10 years at Richland College in Dallas and Red Rocks Community College in Lakewood, Colorado.

Dr. Dial holds a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville; a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Lindenwood University in St. Louis; and a Ph.D. in Organizational Management from Capella University in Minneapolis. For more about Dial, please see his resume here.

Please join me in welcoming him to the CSN family.

Thank you.

Federico

The CSN Counselors
I am pleased to authorize the consensus recommendations of the Counseling Department, Faculty Senate, Executive Council, and Campus Vice Presidents and Provosts to proceed with the permanent transition of the CSN Counseling Department and policy amendment for a permanent chair.

Per the October 11 and November 8, 2019 Faculty Senate endorsements, the counselors are permanently transitioning to the multi-campus structure and reporting to the Charleston Campus Vice President and Provost in coordination with the vice presidents and provosts on the Henderson and North Las Vegas campuses, providing daily campus administrative support. In alignment with the multi-campus plan, CSN counselors are moving from a model that promotes access to enrollment to one that supports access to completion.

The counselors will assume a leadership role in providing wraparound support and retention services aligned with Areas of Study and Student Union one-stop student success service center (suite 127). The relocations of four counselors at Charleston will free faculty offices spaces in Building E (2), Building H (1), and Building B (1). Kudos to the Counseling Department and new leadership.

• Valerie Conner, Interim Department Chair at Charleston Campus
• Shawn Claxton, Charleston Campus Program Lead
• Luis Ortega, Henderson Campus Program Lead
• Amy Palmer, Henderson Campus Early Alert Program Developer
• Esther Pla-Cazares, North Las Vegas Campus Program Lead

Campus Student Life Coordinators and Administrative Support
With a focus on increasing student engagement and integrating support services, the campus student life coordinators and their administrative support staff will be permanently moved under the multi-campus structure. The campus student life coordinators and student union managers will serve as the primary administrators within the student unions in coordination with the vice presidents and provosts on the Charleston, Henderson and North Las Vegas campuses. Please join me in congratulating and supporting the Campus Student Life staff in their transition.

• Charleston Campus – Racquel Melson, Campus Life Coordinator, and Juanita Sowell Administrative Assistant
• North Las Vegas Campus – Sean Tory, Campus Student Life Coordinator, and Shakira Chesebro Administrative Assistant
• Henderson Campus – Marissa Robledo, Campus Student Life Coordinator, and TBD Administrative Assistant

Dental Faculty Practice
In consultation with the Nevada Board of Dental Examiners Director, Deborah Schaffer and supported by the Faculty Senate, the CSN Dental Faculty Practice has realigned under the college multi-campus structure reporting to the Charleston Campus Vice President and Provost.

Dr. Margo Martin as Vice President of Academic Affairs will serve as the administrator for the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assisting Programs. Janice Glasper, interim Dean of Health Sciences will have dual reporting and provide academic leadership for the DFP and Dental Hygiene and Dental Assistant programs. Drs. Martin and Pearson will work in coordination with Dean Glasper to maintain clinical options for the Dental Hygiene and Dental Assistant students. Dr. Widdison will continue as the Dental Director and administrator over day-to-day operations of the DFP services.

Service Area Administration
The Campus Vice Presidents and Provosts have assumed administrative oversight for the CSN sites. The Campus Vice Presidents and Provosts will continue to work with the Program Administrators and staff to support the operations. The service areas align as follows:

VP/Provost Pearson, Charleston Service Area
Summerlin High Tech Center
Sahara West Facility
Western High Tech Center

VP/Provost Charlton, Henderson Service Area
Green Valley High Tech Center
Boulder City
Laughlin
Southwest Las Vegas
Water Street Center Operations

VP/Provost Cota, North Las Vegas Service Area
Nellis Air Force Base
Mesquite and Moapa
CSN community, we have reached another important turning point in our planning and Shared Governance process. Thank you to everyone who has supported this important work.

Posted on behalf of the Campus Vice Presidents and Provosts

December 9, 2019 – College of Southern Nevada president Dr. Federico Zaragoza released the following statement today on the passing of former CSN president Dr. Paul E. Meacham:

“The entire CSN family wishes to express our deepest condolences to Dr. Meacham’s family,” Zaragoza said. “Dr. Meacham was a giant in CSN’s past who changed the lives of thousands of college students. His legacy will continue to shape the college and the state of Nevada for generations to come.”

Meacham was CSN’s longest serving president and its first African American president, overseeing the college at a time of tremendous growth. He spearheaded the effort to build the much-needed Charleston campus, now the college’s largest campus.

Meacham was born in rural Alabama in 1936. He worked his way up to prominence on the national higher education stage. After many years as a college and high school band director, he served in executive positions in the Dallas County Community College District and in the Austin, Texas Community College System.

In 1983, he was named the fourth president of what was then Clark County Community College, which later became the Community College of Southern Nevada during his tenure, and later still the College of Southern Nevada. Dr. Meacham served as the college’s president until 1994, to this day the longest tenure of any leader at the state’s largest higher education institution.

After leaving CSN, Dr. Meacham spent another nine years in higher education as a tenured professor at UNLV.  He was later named a professor emeritus at UNLV and president emeritus at CSN.

In 2015, CSN named the student services building on the Charleston Campus the Paul E. Meacham Student Services Building in honor of his steadfast dedication to the college and its students.

A viewing is scheduled for 3-7 p.m. Sunday, December 15 at Davis Funeral Home, 6200 South Eastern Avenue, and a memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday, December 19 at Mountain View Presbyterian Church, 8601 Del Webb Blvd.

December Chronicle

As the end of the semester and the end of the year quickly approach, I want to wish you all a very happy holiday season. I hope you will join us at the CSN Holiday Party on December 12. I also want to acknowledge the hard work you put in every day to make sure our students always come first. On behalf of all 35,000 of them, I thank you.

Federico

Mariachi Plata

I am thrilled to invite you to the debut local performance of Mariachi Plata, CSN’s new competitive mariachi! Mariachi Plata is comprised of students from our mariachi courses in the fine arts music curriculum. Their local debut at 7 p.m. December 10 will follow their first competition at the Mariachi Vargas Extravaganza in San Antonio, Texas. This is incredibly exciting for our students and for our community. There is much interest in mariachi in Southern Nevada, as well as a strong desire by members of the Hispanic community for programs that recognize and celebrate their cultural heritage. With nearly one-third of our students identifying as Hispanic, it is imperative that we ensure a good fit for them at CSN.

Popular local singer Napoleon Buenrostro will act as master of ceremonies at the concert, where several other act will perform along with Mariachi Plata. The reception starts at 6 p.m. and the concert at 7.

Holiday Party & Holiday Card Winner

I am very much looking forward to this year’s CSN Holiday Party, and I hope to see you there. Tickets are $10 each and are on sale now through Monday, December 9 at any of our campus cashier’s offices. You may purchase a ticket for yourself and a ticket for a guest; adults only please, as there will be alcoholic beverages available.

On a related note, congratulations to CSN student Cecilia Belio, winner of our holiday card contest! Her wonderful design was chosen by our judges as the winner of the inaugural CSN Holiday Card Contest. Cecilia will be awarded a $500 gift card.

Mexican University Partnership

I recently met with presidents of technical colleges from Mexico and toured CSN’s campuses with them as they learned about some of our specialty programs. We signed a memorandum of understanding with the delegation of college presidents from the Associacion Nacional de Universidades Tecnologicas, pledging to continue the cross-cultural partnership we have developed. We are just getting started, and hope to soon develop new programs and initiatives that will lead to opportunities for our students to interact with the students from Mexico, who will come to CSN. This is a very exciting time for our college. Read more about the partnership here.

New International Center Director

Please join me in welcoming to CSN our new Director of International Programs Carol P. Fimmen, who started last month. Fimmen will be responsible for helping strengthen the college’s international programs, internationalization of the curriculum, faculty development initiatives, development of partnerships with international institutions, organizations and governments, and will oversee the area of international student recruitment and international student services. She plans to establish an international student alumni association, develop new study abroad opportunities for our students and faculty, establish international exchanges for students and faculty, and develop new international and workforce training for institutional and governments.

She brings extensive experience to CSN, having served in many international organizations and on boards, and as a consultant to the Asian Development Bank Institute, the American Council on Education, and the Consortium for North American Higher Education Collaboration, among others. Welcome to CSN, Carol.

New Chief Human Resources Officer

Another wonderful addition to the CSN family is our new Chief Human Resources Officer Tracey Cleveland, who brings with her more than 20 years of human resources experience, both in higher education and private industry.

She joins us directly from Erie Community College, where she had been since 2014, most recently as the vice president of human resources. Like CSN, ECC is a large community college, offering nearly 100 degree and certificate programs and enrolling more than 10,000 students. Before joining ECC, Cleveland filled various human resources leadership roles at Avery Dennison Corporation, Alcoa, the New York State Department of Transportation and Monroe Community College

As a senior associate vice president, Cleveland will oversee all aspects of human resources including talent acquisition and management, compensation, benefits, wellness, employee relations, employee development and retention, and performance management. She will also be responsible for oversight for the Office of Institutional Equity.

Cleveland begins January 2, and I hope you will join me in welcoming her.

Nevada Promise Needs Mentors

Our Nevada Promise students need you. As you know, students who receive the Nevada Promise scholarship are required to periodically meet with a mentor. Many CSN faculty and staff have been gracious enough to volunteer to mentor students, and for that we are grateful. More mentors are needed, though. If you can, please volunteer by filling out a mentor application here. Thank you.

Voicemail Changes

I hope you saw the email from our Office of Technology Services announcing several important changes to our voicemail system. For a full list of instructions, visit here.

November 2019 Chronicle

Many in the CSN family have been looking forward the official Student Union grand openings. It was truly an honor to stand with Dr. Arnold Bell, Faculty Senate Chair, the three past student government presidents Daniel Rodriguez, Andrew Sierra and Jill Robinson on October 29, and our new Charleston Campus Vice President and Provost Sonya Pearson for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Truly a “Students First” event.

November is also a time of reflection as we celebrate Thanksgiving, Veterans Day and Native American Heritage Month. In this spirit of reflection, I want to thank all of the CSN family for your dedication, commitment and hard work. I am truly blessed to be in an organization dedicated to student success and community impact.

Federico

Student Union Dedication

I hope you will be able to join us when we officially dedicate the student union on our North Las Vegas campus in honor of the late Assemblyman Tyrone Thompson on November 14. Thompson was a great friend to our community and our campus, a true believer in the Students First philosophy guiding all of us. I remember him greeting CSN students warmly into his office when we were in Carson City earlier this year. You can find details about the event on our calendar.

Our student unions stand as shining examples to the Students First approach we take at CSN.

As you know, the unions on each campus have quickly become popular spaces for our students to study, grab a bite to eat, relax between class and gather with their friends. The unions make the college experience better for all. They began as an idea from student government leaders years ago and I’m proud to see them come to fruition.

Coach Tim Chambers

CSN has built an impressive array of athletic programs over the years, and Coach Tim Chambers was at the foundation of it all. Chambers, who coached the CSN Coyotes baseball team from 2000 to 2010 and brought home a national championship in 2003, died on October 27. He will be sorely missed by everyone at CSN. The success of our student athletes both on and off the field was always a priority for Coach Chambers, and his legacy will live on. Read Athletic Director Dexter Irvin’s letter.

Leadership Academy

If you have not yet submitted your application to our new CSN Leadership Academy, I encourage you to do so now. The deadline is November 15. The program is open to all employees and utilizes the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People model of principle-based leadership. The application is available online or via PDF for download. Please contact program director Dr. Gillian.Silver-Rodis@csn.edu for more information.

Holiday Card & Holiday Party

I hope you will all join me at the CSN Holiday Party in the Charleston Campus Student Union Ballroom from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, December 12. After a successful semester, I am excited to celebrate the holidays with our faculty and staff who always put our students first. Please keep an eye on your email for more details about this event. As a reminder, I am seeking artwork submissions for our CSN Holiday Card. You can learn more about that and how to enter here.

University Police Services

I hope you all saw the message from Associate Vice President & Director of University Police Services, Southern Command Adam Garcia noting the changes regarding our Henderson facilities. As of now, University Police Services is providing 24/7 service to the CSN Henderson Campus, the Green Valley Tech Center, and the Water Street Centers, including dispatch services via UPD’s Dispatch Center. This change will provide improved response times for police, fire and medical services while also continuing to provide calls for service for campus security and after hour emergency requests for Facilities Management. Police will also provide increased patrols of these properties, including in vehicle patrol coverage and targeted foot patrols.

Also, working with Facilities Management, you will note signs communicating the prohibition of weapons on state property. Additional signage will be deployed throughout all campus locations in coming months.

Dean of the School of Arts & Letters

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Vartouhi Asherian, the new interim dean of the School of Arts and Letters! Dr. Asherian has been with CSN for many years, and she has a strong professional background in community college and public school teaching. She also brings a strong understanding of educational technology and has demonstrated great skill in working with faculty. She holds advanced degrees in Instructional Design and Distance Education, Curriculum and Instruction, and Education Administration. She serves on a national AACC-affiliated board and is engaged with NWCCU, our accrediting body, representing CSN in a professional capacity. She is also deeply committed to our community, and is particularly engaged in the arts.

Fall 2019 Enrollment

Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our fall enrollment through the census date of October 15, 2019. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data. See the enrollment report.

October 2019 Chronicle

We are well into the semester now, and I have some great news: Enrollment is up again! Our headcount of 35,771 means that enrollment has increased four years in a row!

There is much more exciting information to share, including news about our new Leadership Academy and a transition plan for the CSN Counseling Department, as well as some good news, important dates, and events coming up this month.

Federico 

In this issue:

• CSN Leadership Academy 
• Counseling Recommendations
• PTK Honors Bruno Rhodes
• Coyote Cupboards Open
• Jeanne Clery Report
• HSI/MSI Symposium
• New inclusive learning leader   
• Student Unions Grand Opening
• Constitution & Voter Registration Day
• Nevada Promise Deadline
• Short Film Showcase
• Science & Tech Expo
• Fall Enrollment Report

CSN Leadership Academy

I want to remind you all that applications will soon be available for our new CSN Leadership Academy, which will be led by Dr. Gillian Silver-Rodis. This is an opportunity for all our employees to become better leaders and sharpen their skills to help our students succeed. The Academy will launch this spring and consist of seven half-day sessions and a graduation. Please keep your eyes open for application materials later this month.

Read More

Multi-Campus Recommendations

I am pleased to authorize the consensus recommendations of the Counseling Department, Faculty Senate, Executive Council, and Campus Vice Presidents & Provosts to proceed with the initial transition plan for the CSN Counseling Department. Counselors have temporarily transitioned to Charleston Campus Vice President & Provost Dr. Sonya Pearson as we continue this important work to help put students first. Please know that Dr. Pearson is committed to continue sharing information with our employee groups about the multi-campus model, including structural changes to our counseling process, outlined in detail at the link below. Kudos to the Counselors, Faculty Senate, Administrative Faculty Assembly, Vice President Chrysanthou, Dr. Thomas and Dr. Pearson.

Read All the Details

PTK Honors Bruno Rhodes

Please join me in congratulating CSN English Professor Bruno Rhodes, who was recently honored by the Phi Theta Kappa honor society for his service as CSN’s PTK advisor! I was pleased to present Bruno with a pin from PTK in appreciation of his dedication to his students and to our student success mission. CSN will also purchase a brick in Bruno’s honor to be placed at the Phi Theta Kappa Center for Excellence Alpha Courtyard at the organization’s national headquarters. Congratulations!

Coyote Cupboards Now Open

I am pleased to say the food pantries are now open in each of our student unions. The Coyote Cupboards provide a valuable resource to our students who may struggle with food insecurity and hunger. As you know, the pantries were made possible with a $300,000 grant from the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. The cupboards are being run in cooperation with Three Square Food Bank and the CSN student government.

Read the Press Release

Jeanne Clery Report

As required by federal law, we recently released our annual security report, which includes three years’ worth of statistics for specific crimes that were reported to have occurred on campus, in or on non-campus properties owned or controlled by the college, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campuses. You can read the full report at the link below.

Read the Full Report

HSI/MSI Symposium

I hope you were able to attend the HSI/MSI Symposium in the Horn Theater last week. The daylong symposium was part of a three-day event in collaboration with the other NSHE institutions where we heard from national experts on issues related to diversity in higher education. I am so thankful to all our elected leaders and to the higher education community for their enthusiastic participation and support. We are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with other professionals and community members to leverage our resources to help achieve high-level outcomes for minority students.

New Inclusive Learning Leader

I am pleased to announce Nora Mirabal has been named interim executive director of inclusive learning and engagement. Nora has been with the College of Southern Nevada in a number of different roles for the last 24 years, most recently with the Jumpstart Concurrent Enrollment Program. She started in the human resources department and working in marketing and public relations as well. She has been with the Jumpstart program since its inception and has helped grow the program to more than 3,500 students. As you know, I am committed to our diversity efforts and putting out students on path to graduate, complete transfer and prosper and I know with Nora as an executive director we’ll continue that work. 

Student Unions Grand Opening

Please join us as we celebrate the official Grand Opening of our three new student unions. Students, colleagues, friends and special guests will convene on the Charleston Campus from 1-2 p.m. October 29. I hope to see you there!

 

Constitution & Voter Registration Day

I want to thank Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske for joining one of our political science classes last month on Constitution Day, a federally recogn

ized day of observance celebrated on September 17 – which is the anniversary of the document’s signing. The day coincides with Citizenship Day, when we 

recognize people who are taking steps to become U.S. citizens. National Voter Registration Day is also in September, and this year we held a registration drive on the North Las Vegas Campus, partnering with the League of Women Voters of Nevada. We had a great turnout. Thanks to all who helped organize such an important event.

Register to Vote

Nevada Promise    

The deadline to submit an application for the Nevada Promise Scholarship for the 2020-21 academic year is October 31. Applications are available now.

Other Upcoming Events

Short Film Showcase      

The 8th Annual Short Film Showcase will take place from 7-10 p.m. October 11 in the Horn Theater on the North Las Vegas Campus. See films by our award-winning film & videography students.      

Science & Tech Expo

CSN’s Construction Career Day and Science & Technology Expo will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. October 18 on the North Las Vegas Campus. We’re expecting 2,000 students from CCSD schools to visit.

Fall 2019 Enrollment Report

Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our fall enrollment through September 30, 2019. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data.

See the Enrollment Report

The Plan

In alignment with the multi-campus plan, CSN counselors are moving from a model that promotes access to enrollment to one that supports access to completion. To do this, we will need a systemic redesign of the student experience and the role of counselors from academic advising to integrated support and retention services. The efforts will coalesce around the Guided Pathways and Lost Momentum framework and scale collaboration between Academic Advisors and Counselors.

Scope of Work

The counselors will serve as the frontline service providers for the Multicultural Centers and Bump Up, and develop Individualized Student Success Plans for the following students: 

• E-alerts
• At-risk student support/counseling with at-risk being identified as:
  • Students on academic warning status
  • Students on academic probation
  • Students on continued probation status
  • Students who have lost financial aid eligibility (such as SSOG and Millennium)

The Timeline

Over the next two months, Dr. Pearson and the counselors will collaborate with key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive and integrated support and retention services plan. Key benchmarks are outlined below.  

Phase I: September 13

Faculty Senate voted on a resolution to temporarily transition the Counseling Department to the Charleston Campus Vice President & Provost in alignment with the multi-campus model and centralized services.

Phase II: September 20

Department of Counseling transitioned to the Charleston Campus Vice President & Provost. Two counselors per campus will be assigned to the Student Unions, as determined (or in concert) with the respective Campus Vice President & Provost. One counselor position at each campus will be administratively assigned as a program lead.     

Phase III: September 23

President approval and campus announcement regarding the temporary transition of the Counseling Department to the Charleston Campus Vice President & Provost. 

Phase IV: October 4

Campus Vice Presidents & Provosts and Counseling Department Representatives will meet with Executive Faculty Senate to provide an update on the counseling services model, Department Chair position and request for a policy amendment to change the permanent reporting structure to the President or designated Campus Vice President & Provost.      

Phase V: October 11

Campus Vice Presidents & Provosts and Counseling Department Representatives presentation to entire Faculty Senate on the counseling service model, proposed reporting structure, Department Chair job description, appropriate evaluation metrics and request for a policy amendment to change the permanent reporting structure to the President or designated Campus Vice President & Provost.   

Phase VI: October 20

Faculty Senate vote on the requested policy amendment to change the reporting structure for the Counseling Department. 

Phase VII: November 8

Faculty Senate final vote on requested policy amendment to change the reporting structure for the Department of Counseling.  

By capitalizing on established research and efforts set for by the Student Affairs Leadership and Counselors, we have reached an important turning point in our planning and Shared Governance process. Thank you to everyone who has and will continue to support the work of the Counseling Department.  

CSN joins our Southern Nevada community on the anniversary of that tragic night to remember the victims and their families. We will hold a vigil at 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 1, encourage a moment of silence, offer message boards on each campus, and sponsor blood drives throughout the month.

Consider Observing a Moment of Silence

Whether you are teaching, in a meeting or just walking across campus, take a moment on October 1 to reflect on the events of two years ago. If you or someone you know at CSN needs to talk with someone, we have Counseling and Psychological Services available to students and the Employee Assistance Program available for staff.

Remember With a Message

There are occasions when we have an easier time expressing our feelings in writing. If you would like to do so, visit one of our remembrance message boards set up near student government offices in the student unions on each main campus. These message boards will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. September 30 and October 1 and will be transported to the North Las Vegas campus on October 1 for the 7 p.m. vigil.

Attend the Candlelight Vigil

Our campus community and the Southern Nevada community will come together at 7 p.m. October 1 on the North Las Vegas Campus for a candlelight vigil.

Help Our Community Be Better Prepared
Give the gift of life. Donate blood at one of our on-campus blood drives.

• September 11, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Charleston Campus, B Building Lobby
• September 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Henderson Campus, C Building Lobby
• October 8, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Charleston Campus, Building B Lobby
• October 29, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, Building E, Room 130
• November 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, Building E, Room 130
• November 21, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Charleston Campus, Building B Lobby
• December 2, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, Building E, Room 130
• December 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Henderson Campus, C Building Lobby

Welcome back everyone! I know we are all energized to have faculty and students back on our campuses. I am looking forward to another year of putting our students first and moving our performance excellence agenda forward.
We have several updates and some news for you this month including highlights of our informative yet fun-filled convocation session. I especially enjoyed the student engagement and the CSN family awards section of the program that recognized our outstanding faculty and staff. Thank you in advance for putting students first.

• Federico

In this issue:
• Campus Safety
• University Police Services Test
• Convocation & Awards
• Multi-Campus Update
• Student Unions Now Open • Urban Chamber Luncheon
• Chief HR Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Salary Study Update
• Fall 2019 Enrollment Report

Read the President’s Blog

Campus Safety
As I mentioned last week, CSN has issued an emergency removal letter regarding the student who was arrested during the incident on the Henderson Campus on August 28. The effect of this action is that the student is now prohibited from entering any CSN or NSHE campus until there is a hearing and a full investigation.

I want to personally thank the police officers on the scene, as well as Chief Darryl Caraballo, Associate Vice President & Director of University Police Services Adam Garcia and especially the bystanders who reported what they saw to the police. Communication between law enforcement and college administration was rapid, transparent and effective. Once police had determined the situation presented no further danger to our campus or our faculty, staff and students, we quickly followed our communications protocols and disseminated as much information to the campus community as possible.

While any immediate danger is over, there is still an active investigation ongoing. You may have noticed that there is an increased police presence on all of our campuses. I pledge to keep you informed once the investigation is complete as to its status, and as we consider other measures to increase safety on all our campuses.

We all owe a debt of gratitude to our law enforcement team for their handling of this situation, and for the day-to-day activities they perform on our behalf.

University Police Services Test
As a reminder, University Police Services will be conducting an emergency alert test at 10 a.m. Wednesday, September 12. You are automatically enrolled to receive emergency notifications. If you have not yet done so, please download the CSN Mobile Safety app and encourage students you may encounter to do so as well.

Visit UPD South to Learn More

Multi-Campus Update
As we move into our first semester with new leadership in place for each campus, I am excited to more fully develop the multi-campus district model. I know our campus leaders are as well, and you are encouraged to reach out to them with your welcome messages, questions or concerns you may have about your campus. Each campus vice president & provost has expressed to me their eagerness to hear from you.

Please read more on my blog at the link below, including how to contact the campus vice presidents and staffing news related to the multi-campus model.
Read the Full Blog Post

Convocation & Awards
I wanted to again thank all those who came to our Fall 2019 Convocation Kickoff & State of the College event last month at Texas Station. You can see photos of the event here (You do not need a Facebook account to view these pictures). I am particularly proud of the students who participated, including those who presented their research conducted in the SEA-PHAGES program and the CSN Concert Dance Company.

I also want to congratulate the winners of the President’s Distinguished Employee of the Year & Excellence Awards.

Distinguished Administrative Faculty of the Year Sherri Payne
Distinguished Full-Time Faculty of the Year John Aliano
Distinguished Part-Time Faculty of the Year Michelle Dominguez
Excellence in Assessment Brian Schmidt
Excellence in Online Teaching Jim Matovina & Theri Wyckoff
Excellence in Service to CSN Kody Lightfoot & Vanessa Winn

Be sure to nominate a colleague for next year’s award, and look for information about the Regents’ Awards on the IRC’s website below.
Nominate Someone for a Regents’ Award

Student Unions are Now Open!
I hope you all have taken a moment to see our new student unions. I am so pleased to have a new, welcoming space for our students to socialize and study. As noted, the unions will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, and they will be closed on weekends. Events in the union can be booked through 25Live. Student-focused events will receive priority booking. I’d like to extend a big thank you and well done to the team that helped get these buildings up and running.
Book Your Event Now

Urban Chamber Luncheon
I was very pleased to join the Urban Chamber of Commerce last month for a discussion of how CSN supports small businesses in the community.

Joining me were Executive Director of Workforce and Economic Development Ricardo Villalobos, Business Professor Kevin Raiford and Associate Vice President of Procurement and Auxiliary Services Rolando Mosqueda.

As you know, it is a vital part of CSN’s mission to ensure that we align our programs to the needs of the local business community. I am proud to partner with the Urban Chamber as we work together to ensure that our young people not only get the education they deserve, but also have the opportunities after graduation to prosper in our community.
Read More About the Luncheon

Chief HR Officer
As you know, we are in the recruiting process for a new Senior Associate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. The deadline for receipt of applications is September 20. Our search consultant, Gold Hill Associates, will then perform a minimum qualifications review, to be followed by a screening committee review. By mid-October, Skype interviews will be underway, with on-campus interviews of the finalists in late October and early November. As always, we will keep you informed as the process moves forward.
Read the Full Job Description

Chief Information Officer
I am pleased to let you know that after a nationwide search, we have hired Mugunth Vaithylingam as CSN’s Chief Information Officer. You will recall that the IT Assessment completed by Huron Consulting recommended that we hire a full-time Chief Information Officer as a CSN employee, rather than as an employee of an outside contractor. Mugunth has been with us in that role for more than 10 years, so we can all be confident that this will be a smooth transition. Please join me in congratulating Mugunth.

Salary Study Update
Work between CSN and Gallagher Consulting continues on the salary study for administrative and academic Faculty. Although the process is taking longer than we anticipated, we are making progress. Please note that any salary increases that result will be retroactive to July 1, 2019. Please direct any questions you have in an email to Ayesha Kidd, Interim Chief Human Resources Officer. The President, and his executive council, Human Resources, and the Salary Study Committee are dedicated to completing the study. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Fall 2019 Enrollment Update
Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our fall enrollment through September 2, 2019. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data
See the Enrollment Report

As we move into our first semester with new leadership in place for each campus, I am excited to more fully develop the multi-campus district model. I know our campus leaders are as well, and you are encouraged to reach out to them with your welcome messages, questions or concerns you may have about your campus. Each campus vice president & provost has expressed to me their eagerness to hear from you.

You will have an opportunity on each campus in the coming weeks to attend an informal chat with them over coffee and doughnuts, so please look for details on those events soon. You may also contact them through their executive assistants:

• Charleston Campus, Dr. Sonya Pearson, Acting Executive Assistant Annette Lord, 702-651-7381
• Henderson Campus, Patty Charlton, Executive Assistant Jennifer Karuhn, 702-651-3598
• North Las Vegas Campus, Clarissa Cota, Acting Executive Assistant Cecilia Gonzalez, 702-651-4149

As we work to integrate this model more fully into our culture and structure, you will notice changes, some large and some small. The search for permanent executive assistants for the Charleston and North Las Vegas vice presidents is in the interview phase and should be completed soon.

On the Henderson Campus, interim Associate Vice President Rebecca Gates has been hired to help maximize talents and avoid duplication of funding in executive positions, and two other Associate Vice Presidents will be assigned for the same position on the other two campuses. This position reports directly to the campus vice president. This process will include an administrative reassignment process of existing associate vice presidents. We will share those administrative reassignments with you once they are complete.

Please know that we are also facilitating discussions with the college counselors to better align the department with a new model of integrated support and retention services.

Academic deans are assigned to each campus as follows:

Student Government and Student Life and Leadership offices have been relocated to the new student unions on each campus. Further planning is progressing to identify departments that can be housed in the unions to support a one-stop model of wraparound support and retention services. We anticipate posting student union management positions this fall for each campus.

I look forward to working together on this issue in the future to support student success and make sure all of our students graduate, complete, transfer and prosper.

Federico

Dear CSN Family,

At approximately 6 p.m. this evening, Wednesday, August 28, University Police Services Southern Command received a report that there appeared to be firearm magazines inside a parked vehicle on the College of Southern Nevada’s Henderson Campus. Officers arrived and tracked down the student who had driven the car to campus. It was then determined that the student had a rifle and approximately 2,000 rounds of ammunition inside the vehicle. Firearms are prohibited on Nevada System of Higher Education campuses, including those kept in parked vehicles. 

The student was arrested and booked into the Clark County Detention Center. The student stated that he had forgotten that he had the weapon in his vehicle. 

Although police do not believe that an ongoing threat exists to Henderson or any of our other campuses as a result of this incident, it is an important reminder of the effectiveness of the “see something, say something” public safety campaign. If you see something suspicious, report it to the police immediately. Learn more about University Police Services South on their website, and read up on the latest safety tips on our Newsroom blog.

– Federico

Dear CSN Family,

As the semester begins, safety should be in the forefront of all our minds. As you know, the CSN and UNLV police departments have been consolidated into one, new department called “University Police Services,” led by Associate Vice President and Director of Police Services Adam Garcia.

You have probably noticed that police cars and uniforms have changed, and we will see many more safety enhancements soon, including a state-of-the-art 911 dispatch center, bomb detection dogs, a detective bureau and an emergency management division, as well as enhanced community policing efforts. If you have concerns or questions about safety, Director Garcia can be contacted at adam.garcia@csn.edu.

I also want to remind you that the use and possession of marijuana on any CSN campus or leased property is prohibited. This prohibition applies to prescribed medical marijuana as well as recreational marijuana. If you wish to know more, you may reference the Nevada System of Higher Education policy found in the Regents’ Handbook in Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 32.

Possession of firearms on CSN campuses is also prohibited. This prohibition applies to those with concealed carry permits and also covers firearms stored in vehicles. If you wish to know more about the prohibition of firearms on campus, you may reference the Nevada System of Higher Education policy found in the Regents’ Handbook in Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 31.

There are a few other safety points I would like to address:

• If you have not yet done so, please download the CSN Mobile Safety app. The app features “report a crime” tip, emergency plans and crime statistics, a “safety toolkit,” campus maps and other important safety resources.

• Please know also that as a CSN Coyote, you are automatically enrolled in the CSN alert system. If there is a public safety crisis, you will receive emergency notifications through email, text, computer, CSN’s website and social media. Police Services will be testing emergency notifications at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 12, so you will receive test messages at that time.

• If there were to be an incident on campus involving an active assailant, remember the “Run, hide, fight!” strategy, as outlined on the UPD website.

• Remember to always keep your safety and the safety of others in mind as we embark on a new semester. Keep aware of your surroundings, and keep an eye out for students and staff with disabilities and others with limited mobility.

• For more safety tips, including a detailed explanation of what to do in the case of an active assailant, visit our Newsroom blog.

And remember to follow University Police Services on Facebook and Twitter for news and events. Have a safe and successful semester!

– Federico

March 2019

We are just over a month into the new semester and already we have experienced a snowstorm that caused us to briefly close our campuses, earned national laurels for CSN’s student success efforts, launched our new Areas of Study, witnessed the grand opening of our first Center of Excellence, and so much more. This edition of the Chronicle contains much important news and information, so please read through it when you have a moment.

You should know that CSN received some great news at last week’s Board of Regents meeting, including the approval of our new Associate of Science degree in Dental Science, which will prepare students to apply to the Bachelor of Science Dental Hygiene limited-entry program at CSN, or prepare them for a general transfer to another institution. Our outstanding faculty, staff and students were recognized, too, with 21 individuals being awarded tenure, a faculty member Diane Hardgrave given the Regents’ Teaching Award and student Narée Asherian given the Regents’ Scholar Award.

Be sure to read about our national recognition by Achieving the Dream as a “Leader College of Distinction.” We should all be proud of the hard-working faculty and staff at CSN that put Students First so they can graduate, complete, transfer and prosper!

–Federico

In this issue:
• Goettl Air Conditioning CEO Announces $250,000 Donation
• City of Henderson Pledges $500,000 for Health & Science Building
• Grants Available for Student-Centered Projects
• CSN Achieves National Recognition
• CSN Student Wins Regents’ Scholar Award
• CSN Professor Wins Regents’ Teaching Award
• Areas of Study Pages Are Live
• CSN Faculty & Staff Earn Tenure
• Coyote Howl
• Women’s History Month Events
• Commencement Speaker Contest Deadline
• CSN Day at the Legislature
• Distinguished & Excellence Awards Nominations
• Spring 2019 Enrollment Report

CSN Foundation

Goettl Air Conditioning CEO Announces $250,000 Donation

I am thrilled to tell you that Goettl Air Conditioning CEO Ken Goodrich, his wife Wendy and their son Duncan have established a $250,000 endowment fund through the Goodrich Family Trust intended to help low-income students become world class air conditioning and climate control technicians at CSN’s new state-of-the-art Air Conditioning Technology Center of Excellence.

The scholarship fund will support dual enrollment students, who attend Western High School and CSN’s air conditioning program simultaneously. Those students finish high school with college credits or a certificate of achievement at no cost to them. The endowment will pay for qualified students to complete their associate degree after high school, enabling them to thrive in an industry critical to the southern Nevada economy.

This endowment will mean that students who might not have been able to afford a college degree can now become the next generation of world class technicians. As CSN and CCSD continue to develop dual enrollment academies like this one at Western High School we will see the school-to-career pipelines for juniors and seniors grow and lay a foundation for tomorrow’s world class technical and professional workforce for the region.

Mr. Goodrich unveiled the donation at the grand opening of CSN’s remodeled Air Conditioning Technology Center of Excellence and Dual Enrollment Academy. Please join me in sending sincere thanks to Mr. Goodrich for all his support of our program over the years.

City of Henderson Pledges $500,000 for Health & Science Building

The Henderson City Council unanimously approved pledging $500,000 to the CSN Foundation in support of our new Health & Science Building campaign!

As you know, there is a shortage of health care workers in southern Nevada, and it is our intention to help train more workers to fill that gap. This building, which we will operate on our Henderson Campus in partnership with Nevada State College, will allow us to nearly double our nursing program enrollments and graduates.

The project is ranked as the number one priority not only by CSN, but also by the Southern Nevada Forum, an important group of legislative and business leaders that can have significant impact in Carson City. ​​

We are requesting $70,763,741 from the legislature for this building. It will include classrooms, laboratories, a simulation center, a library and expanded office space for both CSN and NSC.See the City of Henderson’s Resolution

Inside CSN

Grants Available for Student-Centered Projects
The Office of Sponsored Projects and the CSN Foundation are seeking applications for two different grants that would help impact the lives of our students. CSN faculty, staff and student groups are encouraged to collaborate to submit proposals by the March 29 deadline. Grants as high as $25,000 are available. See the links below for full details.

The STEM Innovation and Impact Grant will help us recruit, retain and graduate more students in STEM fields. The grant is particularly focused on students in underrepresented communities, and carries an award up to $25,000. For more information, please contact Kristen Dwyer, Project Coordinator STEM Innovation and Impact 702-651-7688 or Kristen.Dwyer@csn.edu.

The CSN Foundation Spirit of CSN Award helps support our Students First initiative. If you have an idea for a student-centered project for the 2019-20 academic year, you could be awarded between $5,000 and $10,000. For more information, please contact Barbara Talisman, CFRE, Executive Director, CSN Foundation at 702-651-7535 or Barbara.Talisman@csn.edu.Learn about the Spirit of CSN Grant & the STEM Grant

CSN Achieves National Recognition, Named ‘Leader College of Distinction’

I am proud to announce that Achieving the Dream named CSN one of only 11 Leader Colleges of Distinction nationwide for our work on improving student success and reducing student achievement gaps. This is incredible news and shows how hard our faculty and staff have been working on these issues.

As you know, CSN joined ATD in 2012 with the express purpose of helping our students succeed. The award recognizes colleges that have consistently strived to meet challenging student success goals. ATD cited CSN for gains of 8 percentage points for students completing gateway math, 8 percentage points for gateway English, 8 percentage points for fall-to-fall persistence and a 3-percentage-point increase in completion. In addition, low-income CSN students saw a 10-percentage-point increase in gateway math completion, a 13-percentage-point increase in gateway English completion, and a 10-percentage-point increase in persistence. The college also showed gains for female students as well as black and Latino students across metrics. For example, there was an 11-percentage-point increase in Latino student persistence.

There is nothing more important for CSN than student success, which means ensuring that our students complete their education so they can prosper in the workplace.

Congratulations to all involved in bringing this tremendous national honor to CSN. Read Our Press Release

CSN Student Wins Regents’ Scholar Award

College of Southern Nevada High School student Narée Asherian was named the 2019 Regents’ Scholar for community colleges in Nevada last week. Congratulations!

Asherian will graduate this spring with both a high school diploma and an Associate of Business degree from CSN. While at CSN High School, she has balanced more than nine college credits per semester, as well as juggling her high school workload. She has maintained a 3.8 grade-point average and plans to transfer to UNLV and earn a bachelor’s degree in business within two years. The award includes a $5,000 cash stipend, and is based on academics, leadership, and service contributions and the recipient’s potential for continued success.

Naree said: “I’m very grateful for all the opportunities that both CSN and CSNHS have provided for me — as the daughter of immigrants that worked hard to go to school and get their degrees, it means so much to me to be able to attend a program that provides me with the education and skillset I need to be successful, both inside and out of the classroom. I look forward to using the stipend toward my journey at UNLV, and I would like to thank the NSHE Regents’ Board for making it possible for me to continue my education, and for allowing me to represent the success of CSN and CSNHS.”

What an amazing student. Read the Nomination

CSN Professor Wins Regents’ Teaching Award

Congratulations to anthropology professor Diane Hardgrave, who won the Nevada Regents’ Teaching Award last week! What an incredible honor.

Hardgrave, who joined CSN in 2013, previously won the Distinguished Faculty of the Year Award here and, while a graduate student at UNLV, she earned the Regents’ Scholar award. She is known for her engaging teaching style, bringing mindfulness meditation techniques into the classroom (and CAPE sessions for faculty and staff), and for developing a Forensic Anthropology Certificate of Achievement at CSN.

In 1996, the Board of Regents established of the annual Regents’ Teaching Award. This award honors outstanding instructional contributions to the Nevada System of Higher Education. Awardees receive a $5,000 stipend and a medal. Read Hardgrave’s Award Nomination

Areas of Study Pages and Student Applications Pages Are Live

Please visit our new Pathways for Student Success page, linked below. Start at our home page and go through the new web pages as a new student would do so you understand the experience. Also take a look at our new student animated video. We we want your feedback on the new pages. If you have ideas for new features that can help take new students from career exploration through application, please let us know. If you find something that is not working right, please let us know that too. Email the communications and marketing team at marketingservices@csn.edu. And as always, please keep checking the Pathways for Student Success page linked below for new materials and new information on our continuing Guided Pathways efforts. Visit the New Pathways for Student Success Page & Watch the Video

CSN Faculty & Staff Earn Tenure
Congratulations to the following individuals, who were granted tenure last week by the Board of Regents:
• Anthony Adamo, World Languages
• Brad Kevin Brady, Advising/Counseling and First Year Experience
• Kaylee Baucom, English
• Janelle Benedetti, Advising/Counseling and First Year Experience
• Dr. Francis Joseph Carleton III, Social Sciences
• Shawn Claxton, Advising/Counseling and First Year Experience
• Jessica L. Dycus, Health Related Professions
• Joseph Gormley, Hospitality Management
• Braiden W. Green, Criminal Justice and Emergency Services
• Dr. William Kwon, Social Sciences
• Michael McDonald, Accounting, Finance & Computer Office Technology
• Dr. Robert L. MacDonald, Social Sciences
• Dr. John B. Min, Social Sciences
• Luis Ortega, Advising/Counseling and First Year Experience
• Emily Rafael, Advising/Counseling and First Year Experience
• Joseph Ryan, Computing and Information Technology
• Dr. James Theoret, Biological Sciences
• Staci Walters, Fine Arts
• Walker Weimer, English
• Erin Windsor, Biological Sciences
• Dr. Diana Woodhouse, Communication

Coyote Howl

Thank you to the Office of Alumni Relations and student government for creating an exciting and engaging event with last month’s Coyote Howl for our upcoming graduates. More than 300 students attended the event on our North Las Vegas campus, half of whom will graduate this year. Students were able to purchase caps and gowns and learn about resources beyond CSN, and were treated to free food and music. As a reminder, our commencement ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. May 20 in the Thomas & Mack Center.Learn More about CSN’s Graduation

Upcoming Events

Women’s History Month Events
In honor of Women’s History Month, CSN will hold a variety of events geared toward exploring important contributions that women have made to America and the world. Please attend one or more of the events if you can, and spread the word. The more the merrier.
• March 9: Status of Women Conference
• March 13: Women of Strength and Valor
• March 21: Women’s History Month Event
• March 21: Nevada Women’s Film Fest
• March 25: Reproductive Justice & Roe v. Wade
• March 26: Spotlight on Women
Get Details on all the Events

Commencement Speaker Contest Deadline

The Class of 2019 Commencement Speaker Contest committee is accepting speaker applications through March 10. The selected speaker may be eligible to receive the Nevada Institution Transfer Scholarship. Those who have attended commencement ceremonies in the past know that the student speaker is a highlight of the night. I am very much looking forward to my first commencement as CSN’s president, and to hearing the winner of the contest deliver their speech.Learn More Here, Including How to Apply

CSN Day at the Legislature

CSN Day at the Legislature is almost here! On Monday, March 25, CSN students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in our state’s legislative process in Carson City.

Be sure to see the links below to learn about our legislative priorities and CSN’s lobbying policy.

If you have any questions about CSN Day at the Legislature, please contact Interim Director of Government Affairs Mariana Kihuen at mariana.kihuen@csn.edu or 702-326-6561.Learn More About our Legislative Priorities & Lobbying Policy

Distinguished & Excellence Awards Nominations
It’s time once again to nominate a colleague for a Distinguished or Excellence award. As you know, these awards are given each year at Convocation to faculty and staff members who have consistently demonstrated outstanding dedication and hard work on behalf of our students. Don’t wait, the deadline is March 25. See the link below for more information.
Nominate a Colleague

Enrollment

Spring 2019 Enrollment Report

Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our​​ spring​​ enrollment through March 5. Visit the​​​​ Institutional Research​​ web page​​ to see additional enrollment and institutional data.
See the Enrollment Report

Dear Faculty and Staff,

As you’re aware, CSN Day at the Legislature is fast approaching. On Monday, March 25, CSN students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in our state’s legislative process in Carson City. We have posted a document listing CSN’s legislative priorities for this 80th (2019) Session of the Nevada Legislature.

Faculty and staff who wish to participate in CSN Day at the Legislature are responsible for paying their own travel, lodging and food costs. However, faculty and staff need to request approval for annual leave to participate. If you’re a faculty or staff member who wishes to participate in CSN Day at the Legislature, please email Mariana Kihuen, Interim Director of Government Affairs, at Mariana.Kihuen@CSN.edu. 

We want to remind you that:

• The purpose of CSN Day at the Legislature is to allow students and staff to express their personal views to legislators.
• Students and employees cannot communicate on behalf of someone else or state that they are there on behalf of CSN or the Board of Regents.
• The Board of Regents and CSN have publicized their budget requests and priorities for CSN, and employees are encouraged to express their personal support for or viewpoints about those priorities.
• Employees may express their views to individual legislators in conversations, through email or other written submissions or during public comment periods during committee hearings.
• Employees may state their occupation and employer for context when speaking to legislators, but should clarify they are stating only their personal views and experiences.

If you have any questions about CSN Day at the Legislature, please contact Mariana Kihuen, Interim Director of Government Affairs, at Mariana.Kihuen@CSN.edu or 702-651-7719.

Go Coyotes!

–

Federico

Congratulations to the following individuals, who were awarded tenure today by the Board of Regents.
• Anthony Adamo, World Languages
• Brad Kevin Brady, Advising/Counseling and First Year Experience
• Kaylee Baucom, English
• Janelle Benedetti, Advising/Counseling and First Year Experience
• Dr. Francis Joseph Carleton III, Social Sciences
• Shawn Claxton, Advising/Counseling and First Year Experience
• Jessica L. Dycus, Health Related Professions
• Joseph Gormley, Hospitality Management
• Braiden W. Green, Criminal Justice and Emergency Services
• Dr. William Kwon, Social Sciences
• Michael McDonald, Accounting, Finance & Computer Office Technology
• Dr. Robert L. MacDonald, Social Sciences
• Dr. John B. Min, Social Sciences
• Luis Ortega, Advising/Counseling and First Year Experience
• Emily Rafael, Advising/Counseling and First Year Experience
• Joseph Ryan, Computing and Information Technology
• Dr. James Theoret, Biological Sciences
• Staci Walters, Fine Arts
• Walker Weimer, English
• Erin Windsor, Biological Sciences
• Dr. Diana Woodhouse, Communication

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Greetings, Colleagues. We’ve reached the halfway point of the semester, and there is much news to share. Enrollment is up, we had a positive accreditation visit, the Nevada Promise Scholarship remains a success, we’ve received grant money that will help us continue to put students first, and we are maintaining our laser focus on safety and security.

I also want this edition of the Chronicle to serve as a reminder that safety and security is not only about our physical well-being. Our mental health is just as important. Please know that at CSN, we take this issue very seriously. Free and confidential counseling is available to all faculty, staff and students.

– Federico

In this issue:

• Mid-Cycle Accreditation Visit Update
• Roundtables Summary
• Know When to Call in an Expert
• Behavior Intervention Team
• Public Safety Update
• Nevada Promise • Workday Anniversary
• CAPE Professional Development Platform
• CSN Events
• Mental Health Grant
• STEM Grant
• Fall 2018 Enrollment Report

Read the President’s Blog

Inside CSN

Mid-Cycle Accreditation Visit Update

Last month, we had a positive visit from the Northwest Commission Colleges and Universities Mid-Cycle Accreditation team. I hope you got a chance to read Vice President Margo Martin’s email summarizing the visit. If not, the full text of her email is linked below.

As you may know, the commission evaluates colleges and universities on a seven-year cycle to ensure the highest standards are being met. If so, the institution retains its accreditation. Halfway through these seven-year periods, a less formal visit is conducted as a consultation to help institutions get ready for the next accreditation visit. The mid-cycle team was very impressed with the high level of engagement shown by CSN’s faculty and staff. That enthusiasm by everyone here is no surprise to me, of course.

We do have some work to do and some recommendations to follow, which Margo nicely summarized in her note. As I have said from my first day at CSN, our mission will always take a students-first approach. As we consider our accrediting body’s recommendations, I want us to always focus on student persistence, completion and graduation, transferring, and meeting the needs of the local workforce.

Read VP Martin’s Summary

Faculty & Staff Presidential Roundtables Summary

I hope you were able to attend one of the roundtable events we held in late September on each of our campuses. It is very important to me that communication between the administration and the faculty and staff happen in both directions. The roundtables were designed to be conversations, and I was pleased that we had the kind of back and forth I had hoped for. If you were unable to attend, we have posted a summary of the topics discussed and some of the concerns brought up. Please take a moment to read through them, and let me know if there is a topic you wish you had been able to bring up.

See a Detailed Summary

Know When to Call in an Expert

Often, supervisors are called upon to handle sensitive employee issues, but sometimes it is better to pass along some matters to the experts in human resources. Determining which issues to handle yourself and which to bring HR in on can seem difficult, but it is not as complicated as it sounds. When the issue includes FMLA, ADAAA, sexual harassment, discrimination and other, similar topics, it is best to bring in human resources. Please click the link below for a more thorough examination of the topic. And, as always, feel free to call human resources for a consultation any time you need help. HR can be reached at 702.651.5800.

Read More on the Issue

Behavior Intervention Team

As we have noted since Convocation, we are renewing our attention this year on the safety and security of our faculty, staff and students. As I noted earlier, this includes more than just physical safety. And while we can distribute information about CAPS services, students who may be in need do not always seek it out when perhaps they should. As faculty and staff, sometimes we interact with students who we believe may need those services. We should refer them to www.csn.edu/caps in those cases. For faculty and staff, the Employee Assistance Program is our outlet for counseling services and more. See www.csn.edu/employee-assistance-program for full details.

I bring this up because it occurs to me that while we all intuitively understand the word “safety” to refer to our physical well-being, it also refers to our mental health. The two are equally important. You may not know about the Behavior Intervention Team we have at CSN. It includes experts from across the college, including those from legal, police, human resources, student services and more. This team can supplement the efforts of our student conduct officers, human resources personnel, CAPS office and Employee Assistance program, helping to ensure any concerning behaviors are addressed in a timely and safe manner.

You will hear more about CAPS referrals later in this Chronicle, as well. And please be on the lookout for CAPE sessions on safety and security, as well as more information about the Behavior Intervention Team in the coming weeks.

Public Safety Update

Last month, the NSHE Board of Regents voted to move forward with plans for the Southern Command Police Consolidation. NSHE is in the process of hiring a southern commander to lead the transformation and the development of a collaborative plan that will enhance the safety and security of all our students, faculty and staff. In my presentation to the Board of Regents I emphasized that CSN expects that the consolidation would mean more not less resources and that we would build on the foundation of our current safety model that has worked for the CSN community in the past. To be clear, the plan will not simply replicate the police consolidation that took place in northern Nevada. We will continue to keep you informed of developments as the occur. On a related matter, we are holding an active shooter drill on the North Las Vegas Campus next week. Please remember to be prepared, and go into the drill thinking about what your role would be during such an event.

Read the NSHE Press Release on Police Consolidation

Nevada Promise Scholarship

The Nevada Promise Scholarship is becoming even more popular, with this year’s application total surpassing last year’s. This year we had more than 10,000 high school seniors applying by the October 31 deadline. Current Promise Scholars attending CSN have also reapplied and will be working with the college to renew their eligibility. CSN will now be engaging with mentors and working with students to complete the required trainings.

For more information on the Nevada Promise Scholarship at CSN, how to become a mentor, or next steps for applicants, please visit the link below or contact the Promise Office at 702.651.7546.

Learn More about Nevada Promise

Workday Anniversary

As we mark the first anniversary of going live with Workday at CSN, I want to first offer my sincere appreciation and congratulations to the entire Workday team. There are roundtable discussions scheduled this month where you can learn about the progress that has been made since the last roundtable in June, discuss your experience with Workday and voice your feedback. You are invited to join Vice President Mary Kaye Bailey and the Workday team at one of the following roundtables:

• Tuesday, November 6, 1-2 p.m., Henderson Campus, C Building, Room 133
• Tuesday, November 27, 9-10 a.m., Charleston Campus, D Building, Room 101

See the Roundtable Flier

CAPE Professional Development Platform

CAPE will launch the college’s new professional development platform on Monday. This means all employees will be able to use the new features. The old system stopped accepting new registrations this week. Make sure you save your entire training record and certificates in case you need them in the future. CAPE will maintain the old records, but will not have access to your certificates. Trainings are offered November 5, 6, 8, 15, and 20 at various times and locations. If you have questions please contact CAPE at 702.651.5685 or CAPE@csn.edu.

Learn More About the New Platform

CSN Events

October 1 Remembrance

The CSN community came together on the anniversary of the tragedy on the Las Vegas Strip on October 1. The event, held on the Charleston Campus and co-sponsored by student government, saw dozens of faculty, staff, students and members of the community gather and pause for a moment of silent remembrance.

 

 

 

 

 

Diversity Events

October saw a number of events centered around the themes of diversity, and inclusion including the PRIDE Parade, the LGBTQ Student Mixer, the Diversity Festival, Black Student Union Spirt Week, and the International Center Welcome Event. I was able to attend some of these events, and what a great time I had. We’ve gathered some photos, which you can see at the link below.

See More Photos Here

CSN News

Mental Health Grant

We have received wonderful news from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration: CSN has received a grant in the amount of $50,000 intended to ensure that our employees have the knowledge base to refer students displaying certain emotional and mental health behaviors to our Counseling and Psychological Services team. The CAPS team will work with Mojave Counseling and external community-based resources to provide services and referrals for students. CSN is the only awardee in the state of Nevada.

The goal is to train a wide array of students, faculty and staff, including deans, department chairs, directors, student leaders and members of the Behavior Intervention Team. This three-year grant will help us help students who may need and be unaware of the incredibly valuable services that CAPS offers.

Learn More about CAPS

STEM Grant

We have more great news regarding grants: CSN has received a grant of $1 million from the Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology to help strengthen STEM education in critically underrepresented student populations. The four-year grant funds the development of initiatives and strategies that seek to increase the number of underrepresented and low-income students studying and completing degrees or certificates in high-demand science, technology, engineering, and math fields. Underrepresented groups in STEM include women, students of color, and students with disabilities.

This is incredibly important news at this time. The demand for workers skilled in STEM fields is growing 41 percent faster in Nevada than in non-STEM industries. These are high-paying jobs that require the kind of credentials and degrees that CSN specializes in. Please look for more news on this exciting grant as we develop the strategies we will use to overcome the barriers these students face.

Read CSN’s Press Release

Enrollment

Fall 2018 Enrollment

Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our fall enrollment through the Fall Census date, October 15. All NSHE institutions must report enrollment numbers to the system office by their designated census date. As I mentioned last month, our enrollment numbers remain at levels not seen in many years and I know we will continue to see those numbers rise year after year. Here’s an interesting note: If you add up our unique student headcount from the spring, summer and fall semesters, as well as those from our non-credit workforce division, we touch the lives of over 50,000 students each and every year. That’s tremendous. And it’s all because of our dedicated faculty and staff.

See the Enrollment Report

In this Issue
Presidential Roundtables Accreditation Visit Legislative Priorities Work Climate Survey Police Consolidation & Campus Safety New CAPE Platform New AAS Degree	Hungry Games & Holiday Party Short Film Showcase Hispanic Heritage Month Fall Enrollment AT&T Jumpstart Donation MGM College Opportunity Employee Giving Campaign
Read the President’s Blog
Inside CSN
Presidential Roundtables
I was so pleased at the robust turnout at my first three presidential roundtable events last month. These informal conversations are critical to me. No one governs an institution alone, and getting feedback and questions from the people who really make CSN go is so important to understanding where we are, what we are doing well, and where we could improve. I heard a lot about all three areas. While I will have a more comprehensive summary of the roundtables available soon, I wanted to use this space to cover a few of the issues that were brought up. Several topics were addressed at all three roundtables, including campus safety and our police department, communications, student success initiatives, and a perceived disconnect between the administration and our students, the very people we are here to serve. While campus safety is addressed later in this newsletter, please know that communications and student services will be priorities for me. I am grateful for the feedback and suggestions in both areas. Communications permeates everything we do, and it’s vital that we remain accessible and transparent. Equally critical are student services and our front-line interactions. The staff members in both areas are extremely dedicated individuals who welcome any opportunity to improve. Regarding student success initiatives, we have much on the horizon, including the ongoing restructuring around our Multi-Campus District model, and new grants that will help us accelerate changes already underway and implement some new ones, including guided pathways and student support services. These will be ongoing programs, so I will continue to keep you informed as implementation occurs. Because the roundtable events are designed for faculty and staff, we also have scheduled several Pizza with the President events for our students. Please help us spread the word. 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. October 22, Charleston Campus, Building I, Room 108 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. October 24, Henderson Campus, Building C, Room 215 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. October 25, North Las Vegas Campus, Building S, Room 144
Accreditation Visit
Please be aware that CSN is due for the mid-cycle evaluation required by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. An evaluation team will visit campus next week, on Monday October 8 and Tuesday October 9. This routine evaluation is conducted in the third year of the seven-year accreditation cycle. It is intended to ascertain an institution’s readiness to provide evidence of mission fulfillment and sustainability. Essentially, these evaluations tend to point out what is going well and what needs improvements, while following up on previous findings. Because of the hard work by Clarissa Cota, Margo Martin and their team, we are confident the visit will go well. As always, I will keep you informed as events develop.
Learn More About CSN’s Accreditation
Legislative Priorities
The proposed Health & Sciences Building on the Henderson Campus remains our top legislative priority as we prepare for the 2019 session, which opens February 4. This building, in which we will partner with Nevada State College on numerous programs, is NSHE’s second highest priority for the entire system, and the third highest priority for the Southern Nevada Forum, an important group of legislative and business leaders that can have significant impact in Carson City. Needless to say, we are excited by the possibilities. Among the proposals for the building would be expanded training for nurses, EMTs and other healthcare professionals needed to alleviate a critical healthcare workforce shortage. Our next highest priority will be to finally plan for the development of the 44 acres of land slated for our Northwest Campus. We will request $4 million in planning funds. This future campus is sorely needed. The northwest portion of the metro area is drastically underserved when it comes to higher education. Indeed, all of Southern Nevada needs easier access to our facilities. Planning and eventually building out the Northwest Campus is a necessary step toward planning out the region’s future, of which CSN will be an integral component. Our other top priorities will be legislation concerning the Nevada Promise Scholarship and the Prison Education Program.
Work Climate Survey
It is time again for CSN to conduct our work climate survey, done every three years to ensure we know what issues are important to you all. Next month, all employees, including student workers and part-time faculty and staff, will be contacted via email to complete a Personal Assessment of the College Environment, or PACE, survey. It is very important that you fill this confidential form out. It is completely anonymous. Please plan to spend 15-20 minutes completing the PACE survey – you cannot save an incomplete survey and return to it. Your answers will allow members of the CSN Work Climate Committee to identify key issues and collect feedback to inform recommendations that they bring to the administration.
Police Consolidation & Campus Safety
As you know, a report on potential police consolidation at the Southern Nevada higher education institutions commissioned by the Board of Regents was released this past spring. While no definitive action has yet been taken, it is important to note that whatever the model that is recommended down here will not look like the model followed in northern Nevada. We are assured that any new structure will make us more safe, not less. What is being considered is combining some operations and sharing some resources. Folding one police department into another is not among the options, nor is having one institution responsible for the safety and security of the others. As of yet, there is no formal proposal being discussed, but rather simply a range of possibilities, one of which would involve creating an integrated Southern Command structure of some kind. While saving money is important to me, as it should be to all of us, my bottom line is and always will be a safe, secure campus, including potentially improved response times and more robust training for our officers. It is important to know that the three institutions will continue having input in this process. Rest assured our voice will be heard. We must be vigilant about campus safety. To that end, we deployed Campus Safety Information Teams on all three campuses last month. We were pleased with the turnout. Faculty, staff and students took advantage of the opportunity to learn about our emergency plan, how to sign up for alerts, where to get training and more. In the interest of safety, please know that we will also be holding active shooter drills later this semester and in the spring. Please be prepared, and go into the events thinking about what your role would be during such an event. The first drill is scheduled for the week of November 5 on the North Las Vegas Campus. Please remain alert. Remember, if you see something, say something.
Learn about CSN’s Emergency Plan
New CAPE Platform
As we’ve noted, CAPE is upgrading its registration system to a more robust professional development platform. CAPE will demo the exciting new platform on all three campuses this month. Please attend one to get a better idea of what the upgrades will look like and how they will function. It will include new features and tools for e-learning and increasing department engagements, and will also allow department heads and chairs to initiate training and view their team’s progress. The sessions are scheduled for: 3 p.m. October 10 on the North Las Vegas Campus 3 p.m. October 11 on the Charleston Campus 3 p.m. October 24 on the Henderson Campus
Register for the Demos Here
New AAS Degree
Next fall, we anticipate launching our new AAS degree in Environmental Management. The degree was approved by the Board of Regents last month. In an effort to meet the high demand for experts in the field, we have plans to expand the degree into a bachelor’s degree the following year. Local industry is heavily invested in the program. Graduates and students will be able to meet and interact with potential employers before completing the program. Bureau of Labor Statistics data suggest that environmental related jobs in Nevada could grow at a rate of 11 percent in the coming years.
Read About the New Degree
CSN Events
Hungry Games & Holiday Party
The beloved Hungry Games will return next month! The faculty and staff softball tournament is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, November 17 on the Henderson Campus. Be sure to come watch, grab a hot dog, and cheer your team on. Contact your respective employee group leadership to sign up for your team.   Another favorite is returning: The CSN Holiday Party will take place from 6-9 p.m. December 13 at the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel. Look for more details as the date approaches.
See the Hungry Games Flier and the Party Flier
Short Film Showcase
I want to remind you that CSN’s award-winning Film & Videography Program will present the Seventh Annual Short Film Showcase at 6:30 p.m. Friday, October 12 in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre on CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus. The event is free and open to the public. Films from CSN students, including several that took home Student Production Emmy Awards this summer, will be on display. This popular event has grown every year since its inception, and it’s not suprising. I look forward to seeing the films myself.
Find Out More About the Showcase
Hispanic Heritage
I hope everybody had a chance to visit one of the Coffee With Culture events held as part of Hispanic Heritage Month on each of our campuses. The gatherings gave participants a chance to sample beverages from cultures around the world, including coffees from Italy, Cuba, Hawaii and the Caribbean. They also offered the opportunity to meet members of the CSN Latino Alliance and the Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Committee. I look forward to more heritage events, and hope to see you there.
Find Out More About Diversity Committees
By the Numbers
Look for this section each month to learn about the data that drive discussion and decisions at CSN.
Fall 2018 Enrollment
Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our fall enrollment through October 1. I am tremendously excited about the current enrollment numbers…and you should be too! For the first time since spring 2015, we are up over 35,000 students in terms of headcount and are currently sitting at 19,154 full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment. You have to go back to the fall of 2012 to see an FTE number that high. Thank you all for your hard work and let’s keep the momentum going for the spring semester! Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data.
See the Enrollment Report
Good News
AT&T Jumpstart Donation
I want to thank the Aspire Foundation so much for their continued support of the CSN Jumpstart program. A generous donation of $10,000 last month from AT&T will help 142 low-income high school students earn college credit through the program. Jumpstart works with high school instructors to provide college courses at the high school campus. Teacher with collegiate-level credentials are certified to teach CSN curricula so high school students are receiving the same course they would at CSN. CSN and AT&T officials gathered last month at Las Vegas High School to celebrate the donation and the program. “AT&T recognizes the importance of CSN’s Jumpstart Program and is proud to continue supporting this program,” said AT&T Director of External Affairs Sandra Douglass Morgan. “The Jumpstart program gives our southern Nevada students the necessary tools to have a seamless transition to college while giving them the ability to complete their college degree faster.”
Read Our Press Release
MGM College Opportunity Program
MGM Resorts International and the Nevada System of Higher Education are now partners in an effort make higher education affordable and accessible to the company’s more than 70,000 employees. The MGM College Opportunity Program, approved last month by the Board of Regents, marks the first time a Fortune 300 company is partnering with an entire system of higher education. MGM employees can receive online education through NSHE schools, including CSN, free of charge for all credit hours. The program, which will will emphasize degree completion, is set to begin next fall. We welcome this opportunity to help diversify and strengthen Nevada’s economy by ensuring even more of our residents have access to higher education. “This partnership will change the lives of these employees and their families, many of who are first-generation students,” said NSHE Chancellor Thom Reilly. “And the partnership will push NSHE institutions to offer more on-line degrees, an area in which we need to improve.”
Read the NSHE Press Release
CSN Foundation
Employee Giving Campaign
Please take a moment to pledge your support for the Employee Giving Campaign by making your Coyote Commitment to the CSN Foundation. Support our students and to make a difference in our community! Join businesses, community leaders, philanthropists, and alumni to support scholarship programs and our capital campaign. We can’t do it without you.
Make Your Coyote Commitment Here

 

CSN joins our Southern Nevada community on the anniversary of that tragic night to remember the victims and their families. We will hold a vigil at 7 p.m. Monday October 1 , encourage a moment of silence, offer message boards on each campus, and sponsor blood drives throughout the month.

Consider Observing a Moment of Silence

Whether you are teaching a class, leading a meeting or just walking across campus, take a moment on October 1 to reflect on the events of one year ago. If you or someone you know at CSN needs to talk with someone, we have Counseling and Psychological Services available to students and the Employee Assistance Program available for employees.

Remember With a Message

There are occasions in our life when we can express our feelings more adequately by writing them down. If you would like to express your thoughts as a written message on this solemn day, visit one of our remembrance message boards set up near student government on each main campus. These message boards will be available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. October 1  and will be transported to the vigil on the Charleston campus at 7 p.m.

You will find student government offices at:

• Charleston Campus, Building B
• Henderson Campus, Building B
• North Las Vegas Campus, Main Building (East Wing)

Attend a Candlelight Vigil

Our campus community and the Southern Nevada community will come together at 7 p.m. October 1 on the Charleston Campus for a candlelight vigil.

Help Our Community Be Better Prepared

Give the gift of life. Donate blood at one of our on-campus blood drives.

September 2018
Greetings Colleagues, I could not have been more excited to kick off convocation activities and start classes over the last two weeks. I’m sure you all felt the same. As we start a new academic year, I want to reiterate what was said on stage at Convocation: This institution will focus on students first and student success so students graduate, transfer, or earn certificates. Every action we take, everything we do, will be with that focus in mind. – Federico
In this issue:
Emergency Preparedness Convocation Congratulations Email and Acceptable Use Financial Aid Student Union Construction CSN Connections	Presidential Roundtables Student Short Film Showcase Culinary Excellence Top CIO By the Numbers Campus Safety
Read the President’s Blog
Inside CSN
Emergency Preparedness
Safety and emergency preparedness were a major theme at this year’s Convocation. The safety and security of our faculty, staff and students will always be a top priority at CSN. At convocation, we eluded to active shooter drills on all of our main campuses this semester. The first of these was to take place on the Charleston Campus the week of September 17. We have decided to postpone that in favor of sharing information about emergency preparedness first. We will deploy Campus Safety Information Teams on each campus on Wednesday, September 19. We encourage you to come learn about our emergency plan, how to sign up for alerts, where to get training and more. Please visit the link below to view the flier with locations and times.
Learn More About the Safety Team Events
Convocation
My first Convocation Kickoff event last month was both memorable and informative. Thank you all for coming. We have uploaded video and photos of the day’s activities at the links below. This year’s Champions theme could not have been more appropriate as we work to take CSN from good to great.
See Photos Here and a link to the Video at the Bottom of This Page
Congratulations!
We have a fantastic team of faculty and staff here at CSN, so what an honor it was to stand with the winners of the Excellence and Distinguished Awards at Convocation. Each year, the Internal Recongition Committee chooses honorees from among dozens of nominations. Please join me in congratulating all the winners, and be sure to nominate a colleague next year.
Excellence in Assessment Theodore Chodock & Steve Herro Excellence in Online Teaching Eric Hutchinson Excellence in Research Kenneth Fernandez & Amanda Hudson Excellence in Community Service Jet Mitchell & Jennifer Basquiat Distinguished Administrative Faculty Pat Zozaya Distinguished Classified Employee Sarah Renkes Distinguished Full-Time Faculty Charlene Gibson Distinguished Part-Time Faculty Voltaire Verzosa
Learn More About the Internal Recognition Committee
Email and Acceptable Use
Beginning October 21, all official CSN communications will be sent to students’ CSN email. This email address is available to students as long as they are enrolled at CSN. Faculty and staff will be required to communicate only to these addresses, and email forwarding will no longer be allowed. We need your help to make sure students know about this new policy. Please encourage them to check their CSN email daily.   October 21 is also the day that enforcement of the Information Systems & Electronic Resources Acceptable Use Policy begins. You can read the entire policy here. It focuses on digital safety and security. Key items you should be aware of is that email seven years or older will be deleted on a rolling basis and your personal network drive (H:) will be limited to 10 GBs. Additionally, a new password tool will be added to GoCSN that will simplify password resets. During your first login on or after October 21, you will be prompted to update your security questions to allow for the ability to self-reset passwords.   Again, please spread the word.
Read the FAQs
Financial Aid
The Department of Education Office of Inspector General has notified CSN that it does not anticipate recommending corrective action regarding audit results from the Compliance and Federal Verification and Reporting Requirements Audit conducted in June covering the award year that began July 1, 2016, through the June 30, 2017. The office found that CSN completed verification of applicant data in accordance with the federal requirements and accurately reported verification results to the department. CSN will receive a draft of the audit report, to which we will have 30 days for any response. The inspector general expressed that they did not anticipate a need for a response. I want to thank the vice president of student affairs and the financial aid team for their hard work taking care of this matter.
Student Unions
Construction has begun on our student unions! Fencing has been erected at all three campuses and site work has begun. Each Student Union will be approximately 29,000 square feet and will provide areas for student government, Student Affairs, a multicultural center, student study and collaboration space, meeting rooms and food service. Food service has been one of the main areas of focus. Each union will have a food court, and after formal bidding Culinart was selected for their commitment to fresh food offerings, healthy menu choices, and value, as well as their commitment to sustainability (waste reduction, recycling and composting). In addition to the regular food services, they will also provide catering for the college. These buildings will be much-needed additions to our campuses and are expected to dramatically improve the student experience. They are scheduled to open for the fall 2019 semester.
Upcoming Events
CSN Connections & Club Rush
We will be holding our annual CSN Connections events on September 11, 12 and 13. Students can enjoy great music and free food and drinks, and more importantly they can find out how to get the most out of their time here at CSN. We’ll have information on advising, tuturing, transferring, using the library, and almost anything else that can help students succeed. As an added bonus this year, students will be able to attend ASCSN’s Club Rush during CSN Connections. We want our students to be involved in their college, so I welcome the opportunity for them to learn more about the clubs available to them. We expect 20 to 25 clubs to participate. They will be manning tables with information on their activities, how to join and more. Pass the word along to your students. The Connections events are scheduled as follows: Tuesday, September 11, Henderson Campus, behind the C Building from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, September 12, North Las Vegas Campus, Main Entrance from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, September 13, Charleston Campus, D Building from 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. We will also have materials available at several Connections table for our MobileSAFETY app and the upcoming Campus Safety Information Team event. I hope to see you there.
Presidential Roundtables
As I settle in at CSN and learn more about the college, I also want to learn more about you. I have scheduled a faculty and staff presidential roundtable for each campus later this month. Please come with your questions, your concerns, and your thoughts about how we can make CSN an even better place for our students. Roundtables: Charleston Campus: September 24, 1-2:30 p.m., Building I, Room 108 Henderson Campus, September 26, 8:30-10 a.m., Building C, Room 133 North Las Vegas Campus, September 27, 10:30 a.m. to noon, Building N, Room 102 We will be annoucing Pizza with the President events in October and we hope you will let your students know about them.
Student Short Film Showcase
CSN’s award-winning Film & Videography Program will present the Seventh Annual Short Film Showcase at 6:30 p.m. Friday, October 12 in the Nicholas J. Horn Theater on CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus. The event is free and open to the public. On display will be films from CSN students, including several that took home Student Production Emmy Awards this summer. This event started as a way to show off the incredible work done by CSN students, and it keeps growing every year. I am so pleased to know that our students are receiving the kind of quality education they need to succeed in so many diverse fields of study.
Good News
Exemplary Status
The American Culinary Federation has once again awarded our outstanding Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts, and Food and Beverage Management programs exemplary status and a new seven-year accreditation. The ACF awards exemplary status to programs that symbolize the highest educational standards. This status, which runs through 2025, will make it 21 consecutive years that the programs have earned the distinction. Multiple consecutive exemplary ratings like this are an indication of the integrity and quality of the programs, and the hard work of all those involved. What this means on the ground is that CSN’s students can be assured they are getting the very best education available. Studying in such a top quality program means these students will be comfortable with the rigorous standards that will be expected of them in the job market. The designation gives them a chance to get their Culinarian or Pastry Culinarian certification from ACF after graduation without taking exams. Our students will be one step ahead of the competition – all because they chose to attend CSN. Congratulations!
Top CIO!
Please join me in congratulating Chief Information Officer Mugunth Vaithylingam for receiving the Most Influential CIO award at 11th annual Global CIO Breakaway Leadership Awards. The honor, which is awarded by peers, is given to those who are identified as breakaway leaders. The Most Influential award is given to a CIO who has an “outsized impact” on their organization. Congratulations, Mugunth. It is well-deserved honor.
By the Numbers
Look for this section each month to learn about the data that drive discussion and decisions at CSN.
Fall 2018 Enrollment
Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our fall enrollment through September 5. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data.
See the Enrollment Report
Campus Safety
We have received several inquiries surrounding the shooting incident on the Charleston Campus last week. I want to let everyone know that the CSN Police Department has concluded its investigation. An emeritus professor was treated for a self-inflicted injury in the hospital and subsequently arrested and charged with possessing a weapon on campus and other charges. I appreciate all of the expressions of concern and interest, and I pledge to keep everyone updated should the situation change. Please know that if your department would like an individual safety review with the CSN Police Department, you may email Chief Darryl Caraballo at csnpd@csn.edu.

Dr. Federico Zaragoza today became the College of Southern Nevada’s ninth president in its 47-year history. A press release announcing his presidency can be found here.

Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Thom Reilly said it was exciting for Zaragoza to join CSN.

“I am pleased to welcome Dr. Zaragoza to the Las Vegas Valley as he begins his tenure as president of the College of Southern Nevada,” Chancellor Reilly said. “This is an exciting time for CSN, Nevada’s largest institution of higher education. Dr. Zaragoza brings a wealth of experience and a diverse background that will connect well with the students and faculty. And I am confident he will have success improving student graduation rates.”

Dr. Zaragoza sent out the message below to the CSN community this morning.

***

Hello fellow coyotes!

I am both humbled and grateful to greet you today as your president. As we begin this new chapter in the story that is CSN, I wanted to share a few quick thoughts and updates with you.

First, your collective work has positioned CSN to be a national leader in terms of student success. We will have many opportunities to discuss our students first agenda over the next few weeks at our annual adjunct conference, Convocation and welcome back events. You will also hear about upcoming roundtables and student events in the next few weeks.

Second, I want to thank Dr. Margo Martin for her service to the college these last six months as acting president. The direction that she and the executive leadership team have taken the college will benefit us all as we continue to serve our students and begin to lift CSN to national prominence. With this in mind, Dr. Martin will be assisting me as Interim VP of Transition Activities and Clarissa Cota will continue her interim appointment as VP for Academic Affairs through the end of the calendar year.

I hope to see you at Convocation on Monday, August 20, as we begin our new academic year. I too am rolling up my sleeves and getting to work. Please reach out to me as you see me around campus and know how excited I am to finally join the CSN family and the wonderful Southern Nevada community.

 

Federico

 

August 2018
Greetings, Coyote nation! As we gear up for the most exciting time of the academic year – the start of a new semester – I have a bit of news and info to share with you. We’ve had quite a busy break, with events, awards, new classes and new degrees topping the list. We’ve also been preparing for our upcoming Convocation event, including the introduction of incoming President Dr. Federico Zaragoza. I look forward to welcoming Dr. Zaragoza to southern Nevada and to CSN. I am proud of the state of CSN as this transition approaches, and I want to thank all of you for your support over these last several months. – Margo
In this issue:
Convocation Welcome Back Pizza & Politics Emmy Award Wins Two New BAS Degrees	Swift iOS Classes CAPE Software Nevada Promise Enrollment Report
Read the President’s Blog
Upcoming Events
Convocation
This year’s State of the College Address and Convocation Kickoff Event will be held at 8:30 a.m. Monday, August 20 at the Texas Station Gambling Hall & Hotel. This year’s event is extra special, as our new president, Dr. Federico Zaragoza, will be in attendance. We’ll all kick off the most exciting part of the year together. We’ll also celebrate the accomplishments of our colleagues with the presentation of the Excellence and Distinguished Awards, as well as honor those who’ve been awarded tenure this year. Convocation is a wonderful way to reconnect with your colleagues as the new semester gets underway. Please make sure to join us.
See Photos From Last Year’s Convocation
Inside CSN
Pizza & Politics
We are so grateful to Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison for joining us last month for Pizza & Politics. The event covered a range of topics, including jobs, education, scholarships and financial aid, public safety, infrastructure and funding for higher education in Nevada. Many of the questions came from students in Dr. Michael Hart’s Political Science 101 class, who attended. The Pizza & Politics events are always a well worth attending, and we look forward to hosting more of them in the coming semester.
Emmy Award Wins
I am thrilled to tell you that CSN Videography & Film Program students won seven Student Production Award Emmys this summer at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Pacific Southwest Chapter Emmy Awards. This was the most of any college in our chapter, which includes San Diego, Bakersfield, Las Vegas, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Santa Maria.   The winners are: Gabriella Vizcarra for “Intertwine,” (Student Programming – Long Form). Billy Ward for “Rhino Shield: South Africa,” (Student Programming – Long Form & Student Craft – Photographer & Student Craft – Director). Marquis Marasigan for “Spent,” (Student Programming – Short Form). Elisabeth Hatzimarkos for “Just A Normal Girl,” Student Programming – Public Service (PSAs). Marco Tavares for “Who’s OPER,” (Student Craft – Editor). Congratulations everyone!
See the Full List of Winners
Two New BAS Degrees
We are excited to debut two new bachelor of applied science degrees this fall, bringing the total number of four-year degrees offered at CSN to seven. The new degrees, in Deaf Studies and Project Management, have received the approval of both the Board of Regents and the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. As with all of the bachelor’s degrees CSN offers, these two will help fill a critical void in higher education locally, meeting the tremendous need in both areas. As a community college, CSN typically offers bachelor’s degrees in niche areas when neither the state college nor either of the universities offers the degree. The deaf studies degree will have an emphasis in in American Sign Language/English Interpreting. There are fewer than 100 nationally certified interpreters in Nevada to serve more than 39,000 people with hearing disabilities. The project management degree is equally vital to the region in fields as varied as construction, computing and information technology and sales.
Learn About the Deaf Studies Degree and the Project Management Degree
CSN Celebrates Everyone Can Code Launch
As the smartphone industry expands, learning the skills to develop software for the platforms is becoming more and more important. To that end, CSN’s Division of Workforce and Economic Development has designed a course that makes it easy for just about anyone to design and build an iPhone or iPad app. Launching this fall, the new classes will teach Swift, Apple’s open-source programming language. We had a great celebration for the Everyone Can Code Launch, where we were joined by community and business leaders, as well as Apple executives. “Preparing southern Nevadans for high-demand jobs in STEM fields will always be one of our top priorities,” explained interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Clarissa Cota. “As Nevada’s economy diversifies, CSN will be at the forefront, training the next generation of skilled workers.”
Professional Development Getting an Upgrade
Professional development is about to get a huge upgrade at CSN. Be on the lookout for announcements from CAPE as they upgrade the registration system to a more robust and dynamic professional development platform. It will feature a personal learning dashboard that will include new features and tools for e-learning and increasing department engagement. It also allows department heads and chairs to initiate training and view the their team’s progress. We are excited to offer you these opportunities to expand your professional and team development. You’ll hear more on this soon.
Nevada Promise
As we prepare to welcome the first cohort of Nevada Promise scholarship recipients to CSN, we are also now accepting Promise applications for the 2019-20 school year from both new and returning students. The scholarship was originally funded for only the high school graduating class of 2018, but we hope additional funding will be made available by the 2019 Nevada Legislature. The application is open, but will be subject to appropriation, which could happen as late as June 2019. You can learn more on the web page linked below. Students can find the link on CSN’s home page.
Learn More and Apply
By the Numbers
Look for this section each month to learn about the data that drive discussion and decisions at CSN.
Fall 2018 Enrollment
Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our fall enrollment through July 30. The first enrollment cancellation for non-payment occurs on August 7 with fall classes beginning August 27. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data.
See the Report

July 2018
Greetings, Coyote nation! I hope you’re having a wonderful summer. While I’m trying to get up to Mt. Charleston as often as I can to escape the heat, I’m also learning to appreciate what everyone means when they say “It’s a dry heat.” Despite the heat, though, there is still plenty of work to do over the summer. We’re working on emergency preparedness, improving the services we offer, strengthening relationships, reaching out to the community and making sure the next generation of college students is as prepared as we can help them be. CSN is a community college, and we take the word “community” in that description as seriously as we do “college.” – Margo
In this issue:
Email & Acceptable Use Crisis Planning Improving the Student Experience Financial Aid Update CSN Travels to Washington Latino Youth Leadership Conference National Cyber Summit	CyberCamp Health Career Exploration Camp By the Numbers Academic All-Americans Pizza & Politics AT&T Aspire Foundation Grant
Read the President’s Blog
Inside CSN
Email & Acceptable Use
Over the last year, you have heard talk about upcoming policy changes regarding student email and CSN’s Information Systems & Electronic Resources Acceptable Use Policy. We will begin implementing those changes this summer, with full integration of the new policy this fall. Among the changes: Faculty, staff and students will be required to use official CSN email accounts for all official communication to and from the college. Emails will be permanently deleted after seven years. Employee H Drive storage is limited to 10 gigabytes for faculty and staff. This storage is not to be used for files or copyrighted materials. Files older than two years will be deleted on an ongoing basis. Your Office 365 One Drive can be used for personal items but should not contain CSN related files or personally identifiable information. The goal here is to make your data — and that of our students — more secure. Using personal email addresses, for example, invites trouble that we do not want. Too often students miss important communications from their college. That should not be happening. Requiring students to use CSN email accounts and requiring faculty and staff to communicate only to those accounts helps us ensure consistent communication. Look for more information from my office in the coming months as we work on implementing this policy. We want you to know what we’re doing, why we’re doing it and what to expect on your end. As always, feel free to ask any questions you may have.
See the Policy
Crisis Planning
Nothing is more important than the safety and security of our faculty, staff and students. We will make public safety a top priority during Convocation Week this year, and we’re already getting started. Last month, CSN Emergency Manager Greg Gammon led me and the vice presidents through a comprehensive exercise simulating a disaster on CSN’s campus. The intent of the drill was to gauge how the executive team handled the aftermath. While I knew the drill was going to happen, none of the vice presidents did. The scenario Greg outlined for us when he interrupted our meeting was that a building on the Charleston Campus was on fire. As he relayed details to us, our task was to come up with plans to meet the college’s needs in two hours, 24 hours, two days, two weeks, a year and so on. While the drill went well, we were by no means perfect. That’s the point though. Now we know what we did right, and what we should focus our improvement efforts on. There will be more surprise drills to come this year. But even if you do not get to be part of one, I encourage each of you to consider how you would react in various public safety scenarios. Protecting yourself, your co-workers and our students should always be your top priority.
Familiarize Yourself with CSN’s Emergency Management & Preparedness Plans
Improving the Student Experience
In our continuous efforts to improve the services offered to students across the college, Vice President Juanita Chrysanthou invited experts from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers to CSN this past spring to take a look at how we do things and offer suggestions for improvement. After initial consulations with Student Affairs and others throughout the college on topics including professional development, use of technology, and organizational structure, the consultants last week provided us with recommendations. We are currently reviewing the consultant recommendations and making plans for implementation. We look forward to improving the experiences of staff and students alike.
Find Out More About AACRAO Consulting
Financial Aid Update
Auditors from the Department of Education Office of the Inspector General visited CSN last month, completing the onsite aspect of their review of our financial aid verification and disbursement processes. They will continue to review records and files remotely off-site. We expect a draft report by September 28, after which we will have the opportunity to review and respond to the report. As always, I will keep you updated as events develop.
CSN Travels to Washington
I was delighted to be among a group of 25 local business and community leaders who traveled to Washington, D.C. last month with the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance and local chambers to meet with congressional delegations and various agencies to talk about policy issues affecting southern Nevada. This meeting, dubbed the Federal Forum, was a wonderful opportunity to talk up CSN’s importance to the region, and the critical need for support from Washington for economic development here. I look forward to working more with the LVGEA and our business community as we strengthen these relationships.
Learn More About the LVGEA
Latino Youth Leadership Conference
CSN was delighted to collaborate once more with the Latin Chamber of Commerce Foundation, UNLV, NSC and other community organizations to host the 2018 Latino Youth Leadership Conference. This seasoned program has been responsible for connecting high school students with higher education, community engagement and professional opportunities for 25 years. Graduates of the program include industry leaders, government and elected officials, and trailblazers in our state. This weeklong conference develops leadership and life skills every summer. This year, I attended a presidents’ panel that answered questions from students about opportunities in higher education. Students visited CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus, heard from our recruiters and faculty, and learned about our programs of study. CSN is proud to participate every year and hopes to continue this impactful partnership into the future!
Learn More About the Conference
National Cyber Summit
We were thrilled this spring when the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency notified us that our application to become a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense 2-Year Education had been approved. Last month, that designation was celebrated at the National Cyber Summit in Huntsville, Ala. We sent a delegation from CSN –School of Advanced & Applied Technologies Dean Michael Spangler, Computing & Information Technology Chair Margaret Taylor, and CIT Professor Arthur Salmon – to receive the official recognition. Ours is the only program in Nevada with this designation.
View the Certificate
CyberCamp
If you were on the North Las Vegas Campus last week you may have noticed 40 or so middle and high school students there. Once again, we hosted the Air Force Association’s CyberCamp, a weeklong camp designed to get today’s young people excited about science and tech careers. Topics covered included digital citizenship, ethics, and security, with a focus on how to be safe on the internet. This event, funded through a National Science Foundation grant via CyberWatch West, is always a lot of fun. We expect to host it or a similar event again next summer. Cybersecurity is an issue of growing importance that we have a responsibility to ensure the next generation of college students is prepared to address.
Read Our Press Release
Health Career Exploration Camp
We also had more than 50 students on the Charleston campus last month for the Health Career Exploration Camp. This camp was geared toward students interested in nursing, paramedic medicine, health information and veterinary technology careers. The high school students had the opportunity to use our lab equipment and work directly with our instructors. They learned how to draw blood, run tests, make eyeglasses, and much more. The goal of the camp is to expose students who are interested in health care to several different roles that they might find interesting. Not all health care workers are doctors or nurses, after all.
Read the Review-Journal Article
By the Numbers
Look for this section each month to learn about the data that drive discussion and decisions at CSN.
Fall 2018 Enrollment
Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our fall enrollment through June 25. The fall semester begins August 27. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data.
See the Enrollment Report
CSN Athletics
Academic All-Americans
Congratulations to all of our student athletes who shined in the classroom and on the courts and fields this year. We had 27 National Junior College Athletic Association Academic Award Winners! It’s always rewarding to be a part of a student’s well-rounded education. CSN Athletics helps make that happen.
See Them All Here
CSN Government Affairs
Pizza & Politics
A crowd favorite, Pizza & Politics is returning this month. We are excited to have Nevada Lt. Governor Mark Hutchison on board, scheduled for noon July 23 on the North Las Vegas Campus, Building N, room 103. Watch your email for more information as the date approaches.
Learn More about Mark Hutchison
CSN Foundation
AT&T Aspire Foundation Grant
The CSN Foundation recently received a $10,000 grant from the AT&T Aspire Foundation to support scholarships for the CSN Jumpstart Program. The grant will help low-income high school students obtain college credit. The CSN Jumpstart Program, which began in 2007, works with high school instructors to provide college courses at the high school campus, allowing juniors and seniors to obtain high school and college credit. CCSD instructors with collegiate-level credentials are certified through the program to teach CSN curricula so high school students are receiving the same course they would at a CSN campus. This grant will be used for the 2018-2019 academic year.
Learn More About Jumpstart

Dear CSN Alumni,

If you’ve done the work, you deserve the credential.

Did you know that you may be eligible to receive an associate degree from the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) at no cost to you?

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has a dynamic process in place, called Reverse Transfer. Eligible students, who have earned 15 or more credits at a NSHE community college and transferred to a four-year NSHE institution where they earned 60 or more credits, may be able to obtain an associate degree for the coursework they completed between the two institutions. That’s right, you may already be a college graduate and didn’t know it! Earning an associate degree is an excellent credential to bolster your resume as you work toward your bachelor’s degree.

Last year, close to 150 UNLV, UNR, and NSC students graduated from CSN through the reverse transfer program. Some had earned multiple associate degrees from CSN.

Why is an Associate degree important?

1. You would collect the nation’s fastest growing work credential recognized by employers.
2. You would achieve an educational milestone for FREE while pursuing your bachelor’s degree.
3. You become more marketable and qualify for better job opportunities while completing your bachelor’s degree.
4. With an associate degree you become part of the group of students who, according to national data, are 70% more likely to complete their bachelor’s degree.

How does the reverse transfer PROCESS work?

With your permission, your current four-year institution will send your transcript to CSN to determine if you are eligible to receive an Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Business, or an Associate of General Studies.

To determine if you are eligible for a CSN associate degree:

1. Complete the Reverse Transfer Transcript Request form available at www.csn.edu/reversetransfer and submit electronically to the email address on the form (reversetransferoffice@csn.edu) by the deadline of July 8, 2018. Your reverse transfer graduation form will be evaluated for the August 2018 summer graduation date.
2. There is no cost involved. With your consent by completing and submitting the Reverse Transfer Transcript Request form, your current four-year institution will send CSN your free electronic transcript.
3. If after completing your graduation audit CSN determines that you have met degree requirements for an Associate of Science, an Associate of Arts, an Associate of Business, and/or an Associate of General Studies, you will be awarded your diploma (s) in August 2018 and become eligible to participate in the 2019 May Commencement Ceremony.

For more information about a reverse transfer associate degree, please visit www.csn.edu/reversetransfer or CSN’s Call Center at 702-651-5555.

Wishing you continued success in your academic endeavors!

Sincerely,

Dr. Margo L. Martin
Acting President, College of Southern Nevada

 

June 2018
Greetings, Coyote nation! What an amazing semester we had! It included another record-sized graduating class, the official kickoff of our student union construction, and of course the selection of a new CSN president. The future looks bright indeed. – Margo
In this issue:
Keeping the Momentum Student Union Kickoff Henderson Campus Refresh Shared Governance Student Survey	Commencement Ceremony Emmy Award Nominations Talent Hub Designation By the Numbers
Read the President’s Blog
Inside CSN
Keeping the Momentum
The announcement last month that Dr. Federico Zaragoza will become CSN’s new president in August has everyone here very excited. I look forward to welcoming him and assisting him with his transition. In the meantime, there is still much work to do this summer, so let’s keep our shoulders to the wheel!   We have a group working on convocation planning for fall 2018, and we are convening a shared governance task force this week to explore best practices and make recommendations for committee and council structures that we can implement in the coming academic year. Additionally, there is a team of us preparing for CSN’s mid-cycle visit from our accrediting body, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, which will occur on October 8 and 9. We are also pushing forward with the transition to a multi-campus district model and all that entails, including launching national searches for vice presidents/campus provosts for the Charleston and North Las Vegas campuses as well as two dean positions. We will also see construction for all three student unions begin before the fall semester starts. Plans are being finalized as we speak. We expect this summer to be busy yet meaningful at CSN. I’m excited and ready for all of it. Go, Coyotes!
Read About Dr. Zaragoza
Student Union Kickoff
We held our “construction kickoff” event for the new three student unions last month on the Henderson campus. It was attended by past and present student government leaders, Henderson representatives, CSN executives, faculty and staff. This event precedes the much anticipated start of construction on each campus this summer. Linked below are the logistics plans showing the first phase of construction. These drawings show which areas will be out of service when students return for the fall semester. This schedule is approximate, and it will depend on the progress of the contractor. Facilities will be sending updates throughout the construction period to help inform everyone of the changes that will be occurring during this project. We are on schedule to open the new unions for the fall 2019 semester.
See the Union Plans
Henderson Campus Refresh
We’re excited to announce that we are in the process of refreshing the landscaping outside of the A, B and C buildings on the Henderson campus soon. The existing landscaping contained old and diseased trees that needed to be removed, as well as an irrigation system that was in disrepair. The project will provide a new irrigation system along with fresh landscaping including new trees, groundcovers and flowering bushes. Please see the document linked below for a look at what’s coming. We hope to have the work completed before the end of this month.
Check Out the Plans
Shared Governance
Last month I brought several faculty, staff and students together for a shared governance task force meeting.  We discussed several items including the formation of a main steering committee for shared governance as well as the possibility for smaller groups that can work on other important issues on an ad-hoc basis.  We also realized we have some homework to do regarding best practices.  We will continue to work throughout the summer and hope to provide comprehensive updates at this year’s convocation on August 20.
Student Survey
This fall, CSN will be participate in the Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE), a national survey of institutional practices and student behaviors during the earliest weeks of college. SENSE is an initiative of the Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE), part of the Program in Higher Education Leadership at The University of Texas at Austin. The results will help us better understand the entering student experience at CSN. The survey will be administered during the fourth and fifth class weeks of the fall academic term in classes randomly selected by CCCSE. Instructors whose classes are selected for survey administration will receive further information from CSN’s Institutional Research Department.
Learn More
CSN News
Commencement Ceremony
What an amazing Commencement Ceremony we had last month at the Thomas & Mack Center, where we graduated our largest class ever, more than 3,500 students. I couldn’t be more proud of these students, and of the great faculty and staff here who work so hard to help make sure they get the best education available. If you were unable to attend the event, you missed quite a show.
See More than 200 Photos from the Ceremony
Emmy Award Nominations
Students from our Videography & Film Program received 12 Student Production Emmy Award nominations and two overall Emmy Award nominations last month! The program has been doing great things these last few years, with 14 Emmy wins last year, the annual Short Film Showcase and the production of the documentary No Greater Odds. This year’s award winners will be announced at a ceremony June 16 in Palm Springs, Calif. Wish them luck!
Read the Press Release
Las Vegas Designated “Talent Hub”
Lumina Foundation, in partnership with the Kresge Foundation, has announced the designation of Las Vegas and six other communities across the country as Talent Hubs. These cities earned the designation by meeting rigorous standards for creating environments that attract, retain, and cultivate talent. Talent Hub cities are focused on raising the nation’s overall post-high school attainment level to 60 percent of working-age adults by 2025 and committed to eliminating deep disparities in educational outcomes among African-Americans, Hispanics, and American Indians, who fare poorly in contrast with white and Asian students. Focusing on the growing disparities in enrollment and completion rates, the Las Vegas area Talent Hub, comprised of partners College of Southern Nevada (CSN); Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), Workforce Development; Governor’s Office of Workforce Innovation for a New Nevada (OWINN) and United Way of Southern Nevada, will collaborate to increase the credentials of African American, Hispanic and low income learners. Each community designated as a Talent Hub receives $275,000 in grant funding over 31 months. Grant funding will support local efforts to educate more people, allowing community and education leaders to better meet the specific needs of residents. Lumina will provide these funds in partnership with Kresge. We are thrilled to have this new opportunity to increase college credential attainment in Nevada. I will keep you updated as these partnerships develop.
Read More
By the Numbers
Look for this section each month to learn about the data that drive discussion and decisions at CSN.
Summer 2018 Enrollment Numbers
Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our enrollment through May 29. Classes start Monday. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data.
Summer 2018 Enrollment

 

May 2018
Greetings, Coyote nation! It’s crunch time, with final exams, commencement and all the celebrations that go along with the completion of another successful academic year. What an exciting time to be on campus! Before anyone leaves for the summer though, I have news to share with you about all that’s been going on at CSN. – Margo
In this issue:
Cybersecurity Excellence Police Consolidation Report Follow-Up From Previous Forums & Roundtables CSN Presidential Search CSN Commencement Ceremony Student Union Kickoff Jumpstart Concurrent Enrollment Program	Welcome, Hailey Dawson Outstanding Student Awards Science & Technology Expo Student Government Election Results CSN Foundation Grant Program Blooming in Blue Gala Jamba Juice Party A Fond Farewell
Read the President’s Blog
Inside CSN
Cybersecurity Excellence
You may have noticed that CSN’s cybersecurity degrees have been garnering attention. And for good reason. We are now able to brag that we’re a National Center of Excellence for cybersecurity education. Cybersecurity programs train the next generation of people who will protect our nation’s vital information and data networks. The field is growing by leaps and bounds, which is why it’s so important that we received this designation. The Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency jointly award the honor to recognize schools that offer rigorous cybersecurity curriculum. What it means for CSN students is that they can be assured they’re getting the highest quality education available.
Read More
Police Consolidation Report
Last week, Chancellor Thom Reilly shared a study and recommendations regarding the consolidation of police services at the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Southern Nevada institutions, including CSN. The study was prepared by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) after a comprehensive review. The Chancellor has indicated that he intends to bring this report to the Board of Regents at the October 19 special meeting in Las Vegas. Feel free to send me your questions or comments once you read the report, and look for more announcements in the coming months.
See the Report
Read the Chancellor’s Memo
Follow-Up From Previous Forums & Roundtables
As mentioned in in the governance forum in March, I will be establishing a Shared Governance Council. The council’s first meeting will be in late May. Please look for more information in the next few weeks. It is my hope that we can explore solutions to several issues surrounding shared governance. In addition, at the faculty and staff roundtables I noted that we are conducting national searches for the two new provosts/vice presidents for the Charleston and North Las Vegas campuses, as well as for deans of the School of Arts & Letters and the Ralph and Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences. I will keep you informed as the process moves along. I will also be addressing other topics that came up during the roundtables and the Pizza with the President student events in the coming months. From fostering student-centered communications and addressing reemdial and basic skills curriculum to academic program evaluation and the rising cost of textbooks, we have a lot to discuss. And we will begin those discussions in several ways over the summer.
Upcoming Events
CSN Presidential Search
In case you missed my announcement earlier, four finalists have been chosen in the search for the next CSN president. They are: Dr. Keith C. Curry, President/Chief Executive Officer, Compton College and Compton Community College District, Compton, California Dr. Feleccia R. Moore-Davis, Provost, Tallahassee Community College, Tallahassee, Florida Dr. Utpal K. Goswami, President, Metropolitan Community College – Maple Woods, Kansas City, Missouri Dr. Federico Zaragoza, Vice Chancellor – Economic and Workforce Development, Alamo Community College District, San Antonio, Texas We will all get a chance to meet them May 8 and 9. The candidates will attend forums on each of our three campuses. Please come meet the person who could be our next president – and bring all of your questions. The finalists’ profile materials are available on the CSN president search website, www.csn.edu/president-search. The CSN President Search Committee and the Advisory Committee will conduct in-person interviews with the candidates on Thursday, May 10. At the conclusion of these interviews, the Search Committee and the Advisory Committee will meet to determine the recommendation of a finalist to the full Board of Regents, who will review and vote on the recommendation at a special meeting later in May.
Meeting Dates & Times Here
CSN Commencement Ceremony
Our biggest event of the year is right around the corner. The 46th CSN Commencement Ceremony is all set for 6 p.m. Monday, May 14 at the Thomas & Mack Center on UNLV’s campus. We’re celebrating nearly 3,600 new college graduates! Wow.
See Photos From Last Year’s Celebration
Student Union Kickoff
Come join us from 10-11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 3 for the official construction kickoff celebration for our new student union buildings. We’ll be behind Building C on the Henderson Campus, where you can stop by to enjoy refreshments, music and fun as we learn about the new unions. Architects and construction company representatives will be on hand with interactive building models, so you can “see” what the buildings will be like. I hope to see you there.
Learn More Here
By the Numbers
Look for this section each month to learn about the data that drive discussion and decisions at CSN.
Jumpstart Concurrent Enrollment Program
If you’ve learned anything about me by now it’s that I love data. Love it. Used properly, it can help us figure out if we’re doing things right, or if we should try something else. Well, with the Jumpstart program, it looks like we’re doing things right. Jumpstart is one of several “concurrent enrollment” programs available at CSN. It allows high school students to earn college credit while still taking classes at their high schools. For a couple of different reasons, participation in the program has exploded in the last three years, from 600 students to more than 2,700. What’s even better is that these students appear to be doing phenomenally well. For more, please see the report linked below.
Read the Report
CSN Events
Welcome, Hailey Dawson
We were incredibly honored to have 8-year-old Hailey Dawson throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the CSN Coyotes baseball game on April 21. Hailey, as you may have seen in the news media, was born with a rare birth defect called Poland Syndrome, which led to missing and underdeveloped fingers on her right hand. Engineering faculty and students at UNLV helped design and manufacture a 3-D printed hand for Hailey, which she has been using to throw out first pitches at ballparks across the country in her quest to visit all 30 major league parks. We are so lucky to have been included on her tour. Thanks, Hailey, and good luck on your Journey to 30!
Read More About Hailey
Outstanding Student Awards
You all know we have some truly amazing students here at CSN. We honored 21 of them last week at the Outstanding Student Awards ceremony. What an incredible group of people. Not only are these students succeeding in college, they’re succeeding in life, despite numerous hardships. But their drive never leaves them, ever. I’m humbled by every one of them.
Read More Here
Science & Technology Expo
Drones, cranes, snakes and bugs! This year’s Science & Technology Expo was quite a spectacle. Schoolchildren from across the area flooded our North Las Vegas Campus last week for the 15th annual expo. I have to give a shout out to Dean Michael Spangler and everyone who worked so hard to make the event a success. Encouraging students of all ages to become excited about a STEM-based education is what the expo is all about. These fields are not only growing, they’re becoming more and more vital to our regional and national economies. Not to mention the fun. Who doesn’t love high-tech gadgets and cool, gross dead stuff?
More About the Expo
Student Government Election Results
Congratulations to Andrew Sierra, our newly elected Associated Students of the College of Southern Nevada student government president! The election took place last week, bringing in a slew of new student representatives for the next academic year. Student Life and Leadership Development Director Brian Akins reports that turnout for the elections was up by more than a third over the previous year. That’s fantastic. Congratulations to all of the winners, and I look forward to working with you next year.
See the Full Results
CSN Foundation
CSN Foundation Grant Program
This spring, the CSN Foundation Board of Trustees created the CSN Foundation Grant Program, which will give away up to $40,000 to faculty and staff to support 2018-19 academic year projects, events or activities that benefit our students, with a maximum award of $10,000. This will be an annual award competition each spring and bring transparency, consistency and accountability to how the CSN Foundation supports CSN events and other activities. The deadline to apply is May 14, so get your proposals ready!
Apply Now
Blooming in Blue Gala
Thank you to the more than 400 people who came out to support the CSN Foundation Blooming in Blue gala in April to raise money for the construction of the CSN and Nevada State Health & Science Building. We honored three important community members during the celebration: Rossi Ralenkotter, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO, with the community achievement award, Switch with the community education award, and first responders with the community hero award. The event was a tremendous success, and we cannot wait until the next gala.
Read More
Jamba Juice Party
I hosted the long-awaited Jamba Juice party last week, and we had a great time — all to benefit the CSN Foundation, of course. Employees who supported the college by making a Coyote Commitment of as little as $10 a month through payroll deduction were entered into a raffle to attend the party. Everyone enjoyed fun conversation and island music, wore leis, and were served tropical smoothies and light refreshments. It’s just one small way to thank employees for supporting the college. If you haven’t already, make your Coyote Commitment today.
Make Your Coyote Commitment
A Fond Farewell
I have some bittersweet news: K.C. Brekken, the CSN Foundation executive director, is leaving us to become a research professor at UNLV. In more than a decade at CSN, she has served in many roles, including the college’s official spokeswoman, a trusted advisor and confidant, and our chief fundraiser. All along, she’s been our biggest cheerleader in the community. We will miss KC, but we know she is thrilled by the opportunity she has at the university. Please join me in wishing her well.

April 2018
Greetings, Coyote nation! I hope you thoroughly enjoyed your spring break. It’s always nice to have a little time off before the big push at the end of the semester. Before we know it, students will be taking final exams and we will all be celebrating another CSN Commencement ceremony. But first, I have lots of news to share this month about what’s been going on at CSN and some things to come. Please read on. – Margo
In this issue:
Roundtables Roundup Convocation Kickoff HSI & MSI Eligibility Financial Aid Excellence & Distinguished Awards Science & Tech Expo Commencement	Tax Prep Workshops By the Numbers Regent Moran First Pitch Student Athlete Awards VIP Baseball Experience CSN Foundation Diversity Awards
Read the President’s Blog
Roundtables, Pizza Events
We had good crowds at the three roundtables held for faculty and staff and the pizza with the president events for students in March. We talked about everything from new programs, textbook prices and police services to how Britney Spears figured into my behind-the-scenes introduction to Nevada. You had to be there. I was pleased with the turnout at these events because one of the first things I wanted to accomplish when I was asked to step in as acting president was to ensure that I was accessible to you all. I want every faculty and staff member to feel comfortable talking about what’s going on at CSN or asking whatever questions he or she might have. The same goes for students. I am here to serve you, and them. If you missed the roundtables and you have questions or ideas you wish you could have shared, please do so. Email me at president@csn.edu.
Email the President
Convocation Committee
We are just getting started on planning the 2018 Convocation Kickoff event for this year, and we’d love your help. We are looking for volunteers to join the Convocation Planning Committee. This will be a small group designed to brainstorm ideas for the event, scheduled for Aug. 20. Please contact Annette Lord by April 13 if interested, and please check in with your supervisor first.
Join the Committee
Inside CSN
CSN Retains HSI & MSI Status
Linked below is a letter from the U.S. Department of Education notifying us that we will continue to be considered both a Hispanic Serving Institution and a Minority Serving Institution. This is wonderful news, and not just because the label is accurate. Such designations by the Department of Education enable CSN to apply for Title III and Title V grants. These grants, while awarded because of MSI or HSI status, benefit all of CSN.
Read the Department of Ed’s HSI/MSI Letter
Financial Aid
The Department of Education recently notified CSN that the college is on provisional status regarding financial aid programs. Typically colleges are recertified to award financial aid every six years. We are currently on provisional status through March 2019 because of a missed deadline in 2015. Despite this misstep, we have made the necessary corrections and have had very positive communications with the Department of Education. CSN continues to be authorized to award financial aid to students who qualify. We are also continuing to submit our new degrees to the DOE for financial aid qualification. This provisional status will not affect our students, nor will it prevent CSN from developing and offering new degrees.
Read the Letter
Upcoming Events
Excellence and Distinguished Awards
One of the highlights of the year is recognizing those who have made extraordinary contributions to CSN and the success of our students. We celebrate these superstars each year at Convocation in August, but now is the time to nominate an outstanding colleague for one of these awards. The deadline is 5 p.m. today. Please see the link below for details. I look forward to congratulating the winners this summer.
Nominate Someone Here
Science & Tech Expo
For the 15th year in a row, CSN will be hosting and the Science & Technology Expo from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 27. This will take place on the North Las Vegas Campus in and around the A and C buildings. These events are a thrill to attend with upwards of 2,000 students from participating Clark County School District schools, as well as members of the public. They’ll get to see exotic animals, courtesy of CSN’s Veterinary Technology program, flight simulators from our Aviation Technology program, a magic show, thanks to our chemistry department, shows in our wonderful planetarium and so much more. The goal here is to ensure the students enjoy their day at CSN, of course, but also to help them become excited about science and technology. As our economy becomes ever more dependent on tech-related fields, it is imperative that the next generation of college students embraces the STEM disciplines. Thanks to CCSD, the CSN Foundation and the Las Vegas Science & Technology Festival for co-sponsoring this great, fun event.
Learn More About the Expo
CSN’s 46th Commencement Ceremony
Commencement is why we do what we do. We will gather at 6 p.m. May 14 at the Thomas & Mack Center with a couple thousand CSN students for the most exciting event of the year. There will be plenty of pomp and circumstance! There will be speeches, too, though I promise to keep mine as short and to-the-point as possible. But what we will all really be there for is to celebrate what is likely to be another record-sized graduating class. Upwards of 3,000 degrees and certificates will be awarded. That’s 3,000 new college graduates, the vast majority of whom will stay in southern Nevada. It’s a special time for them, for us, for our entire community. Please join me at the event. I promise you’ll enjoy yourself.
Learn More About the Commencement Ceremony
Tax Prep Workshops
As springtime become crunch time for taxes, CSN’s Department of Accounting and Finance is here to help. Now through April 17, the department is offering a free tax prep workshop at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. every Monday and Wednesday. Anyone can come, and all help is free. This is a great way for our students to get experience working with clients. Last year, this team of volunteers helped complete approximately 300 returns.
More Info Here
By the Numbers
Look for this section each month to learn about the data that drive discussion and decisions at CSN.
First Steps
As we dive deep into our Achieving the Dream numbers, there is evidence that the First Steps student success initiative is making a difference. This initiative, first put in place in 2014, requires new high school graduates to take placement testing, attend orientation, and receive advising. The data show that First Steps seems to be helping close achievement gaps in graduation rates, as evidenced by First Steps Pell and minority students graduating at a higher rate than their non-First Steps counterparts. In addition, First Steps students stay at CSN longer and take more credits than their counterparts. As we further analyze the data, we are expanding our student success efforts by developing adjunct faculty professional development programming, continuing vigorous assessment, focusing on guided pathways for students, and leveraging our ATD Leader College status by attempting to take advantage of special grant and recognition opportunities. Please take a look at the document linked below for more information.
More Information Here
Spring 2018 Census Enrollment Numbers
Please review the latest enrollment report at the link below. This updated report reflects our census date total for Spring 2018. This census date is a system-wide standardized reporting date on which each institution provides a snapshot of student data, including preliminary enrollment counts. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data.
See the Spring 2018 Enrollment Data
CSN Coyotes
NSHE Regent John T. Moran Throws Out First Pitch
We were delighted to welcome Nevada System of Higher Education Regent John T. Moran to the CSN Coyotes conference play opening weekend, where he threw out the ceremonial first pitch on March 9. Our Coyotes continued an amazing year so far and won that game. The team’s most recent ranking is fourth in the nation! Wow. Go Coyotes!
See the National Rankings
Student Athlete Awards Banquet
CSN Athletics will honor its finest male and female student athletes at the annual Student Athlete Awards Banquet, to be held at 6 p.m. April 24 at the Eastside Cannery Hotel and Casino. I encourage you to attend for a night to remember. Show your Coyote Spirit as we celebrate the best and brightest.
Get Your Ticket to the Banquet
VIP Baseball Experience Raffle
The CSN Coyotes will also be holding its VIP Baseball Experience raffle this spring. The winner and a guest will fly round trip to Denver for a two-night stay! Included are two seats to watch former CSN Coyote Bryce Harper and the Washington Nationals face former CSN Coyote Mike Dunn and the Colorado Rockies on September 28 or 29. This is a great way to support our program.
Get Your Raffle Ticket Here
CSN Foundation
Coyote Howl
The CSN Office of Alumni Relations’ Coyote Howl event was a howling success. Hundreds of students attended the event, designed to provide information about our graduation and life after CSN. In addition to gathering useful information, students purchased caps and gowns, had professional photos taken, sang karaoke, and enjoyed Pepsi, pizza, funnel cake and all the best goodies. One student who attended said: “Thank you again for creating this event for all students. It is a big deal for me since I am the first one in my family to finish college.” Many thanks to Jamille Walton, Michelle Word, Ashton Ridley, Pat Zozaya, Kim Booth, Hieu Le and Lisa Foreman for putting the event together.
Parking Space Raffle Winner
Congratulations to Tina Holcomb, financial aid assistant director, for winning the March parking space raffle!
Visit the Office of Alumni Relations
In Other News
Diversity Awards
This year’s Diversity Week was full of workshops, presentations and events, and was capped off by the annual Diversity Recognition Awards breakfast on Friday, March 12. In addition to honoring CSN faculty and staff who worked hard on diversity-related issues over the last year, the 2018 CSN Diversity Excellence Award was presented to Michael Kagan, director of the UNLV Immigration Clinic, for an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Congratulations to all!
Visit the Office of Inclusive Learning and Engagement

March 2018
Greetings, Coyote nation! We are approaching the mid-point of this spring semester, and I hope all is going well. I have information on several different topics for you in this month’s Chronicle, everything from the presidential search to successful fundraising efforts to our baseball team’s stellar season so far. Please read on. – Margo
In this issue:
CSN Presidential Search Update NWCCU Accreditation Response Letter Tenure Awarded Interim Business Administration Chair Upcoming Presidential Roundtables Student Union Groundbreaking By the Numbers Updated Spring Enrollment Information	Recently Secured Grants Health & Science Building Donation CSN Foundation Events Garritano Gets 600th Win! Coyotes Win Streak Nevada Promise NV Energy Vote for Vets Center
Read the President’s Blog
CSN Presidential Search Update
The Nevada System of Higher Education ad hoc CSN President Search Committee has hired search firm Wheless Partners to conduct a national search for the next CSN President. The advisory committee, made up of community members and CSN faculty and staff, stressed that a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, student success and the college’s transition to a multi-campus district model are critical elements that the new president must embrace. The firm will conduct an active search, meaning that as well as placing ads in traditional forums, they will also actively recruit potential candidates from across the nation. Chancellor Thom Reilly and Wheless will narrow down the pool of applicants to a list of semifinalists and interview each of them. They will then bring the best two to five candidates to the committee as finalists to be interviewed in public by the committee as a whole. The goal is to have a new president in place in time for the fall 2018 semester.
Learn More About the Committee
Learn More About Wheless Partners
Inside CSN
NWCCU Accreditation Response Letter
Linked below is the CSN accreditation response letter from NWCCU for which we have been patiently waiting. You will see that the news is quite positive, but we still have much work to do as we prepare for the mid-cycle report that is due to Northwest in late summer in anticipation of our mid-cycle visit in Fall 2018. We will be continuing the assessment work that has been ongoing, and we will be convening various stakeholders to enhance our strategic plan, ensuring that institutional learning outcomes, assessment, and resource allocation are aligned with our plan – and that the work we are doing aligns with the recently adopted NSHE goals. Remember, we need everybody’s shoulder to the wheel! In the upcoming months, we are going to accomplish amazing things – together!
Read the NWCCU’s Letter
Board of Regents Awards Tenure
Congratulations to all the hard-working CSN faculty and staff members who were awarded tenure earlier today by the Board of Regents. For a full list, see the link below.
See the List
New Business Administration Chair
I am pleased to announce that Dr. Maria Schellhase will be the new interim chair of the Department of Business Administration at CSN. Dr. Schellhase is a business administration professor and the recipient of numerous honors and awards. She holds master’s and doctorate degrees in Business Administration, has served as the corporate director of central reservations for Station Casinos and spent more than ten years as an investment advisor (stockbroker), portfolio manager, and vice president of client relations for several leading business organizations.
Presidential Roundtables
I will be holding roundtables on each campus this month. Please come with your questions and comments. North Las Vegas Campus 9:30 – 11 a.m. Wednesday March 14, 2018, Building S, Room 144 (Laxalt Center) Henderson Campus 9:30 – 11 a.m. Thursday, March 15, 2018, Building B, Room 117 Charleston Campus 3 – 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 19, 2018, Building D, Room 101
See the Flier
CSN Facilities
Student Union Showcase
Senior Associate Vice President for Facilities Management Sherri Payne and her team put on a series of fantastic presentations last month featuring 3-D models, detailed drawings and a virtual reality display of our new student unions. The student government has worked tirelessly with the architectural firm Tate, Snyder, Kimsey, this year to develop the schematic and throughout the design development phase of the project. Their hard work and excitement is illustrated in the design features. As you know, we are building nearly identical student unions on each campus and expect them to be open by the fall 2019 semester. If you weren’t able to make one of the sessions last month, see the links below for photos, floorplans and more. We have yet to set a firm date for the groundbreaking, but we hope to get it done before the end of the semester and celebrate this milestone with students. Keep an eye out for communications about that in the coming weeks.
See Renderings for All Three Student Unions
By the Numbers
Look for this section each month to learn about the data that drive discussion and decisions at CSN.
How are we measuring up?
Over the past three years CSN faculty have taken great effort to improve our assessment efforts. Numbers from 51 programs across three schools tell us that the variety of assessment measures have increased, and more direct and authentic measures are being used. Please see the link below for more information.
See the Details
Updated Spring 2018 Enrollment Numbers
Please review the latest enrollment update at the link below. This update reflects enrollment through Monday, February 26. Visit the Institutional Research web page to see additional enrollment and institutional data.
See the Current Enrollment Data
Recently Secured Grants
I am excited to share the news about some of our recently secured grants in the process of implementation, more than $80,000 in grants across various departments. This represents just a portion of the many grants we have in place. Two grants help fund biomedical research on gluten free food and organisms in Mexico’s caves, while two others fund our Nevada Grow small business program and CSN landscaping efforts. Another will help us market our developing unmanned aviation systems and cybersecurity degrees. Many thanks to the Office of Sponsored Projects and everyone who worked diligently to secure these funds.
CSN Foundation
Health & Science Building Donation
The Engelstad Family Foundation announced the first major gift of $3 million for the proposed CSN and Nevada State College Health & Science Building. The gift announcement kicked off the CSN and Nevada State foundations’ joint capital campaign to raise private dollars in support of the building. The gift is a match intended to help raise another $3 million from the community before the start of the next legislative session. CSN and NSC proposed the facility to expand training for healthcare professionals this community needs. The Legislature has allocated planning funds for the 70,000-square-foot facility, which will be located on our Henderson Campus. We will ask for approximately $35-$40 million in the next legislative session to construct the building.
See More Photos From the Event
Read the Event Press Release
CSN Foundation Gala
Please join us on April 7 for the CSN ‘Blooming in Blue’ gala, a fundraising event to support CSN and construction funds for the health and science building. At the Gala, the first in four years, the CSN Foundation Board of Trustees will present three awards: Community Achievement Award Rossi Ralenkotter, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Community Education Award Switch Community Hero Award First Responders, as represented by CSN alumni To take advantage of the CSN faculty and staff special price of $175 per ticket, please call the CSN Foundation at 702-651-7301 for more information or to purchase your tickets today! Following the gala, the CSN Foundation will host a variety of accessible and creative opportunities to show your support for the college throughout the year.
Learn More About the Gala
Make Your Coyote Commitment Now!
CSN Coyotes
Coach Garritano Nabs Win 600!
Congratulations to CSN Coyotes baseball Coach Nick Garritano, who joined an elite club of coaches last month when he earned his 600th career win. Wow! Before joining the Coyotes, Garritano coached the Green Valley High School Gators for 11 years, where he won over 300 games, including two state championships. He has been at CSN since 2011. Please join me in congratulating Coach Garritano on a major milestone.
Read More About Garritano at CSNCoyotes.com
Coyotes Baseball Win Streak
The CSN Coyotes baseball team is on quite a roll, winning its last 14 games in a row for an overall record this year of 18-4. The team, which earned a Junior College World Series appearance last year, is doing so well that it’s moved up to number three in the national rankings! Go Coyotes!
See the National Rankings
In Other News
Nevada Promise Mentoring Sessions
With more than 5,200 students from schools all over southern Nevada having already completed the required training to receive the Nevada Promise scholarship, it is now time for mentoring. We have more than 70 mentoring sessions already scheduled, with more hitting the books every day. Close to 1,000 mentors have signed up, and we could always use more. I’m excited to meet my own mentees. We expect this program to be a huge success and hope the Legislature continues to fund it in the future.
Become a Mentor
Vote for CSN VETS Center
The CSN VETS Center is entered in the NV Energy Foundation Power of Good Giveaway. You can cast your vote beginning March 12 to help the center win $10,000.
Learn More

Greetings, Coyote Nation!

Congratulations to the 28 faculty and staff members who were awarded Tenure today by the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents. This is a major milestone for each of them.

• Jonathan Boarini, Media Technology
• Michele L. Bogue, Human Behavior
• Paul M. Bynum, Business, Hospitality, and Public Relations
• Elizabeth Diaz, Dental, Diagnostic & Rehabilitation Services
• Dr. Stephanie Fiorenza, Physical Sciences
• Charlene S. Gibson, Communication
• Mark E. Haag, Advanced & Applied Technology
• Joseph Hassert, Communication
• Emelda Jones, Nursing
• Emily King, College Library Services
• Elizabeth Larakers, English
• Eva Lawrence-Fischer, Nursing
• Kody Louise Lightfoot, English
• Julie MacDonald, English
• Richard Main, Health Related Professions
• Dr. Chelsey McKenna, Biology
• Amy Palmer, Arts & Letters
• Dr. Cassandra Peay, English
• Esther Pla-Cazares, Business, Hospitality, and Public Relations
• Dr. Roger A. Rennels, Physical Sciences
• Dr. Danielle Richards, Social Sciences
• Nicole Sandberg, College Library Services
• Flora Sayson, Nursing
• Minnie M. Schlesinger, Biology
• Dr. Bridget C. Taylor, World Languages
• Dr. Nayelee Villanueva, English
• Michelle Zahn, Health Related Professions
• Amy Ziemba, Biology

– Margo

Good morning, CSN Coyote Nation!

Linked below is the CSN accreditation response letter from NWCCU for which we have been patiently waiting. You will see that the news is quite positive, but we still have much work to do as we prepare for the mid-cycle report that is due to Northwest in late summer in anticipation of our mid-cycle visit in Fall 2018. We will be continuing the assessment work that has been ongoing, and we will be convening various stakeholders to enhance our strategic plan, ensuring that institutional learning outcomes, assessment, and resource allocation are aligned with our plan – and that the work we are doing aligns with the recently adopted NSHE goals. Remember, we need everybody’s shoulder to the wheel! In the upcoming months, we are going to accomplish amazing things – together!

Read the NWCCU’s letter.

The CSN Chronicle

Dear CSN colleagues, this month’s Chronicle of news and information transitions the leadership of CSN. With the retirement last month of Dr. Michael Richards, I have formally assumed the position of acting president of CSN. I couldn’t possibly be more honored or excited. I have met so many people, and I sincerely look forward to working with each of you as we strive to make CSN the best college it can be.

– Margo

To help you learn more about CSN’s new acting president, Dr. Margo L. Martin, our marketing and communications team sat down with her between appointments last week. Learn what makes her tick (hint: It’s education), how a youthful desire to be a high school teacher in Texas led her to the top of one of the nation’s largest community colleges, and why she moved to Jacksonville, Florida – twice. Read more on the CSN Newsroom.

Inside CSN

Presidential Search Update

At its first meeting in January, the Nevada System of Higher Education ad hoc CSN President Search Committee unanimously agreed to hire a search consultant to help find the college’s next permanent president. Chancellor Thom Reilly, in advocating for a consultant to be brought in, noted that a search firm will take a proactive approach to finding a president. Rather than simply posting ads, the firm will actively recruit people who might be a good fit for the job. A recommendation for a consultant will be brought to the committee at its next meeting, scheduled for 1 p.m. Feb. 20 in the June Whitley Student Lounge on CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus.

New Henderson Provost

Earlier today I announced that Senior Vice President Patty Charlton will be taking on a new role at CSN, that of Provost and Vice President of the Henderson Campus. I want to thank Patty and everyone who expressed interest in the position. For more on this and related significant reorganizational changes among the president and vice presidents, read my post on the president’s blog.

New Interim VPAA

In case you missed it, last month I announced that Clarissa Cota will be the new acting vice president of academic affairs. I want to thank all colleagues who demonstrated dedication in submitting letters of intent and required materials for consideration – the committee had a large number of well qualified submissions to consider. For that, I am grateful.

I have been working with Clarissa for the last several weeks as I have been transitioning into my new role. It is one for which she is more than qualified. She has been in higher education for more than 20 years, most recently as the chair of our Department of Business Administration. She holds B.A. and J.D. degrees from the University of Arizona and is a member of the State Bar of Arizona, the American and Clark County Bar Associations, the Latino Bar Association for Southern Nevada, the American Association of University Professors, the Nevada Faculty Alliance, the Las Vegas Valley Paralegal Association and the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs.

I am excited to work with Clarissa, and I offer her my congratulations.

New Interim Dean of Health Sciences

I also announced recently that Janice Glasper will serve as the interim dean for the Engelstad School of Health Sciences. Janice knows the school quite well and has demonstrated a collegial, can-do spirit and a sincere commitment to students. I am grateful for her willingness to step up. She will be working closely with the other deans and with Clarissa Cota as interim VPAA to ensure that we are able to keep current initiatives on track as we embark on a new semester and a new calendar year.

New Director of Government Affairs

To round out the good news, I am delighted to announce that Asha Jones has been named our new director of government affairs. Asha is very experienced in this arena, having worked in Sen. Harry Reid’s office and with the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, among others. Please join me in welcoming her to CSN.

CSN’s Funding Priorities

As we approach the 2019 legislative session, CSN is pursuing the following funding requests. First and foremost, our top operating priority continues to be faculty and staff compensation. We need to ensure that our faculty and staff are appropriately compensated so that we can recruit and retain the best for CSN.

Our funding requests are the following:

• Revise the funding formula to adequately address the mission of community colleges, enabling us to improve student/advisor ratios, part-time faculty compensation, Promise program staffing and faculty needs, and many other areas of concern.
• Use the fiscal year 18 weighted student credit hour rate as the base for the funding request in the next session.
• Provide state funding for summer school.
• Our top capital priority is the Health and Sciences Building on the Henderson Campus, a joint venture with Nevada State College, $43.2 million.
• Funding for planning the Northwest Campus, $3.5 million.
• Deferred maintenance funding, $20 million.

Nevada System of Higher Education News

Investment Fund Windfall

CSN will be receiving $5 million from the NSHE Investment Funds – this is one-time funding that will be spent for immediate needs to address the expected increase in Fall 2018 enrollment as well as to address a few key deferred maintenance issues.

• Increase part-time faculty and hire additional advisors to improve the faculty-to-student ratio and provide additional intensive advising with the goal of improving student persistence and success, $3.8 million.
• Provide additional support for student access with additional late-start courses and instructional support, $150,000.
• Expand concurrent enrollment programs in support of Senate Bill 19 in coordination with CCSD, $150,000.
• Address high-priority deferred maintenance projects including elevator repairs and replacement and fire safety upgrades, $900,000.

Tuition & Fees

The Board of Regents sets tuition and registration fees two years in advance, and the recommended amounts are used to determine estimated revenues for the next biennial budget. This year, the chancellor and a system-wide committee, which includes students and institution presidents, are recommending that tuition and fees for the next biennium be increased 1.8 percent each year at CSN. If enacted, that would bring the following changes for most CSN students:

CSN Tuition & Fees per credit hour	2017-18 Actual	2018-19 Actual	2019-20 Proposed	2020-21 Proposed
Lower Division	$95	$98.75	$100.50	$102.25
Upper Division	$155.50	$161.75	$164.75	$167.75

Non-resident tuition would increase by the same percentage.

The committee chose to recommend increasing tuition and fees to keep in line with inflation in higher education, the minimum increase allowed by Board policy. Regents are scheduled to hear the proposal at the Board’s meeting scheduled for March 1 and 2 at Desert Research Institute in Las Vegas. The Board is scheduled to vote on the proposal at its June 7 and 8 meeting at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno.

By the Numbers

Look for this section each month to learn about the data that drive discussion and decisions at CSN.

Enrollment Information

I have received many questions about enrollment. Generally, we are flat, but there is opportunity for a bit of movement as we look at late-start classes and areas such as apprenticeship. I think the schools enrollment breakdown is interesting and provides an opportunity for discussion. As we prepare for the Nevada Promise enrollment bump anticipated in the fall 2018 term, these data points will be important to consider. Moving forward, please look for updates during all enrollment periods. Meanwhile, the following link offers a snapshot of spring enrollment through the end of late registration, January 22.

And be sure to visit the Institutional Research web page to view additional data.

Keep in mind some of it may require your active directory credentials (Canvas/GoCSN login) for access. Contact them via their web page for assistance.

Student Engagement

During the spring 2017 semester, CSN participated in the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, or CCSSE, a voluntary survey of nearly 300 community colleges across the nation. It is designed to assess institutional practices and student behaviors that are highly correlated with student learning and retention. The results are compiled into five benchmarks, each of which reflect institutional practices and student behaviors that promote student engagement: Active and Collaborative Learning; Student Effort; Academic Challenge; Student-Faculty Interaction; and, Support for Learners.

The table below shows CSN’s scores for each of the benchmarks, compared to other community colleges our size, as well as the entire CCSSE cohort. While these aggregate data generally show what we’re doing well and where we can improve, there is much more detail in the disaggregated data. Please refer to the Institutional Research website for more details in the coming days, and stay tuned for opportunities to come together to discuss these results.

CSN Facilities

Student Union Update

So much is happening with the development of our new student unions that our Facilities Management team will be holding events on all three campuses this month to showcase what’s to come. Sherri Payne and her team will have presentation drawings, models of the facilities and even a virtual reality system that allows you to “see” inside the buildings as if they were already in place. Please consider attending one of the meetings:

• Henderson Campus: 9 a.m. to noon, February 7, C Building lobby
• Charleston Campus: 9 a.m. to noon, February 14, B Building lobby
• North Las Vegas Campus: 9 a.m. to noon, February 21, June Whitley Student Lounge

For more, including photos, visit the CSN Newsroom.

HVAC Program on the Move

Renovations are underway at the Western High Tech Center. You might remember that we are bringing our entire heating, ventilation, air condition and refrigeration program to the center rather than being housed on both our Henderson and North Las Vegas campuses. Because of the construction, the center will be closed during the spring and summer semesters, with the exception of faculty offices and the Call Center. Renovations are scheduled to be completed for the fall 2018 semester.

CSN Foundation

Win a Jamba Juice Party!

Make a Difference – Support the Employee Giving Campaign with your Coyote Commitment and enter a chance to attend a Jamba Juice Party with the president!

I want to challenge each of you to support the Employee Giving Campaign with your Coyote Commitment to support our students and to make a difference in our community. As we invite businesses, community leaders, philanthropists, and alumni to support our scholarship programs and our capital campaign, one question often arises: How engaged are CSN faculty and staff in supporting CSN students? I want to be able to share that the entire CSN team supports our College! For all of you who make your Coyote Commitment, you will be entered into a drawing to attend a Jamba Juice Party I am hosting in the spring. I don’t want to party alone, so make your Coyote Commitment and join me! Be on the lookout for more details.

In Other News

Coffee & Cake

Speaking of parties, I had a wonderful time joining Dr. Richards and visiting with faculty, staff and students during our informal Coffee & Cake events last week. Dr. Richards is leaving CSN in great shape, and his legacy will remain an influential one as he enjoys his retirement. I look forward to scheduling more events where I can talk with faculty, staff and students about CSN and ways we can keep moving forward.

Martin Luther King Jr. Parade

I had an amazing time joining the CSN Black Student Union and the African-American Heritage Committee at this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Parade in downtown Las Vegas. CSN has had a presence in the parade for the last several years, and I couldn’t have been happier to join them. I’m already looking forward to next year’s parade.

Nevada Promise

Nevada Promise applicants represent a true cross section of our community – more than 5,200 students from schools all across the valley have applied and completed the required training. The next benchmark is early April – completing FAFSA and documenting 20 community service hours. Close to 1,000 mentors have signed up and completed training. Group mentoring sessions are being planned and coordinated in partnership with CCSD schools. These sessions will happen in February, March, and April. I am excited about these sessions and look forward to meeting my own mentees. We continue to recruit mentors, so this endeavor will be ongoing. Have YOU signed up to be a mentor? The opportunity is still available! Even though the state legislature provided only one-time funding for this initiative, we are looking toward meeting Nevada Promise needs of the graduating class of 2019 and will emphasize the need for the legislature to continue to fund this important opportunity.

MyCSN Single Sign-On

We have some exciting news for all MyCSN users: The days of remembering completely separate login information for MyCSN are numbered. Beginning February 17, faculty and staff will begin using the same username and password for MyCSN that they currently use for Canvas and GoCSN. All employees will use their active directory credentials (first name.last name) and their current Canvas/GoCSN password when they log in. Students will use their NSHE ID and current Canvas password to log in.

Dear CSN Coyote Nation,

I am delighted to greet you today as Acting President. While the President’s Chronicle is also coming out today, I wanted to share some important updates with you.

First, I want to announce that the Henderson Provost/Vice President search was successful, and Patty Charlton has agreed to step into that important role effective today. I am grateful to the strong pool of candidates for having the courage to apply, and we intend to launch the searches for the remaining two Provost/VP posts within the month, so be on the lookout for those announcements.

Because the Henderson Provost VP role carries great responsibility in this next phase of the Henderson Campus, establishing metrics and collecting data to demonstrate the efficacy of this new Multi-campus District Model is key; thus, significant reorganization has taken place among the roles of the Vice Presidents and the President:

Henderson Campus Provost/VP – VP Charlton will oversee the daily operations and programming of the Henderson Campus and related Centers, helping to facilitate the “common student experience” at all Henderson sites; she will also serve as the “face” of CSN in the Henderson community, interacting with community leaders, government officials, business, industry, and K-12 school officials. She will continue to serve as the administrative point person for Collective Bargaining, and she will continue to lead our college-wide facilities unit, anticipating the launch of our student union construction projects and the new health sciences building.

VP Finance – VP Bailey will continue in her role with the additional responsibility of overseeing Human Resources.

VP Student Affairs – VP Chrysanthou will continue in her role with the additional responsibility of overseeing the CSN Police Department.

VPAA – Interim VPAA Cota will continue with the VPAA duties with the additional responsibilities of overseeing Institutional Research and the Office of Sponsored Projects, and she will also assume the role of Accreditation Liaison Officer.

Executive Director of Marketing and Communications – Executive Director Morgan will continue in his role with the additional responsibility of overseeing the Events Department.

President – Acting President Martin will oversee all VPs, General Counsel, Diversity, the CSN Foundation, Communications and Marketing, Government Relations, the Director of Athletics, Emergency Management, and OTS.

In the near future, we will be developing a new position that will focus on institutional effectiveness, bringing together related functions in IR, strategic planning, assessment, and resource development, so stay tuned for that announcement.

I continue to be grateful each day for the many blessings afforded to each of us and to our students at CSN. I am excited about the immediate future of this amazing college, and I call on each of you to put your shoulder to the wheel as we approach the important work ahead: Nevada Promise, the Multi-campus District Model, multiple specialized accreditations, full implementation of our CRM, continued assessment efforts, finalization of our Strategic Plan to include Institutional Learning Outcomes, implementation of block scheduling to promote completability for students – these are just a few examples of the many important initiatives that are underway, and I truly believe that together, we can accomplish great things for our students.

Make it a great day! MM

Margo

Dr. Margo Martin
Acting President

Happy New Year! This month’s Chronicle of news and information starts a new year and transitions the leadership of CSN. At the end of this month, Dr. Margo Martin formally assumes the position of acting president of CSN, and during the month, she and I will continue oversight of the college.

Presidential Transition

Dr. Martin continues to be grateful for the confidence that the Board of Regents, the chancellor, and the CSN faculty and staff have placed in her ability to lead CSN during this important transitional period.

She has pledged that CSN will continue to actively engage with our local schools, our college and university partners, and business and industry stakeholders to develop streamlined, guided pathways that lead to dual-enrollment credit, skills certificates, degrees, and gainful employment for Nevada students.

“While the search for a permanent president will be the focus of CSN in the coming months, there is much work that must continue and important initiatives that need to be fulfilled, namely the deployment of CSN’s Multi-Campus District Model, the implementation of CSN’s Common Student Experience, and preparation for CSN’s mid-cycle accreditation visit next fall,” she said. “We have a strong team of faculty, staff, and administration at CSN, and we serve amazing students. I am looking forward to working with all of you as we continue the good work that has been initiated by Dr. Richards.”

Coffee & Cake

On a related note, please join me and Dr. Martin for Coffee & Cake with the President(s) on Tuesday, January 23. There will be one on each campus that day:

• Henderson: 9-10:30 a.m., C Building Lobby
• North Las Vegas: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., June Whitley Student Lounge
• Charleston: 2-3:30 p.m., D Building Lobby

First Committee Meeting

The first meeting of the Board of Regents presidential search committee and the advisory committee is scheduled for 1 p.m. January 8 in the June Whitley Student Lounge on the North Las Vegas Campus. The meeting will also be connected electronically to the Charleston Campus, Building H, Room 105, and the Henderson campus, Building C, Room 224. This is a public meeting and I encourage you all to attend.

Tuition & Fee Proposal

The Board of Regents has scheduled open forums on each of our campuses on January 25 to discuss tuition and fee changes for the 2019-20 and 2020-21 academic years. Chancellor Dr. Thom Reilly will join representatives from the institutions and student groups to discuss proposed tuition and fee increases. All are welcome to attend. Resident and non-resident tuition and fees will be under discussion. NSHE officials are soliciting feedback on the proposal, which will be presented to the Board at its March 2018 meeting and voted on at its meeting in June.

The opens forums are scheduled for Jan. 25, 2018 on each CSN campus:

• Henderson, 9-10:30 a.m., C-133
• Charleston, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., K-101
• North Las Vegas, 2-3:30 p.m., A-1772

Nevada Promise

I want to offer my sincerest thanks to our Nevada Promise team for their hard work over these last several months, taking in scholarship applications, recruiting mentors and making sure the process went as smoothly as possible for everyone involved. There is much work to be done before the first crop of Nevada Promise students enroll at CSN next fall, but our team is up to the task. I also want to thank the hundreds of southern Nevadans who signed up to be mentors, including many from right here at CSN. As always, our success is a team effort.

Back-to-School News

First Day of Classes

Classes for the spring 2018 semester begin Tuesday, January 16. Remember, registration is open now, and late registration will remain open through Jan. 22.

On the first two days of the semester, we traditionally have Welcome Back Crews out on each campus to help students figure out where they are going and to assist with other problems that may come up. This semester, you will notice a slight difference. In order to better help students, we will have crew members strategically located in various parking lots around campus, rather than in front of or inside buildings. We hope to catch the students before they get lost, rather than after.

CSN Connections

In another move to more effectively help students, we are rescheduling the CSN Connections events to the third week of school, rather than right at the beginning. Those first days of school for students are often too busy for them to consider anything but getting to class on time. With CSN Connections held later, we hope that they will be settled in and ready to learn about all the services and opportunities CSN has to offer them. The events are will run from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

• Tuesday, January 30, Henderson Campus
• Wednesday, January 31, North Las Vegas Campus
• Thursday, February 1, Charleston Campus

CSN in the Community

Martin Luther King Jr. parade

Join the CSN Black Student Union and the African American Heritage Committee for the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade at 10 a.m. January 15 in downtown Las Vegas. CSN has participated in this parade for the last several years now.

Information Session

There will be an information session for students looking to learn more about CSN from 3-5 p.m. Jan. 9 on the Charleston Campus, B-102. Topics to be covered include what makes CSN unique, an overview of our programs and support services, and financial aid. Pass the word along.

Congratulations Professor Burton!

Please join me in congratulating Professor Scott Burton, who was recently appointed by Gov. Brian Sandoval to serve on the Nevada Sentencing Commission. The Commission, created last year by the Nevada Legislature, is charged with developing policy recommendations and best practices related to criminal sentencing in order to reduce recidivism and promote education, vocational training, and rehabilitation for criminal offenders.

CSN Foundation

Make Your Coyote Commitment

As you know, the employee giving campaign is ongoing until Feb. 23. Participants will receive a special pin and will be entered to win exciting raffle prizes. Look for more information about these opportunities after the holidays. Go to www.csn.edu/foundation to find out how you can make your Coyote Commitment. Remember that contributions to what’s called the ‘unrestricted fund’ are used to support CSN events or activities, including the annual Science & Technology Expo and general scholarships for low-income students.

Free event to learn how to plan your legacy

Join Vegas PBS and the CSN Foundation on Jan. 24, from noon to 2 p.m. to learn about establishing wills and trusts, the benefits of planned giving and how to protect your legacy. We’ll also discuss the administration of trusts. This complimentary seminar will be led by Vegas PBS Planned Giving Council members and Estate Attorney Robert L. Bolick and Trust Officer Mark Dreschler. Bolick will provide important information about drafting a will and setting up a trust and how to avoid problems that can arise without proper planning. He will also explain how you determine if a will or trust is right for you. Dreschler of Premier Trust will highlight the fiduciary responsibilities of an executor and/or successor trustee as it relates to the after life administration of your affairs. Lunch will be provided (must register) and questions are encouraged! For more information, click here. To register, contact Lana at 702.799.1010 x5577 or at lprusinski@vegaspbs.org to reserve your complimentary seat today!

Farewell

As I reflect on these past years as president of CSN and prepare this note of farewell, it is hard to find the words to convey all I feel about this wonderful institution. I think of the special moments, milestone events and, most importantly, the extraordinary people I met along the way — on our campuses, at our learning centers, and throughout the community. I extend to each of you my deepest thanks for your support and encouragement during my tenure as president. My fondness for the college and for you will ever remind me of this marvelous institution and its thoughtful, passionate and courageous faculty, staff, and students. Thank you for allowing me to serve.

Best,

Mike

Greetings, colleagues. As we move toward the end of another semester, I have a few important news and event announcements to share. As always, it is an incredibly busy time at CSN, and I can’t thank you enough for your hard work and dedication.

CSN Will Have a New Acting President

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Margo Martin on her appointment by the NSHE Board of Regents as CSN’s acting president, to take effect after my retirement in January. Since joining CSN in June as the college’s vice president of academic affairs, Dr. Martin has made an impression on both the CSN community and the state’s higher education leaders. She brings 25 years of experience in higher education to CSN. Her invaluable knowledge and experience will help guide the college as the Board conducts a national search for a permanent president.

Welcome Dr. Lisandra De Jesus

Dr. Lisandra De Jesus has joined us as our new interim associate vice president, student services. She has over 17 years of experience in higher education, most recently as dean of student services at Albany Technical College. Please join me in welcoming her to our student affairs team.

Promise Mentors Needed

We are nearing the final push in our effort to get 1,500 people signed up to be mentors to our Nevada Promise students. CSN received more than 9,000 applications for the new scholarship, which pays all mandatory tuition and fees for qualified students, a true game-changer for Nevada. Among the requirements for those who receive the scholarship are community service and mentoring components. To learn more about becoming a mentor, visit www.csn.edu/promise

Student Union Artist Renderings

Plans for our new student union buildings are coming along nicely. Click here for more renderings. As you may recall, we’ll build a 25,000-square-foot facility on each campus, each with the same design to streamline costs. Each will also include site work for pedestrian and vehicular traffic.  We anticipate a groundbreaking celebration this spring, with a grand opening set for fall 2019.

International Week

The Comprehensive Internationalization Committee, along with the Office of Inclusive Learning and Engagement, hosted this year’s Ambassador’s Day. This annual event is an opportunity for the college community to come together and virtually travel around the world interacting with different cultures at each exhibit. More than 330 students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to taste food from around the world.

Ombuds Forum

CSN’s Office of the Ombudsperson is holding an Open Forum from 10-11:30 a.m. December 8 on the Charleston Campus, K-101. Please join ombuds Jennifer Basquiat and Mark Rauls to address concerns, identify problems, and work toward solutions to make CSN a more productive and inclusive community. Vice President for Academic Affairs Margo Martin will also be in attendance to facilitate open communication with faculty.

Higher Ed Night at the Magical Forest

You and a guest are invited to join in the Grand Lobby at Opportunity Village’s Magical Forest for a private reception to honor CSN. Those planning to attend must RSVP by Monday, Dec. 4, by calling Christina at 702-880-4075. Attendees must then print and bring this flier at this link to be scanned for entry. Contact Christina at Opportunity Village for more information.

News From the CSN Foundation

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Campaign Soft Launch   

On Nov. 2, the CSN Foundation held a breakfast at the Springs Preserve to kick off a comprehensive campaign to raise funds for scholarships, athletics and academic programs. The event was well attended with over 70 business and community leaders and also served to kick off our campaign to recruit mentors for the Nevada Promise Scholarship Program. We’re calling this the 2021 CSN Challenge. Our goal is to recruit mentors and raise $5 million by our fiftieth anniversary in 2021. One of my favorite ideas about this campaign is to raise funds for our students in the growing number of bachelor degree programs at CSN.

Wilma E. Motley Scholarship Endowment

This month, a new scholarship endowment was created for fourth year dental hygiene students. The Wilma E. Motley Endowment is named in honor of the recognized leader in dental hygiene who passed away in 2005. Mrs. Motley was a faculty member at the University Southern California in dental hygiene. She wrote two key textbooks for the discipline, on ethics and the history of dental hygiene. She served on numerous boards and received many recognitions, one of which was the rare distinction of appointment as an honorary member of the American Dental Association. We are proud to have this endowment named after such an important figure in this field and cannot wait for our students to learn more about her.

Employee Giving Campaign

The Foundation also launched an employee giving campaign called The Coyote Commitment. You can choose to make a monthly donation through payroll deductions for as little as $10 a month. Contact the CSN Foundation at foundation@csn.edu for more information or to get started.

Questions and Answers

 Is the Faculty & Staff softball game scheduled for December 2 replacing the Hungry Games?

No, it is a softball game only that was put together by faculty and staff for the faculty and staff. The Hungry Games will still happen, but will be moved to the spring semester this year.

I understand there’s a new process for scheduling events. How will that work?

CSN’s new Events Management Office was established to make event planning more efficient and ensure your events are more effective. The office is the central place for coordinating, planning and hosting events at CSN. Please visit the new website at www.csn.edu/eventrequest to learn more about event guidelines and procedures. Instructions for requesting space are on the website. For more information, please call 702-651-3590 or email eventsoffice@csn.edu.

Representatives of the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators were on campus recently to solicit feedback and opinions from the CSN community on a possible consolidation of southern Nevada higher education police departments, including CSN’s. When can we expect to see the results of their visit?

The Board of Regents has been studying whether consolidation of law enforcement services might save the system some money while maintaining the level of safety and security we have all become accustomed to. As part of that process, the IACLEA representatives visited the higher education institutions in southern Nevada, including CSN, to hear our questions and concerns. The group is expected to issue its report to the Board in the spring. We will keep you updated as we hear more.

A note on the new Chronicle format

I hope my monthly Chronicles are an important part of how you stay informed about what is happening at and around CSN. We are always trying to make communication more effective and efficient. To that end, we have created this new format with the entire content of the Chronicle embedded in your email. We hope this will make the Chronicle more user friendly and easier to navigate.

Best,

 

Mike

Greetings, Colleagues! I have many updates and events to share with you in this month’s Chronicle. In addition to information about ongoing initiatives, this edition includes the exciting return of a cherished event, as well as some good news from around the college.

Searching for CSN’s Next President

Nov. 3

I again encourage all of you to have your voice heard in the search for this college’s next president. That process, led by the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents, has already begun. Chancellor Thom Reilly and Vice Chair Jason Geddes will hold a series of open meetings on Nov. 3 on all three of our campuses. Please click here for details. The Board will have two options. They could appoint an acting president, someone who would act as a caretaker while a national search for a new president is conducted. Or the Board could appoint an interim president, who may be recommended to serve in a permanent capacity. Please attend one of the meetings and let the Board members know your thoughts.

Our Strong Community

The everlasting effects of the terrible Oct. 1 shooting on the Las Vegas Strip continue to reverberate throughout our community. Through the hardship, we have seen the people who call southern Nevada home come together in almost unprecedented ways. Whether it is stories of our community members donating millions of dollars or anonymously performing heroics acts in the face of danger, nothing could make me prouder to call southern Nevada my home.

Nevada Promise Scholarship’s Popularity

We have had such an incredible response to the new Nevada Promise Scholarship that we now need just as much enthusiasm from community members who want to help guide those CSN students through college. The scholarship, which pays all mandatory tuition and fees for qualified CSN students once other forms of financial aid have been exhausted, requires students to meet with a mentor to help them succeed. We need hundreds of mentors for the thousands of students who’ve applied for the scholarship. For more information, and a link to the mentor application, please visit www.csn.edu/promise. Thank you for your continued support of CSN and our students.

Notes on the Next State Budget

I intend to make compensation for faculty and staff CSN’s top priority in the next legislative session. Between now and the end of this academic year a salary study will be conducted to provide data on the issue. CSN has taken the position for the last several sessions that compensation must be number one.

In addition, we are seeking a tweak of the funding formula to put more weight on courses that train the future generation of health care workers, a critical field for both Nevada and CSN.

On the capital side of the budget, we will be requesting the money to construct the new Health and Science Building on our Henderson Campus that we will share with Nevada State College. We expect to ask for approximately $35-40 million for that construction. We are very optimistic and excited about this new building. Once it is operational, it will change the nature of the institution, particularly in Henderson.

Another capital project that we are very excited about is the construction of our three new student unions. Plans are currently being drafted for three identical buildings, one for each campus. Groundbreaking is expected to take place this spring, with a fall 2019 opening date.

Salary Studies

It’s easy to be confused about salary studies. People are unsure who does them, what they mean, when they will be done. I hope to clarify that here.

CSN compares and adjusts the salaries of academic faculty within the institution based on experience and education. This is not compared with other institutions. This plan is to be agreed upon by the Faculty Senate and the president, and is also being discussed within collective bargaining.

NSHE reviews and updates salary schedules across the system. This information is compared with other institutions. The chancellor’s office conducts this portion, with the assistance of presidents and faculty. One faculty member and one administrator per institution is a representative. For CSN, that is Chuck Milne and Patty Charlton. This is done every four years, and the latest one is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Finally, the state Legislature will be conducting an interim study about affordability and college salaries across NSHE. Each institution will submit the name of one faculty member and one student to assist. Those people have not yet been selected. This is done once, and is expected to start in 2018.

I hope that helps.

CSN Foundation Bash for Education 

Mark your calendars! The CSN Foundation will hold a gala April 7 at the Rio Hotel & Casino to help raise funds for the college and our health and science building. This is our first gala in several years and there will be a discounted ticket price for faculty and staff. We hope you will save the date and plan to join us.

Comprehensive Campaign and the Coyote Commitment

The Foundation will also soon be kicking off a comprehensive campaign to increase engagement from the community and within CSN. We are calling it the 2021 CSN Challenge, which provides a way for anyone, regardless of income, to get involved in their community’s college. We are asking for support to help recruit 750 mentors to work with our Nevada Promise scholars and raise $5 million by the college’s 50th anniversary in 2021. In early November, we will do a soft launch of this campaign at the Springs Preserve with the business community. We will do a parallel campaign among employees, starting Nov. 28, which is also #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving fueled by social media. The CSN Foundation will ask you to make a Coyote Commitment, through a small monthly payroll deduction that will have a big, collective impact. Through a committee process, we intend to also give you a say in how your contributions will be put to work in support of our students and programs. You will hear more about this campaign in the near future.

Red Rock Review Celebrates 40th Issue

The Red Rock Review literary journal recently published its 40th issue! Renowned artist and Las Vegas local KD Matheson allowed the use of his painting “Felino-Canino” for the cover. CSN English Professor and the journal’s editor in chief Erica Vital-Lazare describes the painting as one that helps portray the duality of light and dark in the special issue. The journal was created just over 20 years ago by a group of CSN professors and it has been flourishing ever since. Please join me in congratulating Vital-Lazare and everyone involved in its production over the last two decades. What an accomplishment!

College Camp

On Friday, October 13th, CSN’s Latino Alliance hosted College Camp, an event designed to give high school seniors a firsthand glimpse of college. This year approximately 188 students from CCSD’s JAG Program participated in the camp. Students had the opportunity to participate in mini college sessions, which were led by CSN faculty, including Nursing, EMT, Psychology, Latin Studies, and ALS. The high school seniors were also informed about CSN’s admission process and were encouraged to complete the Nevada Promise scholarship application. Students received encouraging words from Senior Vice President Patty Charlton, ASCSN Senator Yvanna Cancela, Jobs for Nevada’s Graduates Board Member and AT&T External Affairs Director Sandra Douglass Morgan and CSN alumnus and former student body president State Assemblyman William McCurdy.

The Common Student Experience

Each month we continue working on establishing a Common Student Experience at all our campuses for CSN students. Through the transition from a multi-campus college to a multi-campus college district we will more effectively serve our students. I expect that the next president will appoint provosts to oversee the Henderson, Charleston and North Las Vegas campuses. We have already secured funding for those positions. The provosts will have the same rank as the vice presidents and will report directly to the president. Some operations will be decentralized, while others will remain much as they are. A critical goal is to allow students to take all of their core courses on any campus; some will be able to finish their entire degrees on one campus. We will also establish Centers of Excellence on each campus, focused on specialized areas, such as nursing, cybersecurity or public safety. In the long run, as CSN establishes campuses in Northwest Las Vegas and, hopefully, the southwest part of town, the governing structure will be much more adaptable than the one currently in place. And remember, we have posted a series of FAQs at www.csn.edu/experience.

Congratulations Coyotes!

CSN’s Men’s Coyotes soccer team had a great regular season, taking the Scenic West Athletic Conference title. Congratulations! What an accomplishment for a team in only its second year of existence. Although they lost in the tournament, they had a great season and team members should be proud of their accomplishment.

Important Dates

Spring 2018 Registration

Nov. 1

Spring 2018 Priority registration for current CSN students starts this Wednesday, Nov. 1, and open enrollment for new students begins Nov. 21.

Veterans Events

Nov. 9

The CSN Military & Veterans Alliance will once again host the Fallen Comrade Table Ceremony. Please join them at 11:11 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 9, for a remembrance of military members who gave the ultimate sacrifice. There will be a table to honor service members, where families and friends can place their photos during the ceremony. For more information call 702-651-5060.

Nov. 11

In addition, the CSN Military & Veterans Alliance and the CSN Office of Inclusive Learning and Engagement invite all CSN students, faculty, staff and community members to join them for the Las Vegas Veterans Day Parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11. Let’s show our veterans the support they deserve.

 

Best,

Mike

President’s Town Halls Summary

Fall 2017

Greetings Colleagues! Earlier this month, I held town hall meetings on each campus, and I thank those of you who were in attendance. We discussed many important topics, and answered a few questions, too.

For those who were not able to make it, here is a brief summary of the major topics addressed. Please feel free to ask questions if you don’t see a topic addressed here. And be sure to read the latest version of the Chronicle, which contains many updates.

Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Update (Chief Caraballo)

The federally mandated annual report on crime stats was distributed by email last week. If you want more you can contact our police department and Chief Caraballo can present to you or your staff. The report covers crime on campus, off campus and on public property. The federal government dictates the geographic boundaries. The on-campus report is most important to us, but you should look at all three to get the full picture. The stats for the off campus and public categories come from other police departments. We also publicize our activity log on our website every day. Everything is there, from citations to other criminal activity. You can see the full report on our website.

Please be sure you have the CSN Mobile Safety App for your devices.  Also, please update your person information in our emergency alert system. We would like your personal and CSN contact information to keep you updated.  If you see something say something. Every piece of information can help in an emergency.

Presidential Search

With my retirement in January, the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents will soon begin the process of selecting a new president for CSN. Chancellor Thom Reilly, Board Chair Kevin Page and Vice Chair Jason Geddes will hold a series of open meetings on Nov. 3 on all three of our campuses. Please watch your email for details, or click here.

There are essentially two options available: The Board could appoint an acting president, which is akin to a caretaker who will watch over the college while a national search for a new president is conducted. Or the Board could appoint an interim president, who would likely get the permanent job unless he or she does something that makes board members change their minds.

The chancellor and board leaders want to know what you think. I recommend attending one of the meetings.

Police Consolidation

You may be aware that the Board of Regents has been studying whether to consolidate some of CSN’s police services with UNLV’s in the interest of saving money.  Under the direction of the chancellor, a study of the idea will shortly be underway. It is anticipated that faculty and staff will have an opportunity for input.

Next Budget

For the 2019 legislative session, CSN will once again make compensation for faculty and staff its number one priority. Between now and the end of this academic year a salary study is being conducted to provide data on the issue. CSN has taken the position for the last several sessions that compensation must be number one.

In addition, we are seeking a tweak of the funding formula to put more weight on courses that train the future generation of health care workers, a critical field for both Nevada and CSN.

On the capital side of the budget, we will be requesting the money to construct the new Health and Science Building on our Henderson Campus that we will share with Nevada State College. We expect to ask for approximately $35-40 million for that construction. In addition, we will have to raise $5-6 million in matching funds. We are very optimistic and excited about this new building. Once it is operational it will change the nature of the institution, particularly in Henderson.

Another capital project that we are very excited about is the construction of our three new student unions. Plans are currently being drafted for three identical buildings, one for each campus. Groundbreaking is expected to take place this spring, with a fall 2019 opening date.

Nevada Promise

Applications for the Nevada Promise scholarship continue to roll in. To date, we have received well over 2,000, and expect at least 3,000 by the Oct. 31 deadline. I couldn’t be happier about this.

With that many applications, however, comes a greater that ever need for mentors. Among the qualifications scholarship recipients must meet is to meet with a mentor. We expect to need approximately 750 mentors, at a minimum. To apply, please click here.

Accreditation Update

We are current on what we have to provide to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities regarding the warning status that was given to us and our governing board. The commission would like to see evidence of the board’s self-evaluation, and I am assured that is forthcoming.

A Common Student Experience

We have posted a series of FAQs at www.csn.edu/experience that are designed to help explain what a multi-campus college district is, how it applies to CSN, and why we believe it will provide for a better student experience at all three – and one day, perhaps, four or five – campuses.

We expect that the next president will appoint provosts/vice presidents to oversee the Henderson, Charleston and North Las Vegas campuses. This person will have the same rank as the vice presidents and will report directly to the president. Some operations will be decentralized, particularly those that directly serve students such as counseling. Others, such as financial aid, for example, will remain much as they are, with operations on all the campuses, but its administration in one place.

The overall goal is to provide what we are calling a common student experience on any of our campuses. Students will be able to take all of their core courses on any campus, and some will be able to finish their entire degrees on one campus. Those who are studying specialized subjects such as culinary arts, for example, will be directed to one of our centers of excellence. Each campus will contain several such centers of excellence, which will focus on the specialties that campus is particularly suited for. Charleston would be a center of excellence for health care, North Las Vegas for cybersecurity, Henderson for public safety, and so on.

Ultimately, this structure – which is used by other community colleges of our size in metro areas of Las Vegas’ size – is expected to make governing CSN more efficient. In the long run, as CSN builds out its planned campus in Northwest Las Vegas and, we hope, one in the southwest one day, the governing structure is much more adaptable than the one currently in place.

It will streamline the student experience, too, making each student’s journey through college that much simpler.

For more detailed information and a full breakdown of all the questions asked and answers provided at the town halls, click here. 

Colleagues,

It has been a difficult week for our community, but it has also been a time that has shown us how strong we can all be when we pull together. Our thoughts continue to be with those who lost loves ones and those who are recovering from the tragic events of Sunday night on the Las Vegas Strip.

CSN is a part of this community, and when the community hurts we hurt. We have had several inquiries about whether any of our students were affected by Sunday night’s violence. We know that perhaps a dozen or more CSN students were in attendance at the event, and we know of one student who was wounded. The student is recovering in a local hospital. Thankfully we know of no other students who were injured and none who were killed.

Please remember that help is available for anyone who needs it, through CAPS for our students and through the Employee Assistance Program for faculty and staff. We are here to support this community, and that includes you.

I am proud that CSN is this community’s college, and I am proud to call southern Nevada my home.

Mike

 

Greetings, Colleagues!  We are more than a month into the semester and I hope all is going well. This month’s Chronicle — sorry for its length — includes many updates and important information about initiatives, events, deadlines and exciting developments at CSN.  There is much going on and, as you’ll see, considerable information to share with you.  Some of the information will be detailed further at my town halls next week, and you’ll have a chance to ask questions.  Hope you can attend.

Nevada Promise is in Need of Mentors

Applications for Nevada Promise scholarships are currently being accepted through Oct. 31. As you will recall, this last-dollar scholarship program pays all of a student’s mandatory tuition and fees for up to three years at CSN once several other forms of financial aid are taken into account. The students have to meet certain conditions, such as performing community service, maintaining 12 credits per semester and meeting with a mentor.

That is where you can come in. We are currently seeking mentors for these students, and I encourage you to sign up. Be a mentor and change a life. You can sign up on our website at www.csn.edu/mentor-application. For more information, contact promise@csn.edu or 702-651-7500.

Nevada Promise Partnership event

There will be a kick off of Nevada Promise with a number of elected officials at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3 at Cheyenne High School. I am excited about this event. We expect to hear from Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor Thom Reilly, Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee, State Sen. Mo Dennis, State Sen. Becky Harris, Clark County School District Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky and other CCSD officials and students to help us spread the word about the Oct. 31 application deadline.

It is wonderful to see the community come together over such an important issue, and it’s always a pleasure when CSN gets to collaborate with the Clark County School District to help students transition from the K-12 system into higher education.

Moving Toward a Common Student Experience

We’ve been on this journey toward becoming a multi-campus college district for a year now. The first series of multi-campus district committee meetings took place in September 2016. Much has happened since then. From Board of Regent’s presentations, legislative updates and stakeholder reviews to round tables, town halls and peer reviews, we questioned, we listened and we learned as much as we could. We took our findings and we turned them inside out so we could build a solid foundation from which to work.

I am pleased to report that we are now positioned to transform the student experience at each of our three main campuses. Here are some of the impacts:

• We have hired 8 new/replacement advisors and additional faculty from student fee revenues — the 4 percent tuition and fee increase;
• We are assigning full-time advisors to the Henderson campus (a 22 percent increase in the number of advisors there) and ensuring that other student services at that campus are in place;
• We have secured external leases in order to free up space for more classrooms and student services at the Henderson campus;
• We have secured funding beginning in FY 2019 to hire campus administrators — Provosts and Vice Presidents — to coordinate day-to-day operations on the three campuses;
• We have planned the “domino effect” of vacated space that will allow our facilities maintenance folks to relocate, vacating space at the North Las Vegas campus that will become a student success center;
• We have begun preparations on each of our campuses that will allow us to break ground on our new student unions this spring.

It’s an exciting time and I will continue to keep you updated here each month. We will also be adding content to our new webpage at www.csn.edu/experience as it becomes available. You will find links to prior reports and presentations as well as new links, such as our recently added FAQs.

We’re Making It Easier to Publicize Your College Event!

We are in the process of revising our Upcoming Event email system to reduce the number of individual event emails you receive. A new online event publicity request form launches Monday, Oct. 2. This new form can be accessed from your GoCSN portal and works across all devices and browsers. We will follow this up with the release of the new CSN Weekly format by the start of the spring semester. Please email marketing@csn.edu with questions or for more information.

Counseling and Psychological Services

I wanted to remind everyone that our Counseling and Psychological Services team offers services to students as well as faculty and staff, and the services are always free and confidential.

Services available for faculty and staff include consultations, crisis consultation, outreach presentations to classes, campus groups and departments, educational workshops and information about mental health resources available in the community.

Experts can assist faculty and staff by helping with student-specific concerns or classroom situations. For more, visit www.csn.edu/caps.

CSN Coyotes

Your CSN Coyotes are now in conference play in both men’s & women’s soccer as well as volleyball. Please visit www.csncoyotes.com for the full schedule of games.

The Coyotes have several events coming up, as well.

• The Region 18 Men’s and Women’s Soccer Tournament will be Oct. 26-28. The winner of The SWAC Conference will host the tournament.
• The Region 18 Volleyball Tournament will be Nov. 3 & 4. The winner of The SWAC Conference will host the tournament.
• And the CSN Athletics Golf Tournament will be Nov. 17 at the Revere Golf Club, with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.

More exciting athletics news: The Coyotes just released the CSN Raising Cane’s Athletic Spotlight showcasing two student athletes. Emily Ragsdale is a freshman playing middle blocker on the Lady Coyote Volleyball Team. Ashlee Jordan is a freshman and a forward on the Lady Coyote Soccer Team. Congratulations to them both.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Questions, Deadline

I wanted to take this opportunity for a last-minute reminder of the rapidly approaching deadline for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program recipients with permits expiring in the next six months to file the renewal application as soon as possible and before Oct. 2 to ensure it is received by the Oct. 5 deadline.

As I mentioned in a recent college-wide communication, my office has received a significant number of calls from students, faculty, staff, and community members inquiring about what the decision from the U.S. Department of Justice to end the program means to our DACA students.

There have been particular questions about the deadline to reapply for the program and the expiration of the Employment Authorization Documents (EAD).

DACA and EADs will remain valid until the expiration date. To determine the expiration date, please refer to the I-795 Approval Notice and the EAD.

Please remember new DACA applications are not being accepted and that the Department of Homeland Security will no longer grant DACA recipients permission to travel abroad.

We are committed to supporting all students who wish to pursuit their educational goals at CSN. We will continue encouraging our elected officials to work towards a permanent solution.

DACA Advice Forum

There will be an immigration information and advice forum designed for international, DACA and undocumented students from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4 on the North Las Vegas Campus, June Whitley Student Lounge. Experts will be on hand to provide reliable and practical advice for college students and the general public on immigration topics. It is sponsored by CSN, UNLV, Nevada State College, the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada and the ACLU of Nevada. You can RSVP to 702-651-7607 or diversity@csn.edu.

President’s Town Hall Series

I will be holding town hall meetings on each campus in the coming days.

• 9-10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 2, on the North Las Vegas Campus, Building A, room 1772
• 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, on the Charleston Campus, Building K, room 101
• 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, on the Henderson Campus, Building C, room 133

I expect to cover a range of important topics, including the multi-campus college district. All faculty and staff are encouraged to attend. There will be a question and answer session following my remarks.

CSN Student Film Showcase

You are invited to the College of Southern Nevada’s Sixth Annual Short Film Showcase at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13. The two-hour showcase will have 10 short films, including documentaries, experimental, narrative films and more, all produced in the past year within the Videography & Film Program. This year students in the program were nominated for 26 Student Production Emmy Awards and ultimately won a national record 14 (Pacific Southwest Region Emmys). The event is free and open to the public. Following the screening there will be prizes for top film categories (last year sponsors contributed $10,000 in prizes) and a Q&A with filmmakers. Enjoy the high quality of filmmaking at CSN and meet a new generation of filmmakers in Las Vegas. The Short Film Showcase will be held in the Horn Theatre on the CSN North Las Vegas Campus. We hope to see you there.

Workday Goes Live

Workday will go live on Monday, Oct. 2! If you have not yet completed your training, you can meet the Workday team on Monday on any of our three campuses:

• Charleston Campus, B Building Lobby
• North Las Vegas Campus, A Building Lobby
• Henderson Campus, C Building Lobby

I encourage you to attend one of these sessions if you have not already had the training. In addition, you can access the Workday module located in CANVAS where you can view a short video on how to navigate Workday, review training material and browse job aids to guide you through the system. Or contact the CAPE office for further training opportunities.

Migrating to the Workday software has been all-consuming for many of our folks.  Under the the leadership of Vice President Mary Kaye Bailey and the coordination of many team leaders and staff in finance and human resources, the change is well underway. I want to express appreciation for all the work, the training, the hours and hours of planning and implementation this project has required. Thank you all!!

2017 NSHE Southern Nevada Diversity Summit

CSN is proud to once again host the NSHE Southern Nevada Diversity Summit this year. It will take place from 7:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, in various locations on the North Las Vegas Campus. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to attend. As you know, diversity and inclusion are among the core values in CSN’s mission statement. They are not simply words to us, but important real-world concepts that guide what we do.

This year’s theme is Engines of Change: The Power of Community and Individual Action. The keynote speaker will be Ranjit Sidhu, President & CEO of the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships.

Topics scheduled to be covered include everything from emotional intelligence to superheroes. Please take a look at the entire schedule at www.csn.edu/diversity and choose which session you plan on attending.

CSN Bookstores Food Drive

CSN’s three bookstores held a food drive benefiting Three Square in August and September, raising approximately $7,500 for the local food bank. In addition to the cash donated by CSN faculty, staff and students, 550 pounds of non-perishable food was also donated. Follett Higher Education Group’s support of this initiative was instrumental to its success. This record-setting campaign demonstrates the commitment CSN’s students, staff, and faculty have to contributing to the local community. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Revive Brand Wins!

Congratulations to Revive Brand Co., a local small business with roots at CSN, for winning the $20,000 grand prize recently in the Cox Communications Get Started Las Vegas entrepreneurship contest. Wow! Revive, which makes and sells clothing and accessories, is one of dozens of small businesses that began with help from CSN’s Business Incubator program.

Nevada Day Reminder

A reminder that we will celebrate Nevada Day on Friday, Oct. 27 this year. The Silver State’s 153rd birthday is reason enough for a day off halfway through the semester. Enjoy the holiday.

Solving Some of Our Critical Space Issues

I am pleased to announce several approvals by the Board of Regents at its September meeting that will help CSN better utilize the space we have, particularly in the area of student services.

Two lease agreements for property on Water Street in downtown Henderson were approved. One will allow a team from facilities management to vacate space on the North Las Vegas Campus, which will then be used for student affairs functions, particularly advising and counseling. A second lease will allow the Southern Desert Regional Police Academy to leave the Henderson Campus and relocate. This will not only give the Law Enforcement Training Academy the space it needs, the move will also free up room on the Henderson Campus for more classrooms, faculty offices, student support space and student services offices, all critical as we transition to a multi-campus district model.

The Board also approved the bonding plans to finance our new student unions. The unions — one on each of our main campuses, encompassing 25,000 square feet each — are being designed right now for an anticipated spring 2018 groundbreaking and a fall 2019 grand opening.

In addition, our heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration students will be pleased to know that the days of commuting between the Henderson Campus, the North Las Vegas Campus and our leased facility on West Cheyenne Avenue are numbered. Our facilities management staff is working on a plan to consolidate the entire program at the Western Center, our learning center on the Western High School Campus. The transition will take some time, but it is already underway.

CSN’s Two New Bachelor’s Degrees Gain Approval

The Board of Regents has recently approved two new bachelor’s degrees for CSN, which will bring the total available here to seven. We’re very excited about this opportunity to offer much needed degrees to southern Nevadans that would otherwise not be available.

In June, the Board approved a new Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Deaf Studies, and in September, the Board approved a new Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Project Management.

Both new degrees are under review by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, CSN’s official accrediting agency.

The Deaf Studies degree will have an emphasis in American Sign Language/English Interpreting. It will allow students pursuing national certification to be in compliance with degree mandates from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf and also meet the requirements for qualifications set forth in Nevada state law. This is sorely needed in Nevada, which has an acute shortage of interpreters for the deaf.

The Project Management degree is equally critical. The program will focus on developing student communication, project management skills, and decision-making abilities within a broader context rather than a single vocation. We expect the program to meet the rigorous standards as set forth by the Accreditation of Business School Programs, while also providing a seamless transfer process for Career and Technical Education students.

Our current bachelor’s degrees are as follows:

Bachelor of Applied Science

• Cardiorespiratory Sciences
• Fire Technology
• Medical Laboratory Sciences

Bachelor of Science

• Dental Hygiene – Education Specialist
• Dental Hygiene – Public Health Specialist

AT&T Aspire Foundation, CSN Foundation Partner on Scholarships

Earlier this month, the CSN Foundation and AT&T celebrated a new scholarship opportunity for Jumpstart students. The AT&T Aspire Foundation awarded $10,000 to CSN this summer to help 135 low-income high school students obtain college credit. The student recipients are taking a total of 476 college credits this semester through CSN’s Jumpstart program at their high schools. To award the scholarships, CSN worked with Clark County School District officials at the 21 high schools where CSN Jumpstart courses are offered. The CSN Jumpstart Program, which began in 2007, works with high school instructors to provide college courses at the high school campus, allowing juniors and seniors to obtain high school and college credit. CCSD instructors with collegiate-level credentials are certified through the program to teach CSN curricula so high school students are receiving the same course they would at a CSN campus.  

Questions and Answers

Is there any news about the anticipated presidential search at CSN?

With my retirement in January, the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents will soon begin the process of selecting a new president for CSN. While the details are still being worked out, Chancellor Thom Reilly will meet with the CSN Faculty Senate, and both Reilly and Board Chairman Kevin Page have forums planned for all three CSN campuses, likely in November. There will be a national search for the new president. Before a permanent president is selected, the Board may appoint either an interim or an acting president. The difference being that an interim president may one day become the permanent president, while an acting president may not. Look for more details soon from the Chancellor’s office.

If we would like to publicize accomplishment in our area or we are asked for comment by the media, who should we contact?

We definitely want to hear about what is happening in your area. Make sure to email your accomplishments, recognitions and student stories to Dave Morgan in our marketing and communications office. Dave may be able to use them in our advertising materials or publicity efforts. His office oversees our marketing and internal communications efforts while also handling proactive public relations that generate positive press for CSN. If you have an idea for a story, reach out and let him know.

In terms of media comment, we encourage our faculty to share their knowledge and experience when it comes to a topic within their field. If you have a request you are uncomfortable addressing or you are asked to comment on an institutional issue and are unsure what to do, please contact Michael Flores. Michael is authorized to speak on behalf of the college and handles all reactive media relations that require official comment. He also directs our government affairs efforts, including local, state and federal agency relations, and works to ensure consistent communications with external constituents.

Best regards,

Mike

Greetings, Colleagues!  I hope your semester is going well at this early stage.  My Chronicle of news and information for the month of September includes a fun item or two as well as updates on CSN information.

CSN Connections:

Thank you to all student services and academic staff and faculty that participated in the CSN Connections events. They were a huge success! These events exist to connect students with the many services we offer to help them succeed in a fun and welcoming environment with music and, of course, free food. They also help us highlight the importance of student success to our students and stakeholders and the critical role that student services staff play in helping students achieve.

Those who participated in these fairs at each campus helped to ensure our students were connected to the vast array of services available to help them succeed.

Thank you again for all of your efforts!

NLV Computer Lab and Russell’s Renovations

During the summer months, CSN’s Facilities Maintenance staff work as quickly as possible to improve campus systems and finishes.  This past summer, renovation of the computer lab on the North Las Vegas Campus was completed to improve the working environment and opportunities for student collaboration.  The lab (first picture, below) was ready for students the day classes began. Russell’s restaurant (pictures two and three, below) was also refreshed and is ready for use. As you visit these popular spaces, remember to thank our facilities staff for their great work!  Thank you, Sherri Payne and staff!

 

 

Beloit Mindset List

As each new school year begins, folks at Beloit College publish a “mindset” list to remind us of the increasing cultural divide between young students and faculty.  For me it was a shock a few years ago to learn that students no longer learned cursive writing.  Perhaps on the list below there are a few items that will help you with a greater understanding of new students.

• They are the last class to be born in the 1900s, the last of the Millennials — enter next year, on cue, Generation Z!
• They are the first generation for whom a phone has been primarily a video game, direction finder, electronic telegraph and research library.
• Electronic signatures have always been as legally binding as the pen-on-paper kind.
• In college, they will often think of themselves as consumers who’ve borrowed a lot of money to be there.
• There have always been emoji to cheer us up.
• The Panama Canal has always belonged to Panama and Macau has been part of China.
• Dora the Explorer and her pet monkey, Boots, helped to set them on the course of discovery.
• The seat of Germany’s government has always been back in Berlin.
• By the time they entered school, laptops were outselling desktops.
• Once on campus, they will find that college syllabi, replete with policies about disability, nondiscrimination and learning goals, might be longer than some of their reading assignments.
• Whatever the subject, there’s always been a blog for it.
• S. Supreme Court decisions have always been available at its website.
• The Latin music industry has always had its own Grammy Awards.
• Ketchup has always come in green.
• Men have always shared a romantic smooch on television.
• As toddlers, they may have taught their grandparents how to Skype.
• Nolan Ryan has always worn his Texas Rangers cap in Cooperstown, while Steve Young and Dan Marino have always been watching football from the sidelines.
• The BBC has always had a network in the U.S. where they speak American.
• There has always been a Monster in their corner when looking for a job.
• Wikipedia has steadily gained acceptance by their teachers.
• Women have always scaled both sides of Everest and rowed across the Atlantic.
• Bill Clinton has always been Hillary Clinton’s aging husband.

Pell Grants

U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recently announced that, as of July 1, 2017, year-round Pell grants are now available to students. This change to the policy ensures that hundreds of thousands of college students will now have the needed resources to complete their course work in a time frame compatible with their individual needs. “This decision is about empowering students and giving them the flexibility and support needed to achieve their goals,” DeVos said. “Expanding access to the Pell program, so that students who need additional resources can graduate more quickly and with less debt, is the right thing to do.” This is fantastic news for CSN students, approximately one-third of whom are Pell grant eligible.

Floral Design

Two floral design students, Lupita Quintana Fierro and Noel Garcia, placed in the top ten at the American Institute of Floral Designers College Floral Design Competition over the summer. Congratulations to them both.

 

Planetarium Solar Eclipse Event

The CSN Planetarium hosted more than 1,000 onlookers August 21 during the solar eclipse, eager for not only a safe place to view the eclipse, but also for the scientific expertise offered by Planetarium Manager Andrew Kerr and his staff. In addition, virtually every media outlet in southern Nevada attended. Congratulations, Andrew, on a job well done!

 

 

Emmy Awards

Please join me in congratulating students in our Videography and Film program, who won 14 Student Production Emmy Award nominations from the Pacific Southwest National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. In all, the students were nominated for 26 awards. CSN students won eight of the awards last year.

 

Nursing Students

Nursing students from CSN, Nevada State College and Chamberlain University traveled to the Dominican Republic and Haiti this summer to do volunteer work in free medical clinics. Students visited homes in three communities and helped the ministry of health by completing surveys in homes for running water, electricity and toilet services. CSN nursing students who served with International Service Learning and former CSN nursing faculty member Dr. Tracey Long included Taylor Libbey and Victoria Maracle. Nursing students and nurses who are interested in serving in a medical trip summer 2018 in India or China can contact Dr. Tracey Long at longforhome@gmail.com. 

Faculty Senate Hiring Policy Open Forum

During fall semester, the Faculty Senate will be working to revise a number of policies, including the hiring policy.  To aid in that effort, the Senate will be holding forum on Friday, September 15, from 10-12 a.m. on the Charleston Campus K-101

The intention of the forum is to provide a brief recap on the charter of the Senate Hiring Policy Committee. Additionally, it will serve as a key avenue for eliciting observations and constructive recommendations for improving to CSN’s process of recruiting, screening, and securing talented individuals.   Those who are not able to attend are encouraged to share comments by an e-mail to Gillian.Silver-Rodis@csn.edu. Additionally, Institutional Research will soon circulate a related survey and participation is encouraged.

Questions from Faculty and Staff

Why did CSN receive a “Warning” from the Northwest Commission for a Board of Regents issue?

Nationally, institutions are subject to accreditation standards, not systems or governing boards.  In this case, two Nevada institutions received the initial recommendation and, because of timing, CSN received the Warning.  The Board, I would quickly add, has responded to both the original recommendation and to the Warning status with close attention to resolving the matter.

There is so much happening at the beginning of a semester; couldn’t the GoCSN announcement have been delayed?

GoCSN is a tool for faculty, staff and students to track passwords with one logon.  It’s a productivity tool, and there seemed like no better time to introduce it than the beginning of the academic year.

Final note:  Since 2007, it has been my honor to serve CSN as President.  Thank you all for your support through the years.  We have accomplished much on behalf of students and their success at CSN, and I’m confident that same spirit will continue.  We will ever cheer CSN onward!

 

Best,

Mike

Here is CSN President Michael Richards’ 2017 State of the College presentation, as delivered during Convocation on Aug. 21, 2017. 

August Chronicle

Greetings colleagues!  The month of August typically is a transition from summer to another academic year.  This Chronicle provides you with initial information about CSN’s activities this summer in advance of our Convocation on August 21st.

Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Margo Martin

Please join me in welcoming Dr. Margo Martin as CSN’s new Vice President for Academic Affairs.  Dr. Martin began her CSN service on July 1.  She has already visited most CSN campuses and learning sites, meeting faculty and staff while preparing for fall semester.

Important correspondence

Attached to this Chronicle are three items of correspondence received in July.  Two relate to CSN’s accreditation.  CSN is in good standing with the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), but there is much work to do on program and institutional assessment.  There is also a requirement that CSN’s governing board, the Nevada Board of Regents, evaluate its performance on a regular basis.  CSN is accountable for that evaluation.

The third item of correspondence relates to salary adjustments and legislative action regarding salaries this biennium.  Should you have questions on any of these items, please let me know.

Personnel Changes in Advancement

Similar to such functions at all colleges and universities, the advancement function at CSN is critical to the mission of the College.  Over the years, the College has benefitted from the service of very capable professionals.  For about three years, Alan Diskin led the CSN Foundation.  He has stepped down after success in preparing the Foundation for its future with new trustees and a renewed direction.  I am pleased to announce that Dr. K. C. Brekken will assume new duties as executive director of the Foundation effective immediately.  K.C has served CSN for the past nine years, most recently as the executive director of public affairs, overseeing public and media relations as well as government affairs and as the staff liaison to the Institutional Advisory Council.  At the Foundation, Dan Morris and Millie Vuksanovic will continue their service and will aid K.C.

Additionally, CSN’s Alumni Relations program, led by Jamille Walton, will align with the Foundation.

Going forward, public relations activities will transition to Dave Morgan who will be CSN’s new director of Marketing and Media, an area that will continue to include Media Relations Senior Specialist Richard Lake and Coordinator Suzan Workman in their assignments.  Michael Flores will continue to direct our government relations efforts, including local, state and federal public relations and continue to play an important role in communications.

Maria Marinch, executive director of Community Relations, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, will now work with the Institutional Advisory Council as well as the community service and mentoring requirements of the Nevada Promise program.

Please welcome these individuals into their new roles.

New Chancellor Thom Reilly

On August 7, Dr. Thom Reilly will begin his assignment as the Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Dr. Reilly has an outstanding record of service in southern Nevada, and most recently served as Director of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy at Arizona State University.  He will join us on August 21^st at Convocation.

Greetings faculty and staff! I hope your spring semester wrapped up well and those that are here for the summer term are excited for a new group of students and classes. This Chronicle includes a summary of the legislative session and important information about what’s to come as we get closer to the fall semester.

Cost of Living Increases

We are grateful to the Governor for including a 2 percent Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) in each year of the next biennium’s budget, effective July 1, 2017. In the 11^th hour, legislators were able to pass another 1 percent increase for each year, which the Governor has not yet signed. Therefore, state employees could see a 2 or 3 percent increase in each year of the biennium. Classified employees should see the increase on their July 25 pay (which covers the period from July 1-15) and professional (academic and administrative) should see the increases reflected on their August 1 pay (which covers the period from July 1 – 31).

Legislative Summary

Thank you to all faculty, staff and students who spent their time and effort advocating on behalf of CSN students this legislative session. Whether you went to Carson City and took part in CSN Day or wrote a letter from your home computer, you are part of the reason CSN experienced such a warm welcome and support from lawmakers this session. Our main needs were met, including an increase in the funding formula for certain Career & Technical Education programs; the Silver State Opportunity Grant was made permanent and the funding was doubled; and our capacity initiatives were funded for the second year of the biennium, including support for the multi-campus district transition and an expansion of advanced manufacturing. In addition, CSN and Nevada State’s joint Health and Science building also received funding for planning, which means we will go back to legislators in 2019 for construction funds for this important project. Additional bills involving CSN are mentioned below. I would like to thank Michael Flores, our director of communications and government affairs, for his tireless work to orchestrate a clear path for these initiatives.

Promise Passes

We are also incredibly grateful to Sen. Mo Denis for authoring the Nevada Promise Scholarship, which passed unanimously through both houses. The Governor signed the bill yesterday. This bill creates a statewide workforce development and K-14 pipeline that incites high school students to attend community college upon graduating and helps them succeed by offering a college degree with no college fees if they complete requirements. Only graduating high school seniors can apply. They must meet mentor and community service requirements, apply for financial aid and attend two meetings about scholarship requirements and the college-going process prior to matriculation.  The scholarship then covers all mandatory registration fees minus any federal or state aid they receive. If high school seniors do not apply for the scholarship in the fall of their senior year and meet entry requirements, they are no longer eligible. The bill allows for community colleges to opt into the program, meaning they can choose whether or not to offer the scholarship. High school seniors will begin applying for this scholarship this fall with the first class of Promise students entering in fall 2018.

Prison Education Passes

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford’s bill to create a pilot prison education program between the Nevada Department of Corrections and CSN also passed through both houses. It awaits the Governor’s signature. This bill would allow for 50 men and 50 women nearing release from high security facilities to enroll in designated courses offered onsite. Before the Great Recession, CSN taught students in the prisons, but the program was cut when funding dried up. The bill allows for inmates to use specialized and highly secure tablets to participate in the coursework. It is estimated this pilot project alone could save the state millions of dollars by reducing the percentage of those who re-offend and ameliorating over-crowding. I would like to thank Apprenticeship Director Craig von Collenberg and Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs James McCoy for their efforts to launch this program.

Nevada Grow

AB 94, also known as the Nevada Grow Act, was also passed. It too was signed by the Governor yesterday and will make permanent the pilot program established through the 2015 Legislature under the leadership of Assemblywoman Dina Neal. This legislation provides funding to create an economic gardening program to provide local businesses with the tools they needed to use data-driven strategies to grow and expand. A variety of stakeholders are involved, including CSN, the Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Urban Chamber, the Latin Chamber, Clark County Business Licensing and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development. I’d like to thank CSN Business Professor Kevin Raiford and the Division of Workforce & Economic Development for their assistance with this pilot program and the legislation.

CSN Alumni Business Competition Finalists

Speaking of Professor Raiford, one of the local start-up businesses that has its roots in CSN’s business incubator program is a finalist in the 2017 Southern Nevada Business Plan Competition.

Revive Brand, which makes and sells backpacks, hats and other “streetwear,” is one of five finalists in the competition, which is jointly run by the UNLV Center for Entrepreneurship and the Las Vegas Business Press. Several years ago, Raiford started the business incubator program at the college to help students start their own businesses. So far, Revive Brand is one of 41 local start-up businesses that the program has helped students develop with support from the CSN Foundation. For more, visit www.snbpc.com.

 Go Coyotes!

The CSN Coyotes baseball team had a phenomenal year, taking the Region 18 Championship and earning a trip to the Junior College World Series for the first time since 2010!

The CSN Coyotes baseball team had a phenomenal year, taking the Region 18 Championship and earning a trip to the Junior College World Series for the first time since 2010! Although the team did not ultimately win the series, the drive and determination they showed along the way can be an example to us all. Congratulations, CSN Coyotes, on another great year!

Commencement

CSN graduated a record number of students at our 45th Commencement Ceremony. There were 3,440 students are eligible to receive 3,569 degrees and certificates, according to preliminary data. Official numbers for the spring 2017 will be available soon. I’d like to thank everyone who helped put the wonderful event together, as well as our guest speakers, including Congressman Ruben Kihuen and Board of Regents Vice Chair Allison Stephens and our student commencement speaker Larissa Marcum.

Emmy Award Nominations

Please join me in congratulating students in our Videography and Film program, who earned 26 Student Production Emmy Award nominations from the Pacific Southwest National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. What an incredible accomplishment. CSN students won eight of the awards last year. Award winners will be announced at a ceremony June 24 in San Diego, Calif.

Unmanned Aviation Systems

I am also delighted to announce that CSN is developing a new discipline in unmanned aviation systems, thanks to a grant from the Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT). The grant, which totals almost $200,000, will help fund the new focus, which will be housed in our existing engineering technology department . We expect to launch the full degree discipline in the fall of 2018. It will combine coursework from aviation, computer information technology and engineering technology. It is being developed in close consultation with industry leaders and experts to ensure that our graduates are ready for the workforce from day one.

Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT) Grants

CSN also received an OSIT grant of approximately $37,000 for the college’s aviation training simulation laboratory on the Henderson Campus, which will allow us to expand this program with eight new state-of-the-art simulators. In addition, CSN and UMC received a $148,000 grant to allow participating nurse residents to gain nationally recognized, specialty-specific credentials, such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) or Electronic Maternal-Fetal certifications, leading to improved marketability for the new nurse and a more highly-skilled healthcare workforce. Nevada’s acute care hospitals have difficulty finding registered nurses with necessary certifications and hands-on experience needed for specialized care. The pilot program will train 30 nursing residents per year.

WINN Grants

The Governor’s Office of Economic Development approved a $1.1 million Workforce Innovation for the New Nevada (WINN) grant to CSN to provide additional assessment and training for southern Nevada’s growing manufacturing industry in collaboration with the Department of Training, Employment and Rehabilitation and the Clark County School District. Approximately a year ago, CSN was the recipient of the first $500,000 WINN Grant, which has helped to train approximately 90 high school students in advanced manufacturing, each of whom received about 10 college credits this school year through dual enrollment.

PTK Honors

Our chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society received designation once again as a five-star chapter, the highest designation possible. We have one of the largest community college honors societies in the nation.

Silver Trowel Award

Congratulations to Kevin Rafferty, who recently received the Silver Trowel Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nevada Archaeological Association. Rafferty is retiring this semester after almost 30 years with CSN.

Faculty & Staff Question

“Will classified employees be allowed to work four, 10-hour days this summer?”

To provide continuity of services and ensure adequate coverage during the summer months, the college will not be moving to a four-day, 10-hour work week during the summer for its employees.

May Chronicle

As we head into the final weeks of the semester and prepare for summer and fall semesters, please take the time to read the following updates on a number of issues, including accreditation, the new internal website and more.

Mark Your Calendars: Upcoming Commencement Events

• May 4 — Outstanding Student Awards, 5:30 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, Telecommunications Auditorium
• May 5 – Latino Commencement Celebration, 6 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, Nicholas J. Horn Theatre
• May 6 – African American Commencement Celebration, 6 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, June Whitley Student Lounge
• May 12 – Associate Degree in Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 5 p.m., Cashman Center
• May 12 – Cardiorespiratory Sciences Pinning Ceremony, 5:30 p.m., Charleston Campus, Rm. K101
• May 12 – Radiation Therapy Pinning Ceremony, 1 p.m., Charleston Campus, Rm. K101
• May 13 – Health Information Technology Pinning Ceremony, 10 a.m., Charleston Campus, Rm. K101
• May 13 – Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic Pinning Ceremony, 4 p.m., Charleston Campus, Room to be determined
• May 13 – Practical Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 12 p.m., Charleston Campus, K101
• May 13 – Vet Tech Pinning Ceremony, 3 p.m., Charleston Campus, D101
• May 15 – Dental Hygiene Pinning Ceremony, 10 a.m., North Las Vegas Campus, Nicholas J. Horn Theatre
• May 15 – CSN’s Annual Commencement Ceremony, 6 p.m., UNLV Thomas & Mack
• May 17 – Certified Nursing Assistant Pinning Ceremony, 7 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, Nicholas J. Horn Theater

Accreditation

Thank you to all who participated in the ad hoc accreditation visit this past week. All faculty were invited to meet with evaluators as part of the process. This visit afforded CSN an opportunity for follow up on our response to the recommendations coming out of our last seven-year cycle (2009-2016). As you will recall, the recommendations included a review on assessment and how it is utilized in planning and resource allocation.

In regards to the separate warning we received, CSN submitted its report this week to the Commission. Going forward, CSN has created a new process to ensure we submit all institutional changes and updates to the Commission in accordance with their policies. The Commission will consider the report at its June meeting.

Chancellor Search

You may have read in the newspaper that the Chancellor search has stalled. The search, which began in December, has concluded with no finalists. The search committee authorized its chair, Regent Kevin Page, to work with the search firm to evaluate resuming their options. You can read more about the committee’s latest meeting here.

Summer Enrollment          

Please remember to let your students, neighbors and friends know that open enrollment for summer sessions classes has begun. There are a number of great classes to attend that will help students complete their degrees and certificates more effectively. Open enrollment for fall semester begins May 20.

AtCSN

I am pleased to announce our internal website, which we are calling ‘AtCSN’ (https://at.csn.edu) is now available.

Last spring, we launched our new public-facing website, www.CSN.edu, to remodel CSN’s online gateway for potential students and the community. This site includes all of the public information needed to access CSN services. A large group of faculty and staff have since been working to build an internal site, dedicated to housing the information needed for current students, faculty and staff to thrive at CSN, including our directory, Coyote Q, policies, forms, a calendar of important dates and deadlines and more.

Internal AtCSN integrates with the public-facing www.CSN.edu, enabling CSN faculty, staff and students to seamlessly access public and internal pages. It is also responsive and accessible from your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

Please remember AtCSN is a work in progress as we continue to expand internal content. We also look forward to the next installment in this project, GoCSN, which will provide a single sign-on application that will further enhance and personalize your website experience. More information will be available as we get closer to the fall semester.

CSN Legislative Priorities

Several deadlines have now passed, eliminating a number of bills, and I am pleased to report that CSN’s legislative priorities continue to remain in play with much support from our legislative representatives. This month, CSN and its community partners, including the Metro Chamber, Dignity Health and the City of Henderson, were able to present information about the proposed CSN & NSC Health & Science Building. We continue to hold out hope that our request for $4.3 million in planning funds will be included in the final budget.

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Week

Although Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month is held in May, the CSN Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage committee celebrates in April, prior to the end of the semester. A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia (New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji and the Solomon Islands), Micronesia (Marianas, Guam, Wake Island, Palau, Marshall Islands, Kiribati, Nauru and the Federated States of Micronesia) and Polynesia (New Zealand, Hawaiian Islands, Rotuma, Midway Islands, Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, French Polynesia and Easter Island).

This year the committee chose to celebrate Disney characters that represent AAPI by showcasing Kubo & The Two Strings (Japanese), Moana (Polynesian) and Mulan (Chinese). These three films were shown over three weeks and each incorporated a cultural demonstration, including a Kaminari Taiko drummer demonstration, Polynesia style dances and a martial arts demonstration.

Collective Bargaining

Collective bargaining negotiations continue between the College and the NFA/AAUP on behalf of the academic faculty. Most recently, the discussions have focused on finalizing various proposals that the parties have exchanged for the past weeks (these include provisions regarding work safety, overload requests, reductions in staffing during a period of financial exigency, etc.) Also, various NFA proposals have been discussed but the College does not see a way to move forward on the proposals (these include the topic of benefits, for example). Lastly, proposals regarding the key topic of salary adjustments have been discussed. The College has posted its proposal (along with NFA/AAUP’s) and a position statement on the collective bargaining webpage (csn.edu/collectivebargaining), and all are encouraged to review those materials. The College’s salary proposal focuses on 1) an equity study with participation by faculty and study outcomes funded by internal resources, and 2) NSHE performing its next salary study with study outcomes funded by the Legislature.  On Friday, April 28, Vice President of Finance Mary Kaye Bailey presented information about the College’s revenue sources and dedicated purposes for most of the fees collected from students. Her presentation is also posted on the collective bargaining webpage. We appreciate everyone’s efforts and thoughts on this important project, and thank those who have attended negotiating sessions. All are welcomed.

CSN Day at the Legislature

Thank you to all who participated in making CSN Day at the Nevada Legislature a success. We had more than 50 faculty, staff and students make the journey. They met with their elected representatives, sat on the Assembly and Senate floors during session, attended the Assembly Education Committee and toured the Capitol. In addition, a number of legislators as well as Regents John Moran and Kevin Page, came by the lunch reception, sponsored by Century Link, to speak with our students. It was a beautiful day and CSN was well represented!

Respiratory Therapy Excellence

I am proud to share that CSN’s nationally recognized Cardiorespiratory Science Program will receive the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award from the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care in June! This distinguished honor is awarded to select institutions for high quality programs with continual success in the credentialing and job placement of graduates. Way to go!

 

Faculty & Staff Questions

“Are the CAPE Guiding Principles for Service Excellence courses required for all faculty, staff and students?”

All employees are strongly encouraged to attend these courses. Regardless of your position at the college, you serve students, faculty or staff and this course series promotes emotional intelligence and core values that we must all exude to successfully carry out the college’s mission. Check with your respective vice president to determine if the course is required for you.

“What’s the latest happening on the multi-campus district transition plan?”

As you may recall, we have identified funds from student fee increases that we may use to add the faculty and student services staff necessary to phase in a transition from a highly centralized multi-campus single unit to a multi-campus district. These funds will create the home campus experience emphasized in our plan and a standard level of services and course menu at each campus. We have requested funding from the Legislature for the administrative component and will know more in June. Meanwhile, we continue to research best practices for structuring and management of these districts.

“When can we anticipate to receive feedback from our ad hoc accreditation evaluation this week on the 2009-16 plan?”

Evaluators visited on April 25-26, and they will prepare a written report for review at NWCCU.  It will probably be mid-fall before final action is announced.

Please join us on May 15 for Commencement at the Thomas and Mack.  Celebrate our students!

Mike

 

Dear CSN Alumni,

If you’ve done the work, you deserve the credential.

Did you know that you may be eligible to receive an associate degree from the College of Southern Nevada (CSN) at no cost to you?

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has a dynamic process in place, called Reverse Transfer. Eligible students, who have earned 15 or more credits at a NSHE community college and transferred to a four-year NSHE institution where they earned 60 or more credits, may be able to obtain an associate degree for the coursework they completed between the two institutions. That’s right, you may already be a college graduate and didn’t know it! Earning an associate degree is an excellent credential to bolster your resume as you work toward your bachelor’s degree.

Last year, close to 200 UNLV, UNR, and NSC students graduated from CSN through the reverse transfer program. Some had earned multiple associate degrees from CSN. The total count of degrees for these 200 students surpassed 300.

Why is an Associate degree important?

1. You would collect the nation’s fastest growing work credential recognized by employers.
2. You would achieve an educational milestone for FREE while pursuing your bachelor’s degree.
3. You become more marketable and qualify for better job opportunities while completing your bachelor’s degree.
4. With an associate degree you become part of the group of students who, according to national data, are 70% more likely to complete their bachelor’s degree.

How does the reverse transfer PROCESS work?

With your permission, your current four-year institution will send your transcript to CSN to determine if you are eligible to receive an Associate of Science, Associate of Arts, Associate of Business, or an Associate of General Studies.

To determine if you are eligible for a CSN associate degree:

1. Complete the Reverse Transfer Transcript Request form available at csn.edu/reversetransfer/ and submit electronically to the email address on the form (reversetransferoffice@csn.edu) by the deadline of May 31, 2017. Your reverse transfer graduation form will be evaluated for the August 2017 summer graduation date.
2. There is no cost involved. With your consent by completing and submitting the Reverse Transfer Transcript Request form, your current four-year institution will send CSN your free electronic transcript.
3. If after completing your graduation audit CSN determines that you have met degree requirements for an Associate of Science, an Associate of Arts, an Associate of Business, and/or an Associate of General Studies, you will be awarded your diploma (s) in August 2017 and become eligible to participate in the 2018 May Commencement Ceremony.

For more information about a reverse transfer associate degree, please visit www.csn.edu/reversetransfer or CSN’s Call Center at 702-651-5555.

Wishing you continued success in your academic endeavors!

Sincerely,

 

Michael Richards, Ph.D.

College of Southern Nevada, President

Greetings! We are entering the final stretch of spring semester and there are a number of important dates ahead related to commencement, which I encourage you to attend.

• April 29 – Clinical Laboratory Sciences Pinning Ceremony, 10 a.m., Charleston Campus, Rm. K101
• April 29 – Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Commencement Celebration, 4 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, Telecommunications Auditorium
• May 4 — Outstanding Student Awards, 5:30 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, Telecommunications Auditorium
• May 5 – Latino Commencement Celebration, 6 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, Nicholas J. Horn Theatre
• May 6 – African American Commencement Celebration, 6 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, June Whitley Student Lounge
• May 12 – Associate Degree in Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 5 p.m., Cashman Center
• May 12 – Cardiorespiratory Sciences Pinning Ceremony, 5:30 p.m., Charleston Campus, Rm. K101
• May 12 – Radiation Therapy Pinning Ceremony, 1 p.m., Charleston Campus, Rm. K101
• May 13 – Health Information Technology Pinning Ceremony, 10 a.m., Charleston Campus, Rm. K101
• May 13 – Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic Pinning Ceremony, 4 p.m., Charleston Campus, Room to be determined
• May 13 – Practical Nursing Pinning Ceremony, 12 p.m., Charleston Campus, K101
• May 13 – Vet Tech Pinning Ceremony, 3 p.m., Charleston Campus, D101
• May 15 – Dental Hygiene Pinning Ceremony, 10 a.m., North Las Vegas Campus, Nicholas J. Horn Theatre
• May 15 – CSN’s Annual Commencement Ceremony, 6 p.m., UNLV Thomas & Mack
• May 17 – Certified Nursing Assistant Pinning Ceremony, 7 p.m., North Las Vegas Campus, Nicholas J. Horn Theater

*Note: The Native American Alliance will partner with UNLV and NSC to host a collaborative Pow Wow. Date/Location TBD.

Accreditation
The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is CSN’s regional accrediting agency.  NWCCU has warned CSN that it was not meeting one of the 24 eligibility standards.   The commission has requested remedial steps be taken and reported to them on April 25^th.  CSN changed Accreditation Liaison Officers in 2016.  Patty Charlton now has that assignment, and she is working with NWCCU staff on a report for the commission to show the steps we have taken to comply.  Part of that report will include past programmatic changes at the College.  Once the commission receives the report, it is our expectation that the commission will remove the warning.  Accreditation is paramount at any quality higher education institution. Therefore, we are addressing this with fervor to ensure we maintain our tradition of excellent standing.

Unrelated to the letter, CSN has its regularly scheduled follow up visit on April 25-26 from two representatives of NWCCU who will validate CSN’s implementation of strategies to address recommendations from the Year 7 report regarding assessment.  (See the faculty question below for more information.)

Women’s History Month

I would like to express a special thanks to the CSN Women’s Alliance and the Office of Diversity for hosting so many enriching events this month. The Wikipedia Hack-a-Thon, Status of Women Conference, Suffrage Readings and much more provided a diverse array of engaging and informative opportunities for our community to gather and discuss women’s challenges and the history and future of women’s rights. These are critical touch points at this moment in time and I hope every one of our faculty and staff had an opportunity to engage in this month’s events.

Internal Website Update
The internal CSN website is coming soon! The website has been designed with current faculty, staff, and students in mind. It has a responsive design that is accessible from all devices so that you can find the things you need quicker, easier, and from anywhere. There is a document directory for easy, searchable access to the most up to date PDFs and forms, quick links to frequently accessed pages, and much more.  We expect to launch this internal website at the end of April. More information will be shared as we get closer to launch date.Legislative Update
The legislative session is in full swing.  Three budget hearings have been held, and CSN is responding rapidly to requests for information. I want to thank our faculty and staff who have been involved in engaging legislators and those who are planning to attend CSN Day in Carson City on April 19.

At the March budget hearing, legislators asked a number of great questions about the funding formula and NSHE’s request for $21 million over the biennium to support community college career and technical education. We have heard from many legislators who are supportive of our college and students.

Last week, the Senate Education Committee heard our request for the expansion of our bonding capacity from the currently approved amount of $45 million to $81 million. The expansion will enable CSN to proceed with the construction of the three student unions to be located on each campus, as approved by the Board of Regents last month. The passage of SB 496 is critical to our ability to proceed with this project.

There are several bills related to higher education governance reform, including Assemblyman Ira Hansen’s bill, AB331, which will be heard in Assembly Education on Monday afternoon, which we are watching.

A proposal to create a CSN prison education pilot program for 100 inmates is expected to be heard Tuesday in the Senate Judiciary Committee at 1:30 p.m. Later that afternoon, the Senate Education Committee will hear legislation to amend the Silver State Opportunity Grant and to create a Nevada Promise Scholarship for recent Nevada high school graduates that would cover any mandatory fees not covered through federal or state financial aid to attend community colleges.

Sen. Mo Denis, who authored the Promise Scholarship legislation, will hold a meeting to discuss the legislation with community leaders on Saturday, April 1 at the Latin Chamber, where he is seeking support for this bill.

If you are interested in testifying or writing letters of support for any of these items (or others), I encourage you to contact our government affairs director, Michael Flores, so that he can assist you.

Grants

Congratulations to the CSN School of Advanced & Applied Technology and the Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences for winning grant awards from the Nevada Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT) in this year’s STEM Challenge Grant competition. CSN received approximately $37,000 for the college’s aviation training simulation laboratory on the Henderson Campus, which will allow us to expand this program with eight new state-of-the-art simulators. In addition, CSN and UMC received a $148,000 grant to allow participating nurse residents to gain nationally recognized, specialty-specific credentials, such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP) or Electronic Maternal-Fetal certifications, leading to improved marketability for the new nurse and a more highly-skilled healthcare workforce. Nevada’s acute care hospitals have difficulty finding registered nurses with necessary certifications and hands-on experience needed for specialized care. The pilot program will train 30 nursing residents per year.

Phi Theta Kappa
CSN’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa had a successful 2016 calendar year. The officer team, along with the student members, embarked on their year-long scholarly research project called Honors-in-Action. The topic, as provided by headquarters, was Global Perspectives: How the World Works. The officers chose the theme Natural and Engineered, and they focused their research on how factory farming affects ground, ocean, and rain water. For the action phase of the project, they designed an awareness campaign, involving a presentation by an instructor of Environmental Science to Phi Theta Kappans. The officers put on classroom presentations to CSN students; and an officer presented her research at a CSN poster fair.

At the Nevada/California Spring Regional Conference held in San Francisco in March, the chapter was recognized with the following awards:

• 5-Star Chapter Award (the highest level)
• Honors-in-Action, Natural and Engineered, 3^rd place
• Website Award, 3^rd place
• Distinguished Chapter Officer Award, Ashley Allison, 3^rd place

Way to go PTK! We are incredibly proud of you.

CSN Dean Recognized for Contributions to Health Care

Congratulations to CSN Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences Dean Josh Hamilton! The American Association of Nurse Practitioners selected Dr. Hamilton in March as one of its 2017 fellows, in recognition of his contributions to advanced nursing, translational research and education. The association recognizes nurse practitioner leaders who have made outstanding contributions to health care through clinical practice, research, education or policy.

Faculty & Staff Questions

“What can you tell us about the April accreditation visit?”

Accreditation operates on a seven-year cycle. We concluded our first seven-year cycle with a report and visit in fall 2015, in which we received seven commendations and four recommendations. We issued a report on our progress on those recommendations and the April visit will include two representatives from a NWCCU evaluator who will follow up on CSN’s progress, specifically in the areas of assessment, student learning outcomes, and planning and resource allocation.

Have a great month!

Best,

Mike

Greetings Colleagues!

I have been waiting until now to issue the March Chronicle because the Board of Regents, meeting at CSN’s North Las Vegas campus, took action on a number of key items that I wanted to report to you.  In many ways, the Board’s actions were historic for CSN.

Board of Regents

This week, the Board of Regents met at the North Las Vegas Campus on Thursday and Friday for the first time in at least a decade.  Here’s how the actions of the Board affected CSN and you:

• With the enthusiastic endorsement of the students, fee increases were approved to construct student unions on each campus. CSN will also be committing $7 million to get the projects underway and to reduce the indebtedness students will incur. With this action, CSN will offer students better gathering space, a central point for food service, meeting rooms, and a stronger sense of collegiate life. Learn more here.
• The Board approved my recommendations for tenure! Congratulations to these excellent faculty who are dedicating their careers to CSN!
• The Board approved an honorary degree for Dr. Nancy Brune, founding chair of the CSN Institutional Advisory Council and Executive Director of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities. Dr. Brune will be recognized at CSN’s Commencement Ceremony on May 15.
• The Board received a report on CSN’s multi-campus district model and approved amending a budget recommendation to fund the transition. Pending appropriations from the Legislature, this means more advisors, more faculty and campus administrators for CSN’s three campuses. More on the impact of the model below.

Finally, this meeting of our governing board represented a wonderful opportunity to showcase CSN to the public and to sister institutions.  I appreciate Dr. Douglas Sims and Rachel Lily, a CSN student, for their presentations to the Board and all of the staff who worked so hard to facilitate the meeting and make it a wonderful experience for our colleagues throughout the system.

Black History Month

I would like to thank the CSN African American Heritage Committee, the Black Student Alliance and the Office of Diversity for their work on a number of great events in February to celebrate Black History Month. These events included a documentary screening of the film #Blackmendream, and the film 13^th, which can be found on Netflix regarding the 13th Amendment and its relation to modern day slavery in the prison system. Also this month guest speaker Yusef Salaam came to the college to discuss his past of being wrongfully accused for a crime he did not commit, and with people he didn’t even know, while sharing his story and his perspective he answered questions related to today’s political climate.

Collective Bargaining

The process of collective bargaining continues. CSN has created a webpage where you can get the latest information about the process and find information about the upcoming meetings, proposals, counter proposals, background and more. The CSN NFA Chapter also has a blog that can be found here. The bargaining sessions are open to the college community. The next meetings will take place as scheduled below. All are encouraged to attend.

March 10, 2017, 9 am, NLV campus-Conf Rm A/B

March 24, 2017, 3 pm, Henderson Campus-C-225

79^th Legislative Session

The legislative session has officially begun and there are a number of bills we are following, including items on dual credit, the Silver State Opportunity Grant, funding for certain CTE programs and more. I was in Carson City on Tuesday to help make our case and discuss the importance of the Silver State Opportunity Grant for our students. You can read more about the hearing here. To receive weekly legislative updates, email publicaffairs@csn.edu.

Multi-Campus District Study

On Feb. 23, I updated the Board of Regents Committee on Community Colleges on the progress of our multi-campus district planning. We’ve identified funds within the previously approved student fee increases taking place this fall to bolster the necessary faculty and staff needed. Revenues for two years will be committed to providing a standard student experience at all three campuses, as well as deliver general education and entry-level courses on each campus. This will allow students to receive a standard level of collegiate experience regardless of which campus students select. When Regents initially approved the student fee increases, they stated that the new dollars must support student services and building out needed faculty and staff on each campus and creating a home campus experience will help accomplish that outcome. We’ve also identified additional dollars needed to support the administrative component to provide a campus leader at each location and have amended CSN’s budget request to the Legislature to fund the positions separate from student fees or other institutional funds.  These administrative positions will provide uniform points of contact in the three municipalities and communities CSN serves. Our community partners want CSN to help support their economic development needs, and we’ll be in a stronger position to do exactly that. The funds will be included in our capacity enhancement request before the Legislature this session.  Taken together, a commitment of $3.8 million could be available beginning July 1 to support the multi-campus district model.

Working through the details of the model will take up to two years.  It will change the way CSN committees and councils work, emphasizing more communication and coordination throughout the College.  It will improve our ability to work with the communities we so proudly serve. Most importantly, it will infuse an investment of funding into a uniform student experience both inside and outside the classroom.  Students would not have to hop from campus to campus for services unless they so choose.  Advisors and counselors won’t be spread so thin because of the circuit they ride.  The Henderson campus, particularly, will have the array of services and curriculum of CSN’s other campuses.

We also look forward to designating Centers of Excellence on each campus both for programming and for improved marketing of the campuses. This is an exciting dimension of the multi-campus model.

The Regents’ committee and the full Board itself, received the report enthusiastically with the understanding that we have more details to explore. Regents expressed a desire that a transition to this structure would help us better meet both student and community needs more effectively.

Please know how deeply I appreciate the thoughtful consideration faculty have given this new model. Issues raised, questions about resources, concerns about implementation have been constructive and helpful.  Indeed, they have strengthened CSN’s proposals and budget submissions.  I believe the entire transition will be better for faculty input and review.  Thank you to all involved!

New DWED Leader

Following a national search, CSN has hired a new Executive Director of the Division of Workforce & Economic Development Ricardo Villalobos. March 1 was his first day. He is completing his Ph.D. in Workforce Development at UNLV. Mr. Villalobos’ professional experiences include serving as Director of Workforce Development Programs at Workforce Connections, overseeing employment and training services being provided to approximately 5,000 youth and adults. Previously, he worked with at-risk student-athletes at San Diego State University and with welfare-to-work recipients at one of the local community colleges. He also served as an evaluation consultant for the Sweetwater Union High School District assessing college preparatory programs for disadvantaged student populations. He will be a vital asset to help CSN expand workforce readiness in Southern Nevada.

I also want to recognize the work of Dan Gouker and Melissa Schroeder who labored so effectively as leaders of DWED.  Dan built countless relationships in the community.  His efforts created a dynamic and successful operation with business and industry alliances that serve as the model for workforce development. Melissa carried on as interim director, sustaining strong operations for the College.

DWED is no longer exclusively the non-credit and enrichment arm of CSN.  It is a workforce engine for the college and for the greater Las Vegas community.  Its agility and program excellence is ready for the next level of success.

Diversity Day

Diversity Day will take place Friday, March 31, all day at the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre on the North Las Vegas Campus. The program includes morning workshops for Safe Zone 102 and Communicating Across Generations. The afternoon program includes a special presentation of awards that I will present to recognize diversity committee chairs and other diversity champions, and a presentation by Attorney Colin Seale on Safe Spaces and Free Speech. Colin will follow his keynote with a workshop to wrap up the day’s activities. A light lunch will be provided for those who attend the morning sessions and stay for the afternoon program. Please attend and encourage your colleagues to do so as well. The day is not only symbolic of the college’s support of diversity and inclusion but also a good opportunity for training on diversity-related topics that address issues of interest for the CSN community. We developed the program based on feedback from faculty, staff and students. You can register through CAPE or email diversity@csn.edu for more information.

Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day

Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day is coming up on April 27 and CSN will hold special activities at all three main campuses to participate. The national holiday encourages strives to connect children with the working world and to think creatively about their future. Fun and educational activities are being planned for each campus and snacks, lunch, and beverages will be provided throughout the day for the children courtesy of our college administration. Children from ages 8-18 may participate.  To plan for this event, we ask that employees pre-register their children by Monday, April 10. Walk-ins without prior registration will not be able to participate. Registration for this event is on a first come, first served-basis as each campus has limited space. Contact Angel.clemens@csn.edu for more information and to sign up.

March Speed Networking Event

Finally, we are very excited about our upcoming Speed Networking Event to be held Friday, March 17, at the North Las Vegas Campus in the June Whitley Lounge. We have dozens of local and national employers attending to meet with CSN Accounting, Business, CIT, & Engineering Technology students. Prior to attending, all students receive an orientation and assistance preparing their resumes and developing their ‘elevator speeches.’ At the event, students will experience a high-energy, speed networking event over two hours that prepares them to enter their career fields and in some cases lead to jobs and internships.

Faculty & Staff Q&A

“Will CSN still be affordable for students with all the fee increases?”

It is essential to CSN’s future that is remain accessible and affordable.  Nearly every fiscal decision at the College is made with that goal in mind.  As the students proposed three student unions, realizing they had to pay for construction and operation of the new facilities, the question of impact on pricing received careful analysis.  We saved some general improvement revenues and chose to reduce the impact on students by transferring $7 million to the projects.  We elected to charge a lower summer fee–$3 per credit hour.  And we chose to defer collection of the O&M fee ($1 per credit hour) until it was needed in the fall of 2019.  By FY2020 when all fees are in place, CSN will be charging about $1,794 for 15 credits.  This is about a thousand dollars lower than NSC and about $2,200 lower than UNLV.

“Will we be updating the North Las Vegas Campus” sort codes to North Las Vegas (as opposed to NLV)?”

The North Las Vegas Campus sort codes are currently being revised and will be updated soon.

“Is the PageDNA printing system a temporary fix until Workday is completed?”

The PageDNA system is a permanent solution for online ordering of all print requests and is not associated with the implementation of Workday. The design of the PageDNA online store front continues and we very much welcome your feedback. Please contact the Senior Director of Auxiliary Services Judy Ruter to provide specific feedback on how we can improve the look and functionality of the PageDNA system.

Best,

Mike

 

 

 

Congratulations to the following individuals on earning tenure, approved by the Board of Regents today.

• Sherry Lynn Aldridge, Nursing
• Dr. Andrea Brown, Human Behavior
• Bryan Scott Burton, Public Safety & Human Services
• Jessica Carlson, Nursing
• Cecilia Degenhart, Health Related Professions
• Jama DeYoe, Nursing
• Andrew Jay Fanizzi, Hospitality Management
• Colleen Gerardo, English
• Dr. Diane Hardgrave, Human Behavior
• Dr. Colleen Harrington, Public Safety & Human Services
• Dr. Amanda Hudson, Physical Sciences
• Michael Kimball, English
• Travis Justin Koll, English
• LaDella Levy, Social Sciences
• Arthur Little, Health Related Professions
• Jennifer Mitchell, Communication
• James Ormord, Physical Sciences
• Warren Pawliuk, Nursing
• Dr. Laura Powell, English
• Benita Ryne, Nursing
• Lisa Savy, Mathematics
• Dr. Maria Schellhase, Business Administration
• Brian Schmidt, Physical Sciences
• Dr. Christopher Scott Sevier, Social Sciences
• Dr. Douglas Brian Sims, Physical Sciences
• Megan Swallia, Mathematics
• OJ Sydor, Business Administration
• Dr. Patricia Thomas, Human Behavior
• Deborah VanDamme, International Languages
• Erica Vital-Lazare, English

 

Greetings! I hope your spring semester is off to a great start! There is a lot to update you upon, including the upcoming legislative session and the multi-campus district transition.

Governor’s Budget

Thank you to all who attended the town hall on Jan. 23 or watched online. You can watch the video here. Gov. Brian Sandoval outlined his budget priorities in the State of the State on Jan. 17 and the news is great for CSN and higher education in general. The Governor proposed a 2 percent increase in state employee salaries each year of the biennium for cost of living or 4 percent total for the biennium. He also advocated for a $21 million infusion of funds into certain career and technical programs at community colleges from which CSN would gain about $10 million. His budget also doubles the amount of state funding for the Silver State Opportunity Grant and makes this community college, need-based scholarship permanent. I am very appreciative of the Governor’s vision and commitment to higher education.

CSN & NSC Health & Sciences Building

The joint health and sciences building was not included in the Governor’s budget. However, it is our hope that through the legislative process, we can work with lawmakers to include the $5 million in planning funds we need to get this project started. If this money is not allocated this session, it will considerably delay this project, which is critical to meet the growing need for healthcare professionals in Nevada.

Multi-Campus District Transition

On Feb. 23, I will present additional information to the Board of Regents on plans to transition into a multi-campus district. Tuition and fees dedicated to support student services and reduce bottlenecks in degree programs will fund the needed increase in faculty and staff to build out services on each of our three campuses and ensure all of our students, regardless of which campus they attend, receive a standard level of service. We will need to seek alternative funding for administrative increases necessary to support this plan.

Strategic Planning—New Day

For the past year, a taskforce of faculty and staff have been updating CSN’s Strategic Plan in compliance with expectations from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and in anticipation of a new, integrated planning policy of the College.  The plan is now in draft form as is the new policy. The plan is predicated on revised mission, vision, values statements and new core themes, also generated from the taskforce and approved in the fall of 2016 by the Nevada Board of Regents. Although, the plan will be reviewed, reported on and revise annually, much more is expected and more accountability is required. Hence, I will be creating from the Task Force members a Strategic Planning committee comprised of faculty and staff. The committee’s primary tasks include monitoring the implementation of the strategic plan and implementing the integrated planning policy of the College.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Public Forums

You will have the opportunity to meet and hear from the candidates for the Vice President of Academic Affairs. More information will be forthcoming, but for now, please mark your calendars with the following public meetings with each candidate:

• Feb. 21, 1:30-3 p.m., Charleston Campus, K 101
• Feb. 22, 1:30-3 p.m., Charleston Campus, K101
• Feb. 27, 1:30-3 p.m., Charleston Campus, K 101

*Video conferencing locations will be at the North Las Vegas Campus (Conference Rm. A – C 2638) and the Henderson Campus (C-224).

 If you have any questions, please contact Jason Parker, director of HR Operations, at jason.parker@csn.edu.

CSN Event Office

CSN will launch new event procedures within the coming month. Over the course of a year, CSN coordinates and supports approximately 1,000 internal and external event requests. The new event process has been created in an effort to:

• Ensure that all events meet the mission of the college;
• Consistency of the use and support of CSN facilities;
• Streamline and coordinate our efforts; and
• Help reduce the stress put on our support services.

These procedures will apply to all internal (CSN staff and faculty) and external (companies, governmental agencies, etc.) event requestors.

In addition, a new Events Manager position has been created to help with the organization and coordination of events. This position will be working hand-in-hand with Facilities to ensure that each event is successful. Michelle Word will serve as the Event Manager, and is ready and available to help faculty and staff with their event needs.

New Student Life & Leadership Director

Please join me in welcoming Brian Akins as the new director of Student Life and Leadership Development. Akins will also serve as the advisor to the Associated Students of the College of Southern Nevada. He began his service on Dec. 5. A graduate of the University of Arizona, he brings more than 12 years of experience in campus and student life to CSN.

Upcoming Alliance of Hispanic Institution Educators Conference

The Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators (AHSIE) is holding its annual Best Practices Conference April 9-12 at UNLV. NSHE employees benefit from a special discounted rate of $285 to attend.  In order to receive this discounted registration, you must use the registration link here. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn best practices and network with educators from HSI institutions across the country. If you have any questions, you may contact Hispanic Serving Institution Task Force Chair Clarissa Cota at Clarissa.Cota@csn.edu.

HVAC Special Accreditation

Our Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration program recently received accreditation from HVAC Excellence, I am happy to report. The group sent a team to CSN for an intensive review of the program. Congratulations to everyone involved in the program!

 

 

 

Congratulations CSN Police

CSN Police Chief Darryl Caraballo was honored in January for his department’s steadfast support of the U.S. military. Chief Caraballo is also a veteran himself of the United States Marine Corps. Nevada’s chapter of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense program, presented the chief with its Patriot Award during a ceremony for going “above and beyond” in his efforts to support our military. CSN’s Police Department currently has four members of the U.S. Air Force Reserves. Congratulations, Chief!

TMCC Partnership with CSN

CSN and Truckee Meadows Community College are partnering to expand our surgical technician associate of applied science program to Northern Nevada students. Our expert CSN instructors will provide instruction at TMCC in person and through interactive video conferencing. Students will do clinical rotations at local sites. This represents an excellent partnership among NSHE institutions to maximize resources to meet the needs of all of Nevada.

Dear CSN students,

On Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Henderson Campus, I held the first of three roundtable discussions with students. We will be having two more student roundtables:

Monday, Jan. 30, at 10 a.m., Charleston Campus, Building I, Rm. 108
Tuesday, Jan. 31, at 11 a.m., North Las Vegas, Conference Room A, located above Russell’s Restaurant

For those of you whom cannot attend these meetings, I would like to update you about the following important endeavors that will impact your future at CSN.

Student Unions

For years, we have heard from student leaders about the need for a student union or a large space on each campus for students to gather. We also know from the research that campuses with dynamic environments, where students want to hang out, helps students succeed. In March, I will present a plan to the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Board of Regents to build three student unions, one on each of our campuses. The buildings will be designed based on input from students, whom have supported an $8-per-credit fee to fund the construction of these much-needed facilities. I expect this email may be the first some of you have heard about this and I want to make sure to note that most colleges and universities our size have student unions and unfortunately, student fees have been the primary way of funding their construction with more state and taxpayer dollars going to support classroom and lab spaces. The total cost would be about $80 million. If the Board approves of the plan, the process of securing an architect to begin the planning should start this semester.

Governor Sandoval’s Budget Proposal

On Jan. 17, the Governor laid out his budget proposal for the next two years and I would like to express my appreciation to him for his commitment to education. His budget outlines additional funding for community colleges and career and technical education as well as scholarships for low-income students. Student government will be holding Legislative Training for students on Feb. 3. In addition, April 19 is CSN Day at the Legislature and student government will coordinate transportation to take students to Carson City for the day.

Multi-Campus District

CSN has been working in concert with the Board of Regents and our Institutional Advisory Council to transform from a single college to a multi-campus district. A study completed last year determined that this would enhance CSN’s capacity to more nimbly respond to the changing needs of our diverse service area and help create a ‘home campus’ experience for our students. This includes ensuring all of our students, regardless of what campus you attend most, receive the same level of service and access to general education courses. The plan, if adopted, would be phased in gradually.

 

Have a great semester and I look forward to seeing you around campus.

Best,
Mike

Michael D. Richards, Ph.D.

President

College of Southern Nevada

 

Happy holidays to all! I have lots to share with you in this month’s Chronicle. The spring semester is going to kick off with a number of exciting events, including a town hall and roundtables where we will discuss a host of issues, including the safety and protection of our students, the legislative session and the multi-campus district.

Mark Your Calendars

CSN President’s Town Hall

Jan. 23, Charleston Campus, K101, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Student Roundtables

Jan.19, Henderson Campus, C 133, 10 a.m.

Jan. 30, Charleston Campus, I-108, 10 a.m.

Jan. 31, North Las Vegas Campus, Conference Room A, 11 a.m.

Faculty & Staff Roundtables

Feb. 13, Charleston Campus, K101, 10 a.m.

Feb. 14, Henderson Campus, C133, 10 a.m.

Feb. 15, North Las Vegas Campus, Telecommunications Auditorium Rm. 1772, 10 a.m.

The CSN Poster Fair is Jan. 9 and kicks off spring Convocation at the North Las Vegas Campus in the June Whitely Student Lounge from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

CSN Connections will take place Jan. 17-19, from 10:30 a.m. to1 p.m.

Enrollment/Registration

Classes start Jan. 17 but students will be able to register until Jan 22. There is no additional fee for late registration. Students can also check out the spring semester’s short-term classes here.

CSN’s Economic Impact

This month, CSN will launch our new economic impact study. The college’s students, faculty and staff contribute nearly a billion dollars each year to the regional economy. I plan to discuss this along with our legislative agenda and other important issues at my town hall on Jan. 23, mentioned above. You can read more about our role as Southern Nevada’s economic engine here.

DACA & Other Minority Students

We continue to hear student questions and concerns regarding their future at CSN and ability to learn in a safe environment. If you are hearing similar questions, please emphasize the following and refer students for additional information to my office directly or to the diversity office. CSN does not collect immigration information about students, or information related to religious affiliation or sexual orientation. CSN police and staff do not enforce immigration laws or regulations, which are upheld by federal authorities. Finally, as I have previously stated, CSN has implemented a task force to review CSN’s policies and procedures, paying special attention to their abilities to support any and all under-represented groups in this current climate, as well as academic freedom, and ensure all students can learn in an inclusive and safe environment.

CSN Police

As I mentioned in my update to you from the December Board of Regents meeting, the Regents plan to study the consolidation of our police with UNLV’s department to provide services to all the Southern Nevada NSHE sites. A report is expected at the June 2017 board meeting. I think this is an opportune time to highlight how involved CSN’s police and security officers are in our community.

Our police and security officers do much to ensure students, staff and faculty feel safe on campus and engage in the community. This past month, they held a toy drive for Toys for Tots. These gifts will go to those families in the Las Vegas Valley who are less fortunate. The CSN Police asked me to extend their appreciation to you all for your generous donations to this drive. I would like to extend my appreciation to these officers and our security staff for all they do for CSN.

Experimental Site for Financial Aid

The U.S. Department of Education announced this month that CSN will be among a select number of institutions to participate in a federal experiment on the benefits of additional loan counseling for borrowers. Currently, students are only required to get loan entrance counseling once. Additional loan counseling is expected to help borrowers better understand their obligations and make more informed decisions about their debt. Student loan default rates are a problem nationwide and this represents a chance for CSN to be on the cutting edge of research on best practices in financial aid.

Bump Up Field Trip

CSN’s minority male mentoring program, known as Bump Up, and its affiliated student group Brother to Brother, is now housed in the Laxalt Center at the North Las Vegas Campus, where the group, along with its corresponding student club Sister-to-Sister, is highly engaged in the campus community. Each semester, members of the Bump Up minority mentoring program travel to a four-year college or university to get a sense of what life will be like after transferring from CSN. The students traveled to UNLV this month where several plan on transferring next fall.

These students, along with student government, have worked with the Bump Up Coordinator Andrew-Bryce Hudson to collect food and winter coats this month for needy CSN students. They plan on distributing these items at the start of the spring semester. For further information, please contact Mr. Hudson at Andrew-Bryce.Hudson@csn.edu.

Holiday Receptions

In lieu of a holiday party this year, we held holiday receptions on each of our three campuses. Everyone involved had a great time.

 

 

 

 

 

ICYMI

In case you missed it, CSN received great publicity this month. CSN Deaf Studies Professor Anthony Adams organized Nevada’s first ASL Slam for the hearing impaired. We also received some great coverage of our faculty art showcase at the North Las Vegas Campus. I hope you get a chance to appreciate the exhibit.

Faculty & Staff Questions:

“What changes will occur due to the implementation of the multi-campus district model? In what ways are they expected to impact students and staff at CSN?”

As I reported following the December Board of Regents meeting, the Regents approved the recommendations of the Multi-Campus District Study Committee. I am working with various departments and CSN executive leadership to cost out the plan and will update the Board of Regents at their March meeting at CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus.

Many of the details need to be worked out through shared governance through our committees and councils. But in general, the change to a district model will have a significant impact on students and employees once fully implemented. Students will have access to a standard level of services and general education courses at each campus. This should improve their experience dramatically and create a “home campus” for them, which will be further enhanced by our future student unions. For faculty and staff, it will mean a unique feel to each of our campuses. It will mean that academic and administrative campus leaders will work collaboratively with each other on budgeting and programming and that each campus will have executives who integrate the campus into the community and advance those students’ needs. It also means a centralized district operation that supports the three campuses and sites and centers instead of the current vertical top-down structure. You can read more about the model by reviewing the committee’s final report.

“When is the CSN Intranet going to launch?”

CSN has a committee that has been reviewing and finalizing designs/templates for the Internal website (Intranet) and is currently working with Page Owners throughout the campus to begin migrating content.  There are plans for a soft launch during the spring. The Internal site is being designed to be the go to place for employees and current students and will house our policies and procedures and important information. It will have a different address than our forward-facing marketing site www.csn.edu, which is geared toward potential students.

 

 

Colleagues,

In the current political climate, many of the nation’s students, faculty and college and university leaders have expressed concern about the future of undocumented individuals and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that permits young undocumented immigrants to remain and work in the United States for two years at a time without fear of deportation.  Although I am heartened by recent bipartisan efforts from U.S. Senators Lindsey Graham and Dick Durbin to collaborate on possible legislation to protect the DACA program, and President-elect Donald Trump’s signal yesterday of an intent to “work something out,” in an interview with Time Magazine, the nation awaits further details.

Yesterday, I joined 528 other college and university presidents and signed a Statement in Support of the DACA program and our Undocumented Immigrant Students. I encourage you to learn more about this effort. In summary, it means we value the contributions of our undocumented students and that we call upon the federal government to uphold, continue and expand the DACA program.

While existing policies and procedures at CSN protect the privacy and safety of our students, faculty and staff, there are students who have real concerns about their future to complete their studies in a secure, inclusive and supportive environment. Therefore, I have designated members of executive leadership to a special task force to review CSN’s policies and procedures, paying special attention to their abilities to support any and all under-represented groups in this current climate, as well as academic freedom, and ensure all students can learn in an inclusive and safe environment at this college.   

I am also scheduling student and employee roundtables at the start of the spring semester to exchange information, concerns, questions and suggestions on this topic, which will help inform the task force’s work.

Meanwhile, it is important to note that the college does not collect information related to a student’s status in the country (other than through our International Center for our international students here on visas and for financial aid students who must provide a social security number as part of their application for federal grants or loans).

Finally I would like to re-emphasize that intolerance and incivility have no place at CSN in our learning and working environment. I call upon faculty and staff, whenever you witness uncivil behavior, to correct it or report it to appropriate authorities. Additionally, CSN reaffirms the college’s values and continues its commitment to fostering a safe, welcoming and inclusive institution that celebrates cultures and values diverse opinions and perspectives. CSN continues to support our diverse community through various initiatives including but not limited to:

• CSN resources in counseling, CAPS, and the multicultural center
• Providing information for DACA/Undocumented students and to faculty and staff to better serve undocumented students;
• Creating a resource guide for undocumented students;
• Implementing a DreamZone program which provides training and resources to faculty and staff;
• Launching Diversity 101 training sessions beginning in Spring 2017;
• Continuing weekly “Pop Talks” at our multicultural center where students can discuss any topic;
• Working with employee groups to disseminate information and invite students, faculty, and staff to contact appropriate offices given the situation;
• Organizing an information panel for community resources available to students, faculty and staff; and
• Collaborating with NSHE and other institutions to share information and create joint events, such as the Dec. 19 DACA Immigration Policy Going Forward event hosted by UNLV, which we recently distributed through CSN’s Upcoming Events email.

For questions related to this topic, please contact my office directly or the Office of Diversity at diversity@csn.edu or the Office of Institutional Equity at TitleIXcoordinator@csn.edu.

 Sincerely,

Mike

 

 

Colleagues,

As mentioned in previous communications, the state is expecting a budget shortfall. As a result, the Governor’s office has asked each state agency to scale back its request for funding for the next two-year budget cycle. On Friday, the Board of Regents amended the Nevada System of Higher Education’s budget request to the Governor. They kept the request for faculty and staff salary increases whole and emphasized this as the primary priority of the Board.

The adjustments they made included a 25 percent reduction to a proposed increase in funding for certain community college career and technical education programs in the first year of the biennium and kept that amount whole in the second year. This is important because the increase would then become a permanent part of the funding formula going forward, allowing CSN to receive additional support for these expensive but very important programs. The Board then delayed a four-year capacity building request for all eight institutions by a year. This capacity building request for CSN, includes a number of proposals, including a catalyst bridge program with the school district and prison education. For the research universities, this request included funding for special capacity building projects that would help them reach Tier 1.

We are grateful that Board members protected the CTE funding as much as they did and that they are recommending to the Governor that it be fully funded in the second year (and become a permanent part of the funding formula at that level). I cannot stress enough how important this CTE funding is to the college and helping us adjust to the realities of the funding formula.

On Thursday at the Board of Regents meeting, I also presented the final report from the Multi-Campus District Study Committee. The Board responded to this report very positively and expressed gratitude for the work of this committee, which included faculty, staff, students and community leaders (each of whom wrote letters to the Board in support of the recommendations.) The Board asked the college to move into the first phase of the recommendations and to “flesh out” our plans so that a more accurate funding request can be put forward. As I reported to the Board, I believe that CSN has some revenue from expected student fee increases that are meant to be dedicated to student support services to use to hire needed faculty and staff. But we will need to explore alternative funding mechanisms for other parts of the plan. Forthcoming work on phase one will now be distributed to various CSN functions to prepare a report for the March meeting of the Board of Regents, which will take place at CSN’s North Las Vegas Campus.

Also at this Board meeting, the presidents of CSN and UNLV were directed to work on a plan to consolidate police services. We are to report back to the Board in June 2017.

Finally, I want to take this opportunity to again affirm CSN’s value of diversity and inclusion in these times of unease. CSN’s mission is to educate students and prepare a workforce for Nevada’s future. We want all students to succeed, to complete their educational goals and to have a positive, life-long learning experience that starts at CSN. CSN has a long history of helping students, prizing diversity, and including folks from all walks of life. Our working and learning environment is one of respect and civility, and that makes working and learning better for all.

Should you have questions on any of the above information, please let me know.

Warmest best wishes for the holidays,

 
Mike

As this semester comes to a close, please take the time to read the following. I have many important and interesting items to share with you for this December Chronicle.

Upcoming Events

• Nov. 19 CSN open enrollment began and enrollment for the spring 2017 semester is now available to all admitted students
• Dec. 1-2 December Board of Regents Meeting at UNLV
• Dec. 26 CSN closed in observance of Christmas
• Jan. 2 CSN closed in observance of New Years
• Jan. 16 CSN closed in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday
• Jan. 17 CSN Spring Semester Begins

CSN Multi-Campus District Study

The committee exploring a multi-campus district transition from our current multi-campus single college structure wrapped up its work in early November. The final report can be read here. I truly appreciate the work this group, including faculty, staff, student

and community leaders, has done. All of their research and meeting notes are posted on my web page. The major conclusions are that CSN would benefit from such a transition as our peers have made. A multi-campus district would provide students a ‘home campus’ experience, ensure parity of services on each campus and help the campus grow in response to local community needs and as a reflection of the community it serves. However, the costs of a transition from our highly vertical structure to a more horizontal organization may prevent any movement on this in the near future. I will present the findings to the Board of Regents on Dec. 1 and 2 and receive feedback.

Post-Election Environment

Many students at colleges and universities across the nation are anxious about the ramifications of the presidential election.  CSN affirms its values for inclusion and support, and has sponsored opportunities for students since the election to visit with diversity staff and counselors.  Faculty and staff may not have heard about these events since they are targeted at students.  I look forward to unveiling more about this in the near future.  We will also be launching a new initiative called DREAM Zone training (similar to our continued efforts for Safe Zone training) to create safe spaces on campus with trained advocates who can connect undocumented students to appropriate community resources, including legal and immigration services. We will share this information once finalized. Please contact our diversity office if you would like to get involved.

As I stated in my last message on this topic, CSN serves to provide an education to all and if one group feels threatened, then we must all stand together. We held several conversations on campus Nov. 15 and 17 with students and I will hold student roundtables (in addition to faculty and staff ones) at the start to the Spring Semester. I encourage you to express the values espoused at CSN through our mission and strategic planning efforts. Contact your elected officials to ensure they know your priorities and values and give what free time you can to causes and efforts that reflect them.

CSN North Las Vegas Campus Sign Unveiling

On Nov. 16, North Las Vegas Mayor John Lee and I held a press event with Board of

Regents Chair Rick Trachok and Regent Trevor Hayes to officially unveil the new North Las Vegas Campus sign, signaling the strong partnership between CSN and the City of North Las Vegas. I want to thank everybody involved in helping to make this change come about, most especially Mayor Lee, who first proposed the name change to help better connect the campus to the community. From there, the process in changing our campus’ name was carefully considered and approved by both the Institutional Advisory Council and the Board of Regents. Notably, the City of North Las Vegas worked with the signage company, Yesco, to change the college’s monument sign to reflect the new name.

New Interactive Business Lab

Our new Interactive Business Laboratory held its grand opening ceremony Nov. 18, giving students and members of the business community the opportunity tour the state-of-the-art facility. If you have not seen the IBL on the North Las Vegas Campus, please make time to stop by. The lab features video technology that allow our faculty to bring the world into the classroom, literally. The mobile furniture allows for students to work in pods or in a simulated board room setting. Modeled off similar spaces at Stanford University, this lab received start-up funding provided by a federal Perkins grant through the Nevada Department of Education.

CSN Soccer Success

Once again, CSN Athletics is showing everyone how it should be done. Our brand new men’s soccer team had a thrilling inaugural year, making it all the way to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s National Championship tournament. Though the team fell short of its ultimate goal of winning the championship, we could not be prouder of everyone involved in this amazing journey. Congratulations to the entire team and coaching staff on a truly historic season, which included a record of 16-6-2, a Region 18 championship and 2016 Western District Runner-up finish. Well done all.

Congratulations to Classified Employees!

My thanks to everyone who participated in this year’s Hungry Games Faculty and Staff Softball Tournament. Congratulations to the Classified team for taking the trophy this year. We have posted a photo album online, where you may view and download photos from the games: https://flic.kr/s/aHskL1F2QE

 

 

OTS Excellence and Service

Our Office of Technology Services held its annual Spotlight on Excellence awards to honor those who help the people at CSN stay connected to one another. In conjunction with the event, the staff holds a raffle and collects food donations for Three Square. Last year, more than 6,000 pounds of non-perishable food was donated. While we are still waiting on a count from this year’s event, everyone involved said it was a success. Congratulations to the award winners! Thank you to Ellucian and OTS for putting on such a great event. Finally, thank you to all of our OTS staff. You have a challenging task at this institution and you provide terrific customer service and support to our faculty and staff. Thank you for all you do.

Faculty & Staff Questions

“Will CSN be closed during the holidays? When?”

CSN does not have a winter closure. Supervisors/Departments are asked to be as flexible as possible in terms of letting people off while still balancing the need to provide services to customers/clients and ensuring there is adequate supervision to guarantee the safety and security of employees.

The college will be closed Dec. 26 for observance of Christmas and Jan. 2 for observance of the New Year’s Holiday

“Can we use CSN email to write advocacy letters to legislators or other lawmakers? When the legislative session begins in February, can we go to Grant Sawyer to testify?”

I encourage you to get involved in advocacy and to communicate with your elected officials. That said, employees should use their personal email accounts to contact legislators for advocacy about legislation or policy.

If an employee wants to testify on a bill during the work day, the employee should request annual leave or Leave Without Pay (LWOP) and coordinate with her/his direct supervisor to ensure no disruption of college services.

Happy holidays to all and I look forward to seeing you at the holiday party.

Best,

 

Mike

 

 

Dear CSN Community,

As this election has come to an end, I want to take a moment to reflect on our values at the College of Southern Nevada. 

Reiterating the sentiments expressed in my communication last June, I am committed to fostering a safe, welcoming and inclusive college that celebrates cultures and values diverse opinions and perspectives.

These are not just my values. Last spring, representatives of our faculty, staff and students embarked on a collaborative process to define our mission, vision and values. You may have participated in the process directly, including the many surveys or on-campus listening sessions. Through this process, our shared governance created these values among others:

“CSN values a broad-based education because a diverse foundation of knowledge empowers creative thinking, problem solving and innovation.”

“CSN embraces diversity because it heals social division and injustice and promotes creativity, growth and critical thinking through the integration of many different perspectives.”

I am concerned about recent appalling news reports of harassment and aggression on college campuses post-election and want to reiterate that discrimination, harassment and violence have no place here. Any such acts will be dealt with appropriately.

We are planning some roundtables in the near future and I encourage you to come to have a collaborative discussion about any concerns, questions or issues you want to address. We will have community and campus leadership present to help. You will see an invitation to participate coming from my office shortly.

I also want you to be aware of CSN’s resources that ensure safety and an inclusive environment, included below. I would like to highlight our dynamic Office of Community Relations, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs and our new multicultural center at the North Las Vegas Campus, which provide excellent resources to help you learn more, get engaged, empower our community and celebrate each other. You may also contact my office anytime.

• President’s Office – 702.651.5600 
• CSN Police Department – 702.651.2677
• Office of Equity – 702.651.5587
• Office of Community Relations, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs – 702.651.7607

Again, please rest assured our doors and arms are open to all who seek an education.

Best,

President Michael D. Richards, Ph.D.

College of Southern Nevada

We are at the midpoint of the semester and there are a number of updates for you included in this month’s Chronicle.

Upcoming Events

• Nov. 3 Southern Nevada Diversity Summit at UNLV, all day
• Nov. 4 Final Multi-Campus District Study Meeting at NSHE Las Vegas Office, 8:30 a.m.
• Nov. 5 Employee Softball Tournament, Henderson Campus, 10 a.m.
• Nov. 8 Election Day
• Nov. 11 CSN will be closed for Veteran’s Day
• Nov. 15-17 Classified Staff Professional Development Days
• Nov. 17 OTS Recognition, North Las Vegas Campus, 3 p.m.
• Nov. 24-25 CSN will be closed for Thanksgiving and Family Day
• Nov. 28 Board of Regents Committee on Community Colleges
• Dec. 1-2 Board of Regents Meeting at UNLV
• Dec. 5 CSN Magical Forest Night at Opportunity Village
• Dec. 8 CSN Holiday Party at the West Gate Hotel
  

  At the CSN Latino Alliance’s “La Gran Finale” event on Oct. 11, CSN students and staff mapped their roots on the display. Students and staff were asked to place a “people” magnet on their country of origin, where they were born or on the country with which they identify.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Thanks to all the students, staff and faculty who participated in Hispanic Heritage Month activities at CSN. As you know we celebrate our position as the most diverse higher education institution in Nevada and as the first Hispanic Serving Institution in the state. This photo here is from the CSN Latino Alliance “La Gran Finale” event held on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2016.

Budget Reductions

The revenue forecast for the state’s next budget cycle, starting July 1, 2017, is bleak. Budget officials estimate a $400 million shortfall and all state agencies, including NSHE, are being asked to cut their requests down by 5 percent. For CSN, this is equivalent to a $4.4 million cut each year over the next biennium. We’re looking at our expenditures now and looking for areas to adjust and scale back.

Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars

Two CSN students have been named 2016 Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise Scholars, and we couldn’t be more proud. Jorge Lopez Alvarez and Jill Robinson both received the prestigious scholarship, awarded to only 200 community college students nationwide each year. This year’s recipients were selected by a panel of independent judges from more than 1,100 applicants. The Leaders of Promise Scholarship is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

Accounting Student Scholarship

The Accounting Department brought in several speakers for its lecture series in October and presented a student with a $500 scholarship. Congratulations to student Bethany Williams, who was honored with the scholarship for her excellent GPA and her commitment to the program. Speakers included Dennis Meservy who owns his own accounting firm, and Jeff Breeden and Brett Jackson of the CPA firm Stewart, Archibald, and Barney, as well as Scott Montes, Controller, of the Las Vegas 51s, and Darryl Raiford, an Accounting Department faculty member.

Engelstad Scholars

While on the topic of scholarships, it is important we highlight the Engelstad scholarship recipients, who received their awards this fall semester. A select group of 25 health sciences students were named and will receive a monetary scholarship funded through the Ralph and Betty Engelstad Foundation. The CSN Engelstad Scholars are distinguished students who have been accepted into one of CSN’s limited entry health sciences programs. They display academic excellence, a commitment to serving the community and have demonstrated the ability to overcome barriers to pursue their education.

No Greater Odds Campus Premiere

As part of the presidential debate week events, CSN hosted the campus premiere of “No Greater Odds” at the North Las Vegas Campus. More than 200 people attended the event sponsored by the national nonprofit, College Promise Campaign, which organized a panel discussion following the film, including Mary Rauner, Director of Strategic Planning & Operations, Regional Educational Laboratory West, WestEd, Randy Smith, Executive Director, Rural Community College Alliance, Andrea Henderson, Executive Director, Oregon Community College Association, Reid Setzer, Deputy Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs for Young Invincibles and Dr. Nancy Brune, executive director of the
Guinn Center for Policy Priorities and CSN IAC chair. It was an honor to have such an esteemed panel on campus.

Classified Professional Development Days

Classified staff professional development days will take place Nov. 15-17. If you supervise classified employees, please encourage them to attend. Professional development is critical to employees’ personal and professional growth in the workplace. Registration is available on the CAPE site.

Questions from Faculty & Staff

“Will the projected $400 million state deficit impact CSN’s current budget?”

No, we have no indication that the projected state deficit will impact the current year budget (FY17). The projected deficit has prompted the Governor’s office to request the 2017-2019 biennial budget from all state agencies, including CSN, with a 5 percent reduction. The college displayed this as a one-line item reduction without specific reductions to areas or departments. The Governor’s office will evaluate the biennial budget requests from all agencies to create his budget, which will be announced in late January.

“When will we develop the Northwest Campus?”

This fourth campus for CSN still has multiple steps to its development, and the first ones begin at the December meeting of the Board of Regents. We have been working to get the legal documentation in order, title to the property and approval of a revised development agreement with the City of Las Vegas. Both items are on the December agenda of the Board. Concurrently, we’ve been holding discussions with a development partner. Finalizing those discussions will be the next important step.

“When will we break ground on the new student unions?”

Student unions on each of the three campuses is a priority for student leaders and for CSN generally. General programming elements are completed, initial discussions on financing have begun, and we are aiming for the March meeting of the Board of Regents for fee and project approval.

“What is the role of the ombuds office?”

Several years ago two ombudspersons were appointed and trained to facilitate the sharing of information and to assist with conflicts as they may rise. Dr. Jennifer Basquiat and Mark Rauls serve as our ombudspersons. They operate, and must operate, with considerable autonomy. Each year they share with me themes or topics that could be better addressed through the President’s office, but other than that I’m at arm’s length. No names or details are ever shared. Employees can approach the ombudspersons with full anonymity and confidence.

Best,

Mike

August Chronicle

The fall semester is here and I hope you are ready. I’ve enjoyed welcoming faculty back. I have so much information to share with you and many updates. Please read and share with your colleagues.

Multi-Campus District Study

Before addressing various news and information items, I want to respond to a question I received at Convocation: “What’s the latest on the CSN multi-campus district study?”

The first meeting of the CSN multi-campus district study committee will take place Sept. 1 at 1:30 p.m. in Conference Room A at the North Las Vegas Campus, after which it will meet almost weekly. I will send out information about the meetings regularly and you are welcome to attend if your schedule permits. We will hear from Valencia College President Sandy Shugart in Florida. He will explain his college’s district model and address questions from committee members. I co-chair the committee along with Acting NSHE Chancellor John White.

The committee members include the following:

CSN Faculty Senate Chair-Elect Dr. Jill Acree
City of North Las Vegas Councilman Isaac Barron
CSN Public Affairs Executive Director Dr. K.C. Brekken
Clark County School District Chief Student Achievement Officer Dr. Mike Barton
CSN Institutional Advisory Council Chair Dr. Nancy Brune
CSN Vice President for Student Affairs Juanita Chrysanthou
CSN Past Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Darin Dockstader
CSN Administrative Faculty Assembly Past Chair Tamara Flores-Sahagun
CSN Chair of Dental Science James Godin
CSN Dean of Business, Hospitality and Public Service Dr. Marcus Johnson
CSN Fine Arts Professor Dr. Joan McGee
CSN Institutional Advisory Council Member Shaundell Newsome
CSN Counselor Luis Ortega
City of Las Vegas Mayor Pro Tem Steve Ross
City of Henderson Director of Public Affairs Javier Trujillo
CSN Chair of Chairs Patrick Villa

The general objectives of the study are to better understand the services needed in each part of the CSN service area; survey peer institutions to determine the structure that most effectively and efficiently promotes delivery of those services; consider how a revised structure best fits within the NSHE framework; determine the structure that best serves students, faculty and the local community; and develop a cost analysis and phased approach for implementation.

Again, this study will look at how to phase CSN, which is currently a multi-campus single college, to a multi-campus district college. This means that each campus would have more autonomy and connection to its distinct local communities. Under this proposed structure, they would still be campuses with central support services.

This model requires a comprehensive deployment of curriculum and services to students at CSN’s three main campuses and in the planning for a fourth campus. Student must be able to obtain general education coursework at one of our comprehensive campuses, although students would not be restricted to just one campus. Preliminary indications are that additional faculty and staff may be needed to provide the “comprehensiveness” of services and curriculum. A site-based administrator—provost or president—would also be part of the model, as this person would be the point person for community relationships and community needs.

Aside from the design of the model itself, the committee will consider advantages and disadvantages and, of course, costs.

At each meeting there will be a presentation from a chancellor or president of a multi-campus district or an extended discussion among committee members on what such a model might look like for CSN. Following the initial meeting on September 1, the next meetings will take place Sept. 16, Sept 23 and Sept. 30 at 8:30 a.m. in E 327. I will keep you updated on the process throughout the study.

CSN Safety App

At our Convocation kickoff, we launched CSN’s new safety app for smart phones. This is a great way to enhance our security and safety efforts on campus. It will provide you with important updates about campus safety and community resources. You can also report tips. It provides you with all of the appropriate contact information right at your fingertips. I urge you to download this app via Google Play for Androids or the Apple App Store for iPhones. You never know when you might need it for yourself, a colleague or a student.

I would like to add that you should still ensure you are signed up for CSN’s Emergency Notification system and that your information is up to date. To do so, go to https://www.e2campus.net/my/csn/index.htm.

Enrollment

Late registration will be available again. The last day to register for the 16-week semester will be 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4.

 

Vice President of Academic Affairs Search

As mentioned last spring, Dr. Hyla Winters has agreed to remain in her capacity as interim vice president of Academic Affairs. She will co-chair the search committee with Vice President of Student Affairs Juanita Chrysanthou.

 

 

 

CSN Athletics

The CSN Coyotes have an exciting year coming up, whether we’re talking about baseball, softball, volleyball or the new men’s and women’s soccer programs. In baseball, the team is expected to compete again for the Scenic West Athletic Conference title, while the softball team is celebrating its new home field on the Henderson campus. As the volleyball team starts its second year, excitement couldn’t be higher. And both new soccer programs are in good shape. It should be an amazing year!

Unearned Fs

As you will recall, the new funding formula does not fund what we call, ‘unearned Fs,’ for those students who stop attending short of the last quarter of the semester. This is an important factor, whereas community colleges serve a larger population of students who are more likely to drop out of courses mid-semester. We are pleased to report that the number of unearned Fs college-wide are down 14 percent from 2014-15 to 2015-16. We attribute this directly to faculty and support staff helping students persist. Thank you for all you are doing!

Reverse Transfer

During the spring semester, CSN instituted a new reverse degree process with UNLV and NSC, whereby their students, who took a certain number of courses at CSN, were notified they may be eligible for a CSN degree, in combination with credits from their four-year institution, prior to receiving their bachelor’s degree. To date, 180 reverse associate degrees have been awarded.

Associate in Facilities Maintenance and Manufacturing

As part of its academic master plan, CSN will bring its new Associate of Applied Science in Facilities Maintenance and Manufacturing Degree before the Board of Regents in September. Initially, this program will be housed at the CCSD South East Career & Technical Academy and begin this fall. As the manufacturing sector in Southern Nevada experiences tremendous growth, this program will fulfill the demand for a highly skilled workforce.

Bachelor of Applied Science in Fire Science Management

In June, the Board of Regents approved CSN’s fourth bachelor’s degree program in fire science management. This program will provide students the opportunity to develop their managerial skills and further develop their technical skills. It is the only four-year program in this field in Nevada. Coursework for the program has begun this fall as a complement to our stellar associate and certificate programs related to fire science and emergency management.

Service Excellence Program

The CAPE office is designing a Service Excellence Program to roll out to the entire college this academic year. The program highlights guiding principles for internal and external Service Excellence. The goal is to create a more welcoming, professional, and service-oriented environment for students and employees, which will help improve engagement and retention across CSN.

 

National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity

Men and women of color are significantly under-represented in career and technical fields throughout the nation. To ameliorate these gaps, Nevada has joined the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity. CSN interim Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Shellie Keller will spearhead CSN’s involvement in this partnership to help recruit under-represented students for CTE programs.

Through this effort, we will look at areas of under enrollment by racial and gender groups to determine if targeted interventions for improvement can be applied. Going through this process will allow us opportunities to develop effective strategies that can eventually be applied throughout the college.

At the end of the professional development process facilitated via NAPE, we should have a clear document describing the program improvement process that can be continued into subsequent years. This process will be collaborative with faculty and staff being proactive at identifying gaps and developing targeted, data-based strategies for improvement.

Softball Field Dedication

Please support our Coyotes and join us for the dedication of the new CSN Softball Field at the Henderson Campus on Sept. 13 at 9:30 a.m. at the Lied Sports Complex. The field is beautiful and I firmly believe it will help propel our women’s softball team to the national championship this spring!

New Multi-Cultural Center

We are delighted to announce that our new Multicultural Center will open this fall. Please join us for the celebration of its grand opening on Sept. 14, at 10 a.m., in room N-204 (above the June Whitley Student Center) at the North Las Vegas Campus. This will provide much needed space for our students to help them become more engaged with their college. I look forward to all of the dynamic programming we expect to come out of this center this coming year to help connect our students with college life, academic success and the community.

Pizza & Politics

Later that day – Sept. 14, at 1 p.m., at the Charleston Campus – CSN will start anew its Pizza & Politics event series. U.S. Senate candidate Catherine Cortez Masto is scheduled to attend for an engaging discussion with our campus community about politics, the election and more. We are working to schedule a similar event with U.S. Senate candidate Congressman Dr. Joe Heck this semester as well.

 

CSN President Emeritus Dr. Paul Meacham Book Signing

Also Sept. 14, please join CSN President Emeritus Dr. Paul Meacham from 2-4 p.m. for a discussion of his memoir “Been There, Done That – My Life in the Educational Arena,” followed by a book signing. This will take place, appropriately, in the Paul E. Meacham Student Services Building. We hope to see you there!

 

 

 

No Greater Odds

It has been a year since the debut of the documentary film, “No Greater Odds.” What a year it’s been for the cast and crew! They are all CSN team members and alumni. This summer, the film was screened nationwide, including for policymakers in Washington, D.C., at the Library of Congress and at the Republican and Democratic national conventions. We are so proud of the team’s efforts. I congratulate them for a job well done.

Emmy Awards

You may recall that I mentioned in my last Chronicle that CSN Videography and Film students received several student production Emmy Award nominations this year. The team took home a total of eight Emmy Awards. I am incredibly proud of the students and the program.

Phi Theta Kappa Success

Congratulations to English Professor and Phi Theta Kappa advisor Bruno Rhodes, who was selected as one of the international organization’s 2016 Distinguished Advisors. PTK is the honor society for students at two-year colleges. The Distinguished Advisor Award recognized only 15 advisors worldwide this year. In addition to Rhodes’ honor, fellow chapter advisor, English instructor Travis Koll, received the Paragon Award for New Advisors, and several students were honored as well.

Faculty & Staff Questions

“Is merit for professional employees part of the Board of Regents’ budget request for the 2017 Legislature?”

Yes, it is included. As part of the request, the Board’s highest priority is compensation. It has asked for funding for a 2.5 percent merit increase for professional (non-classified) employees to mirror what the governor’s budget instructions include for classified step increase in FY 2018 and FY 2019.

“How will collective bargaining be implemented?”

The Nevada Faculty Alliance continues to gather information and prepare for the implementation of collective bargaining. I meet with the NFA and Faculty Senate leadership regularly and will share updates as more information becomes available on this topic.

Have a great semester and please let me know if you have any questions!

Best,

Mike

Colleagues,

Given a number of recent events in our nation—most recently in Orlando, let me personally reiterate CSN’s commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive culture that values diversity.

Every semester at CSN, we serve tens of thousands of credit and non-credit students, each of whom brings the value of different backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and identities that enhance the learning experience for everyone.

We are proud that CSN is Nevada’s first Hispanic Serving Institution and a Minority Serving Institution. More than half our students identify as women and 42.1 percent of our student body is 25 years old or older. We are proud to serve the largest number of veterans in Nevada. We are diverse indeed, and this diversity strengthens us.

We celebrate in unity the heritage and culture of all our students, staff and faculty and will continue to support diversity initiatives, including the efforts of our nine multicultural committees. Last academic year, we hosted 80 diversity-related activities and have implemented additional inclusive faculty and staff training through the Center for Academic and Professional Excellence. Our student body developed a scholarship inspired by undocumented students. Our Queer Inclusive Campus Committee has been instrumental in bringing Safe Zones to CSN’s community.

As President, I am committed to working with the Office of Community Relations, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs and the Office of Institutional Equity to ensure equity, inclusion and access at CSN. But it is on all of us to provide a safe and welcoming environment.

Thank you for all you do to let our community and students know that our doors and arms are open to all who seek an education.

Best regards,

Mike

May Chronicle

Greetings and happy Commencement Day! This semester, we have much for which to be grateful. Before you leave for the summer, I have some important updates to provide.

Campus Naming

Last November, as CSN faced 15 percent budget cuts, the Board of Regents’ Committee on Community Colleges discussed a CSN campus naming policy but ultimately asked the college to further discuss the issue further and come back at a later date. I recently asked that an item be placed on the Committee’s June 2 agenda to reconsider campus naming.

Since the committee last discussed this, there have been a lot of changes. Last week, the Bureau of Land Management’s local office provided its recommendation and request to the state director to issue the federal patent to CSN for the creation of the Northwest campus. As we go forward with planning, we need a name for this 40-acre location. CSN has established relationships with a number of North Las Vegas employers, including Faraday Futures, and a positive relationship with the City of North Las Vegas is critical to expanding our ability to partner with these new industries and better prepare our students to thrive in these fields. Finally, the City of North Las Vegas has stated that private funding could be secured to cover the costs of a sign change to the CSN North Las Vegas Campus.

In two surveys, faculty, staff and students overwhelmingly expressed a desire to maintain the current campus names, and the majority did so because they said they did not want college funds diverted for this purpose. After months of studying the issue, our Institutional Advisory Council recommended the college include the municipality or neighborhood in its campus names to help CSN better connect with the distinct nature of each of our municipalities and better connect with existing and potential businesses that want to thrive in these cities. Therefore if private funds can be secured to change the name of the sign and the stationary, business cards and other branding can be phased over time, we can move this forward in the spirit of collaboration to address our shared interests of education, training and helping people obtain meaningful careers.

As private funding can be secured, we can change the name of the Charleston campus as well if the Board of Regents supports moving in this direction. I have heard from a number of community leaders and businesses in North Las Vegas about their desire to have a North Las Vegas campus to help spread awareness of the College of Southern Nevada’s presence in that community and I will urge the board to consider this change.

Emmy Award Nominations

Three CSN Videography and Film students received a total of six student production Emmy Award nominations at the recent Pacific Southwest Emmy nomination party. This is outstanding news, and it marks the second consecutive year students were nominated for six Emmys. CSN students won five of the awards last year. The nominees are: Billy Ward, Dantae Carter, and Jeremy Hernandez. Congratulations to them all, and to our stellar Videography and Film Program.

Respiratory Therapist of the Year!

Congratulations to Cecilia Degenhart, CSN director of clinical education for the Cardiorespiratory Sciences Program! The American Lung Association and the Nevada Society for Respiratory Care recently named her Respiratory Therapist of the Year!

Commencement

After a whirlwind week, including the terrific Outstanding Student Awards, the ASCSN Student Government Banquet and numerous pinning ceremonies, CSN will graduate its largest class ever tonight! Please make sure to come and support our graduating students. A record 3,508 students are eligible to receive 3,901 degrees and certificates, according to preliminary data. Official numbers for the spring 2016 semester will be available once final semester grades are in.

We’re thrilled to again see a record number of students earn their degrees and certificates. It shows us that the steps we have taken to guide students toward completion are helping. We are proud of the Class of 2016 and I look forward to celebrating them.

Multicultural Celebrations

In addition to our 44th Commencement Ceremony on Monday, we have been holding a series of Multicultural Celebrations to recognize the achievements of the many CSN students from a variety of diverse backgrounds. These celebrations, put together by the Office of Community Relations, Diversity & Multicultural Affairs, were heavily attended. We consider them vital to recognizing and enhancing student success at CSN. Thanks to all who attended to support these terrific students!

 

 

 

Open Enrollment

Just a reminder that open enrollment for fall begins May 21. Please encourage your family, friends and neighbors to enroll! Remember we are all ambassadors of CSN and I encourage you to talk to the community about our mission and how we serve our students. You can then refer potential applicants to www.csn.edu/MyCSN to apply or the Office of Recruitment, which can help new students navigate the application process.

Late Registration

Many of you have asked about late registration going forward. CSN will continue to allow registration during the first week of the fall semester. We will study the data from this spring semester over the coming months to determine the most appropriate policy for our students going forward.

Area and Responsibility Changes 

1.  CSN and the Clark County School District have a remarkable partnership and an expanding array of programs, initiative and services that need support from various CSN offices.  To provide clarity of roles and align the initiative with CSN counterparts, we are making the following changes effective May 15.

• NACEP Accreditation – Academic Affairs
• Jumpstart – Academic Affairs (Includes all responsibilities related to developing and implementing MOUs)
• CSN Career and Technical Education- Academic Affairs (Including development and implementation of MOUs)
• United Way Summer Bridge – Academic Affairs (Includes any related planning, coordination, and implementation.)
• CCSD Student Services/Transition Services  – Student Affairs (includes special needs transition support, College Night, etc.)
• CSN High School – Student Affairs
• CCSD Adult Education and YES – Student Affairs (Recruitment and Outreach only.  Not to include pilot program proposed for fall 2016)
• CCSD District Leadership and Facilities Leadership – Strategic Initiatives & Administrative Services

Note: NACEP is the national accreditation for concurrent enrollment programs that CSN and CCSD are seeking.

This change aligns programs service and support more naturally and more logically while affirming the positive relationships CSN needs to cultivate throughout the community.  It distributes workloads better and should create pipelines for students to smoothly transition from CCSD to CSN and the collegiate experience.

2.  Effective July 1, two key functions–Financial Aid and Minority Male Mentoring–will transition from Academic Affairs to Student Affairs. Both functions naturally align with Student Affairs.  As we work to scale up the minority male mentoring program and the change in services in Financial Aid, it’s appropriate to place both services in Student Affairs. The Financial Aid transition is on the eve of the annual auditing process that will require some phasing.  This change will allow Academic Affairs to advance the academic master plan, and the assessment and program review functions that need greater attention.

Student Email Policy

Starting May 20, CSN will require new students to use a CSN student email address as their preferred address. This will be the official means of communication for these students who apply on or after May 20 to attend the college. They will receive all official communications from the college at this address, in addition to their MyCSN Communications Center and however faculty members choose to connect with them in the classroom. All other students can continue to use their preferred external email addresses but should be encouraged to change their preferred address in MyCSN to their CSN student email. This will help CSN better communicate with students, whereas we are currently experiencing a number of complications due to the vast number of emails that CSN employees send to external providers. Please share with your students that they can access their student email address with their NSHE ID at http://studentmail.csn.edu/learnmore/.

Retirements

I had the honor of attending the annual retirement luncheon again this year. This is a bittersweet moment as we say farewell to colleagues and wish them well in their next adventures. This year, more than 30 people are retiring from CSN, representing approximately 568 years of service. This is a reminder to us all to acknowledge the many years of service and institutional knowledge of our faculty and staff. I hope these men and women who have dedicated so much of their lives to CSN stay in touch and involved in the CSN family.

Strategic Futures Draft Mission, Vision, Values, Draft

Below is the draft mission, vision, and values statement as approved by the Strategic Futures Task Force. Please review and send your feedback to OfficeoftheSrVicePresident.StrategicInitiatives_Administration@csn.edu

Mission

The College of Southern Nevada creates opportunities and enriches lives with inclusive learning and working environments that support diversity and student success. The College fosters economic development, civic engagement, and cultural and scientific literacy, while helping students achieve their educational, professional, and personal goals.

Vision

The College of Southern Nevada is recognized as a leader among community colleges in fostering student success.

CSN is committed to:

Exceptional Learning Environments which integrate career and liberal arts education, to shape well-rounded, engaged citizens, employees, and community leaders.

Developing Solution-oriented Strategies to help students overcome barriers to educational access and success.

A Culture of Accountability in which we balance data-informed decision making with flexibility and responsiveness to stakeholders, individuals, and events.

A Collegial Work Environment that makes CSN the “employer of choice” for an exceptional workforce that is engaged in and accountable for the quality of CSN’s learning environment, and benefits from excellent support, growth opportunities, and competitive total compensation packages.

Quality Community Partnerships that provide resources and educational opportunities to develop a skilled workforce.

Cultural and Academic Initiatives that promote the advancement and appreciation of the arts, sciences, and humanities, contributing to the richness of our multicultural community.

Environmental stewardship and public awareness of risks and opportunities for sustainability.

Resource Development, Operational Efficiencies and State‐of‐the‐art Technology that supports an innovative and exemplary learning and working environment.

Values

CSN Values the following:

Lifelong Learning: CSN values a broad-based education because a diverse foundation of knowledge empowers creative thinking, problem solving, and innovation.

Excellence: CSN understands that achieving and surpassing our goals requires care, commitment, and quality, in teaching, learning, scholarship, service, and administration.

Integrity: CSN places fairness, honesty, transparency, and trust at the center of all policies and operations.

Inclusion: CSN embraces diversity because it heals social division and injustice, and promotes creativity, growth, and critical thinking through the integration of many different perspectives.

Academic Freedom: CSN values freedom of thought and speech because open minds and uninhibited discussion are fundamental to teaching, learning, and responsible civic engagement.

Connectedness: CSN builds a collective identity through shared governance, effective communication, and collaboration among students, faculty, staff, and community members.

This has been an exciting semester and I certainly hope those of you who are off for the summer enjoy the time and rest. We will see you Monday, Aug. 22, for our Convocation Kickoff at the South Point Hotel & Casino. Look for more information about that event to come soon.

Best wishes,

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN & NSC to Award Scholarships at CCSD Reclaim Your Future Celebration Thursday

LAS VEGAS, May 11, 2016 – The College of Southern Nevada and Nevada State College are proud to participate in the Clark County School District’s Reclaim Your Future Breakfast on Thursday, May 12, to help celebrate the hard work and dedication of 500 seniors who began their final high school year off-track and are now scheduled to graduate!

CSN President Michael D. Richards and NSC officials will each give away two scholarships at the event. Media are encouraged to attend to speak to seniors about their stories and also hear from educators and community leaders that have been there to support them.

“These students have overcome a number of obstacles to graduate and their community’s college is going to be there tomorrow to cheer them on,” Richards said. “We aim to let these students know the College of Southern Nevada wants to be their next step to success.”

“Nevada State College is proud to congratulate and provide scholarships to these seniors who have overcome adversity in order to graduate,” said NSC President Bart Patterson. “They are a shining example of the strength and determination of our Southern Nevada students. We are happy to celebrate their accomplishments and wish them well in their future endeavors.”

What: 5^th Annual CCSD Reclaim Your Future Breakfast

Where: Texas Station, Dallas Ballroom

When: Thursday, May 12, 2016. Note: The breakfast begins at 9:30 a.m. The program starts at 10 a.m. and scholarships are expected to be presented at 11 a.m.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN offers more than 200 degree and certificate options in more than 130 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here.

About Nevada State College

Nevada State College, a four-year public institution, is a member of the Nevada System of Higher Education. NSC places a special emphasis on the advancement of a diverse and largely under-served student population. Located on a developing 500-acre campus in the foothills of Henderson, Nevada, the college was established in 2002 as a new tier in the state system between the research universities and the two-year colleges. In this role, the college emphasizes high-quality instruction, exemplary service, engaging learning experiences, and innovation as a means to more efficient, effective outcomes in all corners of the campus. Since 2002, Nevada State College has grown to offer more than 40 majors and minors, has received independent accreditation and has expanded its physical campus. Committed to fostering a personal learning environment, students are taught by faculty who serve as mentors and guides in classrooms with an average class size of only 27 students. Nevada State College serves approximately 3,400 students and has over 3,000 alumni, each representing a broad array of cultural and economic backgrounds. For more information, visit http://nsc.edu.

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Welcome to the April Chronicle. There is much to discuss, including information about a multi-campus district study, the Board of Regents’ legislative strategies and more.

CSN Multi-Campus District Model Study

The Board of Regents held a special meeting on Friday and approved the initiation of a feasibility study to look at transitioning CSN from a multi-campus single college to a multi-campus district model. Our Institutional Advisory Council has also endorsed the study. We will work with the system to propose an outline of the committee and timetables, which we will report to the Board of Regents Committee on Community Colleges at the next meeting. I hope to engage faculty, staff, students, Institutional Advisory Council and community members on this study to create improved service at each of our three campuses.

CSN Budget Priorities
The Board also discussed and endorsed legislative priorities at the Friday meeting. These are separate from ‘roll up’ items that include caseload growth and continued funding for the UNLV medical school. They will finalize these operational and capital priorities in June and then vote on them at a special Board of Regents meeting in August.

Operational enhancements:

• Faculty & Staff Compensation

The Governor directed state entities to build classified step increases into their budget requests and NSHE will request its equivalent for professional merit, which is approximately 2.5 percent. While the final merit calculation will not be completed until base budgets are constructed this summer, they estimate the request will be approximately $10 million to $10.5 million in FY 18 and $20m -$21m in FY 19.

• Formula Enhancement for Community Colleges

This would be an increase in the weight for certain Career & Technical Education credits completed and would equate to an additional estimated $7 million each year for CSN.

• A Technical Formula Adjustment for DRI
• The Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) Fund

While this rapid response workforce training fund, enacted in the 2015 special legislative session, will not likely be part of the NSHE budget, the Board will discuss a resolution to support continued funding of this priority in the Governor’s budget.

• Silver State Opportunity Grant

NSHE is requesting that funding for the program be made permanent and that the Board request an additional $5 million in funding to expand the program to serve students enrolled in at least 12 credits, first serving students enrolled in 15 credits, with the remaining funds then serving students enrolled in at least 12 credits until all such funds are exhausted.

• Increasing Capacity System Wide

This sums up projects proposed by each institution to expand our ability to meet community needs. As part of this, CSN has proposed three pilot projects and workforce training redesign, which are described in more detail here.

Capital Priorities

CSN’s proposed Health and Science building in collaboration with Nevada State College was third on the board’s capital priority list Friday. UNR’s engineering building was first and NSC’s educational facility was second. There will likely be more discussion on these at the June meeting.

Express Enrollment Days

In preparation for the fall 2016 enrollment term, CSN will have numerous Express Enrollment Days beginning in June and ending in early August. Similar to the former Enrollment Bootcamp events, Express Enrollment Days will offer first-time, new-to-college students the opportunity to complete the first matriculation steps in one day:

• Placement testing for English, reading, and math
• Academic advising
• Orientation (in-person sessions available only during July and August dates; online orientation available 24/7)

While all first-time college students are encouraged to participate in Express Enrollment activities, all 2016 high school graduates from Nevada and out of state are required to complete placement, advising and orientation steps before registering for classes. To participate in Express Enrollment, students must register online in advance at either www.csn.edu/orientation or www.csn.edu/expressenrollment. Students will need to bring a valid photo ID and their NSHE ID number.

First Steps (formerly known as Mandatory Matriculation Policy)
I think we can all rally around the need for fewer acronyms and making higher education lexicon more student friendly. Therefore, I am happy to announce that we are changing the name of what was formerly called the Mandatory Matriculation Policy to First Steps. This is the Achieving the Dream expanded pilot requiring all recent high school graduates to complete placement testing, advising and orientation before enrolling. Aptly named, First Steps is the process we aspire to one day have all new students first complete prior to enrollment.

Collective Bargaining
As discussed in an email I sent last week, collective bargaining has passed and I look forward to working with our chapter of the Nevada Faculty Alliance on a contract over the coming months. By law, there is a 60-day period during which both the bargaining unit and CSN management will prepare to engage in the bargaining process.

Commencement – The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Commencement will take place Monday, May 16, at the Thomas & Mack. I hope you will join us as we help celebrate thousands of CSN graduates. There are also a number of very important multi-cultural celebrations that will take place. For more information, click here to RSVP.

 

New CSN School of Math and Science Dean

Please join me in welcoming Dr. John Adlish as CSN’s new dean of the School of Science and Mathematics. He starts July 1. Dr. Adlish comes to us via TMCC, where he serves as chair of the Faculty Senate. He previously served as a dean there as well. A biologist by training, he has had a distinguished career involving research and publications, and is a graduate of both the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada School of Medicine.

 

Outstanding Student Awards Announced

Congratulations to this year’s Outstanding Student Awards recipients. What a wonderful bunch of students who have been chosen. That you to all the academic departments for the nominations!

• Bethany Williams, Accounting, Finance & Computer Office Technology
• Benjamin Sadberry, Applied Technologies
• Jessica Veach, Biological Sciences
• Curtis Chamblee, Business Administration
• Caryn Puritz, Communication
• Colin Izumo, Computing & Information Technology
• Nikko Angelo Religioso, Education
• Alejandra Muneton-Carrera, English
• Aubrey Williams, Fine Arts
• Jeanette Katzenmeyer, Health Related Professions
• Elene Lev, Hospitality Management
• Valentin Sanchez, Human Behavior
• Steve Ibraham, International Languages
• Ariel Blockovich, Mathematics
• Gary Mors, Media Technologies
• Jennifer Sou, Nursing
• John Dye, Physical Sciences
• Sabrina Matson, Public Safety & Human Services
• Joseph Dotson, Social Sciences
• Christel Marie San Diego, Regents’ Scholar
• Sarah Rinehart, Kim Gregory Memorial Scholarship Recipient

CSN Nurses Standout at National Conference

Nursing faculty advisor, Karen Bearer, reports that she and four students — Mayra Rivera, David Alvarez, Dawn Gonzalez, and Regie Layog — were able to attend the National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA) Convention in Orlando last month. The students took the opportunity to learn about disaster preparedness, writing skills and pharmacology, among other topics. A first in CSN nursing’s history was also accomplished during the convention. It was the first time the CSN Student Nurses’ Association presented a resolution to the NSNA’s House of Delegates. The resolution supported increasing awareness and education regarding injection safety for patients, and was unanimously passed and adopted by the NSNA. Congratulations to our students for their accomplishment!

PTK Advisor Bruno Rhodes Honored

Congratulations are due to English Professor and PTK Advisor Bruno Rhodes, who was selected as one of Phi Theta Kappa’s 2016 Distinguished Advisors. PTK is the national honor society for students at two-year colleges. The Distinguished Advisor Award recognizes advisors who have served at least four years and have made significant contributions to the growth of the individual chapter members, served as the chapter’s advocate on campus, and encouraged the chapter to be involved on the local, regional, and/or international level of the organization.

 

Cardiorespiratory Sciences Achievement

Our Respiratory Care Program received some great news recently: It was among a select group of programs that will be recognized by the Commission on Accreditation for Respiratory Care to receive the Distinguished RRT Credentialing Success Award. The award is considered to be a measure of a program’s success in inspiring its graduates to achieve their highest educational and professional aspirations. What it means for CSN’s students is that they can expect the very best from this top-notch program.

All College Committee Openings
It is also time to solicit interest in serving on all-college committees. If you would like to be considered for any of the following committees, please email K.C. Brekken your committee of choice by June 15, 2016. We will send the comprehensive list to the vice presidents and respective chairs, after which you may be contacted by the chair to fill any vacancies that arise during the next academic year. I’d like to note that this process is in its third year and is a recommendation from the Work Climate Committee based on survey recommendations from the college. Committee participation is critical to a healthy shared-governance system.

All-College Committees

• Academic Technology Advisory Committee
• Achieving the Dream
• Animal Care and Use Committee
• Charleston Campus Steering Committee
• Cheyenne Campus Steering Committee
• Henderson Campus Steering Committee
• Commencement Committee
• Hispanic Serving Institution Task Force
• Diversity Office Related Committees
• Institutional Review Board
• Intercollegiate Athletics Committees
• Internal Recognition Committee
• Safety & Security Committee
• Work Climate Committee
• Any Committee

Faculty & Staff Questions

Why do we have multi-cultural graduation celebrations?

These celebrations are done at many higher education institutions. They represent one of many strategic activities we have at CSN to help eliminate longstanding gaps in degree-attainment that have a direct impact and lead to disparate socioeconomic conditions. According to recent data from the Lumina Foundation, 37.4 percent of white residents in Nevada, age 25-64, have a college degree compared to 24 percent of African Americans and 13.8 percent of Hispanics in our state. Celebrations that highlight these under-represented graduates’ accomplishments among their family, friends, with their faculty and staff are important to help create the college-going culture we all want for our state. I hope you’ll join us at these events and of course, at the Commencement Ceremony on May 16.

What’s the difference between different proposals to remove Nevada’s community colleges from the Nevada System of Higher Education and the multi-campus district model that we will be studying?

I understand that there is a lot of confusion between these two. There are some public officials who advocate that Nevada’s four community colleges should be governed by a separate board, apart from the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents.

However, Regents approved a study to transition CSN from a multi-campus single college, as it is now, to a multi-campus district model, still under the Board of Regents. This study will examine if CSN should create more autonomous campuses with a more horizontal structure, similar to many of our peer colleges throughout the nation.

Now that we are expanding athletics by adding soccer teams this year, do you think this will impact our competitive edge as an educational institution?

This will enhance our competitive edge for several reasons. CSN athletes are very successful academically and can only add to our culture of student success. I also believe having a competitive soccer team for men and women, in a community that embraces this sport, will not only spread more awareness about CSN as an academic institution but as an athletic opportunity throughout the region.

CSN’s administration has a history of promoting equity among employee groups. With the new collective bargaining agreement in place with academic faculty, how will the college ensure continued equity between different employee groups at CSN?

Over the next few months, we will have much discussion about how to incorporate the new collective bargaining system into our organizational culture. CSN has received accolades for our shared governance from our accrediting body and I prize the relationships we have among our employee groups. I have every intention of maintaining and protecting equity for all of our employees, including their ability to contribute to college decision making.

With CSN exploring new administrative structures, employees are concerned about how such changes might affect their roles on campus, especially those employees that provide services at multiple campus locations. Looking at the big picture is important, but how might these big picture changes affect those employees working with students on the “front lines”?
This is an excellent question and one that must be worked out through the course of the feasibility study. I hope that employees are not anxious about potential structural shifts. Change can be uncomfortable, but if studied well and implemented collaboratively, it can be done far more smoothly. Keep in mind that the impetus for this change is to further empower our employees working with students and to diminish the distance between leadership, employees and students.

The Northwest campus is often been referred to as the S.T.E.M. or S.T.E.A.M. Campus. studies show that the arts are crucial for the development of science, technology, engineering and math, will the Northwest campus have an “A”?

Adding the arts is highly likely.  As the feasibility study on CSN manageability or decentralization proceeds, there is an important principle included in the plan for the study:  campuses will have a comprehensive curriculum for general education.   Should the student committee adopt that principle, the arts will be part of the curriculum that is offered.

Best,

Mike

 

Colleagues,

As most of you know, the Nevada Faculty Alliance (NFA) was authorized by the Board of Regents to pursue an election regarding collective bargaining for academic faculty.  Through that process, 524 eligible employees were invited to participate in the election.   Results of the election—263 “yes” votes–show the required number of votes were received, and we look forward to moving ahead with the collective bargaining process.  By law, there is a 60-day period during which both the bargaining unit and CSN management will prepare to engage in the bargaining process.

I have had a number of questions about collective bargaining and governance:

1. How does this change affect the Faculty Senate? 

Board policy provides for both collective bargaining and a Faculty Senate.  In the past, the Faculty Senate has been the recognized, elected body representing faculty.  That will be modified now.  At other institutions, both the Faculty Senate and the “bargaining unit” exist side by side, with the collective bargaining process governed by Board of Regents policy, Title 4, Chapter 4.

2. How are topics for bargaining determined?

By policy, topics for bargaining are listed on page 10 of the Regents’ policy, and the NFA can choose from that list the topics it wishes to pursue.

3. What does this mean for administrative faculty?

The Faculty Senate will continue to represent administrative faculty, and I will continue to meet with the Administrative Faculty Assembly leadership as I have in the past. 

4. What does this mean for CSN generally?

Establishment of a collective bargaining unit adds an important dimension to CSN governance and to the organizational culture of the College.  In early conversations with the president of the NFA chapter, I have committed to an amicable process that considers the mission of the College and our students. 

I hope this information is helpful.  As there are further developments over the summer, we will, of course, keep the college community informed.

Best,

Mike

March Chronicle

Welcome back! I hope you took a few days during spring break to unwind and prepare for the whirlwind that lies ahead. April and May are tsunami months, full of activities and the winding down of the academic year. This Chronicle is full of updates to help you stay informed and abreast of many important happenings at CSN.

New Website

I trust by now you have seen our new web site. This dynamic and engaging site is designed for students and prospective students and their families.  The content has been streamlined and refreshed to help them easily access the latest and most useful information.  It is a work in progress and if you have questions, please email webservices@csn.edu for further assistance.

If you’re familiar with the old site and know what you’re looking for, you can still find it at http://archive.csn.edu/ for now. Or you can access the old site by going to the ‘Login’ link on the top right corner of the new site. This will take you to a dashboard with links to the old site, Canvas, and other frequently used pages.

Please know that we are migrating important employee information to an intranet portal that will go live after the spring semester. The portal will include single sign on capabilities to all frequently used programs, internal forms, policies, and procedures.

Our website is our electronic gateway and one of the most important recruitment and retention tools we have. It’s important that it be geared to students. We are all looking forward the activation of the portal, which in addition to allowing us to clean up our website will help us improve internal communications.

CSN Governance and Structure

At the April 22 special Board of Regents meeting, the Board will discuss different management structures for CSN. This is a topic I brought up at the January town hall with faculty and staff as to whether CSN’s size might be better suited to a different model. I will propose the formation of a study committee to the Board of Regents, comprised of representatives from CSN’s faculty and staff and its Institutional Advisory Council, to examine the capacity and structure of the college and identify opportunities to more effectively serve our diverse community and broad service area.

This is different from initiatives underway to place the state’s four community colleges under the control of a community college governing body, outside of the Nevada System of Higher Education. On the latter, I authored to following column, which was published March 13 in the Las Vegas Sun.

Legislative Budget Priorities

The Governor indicated earlier this month that he will ask for plans for a 5 percent budget reduction from state entities. We’re not sure yet of the specifics of this for Nevada’s colleges.

Earlier this month, the Board of Regents met and discussed potential legislative priorities for the 2017 session. The Chancellor and his staff put forth priorities from each of the college and university presidents for their consideration. CSN is represented in these discussions and supports, particularly, the compensation, formula, WINN, and SSOG adjustments.

• Caseload growth funds existing programs and services for additional students and completions at existing levels. It is based on actual fall 2015 and projected spring 2016 data. ($26.9 to $27.9 million FY 16);
• UNLV School of Medicine ($2,271,987 FY 18 and $10,742,046 FY 19);
• Faculty & Staff Compensation ($5.25M for every 1% increase);
• Formula enhancement for the community colleges, including an increased weight for certain Career & Technical Education credits;
• DRI Formula Correction ($198,150 estimated FY 18 and $198,150 estimated FY 19);
• WINN Fund: The Workforce Innovations for a New Nevada (WINN) Fund is a rapid response workforce training fund enacted in the 29th Special Session (2015) of the Nevada Legislature for recruitment, assessment and training of workers necessary to develop the workforce necessary to support statewide economic priorities;
• Silver State Opportunity Grant: The Chancellor recommended increasing this need-based scholarship from $5 million for the biennium to $10 million and to expand the program to serve students enrolled in 15 credits first with the remaining funds then serving students enrolled in at least 12 credits;
• Increase capacity system wide: This initiative seeks to create additional capacity through new programs and initiatives.

CSN’s projects related to capacity, the bullet above, include three pilot projects that can be supported with one-time money: College Readiness, a joint CCSD and CSN effort of intense programming for up to 300 students; Adult Learning, a financial aid grant for up to 100 adult students returning to college; and Prison Education, a pilot education program for up to 100 clients with a goal of reducing recidivism. Finally, CSN is proposing a redesign of Workforce education that, over a six-year period, will dramatically increase capacity for workforce training.

Collective Bargaining Election for Academic Faculty

The Board of Regents Handbook provides for employee bargaining units within NSHE. The American Association of University Professors/Nevada Faculty Alliance (NFA) applied recently to the Board for an election to determine if CSN’s academic faculty (instructing, library and counseling faculty) want the NFA as their collective bargaining agent. At its March meeting, the Board approved the holding of the election.   The election is being conducted by the American Arbitration Association, and balloting is currently underway. Information about the process is delineated in the Board’s Hanbook Title 4, Chapter 4.   I urge the thoughtful participation of those impacted in this process.

Southeast Career & Technical Academy (SECTA) & WINN Proposal

We continue to work with SECTA to create an advanced manufacturing program at their campus for joint use. These students will receive advanced training in robotics maintenance and troubleshooting. This facility is part of our recently submitted proposal for the Workforce Innovations for the New Nevada (WINN) Fund. We know robotics are a critical component of manufacturing and the nation’s economy and we aspire to franchise this program in the southwest and northeast quadrants of the valley.

Partnerships with the Clark County School District

The Clark County School District Board and CSN are working to expand the CSN High School program by 25 percent and to explore the joint use of resources to create a shared facility for a STEM-focused CSN High School program at our anticipated Northwest Campus.

CCSD and CSN are also partnering to initiate a joint venture called the Catalyst Program, which will serve at first approximately 50 under-prepared high school students heading into their senior year to help them with college readiness. This will include assistance with navigating the college enrollment process, bridge programming and mentorships.

As many of you know, we are pursuing National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Programs (NACEP) accreditation to ensure we maintain the highest standards in our concurrent enrollment programs on high school campuses. Once we receive this accreditation (and it is a rigorous process that we expect to wrap up in spring 2017), we hope to expand concurrent enrollment programs. These programs help schools improve their ratings and can have a significant impact on college readiness and college-going rates.

Green Fest

CSN is a proud ally in this year’s Seventh Annual Green Fest event, to be held on April 23 in honor of Earth Day. The event, which will be held in Downtown Summerlin, is the largest Earth Day festival in Nevada. Its aim is to promote recycling and a sustainable environmental lifestyle to the community. CSN will have a booth at the festival to promote the green education and environmental programs we offer. Anyone interested in participating can contact Environmental Strategies Committee Chair Steve Soltz.

Articulation and Transfer

CSN and UNLV as well as CSN and NSC have finalized an MOU to create a Guaranteed Transfer Program for students who applied and were denied admission to UNLV. Upon acceptance to CSN, these students would be co-admitted to UNLV or NSC and CSN. Once students comply with the following requirements, they will be able to seamlessly continue their education at UNLV without needing to reapply.

Guaranteed Transfer Program Requirements:

1.) Continuously enroll at CSN in at least 12 credits per fall and spring semester

2.) Complete an Associate of Arts Degree, Associate of Business degree,

Associate of Science degree or an Associate of Applied Science degree

3.) Complete the CSN associate degree with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher

4.) The student must not be ineligible for matriculation at UNLV by virtue of any disciplinary holds at either CSN or UNLV

Also, CSN and NSC have entered into an agreement this month to develop joint academic and student support programs.

CSN Career Fair
Thank you to all who helped foster the successful March 2 Career Fair, held on the Cheyenne campus, which saw more than 400 job seekers on hand to meet with 51 employers, including 15 companies participating for the first time. Several employers commented on the high turnout and the quality of the students attending the event. Many of the employers were interviewing on the spot and there were even some job offers made. The next Career Fair will be held April 6 on the Charleston campus.

New CT Scanner for Vet Tech Students

Exciting news from our Veterinary Technology program. Using Perkins funding, they were able to acquire a Computed Tomography device, also known as a CT scanner. It is one of only two in Nevada, and the only one in Southern Nevada. The special X-ray machine can be used to diagnose complicated problems in animals referred to the program’s fully functional veterinary clinic for treatment.

Excellence and Distinguished Employee Awards

It is time to submit your nominations for this year’s Excellence and Distinguished Awards, which honor CSN faculty and staff for outstanding work over the previous academic year. For more information, visit www.csn.edu/recognition or contact Internal Recognition Committee Chair Michele Fogg at michele.fogg@csn.edu. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Friday, April 15.

Reverse Transfer

CSN instituted a new “Reverse Transfer” degree process this month, and the response has been wonderful. Approximately 200 former students have contacted us to inquire about whether they qualify. Under the arrangement, students who have earned 15 or more credits at an NSHE community college and transferred to a four-year NSHE institution where they earned 60 or more credits may be eligible to obtain an associate degree for already completed coursework. It is a valuable program that allows students to obtain a degree they have already earned, which can help them gain employment and give them a boost as they work toward bachelor’s degrees.

Women’s History Month

As you know, March is Women’s History Month. I would like to thank the CSN Women’s Alliance for the many terrific and inspiring events this committee put on, including the NSHE Status of Women Conference on March 8 and empowerment fairs to promote student success and completion. These dynamic events are a lot of work and highlight the challenges many women face daily. Thank you for all you do.

Tenure Announcement

In case you missed our email announcement, congratulations are due to the following hardworking CSN faculty for whom the Board of Regents approved tenure this month. This is a major milestone and achievement!

• Alda A. Anderson, Business, Hospitality and Public Service
• Craig N. Anderson, International Languages
• Barbara Bird, International Languages
• Sonja Burd, Biological Sciences
• Natalie Chio, Health Related Professions
• Marcela Cortes Ramirez, Biological Sciences
• Shane W. Dick, International Languages
• Arthur G. Eggers, Advanced and Applied Technologies
• Jennifer A. Gorman, Mathematics
• David L. Hardy, Media Technologies
• Valerie A. Hecht, International Languages
• Michael W. Huff, English
• Dana L. Jones, Accounting, Finance, Computer Office Technology
• Christopher D. King, Mathematics
• Aminul I. Km, Mathematics
• James Y. Lee, Mathematics
• Eileen M. Mahoney Bauer, Nursing
• Eileen M. Metcalfe, Hospitality Management
• Maria Consuelo Capiral Pickle, Mathematics
• Michele R. Rahmig, Dental, Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Services
• Brett Riley, English
• Arthur Edgar Salmon III, Computing and Information Technology
• Michael B. Simpson, Dental, Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Services
• Efatsadat Taghva, Computing and Information Technology
• Richard W. Theis, English
• Christopher T. Tsouras, Fine Arts
• Kathi Kalene Westmoreland, English

 Faculty & Staff Questions

“Why didn’t our spring break line up with Clark County School District and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas?”

Whenever we can, we ensure the CSN and CCSD spring breaks align. But we also follow guidance from the Faculty Senate to have spring break before a specific number of weeks elapse in spring semester. This year the alignment could not happen to meet the Senate’s criteria. By the way, that criteria is important or we end up with spring break very late in the semester.

“When can returning and new students register for summer and fall semesters?”

Returning students can register for summer, starting April 4 and new students on April 21. For fall 2016 registration, returning students can begin to enroll on May 2 and new students on May 20.

Best,

Mike

Congratulations to the following individuals for whom the Board of Regents approved tenure this week. This is a major milestone and achievement for our faculty!

• Alda A. Anderson, Business, Hospitality and Public Service
• Craig N. Anderson, International Languages
• Dr. Barbara Bird, International Languages
• Dr. Sonja Burd, Biological Sciences
• Natalie Chio, Health Related Professions
• Dr. Marcela Cortes Ramirez, Biological Sciences
• Shane W. Dick, International Languages
• Arthur G. Eggers, Advanced and Applied Technologies
• Dr. Jennifer A. Gorman, Mathematics
• David L. Hardy, Media Technologies
• Dr. Valerie A. Hecht, International Languages
• Dr. Michael W. Huff, English
• Dr. Dana L. Jones, Accounting, Finance, Computer Office Technology
• Christopher D. King, Mathematics
• Aminul I. Km, Mathematics
• James Y. Lee, Mathematics
• Eileen M. Mahoney Bauer, Nursing
• Eileen M. Metcalfe, Hospitality Management
• Dr. Maria Consuelo Capiral Pickle, Mathematics
• Michele R. Rahmig, Dental, Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Services
• Dr. Brett Riley, English
• Arthur Edgar Salmon III, Computing and Information Technology
• Michael B. Simpson, Dental, Diagnostic and Rehabilitation Services
• Efatsadat Taghva, Computing and Information Technology
• Dr. Richard W. Theis, English
• Christopher T. Tsouras, Fine Arts
• Dr. Kathi Kalene Westmoreland, English

Welcome to the February Chronicle! First, my kudos to the African American Heritage Committee on an excellent series of events for Black History Month! You can learn more here.

This month’s Chronicle is a special Q & A communication, since I have received a number of questions lately that require your attention.

There appears to be no optimal way to communicate with CSN students. How can we improve email communication with them?

In this transitory community in which snail mail is too expensive and ineffective, we have had no primary method of reliably contacting students. Emails sent to students’ preferred personal addresses, which they enter into MyCSN, often bounce back. Few students use their CSN student email accounts. Some students don’t use Canvas, and most students only check their MyCSN Communication Center a couple of times a year.

The current set up has also led to certain providers, including Yahoo, Microsoft and Google, temporarily blocking CSN email addresses because they received so many of them and thought they were Spam. Not only is this situation aggravating cyber security, some aspects are illegal.

From a technical perspective the matter can be quickly solved, but there are also policy considerations.

In short, this cannot continue. Therefore, I’ve asked staff to create a mandatory student email policy that we will take to Faculty Senate for input. You’ll hear more about this in the near future. Please start encouraging students to use their student email addresses for all official communications.

What is collective bargaining and why is it on the Board of Regents’ agenda?

The Board of Regents Handbook provides for employee bargaining units within NSHE. As employee groups wish to pursue the collective bargaining process, that process is delineated in the Handbook, Title 4, Chapter 4.

The Nevada Faculty Alliance (NFA) filed an application to represent academic faculty (instructing, counseling and library faculty) as a bargaining unit at CSN, and that application is on the March 3-4, 2016 Board agenda for consideration. If the Board approves the application, an election will be held by the academic faculty to determine whether they desire NFA representation. I will refer you to the Board of Regents Handbook for complete details on the bargaining process.

How was a search consultant selected for the VPAA position and why is it needed?

Filling any executive position at a college or university is a challenge as more incumbents retire and candidate pools are often limited. To cast as wide a net as possible, it is common for institutions and systems to retain search consultants to tap national networks to fill a position.

During fall semester, CSN engaged an RFP process through the purchasing office to solicit proposals from interested executive search firms. A committee of faculty and staff reviewed the proposals and Executive Search of Washington DC was selected to work with CSN’s HR office on the search. An updated job description, position profile, and other documents were prepared for the search, seeking, again, the widest pool of candidates possible.

A search committee has been established and will meet with the search consultant. A timetable has also been developed.

At the request of the faculty, the minimum degree qualification was increased to a doctorate degree, and the institution will conduct a series of forums and interviews, pursuant to CSN policy and practice for vice presidential positions. I anticipate that college-wide interviews with finalists will take place the week of May 2. More information on the dates, times and locations will be announced for participation as they are available.

Will budget cuts continue?

Budget challenges will always be with us at CSN as a result of either institutional or statewide resources.

Public pressure for efficiency and accountability and proving institutions can do more with less, are common in every state. Community college enrollment is also down nationwide and this is hurting many of our peer institutions.

We will know more after the mid-spring semester census, whereas our enrollments are still changing. I would like to compliment Vice President of Finance Mary Kaye Bailey for her strong budget projections, which may have protected us from sizeable cuts this semester, even though our enrollment is still down this spring over last by about 3 percent. I’ll end this section with the ominous advisement that it is never a bad idea to be prepared.

What are CSN’s prospects for the next Legislature?

Perhaps like you, I’m hearing that 2017 will be higher education’s year at the Legislature. But we have no reason to anticipate additional money. A large tax increase for Nevada’s higher education system is not going to happen and the nation is poised for another recession.

CSN has taken an aggressive position for the legislative session, and budget priorities of the Board of Regents will be determined over the next few months. We know there are many competing priorities, including funding for the medical school and residencies, public financing for a stadium, changes and increases to the funding formula and increased funding for the Silver State Opportunity Grant. CSN’s initiatives outlined in previous chronicles will receive consideration by the Board of Regents in the March and June meetings for possible inclusion in the system’s legislative priorities.

What’s been done with recommendations from the Work Climate Committee and its surveys?

As many of you know, I take these surveys and recommendations very seriously. In January, I received the report and recommendations of the fall 2015 Snapshot Survey and I met shortly thereafter with Work Climate Committee Chair Cameron Basquiat. The report and recommendations are significant and extremely helpful. Each supervising vice president, manager, or committee chair, as appropriate, received a copy of the report. Here’s what’s been done:

• Recommendations for continued communication, such as the “Week Ahead” service will continue
  

  A May 2015 group photo of CSN’s Work Climate Committee

• I was joined by Vice President Hyla Winters in a meeting with the Internal Recognitions Committee where each of the recommendations for that committee and program were discussed one-by-one. The Committee has adopted many of the recommendations and will be implementing them in the next recognitions cycle. Should you wish more information on the committee’s actions, please contact Michelle Fogg or Diana Woodhouse.
• I met with Maria Marinch, Executive Director of Community Relations, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs on each of the diversity recommendations to affirm their implementation.
• I met with Senior Vice President Patty Charlton on the safety recommendations for their implementation.
• On February 19, the report and recommendations will be discussed at the Extended Team meeting for all CSN directors and above.
• As a follow up to action steps and implementation, I and other members of the executive staff will be meeting later this spring with the Work Climate Committee.

I would like to emphasize that I appreciate those of you who participated in the fall 2016 PACE survey. As those results are considered by the Work Climate Committee and recommendations are developed, I’ll report on them to the entire college community.

Does CSN have funding for merit pay?

CSN has no further funding for merit pay or COLA, nor is it authorized to make allocations on the money it does not have. At the beginning of the fiscal year, as contracts were renewed, CSN implemented the full compensation package authorized by the Legislature, which includes a second salary increase of 2 percent that you will see take effect this summer in the 2017 fiscal year.

What’s being done to turn around enrollment declines?

CSN’s enrollment management has the institution’s undivided attention. All of us have a responsibility to invite students to enroll, help connect interested potential students to the institution and ensure they feel welcome at CSN. In addition, the Strategic Enrollment Planning Committee has expanded and redoubled its efforts. We are implementing a new student relationship management system, described below, which will help us better connect with students from recruitment through graduation. Members of the executive team and I are also visiting high schools, career and technical academies and working with school district officials to expand partnerships and strengthen the pipeline from our school districts to CSN.

 

I saw an article in the Review-Journal about Silver State Opportunity Grant recipients. What do you think about the grant program and its 15-credit-per-semester requirement?

There was an article in the RJ on Monday that indicated about half of CSN’s Silver State Opportunity Grant (SSOG) recipients failed to meet eligibility requirements after the first semester. This is a larger percentage than any other institution. The majority of our students lost eligibility because they finished with 12 to 14.99 credits and shy of the 15-credit requirement. The Silver State Opportunity Grant is a transformational scholarship in Nevada. This need-based grant is dedicated to community college and Nevada State College students in Nevada and we are advocating that increasing this fund and expanding this program be a Board of Regents’ legislative priority going forward. That said, with any public policy, an evaluation of the data is needed to see how we can improve this program, either on our end and/or at the state level.

I’ve asked a working group to survey and conduct focus groups with our SSOG students to determine how we might improve our students’ chances of success. I should add that it is our students at CSN, who seem to be struggling the most with maintaining eligibility. Although we clearly serve students with unique needs in the system, I think the onus is on us to ensure they are prepared for the rigor of 15 credits and have the help they need to succeed.

What is the transition plan for the people retiring?

Each year as CSN employees retire or make other career choices, there are vacancies to fill and new folks to welcome to CSN. We will continue that process as smoothly as possible. We have a number of management positions to fill this year, including the Vice President of Academic Affairs. For most of these positions, we’re on schedule for interim or permanent appointments. In academic areas, I keep the leadership of the Faculty Senate informed of the status of searches and include faculty on as many committees as appropriate.

What’s the role of the regents and the new institutional advisory council?

The Nevada Board of Regents is the overall governing body for the Nevada System of Higher Education. Institutional Advisory Councils, whose members are appointed by the Chair of the Board of Regents, operate only for each of the four community colleges in the state as advisors to the institutional presidents and the regents’ Committee on Community Colleges. Here is the charge as approved by the Board of Regents in December.

What’s the latest with NSHE’s interest in distance education?

Many of you will recall the controversial Katz report, completed in 2013. As a result of that study, 26 distance education recommendations have been developed and submitted to the Chancellor. I anticipate that the Chancellor will discuss these further with the institutions later this year.

 

How can we provide input into strategic planning?

Because of CSN’s size and mission, large groups of internal and external constituents are rightly interested in participating in the strategic planning process. The Strategic Futures Task Force includes a core team of people, co-chaired by Professor Dr. Joshua Levin and Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Administrative Services Patty Charlton. This group is working diligently to gather data and collect insight from each of our valued employees and stakeholders to create the strategic plan, which will set the direction for this institution from 2017 to 2024.

Ms. Charlton sent out an email earlier this week with more details about the process. We will have multiple listening sessions, an online and social media presence, and opportunities for all of our stakeholders to connect with the task force to ensure that the plan produced is thoughtful and representative. The Strategic Plan is a required part of our accreditation and a fundamental force shaping the decision-making process at this institution.

At the same time, other functions of the college are developing plans that will be integrated into the strategic plan, areas such as diversity and IT. Should you wish to provide input to the planning process at any point in its progress, you may contact Dr. Levin or Ms. Charlton.

What is the Foundation doing?

The CSN Foundation and its exceptional trustees have labored the past year on a restructuring of the Foundation for comprehensive fundraising for CSN’s future. Additional staff will be added later this year. Concurrently, the Foundation has been providing funding to CSN’s Financial Aid staff for distribution of general and designated scholarships to students, while enhancing the infrastructure to support donations and the stewardship required for donors. We appreciate the work of the trustees and staff to position the CSN Foundation for comprehensive operations, for the cultivation and support of donors, and for the margin of difference private funds provide to CSN.

What is a CRM and why is it needed?

A Customer Resource Management (CRM) system is a tool for student recruitment, enrollment, admission and progress as students enter CSN and proceed to completion. CSN has acquired a CRM and will be implementing it over the next 18-24 months.

The vendor selected was Hobson’s Radius system. You’ll be hearing more about it as the implementation proceeds. More and more higher education institutions are adopting this kind of a system to help with enrollment management, communication, and holistic support to students throughout their experience with the CSN.

I fully expect that the features of this system will provide us with new data to create better decisions regarding student success. I also expect it will help improve communication with students and student case management. The end result is that it is expected to improve the overall student experience and I hope you will embrace this new technology whole heartedly.

Is the new communication structure and strategy working?

You may recall that I created an Executive Team of about 18 people and an Extended Team of about 90 folks to assist with institutional communication. These teams were created to supplement my monthly Chronicles of news and information as well as other avenues of college-wide communication. My commitment was to try this for a year and then assess its effectiveness as gauged through faculty and staff feedback. I have held monthly meetings of the Executive Team and two meetings, so far, with the Extended Team. The next meeting of the Extended Team is February 19. Early feedback is that this structure/strategy may not be as effective as initially conceived. Some revision, such as frequency of meetings with senior and middle management—meaningful meetings, I should add—may be in order.

I’m also re-introducing campus roundtables for faculty and staff. As I walk the campuses and visit with faculty and staff, several have asked for more face time. These will take place at the following dates and campuses. A flier will be circulating shortly. Please R.S.V.P. to CSN Public Affairs Executive Director K.C. Brekken at kc.brekken@csn.edu.

President’s Faculty & Staff Roundtables:

Henderson Campus
Thursday, March 24
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
C-230

Charleston Campus
Monday, March 28
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
K-101

Cheyenne Campus
Tuesday, March 29
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Conference Room A

 

For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN Career Fair Connects Job Seekers and Employers

The public is invited to showcase job skills to dozens of recruiters at the March 2 event

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 17, 2016 – The College of Southern Nevada will soon host its Spring 2016 Career Fair, where more than three dozen employers will tap the local talent pool to fill hundreds of job opportunities and internships available locally and nationwide. The event is open to the public and held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, on CSN’s Cheyenne campus in the June Whitley Student Center.

The open forum allows job applicants the opportunity to meet recruiters, learn about job openings and gather employment information. Applicants should dress in interview attire, bring resumes and be prepared for interviews.

“The Spring Career Fair offers CSN students and other job seekers a chance to meet potential employers face to face,” said Bradford Glover, director of Career Services & Reentry at CSN. “It’s not only a great networking opportunity, but also a forum for job seekers to learn more about potential employers. Recruiters will be on hand to provide detailed information about their organizations and the jobs available.”

The wide array of organizations planning to attend include Ameriprise Financial, CBS Radio, the City of Las Vegas, the Clark County School District, CSN, the Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, the Nevada Gaming Control Board, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Southwest Gas Corporation, Wells Fargo and many others.

For more information or to host an employer booth, contact CSN Career Services, 702-651-4700.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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Media Advisory:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

Educator, Author Dr. Robert L. Green to speak at CSN

The civil rights pioneer and urban policy expert will lecture and sign books

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 11, 2016 – Renowned educator and author Dr. Robert L. Green, an associate of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., urban policy advisor and higher education expert, will speak at the College of Southern Nevada at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27.

Green, professor emeritus at Michigan State University, joined the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1965, where he worked with King until Green left the organization two years later. He is the author of several books that focus primarily on the impact of poverty and discrimination on urban populations. He has also explored the relationship between expectations and student achievement.

Who: Dr. Robert Green

When: 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27

Where: Morse Arberry Jr. Telecommunications Building, College of Southern Nevada Cheyenne campus

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN Receives Governor’s STEM Grant to Train the Future of Southern Nevada’s Cyber Security Defense 

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 5, 2016 – The Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT) announced it has awarded Round 2 STEM Workforce Challenge Grants to Nevada training providers throughout the state, including the College of Southern Nevada.

CSN will receive $149,882 to partner with Switch SUPERNAP and the member companies of the Las Vegas Chapter of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) to create a new Cyber Security Associate of Applied Science Degree and an advanced Certificate of Achievement.

“This grant is critical to get us the kind of modern security tools needed to train the future front line of Southern Nevada’s cyber security defense,” said CSN School of Advanced & Applied Technologies Dean Michael Spangler.

The STEM Workforce Challenge Grant will fund the development of five new CSN courses that better meet the industry’s needs, including Ethical Hacking, Physical Security, Incident Handling, Advanced Network Security, and Penetration Testing. As a result of the training, students will be prepared for the following six industry certifications: CompTIA A+, CompTIA Network+, CompTIA Security+, Cisco CCENT, EC-Council CEH, and ECIH. The grant will also fund the creation of a state-of-the-art classroom, which will allow CSN to expand the program from about 200 students to 250 students.

More information about CSN’s grant and others awarded in this round can be found at http://osit.nv.gov/grants/grants.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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The January 15 2016 town hall included information on enrollment, CSN’s budget, management models and strategic planning.

Greetings faculty and staff,

Hope your spring semester is off to a great start! This January Chronicle includes information on recent events including positive recent work force developments impacting CSN and topics discussed at the recent town hall.

Faraday Special Session

In December, state legislators passed a large tax package for Faraday Futures to attract the electric vehicle company to Southern Nevada. The legislation included a workforce development fund. CSN intends to apply and compete for these dollars to be the major workforce training provider for Faraday. I would like to thank Dan Gouker, senior associate vice president of CSN’s Division of Workforce & Economic Development, and his team for heading up conversations with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development early on to ensure Faraday’s training needs are met by the largest and most diverse higher education institution in Nevada – CSN!

Town Hall

Approximately 200 faculty and staff attended the town hall at the Horn Theatre on Jan. 15 and received updates on budget, manageability models and the strategic planning process. The presentation slides are available here on my web site. I covered four key topics, including various community college management models to explore, budget and enrollment and strategic planning. 2

CSN Connections events took place on all three campuses this week to connect our students to the many student support services offered at CSN, including free tutoring, child care, advising and counseling and more. Thanks to all who participated to make these events a success!

CSN’s Budget

CSN’s spring enrollment will be down, compared to spring 2015, according to preliminary data, and will likely result in further budget cuts this fiscal year. You will receive more information about this as the semester progresses. This academic year, unfortunately, sets the bar for our state funding for the next two-year cycle, which likely means fewer dollars for the college in the coming years.

I think this represents an opportunity to assess some of the biggest challenges our students face in applying, enrolling and persisting at CSN. First, we know our students are price sensitive. We are advocating for several legislative priorities, including increased funding for career and technical education and developmental courses, which are more costly than other courses. We have also advocated that the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) advance a Promise program or free community college for responsible recent high school graduates, which will bring in more federal financial aid dollars for the state and likely increase enrollments. We are also seeking funds for workforce development and increased efforts to assist K-12 with college readiness. We believe these initiatives play a critical role in the state’s economic development agenda and will increase funding and support for our broad mission.

Enrollment

Further, our Strategic Enrollment Planning efforts continue to help us better manage our recruitment, retention and completion efforts. This spring, we will implement a new customer relations management tool or CRM, including software that will allow for further inter-departmental collaborations and data collection. CSN recently contracted with Hobsons to provide strategic solutions to improve the student experience. Two modules, Radius and Starfish will begin kick-off and implementation in early February. Radius offers admissions and enrollment management CRM capabilities with communications 3

tools that allow CSN to build dynamic, multi-step outreach campaigns to reach prospective students with the right message at the right time.

The CRM will help us better manage each stage of the admissions process, from the student’s initial inquiry through application completion and then continue to connect with students through their academic career at CSN. It can also help us identify at-risk students in real time and connect them with valuable student services, such as tutoring. Once fully implemented, CSN will extend the reach of services to students and retention efforts through an integrated suite of student success and degree planning solutions including predictive and reporting analytics.

Management Models

In terms of CSN’s management model, the Board of Regents has asked me to consider different approaches to our current centralized structure to better oversee this institution and ensure local connectivity. Although enrollment is down, CSN continues to be among a handful of massive community colleges in the nation and we still retain the title of the largest higher education institution in the state. We are exploring other models, such as that of Portland Community College or the Lone Star College System in Texas that may decentralize our management structure and incite more autonomy for campuses to respond to local community economic and workforce development needs. The costs associated with such a change are part of this discussion.

Strategic Planning

Finally, our strategic planning process to create the direction for the college’s next seven years has begun with Patty Charlton, CSN Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Administrative Services and Professor Dr. Joshua Levin co-chairing this effort. This will be an inclusive project involving a number of stakeholder groups. We look forward to informing you on opportunities to contribute in the near future.

Website Redesign

We are looking forward to unveiling a new website at the end of March. Our current site is difficult to navigate, contains archaic information, and students and prospective students must often meander through a lot of internal sites to find information pertinent to their needs. The new website will be geared toward prospective students and their families. You will find that many of our current policies, forms, and information will not be available on this site. We plan to launch an internal portal for employees that will include these items as well as 4

The CSN African American Heritage Committee, Black Student Association and Office of Community Relations, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs and other CSN students, staff and alumni, participated in the 34th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Parade held in downtown Las Vegas on January 18, 2016. Thanks to all who came out to represent the college in this important community event!

opportunities for more virtual engagement at the end of May. In the interim, you will be able to access the old web site and all of its forms, etc. from the new website. We will begin training for web page owners next month so that they can learn how to use the new content management system.

Southwest Airlines Discount

We are encouraging all employee airfare to be booked through SWABIZ.com to take advantage of a 3 percent NSHE discount. Simply book the travel through SWABIZ.com rather than Southwest.com and enter the following information:

• Corporate ID: 99881810

• Account No.: Your individual Rapid Rewards #

• Password: Your individual Rapid Rewards password

Prestige Travel cannot book through SWABIZ and therefore will be able to access this discount.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

CSN had great representation in the 34th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Parade held in downtown Las Vegas on Jan. 18. The parade included a mix of organizations, businesses, marching bands, schools, drill teams and community leaders in this celebration of the largest parade in the state of Nevada. Thank you to all who organized the CSN contingency, including the CSN African American Heritage Committee, Black Student Association and Office of Community Relations, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. 5

The new leased space for CSN’s HVAC program is located off of Cheyenne Avenue not far from the Cheyenne campus.

Exciting New Partnership with Switch

CSN has formed an exciting partnership with Switch to build an HVAC program that will train the next generation of Switch technicians to manage the temperature-control needs of the company’s hundreds of servers and expanding local operations.

The company will hire eight CSN students as intern technicians every year. Once those students graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in HVAC, the company will hire them. Switch will also send existing HVAC technicians through the degree-program to build their next level of supervisors. The program will include general education courses at the company’s Innovation Center in Las Vegas that will be open to Switch and CSN students.

HVAC

In addition to the exciting partnership with Switch, our HVAC program has expanded to a new leased site in addition to its presence at the Cheyenne and Henderson campuses.

The new facilities, located not far from the Cheyenne campus, feature working

hot water and steam boiler systems, a 160-ton York Chiller, a BAC Cooling Tower, a complete sheet metal fabrication area, and more. It’s all designed to make sure CSN’s students are working with the latest technology so they enter the workforce highly skilled and ready to hit the ground running.

Poster Fair

Our Third Annual Poster Fair, held earlier this month, was a great success. Dozens of presenters from faculty and staff displayed their student success efforts and focused on what was working well. The effort, led by Associate Vice President for Academic 6

The third annual poster fair at this year’s spring convocation allowed faculty and staff to share ideas and research on student success.

Success James McCoy, is designed to help our faculty and staff discover some of the great ideas that others are already using in their classrooms and beyond. Thank you to all who participated and I hope these interactions proved fruitful to all involved.

CSN Institutional Advisory Council Meetings

The CSN IAC has created two subcommittees, including one on performance metrics by which to gauge their own performance in meeting the charges of the Council. A second subcommittee is on Career & Curricula Alignment, and is looking at economic data and information to ensure CSN has the programs in place to meet employment needs. The Council next meeting is Feb. 9 at 11 a.m. at Cheyenne. These are open meetings and all are welcome. Please email K.C. Brekken if you would like to be on the email list to receive agendas or you can refer to their webpage for any materials or dates.

Faculty & Staff Questions & Answers

“I do not understand the discussion on Models for Management of CSN at the town hall. What is this about and what direction is CSN going with compared to peer colleges?”

CSN has a very centralized structure of management compared to most community colleges our size. In fact, we are one of the largest higher education institutions in the nation with this structure. The Board of Regents has asked CSN to consider different structures that might help us better manage our large foot print and encourage more local interactions with our many diverse stakeholders as this community grows. This is a long-term planning exercise about what we want to look like in the future. 7

“Is the 15% budget cut that was experienced by all departments in November going to be the starting budget amount for 2016-2017? Will it go back to the original amount given in July 2015, or will there be another cut come July 2016?”

At this point it is too early to tell with a number of enrollment factors still in play, including short-term course registration. We want to see what spring semester enrollment is on the census date around mid-March. We also want to see what the mix of resident and non-resident students is at that time.

“Will CSN hire more student affairs employees? For example, in Registrar’s Office, Financial Aid, Recruitment, & Advising? Some of the departments do not have enough employees to meet students’ needs.”

You may recall that students agreed to a 4 percent increase in registration fees in each year, starting in FY 2015 to FY 2019. Revenues from these fees will support incremental increases to Student Affairs and Academic Affairs staff in coordination with students and as approved by the Board of Regents. At the March 2016 meeting, CSN and other institutions will submit plans for use of fee revenues to the Regents. Over time these staffing additions will add more employees in the areas you mention and in faculty ranks.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions.

Best,

Mike

For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN to Honor Civil Rights Veterans

The 5th annual CSN Frederick Douglass Lecture Series will feature the importance of equality in America 

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 1, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada will honor local civil rights pioneers at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 3, as part of the annual CSN Frederick Douglass Lecture Series.

The event, titled “Eracism: An Event to Eliminate Racism and Inequality in America,” will feature keynote speaker and civil rights activist Hannah Brown, who will address the importance of equality in America.

College President Michael Richards will present Brown with the CSN Frederick Douglass Humanitarian Award at the event. In addition, former Nevada System of Higher Education Regent June Whitley will receive the Frederick Douglass Lifetime Achievement Award.

“Each award is designed to symbolize Frederick Douglass’ three components of success, including a belief in oneself, taking advantage of every opportunity, and using the power of spoken and written language to affect positive change,” said CSN Communication Professor Arnold Bell, who has organized the lecture series each year. “With the events that have happened at the University of Missouri, Yale and UNLV, there is no better time to address this issue and let people come together to honor those who have helped pave the way as we continue to strive for equality.”

The media are invited to attend.

What: Eracism: An Event to Eliminate Racism and Inequality in America

When: 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015

Who: Activist Hannah Brown and former NSHE Regent June Whitley

Where: CSN Cheyenne campus, June Whitley Student Lounge

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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November/December 2015 Chronicle

Greetings and welcome to the November/December Chronicle. I know how busy you are this time of year and so I present to you a combined Chronicle to provide you with a lot of good information about our budget, future events and more. Please review this information and share it with others.

Jan. 15, 2016 CSN Town Hall

As part of spring convocation, I will hold a town hall at 10 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016 at the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre where I look forward to having a meaningful discussion with you about CSN’s strategic direction, our budget, and our size and manageability. Please put this on your calendar and plan to attend. This will be an important conversation on three issues that will dominate 2016.

Strategic Direction

We are starting a seven-year cycle of planning and accountability. The mission, vision, values, goals and objectives of CSN will be under review and development. I would like all faculty and staff to engage in this process—either actively participating or just knowing what lies ahead for CSN and Nevada.

Budget Cuts                                                      

Earlier this month, I announced that CSN must cut 15 percent or $1.8 million from operating budgets due to lower-than-expected tuition and fee dollars this academic year. Although our budget is funded largely by completions, CSN’s revenues from student tuition and fees are down as a result of lower-than-anticipated fall enrollment (-3.6 percent FTE from fall 2014). This is not easy and I want to thank all of you for the time and effort to cut more from already lean operations.

The 15 percent reductions are harder to make because of cuts we have already experienced. You may recall that the unearned “F” grade and other issues were reflected in CSN’s appropriation at the start of fiscal year 2016. The appropriation included a $1.1 million reduction from our base budget for each fiscal year to account for fewer completed credit hours and a loss of $1.7 million for each fiscal year due to the elimination of funding for the unearned “F” grade.

You should know that in anticipation of budget challenges at the beginning of this fiscal year, CSN cut 26 unfilled FTE positions. However, to keep our commitment to students, CSN continues the hiring process for key positions.

I also want to highlight the faculty who are volunteering to tutor students during Thanksgiving and Finals Week to supplement our Centers for Academic Success. This is an extraordinary time of need and we are all grateful to those who take personal time to help our students.

You also need to know what CSN is requesting for the 2017 legislative session, both for operating and capital budget enhancements. (See Budget Cuts section of my October Chronicle.)

Manageability and Consolidated Services

Even with enrollment down, CSN is still the biggest higher education institution in Nevada and one of the biggest community colleges in the nation. Periodically, Regents have asked about CSN’s size, projected enrollment, response to growth in the Las Vegas valley and its manageability. At the same time, there is a continuing goal of wringing efficiencies from NSHE and its institutions through shared services. We may need to consider different structures to improve manageability. I plan to describe these issues at the town hall on Jan. 15, including the feasibility of a consolidation of police services.

Potential Police Consolidation

In December, the Board of Regents will consider the consolidation of police for UNR, TMCC and DRI and there have been discussions to implement a similar partnership here among the southern institutions. Safety and security are a top concern at CSN, as it is at UNLV and NSC. This spring, we will conduct a review of costs and ability to assess potential savings in the south.

 

Please take time on January 15 to attend the Town Hall and to learn more about CSN’s direction, budget, and management.

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month, or as it is commonly referred to, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. The CSN Native American Alliance, chaired by Dr. Sondra Cosgrove, presented multiple events during the month of November with two movie screenings “Reel Injun” and “We are people, not mascots” followed by a discussion lead by Dr. Chad Waucaush. Other events included Native Days activities included delicious fry bread, followed by presentations on science, pollution and solar power on Native American reservations and making Gold Butte a national monument. Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people to our community.

International Education Week

Every third week in November is International Education Week which is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide. This year, the Comprehensive Internationalization Committee of CSN chaired by Dr. Lester Tanaka presented a full lineup of events to help promote programming that prepares our students for a global environment. Events included a panel discussion pertaining to international students’ CSN experience, the new black market of human trafficking and a poster presentation highlighting water usage, plastic waste and drought effects around the world. The highlight of the week was Ambassador Day, in which students and staff put together booths, representing various cultures and cuisines.

Institutional Advisory Council Update

Our Institutional Advisory Council continues to meet quarterly now. You can find the next meeting dates here. At the November meeting, the Council voted to create two ad hoc subcommittees: A curriculum and career alignment subcommittee will look at Burning Glass data to examine how CSN program and course offerings match local and regional employment demands and a metric subcommittee will create recommendations on how to measure the Council’s performance and success. Those subcommittees will also be subject to the Nevada Open Meeting Law and all agendas and materials will be housed permanently on the CSN website at www.csn.edu/IAC.

On Nov. 30, the Board of Regents Committee on Community Colleges will meet and vote on the IAC’s campus naming policy recommendation. I am extremely grateful to the Council for its time and effort in deliberating the policy. I intend to recommend a compromise as described in this briefing.

Late Registration

CSN leadership is exploring an add/drop modification during the first week of the spring semester. That decision has not yet been made and there are many steps and areas of the college that must first review this concept before any change can occur. The goal is to balance the need for access with processes that incite student success and course completion.  We are considering providing flexibility to allow students who, for instance, sit through one class, know they will not succeed, and want to enroll in a different one in which they feel more confident. We also want to ensure students and faculty have the ability to fully engage in learning from day one.

You will be informed at once if we make any changes to this policy.

We are planning exciting enhancements to the student registration experience in the future, including the activation of a wait list function in MyCSN.  This will allow students who want a specific course at a specific time on a specific campus to be put on a wait list for that section. Certain departments are experimenting with wait listing this spring.

New Switch Partnership

CSN is partnering with Switch to build an HVAC program that will train the next generation of Switch technicians to manage the temperature-control needs of the company’s hundreds of servers and expanding Nevada operations.

The company has agreed to hire eight CSN students as intern technicians each year. Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science in HVAC, Switch will then hire these students. Switch will also send existing HVAC technicians through the degree-program to build their next level of supervisors. This program will include general education courses at the company’s Innovation Center in Las Vegas that will be open to Switch and CSN students. Communication and customer service classes will be the first offerings at this location in fall 2016, followed by English and math in the spring. In addition, Switch will provide eight internships to CSN HVAC students.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to CSN Chief Information Officer Mugunth Vaithylingam, who was named among the top 10 best Las Vegas tech executives at the Top Tech Exec Awards ceremony on Nov. 19. Mugunth was nominated among more than 50 of the best corporate, public and nonprofit CIOs in the Las Vegas valley. We are fortunate to have him leading our Office of Technology Services. Thank you Mugunth and you terrific team for all you do to help students, faculty and staff succeed.

Holiday Party

Do not forget to purchase your ticket for the CSN Holiday Party at any campus cashier’s office. The party will take place on Dec. 10 at the Rio this year and promises to be an excellent occasion.

 

 

Faculty & Staff Questions

“Outside of a holiday party, what is CSN going to do to ensure that employees feel appreciated?”

The holiday party, which is sponsored in part by the CSN Foundation, is a tradition at CSN that we strive to continue every year to bring people together to socialize. We will also continue the classified luncheon, the CSN Reflections Magazine at the end of the year to highlight employee successes, the Distinguished and Excellence employee awards at Convocation, the retirees’ luncheon and all of the wonderful work conducted through our Internal Recognition Committee.

“With budget cuts looming, what is CSN’s primary focus to increase our student enrollment that has steadily declined for the last 5 years? What can employees do to assist with this increase and how can you ensure everyone’s suggestions are given due consideration?”

As our economy continues to improve and unemployment decreases, CSN’s enrollment has declined, like many other community colleges around the nation. Student enrollment and completion is everyone’s responsibility. You play a role in the growing number of students we graduate, in our recent status and recognition as a Hispanic and minority serving institution, our high licensure exam passage rates and the pristine graduation rate of our CSN high schools. You are CSN ambassadors.

In terms of ensuring everyone’s suggestions are given due consideration, CSN is a shared governance institution and we have twice now received accolades from our accrediting body for our thriving model of shared governance. This means that classified, administrative and faculty employee groups help create and improve our policies and processes. You can participate in influencing the future of CSN through the committee process and by providing feedback through the Work Climate Committee’s PACE and Snap Shot surveys. I am proud of the fact that CSN employees have a reputation among Nevada policymakers as outspoken advocates, who never shy away from challenging the status quo. Apart from that, I’m exploring technological solutions to ensure that this isn’t a top-down management environment so that frontline employees, serving our community, can articulate the problems they see to executive administration. We hope to unveil some of these solutions in the near future.

“It feels that classified employees’ job duties continue to increase without additional compensation, including the new P-card process, HR functions and so forth. How can we improve the balance between what some perceive as ever-increasing work requirements and little to no growth in compensation?”

I would like to preface these comments by noting that Board of Regents Chair Rick Trachok recently stated in a letter to the Review-Journal, his intention that Nevada higher education, “become more efficient and more responsive to our overall mission of student success.” He is leading this effort by calling for institutions to reduce administrative costs and direct more funding into instruction. As I discussed above, CSN is also cutting its current fiscal year budget due to lower-than-anticipated revenues and we are doing everything we can to protect the student experience. This is a time, when we must focus our efforts positively on how to eliminate redundant processes, costly paper and printing, travel and so forth. If you have a suggestion, please bring it forward to your supervisor and participate in Work Climate surveys that address these issues. This is an innovative institution filled with employees dedicated to our mission. I am confident we can keep our momentum on student success going with your energy and passion for our students.

As we wrap up this semester, stay healthy and enjoy your students, colleagues, family and friends. I look forward to seeing you at the holiday party, convocation week and at the Jan. 15 town hall at the Horn!

Best,

Mike

 

 

For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN to hold annual STEM Conference for Gear Up

High school students will visit the CSN Cheyenne campus to learn about careers in science, tech fields

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 10, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada will host dozens of high school students at its third annual STEM Conference for Gear Up, with keynote speaker Missy Young, executive vice president of sales at Switch Supernap data centers and a longtime supporter of STEM education.

The event, set Nov. 20 at 8 a.m. on CSN’s Cheyenne campus, will see approximately 100 students from Del Sol High and Chaparral high schools visit the campus to learn about careers in science, technology, engineering and math – or STEM fields – that are important to Nevada’s economic diversification efforts. These two schools were chosen because they participate in Gear Up, a federal program that supports traditionally underserved students.

“Today and in the future, many successful careers will require knowledge in science, technology, engineering and math, so we want to make sure our future leaders will be exposed to those careers,” CSN President Dr. Michael Richards said. “We want students coming away from this conference excited about these subjects and interested in exploring them further.”

Students will have a chance to participate in hands-on workshops and meet people who work in science and technology. The goal is to spark an interest in the students so they may pursue careers in high-paying, in-demand fields.

The event is not open to the public, but media are encouraged to attend.

What: CSN third annual STEM Conference for Gear Up

Where: The College of Southern Nevada Cheyenne campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave, North Las Vegas, telecommunications building, room 1772

When: 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Nov. 20, 2016

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

It’s Time to Enroll for Spring 2016 at CSN

Nevada’s largest higher education institution invites students to begin signing up for classes

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 3, 2015 – Open enrollment for the spring 2016 semester begins Nov. 20 at the College of Southern Nevada, meaning anyone admitted can begin signing up for classes.

In addition to required classes like biology, math and communications, CSN is also offering courses on night photography, Pilates for fitness, and a tax preparation class that will see students offering their skills to the community later in the spring.

Classes for the Spring 2016 semester begin Tuesday, Jan. 19. Students are reminded that CSN no longer allows late registration except in unusual circumstances. All registration must be complete before midnight Jan. 18, 2016.

In addition, all new incoming Clark County School District graduates must participate in an orientation session, complete placement testing and meet with an advisor before registering for classes.

“Sometimes our more popular classes can fill up quickly, so students are encouraged to enroll as early as possible,” said Hyla Winters, interim vice president for academic affairs.

For more information on how to enroll, visit www.csn.edu/futurestudents.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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How can universities and colleges help students graduate faster without compromising the quality of their education?

College of Southern Nevada faculty and staff heard from one of the leading innovators in higher education today about the latest key strategies that progressive states are employing. Dr. Bruce Vandal, senior vice president of results at Complete College America, a nonprofit working with more than 30 states to increase college completion, was on campus to talk about some game changing strategies for the Mission Achieves: Guided Pathways for Success Workshop.

The good news is that CSN is on track and already working on a number of these.

On Thursday, Vandal led a conversation with CSN faculty, staff and community leaders, as part of Mission Achieves – the United Way of Southern Nevada-led and Lumina Foundation-sponsored initiative to increase the number of Nevada college graduates from 30 percent to 60 percent by 2025. CSN, through United Way of Southern Nevada’s Mission Achieves, recently received a “Game Changer” award by Complete College America to assist CSN faculty and staff in their work with guided pathways. This work will ultimately help college students complete their degree programs in a more timely manner. According to Complete College America, the average student seeking an associate degree completes 81 credits, while 60 is the standard for graduation. CSN, in partnership with Complete College America and United Way of Southern Nevada, then put together the Oct. 29 Guided Pathways for Success Workshop to hold a broader discussion on Guided Pathways and other student success measures.

Easy to understand maps that tell students semester, by semester, what they should take and when, were the central topic. CSN has created what’s called a Guided Pathway for each degree program, including a map for full-time students and one for part time students taking at least nine credits, that provides the most effective route to commencement.

“These maps help students avoid courses that do not count toward their degrees, which can cost them time and money and may lead some to drop out all together,” said Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Hyla Winters. “They put students on the right path and allow them to have an expectation of what courses are offered and when.”

Vandal highlighted a recent survey that found at least 53 percent of undergraduates regret at least one academic decision during their college career. Pathways can help.

“We should be thinking about helping students make initial choices of what they want to do, helping them make informed choices about what they will do and then ultimately getting them to see it through,” Vandal said.

The maps are currently located on the CSN website and CSN faculty and staff are working to use them to ensure the right courses and the right number of sections are offered each semester. They will also appear in the 2016-17 course catalog.

“You have absolutely captured in my mind what is the back bone of an effective systematic strategy that is the academic map,” Vandal told CSN faculty and staff. “It is not as simple as here is the map that is just a tool for students. It is a tool for everyone and increases understanding.”

Other effective game-changing strategies being employed in other states that Vandal highlighted included meta majors, general degree plans specific to a field such as the arts or health sciences, that give undecided students a taste of an overall field, and proactive advising that utilizes advanced technology to help the college connect with students showing signs of academic distress during the semester.

For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu 

CSN English Professor and Novelist Laura McBride Honored

Nevada Writers Hall of Fame to award author of “We Are Called to Rise” the 2015 Silver Pen

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 23, 2015 – College of Southern Nevada English Professor Laura McBride, whose debut novel “We Are Called to Rise” was placed on numerous best books of 2014 lists, has been selected to receive a Silver Pen award at this year’s Nevada Writers Hall of Fame ceremony.

“I couldn’t feel more honored, or more pleased to be placed in the company of so many excellent Nevada writers,” McBride said. “It’s a challenge too – to keep producing work that merits the award already given – which I appreciate. I like a little fire in the belly.”

McBride has been teaching English at CSN for 15 years. “We are Called to Rise” is her first novel.

The ceremony will take place Nov. 19 in the Milt Glick Ballroom on the fourth floor of the Joe Crowley Student Union on the campus of the University of Nevada, Reno. In addition to McBride’s honor, poet and novelist Ellen Hopkins will be inducted into the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame, and writer and Truckee Meadows Community College Professor Mark Maynard will also receive a Silver Pen Award.

For more information on the awards, contact Nicole Shearer at the University of Nevada, Reno: nshearer@unr.edu or 775-784-1169.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN Offers Dog-Tired Students a Break

Love Dog Adventures’ therapy dogs make a return to campus as final exams approach

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 21, 2015 – No one understands better than the College of Southern Nevada’s library staff how students can get dog-tired as the semester winds down and final exams loom, so they’re inviting students to take a stress break.

A group of therapy dogs from Love Dog Adventures will visit all three CSN campuses in November to help the students relax.

“A short break where students don’t have to think about research papers or final exams can make a big difference,” said Beth Schuck, CSN’s Library Services director.

Love Dog Adventures, a non-profit, all-volunteer animal assisted therapy program, has visited CSN’s libraries in recent years, and the feedback from students has been overwhelmingly positive. Schuck said CSN’s libraries try to focus on creating a welcoming environment for students, and the therapy dogs program is part of that.

Students are able to hold and pet the dogs in lounge areas of the libraries. The media are invited to attend.

Who:               CSN Libraries and Love Dog Adventures

What:              Therapy dogs at CSN’s libraries

When:             Noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Charleston library, I Building

Noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 10 at the Cheyenne library, E-201 in the main building

Noon to 2 p.m. Nov. 12 at the Henderson Library, A-120

Why:               Time to relax before final exams and research papers are due

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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October Chronicle

Greetings! This October Chronicle includes important information on our recent accreditation visit, our Title V grant proposal, our 2017 legislative budget proposal and more.

Accreditation           

The accreditation process of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) is a seven-year process of planning and reporting. This month, CSN had its seventh-year site visit, during which a team of evaluators examined CSN’s direction, goals, objectives and public accountability.  This process requires considerable attention to details, lots of data, precise answers, and correlation of all of CSN’s operations.  Our accreditation lead has been Dr. Hyla Winters who with Michelle Word and Debbie Beyer prepared the reports and exhibits and provided logistics support. Our strategic planning guru—writer, compiler, editor, aggregator, and motivator—has been Dr. Joan McGee.  Sherri Payne led the campus appearance and maintenance team.  Orbiting these key folks, a number faculty and staff tirelessly and selflessly moved accreditation forward. They have done an awesome job, as the outcome of the recent accreditation team visit attests.

CSN was commended for its 1.) Model of shared governance—a sustaining system of collaboration; 2.) Extensive diversity program and the value placed on diversity; 3.) Data-driven commitment to student success and the national completion agenda; 4.) Investment in academic advising and student support at all three campuses; 5.) Library staff and operations at all three campuses; 6.) Extensive support for information technology services and high level of customer service; and 7.) Commitment to emergency preparedness—all of its planning and training.  These commendations are the core of CSN!  I’m so very proud of you all for these significant successes!

CSN also received four recommendations, including the following: 1.) That CSN consistently document and use assessments to improve achievement of student learning outcomes; 2.) That CSN implement an effective, regular system to evaluate all programs and services and use those to inform planning, decision-making and allocating resources and capacity; 3.)That CSN integrate its Strategic Plan, Academic Master Plan, Strategic Enrollment Management Plan, Campus Master Plan, Technology Plan and financial planning process to ensure that the mission, core themes and objectives are driving institutional decision-making; and 4.) That the Nevada System of Higher Education establish a process to regularly evaluate its performance to ensure its duties and responsibilities are fulfilled in an effective and efficient manner.

Strategic Planning

Our current Strategic Plan 2010-17 is almost at the end of its intended lifespan and we are preparing to launch a new strategic planning process this fall and engage more faculty and staff in the preparatory work for the next accreditation cycle.  We’ll pay particular attention to the accreditation team’s recommendations, such as 1) documenting and using assessments, 2) integrating planning at all levels with resource allocation, and 3) implementing a system to evaluate programs and services for goal achievement.   As opportunities arise, I hope you will join us in the planning process and in our continuing efforts to improve CSN.

Title V Hispanic Serving Institutions Proposal

The U.S. Department of Education notified CSN at the end of September that we did not receive a Title V, Hispanic Serving Institutions grant. We competed with more than 400 HSIs around the country and we knew that it would be extremely competitive. That said, we believe our Avancé project to create an accelerated programming office and enhanced professional development opportunities was a good fit for CSN. This is a concept that developed out of the CSN HSI Task Force and faculty and staff input. While we are disappointed, we learned a lot during this process and are in the planning stages to redouble our efforts for the FY 2016 award process next summer.

Hispanic Heritage Month

I want to thank all of the faculty, staff and students, particularly the CSN Latino Alliance, led by chairwoman Leticia Wells, who planned events and participated in helping CSN’s community celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15). One of this year’s activities included a service day clean-up of Sunrise Trailhead in partnership with Get Outdoors Nevada and CSN Serves. The clean-up event included 47 volunteers that collected over 140 bags of broken glass, trash, and more glass.

The month included a number of cultural celebrations, including CSN departments and clubs providing information from the International Center, Re-entry program, Recruitment and Phi Theta Kappa. Hispanic Heritage Month goes back to 1968, beginning each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El

Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico (September 16), Chile (September 18) and Belize (September 21) also celebrate their independence days during this period and Columbus Day (Día de la Raza) is October 12.

As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Clark County Commission also recognized several leaders in the local Hispanic community, including CSN’s Director of Government Affairs and Communications Michael Flores.

CSN Budget Request

Later this month, I will lead a team to present CSN’s budget priorities to the Nevada System of Higher Education for consideration. It is my hope that the Board of Regents and system office will work with the Legislature to support a concerted approach to salary increases, allowing the institutions to provide a share of increases in a compact that treats all state employees equally. For instance, CSN might provide 10 percent of a salary increase for professional and classified staff and the state would provide the remaining 90 percent.

Other operational needs we are highlighting for the Board of Regents to consider:

• A last-dollar scholarship program to create universal access to community college for Nevada’s responsible high school students, similar to the various “Promise” proposals that are popping up around the nation;
• A workforce development fund;
• Formula adjustments to provide increased funding for developmental education and career and technical education-related credits completed;
• Funding for a community college-based prison education program;
• A budget enhancement to offset tuition and fee reductions from enrollment loss (similar to the UNLV Law School funding received this past session); and
• Funding for a college-readiness bridge program.

The funding backfill for enrollment loss and changes to the funding formula would help CSN fund needed positions for counselors, advisors and financial aid staff, as well as selected faculty positions in high-demand areas and technology fixes for Integrate.

As for capital projects, I plan to highlight the following needs at CSN:

• A Northwest campus building to begin a STEM campus for CSN and CCSD to operate an expansion of the successful community college high school program. Right now our three campus programs are at capacity with approximately 400 high school juniors and seniors;
• Construction of a science/health-related facility at the Henderson campus to help provide the workforce for a growing healthcare industry in Henderson in partnership with our colleagues at Nevada State;
• Authorization to use non-appropriated funds to construct three student unions on each main campus; and
• Deferred maintenance of about $135 million in documented needs.

Take the PACE:

Every three years, CSN conducts a work climate survey of our employees, including student workers and part-time faculty/staff. Starting this week, researchers from North Carolina State University will email you the Personal Assessment of the College Environment or PACE survey. It is very important that you fill this confidential survey out. The email will come from the address no-reply_qualtrics@ncsu.edu. Please plan to spend 15-20 minutes completing the PACE survey – you cannot save an incomplete survey and return to it. NCSU researchers will compile the results. Your answers will allow members of the CSN Work Climate Committee to identify key issues and collect feedback to inform recommendations that they bring to the administration. 

Supplier Inclusion Networking Event and Workshop
CSN, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and Nevada State College hosted a Supplier Inclusion Networking Event and Workshop at the West Charleston campus on Oct. 9.  Approximately 200 business owners and representatives attended and received information on how to become vendors and do business with us. The event was held in partnership with several Las Vegas area chambers of commerce including the Urban Chamber, the Latin Chamber, the Gay and Lesbian Chamber, the Las Vegas Metro Chamber, the Women’s Chamber, the Asian Chamber, and the Henderson Chamber.  Additional community partners attended and participated in the event including the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council, MGM Resorts International Supplier Diversity, the Small Business Administration, the Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and Clark County’s Business Opportunity and Workforce Development Program. Kudos to all involved in this very successful and growing event!

Chefs for Kids and CSN’s Culinary Program

I want to express my appreciation for CSN’s culinary program, which partnered with local nonprofit Chefs for Kids in late September to deliver freshly cooked breakfast to hundreds of children at Lois Craig Elementary, an at-risk school. The students and staff were at work before dawn to prepare fresh eggs, potatoes, sausage and fruit for the children.  

Faculty & Staff Questions:

“Can you talk about upcoming ‘efficiencies’ and why that might occur?”

For many years, CSN has been engaged in efforts to improve efficiency and effectiveness, even during the recession. We remain committed to collaborative initiatives with sister institutions and with efficiencies that, strategically, optimize effectiveness at lower cost. Discussions with southern institutions on police services are the latest example of possible efficiencies. But, in this sensitive and essential aspect of the College, the test of an efficiency is aligned with keeping CSN’s employees and students safe and secure. Nonetheless, the Regents are directing that this area of our operations needs to be more widely shared. Because of the many jurisdictions CSN works with, and the capability of our people, CSN might be able, with appropriate resources, to provide police services to all NSHE institutions in Clark County. We’ll keep you informed on how the discussions proceed. A similar initiative is under development in Washoe county with UNR, TMCC and DRI.

“How are the Achieving the Dream projects progressing?”

We are very excited about the progress of CSN’s two pilot projects, including the mandatory matriculation policy for incoming high school graduates and the online Student Success Workshops. The number of graduating CCSD seniors enrolled at CSN has been steadily increasing and overall, they are taking more classes, doing better in those classes, and persisting from semester-to-semester, as well as taking their math and English courses earlier. We continue to evaluate the mandatory matriculation pilot program and aspire to be ready to implement it for all first-time-in-college degree-seeking students in the next year or so. As for the online student success workshops, CSN now offers 41 of these excellent modules that provide students with information on a variety of topics from time management, reading comprehension skills and more. By the end of the spring 2015 semester, 2,100 students had completed 5,300 different workshops and there appears to be a relationship between workshop completion and course success (as measured by completing a course with a C grade or better.)

“Will campuses be closed during “winter break”? What about sites?”

No, campuses will not be closed during winter break. College services will remain open during regular business hours. Supervisors and employees should work together to ensure there is appropriate supervision of employees and that CSN service delivery is not interrupted during these times. Supervisors are encouraged to be as flexible as possible in scheduling time off, but the needs of our students, customers and clients must come first.

Best,

 

Michael D. Richards, Ph.D.
President, College of Southern Nevada

For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN Planetarium Joins White House Astronomy Night

The Oct. 19 event will bring children, scientists together for fun and education

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 15, 2015 – For the first time, the College of Southern Nevada Planetarium will join scientists, engineers and astronomers from across the country for the White House Astronomy Night on Oct. 19.

The event, which is free and open to the public, aims to bring young people together with scientists who will share their experiences and answer questions. The Planetarium will also be open for free shows.

“CSN is home to the only public planetarium in Southern Nevada. We are proud to participate for the first time in this national event and to be a place where our youth can come and develop a lifelong passion for science and space,” said CSN President Michael Richards.

The first Astronomy Night occurred in 2009 on the South Lawn of the White House. It has since grown to include satellite events at observatories, schools, planetariums, museums, and astronomy clubs nationwide. This fall semester, staff members from the Office of U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid approached CSN about participating.

“Science, technology and innovation are increasingly important to our economic well-being and quality of life,” Reid said. “We must ensure that Nevadans are prepared to continue leading the world in innovation, research, and technology. Space exploration motivates and inspires us in ways that very few things do.”

CSN will have professional and amateur astronomers on hand to lend their expertise – and their telescopes – to participants. Members of the Las Vegas Astronomical Society are expected to attend.

What: White House Astronomy Night

Where: CSN Planetarium, on the Cheyenne campus

When: 7-10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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Media Advisory:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN to Join National Moment of Silence for Oregon Shooting Victims

Brief gatherings will be held on each of the community college’s three main campuses

LAS VEGAS, Oct. 7, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada will join community colleges from across the nation at 11 a.m. Thursday in observing a moment of silence as a show of solidarity and support for those at Umpqua Community College.

“In discussing this with student, faculty and staff leaders, we thought it appropriate to organize a solemn gathering at each of our three main campuses to show Umpqua’s community, students, faculty and staff that we stand with them as they begin the healing process, following last week’s shooting,” said CSN President Michael Richards.

The national effort is being organized by the American Association of Community Colleges.

CSN will hold brief events on each of its three main campuses:

Charleston Campus,
 CSN President Michael Richards will preside
The Paul E. Meacham Student Services Lobby, 11 a.m.

Cheyenne Campus, CSN Vice President of Finance Mary Kaye Bailey will preside
June Whitley Student Center, 11 a.m.

Henderson Campus, CSN Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Administrative Services Patty Charlton will preside
C Building Lobby, 11 a.m.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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Media Advisory:

 

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

 CSN Takes Part in Neighborhood Revitalization Effort

CSN will provide information to area residents about educational opportunities available

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 24, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada will have a team from its Division of Workforce and Economic Development on hand Saturday, Sept. 26, as part of the city of North Las Vegas’ Choice Neighborhood Initiative Open Air Market.

The event, which runs from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday at 2510 Morton Ave., is designed to educate area residents on the efforts to revitalize the immediate neighborhood.

CSN will provide information to area residents about educational opportunities available, both for-credit and non-credit classes, which includes industry training, English as a Second Language courses, high school equivalency exams and more. The crew will also be grilling and serving lunch.

For more information on the Choice Neighborhood Initiative, please contact Derrick Felder at 702-540-5798 or derrick@lssnv.org or Richard Carreon at carreon80@hotmail.com.

For more about CSN, please contact CSN Public Relations Specialist Richard Lake at 702-651-7715 or Richard.Lake@csn.edu.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations702-651-7715 Richard.Lake@csn.edu Lauren Lewis, Achieving the Dream (917) 613-6419 (cell) llewis@achievingthedream.org

NEWS RELEASE

EMBARGOED until 12:01 AM EST 09/22/15

College of Southern Nevada Awarded Achieving the Dream Leader College Status

CSN recognized for commitment to data-informed decision-making and closing equity gaps

Las Vegas, Nev. (September 22, 2015) – Achieving the Dream today announced the College of Southern Nevada earned Leader College distinction—a national designation awarded to community colleges that commit to improving student success and closing achievement gaps. CSN has shown how data can inform policy and practice to help community college students achieve their goals, resulting in improved skills, better employability, and economic growth for families, communities, and the nation as a whole.

“The Achieving the Dream Leader College status is a prestigious national designation for community colleges,” said CSN President Michael D. Richards. “I am so proud of the hard work our faculty and staff have put in over the last three years on this effort, the results of which show promising increases in student completion. I look forward to expanding our ATD pilot projects to encourage healthy academic habits among our students and nudge them closer to commencement.”

CSN has focused much of its Achieving the Dream efforts on increasing semester-to-semester persistence to increase degree and certificate completion. The college redesigned its intake process and academic guidance procedures. A pilot cohort of recent high school graduates were required to participate in orientation, take English and math placement tests, and meet with an advisor. These students were then required to meet with an academic counselor within their major prior to their second term enrollment. The college plans to implement these changes for all new-to-CSN, degree-seeking students in fall 2016.

“Becoming a Leader College is very powerful and affirms the exceptional work and commitment of faculty and staff to their students’ success,” said Achieving the Dream Vice President for Community College Relations Cindy Lenhart. “The College of Southern Nevada is using evidence to make informed decisions that lead to significant institutional change.”

The 2015 Achieving the Dream Leader Colleges are:

Bakersfield College (Bakersfield, CA)	Kingsborough Community College (Brooklyn, NY)
Bellingham Technical College (Bellingham, WA)	Lorain County Community College (Elyria, OH)
Century College (White Bear Lake, MN)	Muskegon Community College (Muskegon, MI)
College of Southern Nevada (North Las Vegas, NV)	North Lake College (Irving, TX)
Columbus State Community College (Columbus, OH)	Paris Junior College (Paris, TX)
Cumberland County College (Vineland, NJ)	Southwestern Oregon Community College (Coos Bay, OR)
Delta College (University Center, MI)	St. Clair County Community College (Port Huron, MI)
Gaston College (Dallas, NC)	St. Petersburg College (St. Petersburg, FL)
Grand Rapids Community College (Grand Rapids, MI)	West Los Angeles College (Culver City, CA)
Jefferson Community & Technical College (Louisville, KY)

The 2015 Leader Colleges are making strides in the national movement to increase student completion and close achievement gaps, demonstrating the power of the Achieving the Dream Approach. With the guidance of Achieving the Dream Coaches, colleges not only systemically change the way they operate, but also implement key student supports that align with their overall policies and institutional systems, such as college readiness programs, mandatory new student orientation, student-success courses, developmental course redesign, curriculum redesign, and intensive, individualized advising.

Achieving the Dream grants Leader College designation for three-year cycles. After three years, institutions must undergo a recertification process to maintain Leader College status.

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About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

Achieving the Dream, Inc. is a national nonprofit that is dedicated to helping more community college students, particularly low-income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree. Evidence-based, student-centered, and built on the values of equity and excellence, Achieving the Dream is closing achievement gaps and accelerating student success nationwide by: 1) guiding evidence-based institutional improvement, 2) leading policy change, 3) generating knowledge, and 4) engaging the public. Conceived as an initiative in 2004 by Lumina Foundation and seven founding partner organizations, today, Achieving the Dream is leading the most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education history. With over 200 institutions, more than 100 coaches and advisors, and 15 state policy teams – working throughout 35 states and the District of Columbia – the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network helps more than 4 million community college students have a better chance of realizing greater economic opportunity and achieving their dreams.

 

Media Advisory:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

Lost Boy of Sudan to Speak at CSN

Biar Atem will talk about his journey from childhood war refugee to Las Vegas resident

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 16, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada welcomes Sudanese Lost Boy Biar Atem for “From Sudan to Las Vegas: One Man’s Journey.”

Atem will join CSN’s Department of Human Behavior at noon, Friday, Sept. 18 on the Charleston campus, Building K, room 101, to tell the story of how he became a war refugee at age 7, much like thousands of children in Syria today, and went on to found the nonprofit South Sudan Center of America, located in Las Vegas.

During a terrible civil war in South Sudan, thousands of children fled the country between 1983 and 2005. Many of them resettled in the United States. Atem escaped by walking 1,000 miles to a refugee camp in Kenya. He later settled in Las Vegas, found a janitorial job at a Las Vegas Strip hotel, and started his charitable organization, which works to aid immigrants, reduce poverty, provide scholarships and build schools in South Sudan.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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The CSN September 2015 Chronicle

Greetings! CSN is off to a great start this fall semester and this month’s Chronicle provides important updates.

CSN Achieves Leader College Status with Achieving the Dream

I am pleased to announce that Achieving the Dream has awarded CSN Leader College status. The Leader designation gives national recognition to community colleges showing sustained improvement for student outcomes such as completion and persistence. This is a wonderful accolade and a tribute to all of you. CSN has a culture focused on student success. That said, we have much more to do!

CSN Connections

Thank you to all who took part in another fantastic series of CSN Connections events! I know this is one of the hottest times of the year, but I hear over and over from our students how much they enjoy meeting you and how informative it is. Hundreds of students this semester learned about all that CSN offers and I am so proud of this signature college event!

Board of Regents Meeting

The Board of Regents met at UNR last week. Among the most relevant issues to our faculty and staff, the notice of termination for future administrative employees was discussed. There was a robust discussion on the current length of time it takes to dismiss administrative faculty members. The proposal is listed here. The Board will take action on this item at the December meeting. Currently, administrative faculty have up to a full fiscal year or more of employment, once they receive a notice of termination, depending on when the notice is given. The proposed notice periods are 30 calendar days in the first two years of service and 45 calendar days thereafter for those hired after Dec. 15, 2015. In general, the other NSHE presidents and I support this proposal. I believe the current length of time required can foster an unhealthy work environment.

Is CSN Too Big?

The Regents have asked each president to present on the American Council of Trustees and Alumni board benchmarks. On Thursday, I provided CSN’s report which I encourage you to review for excellent information about CSN and how we measure up. The Board asked me if CSN is too big and I want to provide further explanation here to you on my response. CSN is one of the largest community colleges in the nation. According to recent data, we are the 11^th largest community college. That said, I think CSN students might be better served under a model similar to that of a community college district, in which we are all part of the same college, but with campuses and their faculty and staff having more autonomy to meet the needs of their unique constituents. I am exploring this type of a model with the system and will keep you apprised and seek your participation if this develops further. This is NOT about dividing the college, breaking it apart or a new governance model.

The Silver State Opportunity Grant

As you’ll recall, the 2015 Legislature created the Silver State Opportunity Grant, the first need-based college scholarship in Nevada. All of CSN’s funds have been awarded to 388 low-income students enrolled in 15 or more credits. Awards ranged from $200 to $5,500, based on recipients’ incomes, family incomes and any federal aid. Many have asked how this scholarship might impact underrepresented students. We’ve received the following breakdown from NSHE and wanted to share it with you.

Computer Lab Renovations

CSN is welcoming students back this semester with a newly renovated computer lab on the Charleston campus. The 8,000-square-foot computer lab got new flooring and paint, new computer stations, group tables and seating, as well as an increase from 148 computer stations to 171. The West Charleston C building computer lab now features: New CSN Charleston campus computer lab ·      All 104 computer “pods” and the independent study pod have both USB and standard power outlets at the desktop ·      Tables that seat from 6 to 10 people with built-in power outlets that pop open at the center were added ·      Two Media Scape tables with an attached 40” monitor on the side seating up to 5 students were added.  Any student or a tutor can now plug in or wirelessly connect laptops and other mobile devices to the table simultaneously and share their screens to the monitor and study together ·      Two touch-screen computers attached to the lab columns now allow new students to walk up and activate their network accounts OTS and Facilities are starting the design process for the Henderson C building Computer Lab renovation scheduled for next summer and welcome your suggestions to make CSN computer labs spaces in which students can’t wait to study! New Vice President of Student Affairs CSN Vice President of Student Affairs Juanita LeFlore Chysanthou Please welcome our new Vice President of Student Affairs Juanita LeFlore Chysanthou. Juanita was selected, following a national search last spring and began Sept. 1. She comes to CSN from the Lone Star College System, where she served as vice chancellor of student success. She also has experience with the Nevada System of Higher Education, serving as vice president for student services at Truckee Meadows Community College from 2004 to 2009. In all, Juanita brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education administration to her duties at CSN. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience leading student success initiatives. Please help welcome her to the CSN family!   Accreditation Visit: CSN’s regional accrediting agency, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, will send a team to the college for a site visit Oct. 7-9. The team will review CSN’s ability to meet accreditation criteria. We are encouraging those who would like to submit comments regarding the college’s qualifications for accreditation to do so. You can find out more here. Mandatory Sexual Violence Prevention Training This fall, CSN will launch online sexual violence prevention courses for employees and students as part of its on-going steps to ensure CSN provides a safe learning and working environment free of discrimination, harassment and sexual violence. Federal legislation requires CSN to adopt institutional policies that address and prevent campus sexual violence, including providing awareness training to institutional personnel and its students.  All faculty and staff are requested to complete this training, and students will be strongly encouraged to do so. Please keep a look out for a future email from HR with information on how to take the course. Campus Naming Arial photo of the CSN Cheyenne campus After many months of considering student, faculty, staff and community comments, CSN’s Institutional Advisory Council voted to recommend a campus naming policy that would further promote our relationships with the municipalities in which we live. The recommendation would change the Cheyenne, Henderson and West Charleston campuses to the City of North Las Vegas East Cheyenne Campus, the City of Henderson College Drive Campus and the City of Las Vegas West Charleston Campus, respectively. The underlying premise is that such a change would help local municipalities and their businesses promote their respective community college campus as an economic and workforce development tool. There have already been some concerns issued by policymakers that the term ‘City of’ connotes municipal ownership and I foresee at least some level of modification to this recommendation as we move forward. I will present the Council’s recommendation to the Board of Regents’ Committee on Community Colleges in November for consideration. If successful, the full Board of Regents would ultimately make any decision on whether to adopt a campus naming policy and what that policy should be. The cost of changing the monument signs on our campuses would be $15,000 to $17,000 per sign. This would come from the operations budget and likely be done over a long period of time so as not to delay needed repairs and maintenance that are also funded from that money. We would not allocate funds for new business cards or letterhead, etc. These would be updated through attrition overtime. I commend the Council for tackling this issue, which has caused much consternation internally and in the community. Women’s Volleyball We officially launched our inaugural women’s volleyball season on Aug. 28. Our team is led by CSN head volleyball coach Sue Thurman and is comprised of 100 percent Southern Nevadans. Please try to come to a game soon to support these women. Their schedule can be found here. Go Coyotes! Coyote Q This summer, CSN also launched CoyoteQ, which allows students to enter a virtual queue for registration, financial aid, the testing center, the cashier and other services. They can sign in using any computer, smart phone or a kiosk on our campus. Once it’s their turn, students receive a text message to let them know or they can see their number pop up on one of our new monitors in student services areas.

Some fun facts about Coyote Q

Between the July 27 go-live date and Monday, students who entered CoyoteQ, were helped by staff 47,045 times.

In the week before the semester started, (Aug. 17 to Aug. 21), 9,461 total students entered CoyoteQ and were helped by all student services. The busiest department across all campuses for that week was Financial Aid with 2,535 students served and the average service duration time per student across all campus/departments was 8.08 minutes.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“Why does it seem as if CSN doesn’t promote from within as it relates to classified employees?”
It is unfortunate that there is the perception that classified employees are not promoted internally. Since Jan. 1, 2015, 27 classified employees have been promoted through the reclassifiction, recruitment, or conversion to professional processes. That said, it is important that all employees are aware of professional development opportunities, such as CAPE and grant-in-aid and have the capability to participate in these activities. Classified employees are eligible to participate in the CSN Classified Training Assistance Program.  Employees may request up to six credits per semester, subject to administrative approval. They can also request reimbursement for book expenses, up to $50 per course.  Specific guidelines and procedures are available on the Human Resources’ web page at http://www.csn.edu/pages/2417.asp.
“Are there going to be any type of longevity pay for those tapped out or are they better off retiring (although earlier than they’d like)?”

The 2015 Legislature eliminated longevity pay. There are many very personal and specialized considerations that any employee who is considering retirement needs to evaluate and analyze. CSN has contracted with vendors who specialize in retirement services. We do not advise employees on whether or not he/she should retire but rather encourage employees to seek professional guidance from financial/retirement experts. 

“What does enrollment look like this fall?”

CSN’s enrollment is stabilizing. With apprenticeship and short-term course number still in play, we expect enrollment to be relatively close to last fall. We will know more mid-semester.

“What does the recent expansion of Western Governors University to Nevada mean for CSN?”

CSN has had an articulation agreement with Western Governors University for many years and now that WGU has established an official presence in partnership with the state, CSN looks forward to creating stronger ties with this institution to help our students who desire to transfer to WGU do so effectively. WGU Nevada is designed to cater to the needs of Nevada’s economy and will offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, K-12 education, information technology, and health (including nursing). Western Governors University, an accredited non-profit online school, has already partnered with five other states, including Texas, Indiana, and Washington, to serve potential students with their competency-based learning approach.

Please feel free to send me an email if you have questions or concerns. Hope you are enjoying the start of the fall semester!

–Mike Richards

For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

 CSN Career Fair Connects Job Seekers and Employers

The public is invited to showcase jobs skills to recruiters at the Oct. 14 event

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 16, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada will host its Fall 2015 Career Fair, connecting students and other job seekers to approximately three dozen local employers. The event is open to the public and is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 14 in the June Whitley Student Lounge on CSN’s Cheyenne campus.

The open forum gives job applicants the opportunity to meet recruiters, learn about job openings and gather detailed employment information. Applicants should dress in interview attire, have resumes on hand and be prepared for on-the-spot interviews.

“The Fall Career Fair gives our students and other job seekers a chance to meet many different employers directly. It’s a great networking opportunity,” said Erica O’Toole, career specialist at CSN. “Many job seekers use it as a way to learn more about potential employers. Recruiters will also be on hand to provide detailed information about their organizations and the jobs available.”

Employers scheduled to appear include: AlliedBarton Security Services, Ameriprise Financial, CanvasPop, LLC, CaptionCall, CBS Radio, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Clark County Human Resources, Clark County Parks and Recreation- Aquatics, College of Southern Nevada Human resources, Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Express, Fastenal, Gaming Laboratories International, Guardsmark LLC, Heartland Dental, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, In-N-Out Burger, J. Crew, JT3, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Professional Institute of Technology, Las Vegas Ski & Snowboard Resort, LOFT Outlet, Nevada Department of Corrections, Panda Resort Group Inc., PLS Logistics, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Station Casinos, Trueblue, Trump International Hotel Las Vegas, U.S. Army, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Senator Harry Reid’s office, Wells Fargo, and Wynn Resorts.

For more information or to host an employer booth, contact CSN Career Services, 702-651-4700.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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Media Advisory:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu 

Artists Return to CSN for Exhibit

Four artists will be featured in CSN Artspace Gallery’s “Ground Zero,” opening Sept. 11

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 11, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada Artspace Gallery presents: “Ground Zero,” a fine arts exhibit featuring the works of Erik Beehn, Eric Burwell, Marylou Parker and Toni Rosa, four professional artists working in a variety disciplines who began their academic art studies at the College of Southern Nevada. 

After getting their start at CSN, Beehn, Burwell, Parker, and Rosa have gone on to receive baccalaureate degrees and masters of fine arts degrees elsewhere. Though these artist now live and exhibit their artwork around the country, “Ground Zero” marks CSN as the location their careers began. 

The exhibit, curated by CSN Fine Art Professor Wayne Littlejohn, opens Friday, Sept. 11, 2015 and runs through Saturday, Oct. 17, 2015 at the Artspace Gallery, located on CSN’s Cheyenne campus.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN, Local Chefs Partner to Feed Schoolchildren

The college’s culinary program will join nonprofit Chefs for Kids at Lois Craig Elementary School

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 8, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada’s culinary program will team up with local nonprofit Chefs for Kids to deliver a freshly cooked, healthy meal to local schoolchildren.

Students and faculty from CSN’s award-winning program will begin preparing food at 4 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 at the college’s Cheyenne campus. They will serve the breakfast to approximately 800 children at Lois Craig Elementary School at 8:45 a.m.

Chefs for Kids helps provide nutrition education to first- and second-grade children in “high needs” schools in the Clark County School District. The program is in its 25th year.

“Our ultimate goal is to end the childhood nutrition problem,” said Chef Tom Rosenberger, chair of CSN’s Hospitality Management Department and a member of the Chefs for Kids Board of Directors.

The food for the breakfast was donated by local businesses and will feature healthy choices, including fresh fruit, potatoes, eggs, sausage and a muffin.

Chefs for Kids is a joint venture of the American Culinary Federation Chefs Las Vegas and the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. The program works to eliminate malnutrition and hunger through education and awareness. For more information on the group, visit www.chefsforkids.org.

What: CSN and Chefs for Kids serve breakfast

When: 8:45 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015

Where: CSN Cheyenne campus and Lois Craig Elementary School, 2637 E Gowan Rd, North Las Vegas.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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Media Advisory:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

Follett Higher Education Group & CSN students to Make Donation to Three Square

Successful drive fueled by student contributions of canned goods, cash

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 4, 2015 – Follett Higher Education Group’s College of Southern Nevada Bookstores will present a check for $4,000 to local food bank Three Square after a successful food drive.

CSN’s three bookstores held the drive in the week leading up to the start of classes on Aug. 24, and in the first week of class. In all, they took in 428 pounds of non-perishable food, in addition to the money.

“We far exceeded our goal,” said Ryan Livengood, district director for Follett. He said the event was such a success that plans are being made to do it again.

Students were given bookstore discounts and gift certificates in exchange for donating.

Who: Officials from Follett, CSN and Three Square

What: Donation of $4,000

When: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2015

Where: CSN Cheyenne campus, Building F, on the north end of campus

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

Juanita LeFlore Chrysanthou brings broad knowledge of student success initiatives to Nevada’s largest higher education institution

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 1, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada is proud to announce the hiring of Juanita LeFlore Chrysanthou as its new Vice President for Student Affairs.

Chrysanthou starts her new position today, joining vice presidents for academic affairs, finance, and strategic initiatives and administrative services.

She comes to CSN from the Lone Star College System, where she served as vice chancellor of student success. She also has experience with the Nevada System of Higher Education, serving as vice president for student services at Truckee Meadows Community College from 2004 to 2009. In all, Chrysanthou brings more than 25 years of experience in higher education administration to her duties at CSN.

“Chrysanthou brings a wealth of knowledge and experience leading student success initiatives to CSN, and we’re excited to welcome her. Student success is among our highest priorities,” said CSN President Dr. Michael D. Richards. “In addition to student success, she brings significant experience in financial aid and student enrollment planning.”

Chrysanthou also has experience at a Hispanic Serving Institution, co-directing a Title V grant while at Bakersfield College. CSN recently announced it met the federal criteria to become a Hispanic Serving Institution.

“I’ve dedicated my career to community college students, and I am looking forward to working students at the College of Southern Nevada,” Chrysanthou said. “I can’t wait to get started.”

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from over 150 degree and certificate options in more than 90 areas of study, including 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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LAS VEGAS, Aug. 18, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada is launching a new program today that will give students free money to spend at the bookstore if they take more classes this semester.

The CSN Future Grad program encourages students to take as close to a full load of credits as possible. Full-time students are more likely to graduate, and that’s what CSN wants its students to do.

Sponsored by Follett Higher Education Group, which operates CSN’s bookstores, the program is available to new students enrolling in their first three-credit classes or returning students adding additional three-credit classes between Tuesday, Aug. 18, and 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, which is the last day to register for 16-week courses for the fall semester.

After enrolling in a new three-credit course, students must email their names, student identification numbers and the names of the new courses in which they enrolled to futuregrad@csn.edu. Funds are limited to the first 1,000 students who email the college and meet the requirements. More details are available at www.csn.edu/futuregrad. Students who complete all the course work they began at the start of the semester will be eligible to receive another $100 CSN bookstore voucher for the spring semester.

“CSN has a variety of courses available now and we hope this program can compel potential students considering attending to make that final step and enroll, and returning students to take more credits toward graduation,” CSN President Michael D. Richards said. “We are grateful to Follett for generously providing the funds for this program.”

What: CSN Future Grad Program

When: Now through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, which is the last day to register for 16-week courses for the fall semester

Who: Returning and new CSN students

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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EndFragment

Greetings from the College of Southern Nevada!

At CSN, we recognize that our military veterans are the backbone of who we are as a nation. We must do everything we can to help them get the education they need.

As the largest higher education institution in Nevada, CSN is poised to help. One program we recently launched should go a long way toward that goal.

Our Medic to LPN program trains U.S. Army medics and U.S. Navy corpsmen to become Licensed Practical Nurses in a fraction of the time it would normally take. They get credit for the training they received in the military. It is designed for veteran medics and corpsmen, as well as active duty members of the guard and reserve.

Nevada is one of six states that piloted the program this spring. At the behest of Gov. Brian Sandoval, the Nevada State Nursing Board and CSN worked together to develop the program. It is similar to one developed at an Arizona community college.

We are proud to have graduated our first class over the summer, and expect to welcome a new class to the program in the fall. The first graduates included both active duty members of the military and reservists.

Military medics receive extensive training, much of which overlaps with the training LPNs receive. Under the new program, CSN will award credit to medics and corpsmen and allow them to complete the program in 16 weeks; typically, the LPN program takes two years to complete.

By completing the program in a single semester, students will not only save on tuition and fees, but they will be able to enter the workforce sooner. Once they complete courses, labs and clinical work, students will have to take the National Council Licensure Examination, known as the NCLEX, to become licensed practical nurses.

The demand for LPNs is strong in Nevada and elsewhere in the nation, according to Deborah Ain, director of nursing at CSN. LPNs reported an average annual salary of $41,000 in the latest data available from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The field is expected to see greater than average growth, as well. 

This column ran online Aug. 14, 2015 in El Tiempo

 

Greetings from the College of Southern Nevada!

Many important bills were passed in the recently completed legislative session that will affect higher education and business development in Southern Nevada.

One such bill will affect both. Assembly Bill 399 establishes the Nevada Grow Program. The primary purpose of the bill is to work with existing businesses within economically depressed areas to help them expand.

The program appropriates $150,000 to CSN for the project to hire a Geographic Information Specialist and to purchase software to support the program. We are already making plans to do this.

The project will be run out of the Nevada Workforce Development Center, a partnership between CSN’s Division of Workforce and Economic Development and the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation located on CSN’s Cheyenne campus. It is the only partnership of its kind in the State and is primarily designed to help employers with their recruitment and training needs.

The program will have four areas of emphasis:

• Individualized and tailored business assistance.
• Regularly scheduled group seminars that address general business issues.
• Business development grants and loans.
• A business barter and discount network.

“This is a natural for our division,” said Dan Gouker, who leads our Division of Workforce and Economic Development. “I am absolutely a firm believer in helping existing Nevada businesses grow.”

Small businesses within a zone that encompasses parts of downtown Las Vegas, unincorporated Clark County and North Las Vegas will be able to apply for help. The area is economically depressed, but Gouker said there are more than 5,000 businesses there. Many of them could use help to grow.

The help available will include developing a business plan, analyzing market trends, and becoming familiar with the potential customer base.

“We are going to make a huge difference for all the businesses,” Gouker said. “They’re all going to grow.”

This column ran online July 31, 2015 in El Tiempo

Greetings from the College of Southern Nevada!

Several years ago, CSN Business Professor Kevin Raiford started a business incubator program at the college to help students start their own businesses.

Raiford is very familiar with the business world. Before joining CSN, he worked in executive positions with Johnson & Johnson, Whole Foods, Snapple Beverages and Hewlett-Packard.

Raiford says he left the private sector to pursue teaching so he could make a bigger impact on his community. He has recently been ranked in the top five professors in the nation by ratemyprofessor.com.

Since it began, his business incubator program has been a tremendous success. Twenty seven business have come out of the program.

One of them, Revive Brand Co., was recently honored in a statewide competition for college student-run businesses.

Revive Brand Co., which makes and sells backpacks, hats and other “streetwear,” took second place in the Donald W. Reynold’s Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan competition. Congratulations to student team members Cesar Santos, Amanda Appling, Jonathan Santos and Medin Gebrezgier.

“I am so delighted to be a part of this wonderful CSN team,” Raiford said. “It was a pleasure being the advisor representing all the work the entire faculty continually puts into our students.”

The Governor’s Cup pits teams from colleges and universities across Nevada against one another to determine which have come up with viable business models. The goal is to encourage the state’s talented students to act on their ideas and produce the next generation of businesses. CSN’s team was the only finalist from a community college.

Revive Brand Co.’s second place win brought with it a check for $15,000 for their company.

This column ran online July 24, 2015 in El Tiempo

Greetings from the College of Southern Nevada!

I’d like you to meet Brenda Romero, the new president of the Associated Students of the College of Southern Nevada.

As the leader of CSN’s student government for the upcoming 2015-16 academic year, Romero has big plans, largely focused on helping to connect our vast student body with all the services we offer.

“It’s all about student success,” she said.

She will succeed outgoing student government president William McCurdy II, who did an outstanding job representing our students.

Romero and her family immigrated to Las Vegas from Mexico when she was 2 years old, she said. She falls under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy of the Obama administration, someone who is commonly referred to as a dreamer.

A Clark High School graduate, Romero is fluent in Spanish, and hopes to one day be an immigration lawyer.

“I want to know that what I’m doing is going to make a difference to someone,” she said.

She is studying business and communication, and she expects to graduate in spring 2016.

Her husband is in the U.S. Navy, so Romero is uncertain where she will be living once she’s completed her studies at CSN. She plans to attend a university, and law school, because she wants to help immigrants succeed in America.

Until then, Romero will focus on connecting CSN’s 35,000 students to our Tutorial Services, our Writing Center, our numerous counselors and advisors. People and programs that can make a difference for every one of those students.

“We have so many programs available,” she said. “But often students don’t know about them.”

Getting students from enrollment to graduation is her number one goal, which is my main focus, as well.

This column ran online July 10, 2015 in El Tiempo

 

Greetings from the College of Southern Nevada!

Technology has fundamentally changed how many of our society’s institutions function, and the college library is no exception.

The academic libraries of just a generation ago would hardly be recognizable to today’s students. Libraries still have stacks of books, but they have become so much more than that.

Libraries do remain popular. A recent survey showed that more than 5,000 students came through CSN’s libraries in a single day. The college has fully staffed libraries on all three of its main campuses. In the fall 2014 semester, the libraries had more than 500,000 visitors.

The library’s website tells a similar story, with more than 2,000 visits per day.

It is the website where many of the technological changes of recent years are on display.

Students can access online tutorials, help with research, and style guides, all 24 hours a day, seven days a week. During most library hours, they can chat with a librarian instantly.

Because research has shown that nearly two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone, with even higher rates among the college-aged, the website is mobile friendly, as well. It will be redesigned in coming months to be even more useful on smartphones.

The website is not the only technological change at the library. More than 50,000 e-books are available, the library has a large collection of tutorial videos, and more than 100,000 academic journals entirely online. That’s more journals than the library could ever have had in print, and now they’re easily searchable.

A survey of students we conducted last year showed that 98 percent of them said they were satisfied or very satisfied with CSN’s libraries. They were most satisfied with the librarians.

That’s one thing I don’t believe will ever change about our libraries. There may be a day when paper books are rare, even in libraries, or when computers give way to whatever comes along to replace them.

But librarians are the heart and soul of a library. What good would all that technology be, after all, if there were no one to help us use it?

This column ran online June 12, 2015 in El Tiempo.

CSN faculty and staff,

The legislative session ended last week. I would like to express my appreciation to all of you who wrote letters, made phone calls or attended and testified at legislative hearings on legislation, related to CSN. I’d encourage you to contact those same legislators again to express your appreciation for what was enacted. At this time, we are still working out a lot of the details with the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). The following is a brief overview of what we know on some of the major issues we updated you on throughout the session.

Furloughs and Pay

Lawmakers eliminated furloughs and gave all state employees an increase in salary. As of July 1, 2015, you will no longer have to take six unpaid days off each year and 2.3 percent of your salary will be restored as a result. In addition, all employees will receive a non-merit based 1 percent Cost of Living increase in your salary beginning in July 2015 and 2 percent beginning in July 2016. Classified employees also had step increases restored for each year of the biennium. Longevity pay did not pass.

At the same time, state employees’ retirement contributions increased from 13.25 percent to 14.5 percent for each year of the biennium. This increase of 1.25 percent in employees’ retirement contribution will affect employees in the defined contribution retirement system – primarily academic and administrative/professional faculty – and those in the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) – mainly classified staff. 

It should be noted that even with the additional retirement contributions, you will see an increase in your monthly paycheck due to the furlough elimination and cost of living increases. 

Campus Carry

As many of you know by now, legislators did not enact campus carry legislation. Special thanks to Senate Judiciary Chair Sen. Greg Brower and other senators for not hearing this legislation after it passed the Assembly.

Silver State Opportunity Grant

Gov. Brian Sandoval signed the $5 million Silver State Opportunity Grant into law with a number of education officials by his side, including outgoing CSN student body President William McCurdy II and CSN Government Affairs and Communications Director Michael Flores. This grant will provide low-income community college and Nevada State College students taking at least 15 credits a semester a stipend, based on the student’s ability to pay, to help them attend full time. These students must also be Nevada residents and college-ready, meaning they must be in college-level math or English. This scholarship is effective July 1 and is truly transformational for our students.

Millennium Scholarship Minimum Credit Requirement

The Silver State Opportunity Grant is also meant to counteract the effect new Millennium Scholarship minimum credit requirements will have on our student population. Legislators passed new credit minimums for this scholarship, requiring community college students eligible to receive the Millennium Scholarship to take a minimum of 9 credits, up from 6 credits.

Economic Gardening

Assemblywoman Dina Neal and Sen. Pat Spearman both shepherded legislation to provide CSN’s Division of Workforce & Economic Development with funds for a workforce development pilot project to work with the Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Urban Chamber, NSHE and other partners to help existing local businesses expand over the biennium.

Again, thank you to all who participated in this session. I think we can be proud of what was accomplished and optimistic about the future of higher education in Nevada. We will continue to update you as we know more.

Best,

 

Mike

 

Greetings from the College of Southern Nevada!

We have many extraordinary students at CSN, none more so than Selene Moreno.

Moreno was recently notified that she was awarded the prestigious Boren Scholarship, a rarity for community college students and the first ever awarded to a CSN student.

She called it “the best news I have ever received.”

“I still think that this is all a dream,” she said.

The National security Education Program awarded just 171 scholarships this year out of 750 applications. The federally funded scholarships are intended to provide U.S. college students the resources and encouragement needed to acquire language skills and experience in countries critical to the future security and stability of the country. Award recipients agree to work for the federal government for at least a year later on.

Moreno is a dealer in a local casino, working an overnight shift. She comes to class after her shifts end in the morning.

Now that’s determination.

She said she fell in love with Middle Eastern culture years ago, and even started a Middle Eastern dance club while a student at Rancho High School. She’s traveled to Egypt, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates.

When she enrolled at CSN, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to study. She took an Arabic language class, and she loved it.

“I was hooked,” she said. “I took all the classes I needed to take and realized that with my passion and knowledge of Middle Eastern culture and language, I could do so much.”

She applied for the Boren Award two years ago, but didn’t get it. Moreno was disappointed, but she didn’t give up. She worked on raising her grades, and asked for help from her English professor.

She crafted new essays, submitted an application this year, and won.

She had wanted to study in Egypt, but that’s not going to be allowed for security concerns. She’ll study in Jordan instead, a country she’s never been to.

“It’s fair to say that my hard work actually paid off,” she said.

This column ran online June 5, 2015 in El Tiempo.

 

For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

Cyber Summit Will Address Shortage of Security Experts

Shortage of computer system specialists trained at community colleges will help address nation’s critical security needs

LAS VEGAS, June 3, 2015 – As cybersecurity becomes an issue of increasing national importance, the College of Southern Nevada is preparing to host the second annual Community College Cyber Summit this month to help these two-year institutions prepare the workforce that will secure our nation.

The summit, designed to bring cybersecurity educators and experts from around the country together, will address how to rapidly expand and enhance cybersecurity programs in community colleges. It will take place June 17-19, primarily on CSN’s Cheyenne campus.

“Community Colleges are on the front lines in the battle against the shortage of cybersecurity experts in the workforce,” said Michael Spangler, dean of the CSN School of Advanced & Applied Technologies.

Missy Young, executive vice president of colocation at Switch, will be the conference’s keynote speaker, scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday, June 18, in the June Whitley Student Center at CSN. Hundreds of educators from community colleges are expected to attend the summit.

Recent studies show that hundreds of millions of records are stolen online annually; nearly half of all Americans had their personal data stolen in 2014. As the need for more workers to counteract this trend grows, CSN is developing a degree program in cybersecurity.

“There is a shortage of computer systems specialists trained in cyber security,” Spangler said. “This threat is very real. Our job as a community college is to train the experts by developing the curriculum and acquiring the necessary technology resources. The summit goes a long way toward helping us achieve that goal.”

The conference is being organized and produced by a host of cybersecurity interest groups funded by the National Science Foundation, including the National CyberWatch Center. For more, please visit www.nationalcyberwatch.org and click on Events.

What: Community College Cyber Summit

When: June 17-19

Who: Missy Young, executive vice president of colocation at Switch

Why: As cybersecurity threats grow, community colleges are uniquely poised to deal with them

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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Greetings from the College of Southern Nevada!

We are continuing a trend at CSN this year by graduating our largest class ever.

This year’s graduating class will include a record 3,326 students who are receiving 3,578 degrees and certificates, according to preliminary data. Official numbers for the spring 2015 semester will be available once final semester grades are completed.

Those totals have been growing consistently in recent years, which I believe is evidence that our efforts to help students succeed are working.

In addition, 36 percent of our graduates are graduating with honors or high honors.

CSN has made a concerted effort to help students complete their education once enrolled. The college has launched or expanded services such as free, unlimited tutoring, math and writing resources centers on each campus, and dedicated counselors for degree-seeking students.

And we have implemented mandatory orientation, advising and placement testing for many new incoming students, which we believe will enhance student success even more.

This year’s graduating class includes some extraordinary students.

Andrea Wilkerson is a radiation therapy student who plans on working with cancer patients after graduation. She already has her bachelor’s degree in communication, but she felt like she had missed her calling. After volunteering with organizations that worked with terminal patients, she enrolled at CSN. Now on the cusp of a new career, she said she feels “like I’m about to go out there and change the world.”

Our graduating student body president, William McCurdy II, grew up in West Las Vegas, the son of a schoolteacher and a pastor who worked for the local housing authority. McCurdy was a stellar athlete at Palos Verdes High School, but ended up dropping out after fathering a child. Undeterred, McCurdy later came back to school and succeeded through hard work and perseverance. He plans on attending UNLV, and later going to law school.

“CSN set the perfect foundation for me,” McCurdy said.

There are many more stories like Wilkerson’s and McCurdy’s among the 3,000-plus students who are earning degrees and certificates.

It is an honor to be able to celebrate their accomplishments with them.

This column ran online May 29, 2015 in El Tiempo.

 

Greetings from the College of Southern Nevada!

Excellence is a habit.

That’s the message that this year’s CSN commencement speaker, student Karin Rodriguez, will deliver at our upcoming graduation ceremony.

Rodriguez was chosen from among many students who vied for the honor of delivering the commencement speech.

His story is similar to many community college students’ stories. It is one of persistence, hard work and overcoming obstacles. He started college several years ago, but was unable to finish. He says he felt like a failure.

But by 2012, Rodriguez had seen a new daughter born into the world and he was struggling financially. He knew he had to do something. He re-enrolled and began classes at CSN.

Soon, Rodriguez went from attending part-time to attending full-time. He found that he liked college and that he could become good at it if he worked hard enough. He learned what his weaknesses were, and he sought to improve. He knew he needed to work on his writing skills, so Rodriguez signed up for free help at the CSN Writing Center.

With help, his writing improved. He earned top good grades, not just passing grades, in his writing courses. He improved his good grades to perfect grades, earning straight A’s. He formed a habit of doing excellent work.

In his final year at CSN, Rodriguez became more involved in school, joining the student government as a senator, and becoming a member of TRIO, a group for first-generation college students. All the while, he continued working a full-time job outside of college.

Though he struggled with some courses, even up to the end, he credits support from his family for his success. He is among the newest crop of CSN graduates, the Class of 2015.

This column ran online May 18, 2015 in El Tiempo.

The CSN Chronicle

This May 2015 Chronicle is intended to provide you with the latest news and information as the academic year comes to an end. Many of you will be gone from our campuses when the Legislature finalizes our budget and acts on other business, and there is much activity on many fronts that I’d like you to know about.

Graduation

On Monday, May 18, CSN’s commencement ceremony will be held at the Thomas & Mack Center at 6 p.m. A record number of students will graduate. We will also recognize Mr. Dennis Birr with an honorary degree to honor him for leading our terrific CSN High School program for more than 10 years. I hope you will join us for this special tribute to our students.

 

 

Key dates: May 18–Commencement June 2 — Regular Session of the Nevada Legislature Ends August 17 — Fall Convocation, Texas Station August 24 — Fall Semester Begins

 NSHE Budget Status

• The Economic Forum projections of revenue for the next biennium came out May 1, putting a $170 million hole in the Governor’s proposed budget. Even if lawmakers approve his revenue package or something like it, the Legislature will have major decisions to make if the state is to maintain a flat budget for the next biennium.
• The initial closing of the higher education budget took place Thursday, May 7. In general, the higher education budget is in good shape and we are positive about the future. Lawmakers expressed hope and positive sentiments toward several initiatives for which there is yet no funding, including state-funded grants for low-income students, the workforce development fund and merit for professional staff. We have made a strong case for these items. We know that legislators, including leadership understand them and there is ample support for them. However, at this point, it is a matter of finding the money to implement them in some form.

As legislative action draws to a close in early June, I will issue a message to the college community about the final outcomes.

Good News—Our Students

On May 1, at the Outstanding Student Awards Ceremony, we recognized 21 exceptional students. Scholarships and tributes to the students were widely shared, and this year’s Regents Scholar award was presented to Trehixi Galvan. Many awardees were members of Phi Theta Kappa, our national honorary, an organization critical to CSN for its benefits to students. PTK students complete their certifications or degrees at a much higher rate than the general student population, and they are eligible for remarkable scholarships to four-year institutions. This year, a CSN PTK student was awarded one of four national $20,000 scholarships to Boston University! A wonderful achievement! Another CSN student Selene Moreno received a prestigious Boren Scholarship, a rarity for a community college student and the first ever awarded to a CSN student!

I’m delighted to share this news about our students. We have excellent students who achieve because of dedicated faculty and staff and a commitment of many hours of hard work from everyone. Thank you all for your outstanding service to CSN.

Vice President of Student Affairs

I am proud to announce that Juanita LeFlore Chrysanthou will join us as the new Vice President of Student Affairs, beginning Sept. 1.

Juanita comes to CSN from the Lone Star College System in Texas, where she served as vice chancellor of student success. As many of you who participated in the national search and public forums for the VPSA candidates this fall will recall, Juanita is familiar with the Nevada System of Higher Education, whereas she served five years as vice president of student services at Truckee Meadows Community College. She has ample experience leading student success initiatives, including her tenure as the vice president of learning services at Bakersfield College, where she co-directed a Title V Hispanic Serving Institutions grant. In addition, she brings significant experience in financial aid and student enrollment planning to this office.

Juanita received her Bachelor of Arts and a master’s in counseling, guidance & PPS from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and is currently working toward her Ed.D. in Leadership from the American College of Education.

I want to thank all of you who participated in the search process. Please help welcome Juanita to the CSN family when she arrives this fall.

CSN Connections

CSN Connections events were held on all three campuses leading up to enrollment beginning for the fall 2015 semester. The events featured free food and music for our students, and booths featuring information on all the services CSN offers. We had dozens of information booths, including transfer advisors for UNLV and Nevada State College, the CSN Libraries, the Writing and Tutorial Centers, and much more. The events not only provide vital information for students, but help ensure their success by making sure they have a chance to meet faculty, staff and administrators. Studies show that students who are more familiar with their college are more likely to succeed.

 

Diversity Fair

The Office of Community Relations, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, along with the student Living Sociology Club and the Associated Students of the College of Southern Nevada, sponsored a CSN Student Diversity Fair. Designed to bring people from diverse backgrounds together, the fair featured information on everything from the homeless in southern Nevada to the many volunteering opportunities available in the community. I’d like to thank the faculty, staff and students involved in putting together this wonderful event.

New Student Body President

Congratulations are in order for Christopher Jones (see above photo), the newly elected president of the Associated Students of the College of Southern Nevada. Jones, who served as a student senator from the Charleston campus this semester, will take over from William McCurdy II, who has distinguished himself as president. Jones is studying urban planning and hopes to establish a career in real estate development. His plans for the upcoming academic year will include effective communication with students to discover their wants and needs, and working as their elected advocate. Please join me in congratulating Jones on his election.

United Way Payroll Deductions

After much thought, we have decided to discontinue the annual drives to solicit payroll deducted contributions for United Way of Southern Nevada. The logic behind this is that we could not provide similar opportunities for other organizations and it competed with our CSN Foundation’s efforts to increase employee donations to our students.

If you wish to continue your monthly payroll deductions to United Way, you may absolutely continue to do so. If at some point you wish to stop, or change the amount deducted, please contact HR and they can assist you with these endeavors. If you ever wish to donate directly to United Way, which is a wonderful organization and CSN community partner, providing resources and services to many needs in this valley, please go to http://uwsn.org/ to learn more. You can also find engagement opportunities at uwsn.org/volunteer.  We look forward to enhancing our relationship with United Way in other ways and helping to promote their efforts – as well as those of other organizations – through other mediums.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“Will we have the ability to work four 10-hour work weeks in the summer?”

Before furloughs and budget cuts, some employees had a flexible summer option. We will not be returning to that this year, although, it might be considered in the future.

“What policies have been approved this year?”

A number of policy revisions were adopted in the past academic year, and we’ll prepare a summary of them in my summer Chronicle. It’s important that policy information be widely communicated throughout the college community, and that process will shortly begin.

I hope to see many of you at graduation to celebrate the success of our students.

Have a great summer!

–Mike Richards

For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN to Recognize Diverse Graduating Class

College will hold a series of multicultural celebrations leading up to the 43^rd annual commencement

 LAS VEGAS, May 8, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada will hold several multicultural graduation celebrations in the coming weeks to recognize the hard work of its diverse community of students.

The celebrations begin Saturday, May 9, and run through May 16, leading up to the college’s 43rd annual Commencement Ceremony on May 18. Food and entertainment will be provided at each celebration and all are open to the public.

“CSN will celebrate the accomplishments of every graduate. We want to honor the traditions of members of the diverse communities who call CSN home,” said Maria Marinch, executive director of the Office of Community Relations, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs. “We know these celebrations impact student success, express appreciation for the invaluable support family, friends and community provide students, and inspire others to see college in their future.”

CSN, Nevada’s largest and most diverse higher education institution, is graduating its largest class ever this year.

The multicultural celebrations will all take place on CSN’s Cheyenne campus:

• Native American Celebration: 11 a.m., Saturday, May 9, in the Morse Arberry Jr. Telecommunications Building. The keynote speaker will be William Anderson, former tribal chairman of the Moapa Band of Paiutes.
• Latino Celebration: 6:30 p.m., Friday, May 15, in the June Whitley Lounge. Noted DREAMer and organizer at the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada Astrid Silva will deliver the keynote.
• Asian/Pacific Islander Celebration: 6 p.m., Friday, May 15, in the Morse Arberry Jr. Telecommunications Building. Speakers include Evan Louie, owner of Kona Ice Las Vegas and commissioner of minority affairs for the state of Nevada, and Elaine Chen, president of TopSight Corporation.
• African American Celebration: 6:30 p.m., Saturday, May 16, in the June Whitley Lounge. The event will feature a performance by the P.A. Owens Christian Academy choir and scholarships presented by Stephanie Hill, CSN assistant vice president for student engagement services and Anthony Caraveo, market manager for Grainger Tools for Tomorrow.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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Greetings from the College of Southern Nevada!

It is time to enroll for the fall 2015 semester.

Beginning May 22, new students can begin registering for classes at CSN for the fall. Registration for the Summer 2015 semester is already open.

New graduates of the Clark County School District should be aware of some important changes we have implemented to the enrollment process. Many of these changes were put in place last year and we have expanded on them for the upcoming semester.

These graduating students from CCSD schools will be required to attend advising and orientation sessions, as well as take placement tests in math, English and reading. Numerous studies show that students who get adequate advising and orientation and are placed in the proper level courses do better in college. Preliminary data from CSN’s initial implementation of this policy last year shows students who were affected were more likely to return the following semester than those who did not fall under the program.

We know that many students come to college with little idea of what classes they should take, what their majors should be, or how to go about forming a plan. We are changing that.

The policy was expanded this year to include reading placement testing. In all, CSN expects about 3,500 CCSD grads to be affected. CSN has communicated about the policy with more than 20,000 high school students expected to graduate this year.

Once students have applied for admission, they can come to an on-campus orientation session, or complete one online. They must also prepare for and take the placement tests. Students who fall under the new policy are strongly encouraged to start the process now.

The orientation process will direct students to services available at CSN and will help them navigate registration. The students will also have help from their advisors to build their class schedules, with a goal of registering for necessary classes early in their college careers, particularly math requirements, which students often delay until the end of college. As students progress through CSN, they will be paired with a counselor from their department and a faculty mentor.

Student progress will be closely monitored and, if the initiative continues to prove successful, it will be expanded in the future to include all new incoming CSN students.

This column ran online May 8, 2015 in El Tiempo.

For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN to Graduate Record Number of Students

College’s efforts to improve student services such as tutoring, counseling, a key to success

LAS VEGAS, May 7 — The College of Southern Nevada expects to graduate its largest class ever at its 43rd annual commencement ceremony May 18 at the Thomas & Mack Center.

A record 3,326 students are eligible to receive 3,578 degrees and certificates, according to preliminary data. Official numbers for the spring 2015 semester will be available once final semester grades are completed.

CSN has made a concerted effort in recent years to help students complete their education once enrolled. The college has launched or expanded services such as free, unlimited tutoring, math and writing resources centers on each campus, and dedicated counselors for degree-seeking students.

“Another year with a record number of graduates demonstrates that what we are doing is working,” said CSN President Michael Richards. “We are proud of the Class of 2015 and I look forward to celebrating their accomplishments.”

Among the graduating class, 36 percent are graduating with honors or high honors.

The graduating class includes some extraordinary students:

• Andrea Wilkerson, a radiation therapy student who plans on working with cancer patients after graduation. Wilkerson earned a bachelor’s degree in communication in 2006, but she felt like she had missed her calling. After volunteering with organizations that worked with terminal patients, she enrolled at CSN and last year was one of just 75 students nationwide selected to participate in the prestigious Student Leadership Development Program run by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists. “I feel like I’m about to go out there and change the world,” Wilkerson said.
• William McCurdy II, president of the Associated Students of the College of Southern Nevada. He grew up in West Las Vegas, the son of a schoolteacher and a pastor who worked for the local housing authority. McCurdy was a stellar athlete at Palos Verdes High School, but ended up dropping out after fathering a child. Undeterred, McCurdy later came back to school and succeeded through hard work and perseverance. He plans on attending UNLV, and later going to law school. “CSN set the perfect foundation for me,” McCurdy said.
• Karin Rodriguez, an ASCSN senator and our commencement speaker. Rodriguez, who also plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree and attend law school, will be the first from his family to graduate from college. Though he started college several years ago and dropped out, the birth of his first child changed his life. He wanted to be successful for his daughter, so he enrolled at CSN. While working full time and serving in the student government, Rodriguez persevered. He credits the example his mother set for him for his success.
• Trehixi (pronounced like Tracy) Galvan, this year’s Regents’ Scholar award winner and president of CSN’s chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Galvan is a first-generation college student whose family immigrated to the United States from Mexico when she was in elementary school. She plans on enrolling in Nevada State College and studying to become a teacher with an emphasis in bilingual studies. She credits her teachers at CSN and elsewhere for her success.

Each of these students will be available for media interviews at the Commencement Ceremony.

CSN’s 43rd Commencement Ceremony will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, May 18, at the Thomas & Mack Center on UNLV’s campus. Media interested in talking to students prior to the commencement between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. are encouraged to contact CSN Public Relations Specialist Richard Lake at richard.lake@csn.edu on the day of the event. The ceremony will also be streamed live on the Internet and available to the public at www.csn.edu/grad.

Who: Thousands of new college graduates

What: 43rd CSN Commencement Ceremony

When: 6 p.m., Monday, May 18

Where: Thomas & Mack Center

Streaming: www.csn.edu/grad

Hashtag: Search #csngrad15

 

CSN DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES AWARDED PER YEAR    

Academic Year	2011-12	2012-13	2013-14	2014-15*
Degrees/Certificates	2,350	2,742	2,882	3,578
Students	2,228	2,574	2,665	3,326

* 2014-15 totals are projected. Final numbers will be available once spring 2015 semester grades are completed

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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Media Advisory:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN Marks Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

State-licensed motorcycle safety program has trained tens of thousands of motorists

LAS VEGAS, May 4, 2015 — May is motorcycle safety awareness month, and the College of Southern Nevada wants to remind the community of our longstanding and successful Motorcycle Safety Program.

Started in 1983, the program has trained tens of thousands of motorcyclists to safely navigate the state’s roadways. Its content was designed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and is licensed by the State of Nevada. The training program allows motorcyclists to obtain their Class M driver’s license.

According to data from the Nevada Department of Public Safety, there were 55 fatalities in motorcycle crashes statewide last year, 38 of them in Clark County.

Roger Fox, CSN’s Motorcycle Safety Program specialist, said training is critical for anyone who rides a motorcycle on the valley’s roadways.

“Riding a motorcycle takes care,” Fox said. “The more training a rider has had, the safer the roads become. These classes aren’t just for beginners.”

Classes teach everything from basic riding skills to strategies for operating a motorcycle in traffic.

More information and a full schedule of classes are available on CSN’s Division of Workforce and Economic Development site, www.csn.edu/workforce.

To schedule an interview with Fox or to observe a class, please contact Richard Lake at 702-651-7715 or richard.lake@csn.edu.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

 

Greetings from the College of Southern Nevada!

Student success is our top priority at CSN, which is why I’m excited to bring you this news. Our Tutorial Centers now include basic, advanced and master level training for tutors, certified by the College Reading and Learning Association, an internationally recognized certification for college level tutoring programs.

This means our students will receive the best possible assistance available that conforms to national standards regarding roles and responsibilities, communications, ethics, study skills strategies, and training for tutors. As always, this tutorial assistance is available for free.

Tutors work with students to explain course content, answer questions, and review for exams. When combined with other support services and academic units, tutoring becomes a powerful tool for helping students adopt successful study habits and learn difficult course material.

Tutorial Services centers are located on all three of our main campuses. Any CSN student can schedule a one-on-one tutoring session on any available subject, and he or she can do so as often as is necessary. In addition, students can stop by any of our several learning centers at any time, without an appointment. Most of these centers, including the math resource center, communication lab and the writing center, are partnerships between the various departments and Tutorial Services.

These centers are popular places for students to do their homework because tutors are on hand to answer questions that may come up.

“In a way, tutors are mentors,” Tutorial Services/Learning Centers Director Shellie Keller said. “It’s about so much more than knowing the content. It’s modeling what a successful student can be.”

Many tutors are current CSN students, though only the most successful can apply. Students wishing to be tutors must have high grades, a recommendation from a faculty member, and they have to pass rigorous testing to be approved.

This column ran online May 1, 2015 in El Tiempo.

The CSN April Chronicle

Greetings and welcome to the CSN Chronicle for April 2015.  Information regarding structural changes, legislation involving CSN, and more is included below.

Coming Up:

• CSN Connections, April 28-30, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• CSN Presidents’ Town Hall, April 30, 5:30 p.m.

Governor’s Cup
Congratulations to our CSN business students and their advisor Kevin Raiford on winning second place at the Donald W. Reynold’s Governor’s Cup Collegiate Business Plan competition. Our students – Cesar Santos, Amanda Appling, Jonathan Santos and Medin Gebrezgier — took home a check for $15,000 for their Revive Brand Co. (Streetwear) business plan. They came in second to a team from Sierra Nevada College. Kudos, as well, to our sister institution, UNR, and its undergraduate team that came in third place, winning a check for $10,000. This is a prestigious competition that showcases our best and brightest and a huge accomplishment for our students, Professor Raiford and the entire business program at CSN.

Communication Challenges
As I continue town halls on each campus once a month, a number of interesting, meaningful discussions take place. Good information is exchanged that helps all who attend, particularly me. However, attendance has been low, regardless of the time, day or location. One of the questions that I have asked was: “What format or venue would improve communication?”  Most have said, they think this monthly Chronicle is helpful and they enjoy personal, face-to-face efforts occasionally due to all of our busy schedules. I look forward to co-hosting an upcoming town hall with ASCSN President William McCurdy II on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at the Charleston campus and hope you can make it. I’ve also been visiting the all-college committees at CSN to get further feedback. In addition, with the website overhaul underway, we will create an intranet for employees, where we will be able to share additional information electronically.

If you have thoughts on how to enhance communication from the Office of the President to the college community, please email our Office of Public Affairs, at kc.brekken@csn.edu.

Structural Changes
To better ensure cross-communication across all departments and enhance the diversity of perspectives I receive, I am proposing a new internal structure consisting of two teams:  an executive team and an extended team.  The President’s Cabinet, as we have known it, would be eliminated under this plan.

The executive team will consist of 15 to 17 people who will meet twice a month to provide the strategic direction of CSN.  The extended team would meet at least once a semester and would be comprised of all directors and above—about 50 people.

This is not an original idea.  Colleagues at Austin Community College use this model for the specific reason of encouraging communication and exchanging ideas.  I’ve asked a number of people at CSN to review and reflect on this model, and it will be a primary topic for discussion at the May cabinet.

Budget Outlook
The 2015 legislative session has begun to address operating budgets for the next biennium.  Agencies and institutions have had initial budget hearings.  The next step is to hear from the Economic Forum on the projected revenue total for the 2015-17 biennium.  The Forum’s report is due May 1.

In the meantime, CSN and NSHE continue to press for the Regents’ priorities:  Eliminate furloughs, fund merit pay for all employees, increase the value of each Weighted Student Credit Hour completed by $5, create and fund a workforce development fund, and create a state grant program for low-income community college students.

Regents’ budget priorities will be difficult to achieve with the anticipated revenue forecast, but our advocacy continues. I want to commend members of the AFA, Classified Council and Faculty Senate, who have been writing to all 63 legislators on these issues. Thank you for spending your personal time to help our students.

Other Legislative Updates
Gun Bills
Earlier this month, legislators combined the many gun bills in the Assembly into AB 148, better known as the “Campus Carry” legislation, which has passed out of the Assembly. We will now wait for it to be scheduled in the Senate.

SB 227 Silver State Opportunity Grant
This legislation will help our low-income students, providing approximately $2,000 a semester. The first, state-funded need-based grant for community college students, the scholarship requires students to take a minimum of 15 credits and complete the FASFA application.  The resulting policy proposal looks a lot like the program that was implemented in Oregon. SB 227 has been referred to Senate Finance.

Millennium update
The Millennium Scholarship bill SB 128 that would increase the credit-minimum for eligible recipients will appear next in Senate Finance and will then go to the floor.

Institutional Advisory Council

The Institutional Advisory Council met on our Cheyenne campus April 2 and heard reports on the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, a possible campus name change, and CSN’s physical master plan for all three main campuses. Regents’ Scholar and PTK President Trehixi Galvan spoke, along with PTK faculty advisor Bruno Rhodes. Galvan, a first-generation college student, told the IAC members that attending CSN has helped her grow as a student. A future teacher, she said she will attend Nevada State College after graduating from CSN.

The IAC Subcommittee on Campus Naming met this week and finalized a survey on our campus names that you will receive via email in the near future. Please take the time to complete this survey.

Safe Zones

I was joined on March 27 by Maria Marinch from our Diversity and Cultural Affairs office and Michael Dimengo, the CEO of The Center, to announce the implementation of the national Safe Zone training program at CSN. We had our first training for faculty and staff on Friday and the half-day session, led by Lisa Clayton and Owen Pillion, was packed! Trained faculty and staff will work to establish “Safe Zones” or judgment free areas where they work, where members of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning) community can receive information about resources available in the community and campus. We have learned through this process that a number of our LGBTQ students struggle with harassment, homelessness and mental health issues. We can all help by providing an inclusive and safe learning environment, having a zero tolerance for harassment of any individuals and being aware of the places and spaces that students can find help.

Speed Networking

On March 20, CSN held our second annual “speed networking” event designed to give tech-savvy students a chance to show off the skills they’ve learned as students here. Similar to speed-dating, the event gave students majoring in business, computing and information technology, engineering technology, health information technology, and media technologies a chance to meet briefly with employers and sell themselves in five minutes or less. One of the students who participated last  year, Brandon Bawden, was hired and is currently the Technical Recruiter for Robert Half Technology here in Las Vegas. He participated in this year’s event on the other side of the table. In all, over 70 students registered and completed workshops ahead of the event on everything from resume writing to interview skills. Forty three students participated in the event, as did 45 business partners representing 31 local companies. Nine of the employers made full-time job offers to our students, along with seven part-time offers, 21 internship offers and one offer to mentor a student. Every employer indicted that they want to participate in the event again next year, as well. That’s a resounding success. Congratulations to Warren Hioki, who has headed this effort, and all involved!

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members
“Is it true that within the next several years, NSHE will be outsourcing our distance education courses to third party vendors such as Pearson?  If this is a possibility, what is the administration doing to protect faculty from losing the ability to teach online?”
One of the outcomes of NSHE’s committee on distance education dealt with outsourcing developmental education.  Nearly all institutions are opposed to the suggestion, arguing that developmental students, in particular, need more assistance and support if they are to be successful.  The Chancellor, in remarks to CSN’s Faculty Senate, assured those present that he is slowing the deliberative process on distance education to receive further analysis and faculty input.  I believe the premise of the question remains open for further discussion.

“If we change the names of the CSN campuses to match the city they are located in, who will pay the cost to make this happen?”
There are a number of ways that this could occur and there’s no clear answer until the Institutional Advisory Council makes a recommendation and the Board of Regents votes on the matter. They will make their final decision, evaluating the cost as part of that vote. If CSN were to pay for new signage, it would come from capital improvement funds.

“Who will replace Vice President of Academic Affairs Darren Divine in the interim once he leaves to become President of Casper College in Wyoming?”
As mentioned in an announcement earlier this month, Dr. Hyla Winters will take over as interim Vice President of Academic Affairs once Dr. Divine departs. A national search for his replacement will take place, starting this fall. We congratulate him on his appointment to this prestigious position and wish him well on his new adventure.

“What is the status of our Hispanic Serving Institution grant proposal?”
The application process is now open for institutions meeting the Title V Hispanic Serving Institution eligibility criteria to apply for funding. CSN is in the process of readying its grant, based on proposals developed with faculty and staff as part of the HSI Task Force and the work of the late CSN Resource Development Director Rosemary West. We know the competition for these grants is extremely intense.

“When will we have a new Vice President of Student Affairs?”
Three Vice President of Student Affairs candidates came to campus and attended open forums to meet the CSN community. I anticipate making the final decision shortly and the new hire will begin July 1.

Best wishes,

–Mike Richards

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release:

Contact: Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

It’s Time to Register for Next Semester at Your Community’s College 

CSN is expanding some important success initiatives that will affect new CCSD graduates

LAS VEGAS, April 27, 2015 – Enrollment for the fall 2015 semester begins May 22 for new students at the College of Southern Nevada, while current students can register beginning May 4. Enrollment for the summer term has already begun.

To kick off the enrollment season, and to remind students of the services CSN has available, the college is holding CSN Connections events on all three campuses. These events, scheduled for April 28, 29 and 30, will feature food and games, information about all of the academic advising programs CSN officers, transferring, scholarships, help with fall 2015 enrollment, orientation and more.

As part of CSN’s focus on long-term student success, CSN is mandating academic advising and orientation for 2015 graduates of the Clark County School District, as well as placement tests in math, English and reading. It’s an expansion of a policy the college instituted last year, which preliminary data shows has been a success. CSN now requires the completion of reading assessment because evidence shows that these assessments can increase student success. Previously, reading assessments were not required, and recent high school students who had earned credits at CSN (through dual enrollment programs) were not required to participate in these steps.

“This expanded policy is all about student success,” said James McCoy, CSN’s associate vice president for academic success.

CSN expects about 3,500 CCSD grads to participate in the pre-enrollment program. If the initiative continues to be successful, it will be expanded to include all new CSN students.

What: CSN Connections

When: Tuesday, April 28, Henderson campus, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesday, April 29, Cheyenne campus, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Thursday, April 30, Charleston campus, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Why: To help CSN students connect to their college and succeed

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

 

Contact:           Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

 

CSN Science & Technology Expo Features NASA Exhibits, Space Shuttle Commander

More than 70 exhibits will give thousands of K-12 students a chance to experience hands-on science, technology

 

LAS VEGAS, April 17, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada will welcome retired astronaut Col. Lee Archambault, NASA Orion engineer Stuart McClung, exhibits directly from NASA, and thousands of local schoolchildren to its 12^th Annual Science and Technology Expo on Friday, April 24.

Archambault is a retired Space Shuttle commander whose two shuttle missions to the International Space Station brought him to space for a total of 27 days. He has logged more than 5,000 hours as a pilot, including 22 combat missions in an F-117A Stealth Fighter during Operation Desert Storm.

McClung is the Orion crew module landing and recovery system functional area manager. The Orion is considered the next generation of United States spacecraft. It is designed to take astronauts further than they’ve ever gone before, including to distant planets.

“A world without science would be a world without progress. Science, technology and innovation are increasingly important to our economic well-being and quality of life. This festival is an opportunity for hands-on engagement and exploration. I am pleased to have such incredible science and engineering showcased in Nevada,” said U.S. Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.

CSN and the Clark County School District will welcome an estimated 2,500 students to the Expo, which kicks off the weeklong Las Vegas Science & Technology Festival. The expo promotes science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs that help prepare students for high-demand, high-wage careers. CSN and many community partners from industry and academia offer this opportunity to spark students’ interest in scientific and technological professions.

“Helping schoolchildren become excited and passionate about science, technology, engineering and math is the greatest achievement we can make as educators,” said Michael Spangler, dean of CSN’s School of Advanced & Applied Technologies. “Careers in these fields are in high demand, they pay well, and they’re vital to Nevada’s and our nation’s future.”

Exhibits and demonstrations include:

• Take a selfie with a NASA spacesuit
• Soar with a drone
• Apprenticeship exhibits
• Fighting Robots
• Chemistry magic show
• Planetarium shows
• Blowups of the Orion spacecraft
• USGS scientists
• Creepy crawlers
• Web design demo
• 3D printing
• and much more …

The Science and Technology Expo will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 24 and is free to attend. For more information, please call 702-651-4959.

What: CSN’s 12th Annual Science & Technology Expo

When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, April 24

Where: CSN Cheyenne campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, North Las Vegas, NV 89030

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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The March Chronicle

Greetings and welcome back to faculty! We hope Spring Break was revitalizing! There is much to share with you at the mid-point of the spring semester.
Town Hall Summary 

I held a town hall meeting on the Henderson campus March 10 and one yesterday at the Charleston campus. I am holding one per month and hope you can attend future town halls.

One question I received concerned whether we had plans to reinstitute the practice of having one administrator in charge of each of our campuses. I do have such plans, and an announcement will be forthcoming. I also told the gathering that launching a new CSN website is my top priority for this year and hope to have it complete by September. Stay tuned for more on that.

Future town halls are planned for 3 p.m. on April 1 at the Cheyenne campus, Conference Room A, and 2:30 p.m. May 7, at the Charleston campus, room D-101. Please come, and bring your questions.

 

 

 

Integrate II

Representing a major improvement in the processing of human resource and financial transactions is the migration to a new administrative computing system for Nevada’s colleges and universities.  Called “Integrate II,” the implementation process will take the next two years and will change the way all institutions operated.  CSN is positioned well for this implementation, with Mary Kaye Bailey leading our part of the process.

Legislature

There are a number of bills that impact CSN this session. Here is an update.

Gun Legislation

This past week, Assembly members amended AB 148, better known as “Campus Carry,” to include AB 2, which allows guns to be in vehicles on campus in a locked box. This bill, AB 148, passed out of committee and is headed back to the Assembly floor before heading to the Senate. There is still much about these bills that will likely change before anything is signed into law and we will keep you informed about opportunities to testify. However, there is often very little notice about these hearings, so I encourage you to write or call your elected representatives to let them know how you feel about this type of legislation.

 

SB 227- Silver State Opportunity Grant 

Lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill supporting a state-funded, scholarship program for low-income community college and state college students. Sens. Ben Kieckhefer and Ruben Kihuen introduced this transformational legislation. Students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), have been determined by the system to be financially needy, take at least 15 credits a semester, and be college ready (meaning they are not taking developmental English or math courses) to be eligible for this scholarship. The resulting “shared-responsibility” policy proposal is meant to provide the student with enough resources so that he or she does not need to work full time while attending college and looks a lot like the program that was implemented in Oregon.  In addition, while NSHE had originally requested $5 million, Kiechhefer and Kihuen boldly requested double that amount for the biennium.
Millennium Update

On Feb. 26, SB 128 was passed out of committee and is waiting to be heard again on the Senate floor before being sent over to the Assembly. This legislation would change the minimum number credits that millennium scholarship recipients are required to take. At CSN students would have to take a minimum of 9 credits where at the four institutions they would have to have 12.
In the Assembly a similar bill, AB 111, was also passed through committee this week. The only different in this bill is that is has an incremental phase-in process.

 

SB 182/AB 399 — Economic Gardening

In the Senate, Sen. Spearman has authored a bill that would help CSN and UNR support local small businesses in our community. Assemblywoman Dina Neal has authored AB 399, which is similar but focuses more on Southern Nevada, and was heard in committee today. This legislation would allocate $300,000 to start a pilot program and help grow a set number of local businesses each through the provision of data and other resources.  Our fantastic team in the CSN Division of Workforce & Economic Development would lead this effort at CSN.

 

In addition to legislation mentioned above, the budget request of the Board of Regents is being heard in several budget hearings.  All expenditure requests are, of course, based on the amount of dollars that state has available, making the Governor’s proposed revenue package a critical focus as the Legislature moves forward.  We are optimistic that the package will be adopted.  Later, in May, the Economic Forum will meet to consider final revenue levels for the next biennium.

 

New National Endowment for the Humanities Grant to fund “Linking with Latin America” Project

Preliminarily, CSN received word of an $116,806 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to partner with the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Latin American Studies as part of the NEH’s Bridging Cultures at Community Colleges program.

CSN’s project, titled “Linking with Latin America: The Border Crisis and Beyond,” will incorporate content related to Latin America and its cultures into humanities courses, bring in visiting scholars for expert seminars, better prepare humanities faculty for a large and increasing Hispanic population, and enhance faculty and staff sensitivity.

This NEH grant will enrich the classroom experience and professional development for faculty and staff with a better understanding and appreciation for Latin American cultures. This helps us serve our growing Hispanic student population and provides training for our faculty and staff to better prepare all of our students for successful entry into our global community.

We are very grateful to our Congressional delegation for their support in helping us obtain this opportunity.

Institutional Advisory Council

During the legislative session, CSN’s new Institutional Advisory Council (IAC) is meeting monthly.  The IAC is currently working on creating a recommendation for the names of CSN’s campuses. A subcommittee is developing a survey to go out to the college community in the near future, working with representatives from the local municipalities, Faculty Senate Chair Jodie Mandel, ASCSN Vice President Lizbeth Gonzalez, the CSN Foundation, Institutional Research and members of the business community. The CSN IAC will then consider a diverse array of institutional and community perspectives and provide a recommendation for the Board of Regents to consider.

Vice Presidential Openings
After seven years at the helm of CSN academics, Vice President of Academic Affairs Darren Divine has decided to step down at the end of this semester. We wish him well wherever his journey may take him. Dr. Divine began at CSN in 2000 as a biology instructor and is a tenured professor in that department. We will appoint an interim vice president before the end of the semester and then conduct a national search for the position.

CSN’s Vice President of Student Affairs search is wrapping up. Finalists will be on campus April 7, 8 and 9. There will be a public forum from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. video conferenced to each campus for each candidate, each day, so that you can meet them. Locations are yet to be determined. I hope to have the selected candidate begin, following the next fiscal year on July 1.

Evaluation Recommendations
As you may know, the presidential evaluation held in December and approved by the Board of Regents in March, resulted in several recommendations for the college and my organizational structure in particular. One of the most prominent recommendations, supported by the board, was the expansion of CSN’s executive administration to ensure I receive diverse input, representative of the many groups we serve at CSN.  Likewise, a broadening of the administration will help with communication challenges to ensure broader dialogue and information sharing occurs at all levels and with our many community partners.

One model I’m exploring is to create a 15-20 member senior leadership team that would meet twice each month and an extended leadership team of up to 50 members that would meet twice a semester.  Under this model, the President’s Cabinet would dissolve.
In addition to expanding my administration, two studies were also recommended:  one to examine mandating the AA/AS degree prior to transfer, and the second to examine the feasibility of disaggregating CSN’s campuses to create a quasi-community college district.  A task force for the first study will be announced after spring break. My predecessor formerly completed a study of the second recommendation and I plan on breaking it out for renewed discussion and consideration.

CSN Coyotes Baseball

Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Page joined the Coyotes baseball team for our Board of Regents night on March 5. Everyone had a great time, and Chairman Page did a fine job throwing out the night’s first pitch. What’s more, the Coyotes did us all proud, winning the game and improving their already impressive record.

Tenure Congratulations

At the March 5 and 6 Board of Regents meeting, Regents approved tenure for CSN faculty. Congratulations to the following individuals. This is a major milestone and achievement for our faculty:

• Julian Barroso-Merino, International Languages
• Denny Burzynski, Mathematics
• Stephanie M. Espinoza, Library Services
• Anthony Fortner, Business, Hospitality & Public Services
• Chieko Fukushima, Applied Technology
• Kellie Jeanne Hagewen, Human Behavior
• April Celeste Hebert, Communication
• Amy Diane Litman, International Languages
• Charles M. Lohman Jr., Media Technologies
• Gail Lynn Lupica-Amani, Health Sciences
• Mary Manoharan, Nursing
• Elsa M. Mason, Human Behavior
• Daniel F. McElhattan III, Media Technologies
• Kevin G. Mess, Applied Technologies
• Donald D. Mirjanian, Political Science
• Camille Elizabeth Naaktgeboren, Biological Sciences
• Robert E. O’Toole, Accounting, Finance, and Computer Office Technology
• Carrie K. Preite, Biological Sciences
• Caprice J. Roberson, Library Services
• Marilyn I. Robinson, Computing & Information Technology
• Marianne Sampson, Dental Diagnostic & Rehabilitative Services
• Heidi C. Schneiter, Dental Diagnostic & Rehabilitative Services
• Julian Chater Smit, Human Behavior
• Dale Andrew Wallace, Computer & Information Technology
• Gary E. Widdison, Dental Diagnostic & Rehabilitative Services

Campus Master Plans

As most of you know, a series of campus “open houses” are being held this week on each campus to receive feedback on physical master plans for each campus.  These plans provide a framework for future campus development, including building placement, circulation patterns, parking, landscaping, etc.  Internal reviews—including your input–will complement the planning process and improve the final product.   Take some time to review the plans and the options they present.

Faculty & Staff Questions:      

“How likely is a budget cut or an Arizona-type reduction in state support?”

Without Governor Sandoval’s revenue package, there are inadequate revenues for the State of Nevada.  A budget cut would be certain.  With the revenue package, the next biennium would proceed as described in the Governor’s budget.   Regarding an Arizona-type cut to community colleges, it is unlikely.  Arizona’s major community colleges have local funding and high tuition.  Nevada’s community colleges have only state appropriations and low tuition.  CSN, for example, receives about 77% of its budget from the state general fund.

 

“If ‘Campus Carry,’ or other gun-bills get through, allowing firearms on campus or in campus parking lots, will CSN provide training for employees and students on the new laws? Will CSN provide firearm safety training for those who have CCW permits?”

Needless to say, CSN and the higher education system are closely following the campus carry bills.  Should one or more pass and become law, the College and NSHE will abide by the law.  Currently, our efforts are directed in opposition to the proposed legislation; internally, we have not discussed safety training, but certainly could if needed.

 

“Any new information about furloughs, merit or benefits?”

The governor has eliminated furloughs in his executive budget recommendations and provided merit for classified employees. We continue to advocate for improvements to health and other benefits as well as the inclusion of NSHE professional faculty and staff in the merit program so that we can treat employees equitably and also provide incentives to keep our highly talented faculty and staff at CSN.

 

Best,

 

Mike

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Science and Technology Expo will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and is free to attend. For more information please call 702-651-4959.

What:              CSN’s 12th Annual Science & Technology Expo

When:             9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Friday, April 24

Where:            CSN Cheyenne campus, 3200 E. Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89030

 

About CSN

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

 

College of Southern Nevada to Institute Safe Zones

New program to help establish a welcoming, safe, inclusive environment for the LGBTQ community

 

LAS VEGAS, March 20, 2015 – College of Southern Nevada officials are excited to announce the launch of its Safe Zone program, a resource for the LGBTQ community at CSN.

The public is invited to attend the formal announcement of the program with CSN officials and community partners at 2:30 p.m. March 27 in the Paul E. Meacham Student Services building on the Charleston campus.

The Safe Zone program is modeled after programs at colleges and universities across the country. Its aim is to promote a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for members of LGBTQ communities and to educate and promote understanding, appreciation and respect for everyone

“The Safe Zone program is directly linked to the college’s mission to create opportunities and change lives through access to quality teaching,” said CSN President Michael Richards. “Students who don’t feel safe and welcome at CSN or any college are, in effect, denied access. We want everyone to feel welcome at CSN.”

The program includes training for CSN faculty and staff and the identification of Safe Zones throughout CSN’s campuses. These Safe Zones will be easily identified by stickers placed in conspicuous areas, and will provide judgment-free zones for students to visit with faculty and staff who have gone through the training, and receive information about resources available in the community. “I am thrilled that this national initiative is coming to CSN,” said Michael Dimengo, CEO of The Center, a Las Vegas nonprofit that supports the rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. “This will be a resource for CSN’s students that has been unavailable until now. We are glad to be a partner in this effort.”

CSN student Michael Pitta said he wished there was a program like Safe Zones years ago, when he came out as gay. “It’s important for students who are afraid to come out to their families to have a place to go to talk to someone without being judged,” he said.

“The training this program offers is valuable and unique because it helps faculty and staff respond to issues that gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students face that no one else does,” said CSN Communication Professor Owen Pillion, co-chair of the Queer Inclusive Campus Committee (QICC), which helped establish the program.

Who: CSN President Michael Richards, The Center CEO Michael Dimengo, CSN student Michael Pitta and CSN Professor and Co-Chair of the CSN QICC Owen Pillion

When: 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 27

Where: Building D, Room 101, the Paul E. Meacham Student Services building on CSN’s Charleston campus, located at 6375 W. Charleston Blvd.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

Federal Grant Will Support CSN Efforts to Expand Hispanic Education

CSN project titled “Linking with Latin America” to incorporate content relating to Latin America into humanities courses as the college’s Hispanic population continues to increase

LAS VEGAS, March 24, 2015 – With more than one in four students at the College of Southern Nevada of Hispanic origin, the college will begin infusing content relating to Latin America and the Caribbean into its courses with help from a $116,806 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

CSN will partner with the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Latin American Studies on the project, part of the NEH’s Bridging Cultures at Community Colleges program.

CSN’s project will be titled Linking with Latin America: The Border Crisis and Beyond. It will incorporate content related to Latin America and its cultures into humanities courses, bring in visiting scholars for expert seminars, better prepare humanities faculty for a large and increasing Hispanic population, and enhance faculty and staff sensitivity.

In January, CSN announced that it had met the criteria to become a Hispanic Serving Institution as described in the Higher Education Act. Approximately 26 percent of CSN’s student body is Hispanic in fall 2014. To meet those criteria, the college had to show that it has increased programming for underrepresented minority and low-income students.

“This grant will enrich the classroom experience for students and professional development for faculty and staff with a better understanding and appreciation for Latin American culture,” said CSN President Michael D. Richards. “This not only helps us serve our growing Hispanic student population well, it helps us prepare all of our students for successful entry into our global community.”

Richards thanked Nevada’s Congressional delegation for their help in securing the grant.

“Congratulations to the College of Southern Nevada on receiving the prestigious NEH Bridging Cultures at Community Colleges grant. This achievement not only reflects CSN’s ongoing commitment to improving access to higher education and enhancing diversity but also to increasing students’ exposure to different cultures from around the world,” said Rep. Dina Titus (NV-01). “This grant will provide critical resources to strengthen faculty, staff, and students’ knowledge and appreciation of the history and cultures of Latin America and the Caribbean. This is especially exciting for the growing Hispanic student population on campus.”

Bridging Cultures at Community Colleges grants are intended to strengthen and enrich humanities education and scholarship at community colleges. Grants can be used to enhance the humanities content of existing programs, develop new programs, or lay the foundation for more extensive endeavors in the future.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN Libraries Go to the Dogs

Therapy dogs will visit campus to help students de-stress as final exams approach

LAS VEGAS, March 16, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada’s library staff knows that students can get dog-tired as the final exams approach, so they’re inviting students to take a quick break to de-stress.

A group of therapy dogs will visit each of CSN’s three campus libraries throughout the month of April. Students often gather at the library as they work on research papers and group projects, and prepare for upcoming final exams. It can be a stressful time for them.

“A short break of ten or twenty minutes in a stress-free, fun environment can make a big difference,” said Beth Schuck, CSN’s Library Services director.

The therapy dogs are being provided by Love Dog Adventures, a non-profit, all-volunteer animal assisted therapy program.

Schuck said CSN’s libraries are designed to create a welcoming environment for students, and the therapy dogs program is part of that.

The media are invited to attend the event.

Who:               CSN Libraries and Love Dog Adventures

What:             Therapy dogs at CSN’s libraries

When:             Noon to 2 p.m. April 2 at the Henderson Library, A-120

Noon to 2 p.m. April 9 at the Charleston library, I Building

Noon to 2 p.m. April 16 at the Cheyenne library, E-201 in the main building

Why:               Time to relax before final exams and research papers are due

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu 

CSN “Speed-Networking” event to connect students, employers

Similar to speed dating, students will have a chance to make their best pitches to tech employers.

 LAS VEGAS, March 13, 2015 – More than three dozen local tech-focused employers will be on the College of Southern Nevada campus Friday, March 20, for a Speed-Networking event designed to give tech-savvy students a chance to show off the skills they’ve learned in college.

Patterned after speed dating, the Speed-Networking event gives CSN students majoring in business, computing and information technology, engineering technology, health information technology and media technologies a chance to meet briefly with employers and “sell themselves” in five minutes or less.

“This is a great opportunity for our students to network with potential employers,” said Warren Hioki, director of the CSN School of Advanced & Applied Science. “Last year’s event was such a great success we were determined to do it again.”

In 2014, the event included 38 student participants and 35 employers from 25 companies, including Century Link, NV Energy, Intel, HP, Dell and many others. Those employers are scheduled to take part again this year, as well as the Clark County School District, Cox Communications, and Northwestern Mutual.

Hioki said he was inspired by a similar event at Michigan State University. “As soon as I saw that, a light turned on and I knew we could do the same here at CSN,” he said.

Students participating are studying computing information technology, graphic design, web design, electronics and other related fields. They will bring resumes with them as they network with employers.

The event will be held from noon to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, March 20, in the June Whitley Student Lounge on CSN’s Cheyenne campus. The media are invited to attend.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

Contact: Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN Invites Community Input on Physical Master Plans

CSN to host open houses this month to collect feedback on the master plans for campuses – a CSN blueprint to maximize space!

 LAS VEGAS, March 12, 2015 – What will the College of Southern Nevada look like when all of its campuses are built out to maximum capacity? CSN officials want your feedback.

The college is in the process of developing its campuses’ physical master plans. Once finalized, these plans will provide college officials with a blueprint to maximize space at each of CSN’s campuses and identify where potential new buildings, parking and student spaces are desired. Campus physical master plans are important documents in public higher education that facilitate construction priorities and effectiveness of campus development priorities in place so that when and if funds become available, CSN officials have plans that have received community and college input.

The college will have three open houses at the end of March at each campus, where college officials and architects will be on hand to answer questions and collect feedback on these proposed plans.

CSN Physical Master Plan Open Houses

Charleston Campus

Tuesday, March 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Paul E. Meacham Student Services Building Lobby

Cheyenne Campus

Wednesday, March 25, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

June Whitley Student Center

Henderson Campus

Thursday, March 26,10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
C Building Lobby

Members of the public and college community can also ask questions or provide input by emailing csnmasterplans@csn.edu.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN is a community college and offers certificate and associate-degree programs, including fully transferable degrees that allow students to enter four-year institutions as juniors and career and technical programs that allow students to enter a meaningful career upon completion. CSN has three niche bachelor’s degrees in health sciences. In addition, the college provides adult basic education and non-credit workforce training through its Division of Workforce & Education. CSN is a Minority Serving and a Hispanic Serving Institution, where students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, weekend and online classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here.

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Greetings to all!  There is much activity on many fronts. Please attend my upcoming town hall for further details and conversation. It will take place Tuesday, March 10, at the Henderson campus in C-133 at 3 p.m. The next town hall will occur in March 24 at 3 p.m. at the Charleston campus in I-108.    

Guns on Campus

Assemblywoman Michele Fiore’s campus carry bill, allowing weapons on college and university campuses, will be heard in the Assembly Judiciary Committee on Thursday, March 5, at 8 a.m. The Nevada System of Higher Education opposes this bill (see Faculty & Staff questions below for more information on why.)  If your schedule allows, please go to the Grant Sawyer Building at 555 Washington Ave. and plan to provide public comment. Or send an email to members of the committee and your legislative representatives to make your perspective known.

We are encouraging all students, staff and faculty to attend or make their voices known and will send out additional communications once the agenda for the meeting is posted. More on other legislative issues below.

Black History Month

I want to thank our Black History Month Committee for a fantastic month of events. I would like to note that this committee works hard to highlight the importance of the African American community year round with dynamic student mixers, coffee gatherings and more.

Last week, we held the President’s Forum for the month and had an engaging discussion on the graduation of African American students and challenges they face. We appreciated the participation of an excellent panel discussion facilitated by Clark County Commissioner Lawrence Weekly. Look for more information about this as we finalize our plans for a Minority Serving Male Initiative this fall.

March Board of Regents Meeting

At its regular meeting on March 5-6, the Board of Regents will consider a number of CSN items:

1) Recommendations for faculty tenure, 2) Recommendations for Regents Awards and an honorary degree for Mr. Dennis Birr, former principal of Community College High Schools, 3) A discussion on campus naming, 4) An update on Financial Aid, and 5) The periodic evaluation of CSN’s president. The agenda is available at www.nevada.edu and CSN will provide a link to the live webcast on the home page.

On Thursday evening, the Regents have been invited to a CSN vs Utah State University – Eastern baseball game at the Henderson campus. NSHE Board Chair Kevin Page is throwing the first pitch. Go Coyotes!

Other Upcoming Meetings and Events

• Women’s History Month begins in March with a terrific series of events. First one is Feb. 27.
• CSN IAC Meeting, Monday, March 9, at 11 a.m. at the Charleston campus in E327.
• CSN President’s Town Hall on Tuesday, March 10, at 3 p.m., at the Henderson campus, C-133.
• As part of Women’s History Month, the President’s Forum on Women’s Issues is March 12.
• President’s March Town Hall on March 24, at 3 p.m. at the Charleston campus in I-108.

 

Campus Naming Discussion
The March Board of Regents meeting will include a discussion among Regents on CSN campus names. I asked for this item to be put on the agenda in light of the calls from community leaders in North Las Vegas, Las Vegas and the Metro Chamber to change our Cheyenne and Charleston campus names to the CSN North Las Vegas Campus and the CSN Las Vegas Campus. Understanding that a previous survey of our students, staff and faculty weighted in favor of keeping our campuses’ current names, it would be beneficial to have robust public discussions about this in multiple venues. Whereas CSN is a public entity and more importantly a community’s college, I believe we have a duty to be responsive to our external and internal constituents. I think it would be appropriate for our new Institutional Advisory Council to hear from our students, faculty and staff and community leaders on this matter at their next meeting on March 9 at 11 a.m. in E 327 at the Charleston campus and make a recommendation. It would then also be beneficial for our elected members of the Board of Regents, representing a broad array of constituents throughout the state, to then weigh in on these perspectives and make a decision. As it turns out, CSN’s campus names have never been voted upon.

To make your perspective known, I recommend you send an email to K.C. Brekken by March 4. She will compile all emails and provide to the IAC for review prior to their March 9 meeting. You may also come to the meeting to provide public comment or come to a future Board of Regents meeting. I will send additional communications on this to encourage participation.

Legislative Issues

It has been one of the fastest starts to Nevada Legislature in recent history. Gun legislation and the UNLV Medical School have dominated the headlines but there are many bills that have been introduced that will affect our students. We are appreciative of the Governor for supporting higher education in his budget and are making the case for additional investments that are necessary to support the future of this state. As it pertains to CSN this includes:

• A $5 increase in the weighted student credit hour;
• Merit for professional employees (the executive budget includes this for classified);
• A $5 million state scholarship or grant for low-income community college and Nevada State College students; and
• A $6 million Workforce Development Fund.

These Board of Regents’ legislative priorities not included in the executive budget are also critical to supporting low-income students, increasing recruitment and retention of faculty and staff and providing innovative workforce training programs to support new and existing business and industry.

I recently made a visit to our state’s capitol where I met with legislative leaders and pressed for these additional investments.

On Tuesday, I along with the other NSHE presidents attended the Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Committee on Finance Subcommittees on K-12/Higher Education/CIP where the Nevada System of Higher Education budget was presented. There was limited time for public comment and ASCSN President William McCurdy II made an excellent case for state scholarships for low-income students.

On Thursday, the Senate Education Committee had a work session on a bill that would increase the minimum student credits required to obtain a Millennium Scholarship. This bill increases the minimum credits required to be eligible to receive the scholarship from six credits to nine. We support this bill that is sponsored by Sen. Joyce Woodhouse, understanding that we serve many who cannot attend full time. We are watching this bill closely as it transforms and will keep you posted as we know more. ASCSN plans on providing input as well.

I’ll be holding a town hall on March 10 at 3 p.m. at Henderson where we can discuss all of these issues in greater detail. I urge you to come and participate.

First CSN Institutional Advisory Council Meeting

The first Institutional Advisory Council meetings for the state’s four community colleges took place earlier this month. Dr. Walter Bumphus, the President of the American Association of Community Colleges, addressed the councils simultaneously. His remarks and presentation are available on the IAC’s site. The Council then elected a chair, Dr. Nancy Brune, and a vice chair, Jose Solorio.

We are very fortunate to have such active and highly respected community leaders taking on this new role. The minutes from the first meeting and subsequent meetings will be posted on the IAC’s web page (www.csn.edu/IAC) once approved.

CSN PTK Students Make Us Proud!

Each year, the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society tasks each chapter with a year-long scholarly project known as Honors in Action. Last year’s topic was Frontiers and the Spirit of Exploration. CSN’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa elected to focus their research in the health and medicine field, specifically Nanotechnology.

The project included developing research plans and objectives, locating primary and secondary sources, interviewing CSN & UNLV Professors, touring the Nanotechnology lab at UNLV, developing a plan of action and objectives, carrying out the plan, and writing the results.

After conducting extensive research, the problem they identified was a lack of students majoring in the STEM fields. To address the problem locally, the students visited various elementary classrooms within the CCSD and conducted appropriate, grade-level presentations on Nanotechnology in an effort to spark interest and increase the number of students majoring in STEM. Below is the poster highlighting their year-long project in 2014. Congratulations to CSN’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa for promoting scholarly research within the college and the community.

 

In addition, each year Phi Theta Kappa publishes an anthology of literary works from students who are members of the honor society across the country. This year’s publication featured two CSN students whose literary works were selected to be published and were recipients of the Reynold’s Award (a $500 scholarship). Congratulations to Cassandra Van Gelder and Daryl Watkins.

Faculty & Staff Questions:

“How does CSN feel about legislation allowing guns on campus?” CSN and CSN’s Department of Police have a long history of opposing this legislation for a number of reasons. The primary one being that in an emergency situation it is very difficult for Police to distinguish suspects when there are Good Samaritans brandishing weapons. There is also increased potential for violence or accidents with increased access to guns on campus. Many opponents have also noticed the chilling effect that such a weapon – if not obviously concealed – might have on classroom discussions and others have questioned how guns on campus might impact the minors enrolled through the Community College High School or the children at our daycares.

 

Best regards to all.

 

–Mike Richards

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release:

 

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

CSN Career Fair Connects Job Seekers and Employers

The public is invited to showcase jobs skills to dozens of recruiters at the March 3 event

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 19, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada will host its Spring 2015 Career Fair, where approximately 50 employers will tap the local talent pool to fill hundreds of job opportunities and internships available locally and nationwide. The event is open to the public and held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, on CSN’s Cheyenne Campus in the June Whitley Student Lounge.

The open forum allows job applicants the opportunity to meet recruiters, learn about job openings and gather detailed employment information. Applicants should dress in interview attire, have resumes on hand and be prepared for on-the-spot interviews.

“The Spring Career Fair offers CSN students and other job seekers a chance to meet potential employers face to face,” said Erica O’Toole, career specialist at CSN. “It’s not only a great networking opportunity, but also a forum for job seekers to learn more about potential employers. Recruiters will be on hand to provide detailed information about their organizations and the jobs available.”

The wide array of organizations planning to attend include 24 Hour Fitness, A Gentle Touch Home Care, Banfield Pet Hospital, Bankers Life, the Bureau of Reclamation, Canyon Ranch Spa Club, Chipotle Mexican Grill, the City of Las Vegas, Clark County Parks and Recreation, Clark County School District, CSN Human Resources, Enterprise Rent a Car, the federal Air Marshal Service, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, MGM Resorts International, the Nevada Department of Corrections, NV Energy, Opportunity Village, Ramirez Group, the San Jose Police Department, the Social Security Administration, Station Casinos, the Cosmopolitan, Transamerica Financial Advisors, the University of Phoenix, the U.S. Coast Guard, Wells Fargo and many others.

For more information or to host an employer booth, contact CSN Career Services, 702-651-4700.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

 

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu 

CSN to Help Military Veterans Become Nurses

Nevada one of six states piloting an innovative program that will award credit based on military training

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 17, 2015 – Military veterans with medical training will soon be able to become Licensed Practical Nurses through a new program at the College of Southern Nevada.

The Medic and Military Corpsmen to LPN program launches this month. It is designed for veteran medics and corpsmen, as well as active duty guard and reserve medics.

“Our veterans and active duty members of the military are the backbone of who we are as a nation. It is our duty to support them, and we gladly do so,” said CSN President Michael Richards. “We are proud that CSN is the first college in Nevada to offer the medic to LPN program.”

Nevada is one of six states piloting the program. At the behest of Gov. Brian Sandoval, the Nevada State Nursing Board and CSN worked together to develop the program. It is similar to one developed at an Arizona community college.

“As a community college, it is our mission to respond to the needs of the community we serve,” said Darren Divine, CSN’s vice president for academic affairs. “Workforce training and retraining will always be a top priority at CSN.”

CSN will report results of the program to the federal Department of Labor, which recently awarded the Nevada System of Higher Education’s community colleges $9,921,831.00 in the latest round of Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) competitive grants.

The purpose of TAACCCT grants is to provide community colleges and other eligible institutions of higher education with funds improve their ability to deliver education and career training programs that will help job seekers get the skills they need for in-demand jobs in industries like information technology, health care, energy, and manufacturing. Previous TAACCCT grants have been used at CSN for home health care worker training and facilities maintenance training.

Medics and corpsmen receive extensive training in the military, much of which overlaps with the training LPNs receive. Under the new program, CSN will award credit to medics and corpsmen and allow them to complete the program in 16 weeks; typically, the LPN program takes two years to complete.

By completing the program in a single semester, students will not only save on tuition and fees, but they will be able to enter the workforce sooner. Once they complete courses, labs and clinical work, students will have to take the National Council Licensure Examination, known as the NCLEX, to become licensed practical nurses.

The demand for LPNs is strong in Nevada and elsewhere in the nation, said Deborah Ain, director of nursing at CSN. LPNs reported an average annual salary of $41,000 in the latest data available from the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The field is expected to see greater than average growth, as well.

CSN’s first class, which begins Feb. 23, will have up to eight students. Beginning in the fall, between eight and 16 students will be admitted to the program each semester.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

Contact: K.C. Brekken, CSN Public Affairs, 702-651-7535, kc.brekken@csn.edu
              Mae Worthey, DETR, 702-486-7991, wmworthey@nvdetr.org

Message to students: STEM is Cool!

2^nd Annual GEAR UP STEM Conference for Middle School Students at CSN

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 10, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada and Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR) are proud to invite elected officials, community leaders and members of the media to join us for the second annual GEAR UP Stem Conference for Middle School students on Feb. 20.

The conference offers a dynamic morning for 130 middle school students to learn about exciting careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields. The students will participate in hands-on lab sessions throughout the morning and then hear from a panel of STEM stars from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. about a variety of career opportunities. The panelists are members of the Governor’s Workforce Investment Board’s sector councils.

The 2014 Brookings Mountain West report, Cracking the Code on STEM: A People Strategy for Nevada’s Economy, recommends teaching Nevada’s youth more about STEM careers to cultivate the next generation of STEM workers. The conference will include students from Harney and Mack middle schools who are assigned to CSN through the grant-sponsored CSN Ambassador Program, which allows students to tour a college campus, hear about exciting careers in STEM fields and experience hands-on activities in robotics, web design, graphic design, coding, IT and more.

“We are pleased to partner with CSN on this important event for Nevada’s youth,” said Don Soderberg, DETR director. “One of our major priorities is preparing youth for the workforce by helping them learn about unique career opportunities. This event will provide valuable information to help these young people learn about careers they otherwise would not have been exposed to.”

What: Second Annual GEAR UP STEM Middle School Conference

Where: CSN Cheyenne Campus, located at 3200 N. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas, in the Telecommunications Auditorium and classrooms

When: Feb. 20, 2015, beginning at 9 a.m.

Schedule:

Welcome: 9:30 a.m.in the Telecommunications Auditorium with CSN President Michael D. Richards

Sessions:

Geology Rocks- Science for Tweens

Dawn Reed: National Security Technologies, LLC & Contractor to the U.S. Department of Energy

Changing Attitudes about Math…One Student at a Time!

Dr. Jennifer Gorman, CSN Department of Mathematics

Gadgets, Gizmos, and Gigabyte

Dr. Naser Heravi, Software Program Director, CSN Department of Computing and Information Technology

Panel Discussion: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in the June Whitley Lounge

Moderator: Dr. Warren Hioki, director, CSN School of Advanced & Applied Science

• Missy Young, Executive Vice President, Switch
• Joe Riney, Nevada Mining Association
• Anita Wood, Councilwoman City of North Las Vegas
• Christina Aldan, CEO of Luckygirl Designs, Co-Managing Director for Girls In Tech and founder of 222Evolve
• Heather Wilde: GOED Sector Council

Closing Remarks:   

Jeanne Donadio, Career & Technical Education Director- CCSD

Earl McDowell, Deputy Administrator –  DETR, Deputy Director -State of Nevada

Please contact K.C. Brekken from CSN’s Office of Public Affairs if you would like to attend the conference at 702-651-7535 or kc.brekken@csn.edu

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN has achieved federal designation as a Minority Serving Institution and Hispanic Serving Institution. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here.

About DETR

DETR is comprised of the Employment Security Division, Equal Rights Commission, Rehabilitation Division, and the Research and Analysis Bureau. DETR works in partnership with the Nevada JobConnect System to provide training and job placement services to job seekers and to assist employers in hiring practices. It also supports economic development efforts through improving Nevada’s workforce.

 

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For Immediate Release:

Contact: Michael Flores, CSN Communications and Government Affairs Director, 702-610-1853, Michael.flores@csn.edu

 

CSN First in Nevada to Meet Federal Hispanic Serving Institution Requirements 

 

LAS VEGAS, Feb. 2, 2015 – College of Southern Nevada President Michael D. Richards announced today that the U.S. Department of Education accepted the college’s application to be eligible to apply for Title III and Title V funds this spring under the Higher Education Act.

CSN submitted its application to the U.S. Department of Education in December to be eligible to apply for grants and become the first federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) in Nevada.

The U.S. Department of Education defines a HSI as a higher education institution with an enrollment of undergraduate full-time equivalent students that is at least 25 percent Hispanic. The institution must also enroll more Pell Grant recipients than the median Pell Grant enrollment of its peers. The application to become a Hispanic Serving Institution evaluates data from two years prior, so CSN’s application data was based on the 2012-13 academic year.

CSN applied for the designation Dec. 18 and fell short of the new percentage of low-income students (Pell eligible students) required, which increased 10 percentage points in this year’s application from 35 percent of the student body to 45 percent. CSN had 42 percent of students receiving Pell in 2012-13 and applied for a waiver. The waiver requires colleges to submit evidence that they serve low-income and underrepresented students and provide access to postsecondary education and programs to help them succeed. Community leaders and Nevada’s elected officials then wrote letters of support for CSN, its waiver application and the importance of this designation to Nevada.

In order to be eligible for grants under the HSI program, each college and university must meet the HEA’s definition of an Hispanic-serving institution and the conditions of eligibility. Title V grants are awarded for five years. In 2014, the maximum award was $525,000 per year. There were 29 HSIs that received an award out of more than 370 HSI institutions.

 

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Greetings!

Hope you all had a restful winter break and enjoyed the wonderful professional development sessions offered through CAPE at this spring’s convocation. This Chronicle includes information regarding CSN’s performance in the second performance pool, the state budget, accomplishments and more!  There is much happening in higher education, particularly as preparations get underway for the 2015 legislative session and as CSN engages the community more intensively.

Performance Pool
Congratulations are well due to you all for your hard work these past few years to increase student success. We are seeing results! For the second year in a row, CSN has met its benchmark obligations in the performance pool, which allows us to retain 10% of our budget for the next fiscal year. These benchmarks are based on the number of students that graduate and transfer in specific categories, as listed below. CSN exceeded its benchmarks by 112%, up from the 108% by which CSN exceeded its graduation and transfer obligations in the first year of the performance pool implementation. You’ll recall that the amount of money at stake with the pool will increase by 5% each year until it comprises 20% of our state budget in FY 2018.

 

 

 

 

Media Articles on Furloughs and NSHE Salary Dollars
Last week, a couple of news articles, regarding the state’s $162 million deficit for the current fiscal year, included reports of additional furlough days and salary sweeps that require clarification.

First, the only reduction being proposed for the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) is an elimination of the ability to draw up to $6.5 million in salary adjustment pool funds from the Nevada Board of Examiners.  While this represents a reduction in potential revenue available to NSHE institutions, it will not impact faculty or staff salaries.  This pool was a source of funds to which institutions could apply for dollars to cover salary adjustments to the extent they were not otherwise covered by vacancy savings or other sources. Now institutions will need to cover those expenses and any shortfall from other one-time sources.  

There was also a reference to two additional furlough days.  No additional furlough days are being proposed for NSHE faculty or staff.

 

This Friday, come join us to celebrate the dedication of the Charleston Student Services Building in honor of CSN President Emeritus Dr. Paul Meacham. He was CSN’s longest serving President and the first African American President of a college or university in Nevada. The dedication of the Paul E. Meacham Student Services Building will take place at 1 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30. To attend, please R.S.V.P. to Michelle.word@csn.edu.

 

Legislative Update and Governor’s Budget

As stated previously in my all email last week, the Governor has released his budget priorities, including the elimination of furloughs and restoration of pay for faculty, staff and students. the NSHE presented its budget to a joint money committee last week. The presentation went well and we expect to continue to advocate for priorities not included in the Governor’s budget, including an increase of $5 for every weighted student credit hour completed, which  CSN would use to advance student success priorities, state funded grants for low-income community college students and a workforce fund among others. The session begins next week on Feb. 2. CSN will have a strong presence up in Carson City to advance these priorities.

Re-Opening of the A Building
On Feb. 11, we will unveil state-of-the-art renovations to the oldest building on our Charleston campus, including three new classrooms and six labs.

The Claude I. Howard Health Sciences Center first opened in 1988 as the college expanded from its roots on Cheyenne Avenue. Howard was a philanthropist and supporter of education whose generous donation helped CSN’s new campus get off the ground.

Come join us to celebrate its re-opening at a dedication ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m. Feb. 11. In addition to renovating 26,000 square feet of the building – about half the existing space in the building – nearly 5,000 square feet of new space was added. The new space houses ophthalmic dispensing, radiation therapy and physical therapy. The $10 million project included modern new equipment for the physical therapy, radiation therapy and ophthalmic assistant programs, as well as some smaller renovations to the veterinary tech area in the adjacent B building.

These new classrooms and labs will enhance the learning experience for our students at CSN and we are excited to show them off to the public. We hope you will join us.

The purpose of the event, which we offer on all three main campuses at the start of every semester, is to help students get to know CSN and the myriad programs designed to enrich their engagement in the collegiate experience. 

Research shows that students who feel more connected to their college are more likely to succeed. Thank you to all the faculty and staff who worked hard to make the event the success that it was.

CSN High Schools Receive High Marks

The Clark County School District recently noted that three CCSD high schools had a 100 percent graduation rate in 2014: College of Southern Nevada High School East, College of Southern Nevada High School South, and College of Southern Nevada High School West. Congratulations to that wonderful program. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the school district.

 

North Las Vegas City Hall

CSN will begin leasing space in the North Las Vegas City Hall this spring. Vice President of Finance Mary Kaye Bailey and her team will relocate to this space.  The Facilities operation will relocate to the business building on the Cheyenne campus, thereby vacating space in the main building for faculty and staff offices. 

 

CSN Student Body President William McCurdy Receives Prestigious MLK Award

On Jan. 17, I had the honor of attending the Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Banquet at the Orleans with a great crew from CSN. Our very own ASCSN President William McCurdy, Jr., received the President’s Award at the event. This is an exceptional honor and we are very proud of William and his accomplishments.

 

 

 

 

Institutional Advisory Council

CSN’s new Institutional Advisory Council will meet for the first time on Feb. 4 at the NSHE Las Vegas system office. The first hour of the meeting will be teleconferenced with three northern community colleges’ institutional advisory councils for a joint presentation by American Association of Community Colleges President and CEO Dr. Walter Bumphus. The second half of the meeting will pertain to CSN. We have put the agenda and other supporting materials for this new body on the web. Go to www.csn.edu/iac for more information.

 

Town Halls Not Roundtables

The length of this Chronicle is indicative of the multitude of major events, happenings, initiatives and so forth that are underway at CSN. Therefore this semester, I will be conducting monthly town halls to update you on the Legislature and other happenings. There will be one per month and we will rotate among each of our campuses. You will see advertisements for these shortly. Please come and bring your questions!

 

Poster Fair

The second annual Poster Fair on Student Success that took place on Jan. 12 was a fantastic event, enjoyed by all. This was a great way to share information about the unique projects each department has been working on and a demonstration of how engaged this college is in the mission of student success. My thanks to all of you for the work you do and the additional efforts to put together engaging and dynamic posters to communicate your important work.

 

New Web Design
I am excited to announce that the CSN website is being redesigned. This new redesign will focus on successfully marketing our college to future students and parents, while placing emphasis on converting visitors into students. The new website will feature great improvements that will benefit our target audience, including user personalization, interactive maps, guided video tours, improved page owner workflows, simplified degree and certificate processes, extended social capabilities, in addition to other enhancements designed to improve the visitor retention and overall experience.

A portal website is also being designed and launched for current students, faculty, and staff.  The portal’s single sign-on functionality will allow users to login once and gain access to emails, class schedules, Canvas, faculty contacts, important forms, financial information and many more features that’s personalized to the user. In essence, the new portal will provide a dashboard that will help students, faculty, and staff get the best functionality out of multiple CSN internal applications, in one convenient location.

Faculty & Staff Questions:

“What is happening with the Northwest Campus?”
In December, President Obama signed the Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument bill, which converts 22,650 acres to a national park and which also includes the 40-acre Northwest campus parcel. We have waited years for Congress to pass this legislation and are truly grateful. This will open access to postsecondary education in a growing corner of this valley. We are currently working with the City of Las Vegas to finalize the conveyance of the land to us and reviewing the previous plans for this campus’ build out. But in short, we are still a long way off from any ground breaking ceremony.

“Are enrollments up or down this spring?”
Enrollments this spring are slightly up compared to where they were at this time last year. Historically, spring enrollments are lower than fall’s numbers. However, we won’t have an accurate depiction until the mid-semester census.

“Why does the City of North Las Vegas want us to rename the Cheyenne campus?”
It is no secret that Mayor John Lee wants to rename the CSN Cheyenne campus the CSN North Las Vegas Campus. There was an article in the newspaper regarding this recently. Mayor Lee has advocated for such a renaming to help promote the campus to North Las Vegas residents and highlight the college’s presence in North Las Vegas. I continue to look for new ways to accomplish this purpose without a renaming and bring all three of our campuses closer to the diverse communities we serve. I believe our new Institutional Advisory Council will assist us with these efforts.

“What does the President’s proposal for free community college mean for us?”
In his Jan. 20 State of the Union, President Obama announced a $60 billion, 10-year plan, dubbed America’s College Promise that would pay for about three-fourths of a student’s tuition and fees at a community college in states that “opt in” to the program and agree to pay for the remaining tab.  Students would have to attend at least half-time and maintain a 2.5 GPA while making steady progress toward their degrees.

First Congress would have to pass the President’s proposal or some version of it. Then states would have to agree to certain parameters and funding requirements and opt in to allow residents to participate. Most higher education experts are not optimistic that Congress will pass this proposal. The chair of the Education Committee has come out against it.

I know that some of you have heard from students on this proposal. Please urge them to contact their congressional delegates, Rep. Joe Heck, in particular, whereas he is on the Education Committee.

Let me know if you have additional questions.

Best,

Mike

From Office of the President Email Jan. 18, 2015:

The Governor delivered his State of the State address last night, outlining his recommendations for the state’s budget over the next two years.  His budget includes the restoration of salaries for professional and classified staff by eliminating the furlough program.

We are pleased to see this significant priority included in the governor’s budget, which lawmakers will begin deliberating upon, starting Feb. 2. Faculty and staff have sacrificed much since the start of the recession and while this effort can never fully restore what was lost, we are grateful to see its inclusion in the governor’s budget. We will be asking lawmakers to support this initiative and ask for your assistance in the coming days.

In addition, the Governor has recommended funding for merit-based step increases for NSHE classified employees. This is an important program that directly impacts many of the lowest paid NSHE employees. It did not, however, include merit for professional employees. Likewise the Executive Budget did not include funding for the Longevity Payment program, which provides semi-annual bonus payments to classified staff based on length of service.

Also as directed by the 2013 Legislature and consistent with the NSHE budget request, the Executive Budget removes F’s for non-attendance from the weighted student credit hour calculation.  This is a net-zero impact to NSHE as a System, but reallocates funds between institutions based on the relative number of F’s for non-attendance each formula budget had.  This reallocation resulted in increases at UNLV, UNR, and NSC and decreases at CSN, TMCC, GBC and WNC.

While most of his speech was dedicated to K-12 needs, the governor recommended overall $76 million in new operating funds for higher education, including $9 million for the medical school and $10 million for graduate medical education.

The majority of these new funds support non-CSN specific priorities and we will continue to advocate for our priorities, including a state funded financial aid program for low-income students, the competitive workforce training grants for community colleges, an increase in the weighted student credit hour, merit for professional employees and longevity pay.

Additional spending in the governor’s budget is paid for through a proposed new business license fee, an increase in the cigarette tax and the continued extension of taxes that were set to expire at the end of this fiscal year. We know this plan is controversial among legislators and will face opposition, so we should by no means expect the governor’s budget to be the final word. The legislative process uses his budget as a starting point and we know that good ideas, student and staff advocacy and good discussions can make a positive impact.

We will keep you posted with regular reports and information on how and when to most effectively contact your legislators to advocate on behalf of our annual 50,000 students.

 

 

 

 

For Immediate Release:

 

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

 

State-of-the-Art Labs, Equipment for Science Students at CSN to Enhance Learning

Renovated Claude I. Howard Health Sciences Center to be Re-Opened

 

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 6, 2015 – The College of Southern Nevada will unveil state-of-the-art renovations to the oldest building on its Charleston campus, including three new classrooms and six labs.

The Claude I. Howard Health Sciences Center first opened in 1988 as the college expanded from its roots on Cheyenne Avenue. Howard was a philanthropist and supporter of education whose generous donation helped CSN’s new campus get off the ground.

College officials and members of the healthcare industry will celebrate its re-opening at a dedication ceremony scheduled for 4 p.m. Feb. 11. In addition to renovating 26,000 square feet of the building – about half the existing space in the building – nearly 5,000 square feet of new space was added. The new space will house ophthalmic dispensing, radiation therapy and physical therapy. The building is used primarily by programs in the Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences.

The $10 million project included modern new equipment for the physical therapy, radiation therapy and ophthalmic assistant programs, as well as some smaller renovations to the veterinary tech area in the adjacent B building.

“These new classrooms and labs will enhance the learning experience for our students at CSN,” said CSN President Michael Richards. “We’re excited to show them off to the public.”

What: CSN to dedicate the Claude I. Howard Health Sciences Center

When: From 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 11

Where: CSN’s Charleston Campus

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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For Immediate Release:

 

Contact: Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

 

CSN to Name Charleston Campus Student Services Building in Honor of President Emeritus Dr. Paul E. Meacham

Student Services Building to Bear the Name of Nevada’s First African American Postsecondary President

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2015 – CSN President Michael D. Richards is pleased to invite members of the community and the media to attend the dedication of the Paul E. Meacham Student Services Building, which will take place on Friday, Jan. 30, at 1 p.m. at the Charleston campus.
The student services building, a cornerstone of the Charleston campus, will be named in honor of CSN President Emeritus Dr. Paul E. Meacham, the first African American president of a Nevada higher education institution.

“President Meacham changed the lives of thousands of students and his legacy should be promoted in perpetuity,” said CSN President Michael D. Richards. “He’s the reason we have the Charleston campus today. A decade after he retired from CSN, there is no better time to honor Dr. Meacham, his service to CSN, its students and Nevada.”
The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents approved the naming of the building in honor of Dr. Meacham in December.

Dr. Meacham headed CSN for over a decade from 1983 to 1994 and still holds the title of the longest-serving President in the college’s 44-year history. The student services building opened five years after Dr. Meacham retired in 1999, but the 66,644-square-feet facility is a central hub for students on the campus. It contains advising, registrar, cashier’s, financial aid and disability resources services among others. It also houses a number of classrooms, the Veterans Education Center and Tutorial Services on the second floor.

Through his leadership, Dr. Meacham set the vision for the design of the Charleston campus, which was a plot of dirt when he first arrived at CSN and is now the college’s largest campus. He helped secure private funds for its first building, the Claude I. Howard Health Sciences Center, which has recently been renovated and will re-open Feb. 11. Dr. Meacham also oversaw the college at a time of significant expansion and was instrumental in obtaining student spaces on campuses and securing CSN’s membership in Phi Theta Kappa, the national community college honor society, among many other accomplishments.

“Building the Charleston campus was one of the most significant challenges and accomplishments of my tenure as President,” Meacham said. “I owe many of my successes to the terrific faculty and staff at the college, many of whom are still here and I am honored to be forever connected to them and CSN.”

Dr. Meacham will be available for interviews at the dedication ceremony, which will be followed by a reception inside the building.

 

What: Dedication of the CSN Paul E. Meacham Student Services Building

When: Jan. 30, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Where: The ceremony will take place outside in the Palm Tree Circle and will be followed by a reception inside the building

 

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here.

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For Immediate Release:

 

Contact:          Richard Lake, CSN Public Relations Specialist, 702-651-7715, Richard.Lake@csn.edu

 

CSN Welcomes Students Back for Spring Semester

CSN Connections events designed to build a sense of community

 

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 12, 2015 – CSN is welcoming students back this semester with events featuring information on student clubs, the services offered, a Welcome Back crew, food, prizes and games.

Students can still enroll for the spring 2015 semester through Jan. 19. The CSN Connections events kick off the semester during the first week of classes on all three main campuses, on Jan. 20, 21 and 22.

“We’ll be greeting new and returning students and offering them whatever help they need,” said Darren Divine, CSN’s vice president of academic affairs. “The food and prizes are a bonus.”

Connections will feature burgers and hot dogs grilled by CSN administrators, dozens of booths hosted by student clubs and campus organizations, and information on counseling, transferring, tutoring and all the other services CSN offers.

In addition, there will be giveaways, a welcoming crew of volunteers to shepherd new students around all three campuses, and plenty of staffers on hand to help students.

CSN Connections was designed to help students get to know the college, which spans three campuses across Clark County. Research has shown that students who feel a connection to their college, including its services and students clubs, are more likely to do well, return, and graduate.

“Student success is the foundation of all that we do at CSN,” said Divine, who came up with the idea for the events several years ago. “There is nothing more important than welcoming students back, making them feel comfortable, and making sure they get all the help they need.”

Here are the times and locations of the events:

·      Tuesday, Jan 20: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., outside the B building on the Henderson campus

·      Wednesday, Jan 21: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., outside the main entrance on the Cheyenne campus

·      Thursday, Jan 22: 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., outside the D building on the Charleston campus

 

About CSN:

Founded in 1971 and educating thousands of students a semester, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN students can choose from 180 degree and certificate options in more than 100 areas of study, including more than 25 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — your future starts here. CSN is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. For more information, visit http://www.csn.edu/nondiscrimination

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Legislative Session and Budget

As 2015 opens, Governor Sandoval will announce his budget recommendations in his Jan. 15 State of the State address, prior to the legislative session, which starts Feb.2. We are advocating the Regents’ priorities, including the elimination of furloughs, but as I’m sure you are aware, this will be an interesting session with many surprises. You have my commitment that a steady stream of information and news will be widely shared with the entire CSN community over the next six months.   

People and Responsibilities

As the new calendar year begins, a number of new folks are assuming new assignments in NSHE and at CSN. 

• Catherine Cortez Masto will become the Executive Vice Chancellor for NSHE
• Frank Woodbeck will assume greater responsibility for coordinating the community colleges
• The national search for a new VPSA is expected to conclude in February. 

I want to take a moment to explain two key CSN changes and provide my rationale for these. With the creation of the new Institutional Advisory Councils, I have asked K.C. Brekken to staff this council. Who better to help them become informed advocates for CSN’s 50,000 students, than our communications and government affairs person? She provided support for the previous CSN North Las Vegas Advisory Board, has done research on community college trustees as part of her doctoral program at UNLV and is excited to help get this new initiative up and running as a key support function of our college. She will serve in this capacity as an executive director. 

This leaves a gap in our legislative and public relations activities, just prior to the start of the legislative session. I am pleased to announce that Michael Flores will be our new communications and government affairs director. Michael is a CSN alumnus and comes to us from Congressman Horsford’s office where he served as press secretary and senior community liaison and developed great relationships with lawmakers from both sides of the aisle. He has also previously served as state director for Reform Immigration for America and communications director for Progress Now Nevada. He is bilingual and will help us increase our presence in Hispanic media. He begins Jan. 5 and will work with K.C. to help us with our communications and government affairs needs as we approach the 2015 legislative session. Please help welcome him to CSN! 

Facilities Report:

A number of projects are closing or starting and I want to make you aware of them: 

• Parking lot paving at Cheyenne.  This important project is now underway and will be completed in stages so that disruptions are minimized. 
• West Charleston’s A building renovation has been completed, and the space is being furnished.  It should be ready for use next semester.  Renovation of part of the B building will commence shortly.
• CSN is running out of space. We plan over the next several years to add more advisors, counselors, faculty, and other staff.  To accommodate them, we’re researching leasing opportunities for various functions that don’t have to be located on a campus.  You’ll be hearing more about this in the weeks ahead.
  

  CSN President Emeritus Dr. Paul Meacham and NSHE Chancellor Dan Klaich after the Board of Regents approved the naming of the CSN Student Services Building in honor of Dr. Meacham.

Naming of the D Building in Honor of Dr. Paul Meacham

On Dec. 4, the Board of Regents approved the naming of the CSN Charleston Student Services Building in honor of CSN President Emeritus Dr. Paul Meacham. The first African American President in the Nevada System of Higher Education, Meacham was CSN’s longest serving president. Having led this college through one of its fastest epochs of growth and expansion from 1983 to 1994, he changed the lives of thousands and his legacy should be promoted in perpetuity. CSN desires to recognize Dr. Meacham’s contributions to this state by naming the student services building, also known as the “D” building on the West Charleston campus, in his honor. We will be planning a dedication ceremony in the spring semester. 

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Maria Schellhase, a CSN business instructor whose course MKT 210 – Essentials of Marketing will receive the 2015 Award for Outstanding Blended Course from the Instructional Technology Council. ITC award winners will receive a complimentary registration to attend eLearning 2015, the organization’s annual conference. This year’s conference will be held in Las Vegas and CSN is the official host. ITC is an affiliated council of American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). 

Roundtables:

I have decided to do faculty, staff and student roundtables throughout the semester, instead of at the beginning. My hope is that this will make it easier for more people to attend. 

Happy holidays to you and your families! Hope you have time to rest and relax and enjoy good friends, family and neighbors. 

–Mike Richards

Greetings! This November Chronicle addresses three specific topics:  legislative issues, periodic presidential evaluation, and outstanding accomplishments.  I would ask you to take time to read this Chronicle carefully.

LEGISLATIVE  ISSUES

• Following the 2014 elections, Republican lawmakers now control the Senate and Assembly and will be working with Governor Sandoval on the budget for the next biennium and on legislation impacting higher education.
• Issues that lawmakers are expected to discuss include tax reform and whether to extend a package of taxes due to sunset July 1, 2015, addressing Medicaid and related health issues and fixing the public education funding formula. In terms of higher education, lawmakers will review the Board of Regents’ budget priorities and we anticipate there will be legislation to authorize guns on campus.
• We have reached out to all Southern Nevada legislators and are in the process of meeting with individual legislative leaders to communicate CSN’s needs.

I want to emphasize that the elimination of furloughs is still a top priority of the Board of Regents and of mine.

More information will be forthcoming on how to get involved. Letter writing, phone calls and petitions are just some of the ways you can participate and bring attention to the issues that matter to you and your family.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have further questions or concerns, regarding legislative issues. Again, I urge you to get involved!

CSN PERIODIC PRESIDENTIAL EVALUATION

Approximately every three years, the Board of Regents conducts an extensive evaluation of a college or university’s president.  My evaluation will be conducted Dec. 9-12. Regent Kevin Melcher will chair the committee that will lead this process.  Due to limited time, the evaluation itself will take place at CSN’s Charleston campus. 

During this period of time, a third-party evaluation consultant – Dr. Carol Harter — will conduct a variety of interviews with CSN stakeholders.

The CSN community’s input is an integral element of the search process. Public comment is invited, anticipated and welcomed. The Regents’ CSN Presidential Evaluation Committee agenda will be posted on the NSHE website at www.nevada.edu and on the State of Nevada public notice website at https://notice.nv.gov/

A presidential evaluation is one of the most important tasks undertaken at the college and your input in this process is critical. As a valued member of CSN, you are encouraged to participate through the following three processes.

I. Open Forums
Open forum for CSN employees

Thursday, Dec. 11, 3-4 p.m.

CSN Charleston Campus, D 101

Open forum for CSN students

Thursday, Dec. 11, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

CSN Charleston Campus, K 101

II. Email
The third-party evaluation consultant will review e-mail letters sent prior to Dec. 8. You may send your input via email to Dr. Carol Harter at carol.harter@unlv.edu. Board policy prohibits her from accepting anonymous emails.

III. Public Comment

The Board of Regents’ CSN Presidential Evaluation Committee will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at 9 a.m. and on Friday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. in E 327 on the Charleston campus. These meetings are open to the public and interested stakeholders are invited to provide brief remarks during the public comment periods of these meetings.

For additional questions, please contact CSN Director of Government Affairs & Communications K.C. Brekken at 702-651-7535 or kc.brekken@csn.edu.

COMMUNITY COLLEGE INSTITUTIONAL ADVISORY COUNCILS (IAC)
The Board of Regents Committee on Community Colleges approved the charges and responsibilities for community college Institutional Advisory Councils this morning. The first meeting of all the community colleges’ new IACs will take place on Feb. 4 at 9 a.m. simultaneously, and we will receive a live address via videoconference from the President of the American Association on Community Colleges Walter Bumphus, which he will deliver from the Southern NSHE office. As mentioned previously, the interim legislative Committee on Community College Governance and Funding served as the impetus for these Institutional Advisory Councils, which will advise respective institutional presidents on a broad array of issues.  In a sense, the IAC is another governing board with links to the community and to the Board of Regents.   The Chair of the Board of Regents, Kevin Page, is expected to appoint the membership of each community college’s IAC by the end of December.   CSN has proposed 15 individuals and two ex officio members, insuring that student and faculty representation to the IAC is sustained from the outset. 

LAS VEGAS LATIN CHAMBER

Congratulations to CSN Executive Director of Community Relations, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Maria Marinch, who was recently elected to the Las Vegas Latin Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.

We are very proud to have a representative of CSN involved in this important organization and community partner. She will be inducted to the board today.

 

NATIONAL SPACE GRANT COLLEGE AND FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

CSN is the sub-awardee of the Nevada NASA Space Grant Consortium and received $300,580 to create a STEM Community of Practice. This CoP will link with Nevada’s other three community colleges to influence the success of women and underrepresented minorities as they pursue STEM coursework and degree attainment in the sciences.  Congrats to CSN biology instructor and Faculty Senate Chair elect Camille Naaktgeboren who is the leading this consortium on behalf of CSN!

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

I would like to thank the Native American Heritage Month Committee, including Chair Dr. Sondra Cosgrove, for their hard work to put on this month’s engaging events. If you can make it, I hope to see you at the President’s Forum on E-Learning and Native Students on Thursday in the H Building, Rm. 205 at 2:30 p.m. and then there is also a terrific photo exhibit “Moapa My Home” in the Nicholas J. horn Theatre Exhibit Hall from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 21.

NEVADA’S TOP LIBRARIAN IS AT CSN

Congratulations to CSN’s Ted Chodock! The Nevada Library Association named him the 2014 Librarian of the Year.

His work in assessing the effect of library policies and procedures on students was cited in his nomination as an example of his excellent work.

Chodock, a reference and instructional services librarian on the Charleston campus, came to CSN four years ago, following a stint at the Harvard Divinity School library. He has two master’s degrees and taught English for a period of time in Japan. CSN is fortunate to have him on board!

NEW EMERGENCY ALERT TOOL

In addition to texts and voicemails, CSN’s Emergency Notification System will now send critical alert messages right to college computers.

When CSN initiates an alert, a full-screen emergency message, such as the one featured here, will appear on all CSN computers.

Click an acknowledgment button at the bottom of the screen to close the alert and simultaneously provide acknowledgement to safety officials who originated the notification. Otherwise, alert messages will display until expiration or cancellation.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR STAFF AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT (NISOD) EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The CSN Internal Recognition Committee wants to recognize your efforts to go above and beyond the expectations that make CSN a spectacular place to work and study. CSN will be honoring up to six individuals with the NISOD Excellence Awards for teaching faculty, administrative faculty and classified staff for their contributions to the college and student success. If you, or someone at CSN that you know is deserving of this, please be sure to apply or encourage them to apply. Once you fill out the application, have your supervisor sign it (he or she will have an optional place to expand on his or her endorsement) and then email it to IRC Chair Michele Fogg at Michele.fogg@csn.edu or send it via campus mail to her sort WC 204B.  The deadline for completed application is Friday, Dec. 19, at 5 p.m. 

ANNUAL HUNGRY GAMES

Thanks to all who were involved in the tannual Hungry Games, the faculty and staff BBQ and fall festival. It was wonderful to see so many members of our CSN family and to meet so many members of their families.

Congratulations to all administrative faculty, whose team won the employee mush ball competition and took home the trophy.

Lastly, don’t forget! The CSN annual holiday party will take place on Thursday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m. at Texas Station. Please bring a food donation for Three Square!  Announcements about the party are already being circulated.  I hope you can join us!

Faculty & Staff Questions:

“What is the status of furloughs for the 15/16 academic year?”

As mentioned above, elimination of the furloughs is a top NSHE priority for the 2015 legislative session, but we can’t know anything for certain at this point. This is a reason you should stay aware of what is happening in the Legislature and get involved.

“What is going on with the Merit Policy?  Current status?”

I have asked the Administrative Faculty Assembly (AFA) Executive Committee to draft the portion of this policy that will affect administrative faculty, following the Faculty Senate approval of its portion of the CSN Merit Pay Policy.  The AFA Executive Committee is currently seeking input. 

 “Do we plan to re-index the salaries so that we are at 83%?  (I think this was a promise; at least that is what I have been told.)”

NSHE’s community college salary committee meets about every other year to review salary levels and re-index them pursuant to policies of the Board of Regents.  During the recession, salaries fell to about 71% of the median of university salaries.  Through the committee’s efforts and the advocacy of Carolyn Collins and John Scarborough, the index rose to approximately 78% with a goal of reaching 83%–a system target.  I am committed to the process of re-indexing on a systematic basis, and I’d like to go higher than 83%–a rather arbitrary target.

“There are rumors of Richards retiring… Is this true?”

This would be a surprise to me. 

“Does Dr. Richards have a position on the Phase 1 recommendations sent out by the chancellor from the DE taskforce?”

The Phase 1 recommendations contain general and specific recommendations regarding distance education.  In the context of Richard Katz’s 16 recommendations these are more manageable and appropriate for the system—a common LMS and registration platform appear to be useful steps forward.  Off the shelf remedial courses and math and English are more problematic since most literature in the field indicates remedial DE is not successful for most students.  If you’d like to read the entire document, either I or Jodie Mandel can provide it.  �

“What do classified staff need to know about the winter break closure? Is there an option for me if I want to work over the closure?”

CSN is reducing operations at the West Charleston, Cheyenne and Henderson campuses and closing all satellite sites Thursday, December 25, 2014 through Friday, January 2, 2015. Staff who choose to be off will need to take leave for the period December 26 – 31, 2014 and January 2, 2015.  

And yes, there are options for you if you want to work over that time period. In short, those departments that will have employees who have been designated to work or have elected to work, the management of the department is responsible for ensuring that there is a supervisory presence to provide oversight and guidance to any employee who is working.

In those cases where insufficient supervisory resources are available for those individuals who do not wish to take the winter break period off or wish to only take some time off during the winter break, arrangements will be made to reassign staff to the West Charleston campus during the winter break. Employees assigned to the Charleston campus from other campuses will be required to check in on the days worked at Charleston with the designated supervisor/administrator-in-charge at the Charleston campus.

For those planning on working during the holiday period, please complete the 2014 Winter Break Form that HR last emailed out on Nov. 6 and send it to Human Resources, (SORT CODE WC E411) no later than Dec. 1, 2014.

Please direct any questions, comments or concerns to the Human Resources e-mail box at HRcustomerservice@csn.edu

Happy Thanksgiving!

Sincerely,

Mike

 

 

 

Greetings to all!  I hope your semester is going well. There are a number of activities I’d like you to know about.      

Institutional Advisory Council (IAC)

Two of the outcomes of the legislative interim study on community colleges were: 1) Creation of a Board of Regents Committee on Community Colleges, and 2) Creation of an Institutional Advisory Council for each community college. The Board of Regents developed a charge and membership guidelines for the IAC. I was asked to submit names for the CSN Council and have provide names and contact information for about 15 individuals as well as two ex officio members, the Chair of the Faculty Senate and the student body government. The Chair of the Board of Regents will make final decisions and appoint the members of the IAC. By the end of the calendar year, all four community colleges will have one of these councils in place and first meetings are expected during the first quarter of 2015.  

A key feature of the IAC is that the chair of each institution’s council will be an ex officio member of the Regents’ Committee on Community Colleges.  I’m sure you’ll hear more about IACs as the new year begins. 

CSN’s nascent North Las Vegas Advisory Board will give way to this new advisory council which will represent all of Southern Nevada and have a more comprehensive charge. I sincerely appreciate each of the community members who served on the North Las Vegas Advisory Board and put their time and energy toward supporting this college. 

Community Relations and Diversity

CSN operates in a diverse community, so last spring we coupled our community relations and diversity functions to help CSN reach out to the greater community. The Office of Community Relations, Diversity and Multicultural Affairs, led by Maria Marinch and her staff Community Relations Director Guy Amato, Diversity Initiatives Coordinator Leonardo Benavides and Alumni Relations Coordinator Jamille Walton, has been busy. 

On Friday, September 26, the Office held its second Diversity Day, an all-day training with the Center for Academic and Professional Excellence (CAPE). CSN staff and faculty had the option to select among 12 different sessions to enhance awareness and cultural competence and better serve diverse student populations. The next Diversity Day is being planned for February. A save the date announcement will be issued soon. In addition, the Office is working with Human Resources to infuse continuous training in this area. 

On Friday, October 3, CSN hosted the 2014 NSHE Southern Nevada Diversity Summit, organized by CSN, UNLV, NSC, DRI and the system office. There were 249 attendees from throughout the community. Dr. Luis Ponjuan from Texas A&M spoke on issues facing Hispanic males in college. In addition, NSHE Chancellor Dan Klaich and CCSD Superintendent Pat Skorkowsky engaged in an interesting conversation regarding collaborations and pipelines for success between higher education and K-12. The afternoon concluded with a series of diversity-related workshops presented by staff and faculty. 

On Friday, October 10, more than 128 entrepreneurs and business representatives attended the third Supplier Inclusion Workshop and Networking Event at CSN and met purchasing decision makers at and other stakeholders. In collaboration with UNLV and NSC, the CSN Purchasing Department provided information on how to do business with the college. 

The Office’s ongoing collaboration with CSN’s eight diversity-related committees has produced several initiatives and events. The Latino Alliance had a busy calendar in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, including a successful student mixer and a panel on Hispanics in the STEM fields. The Queer Inclusive College Campus (QICC) committee celebrated LGBTQ History Month with mixer at The Center and several movie nights. QICC is also working on developing a Safe Zone program at CSN. 

The Office also continues to strengthen CSN’s presence in the community, collaborating with private and public organizations to positively impact student success. Some examples of the collaborations include participation in the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative addressing issues facing young African American males; the Latino Network Steering Committee, coordinating efforts among stakeholders in the Latino community to identify key areas of concern and to initiate a community based response to those needs; and Southern Nevada Strong, a public-private partnership in regional planning to explore how transportation infrastructure can incite economic development across all areas of the community. In the past month, the Office has had a presence in more than 35 community events and is also advising on grant opportunities with the North Las Vegas Library District and working to bring an Early Childhood Music Education program to West Las Vegas. 

In addition, the Office recently completed assessment of community engagements as the first step in a “Community Mapping” process to identify how and where CSN is represented in the community. 

The Office is also working on developing a strategic plan for the college’s new Alumni Relations Program with the expertise of Ms. Walton. This is expected to launch in the spring to engage, inform and connect CSN alumni. 

Men of Color

National and local data indicate that there is a significant achievement gap between minority males and other populations.  They’re not completing, and drop out at stunning rates.  The loss of men of color is a challenge for CSN that we have been working to ameliorate through the Strategic Enrollment Process and our Achieving the Dream pilot projects but more work is needed.  I’ve asked Larry Mosley, past director of Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, to help with this important issue, in coordination with NSHE. The community college system in North Carolina has a model program that we are adapting for testing. If it works as planned, it will expand to other NSHE institutions.

Budget Prospects for the Next Biennium

As I reported to you earlier, Gov. Sandoval directed that budget requests from state agencies, including NSHE, for the 2015-17 biennium include salaries funded at the base and omit furloughs.  He also requested a merit pay component of 2.5% be included for possible funding. We are hopeful that these items as well as the budget priorities of the Board of Regents remain in his executive budget when it’s presented to the Legislature next year. Salary and benefit issues will be a matter for the Legislature. For CSN’s part, we will advocate and work and hope for a successful legislative session next year, but you should know that Nevada’s revenue picture has not fully rebounded from the recession and that other state priorities will compete for limited resources.  I’ll keep you informed as the session progresses.  

Women’s Volleyball

In the coming months, you will hear more about CSN’s aspirations to host a collegiate women’s volleyball team in addition to our nationally competitive baseball and softball teams. We envision this new team will start next fall and be based at the Cheyenne campus. This will give us a collegiate team sport at Cheyenne for us to rally around and help us demonstrate our commitment to Title IX.

Texas Station will be the site for our annual Holiday Party on Thursday, Dec. 11.  Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this wonderful celebration.

Structural Changes

As announced in September, I have made structural changes to the college’s executive administration to help us move new initiatives forward, deal with increased compliance and regulatory demands and community needs. We’ve been far too thin for too long and I urge you to look at the structures of our peer institutions, such as Valencia or Broward, for comparative purposes.

 The new organization chart is posted online on the President’s page, under the ‘Organization’ tab and can be found here.

The Hungry Games Softball Tournament and BBQ is a CSN family event at the Henderson campus.  It’s a time for good food, games for children of all ages, and for socializing.  So that we know how much food to prepare, please RSVP and plan to join us on Saturday, Nov. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 Computer Security

While it is crucial that technical staff secure CSN servers and systems, an effective security strategy requires everyone using campus technology to take precautions to help prevent breaches.  Below are some of the best ways to ensure you and the college do not become easy targets. 

Protect your accounts and computer

• Use a strong password and change it frequently. Do not SHARE your password with anyone.
• Do not click on links in suspicious emails.  When in doubt delete the email completely, and using your CSN email address you can forward it to spam@csn.edu  Do NOT forward the message to anyone else.

• Critical security updates
  • Allow your CSN computer to install the critical Windows security updates sent to it from the CSN update server. Try not to postpone these updates as Microsoft will regularly send patches out for new threats that need to be installed on your systems. 
  • If you have a Mac, make sure you are running Apple Software Update to obtain the latest critical security updates.
  • Bring your CSN laptop on campus to have OTS perform a system health check at least twice a year. 
    • A technician will ensure it has current security updates and is receiving the latest antivirus definitions from McAfee enterprise software regularly. 

Physical computer security

• Lock or logout of your computer every time you walk away from it.  It only takes a couple of seconds for a malicious user to access your computer and compromise it.
• Do not store or transport sensitive CSN information on laptops or USB drives.  Use the appropriate CSN network drives or systems instead.  This is especially an issue with small USB flash drives as these devices are easily lost.
• If you access CSN email using a smart phone, create a code to prevent anyone from accessing your phone and email messages. 

Use secure access tools

• Login to your CSN VPN (Virtual Private Network) account to access college computer or server systems securely.  If you do not have a CSN VPN account you can contact the help desk at www.csn.edu/helpdesk to get one.
• If you use a personal computer to access CSN information or data, install updated antivirus software and set the computer to automatically use Windows Update or Apple Software update.  Hackers may use your personal computer to gain access to CSN information systems if it is not protected.

For more information on cyber security visit the OTS Newsletter at http://blog.csn.edu/ots/. 

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“How many students are enrolled this semester?”

Our official census date was Oct. 15. CSN has a 36,579 student headcount this semester, a 0.2% decrease from last fall. As for FTE, CSN has 19,140.90, a 1.3% increase from last fall, indicating more students are taking more credits. We suspected the new payment due date on June 1 and the slow stabilization of the economy nationwide (although it’s hard to see evidence of that here) would diminish the robust enrollment growth that CSN experienced in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Great Recession likely gave CSN an artificial bump in enrollment as people lost their jobs and came back to school for new skills. 

We are not alone in this. Based on enrollment data from this spring, community colleges across the nation are down in enrollment by an average of 1 percent. 

“What are the President’s Forums?”

As you know, we have multiple heritage months throughout the academic year.  We start the academic year with Hispanic Heritage month, LGBTQ in October, followed by Native American Heritage Month and International Education Week in November, Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March and Asian/Pacific Islander Month in April.  In the past, the heritage months have included some wonderful cultural awareness events. In 2012, I added a President’s Forum on Student Success, a targeted discussion of how we can help students of these cohorts succeed.  

Tomorrow, Oct. 23, the President’s Forum on LGBTQ issues will take place at 2:30 p.m. at the Charleston campus. 

The following is an example of the questions we should begin to ask ourselves: 

• Nationally, we are losing many Hispanic and African-American males.  They are dropping out of education.  What are they doing?  How can we help them stay engaged?
• In Nevada, Asian students are generally well prepared for higher education, but although we offer scholarships and match financial aid, these students are leaving the state in large numbers.  How can we help them stay, get their education here and contribute to Nevada?
• Urban and rural Native Americans have unique learning challenges.  How can we help them more effectively?
• Women, particularly single mothers, have unique needs.  Can we package our financial aid to better help them attend full-time or create more flexible course schedules that meet their needs? 

The idea is to discuss internally, among our faculty and staff, ways we can help students be more successful.  The format is straight forward:  a review of our data by the IR staff followed by a panel discussion and interaction with the audience. I hope you will participate in each of these. 

“How can we have input into facilities decisions on the campuses?”

Sherri Payne, Associate Vice President for Facilities, supports a campus improvement committee for each campus.  Sherri meets with committee representatives to share improvement and renovation plans and invite suggestions from faculty and staff who work at the respective campus.  Please contact her office for more details. 

“What is the Performance Pool?”

Following the 2013 legislative session, the state funding formula for Nevada’s public colleges and universities changed. We are now largely funded based on student course completion. But each year we have to earn a growing percentage of our state funding by meeting certain benchmarks established by the state that are related to graduation and transfer rates. Last year, this comprised 5% of our budget and next year it will be 10%, increasing each year until 20% of our budget is funded this way. I would also note that last year, CSN exceeded its benchmarks by 108%. Many public colleges around the country are now being funded this way. 

At the Board of Regents’ special committee meeting today, Chair Kevin Page announced the creation of a special committee to review the performance pool metrics going forward. 

Best regards to all. 

–Mike Richards

Dear CSN community, 

As our world is increasingly concerned about staunching the Ebola outbreak, I think it is an important time to make the following public service announcement. 

First, please get a flu shot. The flu, which consequently has many of the same symptoms as Ebola, is a far greater threat to all of us. If you do get sick with a cold or flu, please stay home. Make arrangements with your supervisor or professor where possible. 

The CDC also has recommended that colleges and universities educate their respective communities about Ebola prevention. While CSN does not have an influx of students and staff visiting countries where Ebola outbreaks are occurring, the following information may be helpful or ease your concerns, regarding the virus. 

Ebola is spread only through contact with blood or bodily fluids from someone showing symptoms of the virus. You can learn more at: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/advice-for-colleges-universities-and-students-about-ebola-in-west-africa. 

Sincerely,

 

Mike Richards, Ph.D.
President, College of Southern Nevada

What should I do if I have traveled to one of the countries where the Ebola outbreaks are happening?

See CDC’s Interim Guidance for Monitoring and Movement of Persons with Ebola Virus Disease Exposure to learn about your risk level.

Pay attention to your health after you return:

• Monitor your health for 21 days.
  • Take your temperature every morning and evening.
  • Watch for other Ebola symptoms: severe headache, muscle pain, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising.
  • If your temperature is 101.5°F (38.6°C) or higher or you have any other Ebola signs or symptoms, seek medical care immediately.
    • Call and tell the doctor about your recent travel and your symptoms before you go to the doctor’s office or hospital. Advance notice will help the doctor care for you and protect other people who may be in the doctor’s office or hospital.
    • Limit your contact with other people when you travel to the doctor; avoid public transportation.
    • Do not travel anywhere except to the doctor’s office or hospital.
    • Limit your contact with other people if you are sick. Do not go to work, classes, or other student activities until you have been medically evaluated.
• During the time that you are monitoring your health, if you have no symptoms, you can continue your normal activities, including work and school. If you get symptoms of Ebola, it is important to stay separated from other people and to call your doctor right away.

What should I do if I have traveled to one of the countries where the Ebola outbreaks are happening and have been exposed to Ebola?

• If you were exposed to people who had Ebola, or their blood or body fluids, a doctor should evaluate your exposure level and symptoms if you have them and consult with public health authorities to determine if actions— such as medical evaluation and testing for Ebola, monitoring, or travel restrictions— are needed.
• Follow the instructions above for monitoring your health.

What should I do to protect my health if I come in contact with people on campus who have recently returned from a country where the Ebola outbreaks are happening?

• Ebola poses little risk to the US general population and is not contagious until symptoms appear. It is spread through direct contact with blood or body fluids (such as urine, saliva, sweat, feces, vomit, and semen) of an infected person, or with objects like needles that have been contaminated with the virus. This includes through intimate contact, such as sex, since Ebola can still be found in semen for 7 weeks after a person has recovered.
• It is always good to avoid contact with anyone who is sick and to wash your hands regularly. Use soap and water if available or use hand sanitizer. Doing so can help you prevent getting sick from many different illnesses.

Good morning, Colleagues and Trustees, 

As many of you may know, CSN has labored through the recession and for several years with loyal leaders willing to carry an extra load or postpone personal goals for the benefit of the College.  The time has come to shift some duties and spread the load with new folks.  Further, there are new strategic opportunities for CSN that need to be added to an executive portfolio so the College can continue to advance while stepping up its community responsiveness.   To achieve these objectives, I want to announce some exciting personnel changes. 

• Ms. Patricia Charlton, Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance, has had a considerable workload, further supplemented with the Financial Aid solution.  She will retain her leadership of administration functions, but assume oversight of strategic initiatives, including the NSHE Collaborative, customer relations, efficiency and effectiveness, and relative efforts.  She will continue her excellent work as Senior Vice President for Administration and Strategic Initiatives.
   
• Ms. Mary Kaye Bailey, Associate Vice President for Finance and Comptroller, will become Vice President for Finance.  Ms. Bailey, an outstanding CPA, has accepted this new assignment along with implementation of Integrate2 and CSN’s budget function. 

The changes with Ms Charlton and Ms Bailey are effective October 15, 2014.  

• Following a national search, Mr. Alan Diskin has been selected as the new Executive Director of the Foundation.  Mr. Diskin has a distinguished record of decades of accomplishments as development officer for Junior Achievement in Las Vegas and has chosen now to expand his excellent service to higher education.   He succeeds Ms. Jacque Matthews who retired this year after nine years of exemplary service. 
• Following a national search, Ms. Melody Light, from Jackson, Mississippi, has agreed to join the CSN staff as Director of AA/EEO/ADAAA. She held a similar position at a community college in Mississippi, and she was Senior Deputy City Attorney in Jackson. Ms. Light holds two master’s degrees, one in computer science and one in human resources, and a J. D. from the University of Detroit Mercy Law School. She begins at CSN on October 27, 2014 and succeeds Mr. Thomas Brown who served CSN for 40 years, include an assignment as interim President.
• Finally, the search for a new Vice President for Student Affairs has begun with the executive search firm facilitating the search.

Please join me in congratulating everyone involved.

Best regards,

Mike Richards

Greetings and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for September 2014.  Each month, the Chronicle lets me share news and respond to important questions raised by our faculty and staff members. 

First, I would like to say congratulations to all on a successful start of the school year!  Every member of the CSN team plays a critical role in welcoming our students.  A special thanks to our facilities team that made sure our campuses and sites were clean and ready, to OTS for their assistance with information technology—new computers and infrastructure—and especially to the folks in Academic and Student Affairs for CSN Connections—the chance to take CSN to students.  Thank you all!! 

As I ask students about their classes, many light up and tell me the classes are great.  Of course, I then encourage them to keep learning and complete their studies with a certificate or degree.  I hope you encourage the students you meet, as well. 

MyCSN Service and Financial Aid Call Center

MyCSN, the primary call center for student support, was augmented this year with a financial aid call center.  Having financial aid experts address student questions about applications and disbursements has enhanced our ability to serve students quicker and with more helpful information.  Both call centers are providing essential help to students.  

 

Budget Outlook for 2015-17

The Board of Regents, following instructions from the Governor’s Office, approved a 2015-17 budget request that includes full funding of furloughs, a merit pay recommendation, and an increase in the funding formula.  We appreciate that the Board and Governor recognize the paramount importance of eliminating furloughs—finally.  Also in the budget request are:  1) a Workforce Investment Fund, 2) beginnings of a need-based aid program for students, and 3) a STEM Challenge grant.  We will work to help legislatures understand the importance of these budget priorities during the 2015 legislative session.  

F Grade in the Funding Formula

I reported at my Roundtable meetings that formula funding this year excludes F grades for non-attendance.  Your may recall that during the 2013 legislative session there was much debate about how lawmakers would fund course completion and whether colleges and universities would receive funding for students who receive an ‘F.’ It was determined that the ‘F’ grade for non-attendance will be excluded now in perpetuity.  Students who complete a course with an ‘F’ will be included.  

Performance Pool

The funding formula proposal put forth has two parts:  1) a base that is funded based on weighted student credit hours (WSCH) for course completion and 2) a performance pool.  Metrics from several national sources generally define the performance pool.  This biennium, 10% of CSN’s general fund appropriation—about $10 million—will depend on meeting the performance metrics.  During the last budget cycle, CSN exceeded its performance target by 108%.  For that excellent performance, the target has increased. 

In addition to its regional accreditation through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), CSN has 50 programs—from business to health sciences to information technology–that have received specialized accreditation.  This fall a progress report was submitted to NWCCU.  Several programs will be renewing specialized accreditation.  Many thanks to all faculty and staff who contribute to the accreditation process.  The quality of CSN academic programs is essential to the institution and its students, and accreditation attests to that quality.  THANK YOU!

 Employee events

Plans for the annual Hungry Games are underway for Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Henderson campus.  This annual cookout and array of games is for all employees and their families.  Come join us for this wonderful event.  

On Oct. 3, CSN will host the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Southern Nevada Diversity Summit. Click here to R.S.V.P. 

Of course, it’s not too early to mark your calendar for the CSN Holiday Party on December 11^th.  You’ll be hearing much more about this annual fete as the date gets closer. 

IT Security
The OTS folks have reported 987,651 CSN email threats were blocked so far this semester!  That’s an increase of more than 50% over Fall 2013!  Please take precautions to secure your computer(s) and mobile devices.  Use a security code.  Change your password frequently.  Lock your computer when not in use. 

We are moving forward this year on upgrading the CSN webpage and creating a portal (intranet) for faculty and staff.  At the same time, document imaging is expanding for greater efficiency and security, and exchange 2013 will soon be in place.   CSN aspires to be on the “proven edge” of IT capabilities and service.   

As many of you know, I have a blog at http://blog.csn.edu. To it, we post our notes from CSN Cabinet meetings and this Chronicle for ease of access.  We use the blog as an additional communications arm for the college community so you can be better informed about what’s happening and add your comments and suggestions.

 Question from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“What is the official fall enrollment for CSN?”

Our official enrollment report is due is mid-October. Our enrollment as of September 10 was 36,600 (headcount) and 18,561 (FTE) and will likely continue to grow.  Enrollment appears to be slightly up compared to the same time last year.   Until office enrollment reports are filed next month, we won’t know the enrollments of sister institutions this fall. 

“How many employees work at CSN?”

The Human Resources folks tell me that 1,160 full-time and 1,326 part-time employees work at CSN.  That’s a total of 2,486 people. 

“Will there be a search for a new Vice President for Student Affairs?”

The job description has been updated and preparations are underway to launch the search for a new VPSA this fall semester.  I am also researching the workload and deployment of the vice presidents with an eye on efficient decision making, presence on the campuses, and overall administrative effectiveness in a higher education that is rapidly changing and publically accountable. 

I hope your semester is going well. 

Best,

  –Mike Richards

I hope you are having a wonderful summer and that this June edition of The CSN Chronicle finds you well. As always, there is much news to share.

Actions of the Board of Regents

At its June meeting, the Board of Regents adopted increases in tuition and registration fees beginning in fall 2015.  CSN’s increase is 4%, or an additional $54 a semester for a full credit load of 15 hours. CSN student leaders and the administration jointly developed an expenditure plan to direct revenues to student success initiatives, including:

Adding more advisors

Adding staff in financial aid

Adding need-based scholarship funding

Modifying space for counseling privacy

The Board also adopted capital budget priorities for the 2015 legislative session, and the framework for the operating budget request.  A project representing the final phase of renovations for the Cheyenne campus was NSHE’s second priority in the lean capital budget request. 

Operating budget priorities include eliminating employee furloughs ($11.2 million for NSHE), increasing by $5.00 the value of weighted student credit hours in the funding formula ($12.5 million), creating a workforce development fund ($6 million) and a STEM Workforce Challenge Grant Program ($3.5 million), and expanding public medical education (i.e., a medical school at UNLV–$63.5 million). An additional priority for community colleges is a state supported grant program for lower-to-middle income students who qualify for only a minimal amount of the Pell Grant or just miss eligibility for the federal grant program for needy students ($5 million).

Commencement

On May 19, a record 2,831 students were eligible to receive 3,194 degrees and certificates, according to preliminary data. This is our largest graduating class ever.

SB 391 Recommendations

On Tuesday, the interim legislative Committee to Conduct an Interim Study Concerning Community Colleges, which has been meeting all semester long, wrapped up its work.

The committee will draft letters to the full Legislature in support of the following items:

• The NSHE Shared Services Initiative, the Nevada College Collaborative, and the concept of the community colleges operating as a system within a system.
   
• The creation of a vice chancellor position within NSHE to act as a coordinator of community colleges and an advocate for the colleges within the system, as well as the establishment of a standing committee of the Board of Regents, specifically focused on community colleges. Chancellor Dan Klaich testified that Board Chair Kevin Page intends to create an interim community college committee of the Board in the next few weeks which the full Board will act on at its next meeting.
• The expansion of advanced placement courses; dual credit courses, including apprenticeships and certificate opportunities; and community college high schools, in order to create additional opportunities for high school students to earn college credits on more campuses. This will include a recommendation that the community college courses align with university courses so students don’t take unneeded courses.
   
• The NSHE review of the various advisory boards and committees that provide input to the colleges on such matters as curriculum and course and program development, to ensure the boards and committees are effective and not duplicative. This review will also include an analysis of how current advisory boards align with the Governor’s Office of Economic Development industry sector councils. A report will be provided to the 2015 session of the Nevada Legislature.
• A recommendation that the Legislature review the Lincy Institute proposal for the governance of Nevada community colleges. This is a report that was presented to committee members during public comment earlier this month and during a May forum at UNLV. This plan includes the separation of the community colleges and Nevada State under a separate state entity along with all for-profit and non-profit higher education institutions and the creation of local community college governing boards (with no local funding). More information can be found on the Lincy Institute’s website.
   
• The committee will request the drafting of the following legislation:
  • To allocate $5 million for the biennium to fund a state grant program for low- income students attending community colleges or Nevada State College. As proposed, the program would: Employ federal methodology to identify students with financial need; Require students to be academically prepared for college-level coursework; Provide students with a maximum award of $2,000 per semester for full-time enrollment; Allocate aid to institutions based on institution size; Appropriate $5 million for the biennium; and require periodic reporting.
• To allocate $6 million for a Workforce Development Rapid Response Investment Fund to assist community colleges in setting up new programs to address workforce needs outside of the biennial budget process.
• To allocate $3.5 million in support of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Workforce Challenge Grant, which would award funds to regional consortia to support the development and implementation of STEM programs in postsecondary education.

Regarding the funding requests, Assembly Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick emphasized repeatedly that there will be limited funds available next session.

I look forward to discussing the committee’s work in greater detail during the Convocation kick off on Aug. 18.

 

Fall Convocation

Convocation in August will again be held at Texas Station. The event will take place on Aug. 18. Please RSVP at rsvp@csn.edu. We will announce the recipients for the Excellence Awards and the President’s Distinguished Employee of the Year Awards.

Pick up a Reflections of Success yearbook to learn about the award nominees. The yearbooks have been distributed to campus departments/units and to the various sites and centers. Contact the Communications Office at 702-651-7354 to have a copy mailed to you.

CSN’s Chris Brown to Serve on North Las Vegas Veterans Commission

Gov. Sandoval has appointed CSN Interim Director of the Department of Student Life and Leadership Development Chris Brown to the City of North Las Vegas Veterans Community Commission. Chris attended his first monthly meeting on June 12 at the City of North Las Vegas Council Chambers.

The commission is designed to assist local veterans with reintegration into the North Las Vegas community. It also serves as an advisory committee to the mayor and council on matters related to veterans.

Please congratulate Chris when you see him and thank him for his service not only to the City of North Las Vegas but also to our nation. U.S. Corporal Brown participated in combat operations during Operation Just in Panama as a team leader. He earned the Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal for engaging enemy forces during riverine and jungle operations. In April 1990, Chris was again deployed for combat, this time to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait for Operation Desert Shield/Storm, earning another Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, Southwest Asia Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Kuwait) and Kuwaiti Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia). Chris was Honorably Discharged in September 1991. In 2014, he received the 20-Year Membership Pin from Veterans of Foreign Wars where he has served various positions to include Post Commander and District Commander. He is a Life Member of VFW Post 1753 and an annual member of American Legion Post #10.

Chris represents a number of CSN folks who are serving or who have served in the armed forces of the nation.

Calling for New Members for All-College Committees

In May, we sent out an email soliciting faculty and staff that are interested in serving on one of CSN’s college-wide or all-college committees. The list of committees here, listing our All-College Committees and contact info for the chairs. 

If you would like to be considered to fill a future vacancy on one of these entities, please email CSN Government Affairs & Communications Director K.C. Brekken by July 1 at kc.brekken@csn.edu and identify the committee(s) on which you would like to serve. K.C. will then distribute the full list to all of the committee chairs over the summer. This will help ensure a diverse representation of active participants on these important committees.

Women of Influence
Spring semester flew by, and here’s one important announcement I forgot to make this past semester. Please help me congratulate the CSN 2014 Women of Influence award recipients, which were announced at the Office of Diversity Initiatives and Women’s History Month Committee luncheon at Russell’s Restaurant on April 4, following Women’s History Month. The following CSN students, staff and faculty were selected by a committee of their peers for their commitment and dedication to the college and community: 

Our next Chronicle will come out in August and include important information, regarding the fall semester.

Until then, enjoy the summer!

–Mike Richards

Greetings!  As this academic year closes, there is much to report to you in many areas of the college.

Scholarships and More

Great news: The CSN Foundation was able to raise approximately $500,000 in donations at the Legacy of Achievement Gala in April. These donations are incredibly necessary to support CSN students and programs. This year, students came out and participated like never before and it made all the difference. Now is a great time to encourage students you know to learn about CSN scholarships at http://www.csn.edu/scholarships/ and apply by June 10.

I would also like to thank Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman, her husband, former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, and the Southern Nevada Franchised New Car & Truck Dealers Association, Incorporated. All three were honored that night for their incredible support of CSN students. They helped make the night a terrific success and we are ever grateful for our community partners.

Errata
Last month’s Chronicle omitted the names of a handful of new faculty senators, including Carrie Preite from Biology, Michael Simpson and Christopher Curry from Health Sciences and LaDella Levy, Julian Smit and Ky Wimpfheimer from the School of Education, Behavioral and Social Science. I apologize for the late recognition and congratulate these faculty members on their election.

 

NV Energy Partnership

CSN and NV Energy have added another dimension to our partnership.  Through a gift of $50,000 and part of a TAACCCT grant, an NV Energy Safety Training classroom and two training laboratories have been established at the West Charleston campus.  Operating through the Division of Workforce and Economic Development (DWED), the program will train NV Energy employees in OSHA and other safety training needed for their jobs. Paul Caudill, President of NV Energy and Regent Chair Kevin Page, joined CSN officials in opening the facilities on May 13^th.  Tours of the labs, the training mock ups, and demonstrations of the equipment were held for all attendees. NV Energy employees start training in these facilities today.

Policies
During this academic year a number of significant college policies have been approved and others have been reformatted into the approved policy format. It is important that you are informed about policy changes. Here is a summary of the changes:

 

Name of Policy	Adopted or Last Revised Date	Policy or Revision Summary
Course Registration & Course Withdrawal Policy (STU 19.2)	Revised:     04/15/2014	New policy to implement the “no late registration” changes. Recent revision clarifies exceptions to policy. Note: This policy also requires students to withdraw themselves prior to the last date to withdraw — instructors can no longer assign a “W” at the end of the semester/term.
Academic Renewal Policy (STU 17.1)	Effective:   06/04/2013	New policy providing for academic renewal.
Non-traditional Education Credit Policy (STU 4.1)	Effective:   04/03/2013	New policy to set forth the criteria for granting non-traditional education credit.
Academic Probation & Suspension policy (STU 3.2)	Revised:  04/15/2014	Evaluation for Academic Warning is made after 15 units, rather than 12; Counselors and faculty advisers are included in the process; and there may be additional requirements for readmission after Academic Suspension.
Family & Medical Leave (FMLA) Policy (ADM 1.1)	Effective:   04/16/2013	New policy established to ensure compliance with Family and Medical Leave Act.
(Academic) Faculty Evaluation Policy (FAC 1.2)	Revised:  05/07/2014	Standards identified for teaching, library and counseling faculty; use of term “standards” changed to “guidelines”; new rating procedures and corresponding forms established; revisions to Peer Review Committee composition and changes to when Peer and Supervisory reviews are due.
Information Systems & Electronic Resources Acceptable Use Policy (GEN 6.3.1)	Revised:     04/17/2013	Added e-mail acceptable use policy and new section addressing wireless network acceptable use.
Academic School and DWED Collaboration Policy (GEN 5.2)	Effective:   04/02/2013	Reformat into new template; updated terminology; and changed reporting dates.
Minor Children on Campus Policy (GEN 9.2)	Revised:     04/10/2013	Reformatted into new template; added purpose statement and clarified exceptions; and updated terminology.
Department Chair Selection and Recall Policy (FAC 21.2)	Revised:     04/16/2013	Reformatted into new template.
Librarian and Counselor Job Descriptions (FAC 18.2)	Revised:     04/16/2013	Reformatted into new template.
Office Request Policy (FAC 19.2)	Revised:     04/17/2013	Reformatted into new template.
ADA/ADAA Policy (ADM 2.1)	Effective:   07/11/2013	Reformatted into new template.
Nepotism (ADM 3.1)	Effective:  07/11/2013	Reformatted into new template.
Non-Discrimination (ADM 4.1)	Effective:  07/11/2013	Reformatted into new template.
Sexual Harassment (ADM 5.1)	Effective:  07/11/2013	Reformatted into new template.
Grants & Contracts Accounting Policy (FIN 3.1)	Revised:  04/11/2014	Reformatted into new template.

 

Beginning fall semester, one new or revised policy will be featured in the Chronicle to assist in the communication of CSN policies and procedures.

‘Finish In 2’ Campaign

As part of the Nevada System of Higher Education’s effort to encourage Nevada college students to graduate on time, CSN is launching the Finish In 2 campaign.

As the name implies, this campaign is encouraging students to finish associate degrees in two years, by completing 30 credits each year in a way that works for them. That could mean 15 credits each semester, or 12 credits each semester and 6 credits over the summer.

Why is this campaign necessary?

Because we know:

• Only 3 percent of Nevada community college students taking less than 12 credits per semester graduate within four years with an associate degree;
• 62 percent of students complete their associate degree when they complete 30+ credits in their first year; and
• An extra semester of college costs the typical two-year college student almost $1,500.

As part of this, we need to encourage students to work with our advisors and counselors and plan their pathways according to their needs.   

Please visit the website at www.csn.edu/finishin2 to get more information. Advisors and counselors can download the flier and print it for use in student sessions. We encourage all staff members that have contact with students to use this flier or direct them to the website. We also encourage you to use the logo and icon in your email signature.

Posters will be printed and framed over the summer for use in advisor/counselor offices and common areas. If you would like to reserve one, please email us.

Achieving the Dream

The Achieving the Dream annual reflection report has been completed and submitted to ATD before the deadline. Special thanks to our ATD Leader Bill Neff and Institutional Research’s Laura Yavitz, who did most of the heavy lifting! The many faculty and staff who serve on various ATD subcommittees have done an amazing job of planning and launching the two ATD pilot interventions for fall, including the mandatory matriculation policy for incoming 2014 Clark County School District high school graduates this fall and the new student success modules. The mandatory matriculation pilot requires all incoming 2014 CCSD grads to complete placement testing, orientation and meet with a counselor before registering.

Retirees

We are sad to say goodbye to at least 18 members of the CSN family who have decided to retire. This is bitter sweet for me, whereas these people have long served our students. As people make important end-of-the-semester decisions, I anticipate there may be others who decide it’s time for them to retire as well. I had the opportunity to recognize a number of these important individuals at the recent Retiree Luncheon, organized by our Internal Recognition Committee.

We’re also honoring the service of these individuals in other communications. To learn more about who is retiring, I urge you to go the Internal Recognition Committee’s Honoring Our Retirees webpage. They are constantly updating the page and you can learn all about retirees’ impact on CSN. This information also runs on our I.C.S. screens. For instance, you can learn about Betty Marx, our administrative assistant at Cheyenne who has served CSN for 24 years.

Also, remember, CSN’s annual Commencement is Monday, May 19, at 6 p.m. at the Thomas and Mack Center at UNLV. According to preliminary data, this will be another record year and our largest graduating class ever! Faculty should be there at 5 p.m. to line up and walk out with students in the East Tunnel in commencement attire.

 Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“Are state employee’s receiving Merit Salary Increases (MSI’s) beginning July 1, 2014?”

The 2013 Legislature lifted the suspension of merit, effective July 1, 2014, for those employees who are not topped out (for classified employees step 10 is topped out). 

“Will all classified employees receive their Merit Salary Increase (MSI) on July 1, 2014?”

No, unless the employee’s Pay Progression date falls on July 1, 2014, otherwise, an employee will receive his/her MSI on his/her Pay Progression Date.

“Will there be a CSN student orientation available online?”

Yes, the new CSN student online orientation will be available online for students to begin participating in this month. Of course, CSN will continue to offer on-campus orientations to new students as well.  

“How many students have or will graduate in 2013-2014?

A record 2,831 students are eligible to receive 3,194 degrees and certificates, according to preliminary data. Official numbers for the spring 2014 semester will be available once final grades for the semester are completed. This is a great indication that we are on the right track and progressing in our goals to help more students change their lives and obtain a college education. I believe these graduates are our future and thank each and every one of you for helping them reach this transformational life achievement!

Convocation in August will again be held at Texas Station. The event will take place on Aug. 18. Please RSVP at rsvp@csn.edu. We will announce the recipients for the Excellence Awards and the President’s Distinguished Employee of the Year Awards. Pick up a Reflections of Success yearbook to learn about the award nominees. They’ve been distributed to campus departments/units and to the various sites and centers. Contact the Office of Communications at 702-651-7354 to have a copy mailed to you.

 Thank you everyone for a great spring semester! Enjoy the summer and we look forward to seeing you for an exciting 2014-15 academic year!

–Mike Richards

 

Greetings!  As this academic year winds down, there is much to report to you in many areas of the College.      

Phi Theta Kappa

On March 28, the Nevada/California Region of Phi Theta Kappa held its Spring Conference and Award Ceremony at the California Polytechnic State University campus. CSN’s chapter, Alpha Xi Beta, earned six awards that evening for their diligent work in the 2013 calendar year. The awards are as follow: 

• Five Star Level
• Honors In Action Award, 2^nd place in Theme 6
• 2013 Yearbook Award, 2^nd place
• Regional Project-Financial Literacy (Education in a Financial Context)
• Regional Project-Make A Difference Day (Downtown Las Vegas Dynamos Clean Up)
• Regional Project-Community Project (Exposure to Global Culture & Food)

Congratulations to the student officers of 2013 for leading the chapter in another successful year. 

Minority Serving Institution

This month, CSN received federal designation as a Minority Serving Institution under the Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI) category.

CSN is proud to be a Minority Serving Institution and will celebrate this achievement at every opportunity. CSN is a diverse institution and the more underrepresented students who succeed at CSN, the more we can change longstanding achievement gaps that impact our neighbors, friends and family. This reflects the college’s service to our increasingly diverse community and will allow us to compete for federal grants and other alternative funding to support all of our students.

CSN invited public stakeholders to attend a Campus Conversation today at the Charleston campus in for a discussion about what CSN’s new designation as a Minority Serving Institution means for the college community. A second Campus Conversation will take place at the Henderson campus on Wednesday, April 30, at 9 a.m. in C-105. We will be rescheduling the Cheyenne conversation in the near future.

Minority Serving Institutions include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal College and Universities (TCUs), and most recently the AANAPISI category. Colleges designated as AANAPISIs have student bodies made up of more than 50 percent low-income or Pell Grant eligible students and at least 10 percent of students, who are Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander.

Legislative Preparations for 2015

On April 16, CSN hosted representatives from the Governor’s Budget Office, Legislative Counsel Bureau, and State Public Works Board.  Four topics were covered: 1) the institution’s operating and capital budget priorities, 2) the need for a comprehensive financial strategy to address CSN’s deferred maintenance backlog, 3) the transforming efforts in student success, and 4) the value to students of facilities improvements at the Cheyenne and Henderson campuses.

Yearbook

As you may recall, due to schedule conflicts, we were not able to put on a Reflections of Success awards ceremony this year. Instead, we’re employing a recommendation from the Work Climate Committee and we’ve put together a booklet, titled Reflections of Success. This will be coming out in early May and be delivered to academic department offices and various units throughout the college. All of the Distinguished Award nominees and Excellence Award nominees are highlighted among other accomplishments. In lieu of an event, this is a way for us to communicate the successes of this academic year and showcase our amazing faculty and staff. Thanks to CSN Public Relations Specialist Richard Lake and Graphic Designer Sue Mitchell for their work in putting this together. 

SB 391 Community College Governance Subcommittee Meetings

The two Community College Governance subcommittees met last week. On April 23, the Governance & Funding subcommittee met and heard from community college scholar Dr. Aims McGuinness, who presented on community college structures and reforms. His research can be found on the subcommittee’s site. He had high praise for systems like Tennessee, Kentucky, Louisiana and Hawaii for the cohesion that these structures were able to provide while at the same time representing diverse environments throughout the states and accountability for progress. In general, he did not advance local governance models as a recommended reform for Nevada to pursue. Thank you to the CSN faculty and students who attended and spoke during public comment. In addition, each of the community colleges presented on their processes for seeking grants. Our institutions are 90 percent successful in obtaining the grants we seek. This subcommittee will discuss structure further at its next meeting on June 9. 

The Academic & Workforce subcommittee met the next day and heard from our partners in K-12 on some of our joint programs, including dual credit, community college high schools and AP coursework. The committee indicated an interest in developing strategies to increasing the fluidity, articulation/transfer and data sharing among K-12, community colleges and four-year institutions. They are interested in increasing similar cohesion between community colleges and businesses/ industry outside of current advisory board structures. The next meeting has not yet been scheduled but we will keep you posted as more information arises. We expect that they will narrow their focus to specific recommendations for reform. We see these meetings as a positive vehicle to affirm community colleges and our services to the state. Both subcommittees have discussed the potential for a state Workforce Fund, similar to the Knowledge Fund, previoulsy approved by the Legislature for the research institutions, to assist with our workforce development and training missions. The critical function of a need-based financial aid program to help ensure our students, who often don’t qualify for the Millennium Scholarship, can secure access to community colleges has also been discussed. 

NSHE Executive Director of the Nevada College Collaborative The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has named Frank Woodbeck, director of the Nevada Department of Employment, Training & Rehabilitation (DETR), as its new executive director of the Nevada College Collaborative.

In this new position, Woodbeck will be responsible for starting and leading the effort to improve efficiency and effectiveness among Nevada’s community colleges, including overseeing the shared services efforts among the three northern community colleges and opportunities for such efficiencies elsewhere throughout the state. He will also be working to enhance communication between higher education and the needs of businesses and industry for workforce development.CSN has long had a great relationship with Mr. Woodbeck and DETR and we look forward to working with him in his new capacity. He started April 21.

Faculty Election Results:

Congratulations to Dr. Camille Naaktgeboren as the new Chair-elect of the Faculty Senate!

Chairs 

Department	Chair-Elect
Math	Patrick Villa
International Languages	Ken Umland
Hospitality	Tom Rosenberger
AT	Dennis Soukup
Accounting, Finance, and Computer Office Technology	Robin Nelson
Health Related Professions	James Adams
Education	Dale Warby
Human Behavior	Kevin Rafferty
Media Technologies	Randy Becker
Physical Sciences	Peter Lanagan
Public Safety and Human Services	Rita Hayes

 

 

Senators

 

Department	Senator-Elect(s)
Math	Jennifer Gorman
AT	Mike Connolly, Nancy Snow
Arts and Letters	Ivonne Leavell, Sean Russell

Congratulations to new and continuing department chairs elected this spring and to the new faculty senators. 

Legislative Budget Priorities

The Board of Regents met Friday to discuss budget priorities for the 2013-15 biennium that the system will put before the state at the next legislative session in 2015. The presidents have recommended as a top priority funding salaries at the full base and eliminating furloughs for all employees. This is in concert with a proposed request to increase the amount each institution receives per Weighted Student Credit Hour (WSCH). As many of you know, CSN and the other colleges and universities are no longer funded based on the number of students we enroll but on the number of courses and programs they complete. Much of the funding relies on the number of students who pass courses multiplied by a WSCH rate. We plan to ask the Legislature to increase the amount each school receives per WSCH to help us claw back from past budget cuts. 

The Board also heard from all the presidents on the proposed tuition and fee increase plan for the next two biennia. CSN has been working closely with student government to create a detailed expenditure plan for the increase that supports access awards, additional support and FTEs and helps reduce lines and bottlenecks in serving students. More information about that plan was included in the March Chronicle. The Board will have a final vote on the tuition and fee increase during its June meeting. 

Strategic Enrollment Planning

With the guidance of Noel Levitz, faculty, staff and administrators at CSN have been hard at work preparing a strategic enrollment plan for implementation this fall. This will lead to the creation of a plan to help CSN achieve long-term enrollment goals and improve student retention. 

The Strategic Enrollment Plan is an arm of the college’s strategic plan that largely focuses on recruitment, retention and timely completion. The Strategic Enrollment Planning Committee has been busy making the rounds to different CSN committees and groups to communicate about how this plan is being developed and why.

Strategic Enrollment Planning recognizes that it is more cost-effective for the college to focus resources on retention of existing students, and retaining/effectively exiting students from degree programs than on consistently finding new students to replace those who drop out. Faculty and staff have gone through extensive data to evaluate CSN practices and those of our competition and are in the process of finalizing recommended action steps that we expect will streamline many of our matriculation and registration processes, more strategically target outreach, recruitment and marketing efforts and revolutionize retention practices. The latter will be assisted through CSN’s Achieving the Dream initiative, another all-college student success initiative. 

If you have questions about the SEP plan or want more information, I encourage you to contact CSN Vice President of Academic Affairs Darren Divine. This has been an extensive effort involving academic and student affairs, faculty, staff and students and we look forward to discussing the action plan this fall. 

CSN Connections are happening April 29, 30 and May 1 on all three campuses. Please encourage your students to attend and learn more about CSN student services and get ready for fall registration. Priority registration for current students begins May 1 and open enrollment for new students begins on May 20. Don’t forget, CSN’s 42nd Annual Commencement is Monday, May 19, at 6 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“Are we requiring recent high school graduates to take placement tests and see a counselor before they can enroll?”

CSN is implementing a mandatory matriculation policy for all 2014 Clark County High School

Questions I’ve received:

“Are we requiring recent high school graduates to take placement tests and see a counselor before they can enroll?”

CSN is implementing a mandatory matriculation pilot program for all 2014 Clark County School District high school graduates enrolling at CSN this fall. As part of the college’s student success initiatives, including Strategic Enrollment Planning and Achieving the Dream initiatives, we are notifying these students now that these 2014 graduates must complete the following 4 steps before they are allowed to register for classes.

1. Apply for Admission
2. Participate in Orientation
3. Complete the math and English placement process (or submit official advanced placement or ACT/SAT Scores)
4. Meet with an Advisor/Success Coach (either one-on-one or in an advising workshop)

In accordance with new matriculation procedures, Advisors/Success Coaches provide advising services to first-time college students without transfer credits, undecided students without a declared major, and Associate of General Studies (AGS) students only. Returning, continuing, and transfer students with declared majors seek academic advice from Academic School Counselors in their selected major/department.

Prospective students who have questions about this are encouraged to contact the CSN Call Center to speak with a college representative at 702-651-5555.

“Why did we pursue Minority Serving Institution status before pursing Hispanic Serving Institution status?”
The designations are based on historic academic full-time equivalent enrollment data from two years prior.

The college submitted an application to receive the designation as a Minority Serving Institution under the AANAPISI category this spring, based on fall 2011 enrollment data, which we knew met the federal criteria for this designation.

Next year, the college expects to be the first higher education institution in Nevada to be eligible to successfully apply for Hispanic Serving Institution status, based on fall 2012 enrollment data. Among other criteria, at least 25 percent of full-time equivalent students must be Hispanic to achieve the HSI designation.

 “In the new fiscal year do we still have furloughs?”

Yes. The furloughs will continue over the course of the next fiscal year. However, eliminating the furloughs and enhancing benefits is a top legislative priority for CSN and the system in the upcoming legislative session. We have heard a lot of positive feedback from lawmakers on the elimination of furloughs and we will be asking you to contact your legislative representatives on this matter as we approach the session to reinforce the importance of making contracts whole again for all state employees.

“Has CSN completed work on salaries and benefits?”

We are not finished.  In fact, there is much to do, constantly, on this topic.  Several items are on the horizon:  1) full implementation of the salary compression (emphasis added) recommendations, 2) implementation of the merit pay plan for 2014-2015, 3) college-wide discussion (probably in the fall) on faculty ranks, and 4) work on adjusting the CC target from 78% of the university median to 83%.  And then there is always the need to improve PEBP.

“What kind of rating do I need to receive on my evaluation to obtain a merit increase?”

Under the proposed policy that the Faculty Senate will consider next month, faculty (academic and professional) need an evaluation rating of satisfactory or better to be eligible for merit consideration.  Put another way, employees who receive an unsatisfactory rating on evaluations are not eligible for merit consideration.

Fall Convocation will again be held at Texas Station on Aug. 18. We plan to announce the recipients of the Excellence Awards and the President’s Distinguished Employee of the Year awards and make a number of other exciting announcements. Please RSVP at rsvp@csn.edu

My next Chronicle to you will be after the SB 391 committee determines its recommendations for community colleges.  This may be after graduation.  Also, in the next Chronicle, I will be providing a list of new institutional policies approved by the Faculty Senate during this academic year.  The Senate has revised faculty evaluation, merit pay, and student matriculation policies this year in a dedicated effort to improve CSN.  I commend the Senators and the leaders of the Senate for all of the hard work.  Now we need to get the word out.

Thank you all for your continuing and remarkable service to our students. 

–Mike Richards

Greetings and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for March 2014.  For a year when the Legislature is not in session, this spring semester is unusually busy with studies, events and policy changes that I want to share with you.     

Salary Equity Progress
Staff in Human Resources are engaged in implementing the necessary payroll/contract transactions for full-time administrative and academic faculty members to process the salary adjustments necessary to implement recommendations for the new/revised salary structures and salary compression. These were recommended by the consultant and Transition Management Teams and ultimately adopted by the Steering Committee.  Each individual full-time administrative/academic employee will receive a letter from HR detailing how he/she was affected by the salary study.  Those receiving salary adjustments will have revised contracts issued.  HR will send out information notifying affected employees when their revised contracts will be ready for review and signature.

Board of Regents Meeting
The Board of Regents held their March meeting at the Charleston campus. I would like to thank all of our staff that helped to make this meeting happen, including Daniel Gonzalez and his colleagues in facilities, CSN Police and security staff and Suzan Workman in the Office of Communications, OTS, Greg Hampton, Dave Morgan, Eric Garner, and campus administration.  CSN hosts the Board of Regents every two years, and preparations for the meeting are extensive.  Many thanks to all who made the meeting successful.   

Tuition & Fees
At the meeting, the Board discussed tuition and fee increases for the 2015-2019 academic years.  For community colleges, the proposal includes a 4 percent increase each year for the next four years for resident students, beginning in fall 2015. Normally, the Board reviews proposals for tuition and fees changes for the current biennium, but this extended time period is being proposed to help students better plan their academic careers.

CSN’s proposal, developed in coordination with student government and endorsed by student leaders, will directly impact student services. The highlights are summarized below and more detail is available here.

Current Fee: $84.50 per credit.
Proposed Fall 2015: $88 per credit
Proposed Fall 2016: $91.50 per credit
Proposed Fall 2017: $95 per credit
Proposed Fall 2018: $98.75

Students taking 15 credit hours would pay a reduced rate at $52.50 more per semester in fall 2015.

For 2015-16:
·         CSN would take 15 percent of the increase and put it toward access scholarships
·         CSN would hire 18 additional full-time-equivalent staff, including eight academic counselors, two disability resource center and counseling and psychology services positions, four staff for the Office of the Registrar and four financial aid staffers to support student needs
·         An additional $155,000 would go toward capital improvements to improve student services spaces, including providing privacy spaces for students to meet with staff. 

For 2016-17:
·         CSN would take 15 percent of the increase and put it toward access scholarships
·         CSN would hire 25 additional full-time-equivalent staff, including eight academic faculty for high-demand programs, two academic counselors, five academic success coach advisors, three staff for the CSN Call Center, three staff for the Office of the Registrar and four financial aid staff for financial literacy education to help students navigate financial aid better and borrow responsibly
·         An additional $177,000 will go to capital improvements to enhance student support spaces

The Board will vote on this proposal in the coming months.

Regents Awards

Congratulations to Business Professor Kevin Raiford, who received the Regent’s Teaching Award for community colleges. Professor Raiford’s work in the classroom and with young entrepreneurs is making a significant impact in our community and economy. He’s an inspiration to us all.

In addition, congratulations to CSN student Carlos Holguin, who received the Regents’ Scholar Award. Carlos is graduating this spring with associate degrees in music and psychology. Carlos is a remarkable young man who aspires to give the gift of music to others. We will honor him and other students at the annual Outstanding Student Awards on May 9 at the Telecommunications Auditorium at 5 p.m.

Thank you to the Internal Recognition Committee for your work in soliciting nominations for these awards and thank you to all who nominated wonderful faculty, staff and students!

Legislative Committee to Conduct an Interim Study on Community Colleges
The Legislature’s SB 391 subcommittees met this month. The subcommittee on governance and funding heard testimony from the legislative counsel bureau, regarding what governmental entity has jurisdiction over community colleges. There were several media articles regarding the question of governance authority that describe the issues. This topic will be discussed more in future meetings and may inform what actions lawmakers decide to take. The subcommittee on governance and funding will explore alternative structures, federal grants, Hispanic Serving Institution status, articulation and shared services at its next meeting on April 23.

In addition, CSN Division of Workforce & Economic Development Executive Director Dan Gouker did an excellent job testifying about CSN’s workforce development initiatives before the subcommittee on workforce and academics. Each of the community colleges had an opportunity to present information on this topic. He was joined by Robert Buntjer, assistant director of the Electrical JATC of Southern Nevada, who testified about our work in apprenticeship and the 15 trades we work with to help deliver postsecondary education throughout the valley.

There were a number of questions, regarding community college curricula and how we stay abreast of the changing needs of business and industry and how we might improve this connectivity. The next meeting for this committee is April 24.

Two changes CSN is advocating in this and other venues are: 1) a need-based financial aid program for students who do not qualify for federal financial aid, and 2) legislative support for a workforce development fund.

NSHE Budget
NSHE’s budget request for 2015 is underdevelopment with a request to fully fund, and thereby eliminate, employee furloughs as a key priority. Elimination of furloughs continues to be CSN’s top priority.  Additionally, CSN is joining other institutions to advocate for an increase in the dollar value per weighted student credit hour (WSCH)—currently at $137 per WSCH.  This is the core value in the new funding formula, and is the state funding support per WSCH for CSN.    

Faculty Evaluation Policy
At its meeting earlier this month, Faculty Senate passed an evaluation policy. I should receive the final copy next week. The policy is available at http://sites.csn.edu/jmatovina/evaluation/. The page contains the latest version of the Faculty Evaluation Draft Proposal, FAQS and other useful information.  This policy has been long in development, and I’d like to thank the leaders and members of the Faculty Senate who have contributed to developing the policy.

Construction at Charleston
Construction on the A building (and, eventually, part of the B building) on the West Charleston campus is underway and proceeding on schedule.  Work will be completed in about a year, and we all look forward to recovering the parking spaces that are now a construction staging area.

This is a renovation of the western half of the building and a small addition that will create more spacious classrooms that can be used more effectively. We expect to move back in this December.

Integrate 2
NSHE’s second phase of a new administrative computing system, SCS has issued a request for proposals for a financial and human resources system.  Nevada is one of the last states in the nation to have an integrated administrative computing system for higher education.  CSN is also advocating for a review of the major modules within iNtegrate 1 in order to address existing functionality with the hope of making the Student Information System more effective.

Snap Shot Survey
Your colleagues on the CSN Workplace Climate Committee request that you respond to the following 10-minute survey. The deadline is 5 p.m., Friday, March 28. Your responses will be confidential. A report of the summary results will be released by the committee to all college faculty and staff.

To access the survey please click here. If the survey does not open automatically, please copy and paste the following link to your Internet browser’s address bar:
http://studentvoice.com/p/?uuid=1b46feb85d5044688e5b86509da224c1

Your responses matter and lead to committee recommendations that help make CSN a better place to work, a better place to learn for students and a more inclusive and welcoming community for all. 

If you have questions about this survey, please contact Cameron Basquiat, Chair of the Workplace Climate Committee, at Cameron.Basquiat@csn.edu  or 702-651-5998. If you have trouble accessing or completing the online survey, please contact Laura Yavitz, Institutional Research, at Laura.Yavitz@csn.edu or 702-651-5874.

Key Dates March 25, CSN Elite Business Series Presents UFC President Dana White March 27, 29, April 17, 19, CSN FAFSA Workshops – open to everyone March 27, CSN President’s Forum for Women’s History Month, featuring Las Vegas Metro Chamber CEO Kristin McMillan, Charleston campus D101 at 2:30 p.m. March 31-April 17, ASCSN Student Government Charity Drive for the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth

 Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“What is the enrollment picture for spring semester?”

As of the March 15^th census date, headcount for spring semester was 35, 278 (down 0.7% from the same period last year) and FTES was 18,233.6 (down 2.6%).  

“What is the NVision program from PEBP?”

 NVision is the Health and Wellness program of PEBP and is intended to engage a preventative health program for employees.  However, I’m getting reports that our people are having a mixed experience with NVision, that the web site is not working properly, that the program is intrusive, and not worth the cost.  I’d like to know about your experience so that information can be shared with PEBP to make the program better.  If, you have had experience with NVision, good or bad, and would like to share it with PEBP, please send it to me and we will forward it.

Best,

–Mike Richards

Greetings from the College of Southern Nevada!

I have some great news today about one of the newer programs at CSN, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Science. It’s one of two four-year degrees offered at CSN.

The 120-credit MLS degree program includes 16 weeks of clinical work at local hospitals and labs, high-level philosophy, English and statistics courses in addition to clinical laboratory science coursework. CSN expanded and remodeled laboratory space on the Charleston campus to add the program.

The first cohort of students to start the program in 2012 has just finished. They’re ready for the job market.

Martiza Camacho, 52, is one of seven CSN students who finished the program in December. Two more students are scheduled to finish in the spring.

It’s an incredibly popular program at CSN and elsewhere. When UNLV ended a similar program due to budget cuts several years ago, the Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education approved the new program at CSN.

Camacho has been attending classes at CSN for almost 20 years. She said the B.A.S. in Medical Laboratory Science will be her fifth degree.

She said she chose the program because she had recently finished the college’s program in Medical Laboratory Technology, a two-year program, and wanted to continue in the field.

Both medical laboratory scientists and medical laboratory technicians conduct lab testing, but only those with a bachelor’s degree qualify for supervisory positions. The pay is also considerably higher, with MLTs earning from $13 an hour to $28 an hour and MLSs earning from $20 an hour to $43 an hour. Medical Laboratory Scientists perform and interpret diagnostic laboratory procedures that help detect, diagnose and treat disease.

Heidi Schneiter, the director of CSN’s program, said the demand for medical lab scientists remains high locally, as well. A new group of students begins the program each fall semester.

The program is a limited entry program. For more information, visit www.csn.edu.

Outside our classrooms and work areas much is going on that you’ll want to know about.  I hope your is semester going well as we move toward the midpoint of spring semester. The following Chronicle address recommendations for the salary equity study, potential increases to tuition and fees for students, the legislative study on community college governance and funding and more. Please read it and share with your coworkers.

Upcoming events:

Wednesday, Feb. 26:Career Services Presents: Keep Calm and Get Your Resume Reviewed, 10 a.m. to noon, Cheyenne campus, main building lobby, Henderson campus C Building lobby, and West Charleston campus, D building lobby.

Friday, Feb. 28: Second Supplier Inclusion Networking Event and Workshop, 7:45-11:30 a.m., CSN Cheyenne Campus, Morse Arberry, Jr. Telecommunications Building.
International Coffee House: Language Immersion, 10 a.m. to noon, West Charleston campus, D building lobby.
Friday Night Cultural Event Series Spring 2014, New Beginnings Credit Repair, 7:30 p.m., Henderson Campus, Building C, room 133.

For more information about upcoming events, go to CSN.edu and click on the event calendar.

Salary Study

The outcomes and implementation of the salary transition and compression study conducted by Ulibarri-Mason Global (UMG) are now known and are being implemented. 

First, I would like to express deep appreciation to the faculty and staff who served on the two Salary Study Transition Management Teams.  Special thanks to Darin Dockstader who chaired the Academic Committee and Christopher Brown who chaired the Administrative Committee. The committees contributed to a critical effort on behalf of CSN and its employees. Your work yielded major improvements in CSN’s salary models. 

Facilitating the work of the teams and UMG were John Scarborough and Anita DelCorio.  Both worked tirelessly and thoughtfully on the complex issues of the study.  Know that our HR office has been a champion for resolving the transition and compression issues of employee salaries.  Thank you John and Anita!

This past academic year, the Board of Regents approved a new salary structure/schedule for academic faculty for community colleges. As CSN prepared to make the transition to the new salary structure, we also sought to simultaneously address compression issues that have emerged over the past seven years. We brought in an external and impartial third party to help CSN fairly address compression as it implements the new schedule and develop an implementation strategy that allows the institution, with its limited funds, to address this issue in phases. Additionally, we asked our consultant to look at administrative faculty compensation and to build on the work accomplished via an administrative salary study conducted in 2008 to identify and further address issues of classification and compression for administrative faculty members.

CSN will implement the general recommendations of the study in two cycles, one for the current contract year and one for the next. 

Because individual circumstances will vary, Human Resources staff will issue personalized letters to every full-time faculty member, academic or administrative, to describe the impacts, effective dates, and other details for the salary implementation.  Once you receive your letter from HR, if you have questions or wish to appeal decisions affecting you, HR staff can assist.

Because the Faculty Senate and Administrative Faculty Assembly were so integral to the study, you may also receive communications from the leaders of those groups.

SB391 Interim Study

The next meeting for legislative committee to study community college governance and funding is tentatively scheduled for March 11 for the governance and funding subcomittee. The next day, March 12, the academics and workforce subcommittee is meeting.  We are not sure of the agenda for the March 11th meeting.  CSN has offered presentations at the March 12th meeting on workforce programs and our apprenticeship program and trade union relationships. Both meetings will take place at the Grant Sawyer building and we will follow up with you afterward to keep you informed.

From the study committee, CSN would like to see a recommendation to the Legislature for a need-based financial aid program and for a workforce development fund. 

Budget Request for 2015

Priorities for the 2015 legislative budget request are beginning to emerge.  The budget request will be approved by the Board of Regents at its June meeting.

Top priority is faculty and staff compensation, including the elimination of furloughs.  NSHE and other state employees will receive compensation changes in a standard approach.

For NSHE, a top priority is increasing the value of the weighted student credit hour in the funding formula.

We expect that the capital budget will allocate approximately $120-140 million statewide for construction projects, including renovations and deferred maintenance.  The Board of Regents will also finalize its capital budget priorities for its eight institutions in June.

There is some interest in creating a capital budget formula similar to those in other states.  CSN would support this suggestion. 

Tuition and Fee Recommendation and Expenditure Plan

Following two years with no increase in registration fees, the NSHE Tuition and Fee Committee is recommending a 4% registration fee increase for resident community college students each year of the 2015-17 biennium.  In other words, starting fall 2015, the registration fee will go up 4% each year. The current registration fee is $84.50.  The proposed fee increase would result in an increase of $3.50 per credit hour in year one and an additional $3.50 per credit hour in year two.  The new fee would be $88.00 and $91.50 for 2015-16 and 2016-17 respectively.

The new fees are badly needed to help bolster student support services that facilitate our student success mission. CSN proposes to use the fee as follows (Click on the image to see all three columns):

 

Reflections of Success

This year, CSN will not host a Reflections of Success event in May as we have for the past two years. Staff have spent the last few months, trying to find a viable date and venue with no luck with so many other wonderful happenings this spring, including commencement celebrations, Connections events, the annual retirees’ luncheon, the WACUBO conference in Las Vegas and more.

In lieu of the Reflections event, CSN will do a yearbook to highlight faculty and staff accomplishments over the past year and distribute those to academic departments in early May. This was one of the many wonderful recommendations that came out of the Work Climate Committee in December.

As many of you know, the Reflections event served as an end-of-the-semester celebration for all of our employees to honor various award recipients. We will announce all of these, including the Excellence, Distinguished and Service award recipients at our Convocation kickoff in the fall on Aug. 18.  As a reminder, all Excellence award nominations are due by March 14 and the Distinguished Employee of the Year nominations are due April 16. Both can be emailed to Internal Recognition Committee Chair Michele Fogg at Michele.fogg@csn.edu.

Faculty & Staff Questions

How does the UMG study differ from the Fox Lawson study in 2008?
The UMG salary study was different from the Fox Lawson study of 2008 for administrative faculty.  Fox Lawson implemented a new salary schedule while it examined job classifications and complexity in making its recommendations.  The result was greater flexibility in salary administration for administrative faculty.  That is why the UMG study resulted in only modest changes for administrative faculty.

Does the salary equity study address classified staff or adjunct faculty pay?
The UMG study does not impact classified staff, whose salaries are overseen by the state and not NSHE.  Adjunct faculty are also not affected by this study, although NSHE is looking at how to improve compensation for part-time instructors.

 

 

I know there is significant information in the Chronicle and you may have questions.  As always, I’ll be happy to address them.

Mike

Greetings!

Happy New Year and welcome to the CSN Chronicle for January 2014. There is a lot of  information below that is important for you to know.

Events in January

Jan 13	First CSN Poster Fair at the Cheyenne campus
Jan 15	Tech Connect at the Cheyenne campus
Jan 16	President’s Roundtable at Cheyenne, Laxalt Center, Rm. 1031
Jan.17	President’s Roundtable at Charleston, Rm. D209
Jan 17	President’s Roundtable at Henderson, Rm. C105
Jan. 28	CSN Connections Events (Welcome Back Events) Cheyenne
Jan. 29	CSN Connections Events (Welcome Back Events) Henderson
Jan. 30	CSN Connections Events (Welcome Back Events) Charleston
By Jan. 31	Salary Equity and Compression study report and recommendations
By Jan. 31	Final report from Evans Consulting Group on Financial Aid

Holiday Party

Through the Foundation Board of Trustees and the President’s Cabinet, I have extended your collective appreciation to the Foundation for the outstanding holiday party we enjoyed at the Santa Fe Station last month.  Food donations that evening provided for 817 pounds of food or 680 meals through Three Square. Thank you all for a great evening and a great cause!

Salary Equity

Upon receiving the recommendations from Ulibarri group at the end of this month on salary equity and compression, I’m planning town hall meetings on each campus to get your feedback on the recommendations. We will then expedite the implementation plan to the extent financially possible.  My thanks to the faculty and staff who are serving on the advisory committees for this important project.  It is essential that equity issues be addressed as fully as possible.

Work Climate Committee Recommendations

The campus Work Climate Committee (WCC), chaired by Professor Cameron Basquiat, has completed its analysis of the 2012 survey and provided recommendations. The full report is located here on the committee’s web page. 

I value the work of the committee, the survey it administered and analyzed and the recommendations it provided. The culture of CSN is improving and will continue to as the work of this committee unfolds and becomes a replicated path for data collection, analysis and targeted changes. My thanks to all faculty and staff who participated in this effort. My thanks, too, to the members of the committee for the deliberate analysis the report represents. I’m committed to keeping this committee and its work in place as CSN strives for incremental improvement and action on the recommendations.

The following comments and responses parallel suggested changes from the committee’s analysis:

I. Hiring and Training Process
A. Hiring Process

Recommendation:   

• Increase training on the hiring process (for all relevant personnel) 
• Training on compliance  issues (offered by Human Resources office) including training on constructing a useful, effective job posting 
• “Lessons learned/best practices” session offered by Human Resources & previous hiring committee chairs/members
• Consider a mechanism for supporting CSN candidates when appropriate
• Examine search committee appointment process. (WCC suggests reflecting on how committee members are nominated and notified.)

My Response: I agree, and further suggest that more people be trained on chairing a search committee.

Faculty Senate will consider a new hiring policy later in the spring.

I’m asking HR to review the search committee appointment process.

B. Supervisor Training

Recommendation:

• Develop “supplemental training” (beyond “Mandatory” training as outlined by NSHE policy) specifically for supervisors to address management skills and persistent issues
• Potential Issues to Cover: Management, Communication, Problem-Solving, Ethics, Mentoring, Evaluation, Budget, Disciplinary procedures, Reporting, Legal issues, Team Building, Leadership, Student Code of Conduct, Onboarding New Employees
• Consider an extended retreat/summit format for training new deans and dept. chairs
• WCC recommends some training be required for both new and current deans and dept. chairs

My Response:  I enthusiastically agree and will ask HR to put a training program together.  I have also suggested that the CSN Executive Leadership Institute be supplemented with a CSN leadership program for managers and aspiring managers. 

NOTE:  I have asked HR representatives and the Work Climate Committee to meet and discuss all the committee’s recommendations in the area of hiring and training.

II. Work Life
A. Internal Communication

Recommendation:

• Share more details on decisions including:
• Decision(s) taken
• Rationale of/for decision
• Process of decision making
• People/positions involved in decision-making
• Inclusion practices via increased communication
• Require part-time workers to use CSN email addresses for institutional communication
• Create an institutional e-mail list for all active part-time faculty each semester and link to “All” mailing list
• Keep “All” list and web directory updated
• Focus communication efforts towards part-time employees (contract and wage workers, student workers, and part-time teaching faculty)
• Routinize and consolidate routine communications:
• Circulate weekly “Hotlinks” electronic sheet (brief document with hyperlinks and concise annotations of upcoming policy and deadline updates) to employees
• Encourage use of consistent templates/formats and communication checklists in all divisions for routine communications to increase consistency and frequency of communication (e.g., welcoming a new employee, reporting a deadline or policy update, etc.)

My Response: This recommendation asks for explanatory information as well as better communication pathways for employees.  Transmitting information in a more timely

manner is also implied with this recommendation.  For my part, I will start implementing this suggestion with this issue of the Chronicle, but that is not enough. The Office of Communications will begin circulating a weekly update and we are exploring new communication forms and processes to increase consistency and frequency of communication among and throughout our departments and units.

I will also asked that the CSN online directory be updated more swiftly to add new employees and will explore how to incorporate part-time faculty.

B. Committee Service

• Recommendation:
  Broaden participation and awareness
• Circulate an annual list of existing college and faculty committees/project teams.
• Send an annual “Topics/Committee Interest” Form to all employees to solicit interests in college service opportunities in order to develop a broader recruiting pool and encourage committee service. (WCC suggests administering this from President’s Office.)

My Response: These are very good suggestions.   We will post and update a list of all existing committees on the college’s website (an announcement will go out when it is posted) and we will evaluate the best mechanism to regularly and systematically solicit membership from the entire college community.

C. Space Availability

Recommendation:

• Establish a place/space for employees to use when on break where not presently available. (WCC suggests all work zones on main campuses have such a space.)
• Establish a place/space for part-time faculty to use when not in class to meet with students where not presently available. (WCC suggests a location on each campus to be open during and after regular hours.)

My Recommendation: Space at CSN is at a premium and I’m not expecting the state’s capital budget to allow for us to construct new space any time soon. We will continue to evaluate all possibilities to best utilize our limited space with a priority on finding designated areas for part-time faculty and, frankly a lesser priority, for breaks.

D. Career Development

Recommendation:

• Develop a mentoring program for all levels of employment at CSN (including mentor/mentee training and matching).
• Develop succession planning (career development planning) capacity at CSN for all full-time and part-time employee groups.
• Encourage employees to construct a 5-year plan for employment goals/growth plan.
• Have supervisors follow-up with plan to assist employees with professional goals when relevant. 

My Response: These suggestions have been referred to Professor Michele Fogg, chair of the Internal Recognition Committee (IRC), with a recommendation that she discuss these with the committee and create an implementation plan.

III. Organizational Clarity
A. Institutional Organization

Recommendation:

CSN Organizational Chart:

• Construct and update a complete (with filled and vacant positions) Organizational Chart every semester and post on website
• Create a similar/parallel structure across all Administration Divisions
• Create a similar/parallel structure across all Academic Departments

External Partners:

• Post an Office of Technology Service (OTS) organizational chart
• Post contact information and identification of appropriate CSN liaisons for key external units including Bookstore, OTS and Food Vendors

My Response: Organizational charts are posted on the website but need to be updated regularly. We can certainly pull out contact information for key external units. I would like to note that many of these are already listed in the CSN app. We will work with OTS to obtain important structural information that will be of service to our users.

I plan to discuss the recommendations for parallel organizational structures with the vice presidents to see what we can accomplish to still allow for the flexibility that is paramount for community colleges to be able to respond to our ever-changing environment but provide for consistency and accountability. I am confident that a balance can be found.

Financial Aid Update

CSN has processed through Department of Education channels all of the records and funding changes needed to comply with DOE directions. Over and under payments have been transacted and the immediate challenge has been completed.  However, the recommendations from the Evans Consulting Group are now getting underway, and we expect a full report from them shortly. Issues regarding personnel, policy and procedure and technology are being addressed in earnest. My goal is to create a national model for processing aid in a student-centered manner. I commend the staff for rallying to the challenge this goal represents. To achieve it, CSN is assessing staffing needs, hiring more staff, implementing regular training, restructuring financial aid offices, implementing new policies and procedures with third-party monitoring of processing (this is being done at other large schools such as ourselves) and making technology changes to better serve and more accurately process student records. 

CSN’s Operating Budget Request for 2015-17

CSN met with the Nevada System of Higher Education and Chancellor Klaich to present our budget priorities for the 2015 legislative session. It is my hope that these are incorporated into the Board of Regents’ priorities.

CSN’s Top Legislative Budget Priority:

• Eliminate furloughs and address cost-of-living increases and fringe benefit expenses – health insurance particularly;
• Increase the dollar amount received for each weighted student credit hour (WSCH) – as you know CSN is now primarily funded by the number of credits students complete and increasing the amount that CSN receives for each credit completed is paramount to eliminating funding equity issues that have persisted for decades, improving student success services and other goals we intend to accomplish;
•  Obtain legislative approval to include the less-than-30-credit certificates with industry certification in our performance pool so that CSN receives funding for the hundreds of students that graduate from these programs, which lead directly to employment and advancement;
• While progress was made in consideration of tuition and fees, CSN supports a continued focus on seeking full retention of fees and tuition;
• Complete iNtegrate 2:  while an initial allotment from the NSHE operating pool has been identified, a comprehensive plan for implementation and ongoing support needs to be addressed; and
• Develop a community college funding source to support economic development – work force needs, similar to the state’s Knowledge Fund for research at the university level.

Capital Budget:

Deferred maintenance is a key priority at CSN. We support continued evaluation of alternatives that will provide a resource to address these needs. 

Our capital priorities include the following:

• Renovation of the B Building at Henderson to address Student Services needs. The building housing these services provides limited space and not enough to allow for adequate spaces for student privacy or to create desired pathways that help students locate the services they are seeking. ($7.6 million)
• Continual revitalizing of the Cheyenne campus by addressing mechanical systems, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) issues, and exterior weather proofing. In addition to addressing deferred maintenance needs, these projects also assist CSN with decreasing utility costs. ($7 million)

Budget priorities for NSHE will be reported and action will be taken at the June meeting of the Board of Regents.

Tuition and Fees

In accordance with the Board of Regents’ policies, tuition and fees recommendations to the Board of Regents begin with deliberations of a committee comprised of students, presidents, faculty and staff.  This this committee developed recommendations for the next four years, rather than recommendations for the upcoming biennium, to assist with students’ financial and institutional planning.

For community colleges, the proposed rate change is 4% per year for four years.  This would apply to resident student registration fees.  For non-resident students, the proposed change is 0% for the first two years and 2% for the next two years. The reason for the difference in rate changes is that non-resident tuition is closer to the median of surrounding states than are registration fees for resident students.  The committee’s recommendation goes to the Board of Regents in March, following a series of hearings with students at the respective institutions.  CSN supports the recommendation, and at the CSN hearing on February 21^st we will explain why.

Concurrent with the hearings and the review process, CSN is developing an expenditure plan for use of the projected revenue. That plan will also be shared and vetted publically.

Interim Study on Community Colleges

The Legislature’s interim study on community colleges will begin January 28^th with the first committee meeting. Here are the details of the study’s structure and timetable as of today:

The logistics of the committee hearings between January and May (potentially June) are as follows: 

• Meetings will be held at the Grant Sawyer Building in Las Vegas, and video conferenced to the Legislature in Carson City.
• One meeting per month, January – May (potentially June) each lasting a full day 
• First meeting is scheduled for Jan. 28, 9:30 a.m. (dates for the subsequent months have not been scheduled. 

Meeting Schedule:

• Jan. 28th – 9:30 a.m.-12:00pm full committee meets, 1 p.m.-5 p.m. subcommittees meet (all committee members are expected to attend for the entire day)  
• Feb. – 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. subcommittees meet 
• March – 8:30 a.m. subcommittees meet; 1 p.m. subcommittees report to the full the committee
• April –  8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. subcommittees meet
• May – 8:30 a.m. subcommittees meet, 1 p.m., subcommittees report to the full the committee. Committee should conclude its business.
• June – meeting only if absolutely necessary

Jan. 28th Agenda:

• LCB – Overview and purpose of committee
• Chancellor and Board Officer – Discussion and overview of community colleges from system perspective; successes and challenges. Desired results of the study, how can the committee help?
• Four Community College Presidents – 20 min. (each) presentation on successes, challenges and any other information important to share
• Dr. Geri Anderson – Shared Services Alliance

Committee Membership:

• Senator Joyce Woodhouse – Chair
• Senator Barbara Cegaske
• Senator Debbie Smith
• Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick
• Assemblyman Paul Aizley
• Assemblyman Pat Hickey

Subcommittee on Governance and Funding:

• Senator Debbie Smith, Chair
• Senator Joyce Woodhouse
• Assemblyman Paul Aizley
• Regent Allison Stephens
• Dr. Mary Pierczynski
• Carson City Supervisor John McKenna
• Churchill County Commissioner Bus Scharmann
• Elko Mayor Chris Johnson

 Subcommittee on Academics and Workforce Alignment:

• Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick, Chair
• Senator Barbara Cegavske
• Assemblyman Pat Hickey
• Regent Kevin Melcher
• St. Rose Hospitals President and CEO Vicky van Meetren
• GOED Deputy Director Michael Skaggs
• Nevada Copper VP Timothy Dyhr
• DETR Director Frank Woodbeck

**There is a possibility for more appointees to the subcommittees

CSN has been asked to provide a student member to the committee.  As more information becomes available, to include future hearing dates, I will provide updates.  

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“What is next with CSN’s HSI status?”

CSN meets the criteria for HSI status and is eligible to apply in the fall of 2014 for funding under Title V.  This is a competitive funding process.  CSN has retained the help of a grant writer to help prepare the proposal for funding.  Typically, up to $750,000 is awarded in a Title V grant. We will be suggesting a theme for the proposal and will be correlating our efforts with the community as the process unfolds.  I am very optimistic that CSN’s initial proposal has a great chance of being successful.

Construction on the A and B (partial) buildings on the West Charleston campus will be underway shortly.  The construction may be disruptive to parking and traffic, but every effort will be made to accommodate students, faculty and staff during the next year of renovation work.  Portable units have been placed west of the I building to provide classroom space during the construction period.

 Finally, the Faculty Senate has adopted and I have signed a new policy on registration.  It is posted here with other institutional policies.  I urge you to read it and take note of the changes in operation that it requires.

Best wishes for the New Year and for spring semester.

 –Mike Richards

 

Holiday greetings to all!  This is the last Chronicle for 2013 and I’ve dedicated most of it to money issues. 

Please Note:  During January, I will again hold roundtable meetings on each campus.  You will be e-mailed an invitation shortly.  We can discuss any of the following topics as well as other issues you may wish to raise. 

Salary Equity and Compression

As you may know, a study of CSN’s salary equity and compression challenge has been underway during fall semester.  The final report is expected in January.  A large group of faculty and staff have participated in the process, coordinated by John Scarborough in Human Resources.  I have been kept informed of the study’s progress, and I remain committed to resolving equity and compression issues. Although a phased approach may be needed, we won’t know that until the final report is submitted and analyzed. 

Anticipating a solution, funding to address faculty and staff equity and compression issues was earmarked at the beginning of this fiscal year.  We will use it, disbursing it in revised contracts as expeditiously as possible. You will receive advance notice before this occurs. 

It is important to know that this project does not mean that everyone will have an adjusted contract.  The study’s singular focus and my intent is to address fairly and squarely equity and compression problems that emerged during years of salary freezes and rollback during the recession.  Should you have questions about the study or its objectives, please ask – Faculty Senate Chair Darin Dockstader. Employee involvement and transparency are critical to success.

Financial Aid

This week past week we updated the Board of Regents on financial aid issues with the following information.

CSN is moving forward on overhauling the CSN Financial Aid Department, following the problems with verification discovered this past academic year.  We are currently awaiting the final report from Evans Consulting.  Following its assessment, Evans’ staff will make recommendations in the areas of organizational structure, process and policies and technology.

Once we receive the final report, we will create an implementation plan. As part of that, we expect to be able to effectively evaluate additional staff positions and operations. We know we will need to develop our services in terms of financial aid literacy and financial aid counseling. We will also begin a search for a new director of financial aid.

We know we will need to develop a comprehensive and ongoing professional development and financial aid training program to ensure CSN staff have the latest information about complex financial regulations.

On that note, I would like to highlight the very large contingent of CSN employees who attended the U.S. Department of Education 2013 FSA Training Conference this week, which was conveniently held in Las Vegas and free. The conference, which featured a keynote by Secretary Arne Duncan, provided four days of valuable information on every aspect of financial aid services for higher education institutions. 

Lastly, we will continue to outsource the verification process for the files that the federal government asks us to double check. This is not uncommon for a college of our size. Through outsourcing this process, we can immediately secure quality assurance while we work to overhaul the department. 

Tech Connection is Jan. 15 at the Cheyenne campus. Registration is limited. Please sign up at:  www.csn.edu/techconnection. I encourage everyone to come out and see the many vendors showing off what’s new in classroom technology, attend informative breakout sessions and hear about important technology topics from Senior Vice President of Cisco Patrick Finn and Executive Vice President of Switch, Missy Young.  I hope to see everyone there!  Official invitation: http://sites.csn.edu/techconn/2014_new/tech_connection_invitation2.html

 Budget Request for 2015-17

Later this month, CSN will present to the Chancellor its budget request for the 2015-17 Legislature. That request will include the following priorities:

• Fund the face value of contracts such that furloughs are eliminated.  This is CSN’s top priority.
• Increase the dollars per Weighted Student Credit Hour that we receive for each student who completes a course in the funding formula to begin to replace funding cuts that occurred during the recession.
• Increase funding for PEBP to improve employee benefits and health options.
• Allow institutions to truly keep tuition revenues without having to ask the state for them. 

There is likely to be few capital dollars, although CSN needs urgent funding for deferred maintenance priorities.  There is also likely to be no enhancement funding for new initiatives, although such funding would benefit the state and our community.  

Tuition/Fee Increases

The NSHE Tuition and Fees Committee is recommending a 4 percent increase in registration fees for resident students for FY 2015 and in each of four years thereafter.   Hearings with students on the recommendation will occur during January and February.  The Board of Regents will act on the recommendation, however it may be modified, at its March meeting.  

Preliminarily, CSN plans to use revenues from the proposed fee increase as follows: 

• Scholarships and need-based financial aid;
• Staffing in Student Affairs;
• Improving our full- and part-time ratio with more full-time faculty; and
• Enhancing advising and academic support services.

Formula, AtD, CCA Convergence

With Achieving the Dream, CSN has laid out a constructive plan and timeline to improve completion rates and retention with deliberate actions that, in turn, complement the Complete College America (CCA) goals Nevada has adopted, and that, in turn, complement CSN’s position under the new funding formula where course completions and performance metrics yield funding.  (Take a breath after that sentence.) There is a fusion of relationships here that I’d like all faculty and staff to see.  Initiatives CSN has adopted and that faculty are engaging interrelate for greater student success and improved funding under the new formula.  I’m so very pleased with the work of faculty on streamlining developmental education—it’s great work!  I’m so very pleased with the faculty and staff efforts to improve student matriculation by removing barriers to success!  Thank you, all, and please keep up the good work!  You are making a transformative difference for our students!

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“What is the status in ACT testing?”

In 2011, the Board of Regents approved a resolution urging the State of Nevada and district superintendents of public K-12 instruction to adopt the statewide administration of the ACT test for all high school students in their junior year.  This action was reaffirmed in 2013 by all NSHE presidents.  However, NSHE staff also wish to explore the SBAC test and have established a committee of institutional representatives for that purpose.  State superintendents still support the ACT test.  Under provisions of AB288 passed during the 2013 legislative session, a decision by the school districts must be made by 2015.  Ideally this assessment would replace the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam. 

“What is the status of the community college interim study?”

You may recall that the Legislature authorized a study to examine governance and financing of Nevada’s four community colleges.  A committee comprised of six legislators is conducting the study.  Senator Joyce Woodhouse will chair the committee.  The work of the committee is expected to start in January and extend to June 2014.  Recommendations will be submitted to the 2015 Legislature.

Happy Holidays to all of you!

 –Mike Richards

The CSN Chronicle

Greetings, and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for November, 2013. I know this is a busy time for everyone and I appreciate you taking a moment to read the Chronicle to get the latest information.   

The CSN North Las Vegas Advisory Board

Earlier this week, we signed an agreement to create the new CSN North Las Vegas Advisory Board, which — as I’ve discussed in the Chronicle and elsewhere — will provide broad input on local concerns, trends and needs and help share information about CSN and the Cheyenne campus with others in the community.

Community colleges are designed to meet local education and workforce needs. CSN already has 46 advisory boards in place for academic programs to enhance curricula. I believe this partnership will ensure CSN is responsive and has its finger on the pulse of our community. We think this may be a model for our campuses in Las Vegas and Henderson.

I have selected the Board members in consultation with Mayor Lee.  Board members include Lee, myself and the following:

Dave Hales of Ohana Matters Foundation, Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Government Affairs Brian McAnallen, North Vista Hospital CEO Cathy Story, ViaWest President and CEO Nancy Phillips, Brady Industries Vice President Travis Brady, First African Methodist Church Pastor Ralph E. Williamson, Lunas Treasurer Norberto Madrigal, CSN Student Government Secretary Selena Torres, Vice President and General Manager of Cannery Casino Hotel Patrick Hughes and CenturyLink Director of Legislative Affairs Randy Robison.�

CSN Successes    

Congratulations to CSN History Professor Dr. Michael Green, who has been selected as the winner of the 2013 Eugene Asher Distinguished Teaching Award. The Asher Prize is awarded annually by the American Historical Association (AHA) in recognition of outstanding teaching and advocacy for history teaching at two-year, four-year and graduate colleges and universities. The prize will be awarded during a ceremony at the association’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., in January.

In the nursing program, CSN Professor Ron Gonzales coordinated with the University of Phoenix to bring in eight hospital nurse recruiters to conduct interviewing workshops for our graduating nursing students.  He organized this in April and we learned that Sunrise hired 16 students from that April event and Summerlin Medical Center hired six. This was a wonderful event for our students and just the kind of program to promote as part of the poster presentations on student success initiatives that will take place on Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Cheyenne campus in the June Whitley Student Center.
 

 

Salary Update

The salary equity study continues as previously discussed with the first set of recommendations slated to come out at the beginning of 2014.

Holiday Party

The 2013 Holiday Party, sponsored by the CSN Foundation, will take place at the Santa Fe Station (please note the location) on December 12. This year’s event is all about giving back to help spread holiday cheer. Tickets will be $5 per person and go to support student scholarships and programs. You can get your ticket at any campus cashier’s office. Please bring non-perishable food items to the party for collection by Three Square.  We have many in our community who need help this holiday season.

Hungry Games

With the exception of one injury during the kickball tournament, the second annual Hungry Games at the CSN Henderson campus was otherwise a huge success.

Although these Hungry Games tournaments seem particularly dangerous for Faculty Senate chairs, we must congratulate Faculty Senate, which won the kickball tournament.  

Thank you to all who made the event such a fun day for CSN employees and their families!

TIAA-CREF

TIAA-CREF being the new sole record keeper for both the mandatory Retirement Plan Alternative (Non-NV PERS Retirement Plan) and for the 403(b) plans including the Roth 403(b). Previously the record keeper function was handled by three companies (TIAA-CREF, FIDELITY and VALIC).  This means TIAA-CREF will handle all the administrative functions associated with the plan including – payroll interface, processing of loans and distributions, generating quarterly statements, on-line account access, financial consulting services.  These changes are a different approach in the management of the retirement plan compared to how it is managed now. 

The new investment lineup (please click on this link to see the lineup) for the plan has also been finalized. This investment lineup is different from the existing lineup in that there is only one proprietary fund from TIAA-CREF on the lineup. These will be your investment choices within the plan for your contributions beginning January 1, 2014. If you are not planning to go with the default fund, you will need to take action prior to January 1, 2014.

HR has sent out emails regarding workshops with TIAA-CREF and for those of you unable to attend these meetings, TIAA-CREF will also be hosting webinars in November and December.

Transition packets were mailed from TIAA-CREF to employees’ U.S. mailing addresses last week. Please contact HR if you have additional questions.

Nevada Workforce Development Center

 Also this week, CSN and the Nevada Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation officially opened the Nevada Workforce Development Center at the Cheyenne campus. This is a one-stop shop for local businesses to get information about workforce assessment, customized employee training, identifying potential hire with specific skillsets and obtaining local industry specific data at no cost. The center will be staffed by DETR and CSN’s Division of Workforce & Economic Development.

DETR plans to implement similar centers at the state’s other three community colleges.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

When will we know whether our salary will be impacted by the equity study?

I’m prepared to begin acting on the study findings early spring semester.  Many of our staff and faculty have participated in this work in process.  My thanks to each of you. 

How can we improve enrollments in the future?

Vice President Divine and many others are deeply involved with Noel-Levitz in the Strategic Enrollment Plan (SEP), a comprehensive review of what CSN is doing/not doing to manage its enrollments and to retain students.  I have high hopes for this important process because it will engage everyone in improving enrollments and student success.

Will a campus name be changed?

Recently CSN sent out a survey asking for your thoughts about changing the names of CSN’s Cheyenne campus to the CSN North Las Vegas Campus and the CSN Charleston campus to the CSN Las Vegas campus. CSN was exploring this issue at the request of community constituents, particularly the Mayor of North Las Vegas, to better market our campuses and affiliate with the local community. Approximately 60 percent of employees and students voted against changing the names. Most cited costs as a factor in their decisions.  I conveyed the findings to the Mayor’s staff.  We are pursuing more substantive ways we can show our support for our local communities

Best wishes to you all for a Happy Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing you at our Holiday party.

–Mike Richards

The CSN Chronicle

Greetings to all!  This semester is flying by and I hope it is going well for you.  There is much activity on many fronts that I have covered in this newsletter. Please read through so that you are up to date on a number of important matters. 

Financial Aid:

We are addressing financial aid issues on two fronts:  1) processing for the three financial aid award years is now closed or nearing closure.  The 2011-12 year is awaiting final direction from the Department of Education.  The 2012-13 year is closed — all processing verification work is done.  The 2013-14 year remains active but all verification and awarding is current. 2) Evans Consulting Group is leading the effort to assess all financial aid operations. They are holding interviews, focus groups with students, visiting all three campuses, and examining our processes, policies, structure, staffing and training.  We have asked Evans to provide recommendations and priorities that need action.  My goal is to transform this essential operation into the premier financial aid office in the region. We will keep you informed of new information in this area as it arises. We are also keeping the Chancellor and Regents informed on progress and the corrective steps we are taking. 

Salary Study:

The salary compression study is on track. There have been multiple open meetings and emails with faculty and staff to explain the process for the study and obtain feedback. Committees of faculty and staff are monitoring the process which should conclude at the end of the calendar year.  I am committed to this process and to solutions—perhaps in phases—that resolve long-standing compression problems. 

Classroom Dedication:

On Wednesday night, we dedicated the air conditioning and technology classroom at the CSN Cheyenne campus to Daikin Applied and Norman S. Wright Mechanical Equipment Corporation, following their donation of a new, state-of-the-art chiller, worth $100,000. The donation allowed us to replace our existing unit, which we then gave to the air condition program to help train CSN students.

CSN alumnus and City of Las Vegas HVAC Technician Chris Deangelis, who has since passed away, helped arrange the donation and a plaque was hung in his honor. 

The Santa Fe Station on North Rancho Drive will be the site for our 2013 Holiday Party on Thursday, Dec. 12. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this wonderful, CSN Foundation-sponsored celebration.  Please note the new location.

Hispanic Heritage Month

I want to thank our Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, the Office of Diversity and our wonderful volunteers who put together a fantastic Hispanic Heritage Month program. There were many great events but one I would like to highlight in particular is the Latino College Camp. Students from Rancho High School visited the CSN Cheyenne campus on Friday, Oct. 11. There, they received tours and met with many of our great faculty and staff members. They also met and received guidance from CSN college students. It was a great event! These Latino high school students learned about their career options and how to be more prepared to begin their college experience after graduating high school. Thank you to all that helped to make this event a success!

We look forward to celebrating Native American Heritage Month and International Education Week in November.

Campus Names

All of you have received a survey, regarding a potential name change that community members have asked us to consider. I’m sure many of you have heard in the media about the Mayor of North Las Vegas John Lee and his hopes that CSN can help bolster economic and workforce development within his city’s limits. An energetic supporter of the community college mission, he’s not alone. And he’s right. We can help. We do a lot in all of the respective communities that we serve that a lot of people don’t know about and we can also do more.

In terms of the name change, please make sure to fill out the survey by Nov. 13 at http://studentvoice.com/ccsn/namechangeopinion

North Las Vegas Advisory Committee

I’m working with Mayor Lee to create a North Las Vegas advisory board that will report to the CSN Foundation and provide recommendations to me, regarding trends and concerns in North Las Vegas. That board will be announced in a few weeks. 

CSN has had campus advisory boards in the past. I believe this type of collaboration is going to be meaningful and I hope it will also help us better communicate our mission and accomplishments. 

SB 391

I hope by now you are all aware of the upcoming interim legislative committee to study community college governance. This committee’s work has the potential to impact everyone at CSN and we need your help to make sure all of your colleagues know about it and get engaged. 

States throughout the nation regularly assess and alter higher education governance structures. Currently, Nevada’s system of community college governance is centralized in that all eight higher education institutions are governed by one Board of Regents. There are many systems that have local and state boards or just local boards that govern colleges’ budgets, grant degrees and certificates and create policy. There are even more systems that also have a component local funding. 

Six legislators will make up the committee, which will begin its work in early 2014. Those lawmakers are Senators Joyce Woodhouse, Barbara Cegavske and Debbie Smith; Assemblypersons Paul Aisley, Pat Hickey, and Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick. That committee will then have two subcommittees, which will each include a regent. We are currently meeting in small groups with legislators and community constituents to provide background on CSN’s mission and workforce programs. 

The committee and subcommittees may benefit from faculty, staff or student testimony. We look forward to the opportunity to share more about what we do and will keep you informed about the committees’ progress and opportunities to participate. 

Upcoming Events

We look forward to the following upcoming events: 

CSN Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences Open House

Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Charleston campus, Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences Building 

The CSN Foundation is sponsoring this wonderful event with guest speaker, Jon M. Hager, Executive Director of the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange. He will discuss the challenges and opportunities local providers and students can expect as Nevada begins to implement the Affordable Care Act. Local medical leaders will also discuss how business and education can better prepare students for emerging jobs in healthcare.  

CSN will then provide tours of the Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences Building and guests will view hands-on demonstrations of cutting edge teaching technology by students enrolled in nursing, clinical laboratory sciences, cardiorespiratory sciences, emergency medical services, surgical technology and other important health science education programs currently available at the college. 

2^nd Annual CSN Hungry Games

Nov.  16, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Henderson Campus

Bring your family and come down to spend the day with your CSN colleagues. Play in the kickball tournament and enjoy good barbeque and other fun games.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“If we rename the Charleston campus the “CSN Las Vegas Campus” and the Cheyenne campus the “CSN North Las Vegas Campus,” what will we call the Northwest Campus? What will we call our sites and centers?

With the exception of CSN’s Western Center, the satellite sites already bear the name of their locals.

The future campus in Northwest Las Vegas still requires a land patent from Congress in order for CSN to develop it. I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves by naming it before it is ours to name. 

“Are we evaluating the names of our campuses because of Mayor Lee’s threat to take over the Cheyenne campus?”

No. As stated above, he is one of many constituents in North Las Vegas who feel that way and we have found that some in Las Vegas would also prefer that the Charleston campus be the “CSN Las Vegas campus.” In addition, we have found that there are a number of policymakers and constituents that think it will better market the campuses. 

“How is enrollment this fall?”

It is where we anticipated. CSN had planned for enrollment to decline about 3 percent this fall. Headcount at the mid-semester census was 36,658, down 2.3 percent. FTE is at 18,903.7, down 3.2 percent. 

“How come we cannot apply for Hispanic Serving Institutions status until 2014 if we reached the 25 percent Latino enrollment threshold in 2012?”

That is a great question. Colleges and universities that have the federal distinction as a Hispanic Serving Institution must meet the criteria two years prior to application, according to rules of the Title V grant. This is a great opportunity to also remind folks that we will be one of many HSIs applying – if they offer the grant — in 2014 and the award process is extremely competitive. It is now time to get to work to create the most competitive proposal possible to benefit CSN students. 

Best regards to all. 

–Mike Richards

 

Greetings to all!  I hope your semester is going well.  There is much activity on many fronts that I have covered in this newsletter, including financial aid, the e-Learning task force and of course, rumors and questions. 

Please note that in the coming months, you may receive a call from Francine to come to lunch with me. Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble! You are an expert in your field of service to the college and I am hoping to sit down and learn more about you, your work and your thoughts about how to advance CSN. Please accept the invitation if you are available.  

We are also instituting a monthly (most months) social reception, a casual time at the end of the week for faculty and staff to gather, get better acquainted with colleagues and unwind.  Mark your calendar for Oct. 11 at 5 p.m. at Russell’s. Refreshments will be served. 

Top 25 in the Nation

CSN Professor of Business Kevin Raiford was named by RateMyProfessor as one of the top 25 professors in the nation. In fact, he was ranked the 5^th highest in the nation. Congratulations, Kevin! 

Financial Aid

As a follow up to financial aid issues announced the first week of school, please know that we are winding down the solution on verification issues:

• All under-awards have been paid and we’re moving ahead to conclude DOE processing requirements.   
• A special taskforce is working with students to address their questions. 
• Aid going out this year will have already been subject to the enhanced verification process, conducted through ProEd Solutions. 

We are finalizing a contract with an external consulting group that specializes in financial aid to assist us with our processes, policies, operations, structure and training in this areas. 

Finally, CSN has begun the process of overhauling financial aid operations to ensure the highest level of service, accuracy and accountability in this area of the college. 

We will keep you informed of new information in this area as it arises.

CSN Connections:

 

 Thank you to all student services and academic staff and faculty that participated in the CSN Connections events at the start of the semester. They were a huge success! These events exist to connect students with the many services we offer to help them succeed in a fun and welcoming environment with music and, of course, free food. They also help us highlight the importance of student success to our students and stakeholders and the critical role that student services staff play in helping students achieve.

Those who participated conducted two of these fairs each day at each campus to ensure our students that attend during traditional hours in the day and later courses in the evening both were connected to the number of services available to help them succeed. 

Thank you again for all of your efforts!

The Santa Fe Station on North Rancho Drive will be the site for our 2013 Holiday Party on Thursday, December 12. Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this wonderful celebration.  Please note the new location.

eLearning Taskforce

As Darin Dockstader and I have reported, the Chancellor has appointed an eLearning Taskforce.  The Chancellor will chair the Taskforce.  The members and roles of the taskforce are:

Kevin Carman	UNR	Admin; Provost
Robert Wynegar	WNC	Admin; Provost
Christian Fritsen	DRI	Faculty
Fred Lokken	TMCC	Faculty
Darren Divine	CSN	Admin; Provost
Lisa Frazier,	GBC	Admin
Erika Beck	NSC	Admin; Provost
Mark Fink	UNLV	Faculty
Tony Scinta	NSC	Faculty
Caroline (Carrie) Bruno	GBC	Faculty
Jeffrey Wong	UNR	Faculty
Terry Norris	CSN	Admin
Kendall Hartley	UNLV	Faculty
Cynthia Clark	UNLV	Student
Alex Porter	GBC	Student
Paul Davis	TMCC	Faculty
Richard Kloes	WNC	Faculty

Here is the charge to the committee: 

At its March 2013 meeting, the NSHE Board of Regents received and enthusiastically accepted the report prepared by Richard N. Katz & Associates: E-Learning and Higher Education’s Iron Triangle:  Opportunity, Affordability and Student Success at NSHE.  The Board directed the Chancellor to develop and proceed with a plan for the implementation of the report’s recommendations.  In response to that direction, I am creating an ad hoc committee charged with setting priorities, evaluating and pricing alternatives, and crafting an implementation plan per the Board’s direction.  This Steering Committee will report to me with a deadline of December 2014. 

Given the urgency expressed by the Board and considerable time and resource commitments necessary for the implementation of the numerous recommendations in the Katz report, we need to make the distance education- related issues that support student success a systemwide priority and focus on our common goal of graduating more students.  The reality of NSHE’s limited resources means that the promising possibilities and benefits of adaptive learning, learning analytics, digital course materials and other areas of service and investment will need to be accomplished in phases indicative of the overall priority of the Board.  The Committee report’s recommendations must reflect both the challenges of our resource constraints and the need for urgent and impactful action.

While the Katz recommendations did not specifically address remediation, critical success metrics indicate good reason to focus early efforts on remediation and the corresponding transition to “gateway” courses that build upon successful remediation.  Student success in mathematics is a strong indicator of a student’s likelihood to persist and ultimately graduate.  Remediation rates in mathematics continue to be unacceptably high, and despite the successes of the Remedial Transformation Project, more work remains to be done.  We have the opportunity to build upon our faculty’s successful and transformative work and the momentum they have generated by focusing the initial work of the committee on remediation.  We know that student preparation for collegiate work remains a barrier to their success and progress.  We know too that in order to consolidate success in remedial courses, we must ensure students ability to immediately proceed to regular credit bearing college work.  Evolving technologies such as adaptive learning must play a part. 

Phase 1:  Remediation/Skills Modules 

The Steering Committee shall consider approaches and technologies that utilize e-learning in the support of remediating students in a timely and effective fashion.  The Committee shall develop an education and business model, a program plan, and budget for the implementation of on-line and e-learning remedial modules initially in Mathematics and then English.  The recommended model must include appropriate student support mechanisms, including but not limited to, on-line and face-to-face tutoring and other student support strategies.  Key to the success of this effort will also be plans for ease of registration by students at all NSHE institutions, in addition to their home institution. The plan developed by the Steering Committee must be complete by June 2014. 

The recommended approaches for remedial education shall consider strategies for developing remedial skill modules internally, through vendor partnerships, or both.  The recommended approaches must include provision for students to complete required remediation in a self-paced environment that is adaptable to each student’s learning style.  The measure of success for remedial education will be successful completion of the related entry level college-level course, and the Committee shall consider that transition in formulating its recommendations. 

Phase 2:  E-Ncore 

The heart of the report’s recommendations calls for the development of an e-Ncore whereby the campuses would develop and deliver e-Ncore master courses for the general education curriculum.  The Committee shall develop an education and business model, a program plan, and budget for the implementation of e-Ncore on-line gateway course offerings that will be transferrable to all NSHE institutions.   

Given the limited human and financial resources of the System and its institutions, it is reasonable to expect that implementation of the full general education curriculum under the e‑Ncore is not feasible in the short-term.  Therefore, the Committee may develop a phased implementation plan that includes a timeline for implementation across the general education curriculum.  The Report should articulate a strategy or rationale for sequencing priorities within the general education curriculum.   

I am expecting that wherever best from the student perspective the approaches identified by the Committee will build on the considerable excellent work already accomplished in the System.  As was noted at the March Board of Regents meeting, NSHE colleges and universities have married the on ground and on campus modes of instruction in response to the changing preferences and demographics of those we serve.  Our goal now is to build in ways that extend the benefits of our collective strengths to all of our students where and when they need us. 

Phase 3:  Other Recommendations 

The Steering Committee shall evaluate and prioritize the remaining recommendations of the Katz report not otherwise addressed in Phases 1 and 2.  The Committee shall recommend a timeline for implementation of the other recommendations. 

Additional Committee Authority 

In its development of an education and business plan, the Committee shall consider partnerships with external vendors and may seek and retain the advice and counsel of subject matter experts, internal or external to the System, as needed.  In addition, the Committee may establish subcommittees with appropriate student, faculty and administrative representation to meet the provisions of this charge.  Any data requested by the Committee will be provided by the System Office. 

“15 to Finish” is a campaign endorsed and promoted by all NSHE institutions to encourage students to enroll for 30 credits a year.  Data indicate that students who enroll full-time—15 credits a semester—are more likely to complete a certificate or degree program in a timely manner.  This saves students money and time.  Please urge students to take 15 credit hours.  By adding one or two classes a year, students will complete their degree programs faster and at lower cost, given the annual increase in the cost of education.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“I don’t understand why the issues in financial aid were not known and acted on earlier.”

This is an excellent question.  In the area of financial aid, audits—including reviews by the Department of Education—lag a year.   Specifically, NSHE’s auditor, Grant Thornton, prepares an A-133 audit of federal funds, the results of which are forwarded to the Board of Regents for approval. Based on a sample from the 2011-12 Grant Thornton audit, the U.S. Department of Education requested in March 2013 that CSN complete a review of the verification of awards from that year. The Grant Thornton audit had found that for nine of 58 students tested, CSN had not updated federal application for student aid information. Hence, ProEd was retained to verify results from 2011-12.   CSN then asked the company to verify awards for 2012-13 and the current year this summer. 

The DOE’s response on the 2011-12 A-133 audit was then received on July 18, 2013. The response for the 2012-13 audit will be completed next summer and so there is a lot of lag time associated with these processes as well.  Once CSN was aware of the extent of the problem, the college acted, made an announcement to public stakeholders and began contacting impacted students. 

“How much will CSN have to repay and how many students were impacted?”

Once the assessments are complete and finalized, CSN will be able to provide a total dollar amount and number of students. They will not be asked to repay over awards and under awards are being automatically funded to those students’ accounts. 

“When the salary study is done are some salaries being reduced?”

No.  Our objective is to correct salary equity and compression problems.  

“When did student completion become such a hot issue, and how do we balance that with student learning and access?”

Since early in 2010, national and state attention to certificate and degree completion has eclipsed other student-related issues.  Major national foundations, the National Governor’s Association, professional associations in higher education, and the White House have focused our attention on completion and career readiness.  From my observation, this new national agenda has sometimes overshadowed student learning, assessment, and a broader view of student access.  Liberal education has taken a back seat to career education and a perceived urgency to “get students through.”       

“I have not had a good experience on search committees.  The hiring process seems to take too long and does seem to be very efficient.”

For several months, a new hiring policy has been in development.  It is designed to improve the hiring process.  The final draft of the policy is about ready for the Faculty Senate to act on it. 

Best regards to all.

 

–Mike Richards

 

This unusual July Chronicle serves to inform you of critical information that will affect your professional life at CSN.  PLEASE take time to read this and make sure that your colleagues have as well. Some of it will be elaborated upon at Convocation next month, but you need to know about these changes on CSN’s horizon. 

Compensation and Contracts

• CSN is complying with legislative direction on contracts, fringe benefits, furloughs and salaries. Your new contract is being prepared.  A message from the HR office has been sent regarding the status of contracts and when they will be ready for signing.
• CSN is engaging a contractor to conduct a salary equity and compression study this summer and fall. We expect recommendations by the end of the calendar year. Initial funding to begin addressing equity and salary compression issues has been set aside in the 2013-14 budget. 

Funding Formula

Earlier I reported to you that the Legislature adopted a new funding formula similar to the one we discussed last fall that was proposed by the legislative interim Higher Education Funding Committee. We have more information available now that is important:

 

• CSN did receive additional general fund allocations through the new funding formula.  As noted over the past several semesters, with enrollment declines we continue to realize a shortfall in registration and tuition revenues;  
• All revenues including tuition and fees continue to be approved by the Legislature as ‘approved revenues,’ which requires any excess registration fee or tuition revenue to have interim finance approval. Institutions will still prepare budgets as usual;
• CSN and the other colleges and universities are now funded based on course completions, not enrollments in classes. Students that drop out of a course or receive a W, reduce CSN’s funding next time the formula is run.  Hence, CSN must address and ensure that students complete their courses and earn a letter grade of A-F. It is important to note that the F grade is included and faculty should by no means diminish course rigor;
• Starting in the 2014-15 academic year, 5 percent of CSN’s state funding will be set aside. CSN can earn it back by meeting certain benchmarks related to transfer, degree and certificate completion. Over the course of three biennia, this element of the budget expands to make up 20 percent. This means that performance will determine $18-20 million of CSN’s budget. Through Achieving the Dream, and other student success initiatives, CSN faculty and staff are positioning the institution for this uncertain future by doing research, evaluation and crafting pilot projects designed to help students overcome challenges and barriers to completion of their academic programs.Although we have a large group involved in these initiatives, I’m aware that some have remained cynical and on the sidelines. I urge you now to use that skepticism to improve these processes and get involved. Everyone will gain if we work together and all of our community will suffer if we fail to make progress.

Enrollment Trends and Deficits

Since fall 2011, CSN’s enrollment has declined, taking revenues with it. CSN completed last year with a sizable budget deficit because enrollment was lower than estimated. This has happened at community colleges across the nation, following historically high enrollments at the height of the recession and then continuous enrollment decline as the economy has slowly improved. In addition, increases in tuition and fees to make up for state budget cuts have not helped. 

For fall 2013, another enrollment/revenue drop is expected. We are planning for a 3 to 4 percent decline, but it is still too soon to tell. 

This trend directly impacts operating budgets, as well as financial planning and forecasting.  Our budget for 2013-14 is a prudent reflection of CSN’s enrollment trends. Our success initiatives, such as ATD, which help students complete courses and programs, will also improve our enrollment numbers, as we continue to communicate the importance of a college degree to the community. 

To help guide CSN’s enrollment future, Noel-Levitz has been retained to facilitate a more systematic approach to recruitment, retention, and student success. During this next academic year, many faculty and staff will be working with Noel-Levitz experts in this unprecedented effort to help us manage enrollments.

Please note important financial aid dates for fall 2013 below and help us communicate these with students:  Institutional and state scholarship programs, such as the Access Grant and the Millennium Scholarship, will be disbursed starting on Sept. 4. Federal Title IV grants, such as the Pell Grant or the SEOG, will be disbursed starting Sept. 18 and federal Title IV loans, including subsidized and unsubsidized loans, will be disbursed starting Sept. 25.  Federal financial aid disbursement rules allow schools to determine the disbursement dates based on their student population. CSN has chosen to use the delayed disbursement model to assure students receive the correct amount of financial aid according to the courses they enrolled in and attended. Many students find it very difficult to pay the government back if they receive the funds, spend them and then drop out of courses. Prior to the disbursement date, students can charge their books and supplies against their refund and their courses will not be dropped for non-payment during this time period.

Federal Changes and Rule-making

The following reflects several financial aid issues you need to know to help students:

Item 1:  When a student decides to enroll at a college, is awarded financial aid, and then drops out, the financial liability is the institution’s, and under federal regulations, funding must be returned to the Department of Education.  For many colleges and universities in the country, this issue is significant and costly.  Faculty and staff can help by making sure that the student’s “last date of attendance” is accurate, and by avoiding the use of inappropriate W grades.

Item 2:  Federal regulations last July restricted student eligibility for Pell grants to a specific time frame and to the student making Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) toward completion.  From this issue arises the matter of measuring and recording SAP in progress toward graduation and financial aid eligibility. 

Item 3:  Interest rates on student loans issued after July 1, 2013 rose from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent after federal lawmakers failed to reach an agreement before the start of the new fiscal year. Until Congress resolves this issue, it may create another barrier or deterrent for students to access education and complete certificate and degree programs in a timely manner.  From this issue will arise others still undetermined. 

These federal policies and mandates directly impact CSN’s operations, its students and faculty.  You will hear more about them next month and into the academic year. 

Finally, you may have noticed that there has been some discussion in higher education literature and in some regional accreditation reviews, about the precise definition of a contact hour and a credit hour. In the wake of reports about faculty that cancel too many classes or regularly end classes early, policymakers are questioning how to best determine that contact hours are properly met to equate to the required credit hours. This issue affects distance education as well as site-based classes. 

Best, 

 –Mike Richards

Congratulations to CSN’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter! I am proud to announce the nation’s largest community college honor society has designated CSN’s organization a Five Star Chapter, the highest level of distinction. 

The designation recognizes the college’s chapter for its progress in meeting student engagement and community service goals. CSN will also receive a Five Star Chapter Development Plan, which will serve as a blue print to improve student engagement on campus and further strength the college’s chapter. 

Only 13 out of 98 college chapters in the Nevada-California regional district have attained Five Star status. 

This is a remarkable testament to the hard work and dedication of our Phi Theta Kappa students and CSN English Professor Bruno Rhodes, who has served as one of the finest chapter advisers in the nation. Together they have put in countless hours to improve our community and attain academic excellence. This chapter is a great asset to our community and CSN students. 

CSN’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter is one of the largest in the nation with over 700 members, who provide hundreds of hours of community service each year to Southern Nevada. Phi Theta Kappa membership is available to all students that have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 and completed a minimum of 12 college-level units at CSN.  Members have access to scholarships, along with leadership, fellowship and service opportunities. For more information about membership benefits visit www.ptk.org.

Again, congratulations to our PTK students and to Professor Rhodes!

 

This June Chronicle wraps up the academic year with information, particularly on the close of the 77^th Regular Session of the Nevada Legislature.     

Graduation

On Monday, May 20, CSN’s commencement ceremony was held at the Thomas & Mack Center for a record 2,735 students, according to preliminary numbers. Nearly 1,000 attended and received their certificates or degrees. 

Gala

The CSN Foundation sponsored its annual Legacy of Achievement Gala at the Rio Hotel on April 28.    More than $300,000 (net) was raised for student scholarships. I would like to thank the Foundation Board of Trustees, Jacque Matthews, Mary Thomas, the Foundation staff, and all of the volunteers for another successful evening — the best event of its kind in Las Vegas!    

Cultural celebrations for our graduates were held for the first time this year.  Events for Asian, Latino, African American, and Native American students added to the festive occasion of graduation as spring semester ended.  Many, many people worked countless hours to make these events successful for students and their families and friends.  We appreciate the work of the event organizers for a wonderful series of celebrations.

Reflections of Success and other events

It has become our habit — and a great habit it is — to end each academic year with expressions of gratitude for our CSN faculty and staff. You work throughout the year to help students,

and before long, years of service become decades of dedication to CSN. This year, Reflections of Success gave us an opportunity to say “Thank you!” to dozens of outstanding faculty and staff.

Our annual Retirement Luncheon expressed appreciation to 21 colleagues retiring this year.  Our new event, “Final Stretch Fairs” gave us an opportunity to share information and to celebrate student success.  Indeed, spring semester ended with a flurry of wonderful activities organized by remarkable people like Michelle Word, Suzan Workman, Annette Lord, the academic deans, Dan Gouker, Michelle Fogg, and the Internal Recognitions Committee, chaired by Jodie Mandel, and many, many others who worked so hard on these events.  THANK YOU TO ALL!

The 2013 Outstanding Student Awards celebrated the success of students in 21 academic departments.  Over the years, this event has become a favorite at CSN as students share their remarkable stories and express their dedication to achieving an education. We met families and friends, and recognized the outstanding academic achievements of many wonderful people.  It is inspiring to hear of the struggles, sacrifices, and accomplishments of our students, particularly the influence of our faculty and staff on their lives.  Thank you all for your dedicated service!

 Legislative Report
** Final approval is contingent upon adequate state revenues and gubernatorial approval**

Today marks the end of the 77^th Regular Session of the Legislature, during which lawmakers enacted transformational higher education legislation. They eliminated the 2.5 percent salary cuts, continued six days of furlough for each year of the biennium and provided the opportunity for merit pay in FY 2014-2015. Additional details are described below, but again, please note that the governor has yet to approve the funding formula and future changes may still occur.

 

• Under the formula that legislators approved for funding colleges and universities, CSN will receive about $7 million of new money for the biennium.

Under the new formula, state funding for higher education will now be based on actual course completions rather than enrollments. Lawmakers also approved a performance pool. Beginning in the second year of the biennium, 5 percent of our general fund will be based on meeting certificate and degree goals specific to Nevada’s community colleges. That 5 percent will increase by 5 percent each year and will be capped in FY 2017-2018, when 20 percent of our general fund dollars will be dependent on meeting the state’s degree and certificate targets.

It is important to note that CSN will still be the lowest funded institution per student in the state. Although the college received the largest boost of any NSHE institution under the new formula, which the governor must still approve, the new money is extremely needed. 

• As you are aware, the college’s enrollment has recently declined. This has resulted in an expected registration and tuition fee shortfall of approximately $4.5 million. We have planned to absorb this deficit in the coming biennium as we continue to make strides to strengthen retention. Community colleges across the nation experienced unprecedented increases in enrollments during the height of the recession that are now stabilizing. In addition, at CSN, we have been implementing significant initiatives to advance student success that have and will likely continue to impact enrollments further as our student culture adapts. The new funding will be important to support our efforts to maintain access to higher education for the community and help our students thrive at CSN.
• If the formula is approved by the governor, the remaining balance of the new funding will support:
  • Academic and student affairs intervention strategies
  • Enrollment management implementation to help us protect access and stabilize enrollment
     
• Some restricted funds “pass through” to support employee compensation, specifically insurance rate increases that are the responsibility of the college. 

Implications:

• We will continue to honor our commitment to address salary inequities and compression problems. We have completed an Request for Qualification (RFQ) to identify potential vendors to perform a salary analysis. The Request for Proposal (RFP) is being finalized and we will shortly complete the vendor selection process. This third-party vendor will help analyze the problem and provide recommendations for solutions. Faculty leaders are part of the committee to select the vendor.
• We will continue our Achieving the Dream and other student success initiatives as CSN transitions from access and enrollment growth to completions and student success as the new funding formula and performance metrics require. 
• We will continue to improve the physical environment of our campuses to create a welcoming place for students and visitors.
• We will continue to strengthen operations and infrastructure to support student success, from the point of admissions, through advisement to transfer or graduation.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“What legislative goals were achieved this year?”

We approached the 2013 session with four goals that paralleled those of the Board of Regents:  1) restore salaries, 2) eliminate furloughs, 3) adopt a new funding formula, and 4) improve PEBP.  As mentioned above, lawmakers restored 2.5 percent of the salary reductions that state employees received during the recession. The six furlough days for each fiscal year will continue.  The new funding formula was approved and funded by legislators. PEBP will operate the same for the next two years. Please note that all of this is subject to gubernatorial approval and may change further. 

“What happened to the legislation that would have removed community colleges from the Board of Regents and placed them under the state Department of Education?”

Senate Bill 391 was amended to create an interim legislative committee to study community college governance and funding.  The bill was approved by the Assembly and Senate but has yet to receive the governor’s signature. It would require the committee to create two subcommittees, including one on governance and funding and another on academic and workforce alignment. Although the legislation does not specifically mandate community college membership, there are a variety of stakeholders who would be appointed to serve, including representatives from the Legislature, the Board of Regents, K-12, local governments at the county and city level, the Office of Economic Development and the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation.

Their task would be to review the mission of each community college in the state and whether it is advisable to transfer the administration from the Board of Regents to another government entity.

Supporters of the legislation cited that fact that Nevada is one of few states in the nation where control is vested at the state level. Again, this is contingent upon gubernatorial approval. We are watching this closely and will provide more information on the study as it becomes available. 

“What is the status of the work climate findings and the committee making recommendations on the survey results?

The results of the work climate survey are with the Work Climate Committee.  The committee met twice before school ended and will meet again next week. They will then resume their work in the fall. I anticipate they will provide a comprehensive report on the survey during fall convocation. 

“Are we through with site closures and budget cuts?”

We anticipate no closures this year. We are carefully developing and monitoring the budget for the next biennium, as enrollment fluctuates and we acclimate to the new revenue structure based on course completion.  At the same time, salary issues mentioned above have high priority. We are setting aside base funding to address these issues, in a phased approach, including our salary equity and compression problem.    

Have a great summer!

 –Mike Richards

 

Greetings and welcome to the CSN Chronicle for April 2013. Spring semester this year is unusually busy and the Legislature continues its deliberations!

Town Halls

My intent, as the academic year closes, was to share information on various topics of interest.  Three town hall meetings were held on each campus. K.C. Brekken has summarized the meetings and topics, which are posted here for your review.

We discussed salaries and benefits, student success, the new funding formula, work climate and distance education.  Attendees also asked many questions.  The questions and answers are also summarized.

Communication at CSN continues to challenge all of us, and town halls, chronicles and round table discussions help keep the dialogue open.  Starting next fall, I will be holding two open town hall discussions each semester to help. My door is open, as they say, so please feel free to contact me in the meantime, should you have questions or concerns.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

The Nevada/California region of Phi Theta Kappa held its annual Regional Conference in San Jose, Calif., on April 5-6. Alpha Xi Beta, CSN’s chapter, advised so ably by Professor Bruno Rhodes, worked diligently last year to achieve the goals as set forth by Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society in American higher education. Our officers and members’ efforts paid off Saturday night when they were presented with the following awards:

1.  Five Star Award for Chapter Development

2.     Honors in Action Project/Theme 6 – 3^rd Place

3.     2012 Yearbook Award – 2^nd Place

4.     Chapter Participation in Regional Events – 1^st Place

5.     Award for Regional Project 2 – Make a Difference Day

6.     Award for Regional Project 4 – Scholarly Hallmarks

7.     Award for Regional Project 5 – Unity of Diversity

8.     Award for Excellence in Fellowship
Congratulations Alpha Xi Beta!  You cannot do better than five stars!

Budget Outlook

•  The Economic Forum established a flat revenue budget for the 2013-15 biennium;

•  The budget priorities of CSN and the Board of Regents remain:  restore salaries, eliminate furloughs and approve the funding formula;�
Regental budget priorities will be difficult to achieve with the latest revenue forecast;

•  CSN has experienced a decline in enrollment and concurrently a decline in revenues.  This means that for the next biennium, a backfill will be needed on budgeted revenues from any new appropriations CSN might receive.  Discussed further in our town hall notes described above, the decline in enrollment is largely due to nationwide post-Recession trends.

CSN Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) Program Accepting Applications

I cannot tout our Executive Leadership Institute enough. This program has been a wonderful success in terms of professional development. Applications are being solicited for the 2013/2014 CSN Executive Leadership Institute. Throughout the monthly sessions, scholars will enhance their leadership knowledge and apply transferrable skills as they prepare for potential high-level advancement. I encourage all those who aspire for more within the career field of higher education to apply.

ELI Application instructions
http://www.csn.edu/pages/3923.asp
ELI Application form
http://www.csn.edu/pages/3925.asp

Please direct questions to the ELI Application Committee Chair Gillian Silver-Rodis at Gillian.Silver-Rodis@csn.edu. Thank you.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members (Many questions are posted in the town hall notes referenced above):

What improvements if any can be expected with our health care benefits?

The Board of Regents met this month and discussed the system’s efforts to improve the state’s benefits package. The Board ultimately supported a resolution to empower PEBP to explore other options available this fall to see if we might bring better and/or more options to our people. It was also discussed that if NSHE pulled out of PEBP it would negatively impact other state workers’ healthcare.  In the meantime, as discussed in the town hall notes, PEBP voted in December to continue the current HMO and PPO for another two years. I cannot emphasize enough the need to educate yourself and your families about these plans and prepare appropriately.  Take good care of yourselves.  

     –Mike Richards

Prior to the town halls, CSN issued an open-ended survey question to college employees to solicit questions they would like addressed during the upcoming town hall. CSN President Michael Richards opened each town hall responding to the majority of these inquiries.

Salary & Benefits

Nearly half of survey respondents wanted information on salaries and benefits in the context of the current legislative session. Dr. Richards emphasized that CSN and the Board of Regents’ top legislative priorities are to restore salaries and eliminate furloughs.

The Board of Regents approved in March a new salary schedule for community colleges and Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration Patty Charlton summarized what this will mean for CSN. Many CSN employees have been involved in this effort, which will improve Nevada community colleges’ ability to recruit and retain employees. Those employees currently at the base of their salary schedule will receive a boost to the new minimum levels established by the new NSHE community college salary schedule.

An RFQ has been issued to solicit a firm to conduct a review of each academic and administrative faculty member position to help us align with the new schedule and eliminate salary compression which has occurred over the last few years as salaries have been frozen and new employees brought on board. This will have to be done in phases but we hope to have the vendor’s first set of recommendations by the end of the calendar year.

Dr. Richards clarified that this will not impact classified personnel because they are not under the Board of Regents.

The governor announced this month that he aspires to eliminate furloughs on July 1, 2014. Dr. Richards expressed his position that he hoped this would transpire a year earlier on July 1, 2013.

He noted we are all eagerly awaiting the Economic Forum  on May 3, when new revenue projections will be available. Lawmakers will use those projections to build the next biennium’s budget.

Dr. Richards expressed concerns that health benefits were unlikely to improve. The state makes many decisions in which NSHE presidents have little power or input. In December, the PEBP Board decided to keep the two polarizing plans (HMO and high deductible PPO) in place for the next two years.

Funding Formula:

Getting the new funding formula approved is also the Board of Regents’ top priority. Lawmakers have provided positive feedback. Dr. Richards expressed his opinion that this is the only tool on the horizon to address CSN’s longstanding funding inequity.

Remaining issues that need to be addressed are the ‘F’ grade. He expressed his hope that lawmakers would support their interim Committee to Study Higher Education Funding’s recommendation from this summer to fund the “earned” ‘F.’  An earned ‘F’ is one earned by a student that attended the majority of the course but ultimately failed. ‘F’s for non-attendance will not be funded.

The formula stresses course and degree completion and is a complete re-orientation for CSN. We are adapting to this with a number of initiatives in student success, Dr. Richards said.

He noted the media coverage of the north-south rivalry of funds. For the first time ever, there is a southern caucus that has organized itself to address issues cohesively, such as the funding of higher education.

Community college governance:

Dr. Richards described S.B. 391, which was authored by several senators and is supported by the Las Vegas Metro Chamber to move community colleges from the Board of Regents to the Department of Education, which currently governs K-12. This bill has been altered to require a legislative study of community college funding and governance, which will be conducted over the next year, if passed.

Student Success:

Dr. Richards invited CSN’s Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Santos Martinez to summarize advancements in student success initiatives.

Dr. Martinez emphasized that all of CSN will need to make fundamental changes in the way we currently do retention and recruitment. This is critical not only for the new funding formula but to facilitate a number of national and state initiatives that CSN, Nevada and the Nevada System of Higher Education are involved in.

CSN has a new program underway called CSN College Connections in which CSN staff are taking the admissions, financial aid, career counseling and other services to the high school. CSN piloted this program at Western High School recently with 500 seniors – 300 of which were processed by CSN. The more we can expand this kind of a program, the more we are likely to enroll better prepared students, who can then readily start classes when the semester begins.

Dr. Martinez described upcoming changes to CSN’s advising and counseling system that will move the college toward an intrusive advising case management process.
There is also a new policy on Satisfactory Academic Progress in financial aid that will mean new deadlines for students to get used to for applications and disbursements. CSN is also embarking on a systematic enrollment management process that will begin next year.

Achieving the Dream (ATD):

President Richards updated faculty and staff on our Achieving the Dream process, noting that it is our primary tool for concentrating on student success. Approximately  60 percent of CSN’s ATD team consists of faculty and CSN is very proud of the large number of employees involved in this effort.

Work Climate:

CSN recently completed a new work climate study, the results of which will be discussed at convocation. Dr. Richards underscored that the 2011 work climate study led to many changes, which he outlined in the February Chronicle, and how important this survey is to him and the college in terms of improving our workplace.

E-Learning:

CSN is moving to a new learning management system called Canvas in the fall. Several departments piloted the new system in online and hybrid classes this spring and have reported favorable reviews. Training is already underway.

Dr. Richards discussed the Richard Katz report that was reviewed recently by the Board of Regents and emphasized the majority of recommendations required additional funding. He added that no virtual college will be established. Instead, regents recommended that the chancellor put together a committee to determine which recommendations are feasible. We have nominated several CSN employees for that committee and have yet to hear back.

Diversity:

Dr. Richards stressed that CSN is the most diverse higher education in the state in terms of students, staff and faculty. He emphasized that the college’s commitment to diversity and added that the annual affirmative action report is a critical tool to help us address where we have shortcomings. That 300-plus page report is available on the college’s website. The report is used and discussed at the first meeting of every search committee.

He noted that CSN is an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and that the college has a committee underway to help us achieve HSI status, which would allow us to apply in a competitive process for federal Title V grants that would benefit all students.

Q & A (In order of campus)

Cheyenne Q & A:

Explain the changes to the salary schedule and how that will roll out.

Senior Vice President of Finance & Administration Patty Charlton responded that we are in the process of completing the request for vendors to submit proposals to help us select a firm that can guide us through this process. We have a lot of academic faculty and staff to review. It will be done position, by position. I will be looking at a phased in approach. Please look for more information to come out on this in the near future.

Dr. Richards stated that the college is well aware of the compression and other inequities that have arisen during the last six years of budget cuts.

The study will be completed by 2013 then?

By the end of 2013 and Dr. Richards will look at making any adjustments that we can retro-active to July 1. It will be addressed in phases.

Please tell us more about the senate bill that would move us under the Department of Education.

Dr. Richards stated that the primary emphasis behind the bill is a group of Republican senators. He added that we are endorsing the idea of a study on community college governance and funding.

What’s being done to ease the transfer of CSN students to UNLV?

Dr. Richards stated that we have made positive strides this year. UNLV President Smatresk allocated two UNLV transfer counselors  and two admission counselors to reside at CSN to smooth the way. They are working with our faculty and staff to update articulation sheets.

What direction are we moving for custodial and grounds in regards to outsourcing?

Patty responded that the college has relied on some external vendors to provide services. We need to have our facilities look to the standards that our college has set. We have had challenges filling some positions and ensuring that people show up to work. Our students have expressed that it is important to them that their campuses are clean and welcoming.

Dr. Richards stressed that we know how important it is for our students to have clean and welcoming facilities and expressed appreciation to the staff that work night and day to make that happen. He emphasized that we do not have enough people to make that happen. He said that the college has explored outsourcing some facilities maintenance functions. Sherri Payne, CSN’s AVP of Facilities, has a backlog of more than $100 million in deferred maintenance projects. The parking lots need to be refinished, painting needs to be done. Realizing that CSN will not get more money from the state to fund these projects, we need to come up with creative ways to complete them.

When the project goes out to bid, are we required to ensure that the vendor reflects our community?

Sherri Payne responded that when projects go to bid, the college prioritizes using local vendors.

Patty Charlton added that we are working with NSHE to attract more local companies and more minority owned businesses to partner with us as vendors.

Does the college have any additional plans for new bachelor’s degrees?

Dr. Richards responded that we have two in special niche areas and a third underway which will start this fall in cardiorespiratory sciences. The college has not seen sustained community interest for an additional four-year programs.

What is the status of the Northwest campus?

There is a bill in Congress to allow us a land patent for those 40 acres. We’ve been waiting for congressional action on this bill for some time.

There are phones in the classrooms now, but what kinds of safety measures are you discussing for staff that work with the public?

Patty Charlton responded that CSN is looking at obtaining panic buttons, which are already in place in certain areas of the college. CSN will work with departments over the summer on this.

How will you coordinate the implementation of late registration with financial aid?

Dr. Santos Martinez responded that there are plans in place to move up financial aid deadlines and to require students to file by a certain point. If we want students to succeed, we have to get them to plan better. This is going to put responsibility on a lot of faculty and staff. We are going to have to start documenting when students are in class and when they are not. At this point, we’re trying to figure out how to do that.

Charleston Q & A

How do we pay for these student success initiatives?

Dr. Richards responded that many of the items on our student success agenda, such as the new admissions policy implemented last year, do not aid our access mission and also do not have a cost associated with them. There are other policy items, such as getting our recruitment staff out at more locations that do have fiscal challenges.

How can we get our Legislature to understand their behavior impacts our students?

Dr. Richards noted our advocacy efforts and responded that there are many new legislators this year, many  of whom are very supportive of the college’s mission.

Is there anyone that classified council can talk to have our salary schedule revised?

Dr. Richards stated that we have expressed the difficulty of hiring and retaining employees at all levels due to the salary and benefit reductions and we have not heard anything about a salary schedule revision at the state level.

Who is making the push to put community colleges under the purview of the Department of Education?

Dr. Richards stated that there was a group of Republican senators who supported the measure in concert with the Las Vegas Metro Chamber.

Will enrollment continue to decrease given that fees aren’t going down anytime soon?

Dr. Richards referred to work conducted by the Institutional Research Department at CSN that has shown a major bubble in enrollment during the Great Recession as many people came back to college to learn new skills. This happened across the nation. If our enrollments had continued on the same slope before the recession, and the bubble had never occurred, we would be about where we are now and we will probably go down even a bit more.  Institutional Research Director John Bearce discussed cost-benefits and emphasized the importance that the benefits of obtaining the degree/certificate outweigh the costs of obtaining it.

Can we expand recruitment using students?

Dr. Martinez responded that we’re growing a cadre of students, outstanding students, to assist with recruitment and developing peer-to-peer relationships.

Can you tell us about the savings from PrintWise?

Patty Charlton responded that PrintWise, CSN’s printing program designed to reduce the amount of printing done at the college, has been very successful and cut the cost of paper by almost 60%.

Are there any plans to provide positive education about the new high deductible plan, which has been successful throughout private industry at reducing healthcare costs?

A representative from Human Resources spoke and said there is currently no plan to provide such a seminar but that HR does conduct seminars to explain the benefits.

Dr. Richards emphasized the importance of staying well and making sure to educate yourself about how the PPO and HMO operate.

Can we increase the number of Bio 189 courses offered at the college?

Dr. Richards responded that this has been a problem for many years and not just for the nursing program. There are not enough labs to meet the demand for this course and it has become a bottle neck, particularly for nursing students. When CSN redid the labs at Cheyenne, the college used temporary modules to house labs and kept the modules open after the renovations were complete to increase the amount of lab classes offered. But he noted this is still not enough. Our biggest challenge is space and capacity.

CSN Math & Sciences Dean Sally Johnston added that CSN is currently putting up as many class sections as we can. While enrollment in many areas of the college has decreased, it has increased in biology and that we have maximized our lab space. She noted the backlog of students waiting to get into Bio 189 is smaller than it used to be.

She added that she has been at CSN a long, long time and that she too has been aggravated by furloughs and cuts, but she is joined by many in saying that CSN is our home and we are going to stick with it.

Dr. Richards responded that their support is gratifying.

What are your thoughts on the legislation to add a student regent?

Dr. Richards responded that it would require a change in the state constitution. He noted that prior to Board of Regents’ meetings, meetings are held with student leaders and that students have a lot of input into the system.

Henderson Q & A:

Decisions have been made without talking to faculty that impact the classroom environment and impacting our ability to teach.

Dr. Richards asked if the individual could elaborate.

A couple of years ago, the college redesigned smart classroom podiums and placed them in rooms. In some cases, they blocked the boards or did not work well. These podiums are tall and block students’ view of the board. They require faculty to stand behind them as if we are giving a speech. IT refuses to move the podium.

Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President of Finance and Administration, invited anyone with such complaints to contact her office directly to take care of it if they were unable to obtain a successful response. We cannot block the screens and this needs to be addressed.

In the math department, there are a lot of faculty with really great ideas, but we are being told we cannot present them to you. Can I just email you directly or do I have to go through the chain of command?

Dr. Richards invited the faculty member to email him directly anytime and noted that he must also respect the chain of command and shared governance.

How do we better educate students about scholarship opportunities and make them understand it is worth it to apply?

Dr. Richards stressed it is worth their time and emphasized that we must work to better market scholarships at CSN and in the community.

An individual commented on the need for extended hours of food service at Henderson and improvement of the quality of food. He suggested that the culinary department might be able to provide the service at Henderson.

Another individual added that many of the HVAC students come to the campus to take night classes after a day of work and would appreciate a cup of coffee, which could help with persistence outcomes.

A third individual asked Dr. Richards to expand on S.B. 391 and why lawmakers would want to put community colleges under the Department of Education. Most models consist of community college districts that are self-contained with their own authorities and tax bodies.

Dr. Richards responded that there has been a lot of discussion about this at the Legislature and that the legislation will likely be transformed to a study of community college governance and funding. The Las Vegas Metro Chamber has advocated for this and they have gathered support from lawmakers in the north and south. We hope a discussion comes out of this about national best practices.

Can you tell us about changes in counseling?

Associate Vice President of Academic Services Dr. Hyla Winters explained that in the last year, we have been working to embed the counselors into CSN’s six academic schools. Those counselors will work with declared majors in that school so they can reach out to students and keep them on track. In addition, they will work with select faculty to become department faculty advisors to students. These counselors will be physically located with the school and will begin meeting with their deans in July.

There is another cadre of advisors who will help with general ed students. They will do a circuit and help with general education advisement. Then we have transfer advisors who will help us with transfer. So we have three elements that are being targeted. This is going to take some time to shake out.

How does the ‘W’ get funded or not funded in the new formula?

Dr. Richards responded that he believed the ‘W’ grade, which does not get funded, will eventually be phased out. The new formula focuses on completions. We know there will be instances where an ‘I’ (Incomplete) will be necessary. He emphasized the importance of lawmakers funding the earned ‘F’ grade.

Will faculty need to take attendance then?

Dr. Richards responded that the new formula will likely take us to a place where attendance taking will be required. There are a lot of faculty that already take attendance. He emphasized that there are some lawmakers who do not want to fund ‘F’s at all.

Will the earned ‘F’ be based on completing a certain percentage of classes?

John Bearce replied that lawmakers are looking at financial aid as a model, which uses the 60% threshold.

Dr. Richards added it would be a good idea for faculty to begin taking attendance in the fall if they are not already doing so.

Is CSN doing anything to encourage retired individuals to take courses? It adds much diversity to the classroom experience.

Dr. Richards agreed and noted that at the height of the recession and budget cuts, the Board of Regents withdrew the policy of allowing people over age 65 to enroll at a reduced cost. We are hearing from the state that they want us to educate people who will then use that education to enter the workforce and help diversify/build our economy.

With no more questions, Dr. Richards thanked everyone for taking the time to attend.

Today I am proud to join the Partnership for a New American Economy and dozens of college and university presidents around the nation in calling for comprehensive immigration reform.

The current system is broken to the detriment of many of this college’s core constituents and their families.

Recently the federal deferred action program has helped a number of our young neighbors and friends step out of the shadows of undocumented citizenship. But this short-term fix does not protect families, encourage stable homes for our youth or support our nation and state’s economic goals.

Carla Hernandez, Alan Aleman and Astrid Silva are just a few of the brave Nevadans who have come out publically and spoken about their lives as undocumented citizens growing up in Las Vegas. They all chose CSN as a place to obtain a postsecondary education.

This is their college and I hope in the coming weeks that Congress will enact an immigration policy that allows us to support them and others who aspire to contribute openly to our community.

I encourage those who agree to sign the “Scholars United For Immigration Reform” letter campaign by clicking on the link provided.

Sincerely,

Michael D. Richards, Ph.D.
President, College of Southern Nevada

Greetings!

On April 19, the College of Southern Nevada will host approximately 3,000 K-12 students at our Cheyenne campus at our annual Science & Technology Expo.

We introduce these young minds to the latest research and exciting careers in a number of fields, including robotics, engineering, aviation, and health sciences. All are welcome. 

As an educator, I am increasingly concerned that not enough of our youth are attracted to careers in science and technology. I understand these fields lack a certain “cool” factor with our children, but the future of our state depends upon economic diversification and technologic advancement. In addition, there are high-demand, well-paying jobs out there now that CSN can prepare students for with a two-year associate degree.

In fact, in 2012, CSN was identified as the largest producer of two-year science technology related degrees in the nation.  This degree category relates to our Associate of Science Degree and more women and more Latinos are graduating with two-year degrees in this area at CSN than any other community college in the nation, according to the national publication Community College Weekly’s Top 100 Associate Degree Producers in 2012 report and a 2012 report from Excelencia in Education.

The Excelencia study, “Finding Your Workforce,” found a disturbing trend indicating that Latinos in STEM fields are more likely to be in lower paying service occupations. More

education is needed to help eliminate this gap. A good place to start is with our K-12 students and inspiring a passion for exploration, knowledge and research.

CSN’s Science & Technology Expo on April 19 can help.

We welcome our community to our campus and hope to see you on the 19^th. For more information, please check out our event calendar, located on our home page at www.csn.edu.

 

We will be celebrating these individuals among others at the upcoming Reflection of Success event on Friday May 17. 

Outstanding Student Awards Ceremony

Make sure to mark your calendars. The Outstanding Student Awards Ceremony will take place on Friday, May 3, at 5:30 p.m. at the Texas Station. This growing event honors some of our remarkable students and their inspiring achievements. An invitation will be going out shortly.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“What is the next step on the distance education report that the Board of Regents received?”

The Richard Katz distance education report was presented to the Regents with 16 recommendations.  Nearly all require new investments of state funds. The Board directed the Chancellor to establish a committee of faculty and staff to assess the report and recommendations. Names of faculty and staff nominees were sent to the Chancellor, but the committee has yet to be formed.     

“What is CSN’s success rate?”

There is no institutional success rate. In general, there are three major indicators that CSN and many other higher education institutions use to assess how students are faring. 

Graduation Rates: Graduation rates are based off a cohort of first-time, full-time degree seeking students that graduate with a certificate or degree over a specified time period. Since approximately three quarters of our students attend CSN part time, this cohort measurement is flawed and represents about 5 percent of our students. 

Based on the 2005 cohort, CSN’s graduation rate is 11 percent and has been climbing over the past few years. CSN’s transfer rate is 16 percent. 

Success or Completion rates: Do not confuse this indicator with overall institutional success. This variable represents the percentage of students who pass courses with a C or above during a given semester. CSN’s course success rate at C (or better) is 69.7 percent for fall 2012. 

Persistence rates: This indicator represents the percentage of students who continue from fall to spring semester or fall to fall. CSN’s persistence rate from fall 2011 to spring 2012 is 65 percent and from fall 2011 to fall 2012 is 46 percent. 

While these three statistics do not represent the sum of our mission, they are useful measurements that let us know when and where we have problems and successes. You should know that two areas of focus for the Achieving the Dream effort is looking at are which types of students tend not to persist and complete high-demand courses. 

“Why have we been overworked and underpaid for four years, and when will we receive back pay?” 

Actually, the circumstances described above have been in place for six years. 

The State of Nevada has not had the economic strength to support adequately fund higher education. No back pay will be funded for any employee group. You’ve sacrificed a lot and as discussed above, you’re not done. 

You can take solace, if you will, in reports that Nevada’s economy is getting stronger. This is the first session in six years where we are not talking about closing centers, layoffs, attrition and pay cuts.   

You can also take action. Write or call your elected representatives and let them know what you think. If you disagree with state actions; be part of the change to improve your community and CSN. I urge you to also get involved in the shared governance process at CSN and provide your input. 

I hope to see as many of you at the town halls as possible. We will send out a summary of the meetings to the college and post them on my blog. 

Best regards to all. 

–Mike Richards

 

The CSN Chronicle

 Greetings to all!  There is much activity on many fronts that I’d like you to know about.     

 Black History Month

Last week, as has been our custom this academic year with heritage months, CSN hosted a President’s forum on student success, this time focusing on African-American persistence and completion. We appreciated the participation of Congressman Steven Horsford and the address by Dr. Harriet Barlow.  These forums included a data review and analysis of our students as well as remarks from a student and guest speaker on how CSN can better serve its minority populations.

On Tuesday, the Black History Month Committee will host the annual scholarship reception with keynote speaker CSN Professor Karen Laing-Urbana. I encourage you to come if your schedule permits from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in K101 at the Charleston campus.

 There have been many other great events taking place at CSN, DRI and UNLV during this month.  A full calendar is available online at www.csn.edu/blackhistory.

 Work Climate Survey

Many faculty and staff participated in the recent work climate survey. I understand that the results will be available by April. The work climate committee will review the findings and seek input from the community on the challenges identified so they can develop recommendations. Typically, these kinds of surveys reveal positive observations and areas for improvement. Areas targeted for improvement in 2011 included campus communications, policies and training. We’ll see what changes occurred in these areas. Again this year, we intend to take the recommendations seriously. The aggregate survey data will be posted on the IR website.

At its regular meeting on February 28 and March 1, the Board of Regents will receive a report from Dr. Richard Katz, a consultant on trends in E-Learning.  Although there will be some general discussion and responses from the presidents, issues of coordination or next steps will be the subject of many subsequent meetings among institutions and with the Board.  While some of the report’s recommendations have merit and reflect suggestions CSN has made for several years, the bulk of the report needs significantly more discussion and, in many cases, extensive new investment of funds that neither NSHE nor the institutions have at their disposal.

Legislative Advocacy

NSHE and its institutions have now had four hearings during the early days of the 77^thRegular Session of the Nevada Legislature. The hearings have covered NSHE’s budget request and the new funding formula recommended by the Interim Committee of the Legislature on Higher Education Funding. On Friday, a group of our students, including ASCSN Student Body President Travis Brown, Vice President Antonio Guerrero, Secretary Charles Winters, Senator Michelle Tewes and dental hygiene student Michelle Fasbinder were present for the joint meeting of the Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance. The committee met to review the impact of the economic recession and subsequent budget cuts to NSHE and K-12. Due to time constraints, only a few students from NSHE institutions were able to testify. They did a wonderful job and represented all Nevada students well. In addition, CSN Classified Council President Rob Telles provided comprehensive and heartfelt testimony about the impact of pay and benefit cuts to CSN employees. We appreciate all of their efforts to support the college and higher education this legislative session. We now need faculty, staff and students to engage in regular contact with legislators to advocate the budget request of the Board of Regents and to tell legislators we need the new funding formula. 

CSN’s legislative priorities include supporting the proposed funding formula, as approved by the interim Legislative Committee on Higher Education Funding and the Board of Regents, and salary restoration for employees. This link provides suggestions on contacting legislators. 

On its website, the CSN Foundation has set up a legislative information page with links to individual legislators, bills and committees. This site may also be helpful to you.

 As the legislative session proceeds, we will provide updates and more information. 

National media reports on breaches of cyber security and email threats remind us of our vulnerability. OTS reports that in 2012, our systems intercepted 112,000 email threats per day. In 2013, that number rose to 350,000 threats per day. Precautions you can take include locking your personal phone, using a security cable for laptops, which you can request from OTS, updating your passwords regularly, staying current on security in the OTS newsletter, and having a VPN account for email (contact the help desk for this account).

Student Affairs also has a new blog. Check it regularly for content related to our student support services. As discussed in the last Chronicle, there are a lot of changes occurring in this area of the college as we focus more on student success and retention.

I would also like to welcome the new assistant vice president of College Access Services, Bradley Honious. His experience includes service as associate vice president of Enrollment Management for Onondaga Community College; managing director of Financial Aid and Veteran’s Affairs for Valencia College District; director of Student Financial Assistance for Gateway Community College, part of the Maricopa Community College System; acting district director of Student Affairs for the Maricopa Community College District; and program coordinator of Financial Aid Information Services and Counseling at Arizona State University. Honious was selected after a national search and will oversee Student Financial Services and Veterans’ Affairs. 

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:�

 “How many students are enrolled spring semester?”

Our spring enrollment is still not finalized, but we are down by about 4 percent over last spring. While declining enrollment at community colleges is currently a national phenomena, research also suggests that one of the best ways to improve institutional enrollment is to focus on retention. This fits in with much of the student success work underway at the college that many of you are involved in. We are also evaluating our outreach and enrollment processes for improvements. 

“What is your position on the E-Learning report?”

As many of you know, CSN is a major provider of online instruction. I frequently tell people that CSN is Nevada’s Virtual College. This year nearly 5,000 FTE students or about 14,000 total students are enrolled in our online campus. CSN offers 28 complete programs and certificates online in addition to hundreds of class sections taught by innovative faculty.  Dr. Richard Katz, retained by NSHE as a distance education consultant, was aware of our efforts but did not summarize the scope of distance education operations on any campus in his recent report to the Board of Regents. 

The report will prompt much discussion, which is good. I am hopeful it may also lead to improvements long advocated by CSN faculty and staff.  But of the 16 recommendations in the report, 13 require major infusions of new funding that NSHE and its institutions do not have. The lack of resources will certainly constrain the impact of the report and be an issue going forward. 

“What good does a Work Climate Survey do? What kinds of changes, if any, can we expect from another survey?”

This is a great question. I can’t tell you what to expect from the results of the most recent survey as we have not received them or analyzed the responses. Below are the results from the previous survey and if they are any indication, I think you can surmise that the surveys produce meaningful results at CSN. 

Consistent policies and procedures

Human Resources

• HR website reorganized for easier access to information and forms.
• Faculty and staff handbooks with live links to current policies developed and posted on HR website.
• Employee resources section of HR site for common topics and questions by new and continuing employees
• Short video tutorials and thematic FAQ page created for common HR questions.

Evaluations

• New part-time faculty members must be evaluated their first semester and continuing part-time faculty members must be evaluated at a minimum every three years.
• An online evaluation system was deployed and is now the required tool for evaluating full-time faculty and professional staff.
• An online evaluation system for classified employees is under development.

Faculty Senate and Curriculum

• Faculty Senate updated its by-laws which eliminated internal inconsistencies and created two voting seats for contingent faculty.
• Curriculum Committee is moving to a completely electronic curriculum system with electronic approvals which will allow for a yearly curriculum-to-catalog cycle rather than the current three-year cycle.

Communication/Communication of values
Administration

• Members of the administration are working more visible to employees every day and at Ketch-up type events for employees.
• The President’s Monthly Chronicle, cabinet minutes and the President’s Blog communicate CSN news, provide answers to employees’ questions.
• More frequent updates are provided to all employees by email and on the CSN home page.

Departments

• Integrated communication between and within departments, and through social media and MyCSN, have improved.
• Budget Services published annual overview of CSN budget and will post quarterly updates with current budgets and year-to-date activity on updated website in 2012.
• Department chairs have been encouraged to increase communication with part-time faculty.

Campus Events

• CSN events and information are disseminated via ICS video screens, weekly CSN Events newsletter and the master events calendar on the website. 

Training and access to it

Relevant and Convenient Training

• CAPE offered hundreds of training workshops throughout the year on all main campuses and online. These included NEATS/supervisory training, FERPA and MyCSN training, leadership training, policy training, customized trainings by request.
• CAPE developed additional online training options, relevant resources and an improved online registration and evaluation system that can record participation.
• Diversity-related workshops, including anti-discrimination training and adaptive technology/disability awareness events, have been developed by CAPE and DRC.

Administration Support

• Convocations and Classified Staff In-Service Development Days were redesigned to be more relevant to workplace needs. Supervisors were specifically encouraged to arrange for their employees to attend.
• Support for sabbaticals, travel, grant-in-aid and professional development was protected during budget cuts.

Faculty Development

• Annual part-time faculty conference (Adjunct Impact) was developed and offered successfully. Opportunities for training for part-time faculty have increased.
• Professional development is considered in full-time and part-time faculty evaluations.
• CAPE developed a Virtual Faculty Orientation website 

Customer Service and Relationships

Human Resources

• HR now holds regular office hours on all three main campuses.

Student Affairs

• A “mystery shopper” study was conducted in 2010, resulting in equipment upgrades, procedural changes, and new broad-based customer service training for front-line employees.
• The MyCSN call center was created to assist Student Affairs departments and OTS in supporting students; making correct referrals using consistent information is emphasized.

Academic Affairs

• Counseling was moved to Academic Affairs and to a school-based model to allow more focused advising and support for academic programs. Faculty-driven advising is being advanced in departments.

Recognition

• Recognition awards program for faculty has been instituted; outstanding faculty achievements promoted on website and ICS screens.
• Process for nominating colleagues for recognition opportunities has been promoted and managed by Internal Recognition Committee.
• End-of-year Reflections of Success event and Retirees’ Luncheon created for recognition and service awards. 

Other Areas

Campus Spaces

• At all main campuses, directional and building signage have been installed.
• Public spaces, classrooms and offices have been renovated at Cheyenne (CY) campus.
• Obsolete air conditioning and heating systems have been replaced at CY and high-tech centers.
• Task seating has been replaced across Henderson campus.

Safety and Security

• Safety and Security Committee has been formed and has had its first meeting.
• Emergency phones and towers have been installed.
• The emergency alert system has been upgraded.
• The Emergency Operations Plan has been created and disseminated.

Because so many active shooting incidents occur at schools, I asked that all faculty, staff and students take 15 minutes for the Active Shooter short course from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.  So far, over 500 have taken the course and submitted certifications of completion.  Thank you for taking time to prepare for incidents that we hope will never happen at CSN.

Best regards to all. 

–Mike Richards

Happy New Year to all of you! Welcome back to another year and to spring semester. There is considerable information to share with you. 

Sandy Hook Tragedy and CSN

As the fall semester ended, the tragedy at Sandy Hook School occurred in Newtown, Conn. The horror of this event shocked the nation, stunned us with grief and prompted every one of us to ask, how could this happen? Some of us, myself included, thought when and where will it happen next? 

Rather than let fear and anger paralyze us, we must let these motivate us to be prepared. Over the last few months, I’ve reported on steps CSN has taken to address student and employee safety and campus preparedness for emergency situations. I want to remind you of what resources CSN has in place to help address emergency incidents and keep our campus safe. 

We are fortunate to have consummate professionals, who are trained to handle emergency incidents, leading our CSN Police Department and our Office of Emergency Management. Although we depend on their expertise, we are not relieved of our personal obligations to be alert and aware of what’s going on around us. 

Every one of us has a responsibility to review the college’s Emergency Preparedness Guidelines so that we know what to do in an emergency at CSN. This report, which we rolled out last fall and promoted at convocation, includes emergency telephone numbers and instructions on how to respond in a variety of manmade and natural disasters, including an active shooter situation. They will also provide you with a greater understanding of how first-responders will act in accordance with each situation. Please make sure your colleagues and direct reports have read these guidelines. Be ready. 

I am pleased to report that since the beginning of the fall 2012 semester, a total of 931 employees have attended the Emergency Management Overview sessions and 78 of your colleagues have attended the Floor Warden training and made the commitment to act in that role in the event of an emergency. 

CSN police officers maintain continuous patrols on our campuses and at our centers. Our officers work closely with community law enforcement agencies to share information and CSN recently joined the Southern Nevada Area Communication Council, which fosters relationships between police agencies and the interoperability of enhanced communication equipment that is vitally important to first responders. 

New “Blue Light” Emergency call boxes have been installed at strategic locations throughout CSN’s three main campuses. When you push the “information” or “emergency” button (depending on the model), you are immediately linked to the CSN Police Department personnel who will quickly respond to your call and dispatch aid. In addition, the tower units act as an emergency notification system from which campus public safety personnel can broadcast critical incident information across campuses.

We are in the process of enhancing our Emergency Notification System and I urge you to sign up now at www.csn.edu/alert to receive email, text and/or phone calls during and after campus emergencies that will provide you with the latest information. In addition, our Intercampus Communication System (ICS) screens provide updates on breaking situations as we receive them.

Additional information

• Visit the CSN website for our more information on our policies and public safety.
• Know that incidences and all threats are investigated by trained professionals.
• If you have information pertaining to threats of any kind at CSN or to our students, it is imperative to report these to the CSN police.
• Our campuses utilize sophisticated camera systems to monitor activity at all CSN locations.
• CSN police officers perform around-the-clock random checks of our campuses. 

Finally, CSN hosts many children each day on our campuses.  They enrich our lives and the learning experiences we offer.  Let us be mindful of their safety and security as well as our own. 

Changes to CSN Diversity Function

Diversity is one of three pillars supporting CSN’s mission alongside quality and access. This means that CSN must represent the diverse community we serve and provide a welcoming environment, where all have the opportunity thrive. There are many ways to accomplish these goals, some which include education and celebration and others that require us to build, strengthen or transform relationships within our community, and we have limited resources.

To lead us in these endeavors, I have reorganized our diversity function.  While some institutions can afford 8 to 10 FTEs in diversity, CSN has to be more prudent.  We have had a search underway for several months – a fact that caused much frustration this fall as faculty and staff have come to depend on institutional leadership and guidance in this area for a multitude of activities and issues. I believe this speaks to how valued the diversity function is at CSN, a function I have split:  establishing a line position for internal diversity efforts, and a staff position for outreach.

Please welcome Kimiko Walton in her new role as CSN’s diversity coordinator, effective immediately, as an outcome of our national search. As the former head of recruitment, she has demonstrated leadership in outreach and has a unique understanding of whom we serve. She will provide educational programs and resources, including support to heritage month committees and consultation to faculty and administrators in strengthening diversity. She will provide educational and social activities that serve to celebrate diversity and eliminate discrimination. She will also support student clubs and organizations as they endeavor to do the same.

To lead our outreach and community relations, I have appointed Maria Marinch to fulfill this role, effective Feb. 1.  Maria has more than 20 years of experience in community outreach. She has designed and implemented award-winning campaigns for government agencies and private businesses. Maria served the college this fall in her capacity as president of Language Sources, a multicultural media firm, to strengthen the college’s outreach efforts and help us in our goal to become a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution. She has developed strong relationships with our faculty, staff and community partners. She will hit the ground running to bring CSN closer to the many diverse groups that call Southern Nevada home and want this institution to be their community’s college.

Please welcome Maria to CSN.

On January 29th we will celebrate our new student transfer office, a unique partnership with UNLV.  While we have had transfer centers for some time to provide general advice to students, UNLV has funded two FTE positions full time on West Charleston and Cheyenne campuses, respectively, and a “circuit” advisor travelling from Cheyenne to Henderson.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“How many students are enrolled at CSN?”

Our final numbers for fall 2012 were 37,696 students for headcount and 19,531.4 FTE.

“Why are we doing all of this construction now and how are we paying for it?”

There are a lot of projects underway that represent years of preparation by our Facilities Management Department. A great deal of planning, and pre-construction (or destruction) work is done in advance of the winter and summer breaks to ensure minimal disruption to students. 

A variety of revenue sources are funding these projects, including standard maintenance budgets, deferred maintenance or state funding and capital improvement fees. 

Initially, we requested funds from the Legislature for all of the major projects, such as the Henderson campus A Building mechanical retrofit, the Charleston A Building mechanical retrofit and the Charleston A Building renovation. However, these projects were not funded. The A Building Mechanical work at Henderson was approved by the Board of Regents last March and is being funded through the capital improvement fee. The A Building renovation for the Charleston campus is being accomplished through the proceeds of a bank loan that was approved by the Board of Regents at the November 2012 meeting. The funds to repay that loan will be from capital improvement fees. 

“Is CSN hiring more Student Affairs support staff and why?”

The entire institution is aware of the need for more frontline staff.  While we are striving to fill vacant frontline positions in the admissions and financial aid offices, we also have needs in advising, recruiting, retention and student life.  But even as these are filled, we are also working to add positions. For example, the financial aid office is in the process of adding a total of six new positions in client services, processing, and programming. This is an initial step. However, the plan for student affairs is much bigger than adding a few staff positions.

“How and why is Student Affairs reorganizing?”

Higher education is changing with a much greater emphasis on completion and student success. While community colleges will continue to provide access, the emphasis must expand to include support services that lead to student success. 

CSN Student Affairs is re-orienting, more than reorganizing, to adapt and the envisioned organization being developed includes re-purposing of positions since the “what we do” and the “how we work” shape the “type of positions” that are needed.   

The re-orienting includes the development of CSN Central. This is a “one-stop center” which will serve a triage function, addressing student issues and responding to questions concerning admissions, cashier, financial aid and registration issues. This approach will be functional by summer and will be available at all three sites. CSN Central will reshape the initial student experience at CSN.  

There are parallel functions which have been and are being developed to complement CSN Central.  The CSN Call Center, 651-5555, which has been in operation for one year, captures calls, provides information to all callers and returns calls as needed. The institution has added 20 part-time staff to answer calls and provide information. These part-time positions will be converted to full time as the range of services provided by the Call Center expand. In addition, technology solutions are underway to create a virtual presence, which will increase accessibility, allow students to better engage with CSN services and provide timely information. 

Student Affairs is piloting CSN College Connections, a targeted recruitment model for expansion of outreach services. This is a comprehensive recruiting initiative designed to help high school seniors navigate every step of the admissions and financial aid application processes and to connect them to what we are now calling Student Success Coaches. 

The expansion of the advisor role toward a proactive and intrusive case management model eliminates some of the silos in the operation by reshaping the functions of recruiters, retention specialists and advisors. A new title, Success Coach, reflects the expanded role. More importantly, the goal is to connect students with appropriate educational pathways, resources for success, and hence promote successful college attainment as reflected in increases in participation, completion and graduation. The spring semester will allow time for piloting with full implementation for the fall semester. 

The immediate focus is on the final stages of development of these transformational initiatives and initial implementation. Although this vision relies heavily on an effective and cohesive student affairs leadership team, the reality is a successful student experience is totally dependent on each of us.  

I will report on this as more information becomes available.

Best regards to all.

–Mike Richards

 

Photos from the 2012 CSN Hungry Games are now available at http://sites.csn.edu/csnweekly/Hungry%20Games/index.html

November Chronicle

Greetings! This November Chronicle addresses three specific topics:  compensation, distance education and legislative advocacy.  I would ask you to take time to read this Chronicle carefully. It is critical that you understand what’s happening in these three salient arenas, provide feedback and get involved.

COMPENSATION:

• The Nevada System of Higher Education Chancellor’s four-year study of community college salary schedules:
• Every four years a committee of faculty and staff from the four community colleges review the salary schedules and offer recommendations.
• CSN’s Carolyn Collins, John Scarborough, Chuck Milne, Patty Charlton and others have been actively engaged in this process.
• It has become increasingly clear that past model is not sufficient, and in fact, it has allowed the community college salary median to fall from 83.3% of the university median to 71.5% currently.
• For the November 9 meeting of the Faculty Senate, I have prepared the statement that follows in support of the committee’s recommendations.
• Of concern to all faculty and staff, the Governor’s initial direction for preparing 2013-15 budget requests
• All state agencies, including NSHE, initially received directions to submit a budget request this fall to the Governor’s Office that restored salaries to their base level (i.e. eliminated salary cuts and furloughs)  – an action estimate at about $100 million in additional expense for the state.
• The Governor’s change of mind:
  • Due to other statewide needs, including health and social services, the governor has recently said he will not include the salary restoration in the executive budget and will let the Legislature act on this issue. 
  • This position diminishes the prospect of restoring salaries to the base.
• The PEBP benefit study:
  • NSHE Vice Chancellor Renee Yackira and UNLV Senior Vice President of Finance & Business Gerry Bomotti have worked with the PEBP board on improvements to health benefits for system employees. 
  • For the next fiscal year, the PEBP Board approved a mid-tier PPO option that will be available to employees next year.  
  • The Chancellor also established a committee to review benefit options.
  • A consultant’s report, a result of the committee’s work, will be released later this year.

Where I stand:  Regarding the revised salary schedule.  My position from the beginning favored aggressive indexing.  I also favored removing the steps, turning the schedule 90 degrees, if you will, and developing salary ranges.  I realize this changes salary administration and requires CSN to address, quite appropriately, the equity and compression issues that have accumulated in the past five years.  But, in the end, our employees should have more flexibility in the schedule, a benchmark much higher than the current schedule offers, and a compression plan.  I applaud the work of CSN’s representatives on the salary committee and remain hopeful that a four-institution solution can be presented to the Board of Regents.

Regarding the Governor’s decision not to include salary restorations in his executive budget, I see this as a setback.  You may recall my priorities for the 2013 session were two items:  salary restoration and new formula adoption.  These remain my priorities. But CSN and other institutions will need to muster more focused legislative advocacy in order to succeed. This is where you must be involved. I discuss this more below. 

I applaud the recent PEBP changes, which reflect the hard work of many, many folks who continue to strive to improve the employee benefits plan.  Much still needs to be done for a more competitive model, but the mid-tier option PPO will help our people.  A key unknown that remains an issue for many states, including Nevada, is “Obamacare,” including the implementation of an individual mandate, state/federal healthcare exchanges and a potential Medicaid expansion.  Time will tell what this means for our state; we are watching closely. 

Statement to the CSN Faculty Senate Community College Salary Schedule Methodology Review November 6, 2012  At the November 9, 2012 meeting of the CSN Faculty Senate, the update of the salary schedule for Nevada’s community colleges will be on the agenda for discussion and possible action.  The update is the work of a system-wide committee of faculty and staff appointed by Chancellor Klaich pursuant to policies of the Board of Regents requiring a methodology review every four years.  The committee’s recommendations have been shared with all CSN faculty members.  I have also shared the committee’s work in my periodic communications to all CSN employees since the committee began deliberations last spring.   I support the committee’s recommendations for indexing, for creating salary ranges, for flexibility by removing steps, for phased implementation, for addressing equity and compression issues, and for laying groundwork for future studies of methodology.   Implementation of the new methodology is complicated by the lack of employee compensation for the past five years during which new employees were hired.  Clearly, compensation for existing employees has not kept pace during tough economic times in the state.  As a result, I will retain a third-party vendor who specializes in compensation issues to provide recommendations on implementation and on addressing equity and compression.  I have shared this approach with the Chair of the Faculty Senate, Dr. Charles Milne, and with CSN’s faculty representative on the methodology review committee, Professor Carolyn Collins.   Once the new model is adopted by the Board of Regents, CSN will engage the consultant.  Salary obligations, however, are not exclusive to teaching faculty.  Salaries for CSN’s administrative faculty and staff have been retarded by recessionary times.   I will also task the compensation consultant to include all non-classified employees/salaries in the analysis and recommendations, for there are equity and compression issues among non-teaching faculty and staff as well.  Now, I’m hopeful that the committee’s methodology review and recommendations are received by the Faculty Senate as an essential first-step in positioning CSN for better compensation and fairer salary administration.  I applaud the work of the committee and the leadership that came from CSN in this important NSHE process.  I urge the Senate to debate the proposal for clear understanding of its provisions, and then adopt it as a pathway for the future.  Thank you for your thoughtful work as members of the Senate and as part of the governing team of CSN.  Sincerely,  Michael D. Richards, President College of Southern Nevada

 DISTANCE EDUCATION

• NSHE has contracted with Richard Katz & Associates to look at the state’s eLearning programs, to reconcile what they’ve learned with best practices and to recommend investments and approaches to the Chancellor and Board of Regents.
• The Chancellor has sent an email to all NSHE staff asking for your input on the future of online or distance education in Nevada.  A few of our faculty have provided input both to the Chancellor and to Dr. Katz.  Thank you.
• In that same email, the Chancellor outlined the need for a review of eLearning for the following reasons: the proposed funding formula will reduce the premium funding for DE classes; there is a need to address the emergence of massive open online courses or MOOCs; the maturation of online education and development of new and standard practices; and the changing cost structure in higher education.
• The Chancellor has expressed his hope that the Katz review will help Nevada institutions work more collaboratively, enhance statewide access and build on the hard work and dedication of our faculty.
• He has asked that you send your questions, concerns and advice to (jane_nichols@nshe.nevada.edu) or Richard (richard.n.katz@gmail.com)

Where I stand: Myriad issues surrounding distance education will be salient for higher education and CSN in the next decade.  Concern about the Katz report is the most immediate of issues for CSN and NSHE, but other aspects are on the horizon.  I continue to advocate that CSN’s Online Campus, with more than 900 online class sections offered, more than 13,000 students enrolled and 28 online degree and certificate programs, is Nevada’s virtual college.

Nevada heavily uses CSN’s online campus to obtain education and training.  The college, and in particular, our faculty, have invested immense resources in the success and quality of these programs.  As Dr. Katz and his team initiate recommendations to shape or re-shape DE, CSN faculty input becomes essential.  Please share your perspective.

A senior faculty member shared with Dr. Katz and others a Wall Street Journal article well worth reading.  The effectiveness and variety of online course delivery described in the article and the complexity of DE issues prompts a suggestion that some format be developed internally at CSN to debate Dr. Katz report and recommendations.  The Faculty Senate is always a good place to start. 

LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY

• I note that some employees have concluded that the Great Recession is over, salaries will be restored, a new salary schedule will be adopted, along with a new funding formula that benefits CSN and that the Legislature will be generous.
• Please keep your expectations realistic.  Be cautious. 

 

Where I stand:  CSN and the system have considerable ground to cover before June when legislative decisions will be made for the next two fiscal years.  There is very limited new money, and there are many, many unknowns.  My own expectations are modest:  salaries to the base and adopt the new formula.  Anything else would surprise me.  Nevada has not completely emerged from this terrible recession. 

Although recent legislative sessions have had a CSN liaison or representative, our most effective advocacy has always come from faculty and staff communications, and student initiatives that include treks to Carson City.  With the election over, CSN can begin formulating strategies for the 2013 legislature session. 

We owe gratitude for advocacy planning in past years, led by faculty and staff leaders, student government and CSN General Counsel Richard Hinckley, that helped communicate NSHE and CSN messages.  For the 2013 session, Constance Brooks will be in Carson City on behalf of both NSHE and CSN since the system’s priorities and CSN’s are tightly aligned with the same top priorities to restore salaries to the base and urge the adoption of the proposed funding formula.

I’m working with Constance, Patty Charlton, KC Brekken and others on a plan that will roll out in January. More information will be forthcoming on how you can get involved.   

Please do not hesitate to contact me or some of the faculty and staff leaders mentioned here if you have further questions or concerns. Again, I urge you to learn all you can about these three issues which will greatly impact the CSN community in the near future.  Please be as involved as you can.  I extend a special invitation to those who have not always agreed with me, or NSHE leadership.  On these pressing issues, your input and ideas matter to me and to the future of this college.

Lastly, may I remind you that on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 6 p.m. at Texas Station we have our “out-of-this-world” holiday party.  Announcements about the party are already being circulated.  I hope you can join us!

Sincerely,

Mike

The CSN Chronicle

Greetings to all!  I hope your semester is going well. There are a number of activities I’d like you to know about.     

Accreditation Visit
You may recall that the regional accreditation process now includes annual reports and a series of visits.  CSN is in the Year Three cycle, so this year we filed and extensive report on specific accreditation standards, and this past week we hosted a team visit.  Dr. Hyla Winters led a committee effort to prepare the report and host the visitors.  Although we will see more specifics on the three recommendations when the written report is submitted, I’d like to dwell on the four commendations.   As stated in the e-mail I sent out last Wednesday, the commendations were: shared governance, community partnerships, HR access and website, and library resources and website.  These four commendations illustrate years of work by many, many people.  The CSN shared governance model works well for such a large institutions with so many stakeholders.  This is a credit to our faculty and staff leaders year in and year out.  DWED’s tireless work with community partners and the work in academics on our relationships with CCSD were recognized.  The improvements made in Human Resources with service, information and a new website are a tribute to the dedicated staff in this key office.  And for students, faculty, and staff, our library resources, services, and web-based features are, indeed, exemplary.  It gives me great pleasure to call everyone’s attention to the excellence occurring around us.  To the capable and talented faculty and staff who make CSN such an outstanding institution.  Thank you all!

Accreditation Recommendations
As expected, the NWCCU team also pointed out areas that need improvement before the next accreditation review. The team will have recommendations regarding our need to further develop program outcomes and assessment. They will also have recommendations on how to address audit findings and other challenges within our financial aid area and regarding our lack of private space and limited staff in student support services. I feel comfortable with these recommendations since we’re already working on several of them.  This won’t be the last time you hear about them.  

The commission is expected to vote in January on CSN’s accreditation status, following a thorough report from the NWCCU team.  Our Year Seven visit, a more extensive review of compliance, will also include an examination of the recommendations. 

Salary Recommendations
Every four years the Chancellor appoints a group of faculty and staff to review the community college salary schedule and offer recommendations.  The report from this year’s review is available here.  I want to thank Carolyn Collins and John Scarborough for representing CSN in this important process.  In my mind it is critical that salaries be indexed properly — 83.3% is much more appropriate than the current 71% — and that greater flexibility be gained by removal of the steps.  I strongly supported the indexing (although wanted a higher percentage) and the removal of the steps.  The recommendations of the salary committee position the College for future funding and for equity/compression solutions.  Now we just need healthy appropriations for compensation.

Salary Prospects for the Next Biennium

This summer, Gov. Sandoval directed that budget requests from state agencies, including NSHE, for the 2013-15 biennium include salaries funded at the base and omit furloughs.  This action would have restored the nearly 5% pay cut to all state workers.  Now, however, he has decided to not include this in his budget recommendations.  Rather, salary issues will be a matter for the Legislature.  There is no real good news in this.  It means our legislative advocacy for the funding formula must also include an advocacy plan for base salaries and the elimination of the furloughs.    

Texas Station will be the site for our annual Holiday Party on Thursday, Dec. 6.  Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this wonderful celebration.

Distance Education 
In the next few weeks, we should see a draft of Dr. Katz’s recommendation regarding distance education in Nevada.  As I talk to our faculty, I know there are many concerns about where the Katz report might lead us institutionally and as a system.  The leadership of the Faculty Senate and I discuss this matter often.  So much of what we do at CSN is linked to distance education that the report is likely to impact us. I will share it with you when I receive it. 

The Hungry Games Softball Tournament and BBQ is a CSN family event at the Henderson campus.  It’s a time for good food, games for children of all ages, and for socializing.  So that we know how much food to prepare, please RSVP and plan to join us on Saturday, Nov. 3 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

 Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“How many students are enrolled this semester?”

Our official census date was Oct. 15. CSN has a 37,516 student headcount this semester, a 2.5% decrease from last fall. As for FTE, CSN has 19,536.6, a 3.4% drop from last fall. The decline in enrollment is not unexpected. We suspected the new payment due date on June 1 and the slow stabilization of the economy nationwide (although it’s hard to see evidence of that here) would diminish the robust enrollment growth that CSN experienced in 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Great Recession likely gave CSN an artificial bump in enrollment as people lost their jobs and came back to school for new skills. 

“What are the ‘President’s Forums’?”

As you know, we have multiple heritage months throughout the academic year.  We start with Hispanic Heritage month in October, followed by Native American Heritage Month and International Education Week in November, Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month in March and Asian/Pacific Islander Month in April.  In the past, the heritage months have included some terrific cultural awareness events. This year, I would like to add to this with some events that are designed specifically for faculty and staff to generate meaningful discussions on how to better serve these and other underrepresented student groups. So this year, I added a President’s Forum on Student Success, a two-hour discussion of how we can help students succeed.  I plan to do one for each major heritage month and for Women’s History Month.  The first one will take place Nov. 8 at the Cheyenne campus in the Telecommunications Auditorium at 2 p.m. 

The following is an example of the questions we should begin to ask ourselves: 

• Nationally, we are losing many Hispanic and African-American males.  They are dropping out of education.  What are they doing?  How can we help them stay engaged?
• In Nevada, Asian students are generally well prepared for higher education, but, although we offer scholarships and match financial aid, these students are leaving the state in large numbers.  How can we help them stay, get their education here and contribute to Nevada?
• Urban and rural Native Americans have unique learning challenges.  How can we help them more effectively?
• Women, particularly single mothers,  also have unique needs.  Can we package our financial aid to better help them attend full-time or create more flexible course schedules that meet their needs? 

Anyway, the idea is to discuss internally, among our faculty and staff, ways we can help students be more successful.  The format is straight forward:  a review of our data by the IR staff, a guest speaker, and a discussion leading to action steps. I hope you will participate in each of these. 

“What is the performance pool for community colleges?”

Since early in 2010, national and state attention to certificate and degree completion has eclipsed other metrics for understanding the success of community colleges.  Many states are adding a performance dimension to higher education funding.  Nevada wants to adopt a similar model beginning in FY 2015 and have 5% of the general fund appropriation linked to performance metrics.  The 5% would increase each fiscal year until a 20% cap is reached.  Regent Jason Geddes, chair of the Board of Regents, has appointed a committee to complete work on performance metrics, segmented by institution type.  The recommendations of this committee will be submitted to the Legislature for action early next year. I will report on this as more information becomes available. 

Best regards to all.

–Mike Richards

Cabinet Notes

August 13, 2012

Cabinet Members:

President Mike Richards
K.C. Brekken, Director, Communications
Constance Brooks, Director, Government Affairs & Diversity Initiatives  
Thomas Brown, Senior Advisor to the President
Travis Brown, President, Student Government
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Administration – absent
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs   
Darin Dockstader, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect – absent
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Santos Martinez, Vice President for Student Affairs  
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation  
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus  
Charles Milne, Faculty Senate Chair
Rob Telles, President, Classified Council
Josh Ruter, Interim Campus Manager, Henderson Campus
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer   
Nancy Webb, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the June & July cabinet meetings were approved. Dr. Richards reviewed upcoming dates including the Adjunct Impact Conference on August 18, Convocation August 20 and the Special Board of Regents Meeting on August 24.

Joan McGee is meeting with key employees to discuss progress on the CSN Strategic Plan (Enterprise 10-17) today after the cabinet meeting. The progress report is in its final stages before being presented to the Cabinet and posted on the web page.

K.C. Brekken reminded everyone to RSVP for convocation and the President’s Round Table discussions. She also informed everyone about a town hall at the Cheyenne campus in the Telecommunications Auditorium. The public is invited to the event which features prominent GOP members.

Travis Brown said Student Government has planned some events to encourage student involvement at CSN, including: Fall Kickoffs September 4,5,6 at each campus, Club Rush September 11,12,13; and the CSN Supershow at the Charleston campus October 4. The Supershow will feature music, talent, show cars and many vendors. It will take place on the Charleston campus in the general area between the L Building and the G Building.

Darren Divine encouraged everyone to attend the 2^nd annual Adjunct Impact Conference at the Texas Station on August 18. The keynote speaker will be a Senior Analyst from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement (CCSSE), whose presentation will include videos of student focus groups around the country. Dr. Martinez and Dr. Divine are working with CCSSE to possibly have student focus groups here at CSN. Santos and Darren are also working to freshen up the welcome back events for students. Dr. Divine also reported that over 40 new faculty members were hired this year to meet the demand for instructors.

Charles Milne reported the Policy for Faculty Evaluations is moving forward. A committee has been formed and a consultant hired to assist in the process. He also reported that there has been a good turnout of faculty at the Funding Formula meetings and that Faculty Senate Chairs have been invited to participate in NSHE’s salary review.

Mugunth Vaithylingam said there is currently an aggressive refresh taking place in about 100 classrooms. OTS is also working to standardize resets to laptops, and when a laptop is worked on, the resolution settings will automatically be set to the individual machine. Mugunth reported a $60K gift-in-kind from Cedar Crestone which will be used in the renovation of D-101 on the Charleston campus. He also reminded everyone of the importance of changing log on passwords regularly, not sharing passwords and not writing passwords down. It is just as important to lock your computer when you walk away from it. Locking can be done easily by pressing the ‘Windows’ key and ‘L’ at the same time, or Ctrl-Alt-Del and choosing ‘lock computer.’

Dr. Richards said that Constance Brooks will be splitting her time between CSN and NSHE for her government relations duties, and a search will be held for a diversity coordinator to assume her diversity responsibilities at CSN. He sent an announcement on August 7 to “all,” outlining the transition.

Dr. Richards reminded everyone that the funding formula subcommittee would submit recommendations to the Board of Regents on August 24, and the Regents would submit the approved recommendations to the LCB on August 29.

A Bachelor’s Degree program in Medical Lab Science will begin this fall at CSN, followed next fall by Cardiorespiratory Science. These two Bachelor’s Degrees are no longer offered at UNLV.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.

 

Next meeting scheduled September 10, 2012.

 

aml

The CSN Chronicle

Greetings and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for September 2012.  Each month, the Chronicle lets me share news and respond to important questions raised by our faculty and staff members. 

First, I would like to say congratulations to all on a successful start of the school year. Every member of the CSN team plays a critical role in welcoming our students.  A special thanks to our facilities team that made sure our campuses and sites were clean and ready, to OTS for their assistance with technology, Academic Affairs and Marketing and many staff and faculty for the great Welcome Back BBQs at each campus and our staff working the CSN Call Center (651-5555) that answered thousands of student questions over the last few weeks about everything from financial aid to password resets. 

I would also like to thank Drs. Dick and Joan McGee and the wonderful faculty and staff that joined them for the surprise musical flash mob at Convocation. You made this year’s annual event unforgettable. 

Emergency Management
Emergency call boxes have been installed at each of the three campuses and are in the final stages of activation. Emergency phones are also in place in each CSN classroom.  We have also distributed the Emergency Operations Plan and initiated training for our people.  More training is scheduled to occur as are plan updates and plan exercises.  It is critical that our students and employees feel safe at CSN and know what to do in case of an emergency.  

The volunteers and participants in the process to date have been fantastic and we encourage more to get involved. 

Emergency Phones in Classrooms
Please be advised, the telephones located in each classroom are for emergencies only and automatically dial campus security. Please do not pick up the receiver, unless you need to speak to campus security.  If you need to contact OTS for assistance in your classroom, please call the Help Desk at 651-HELP from an alternative phone. 

MyCSN Service Disruptions
Periodic service disruptions occurred this fall.  The longest — 72 hours — was due to a software anomaly that occurred with the database.  When disruptions for service are anticipated, OTS is prompt to notify the campus community, but some disruptions occur without notice.  The Nevada System of Higher Education’s System Computing Services has been quick to respond to unforeseen disruptions, and, although we’re inconvenienced, we appreciate the rapid response to restore service.  We have asked SCS to develop service level agreements with CSN and all institutions so that greater specificity of service is better understood. 

Online Education Consultant and CSN Visit
Next week representatives from Richard Katz and Associates (RKA) will be on campus to discuss online education on September 18.  Chancellor Klaich has retained RKA to review online course delivery at each NSHE institution to make recommendations to the Board of Regents regarding possible expansion.  Many faculty and staff will be scheduled to meet with these representatives.  A final report to the Board is expected in early spring.   

Budget Outlook for 2013-15
The Board of Regents, following instructions from the Governor’s Office, approved a 2013-15 budget request that includes restoration of employee salaries to the base and eliminates furloughs.  We appreciate that the Board and Governor recognize the paramount importance of eliminating salary cuts.  For all institutions in the system, this $110 million commitment was top priority, and we are hopeful that the Legislature will follow the Governor’s recommendations. 

F Grade in the Funding Formula
During the final meeting of the legislative interim Funding of Higher Education Committee, members finalized their funding formula recommendations that they will bring to the full Legislature in 2013. There has been much debate about how lawmakers would fund course completion and whether colleges and universities would receive funding for students who receive an ‘F.’ It appears the ‘F’ grade for non-attendance (Fn) will be excluded from the new funding formula for higher education in Nevada.  Students who complete a course with an ‘F’ will be included.  We are not entirely certain how the Fn will be tracked and reported as the formula is implemented. 

Performance Pool
The funding formula proposal put forth has two parts: a base that is funded based on weighted student credit hours (WSCH) for course completion and a performance pool.  Metrics from the National Governor’s Association have generally defined the performance pool, but action by the Legislature’s interim Committee on the Funding of Higher Education referred the performance pool to the Board of Regents for greater specificity.  Regent Dr. Jason Geddes, Chair of the Board, will be appointing a committee to complete recommendations on the performance pool metrics, weights and implementation.  We expect this work to be completed before January in time for legislative consideration. 

On October 15-17, a team of five representatives from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities will visit CSN for an accreditation review.   A committee of CSN faculty and staff  prepared an excellent Year Three report on institutional resources and capacity that forms the basis for the visit.  Also, key to the success of the visit is our strategic plan, its annual report and update.   Thanks to all who have contributed to the report and the strategic plan.  CSN is well positioned for this important visit.

Employee events
Plans for a CSN employee softball game and BBQ are underway for Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Henderson campus.  Additionally, we have completed the furniture refresh for the Henderson campus.  Next, new building signage will be added. 

On Friday, Sept. 28, CSN will hold the Cheyenne Ketchup BBQ in front of the main building for CSN faculty, staff, students and guests. We hope to see you there. 

On Oct. 5, CSN will host the Nevada System of Higher Education’s Southern Nevada Diversity Summit. Click here to R.S.V.P. 

Collegiate Brain Trust

We have retained the services and expertise of the Collegiate Brain Trust (CBT) to assess and provide recommendations on Student Affairs operations and how to better serve students.  Representatives of CBT will be on campus next week to begin the review.  We have many dedicated folks in Student Affairs, yet external demands and increased expectations impact our campuses and challenge our employees.  We are hopeful that CBT can help us.   

As many of you know, I have a blog at http://blog.csn.edu. To it, we post our notes from CSN Cabinet meetings and this Chronicle for ease of access.  We use the blog as an additional communications arm for the college community so you can be better informed about what’s happening and add your comments and suggestions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Question from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“What is the official fall enrollment for CSN?”

Our official enrollment report is due is mid-October. Our enrollment as of September 10 was 34,972 (headcount) and 18,809.7 (FTE) and will likely continue to grow.  Headcount is flat compared to the same time last year, and FTE is down 2.2%.  Until office enrollment reports are filed next month, we won’t know the enrollments of sister institutions this fall. 

 

  –Mike Richards

The CSN Summer Chronicle

 Greetings, and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for summer 2012.   This has been a busy summer, and I want to give you a brief update on a number of projects and studies. 

Welcome, Dr. Santos Martinez, Vice President for Student Affairs.  Dr. Martinez joined us in June, just in time for annual audits and reviews of Student Affairs.  Under his leadership a broad review of Student Affairs is underway, and a third-party assessment of the entire function will start this month. Dr. Martinez has quickly become an expert on Student Affairs at CSN and a wonderful member of the executive team.  We’re very pleased that he has joined us.

Plan to Become a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI):  CSN has completed a formal plan to become eligible for Title V funds as a Hispanic Service Institution (HSI).  Once achieved, this designation, which requires CSN’s student body to be made up of 25 percent full-time equivalent Hispanic students for two years, will allow CSN to compete for federal grant funds under Title V for projects that benefit all students.   

Preparations for Regional Accreditation Visit and Year-Three Report:  A committee of faculty and staff members has completed the Year-Three Report, and it’s an excellent one, full of current information about CSN activities.  Other preparations are also underway for the October visit of the accreditation team.

Legislative Interim Study on the Funding Formula for Higher Education:  Occupying much of the spring and summer, this study is expected to conclude on Aug. 29 with a meeting at CSN.  A committee of legislators, regents, and gubernatorial appointees has engaged in an overhaul review of the funding formula.  Three subcommittees are examining formula mechanics, performance funding, and community college funding, respectively.  The subcommittees are expected to make final recommendations at the Aug. 29 meeting.  CSN has been consistently following and participating in the revision process.  Faculty and staff members have provided helpful testimony at committee meetings.  Working with the Chancellor’s staff, CSN has provided input into the new model(s) and has met with committee members and legislative leaders to ensure that the historical equity problem is funded and that CSN receives fairer treatment in any new funding formula.

Review of Salary Schedules for Community Colleges:  Carolyn Collins, John Sc arborough, and Dr. Charles Milne have been part of a committee to revise the salary schedule for community colleges.  This complicated and difficult work is essential to CSN’s ability to offer competitive compensation and to appropriately recruit and retain qualified faculty and staff.  CSN appreciates the service of these three folks, particularly because their research, advocacy, and articulation have generally shaped recommendations for a better salary schedule.

Meeting of the Board of Regents on Aug. 24:  The Board of Regents will set budget and capital priorities for the 2013 executive budget and legislative session at a special meeting at DRI in Las Vegas. CSN’s capital priority is to complete the renewal of the Cheyenne campus.  For the operating budget, CSN has three priorities:  1) restore faculty and staff compensation to contract base levels and discontinue salary cuts and furloughs, 2) adopt and fund the new funding formula, and 3) fund PEBP improvements for employee benefits.

CSN was ranked the No. 1 associate-degree granting institution in science technologies/technician for Latino students, according to a recent report by Excelencia in Education. This summer, CSN was also ranked the top producer of two-year science technologies degrees in the nation, according to Community College Week’s Top 100 Associate Degree Producers 2012 report.

Budget Outlook for 2013-15: CSN and the system of higher education are cautiously optimistic about the budget outlook for the next biennium. After six years of budget cuts and retrenchment, all institutions of higher education would like to see improved funding for compensation and a more earnest investment in higher education services for students.  

Early indications are that state revenues are modestly up and the budget preparations will include no further cuts to education in Nevada.  

However, new expenditure demands as a result of changes in Medicaid funding and health coverage may impact Nevada, as well as other states.  CSN will follow these developments as closely as possible.

For my part at CSN, I will continue to keep you updated so that you remain informed about the state budget and legislative processes.  All CSN employees and students have a stake in a successful legislative session next year.

Congratulations:  Associate Vice President of Financial Services Mary Kaye Bailey has been selected as a recipient of the Rising Star Award from the National Association of College and University Business Officers.

Sr. Vice President of Finance and Administration Patty Charlton was honored during NACUBO’s 50^th anniversary in Washington, D.C., as they highlighted the past and future role of the business officer in higher education.

CSN floral student Teryl Tollefsen-Soren won first place honors in the American Institute of Floral Designers’ (AIFD) 2012 Student Floral Design Competition last month in Miami. Out of 12 colleges and universities with 37 students competing, CSN was represented by three outstanding floral design students and consistently placed in the top 10. The college took second place for best overall school.

In addition, CSN’s competitive culinary team won bronze at the Western regionals.

 

Upcoming Events:
On Thursday, Aug. 9, CSN will host the U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis, Women’s Bureau Acting Director Latifa Lyles, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Assistant Secretary David Michaels and the Office of Disability Employment Policy Assistant Secretary Kathy Martinez to discuss challenges facing working women and resources available to address those challenges. The forum will take place in D101, starting at 2 p.m.

CSN has developed emergency management plans and made a number of physical improvements to strengthen campus security.  A newsletter on our emergency management efforts will be forthcoming to let you know about these plans and improvements.  We all have an obligation to keep CSN a safe working environment.

A reminder that Convocation will be held on Monday, Aug. 20, at Texas Station at 8:30 a.m. Please make sure to RSVP at rsvp@csn.edu.

 Also on Aug. 20, please join us at Cheyenne in the Telecommunications Auditorium for the CSN Achieving the Dream Kick Off at 2:15 p.m.  CSN’s data and leadership coaches Dr. Ken Gonzalez and Dr. John Nixon will talk about what ATD means for CSN. 

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“Can part-time employees attend the Convocation Kick Off in addition to the Part-time Faculty Conference?”

Yes. Part-time faculty are encouraged to attend both events if they so choose. At convocation, we will provide multiple reports that will be of interest to those employed at CSN. In addition, I have the honor to present the Distinguished Employee of the Year awards to classified, administrative faculty, full-time faculty and part-time faculty members.

Best wishes,

 

  –Mike Richards

May 14, 2012

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
K.C. Brekken, Director, Communication & Events
Constance Brooks, Director, Government Affairs & Diversity Initiatives
Thomas Brown, Senior Advisor to the President
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Administration
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs – absent
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Shellie Keller, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Rob Telles, President, Classified Council
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Charles Milne, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect – absent
Aimee Riley, President, Student Government
Josh Ruter, Interim Campus Manager, Henderson Campus
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the March cabinet meeting were approved.

Dr. Richards reminded everyone about important upcoming dates, including the first Reflection of Success event at the Texas on Friday, May 18, Commencement on Monday, May 21 and the Formula Funding Committee special meeting on May 23.

Dr. Richards introduced the new Faculty Senate Chair-Elect, Darin Dockstader, and welcomed him to Cabinet.

Joan McGee reported that she has met with everyone who is in a leadership role regarding the Strategic Plan. The updates to the deliverables are due on July 1 for compilation. Joan will meet once more with those leaders to clarify issues after all the updates have been made, and then bring the report to the cabinet members in August. The progress report will be a key component of the October 15 accreditation site visit.

K.C. said there has been a lot of good press for CSN among the various news networks on the Legacy of Achievement Gala. The Gala was discussed on Channel 3, Fox News Network, the Ralston Flash and on George Knapp’s blog. The Reflection of Success event on Friday is still lacking a few volunteers, and those employees willing to help should contact Michelle Word. K.C. also gave an update on the Commencement ceremony to take place on Monday. The latest numbers indicate over 2,300 students are eligible to participate in the ceremony—the largest number of graduates ever. Included in this group are the first graduates earning a degree in Sustainable Energy.

Chemene Crawford distributed the Spring 2012 Student Affairs Newsletter containing highlights from Deans, updates in the various departments, important dates and more.

Shellie Keller reported positive feedback from the AFA regarding the participation in their meetings from Human Resources, Dr. Richards and Patty Charlton. Stephanie Hill will be a guest at the next meeting as well, to discuss student success initiatives. AFA has been partnering with NASCAR on Fridays for fundraising. AFA members work in concessions to raise funds for worthy causes.

Jacque Matthews said the Legacy of Achievement Gala went very well this year. The event raised $300,000 and the Honorees, who all had personal ties to CSN, were exceptional. The scholarship challenge amounts were met and exceeded as well. The Las Vegas Review Journal will print a 4 page insert again on June 6 to highlight CSN alumni. The 4th Annual CSN Golf Classic will take place on June 15. The committee to plan the event is doing an excellent job; only two more teams are needed to sell out. The tournament will occur at the Badlands Golf Club. Proceeds will benefit CSN Athletics.

Joan McGee has been busy representing CSN by attending numerous mixers, fundraisers and meetings on the College’s behalf and by participating in community service events all around the Las Vegas Valley. She will also be assisting with the Reflection of Success festivities on May 18.

Aimee Riley told the group being a part of the Cabinet as Student Body President was a very broadening experience and it was good to sit down with the College decision-makers regularly. She thanked the administration for the opportunity. Dr. Richards also thanked Aimee for her service the past year. Travis Brown, the newly-elected Student Body President, will begin his term and attend the next cabinet meeting in June.

Josh Ruter updated everyone about Henderson campus improvements. A rebate from Nevada Power should be paid soon as a result of the solar panels on the B Building. Also in B a new chiller was installed. The A Building renovations are contingent upon funding, but he is hopeful. In July the Boulder City site will belong to the City.

Tracy Sherman said it would be her last cabinet meeting. Charles Milne will take over as faculty senate chair, but they will both be working on several policies through the summer. Dr. Richards thanked Tracy for serving as chair the past year.

Mugunth Vaithylingam reported the lowest number of login issues ever. The load balance went well—much better than at other institutions. He reported that all VOIP conversions are complete. OTS is working with certain departments on call trees. OTS also sent out instructions for faxing long distance and is working on fax receiving ability for smart phones. OTS is working with a new vendor (Cox) and doubled the College’s bandwidth at a low price. Apple gave a discount for the first time in addition to a buy-back program—another first for them. The Help Desk is now processing self-serve tickets. You can email the help desk at help.desk@csn.edu . Faculty and staff computer refreshes are on track with 300 new computers and 100 classrooms refreshed this year. The RFP for Smart Classroom upgrades saved about $300,000. The project will upgrade auditoriums, lecture halls and 54 classrooms by the fall semester.

OTS has a newsletter, Get Connected, that includes great information each month. You can bookmark this page http://blog.csn.edu/ots for updates, videos, and all the latest news from OTS. Mugunth said that the Tech Connect conference for faculty and staff has raised over $50K in scholarships over the last 2 years. The event has had 469 attendees, 39 vendors and has offered about $32K in free training. In addition, there are prizes raffled totaling over $5,000 in merchandise. The attendee survey indicated 87% were very satisfied and 90% will attend again next year. The optional comments in the survey about Tech Connect were also very positive.

Mugunth made a presentation and led a discussion on IT security.

Dr. Richards said the Formula Funding committee will meet on May 23 and will focus on two reports in particular—HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) status and the Fresh Look Task Force. Patty Charlton will give an update on the meeting outcome at next Cabinet in June.

Dr. Richards said the meeting with the CSN Foundation Trustees was excellent. The Trustees were introduced to Funding Formula information and the impact the formula has on CSN.

The summer will include many activities to begin CSN’s responsibilities as an Achieving the Dream institution. Janice Glasper will report on our progress at the next cabinet meeting.

Today begins a program review of Financial Aid by the Department of Education. The representatives will be with us for the whole week to audit disbursements and processes in Student Financial Services and the Registrar.

Rob Telles reminded everyone of the Classified Luncheon on May 24, and also Classified in-service offerings the week of May 29-June 1.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled June 11, 2012.

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April Cabinet was canceled.

March 12, 2012

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
K.C. Brekken, Director, Communication & Events
Constance Brooks, Director, Government Affairs & Diversity Initiatives
Thomas Brown, Senior Advisor to the President
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs – absent
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs – absent
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel – absent, Diane Welch, proxy
Shellie Keller, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Rob Telles, President, Classified Council
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Charles Milne, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect – absent
Aimee Riley, President, Student Government
Josh Ruter, Interim Campus Manager, Henderson Campus – absent
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the February cabinet meeting were approved.

Patty Charlton updated Cabinet members on the Funding Formula. The Round Table discussions were well-attended and had good feedback, especially from students. The formal discussions between NSHE institutions just prior to the Board of Regents meeting, however, grew a bit heated. CSN did gain some ground as the funding gap is being addressed and we will be updated as new information becomes available.
The most current information is posted on the NSHE website:
http://system.nevada.edu/tasks/sites/Nshe/assets/File/Initiatives/fundingformula/New_NSHE_Funding_Model._dtd_3.12.v9.for_final_distribution.pdf

Dr. Richards told the group that at the Board of Regents meeting, CSN’s culinary department was highlighted, and the student speaker from the department represented CSN well. The meeting also gave CSN the opportunity to spotlight some other departments at the hosted dinner for the Regents outside the E Building. Featured at the dinner were a massive barbecue and smoker built by welding students, beautiful candies created by our pastry chefs and students, culinary students who cooked the dinner and CSN’s orchestra who provided music for the event.

Joan McGee reported on the CSN Strategic Plan and the relationship between the Plan’s objectives and accreditation. To ensure that responsible parties are clear on the compliance piece, and to make everyone aware of the Strategic Plan and the tasks contained within it, Joan is meeting with as many employees and students as she can. So far she has met with almost 75 people, with many more to go. Updates reporting progress on Plan tasks will be due July 1st each year. Those updates will be compiled and reviewed, and a revision to the Strategic Plan will be made if necessary. Feedback from NWCCU reviews, reports and visits will be also taken into account each year when discussing any revision. This 3rd year of the accreditation cycle will prompt a site visit from NWCCU and they have scheduled their visit for October 15-17 this year.

Thomas Brown reviewed the many projects being undertaken by Human Resources. The division’s emphasis is on communication, training, customer service and especially how those relate to CSN’s mission of Access, Quality and Diversity.
Some highlights from the Human Resources staff:
• About 35 active/pending recruitments are underway to fill approximately 46 positions
• Initial work has begun to draft a potential college-wide attendance policy
• HR is working to certify more FMLA specialists
• Working on the deliverables for iNtegrate Phase II
• Many payroll/benefits sessions for new hires were held for individuals and groups
• Conducted benefit information training during spring convocation week
• Ongoing monthly work with iNtegrate/PeopleSoft and MyCSN regarding name changes and inconsistent data
• Implemented the automated I-9 completion system and trainings for the system
• More updates to the HR website
• I-Leave Training is being developed
Some highlights for Affirmative Action:
• New Title IX Policy regarding communication requirements – Thomas and AA staff participated in a required training webinar
• Thomas and AA staff also have another Title IX webinar scheduled March 23 and an additional 6 week training course through NACUA for certification
• Developing new course for required on-going discrimination training as per the Board of Regents’ new policy
Some highlights from the Cheyenne campus:
• Remodel is continuing with the main Student Services area to begin in the next couple of months
• Conceptual plans are being developed for a remodel in the culinary kitchen and Russell’s restaurant
• Equipment requests for new signage for the Main building have been approved and facilities will begin on the drawings shortly
• New paint, seating and carpet will go into classrooms 1068 and 1227 this summer, with classroom 1661 next in line for new seating
• Currently developing a construction schedule to re-pave the delivery area behind culinary
• Emergency blue lights are being installed in the parking area for police

CAPE:
• Spring calendar of offerings is ongoing
• Planning for Classified in-service days
• Preparing for sessions that will be facilitated during the spring including Supervisory series; Conflict Resolution; Adobe Acrobat forms & portfolios; MS Excel 2010 as a database and uploading rosters; MS Word 2010 long document formatting and mail merge; MS Outlook 2010
• Continuing to conduct MyCSN Training and supporting staff with assistance as requested
• Customized training on customer service by request

Constance Brooks attended all meetings and round tables about the funding formula and is working to ensure legislators understand it. She reported that Henderson and Cheyenne campuses will be early voting sites for the primary and election. Charleston campus itself will not be an early voting site, because the Charleston Library on the northeast corner of the campus is a site already. With regard to the Diversity aspect of Constance’s area, she told the group that the Women of Excellence luncheon will have Punam Mathur as keynote speaker. She encouraged all to attend. For future events, she is working through some ideas for improving the quality of the events while possibly reducing the number of them. She is also thinking about diversity themed graduation events and is working with Jacque Matthews on scholarship funding as well.
Supplier Diversity continues to improve, but low bid restraints are problematic. Also, the certification requirements for small businesses are cumbersome; so before there is significant change, there must be some change in that area.

Diane Welch reported that she and Richard Hinckley are working on several projects which are keeping them very busy:
• Cases in litigation
• Working through Health Sciences policies to do with student pregnancy and blood borne pathogens, radiation exposure and animal contact
• Working through leave and attendance policies
• Revamping disciplinary procedure
• Standardizing language for vendor contracts to ensure NSHE interest is protected
• Attending State Bar/NACUA events

Rob Telles was proud to report that classified employee, Angel Clemens, chose the name for CSN’s end of the year event: Reflections of Success. He also said the Employee Recognition luncheon is in the beginning stages of planning and is scheduled tentatively for May 31. Classified Council is giving a lot of thought to the in-service days and ideas for classes that would make the week more relevant, interesting and increase attendance. He also reminded everyone of the upcoming bake sale which will have a St. Patrick’s Day theme and will take place on each of the 3 main campuses.

Dr. Richards said a recommendation from EDIC included sharing of HR openings and applicants between NSHE Institutions. The method and practicality for that sharing is a topic of discussion currently.

Next week Dr. Richards would be sending a series of announcements through all email and through the ICS about the following topics:
• New admissions policy requiring high school diploma or equivalent
• Certain deadlines for students to make arrangements for payment to preserve class registration
• New application process for residency
• Financial Aid eligibility will change to requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
• New payment due date will be June 1

NSHE has contracted with Business Benefits, Inc. to do benefits analyses of the NSHE Institutions’ benefits. They will be working with the compensation committee and paying special attention to health insurance.

March 26-30 the Vice President for Student Affairs candidates will be on the Charleston campus for open forums and interviewing with Dr. Richards afterward. He encouraged the cabinet members to participate in the forums to get to know the candidates.

The Salvation Army requested volunteers to help residents study to pass their GED exams. Anyone interested can contact them at (702) 870-4430.

Patty Charlton reminded the group of the year-end purchasing deadlines.

Jacque Matthews told everyone the date of this year’s CSN Celebrity Golf Tournament. It will be June 15 at Badlands Golf Club.

Meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled April 9, 2012.

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February 13, 2012

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards – absent
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research – absent
K.C. Brekken, Director, Communication & Events
Constance Brooks, Director, Government Affairs & Diversity Initiatives
Thomas Brown, Senior Advisor to the President
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs – absent
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel – Diane Welch, proxy
Shellie Keller, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly – Taylor Gray, proxy
Rob Telles, President, Classified Council
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Charles Milne, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect – absent
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations – absent
Aimee Riley, President, Student Government
Josh Ruter, Interim Campus Manager, Henderson Campus
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer

The meeting was called to order by Patty Charlton at 9 a.m. Dr. Richards was called to a meeting off-campus.

The notes of the January cabinet meeting were approved.

Patty went over some dates on the calendar including the upcoming town hall meeting on the Charleston campus with Regent Page on February 23, the Board of Regents meeting on March 2 & 3 also on the Charleston campus, and spring break
March 19 – 25.

Joan McGee told the group that the 2010-2017 Strategic Plan with the first year progress report is now posted on the CSN website along with the revised version of the Plan. Over the next few weeks, Joan will be meeting one-on-one with the individuals responsible for the various objectives listed in the revised plan. The purpose of the meetings is to clarify each individual’s responsibilities and objectives; and to ensure that the progress reported is relevant, assessable and timely.

Taylor Gray reported for the AFA on behalf of Shellie Keller. The last report from AFA was before the holidays and since that time there have been several notable events. In December, the AFA undertook a volunteer project in collaboration with the Department of Family Services and Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children (CASA). The project was named the CSN Serves December Volunteer Event. Fifty-one CSN faculty, staff and students volunteered; sorting and wrapping gifts for over 2,000 foster children in Clark County. Clark High School also sent volunteers to help. The event was a huge success and CSN is invited to return next year. Shellie and the rest of the group look forward to seeing the project grow. Another AFA event took place over the holidays—a Holiday Treasure Sale. The event was coordinated in a very short period of time and raised about $400. They plan to continue these efforts and create a scholarship or some form of support to benefit homeless CSN students.

The AFA employees of the month were:
• December 2011 – Jeff Fulmer, Visual Resource Center Specialist, Academic Affairs
• January 2012 – Joyce Bivona, Grants & Contract Manager, Finance and Administration
• February 2012 – Jann Carson, Specialist, Center for Academic & Professional Excellence

Dr. Richards and Patty Charlton are invited to the next AFA general meeting on February 24; and members are interested in hearing about admissions policy, budget concerns and employment issues.

Tracy Sherman gave an update on Faculty Senate. Regent Schofield dropped in at the meeting on Friday. It was a nice surprise. Faculty Senate is currently addressing workload policy and evaluation policy. Also, the Rape Crisis Center gave a presentation at the meeting and discussed all the good work going on there.

Jacque Matthews highlighted events going on in the Foundation. She began with informing everyone that a campaign director, Guy Amato, was hired on at CSN and began work on February 6. He will be touring campuses and meeting with Deans and VPs this week. Guy also will be working with the Foundation Board teams to coach progress. The CSN Foundation is currently working on a fundraiser with Cili Restaurant to support culinary competition. The details are currently being worked out and Jacque is hoping for a March date for the event. If it is successful, more celebrity chefs may become involved and bring more attention to CSN’s first-rate culinary and hospitality programs. The Legacy of Achievement Gala will take place May 12 at the Rio. The theme is “Moments of Magic,” and honorees will include Ken Goodrich, Dick McGee, Diane Hampton and Bob Stoldal. Another fundraiser is in the works, the annual celebrity golf tournament. Cox has committed to sponsor the event, but more sponsors are needed. The date for it will be announced soon. Other gifts to the CSN Foundation include a $300,000 in-kind gift over 3 years to benefit Athletics, $60,000 gift from Findlay Toyota over 3 years, and 2 overnight bus trips for Student Government and for Culinary students. Jacque is also working with K.C. Brekken on another insert in the Las Vegas Review Journal featuring successful CSN alumni. The date for the feature in the R.J. is April 11, 2012.

Patty told everyone in the meeting that Tech Connection was very successful and thanked Mugunth and Jacque for an excellent event.

Aimee Riley said the feedback from the student roundtables was excellent and students want them to continue. She is currently working with County officials to have polling locations on campus. She will be meeting with K.C. Brekken, Constance Brooks and the campus managers to discuss the logistics of the project. Aimee also informed everyone that there is a 91% greater instance of completion for students involved in student government or clubs and organizations at college. To capitalize on those statistics, there is a club rush scheduled for the Charleston campus today, and Cheyenne and Henderson campuses tomorrow. Another event to take place at the June Whitley center on the Cheyenne campus will focus on sex education, with representatives from Planned Parenthood and Aid for Aids of Nevada, among others attending. A former CSN student and amateur stand-up comedian, Daniel Mack, will be honored in a comedy event on April 12. The event will take the form of a competition and will be judged by a local industry expert. The tribute will be free and open to the public – details to follow. Aimee also welcomed 5 new senate members to student government.

Josh Ruter said he is working on the Henderson campus calendar that has been rather neglected. It will be posted as a PDF weekly on the CSN website on the Henderson Location link. www.csn.edu/about/locations/henderson.asp.
Some highlights from the Henderson campus:
• The master plan for signage is progressing.
• Trash cans have been installed in the parking lot to keep the grounds cleaner.
• A Building roof is complete
• B Building chillers should be complete in March along with other HVAC upgrades
• C Building may soon have solar panels on the roof
• Modulars between A & B have been painted and look great
• Various locations on campus now have E-access
• Furniture replacement schedule is being developed to be in compliance with fire codes and ADA requirements. The replacements will take place as funds become available.
• Student Government brought free flu shots to all campuses. Joshed thanked Aimee for that service.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled March 12, 2012.

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January 09, 2012

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Director, Communication & Events
Constance Brooks, Director, Government Affairs & Diversity Initiatives
Thomas Brown, Senior Advisor to the President
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Shellie Keller, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Rob Telles, President, Classified Council
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Charles Milne, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations
Aimee Riley, President, Student Government
Josh Ruter, Interim Campus Manager, Henderson Campus – absent
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the December cabinet meeting were approved.

Dr. Richards began the meeting by welcoming back Jacque Matthews. He then highlighted some upcoming dates, including Tech Connection on January 18th, CAPE training classes during spring convocation, the special Board of Regents meeting on January 20th and the beginning of the spring semester on January 23rd.

At the special Board of Regents meeting, CSN will present the final plan describing how the 8% student fee increase will be utilized. K.C. told the group about a discussion on Twitter (#csnbudget) that garnered a lot of input from students and staff on the fee increases as well.

Mugunth Vaithylingam encouraged everyone to register for Tech Connect, which will take place on the Cheyenne campus all day on January 18. Last year the event raised $30,000 for CSN and the goal is to surpass that amount this year. There are more vendors, lots of free software training, two excellent keynote speakers and prize drawings. Many community members have been invited, including Chancellor Klaich, Regents, people from CCSD and UNLV. Mugunth is also trying to secure an appearance of a state of the art disaster recovery truck, NERV, of which only two in the world exist.

Joan McGee presented the revised Strategic Plan that she, Hyla Winters and Laura Yavitz modified. Once Hyla and Joan streamlined the plan in accordance with NWCCU recommendations, Joan and Laura retrieved and clarified College data. Pages 9-20 of the revised plan list the action items for each goal, the responsible division, department or committee, the achievement indicators and the timeline for completion. Joan stressed the importance of reading the Plan and knowing what it contains. Each cabinet member belongs to one of the groups of responsible parties for the action items and each cabinet member should know what it is for which he or she is responsible. Some of the completion dates in the timeline are approaching quickly and immediate action may be required. Joan will post to the website the new Plan along with the Strategic Plan progress summary she compiled and presented last month at the cabinet meeting.

K.C. Brekken told everyone that 325 employees attended the Holiday Party, and 850 pounds of food were collected for the Three Square food bank. She reminded everyone of the Round Table discussions on all three main campuses, and said there were still some seats available. There was some positive news coverage for CSN when the CSN Cheer Squad earned 1st place in the American Grand Nationals Tournament of the American Cheer and Dance Championships for co-ed level six. K.C. also told the group to look for details of the Town Hall with Regent Geddes on February 23. The event will be held in D-101 at 4:00 pm that day. March 1 & 2, CSN will host the NSHE Board of Regents meeting. May 18, an end of the year recognition and celebration event will happen at the Texas Station. A contest to name this event will begin in February, and a committee is currently being assembled to plan the event.

Constance Brooks, Director of Government Affairs and Diversity Initiatives, gave her first report as a cabinet member. She announced that Jennifer Denson would be joining her at the Cheyenne campus as her assistant, and a part time staff member, J.T. Creedon, will assist her in the Government Affairs aspects of the office. Constance shared her goal to make the Office of Diversity a better resource to the college and will focus on student success and community outreach this year. She will be forming an advisory committee, which will include representatives from each of the Heritage Month groups, to assist in relevant event planning. Currently there are separate advisory committees for each group. For Black History Month, she is focusing on 3-4 quality events during the month rather than numerous events that tend to garner poor attendance. She is working with Thomas Brown on Affirmative Action initiatives. Constance also told the group about EDICT, Eliminating Disparities in Clinical Trials, an organization of which all the NSHE presidents are members. The first EDICT meeting of the year will be on January 10.

Darren Divine said that Academic Affairs and Student Affairs will be working closely on the Complete College America initiatives. The main focus of the initiative is student attainment of a certificate or degree. One obstacle to completion seems to be successful completion of mathematics courses. Darren is working to establish dedicated math labs on each campus, staffed and open all day. The timeframe to get them up and running is tentatively fall semester, but it partly depends on fee increases and how much will be allotted to fund the math labs. Both Dr. Richards and Aimee Riley mentioned a free tutorial web site for math refreshers (and other subjects such as History and Science) at Khan Academy: http://www.khanacademy.org It is a great resource for all who want to refresh their skills in subjects they may not use in everyday life.
Darren also reported that in the attempt to remove the 40th anniversary sign work from Building E on the Charleston campus, a big mess resulted. The large sign was made of a new material that adheres to surfaces without glue. Unfortunately, it adhered too well, and pieces of the sign are stuck to everything. The sign company will have the area power washed this week.

Joan McGee highlighted what is happening at the Charleston campus and the Learning Centers.
Charleston:
• Building A – fire alarm system is currently being upgraded, a new cooling tower will be installed next month and an interior remodel is scheduled for this summer
• Building B – common areas were painted and new carpet was installed last year
• Building C – currently being painted (exterior) and the grass area on the north and east side will be replaced with desert landscaping this year
• Building G – a new fume hood in the science area on the 3rd floor will be installed in February
• Ralph & Betty Engelstad Health Sciences Building – new seat walls were installed on the south side of the building in the landscaped area and a new security roll-up door in being installed in Room 124
• O&M Building – remodeled the interior of the warehouse and currently adding an office
• Child Care Building – new landscaping and irrigation completed last year, 2 new canopies will be installed in spring
• Campus in General – Valley Crest Landscaping will now be maintaining and repairing all of Charleston campus grounds. There are no grounds personnel on Charleston campus.
Learning Centers
• Mesquite – temporary employee is covering for another who is on FMLA leave
• Nellis – temporary employee is covering for another who is on FMLA leave
• Western – just transferred an AAII from Joan’s area to Western to replace AA who accepted a position outside of NSHE.
Dr. McGee represented CSN at numerous events and fundraisers since her last report in October, including Higher Education night at Opportunity Village, Part-Time Recruitment Fair, Frederick Douglass luncheon at Russell’s, several Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Education Committee meetings, and many other events.

Mugunth Vaithylingam said OTS Recognition Day was very well-received by the college community. The VOIP phone changeover will be complete by the end of March. A self-service help desk will be available at the beginning of the semester. Employees will be able to submit requests online and be able to track the progress of each ticket created. He again encouraged everyone to register for Tech Connection to take place on January 18th.

Rob Telles reported that the employee recognition luncheon will take place this year between spring and summer semesters. The next Classified Council meeting will be on February 16.

Patty Charlton reported that HR and Finance are involved in the iNtegrate 2 project; with John Scarborough representing Human Resources and Mary Kaye Bailey representing Finance. They will be going to other states to visit institutions that have already implemented similar systems.
The Facilities Department is working on E-access for all classrooms with estimated completion scheduled for late June or July. The Cheyenne campus restrooms should be refurbished by the end of summer. CSN has selected a vendor for the call boxes required to be in compliance with the Emergency Management Grant. Facilities Management may be contracting supplemental custodial help until we have hired and trained enough custodians to fill the open positions.

John Bearce distributed an enrollment comparison which indicates a decline of about nine percent for Spring 2012 as compared to Spring 2011. Online classes are up in enrollment about two percent.

Chemene Crawford reported that as of 9:00 am today, January 9, the MyCSN Call Center began taking calls to assist students with navigating the MyCSN system. Patricia Marshall is the coordinator for the new area. If anyone receives a call requesting help with the MyCSN system, the calls can be directed to 651-5555, where students can receive live help from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. The hours may change as call volume is assessed. In Student Financial Services, a new director has been hired, Matthew Sanchez, who started on January 3.

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled February13, 2012.

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The College of Southern Nevada Foundation conducted one of the most significant fund raisers of  the year in Nevada higher education, the 2012 Legacy of Achievement Gala, on Saturday, May 12, at the Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino.

 More than 500 guests and over a dozen community partners, including NV Energy and Caesars Entertainment, supported the event to raise more than $300,000 for CSN scholarships and programs.            

The CSN Foundation organizes the gala each year to raise funds and honor community leaders. The Legacy of Achievement program was initiated in 2007 and the annual gala has raised almost $2 million for student scholarships and programs at the state’s largest and most diverse higher education institution.

This year, the Foundation honored Henderson Municipal Court Judge Diana D. Hampton, Western Zone President for American Residential Services Kenneth D. Goodrich, CSN Fine Arts Department Chair Richard McGee, Ph.D., and Sunbelt Communications Executive Vice President of News Robert “Bob” Stoldal.

Recipients, who will have an endowed scholarship at CSN in each of their names, were selected by trustees based on the overall and lasting impact of their contributions locally, statewide and nationally.

Greetings!  As this academic year winds down, there is much to report to you in many areas of the college.      

Achieving the Dream

We have announced that CSN has become an Achieving the Dream institution with CSN Professor Janice Glasper leading our team.  Learn more about ATD by visiting its website here. 

ATD focuses on improving student success, including completions of certificates and degrees, among all students and especially underrepresented minorities.        

As an Achieving the Dream institution, CSN is already receiving invitations to apply for foundation and corporate grants.  This is an encouraging dimension of our participation in ATD.

Transfer Task Force

CSN and UNLV have agreed to form a Transfer Task Force to carry out a specific charge that may also be replicated among other institutions in the state.  Here’s the charge: 

A major resource of the State of Nevada is its diverse system of higher education within which students may seek and obtain advanced education for their personal and professional improvement.

While some Nevada students begin and complete their education at one institution, many find it necessary to take courses at multiple colleges and universities.  Some take transferable college level courses while still enrolled in high school.  Because students move so freely through our system, they often miss key services to help them proceed efficiently toward their career goals.  They may not carefully monitor which classes articulate with bachelor’s degree programs, and of course as they take new classes, they may change their career objectives several times en route to a bachelor’s degree. In some cases,lack of understanding of application requirements, how to apply, and how to secure financial aid can create barriers to success.  Recent cuts have also created critical service gaps that may complicate transfer and must also be addressed.  The process of reverse transfer is also  poorly understood by students “swirling” through different institutions.

With these challenges in mind, CSN and UNLV will form a Task Force on Transfer to examine ways to improve transfer mobility, increase student satisfaction and degree completion, reduce the costs of their education, and improve the efficient use of tax/fee dollars.  

The charge to the task force will proceed in phases as follows:
·        To gather inter-institutional data on transfer or develop the data resources needed to gather the data using our new student information system and data warehouse tools.
·        To analyze the data in a detailed way to understand transfer patterns, inefficiencies and success.
·        To examine transfer policies and practices in other states and recommend best practices for institutions and students in Nevada.
·        To develop a comprehensive plan addressing weak links to improve transfer success and efficiency, including identification of the resources needed to effect the changes.
·        To form an implementation committee to track our progress and ensure a high degree of institutional collaboration in the service of our students.

The results of the task force will be published as each phase is completed and can be used to improve transfer throughout the NSHE.  Our overall goal is to provide a high quality educational experience for transfer students as well as native students, and to increase our graduation success in Southern Nevada, and our state.

 

I know that transfer issues of all kinds have impeded students and frustrated faculty.  Now we have a chance to address the issues with a review of best national practices. 

Faculty Election Results: 

Congratulations to Dr. Darin Dockstader,  the new Faculty Senate chair-elect! 

Congratulations to new and continuing department chairs elected this spring. These terms are effective fall 2012 to spring 2015: 

Business Administration:  Clarissa Cota

Computing and Information Technology:  Margaret Taylor

Dental Sciences, Diagnostic Evaluation and Rehabilitation Services:  Jim Godin

English:  Levia Hayes

Health Relate Professions:  Cassie Gentry

Social Sciences:  John Hollitz 

Salary Schedule Review

Carolyn Collins and John Scarborough are CSN’s representatives on the Salary Schedule Review Committee.  They are doing an awesome job for us.  We should see a preliminary report from them during fall Convocation. 

Regional Planning Authority

For the past several months, CSN has participated with other community organizations on the creation of a Regional Planning Authority to implement the Nevada Economic Development Plan.  Many thanks to Rebecca-Metty Burns and Constance Brooks for their work on this new direction for southern Nevada.  

The RDA will serve as a regional organization focused on strengthening local economic development.  CSN is a stakeholder in this process and I am part of the steering committee comprised of city, county and chamber officials. This is a great opportunity for local and state government, education and community officials to work collaboratively with the private sector on such issues as economic diversification and workforce development with a focus on Southern Nevada. 

Budget Priorities

Over the next few months, the Board of Regents will establish budget priorities for the 2013 legislative session.   The presidents have recommended funding salaries at the full base and eliminating furloughs for all employees as top priorities.  We are also recommending that the state improve funding for benefits and provide plan options. 

In addition, we are recommending the new funding formula become the NSHE and legislative compact. 

ASCSN Elections:

Student government completed its elections in April. Congratulations to the new 2012-13 officers:

President: Travis Brown
Vice President: Antonio Guerrero
Secretary: Charles Winters
Treasurer: Julie Ogulnick
Cheyenne Senator: Cecilia Arroyo Arias, Christopher Herrera, and Nailah Gantt
W. Charleston Senator: Jonathan “Streetz” Paya, Michelle Tewes, James Garrett, and Steven Cohen
Extension Senator: Jesus Lopez Huizar

Phi Theta Kappa

Congratulations to CSN student and PTK member Gail San Diego, who was elected to be the International Vice President of Division IV, one of the highest ranking positions within the honors society at the annual convention in April in Nashville, TN. 

Formula Study

Since December, the Legislature’s study committee on higher education funding has met monthly to consider a new and more equitable funding formula.  CSN has supported the Chancellor’s plan to revise the formula with an emphasis on course completions described in campus meetings held earlier this spring.  I have kept my blog up to date with the latest information on the formula and how CSN compares.    Committee chairman Steven Horsford has formed two subcommittees:  one to examine the alternative formula and the other to consider local funding and governance.  Should there be developments on the formula over the summer months, we’ll post them to our web page and my blog and report on them during Convocation. 

Remember our Reflection of Success Awards dinner and program is on Friday, May 18 at Texas Station.  It’s a chance to recognize our wonderful faculty and staff. RSVP at rsvp@csn.edu.  The CSN Foundation Legacy of Achievement Gala is May 12 at the Rio. More information is available at www.csn.edu/foundation. Also, remember Commencement is Monday, May 21 at 6 p.m. at the Thomas & Mack Center at UNLV.

 Emergency Management and Preparedness 

On April 17-19, 2012, CSN sent a team to a FEMA sponsored training, Multi-Hazard Emergency Planning for Higher Education.  The team, which included Darryl Caraballo, Carlo Dacumos, Greg Gammon, Brad Gruner, and Luis Tristan received first hand training regarding:  1) phases of emergency management; 2) identifying hazards and using a risk assessment process; 3) response using Incident Command System (ICS), and setting up an Emergency Operation Center; 4) partnering with our community; 5) developing plans; training and testing the plans; and 6) engaging the campus community.    

Over the past year, we have been actively engaged in developing CSN’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and various aspects of emergency preparedness for CSN—among them the Emergency Management and Preparedness Guide which was launched to the college community in Fall 2011.  The Guide can be located on the CSN website http://www.csn.edu/pages/3947.asp.  Over the coming months you will continue to hear about efforts to better prepare CSN in the case of an emergency and the role you play in this all-college priority.   

During  Convocation  in August, an overview of what we have accomplished to date will be presented, and training opportunities will be provided during the CAPE schedule to communicate the Emergency Operations Plan, faculty, staff, and student roles and responsibilities in the event of an emergency; and lots of key information that you will want to have. 

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Office of the Senior Vice President for Finance & Administration, Patty Charlton at 651-5667.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“How likely is the chancellor’s funding formula proposal to succeed and be implemented by the state?”

I believe there is a good chance that the revised funding formula will be adopted and implemented according to the schedule that Chancellor has outlined.  My meetings with legislators and regents have reinforced the favorable elements of the new formula, and have been encouraging.  We must be vigilant, however, because this is a long process, and changes could occur along the way.  I’ve become very leery of proposed changes because they negatively impact CSN. 

 “How much did CSN pay to join Achieving the Dream and what does that provide that we cannot do ourselves?”

As part of CSN’s selection to join Achieving the Dream, the college pays $75,000 per year for membership. For this fee, CSN will receive a leadership and data coach that will each visit the institution multiple times a year to work with us in our first year of planning and review and then in our subsequent years of intervention and review. We will receive assistance with data analysis, access to best practices for methodologies to improve student success and conference registrations. Indirectly, CSN receives the prestige of affiliating with like institutions and additional opportunities to seek alternative funds to support our initiatives.

Achieving the Dream will help us improve student success opportunities and diminish achievement gaps, faster than we could ourselves.  In addition, the mileage Nevada will receives from these improved practices and the impact we hope that they will have on students will help our state and local economy as we move better prepared, critically thinking and highly skilled students into the workforce.

“Why did CSN want to be a designated Achieving the Dream Institution?”

In the 2010-2017 CSN strategic plan, also known as Enterprise 10-17, student success is a common theme through the core themes of access, quality, and diversity.  Examples of CSN goals and achievement indicators targeting student success are:

• Encourage students to complete degrees in 3 years, certificates in 2 years;
• Increase the number of declared majors who graduate;
• Encourage students to take remedial work in first 30 credits; and
• Any department offering remedial education will show increased student success. 

“How did CSN become a designated Achieving the Dream Institution?”   

CSN initially applied for ATD designation in 2010.  Our application was rejected and we were encouraged to reapply.  We reapplied in December 2011 and were accepted into the fall 2012 cohort of colleges.  CSN is the first community college in Nevada to apply and be accepted as an ATD institution. The announcement was embargoed, meaning we were unable to say announce this, until the national organization released the information to the news media.  

“How does Achieving the Dream affect the average faculty member?” 

For the first year, most impacts will be felt in institutional research and student affairs.  But long term our success with Achieving the Dream will be an institutional effort involving faculty, staff and students.   The ATD coaches will be working with a variety of constituents to evaluate the college’s practices over the next year and create a plan going forward. Specific interventions will be developed at this time that may or may not impact each individual faculty.  The important point is that this will be a collaborative process and you will be able to provide input either through faculty senate representation, communicating directly with core team leaders or other communication mechanisms that will be developed. 

Convocation will take place August 20 at Texas Station.  Thanks to your input in our survey last year, we have modified the program to target a number of reports during a short two-hour session. Look for the email invitation, requesting your RSVP in the coming weeks.

 –Mike Richards

Greetings!

          On Friday, we announced that CSN has been selected to join an elite group of colleges as part of the Achieving the Dream National Reform Network.

             Achieving the Dream is the nation’s most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education. The organization strives to improve member colleges’ practices and procedures to close achievement gaps and augment student retention, persistence and completion rates.

             This means that CSN will have the best coaching and assistance available in the nation to ensure the students who walk through our doors obtain a quality and meaningful education that translates into personal and professional success. On Friday, we gave a broad overview about Achieving the Dream. This link provides a more detailed outline of what we can expect during the first year of planning and the next two years when we implement the first and second rounds of interventions as part of Achieving the Dream. 

            Dr. John Nixon, who recently retired as President of Mt. San Antonio College in California, will serve as our leadership coach. He has over 35 years of experience working with community colleges, including overseeing policy and management of California’s largest single-campus community college district. Dr. Ken Gonzalez, a national expert and researcher on institutional effectiveness in higher education, will be our data coach. Both will guide us to create institution-wide student success initiatives. 

A couple of examples of how Achieving the Dream has impacted other community colleges.

• At Galveston College in Texas, officials increased developmental math success rates from 21% in fall 2006 to 58.6% in fall 2010. This remarkable improvement is associated with changes to the developmental math curriculum, including increased contact hours and use of MyMathLab software. These interventions have been scaled to reach 100% of developmental math students and 18.8% of all students.
• At Community College of Vermont, located in Montpelier, they increased first-time, fall-to-fall retention rates for first-time-in-college students from 38% in 2006 to 41% in 2009. The improvement is associated with an initiative called the Dimensions First intervention, a required first semester seminar that helps students to build strong information literacy and critical thinking skills, teaches them how to engage in the academic community, and provides a space for goal-setting and reflection. Dimensions First has been scaled to reach 35% of first-time-in-college students and 6% of all students.
• At Delaware County Community College in Media, Pennsylvania, they increased fall-to-spring retention from 68% in 2007 to 73% in 2011. They did this by using a combination of interventions: English conferencing, Supplemental Instruction, JumpStart Math, Academy for College Excellence, Reading/counselor pairings, new student orientation and mentoring that in combination have been scaled to reach 31% of all students.

As part of Achieving the Dream, CSN has a core team that includes Professor Janice Glasper, incoming Faculty Senate Chair Dr. Charles Milne, Institutional Research Director John Bearce, Senior Vice President of Finance & Facilities Patty Charlton, Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Darren Divine, Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Santos Martinez, Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Hyla Winters and me. Many others will also be involved. We will be looking at a variety of practices in student services and academic affairs. Working with the coaches, assessing our weaknesses and fixing these practices will require broad participation from a variety of faculty and staff. This must be an institutional effort. 

We are embarking upon a very exciting journey for CSN that will help us make more effective improvements, faster than we could on our own. I look forward working with you all during this transformative process.

We will hear more about this great initiative at Fall Convocation on Aug. 20 at Texas Station. Mark your calendars. 

Sincerely, 

Michael Richards, Ph.D.
President, CSN

 

LAS VEGAS (April 27, 2012) – The nation’s most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education has selected CSN to join its national reform network, CSN President Dr. Michael Richards announced today.

CSN joins an elite group of colleges in June as part of Achieving the Dream and will begin immediately to identify strategies to close achievement gaps and increase student retention, persistence, and completion rates.

Each college commits to the Achieving the Dream Student-Centered Model of Institutional Improvement. Based on four principles, the Model frames the overall work of helping more students, particularly low-income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree. Each college will approach the work differently, but Achieving the Dream’s five-step process will provide practical guidelines for helping keep the focus where it belongs and building momentum over time. Throughout the process, Achieving the Dream Coaches will offer customized support and help each college’s core team implement data-informed programs and policies that build long-term, institution-wide commitment to student success. Learn more about the Model here.

Achieving the Dream is a national nonprofit leading the nation’s most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for student success in higher education history. The Achieving the Dream National Reform Network, including nearly 200 institutions, more than 100 coaches and advisors, and 15 state policy teams – working throughout 32 states and the District of Columbia – helps 3.75 million community college students have a better chance of realizing greater economic opportunity and achieving their dreams.

About CSN: Founded in 1971, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN offers more than 200 degree and certificate options in more than 130 areas of study, including 30 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — Your future starts here.

 

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As the discussion on how to allocate state funds to Nevada’s universities and colleges continues, I would like to share a comparison of the state funding per student under the current formula and under the chancellor’s proposed model. Click on the graphic to enlarge it on your screen.

 

The chancellor’s proposed funding formula, discussed in this morning’s Review-Journal in an article by Richard Lake, is a good start to creating a transparent and equitable way to distribute state support to our colleges and universities.

CSN students have historically been funded at substandard levels compared to their peers at other community colleges. We are gratified that the model in its current iteration strives to address this large funding gap that has persisted and grown over the last two decades. Looking forward, this will create a fair and equitable funding system for all of Nevada’s higher education institutions, the likes of which we have never experienced.

In particular, I appreciate that this formula recognizes the different missions of the state’s seven teaching institutions. The model rewards colleges and universities if their students complete courses and provides incentives for us to fulfill state and national graduation goals. Most importantly, the proposal allows each college and university to retain fees and tuition so that its students will benefit from their investment in their education.

The CSN Chronicle 

Greetings and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for March 2012.  For a year when the Legislature is not in session, the spring semester is unusually busy with studies, events and policy changes that I want to share with you.      

Fall 2012 Registration Changes 

Three major policy/protocol changes have been announced that may impact student enrollment for fall 2012 semester classes.  I would ask that all faculty and staff understand these changes so that we may all work to help students experience a smooth enrollment process and a successful fall semester. 

1.  Payment due date is June 1:

Early registration begins May 1 and the payment due date for students who register early for fall 2012 classes is June 1. Payment or payment arrangements (whether paying out of pocket or with financial aid) must be made by this deadline or students’ enrollment may be canceled. Registration re-opens for all students on June 4, after which time payment is due at 11:59 p.m. on the day of registration. 

The use of this “rolling” enrollment cancellation process will help ensure CSN does not shutdown the entire registration system for all NSHE institutions as we did last fall.   

The following steps will help students protect their enrollment from cancelation:

· Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form before May 30;
· Pay the balance due before 11:59 p.m. on June 1; or
· Sign up for a payment plan online via MyCSN and pay the minimum amount due by 11:59 p.m. on June 1, (or do so in person at a campus cashier’s office during regular business hours).                       

2.  Residency application materials are due Aug. 1, 2012:

To apply for in-state residency for the fall 2012 semester, students submitting residency applications must turn in their complete application with all supporting documentation no later than Aug. 1, 2012.           

3.  Changes affecting students who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent:

Incoming students seeking a degree or certificate of achievement from CSN must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, to be admitted to an academic program at CSN and to be considered for financial aid. 

An incoming student without a high school diploma or its equivalent may apply for admission to CSN as a degree-seeking student under alternative criteria but will not be eligible for financial aid. Incoming students may be admitted under alternative criteria by satisfying one of the following requirements: 

         Placement testing scores sufficient for entry into ENG 100 and Math 095 or higher; or

         Transfer credits equivalent to NSHE’s ENG 100 and Math 095 with grades of “C” or better   

          from another accredited college or university; and have good standing at any previously

          attended institutions, including but not limited to, records of disciplinary action. 

Subject to the approval of appropriate high school and college officials, junior and senior high school students who are at least 16 years old may be admitted and enrolled at CSN. 

Due to changes in federal regulations, students must have a high school diploma or its equivalent to be considered for financial aid. 

Current degree-seeking CSN students without a high school diploma or its equivalent receiving financial aid (including students satisfying the Ability-to-Benefit requirement) will be allowed to complete that program with financial aid assistance but will not be able to change their declared majors after June 30, 2012 without first earning their high school diplomas or its equivalent. 

Therefore, current students who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent should verify that their declared major/degree programs in the MyCSN Student Center are accurate. If the major/degree listed is incorrect, a student must submit a change of major form in person to the Office of the Registrar prior to June 30, 2012. 

 If students have not graduated from high school and would like to take the GED (offered in English or Spanish), they can prepare for and take the GED exam at CSN. They must pre-register in person with a proper government-issued picture ID at CSN’s Testing Center, located at each campus. CSN also provides GED preparation classes.  For a paid class ($135), contact 702-651-4747. For a free course at CSN’s Sahara West Center, please call 702-651-4487.           

Please help us communicate to students that they must plan ahead for the June 1 payment due date and submit their FAFSA forms before May 30 if they intend to use financial aid to pay for courses this fall. I appreciate your assistance in helping us to disseminate this information to help students succeed at CSN. 

Why are these changes necessary?   

1.  Effective July 1, the U.S. Department of Education is changing the “Ability to Benefit” (ATB) criterion in order for students to be eligible for and to receive financial aid.  This change, affecting all colleges and universities in the nation, directly impacts CSN. The timing with CSN’s new admission policy that requires degree-seeking students to have high school diplomas or its equivalent is incidental. 

2.  Although NSHE has a new administrative computing system, CSN’s registration volume and purge schedule has collapsed the system as we registered students during the past year.  The technical and human problems this has created will be resolved with a “rolling” enrollment cancellation process.  Such an approach should also help with more reliable enrollments and schedule planning. 

3.  Increases in the number of non-resident students applying for in-state residency have created processing delays that have frustrated students and impacted our ability to reconcile tuition and fee payments.  Creating a better deadline should address that problem. 

4.  The new admission policy for community colleges in Nevada sets a “floor” for college readiness that the state has not had in the past.  We want students who are college ready to enroll and succeed at CSN.  But we also have an obligation for educational opportunity, for non-traditional students, and for students in the public education pipeline who may not be as well prepared for college-level work as their peers.  Community colleges nationally, and CSN in particular, have been institutions that help people with alternate routes for admission.  Our own GED program is a marvel, and more people should know about that option.   Placement testing offers another option.  There should be no barrier to students entering CSN.  We just need to advise them about the appropriate pathway to their success. 

Work Climate Survey

The Work Climate Committee will again survey faculty and staff later this spring.  The survey will be anonymous and results will be posted on CSN’s Institutional Research web page.  The intent of this survey is to improve our work climate in an honest and open manner.  You may recall that the themes of last year’s findings centered on policies, service, training, and communication.  

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

The Nevada/California region of Phi Theta Kappa held its annual Regional Conference in Las Vegas this year under the leadership of CSN’s Bruno Rhodes and Jacob Elison.  It was another great success.  Our officers and members’ efforts paid off Saturday night when they were presented with the following awards: 

• Five Star Level Award for Chapters
• 4 members were awarded the Individual Five Star Level Award
• Distinguished Chapter Award-3^rd place in the region
• Participation in The Make A Difference Day Regional Project
• Completion of Project READ
• Participation in Chapters United
• Participation in the 2011 Regional Service Project Human Trafficking

Elections

• Public Relations Officer Chris Marshall voted Nevada Regional Vice President to the NV/CA Regional Board
• Phi Theta Kappa Advisor Bruno Rhodes voted Nevada Regional Advisor to the NV/CA Regional Board 

  Congratulations Alpha Xi Beta!  You cannot do better than five stars!  

Key dates:March 19-23—Spring Break March 26-30–Forums each day for Vice President for Student Affairs candidates May 4–Outstanding Student Awards May 10—Retirement Luncheon May 12–CSN Legacy of Achievement Gala, Rio Hotel May 18 – CSN 2012 Reflection of Success, Texas Station May 21—Commencement August 18—Part-time Faculty Conference, Texas Station August 20—Fall Convocation

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“What is the enrollment picture for spring semester?”

We will submit census data as of March 15^th.  Last I saw, headcount enrollment was down 9 percent over the same period last year, and FTE was also down about 9 percent. 

 “Is remedial education funded in the new proposed funding formula?”

Yes, developmental math and English courses will be funded at the same level as a college level English and math courses in the current iteration of the funding formula that NSHE is pursuing. 

 –Mike Richards

Dear faculty and staff, 

            There are several changes that may impact student enrollment for fall 2012 semester classes.

            Please make sure you are aware of the following changes so that we may all work to help students experience a smooth enrollment process and a successful fall semester. 

Payment due date is June 1:

            Early registration begins May 1 and the payment due date for students who register early for fall 2012 classes is June 1. Payment or payment arrangements (whether paying out of pocket or with financial aid) must be made by this deadline or students’ enrollment may be canceled. Registration re-opens for all students on June 4, after which time payment is due at 11:59 p.m. on the day of registration.

            The use of this “rolling” enrollment cancellation process will help ensure CSN does not shutdown the entire registration system for all NSHE institutions as we did last fall.

            The following steps will help students protect their enrollment from cancelation:

· Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form before May 30;

· Pay the balance due before 11:59 p.m. on June 1; or

· Sign up for a payment plan online via MyCSN and pay the minimum amount due by 11:59 p.m. on June 1, (or do so in person at a campus cashier’s office during regular business hours).                       

Residency application materials are due Aug. 1, 2012:

            To apply for in-state residency for the fall 2012 semester, students submitting residency applications must turn in their complete application with all supporting documentation no later than Aug. 1, 2012.           

Changes affecting students who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent:

            Incoming students seeking a degree or certificate of achievement from CSN must have a high school diploma or its equivalent, to be admitted to an academic program at CSN and to be considered for financial aid.

An incoming student without a high school diploma or its equivalent may apply for admission to CSN as a degree-seeking student under alternative criteria but will not be eligible for financial aid. Incoming students may be admitted under alternative criteria by satisfying one of the following requirements:

1. Placement testing scores sufficient for entry into ENG 100 and Math 095 or higher; or
2. Transfer credits equivalent to NSHE’s ENG 100 and Math 095 with grades of “C” or better from another accredited college or university; and have good standing at any previously attended institutions, including but not limited to, records of disciplinary action. 

Subject to the approval of appropriate high school and college officials, junior and senior high school students who are at least 16 years old may be admitted and enrolled at CSN.

            Due to changes in federal regulations, students must have a high school diploma or its equivalent to be considered for financial aid.

Current degree-seeking CSN students without a high school diploma or its equivalent receiving financial aid (including students satisfying the Ability-to-Benefit requirement) will be allowed to complete that program with financial aid assistance but will not be able to change their declared majors after June 30, 2012 without first earning their high school diplomas or its equivalent.

            Therefore, current students who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent should verify that their declared major/degree programs in the MyCSN Student Center are accurate. If the major/degree listed is incorrect, a student must submit a change of major form in person to the Office of the Registrar prior to June 30, 2012.

            If students have not graduated from high school and would like to take the GED (offered in English or Spanish), they can prepare for and take the GED exam at CSN. They must pre-register in person with a proper government-issued picture ID at CSN’s Testing Center, located at each campus. CSN also provides GED preparation classes.  For a paid class ($135), contact 702-651-4747. For a free course at CSN’s Sahara West Center, please call 702-651-4487.           

            In conclusion, please help us communicate to students that they must plan ahead for the June 1 payment due date and submit their FAFSA forms before May 30 if they intend to use financial aid to pay for courses this fall. I appreciate your assistance in helping us to disseminate this information to help students succeed at CSN. 

Sincerely,

 

Michael Richards, Ph.D.

President, College of Southern Nevada

 

The CSN Chronicle 

Introduction

Much is happening at CSN, and this extended Chronicle summarizes many activities, events, and news items about the college.  Because the new funding formula for higher education in Nevada requires so much time and attention, there is a FAQ addressing many common questions about it.  In addition, there is much more information to share with our CSN faculty and staff.  

Regent’s Town Hall

On February 23, Regent Kevin Page will conduct a town hall meeting at 4 p.m. in D-101 on the Charleston campus.  The town hall will be video broadcast simultaneously at TMCC and GBC so that their faculty and staff may participate as well.  This is one in a series of town hall meetings the Chair and Vice Chair of the Board of Regents is conducting this spring at all eight NSHE institutions. Similar meetings were conducted last month at UNR and UNLV. 

Board of Regents Meeting

We look forward to holding the Board of Regents meeting at the CSN Charleston campus on March 1 and 2. The meeting will be webcast online. The Board will vote to approve tenure for six CSN faculty members among others at NSHE institutions. In addition there will be discussion about the funding formula, which I address below, and economic development in Nevada. 

Achieving the Dream

Achieving the Dream, Inc. is a national nonprofit that is dedicated to helping more community college students, particularly low-income students and students of color, stay in school and earn a college certificate or degree. Evidence-based, student-centered, and built on the values of equity and excellence, Achieving the Dream is closing achievement gaps and accelerating student success nationwide by: 

• ·         Guiding evidence-based institutional improvement
• ·         Influencing public policy
• ·         Generating knowledge
• ·         Engaging the public 

Conceived as an initiative in 2004 by the Lumina Foundation and seven founding partner organizations, today, Achieving the Dream is the most comprehensive non-governmental reform movement for student success in higher education history. With more than 150 institutions, 100 coaches and advisors, and 15 state policy teams – working throughout 30 states and the District of Columbia – Achieving the Dream helps 3.5 million community college students have a better chance of realizing greater economic opportunity and achieving their dreams.  CSN has applied to become an Achieving the Dream institution.  Joining this organization would be an opportunity that opens many doors for reform and change and for private foundation resources. 

Spring Enrollment

Our official census date is March 15, but the latest numbers I saw—last week–showed 36,087 headcount (down 6.6% over the same time last year) and 19,355 FTE (down 8.2% over the same time last year).  

Service and Operations Improvements

We have implemented a number of improvements to services and institutional operations designed to benefit students and our employees.  Among the initiatives are: 

• Establishing and staffing a MyCSN call center for student information and help on the new administrative computing system.  This has been extremely successful;
• Revising the Affirmative Action plan to include the latest policy changes regarding sexual harassment and provided training on the plan and policy;
• Conducting faculty and, separately, student roundtable discussions on all three campuses to address issues of concern to faculty and students;
• Developing a new online CSN orientation program for all new students;
• Developing a policy and procedure change for the enrollment cancellation process that will improve the registration experience for many students and protect the operation of NSHE and CSN computing systems.  This will be fully operational for fall semester 2012;
• Revising the CSN Strategic Plan in preparation for the Year-Three report to the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities accreditation process;
• Continuing improvements at the Cheyenne campus to refresh the interior space, replace carpets and update restrooms;
• Installing exterior way-finding signage for all three campuses;
• Updating emergency management planning and services, installing emergency call boxes on the three campuses (in progress) and better defining areas of responsibility;
• Engaging employee groups, and developing a new survey on the CSN work climate;
• Installing a second entry/exit door in D-101 (West Charleston campus) to improve access;
• Installing a visitors parking area on the West Charleston campus;
• Taking steps to transition selected information technology services;
• Hiring a campaign manager for the Foundation’s comprehensive fundraising campaign;
• Expanding “Ketchups” (lunchtime barbeques) for students, faculty and staff on all three campuses to improve informal communication;
• Planning engaging Black History Month events, such as the  MLK Diversity Awards ceremony, to celebrate diversity; and
• Preparing to overhaul our website and do a redesign in fall 2012. 

Status Update on the Funding Formula

 

The funding formula for the Nevada System of Higher Education is under review.  A legislative interim study committee meets monthly—the next meeting is February 29.  At the same time, key elements of a formula are taking shape.   Initially, three elements were included in a new model for funding higher education:  1) a base funding component, 2) a research/economies of scale component, and 3) performance metrics.  A draft model that considers these three elements as well as implementation and related issues is posted on the CSN website.  We are already meeting with faculty and student leaders to discuss the model.  Institutions would retain all registration fees and tuition.  General Fund Only.  The new model will allocate only state general fund dollars. Fee and Tuition Retention.  Institutions will retain all student fee and tuition revenues, and state General Fund support will not be offset based on the level of student fee revenues generated.  Course Completions.  The new funding formula model will utilize course completions instead of student enrollments to drive the allocation of funds.  Any letter grade, incomplete or pass would count as a completion as there is a cost to provide instruction. Matrix.  A revised matrix is attached, which we believe incorporates reasonable requests for change, generally at the upper end of the matrix.  At this point, I believe we are “done” with the matrix. Weighted Student Credit Hours.  Student credit hours that are completed will be used to “populate” the matrix.  Weighted student credit hours will then be determined by multiplying the weights in the instructional matrix by the number of credit hours completed. Non Resident Students.  All WSCH related to non-resident students, including WUE students, are excluded  from the formula.  Each institution will keep its out of state tuition and fees for these students and  they are not  counted in  completed WSCH.  As to performance metrics, five have been recommended:   Student progression momentum points (accumulation of 12/24 credit hours). Definition:  Number and percentage of first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduate students completing 24 credit hours (for full-time students) or 12 credit hours (for part-time students within their first academic year.) Number of credentials awarded. Definition:  Annual number of certificates of one year or greater in length, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees awarded. Number of students transferring out (with 24 or more credits) Definition:  Annual number and percentage of students who transfer from a two-year campus to a four-year campus within NSHE. Number of industry-recognized certificates awarded in providing workforce training. Number of students completing a remedial/developmental course and earning a “C” or better in a subsequent course in the same discipline. Please note that the performance pool and metrics are preliminary. Draft recommendations are still under discussion.

 FAQs on the Funding Formula: 

“How far along is this formula and will faculty and staff have an opportunity for review and input?”

We are in the early stages of developing a revised formula.  A broad framework has been formally prepared and discussed by the Board of Regents and the legislative committee.  Key to the revised formula is an instruction/cost matrix that has been drafted and discussed among faculty leaders, business officers and presidents.  Additionally, community college presidents have focused on performance metrics.  These, too, have been shared with faculty leaders.  I have kept the Faculty Senate leaders and the new leader of the NFA informed about the formula’s status.  My discussions with faculty and staff have provided some opportunity for input.  The Chancellor is planning at least two town hall meetings for additional input.  

“Where are the ideas for the revised formula coming from?”

Several suggestions from Nevada’s MGT study in 2010 to the funding models in Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Utah, Florida, Missouri, and other states have been researched as part of this process.  The Chancellor’s staff have expanded the research and drawn on the expertise of the National Clearinghouse for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS) as a resource in the process.  Reciting these sources is not to say the revised model will be perfect.  Indeed, much of this work had to be done because Nevada does not do an annual study of instructional or full costs like other states.  As a result, other state matrices, models, and approaches became important resources. 

“Where are salaries and benefits in the formula?”

Employee compensation is a matter that lies outside the funding formula.  Compensation is our top priority for the 2013 legislative session, and the funding formula follows. 

“How is the base derived?”

The formula is designed to distribute general fund resources only.  This is a major differentiation from the existing process.  The concept for the formula begins with a matrix of academic disciplines and levels of instruction which will create a weighted value that differentiates mission as well as variations of cost levels by discipline.  Such matrices are used widely in other states to fund colleges and universities. The student credit hours assigned to the various weightings would be driven off of course completions, not enrollments, as the existing formula uses.  The weighting is then multiplied by the number of student credit hours completed with an “F” grade or above in each level of instruction.  A dollar value is multiplied by the weighted value to arrive at a value per discipline and level of instruction.  This model creates the general fund allocation to each institution. 

 “How is CSN’s equity problem addressed?

The issue of equity has been widely discussed with the intent of addressing it once and for all.  If it’s not fixed in this process, it will never be fixed, and that is not acceptable.  Several aspects of the new formula favor CSN: 

• The new formula allocates general fund money only.  All registration fees stay on campus and general fund money would not be offset based on the level of student fee revenues generated.
• The new formula excludes WSCH related to non-resident students.  CSN would keep tuition and fees for non-resident students, but they are not counted in the completed student credit hours.
• CSN has many completers in high cost programs that will yield additional general fund money. 

All of these approaches contributed to an equity solution for CSN. 

“How is the performance element funded?”

In other states, the performance element represents 5%-25% of allocated funding that is identified for performance.  I have advocated new funding for performance since we have sustained such large budget cuts and no institution is in a position to carve out funding for a new initiative.  The reality, however, is that an incremental carve out from formula funding over multiple years will be the likely approach. 

“How is the access mission of community colleges addressed?

Access is critical to the mission of a community college.  Although some CSN students wish to graduate or transfer, we have many other students seeking education or training without any idea of graduating.  They may take one course for a promotion at work or transfer after a semester.  The new model considers these variations by allowing institutions to receive funding for all student credit hours completed, and considers the important transfer role of community colleges, as you can see in the performance metrics above.  Yet, let’s be clear, the revised model looks at completions of courses and programs not at inputs like the old funding formula did.  But, then, CSN was poorly treated in the old formula. 

“CSN has multiple campuses, will that be addressed?

An economy of scale element was proposed in the new model.  I have argued that economies of scale and diseconomies of scale should be handled in a similar manner with a flat dollar amount.  The latest draft of the model drops economies of scale altogether and inserts a rural factor with the level of consideration remaining to be determined.     

“How will a new formula be implemented since the current one has been suspended for two years?”

Implementation is a major issue that remains under discussion.  An initial intention is to phase in the new formula in some, as yet undetermined, fashion for the 2013-15 biennium or for the FY 2013-14 and FY 2014-15 fiscal years.   We are currently working through data continuity and consistency applications and the institutional research officers are working closely with the system office to ensure uniformity of data definitions, collection patterns, etc. that would assure the reliability of data on which to make budget allocations.  We will need time to work out the data issues. 

“How will future enrollment growth be funded?”

The new model is a completion- and performance-driven process that so far has overlooked traditional funding approaches and the fact that most institutional expenditures are incurred at input, that is to say, as students enroll, not at output, or as the student completes, transfers, or stops out.  The new formula drivers will be geared to completions. At this time, it is proposed that the current 3-year weighted average be utilized to determine projected enrollment levels.  It is important that any methodology utilized can be applied in periods of increased or decreases. 

“How will research at the universities be funded?”

There is a 10% premium on the weighted value of these student credit hours.  Further, presidents are recommending research be funded separately through the Knowledge Fund that the legislature established last year.  The Chancellor and the presidents are also suggesting that the Knowledge Fund support workforce development at the community colleges. 

“How will quality be protected with this formula?”

Preservation of instructional rigor and service quality is a primary concern of mine in this process.  Without care we’ll trigger grade inflation, inadvertently “dumbing down” the education and training we provide.  This is not acceptable.  As I stated during some of the roundtable sessions last month, I’m an advocate for increasing our standards and quality.  All of us need to become vigilant in protecting quality.

“What happens to student dollars?”

Under the proposed model institutions keep the tuitions and fees they generate. 

Please let me know if you have questions or concerns. We still have a long way to go to develop a new funding formula and your input is important. 

Sincerely,

Mike

 

 

At the beginning of each semester, I hold “roundtable” discussions for faculty and staff at each of our campuses.  This year, I shared a number of items, and the group discussion added many more that I’d like to share with you. 

What I Shared as Introductory Themes: 

NSHE ISSUES

• PEBP: We are unable to exit the current plan for now.  NSHE is looking at other options.
• The formula funding committee: The old formula is out and the committee will work to propose a new one that will likely include performance metrics. The system has issued a framework for a new formula.
• Complete College America: CSN made its first-year goal with 2,294 completions in 2010-11.
• An update on Community College Task Force: The virtual college idea is dormant, but other ideas, such as expanding partnerships with K-12, are being explored.

CSN ISSUES:

• New admission policy:  1) a high school diploma or qualified international student, or 2) GED or home school certificate, or 3) examination: 

Students may be admitted under alternative criteria by satisfying one of the following requirements:

1. Placement testing scores sufficient for entry into ENG 100 and Math 095 or higher; or
2. Transfer credits equivalent to NSHE’s ENG 100 and Math 095 with grades of “C” or better from another accredited college or university; and standing at a previously attended institution including but not limited to, records of disciplinary action. 

• MyCSN : We are continually working to improve the functioning of MyCSN, which is a work in progress. CSN has added the call center, which is helping hundreds of students a week navigate the new system.
• Plan for 8% tuition increase:  We collaborated with students over the winter break to create a detailed plan that was approved by the Board of Regents.  The plan is available on the CSN home page for review. 

Cheyenne Roundtable Discussion:
A faculty member discussed problems he had navigating MyCSN. Other faculty praised CAPE’s MyCSN training session.  Dr. Richards emphasized that faculty can use the MyCSN call center for help. 

There were questions about the formula funding committee and CSN’s historic funding inequity. Dr. Richards emphasized that policymakers are aware of CSN’s historic funding inequity and want to address this issue.  As the formula discussion evolves, CSN officials are speaking with system staff, lawmakers and other higher education officials about this process to ensure the new formula addresses CSN’s needs. 

A faculty member asked if President Richards supported tenure as she perceived there is a growing disdain across the nation for the practice. Dr. Richards stated he fully supports tenure and that tenure will continue in its current form at CSN. 

Several praised the renovations at Cheyenne. Dr. Richards stated CSN will submit a capital improvement project to the system and legislature for $16 million more for improvements to the campus. 

An individual asked for a status update on the northwest campus proposal. CSN is pursuing a lease from the BLM or an act of Congress for the land patent. Since the advent of the economic slowdown, Dr. Richards said there has not been much momentum for this project. 

Several faculty discussed the need for greater collaboration with their counterparts at UNLV to ensure CSN graduates can transfer seamlessly. Dr. Richards noted that states that do articulation well between the university and community college levels have statutes in place that require it. 

A faculty member questioned whether the CCA goals would be part of the new funding formula. Dr. Richards discussed some of the National Governor’s Association (NGA) metrics that they hope will be included in the new formula to ensure that it better reflects the mission and goals of community colleges. 

Charleston Roundtable Discussion:
A faculty member brought up the need to increase advisement at CSN to help more students graduate in less time. Dr. Richards talked about the new plan CSN developed over the break for the 8% fee increase and how that will be used to increase the number of advisors and other frontline student support staff.  He noted that other states have put resources on the first-year, full-time, degree seeking students that make up the graduation rate cohort. 

A professor asked about some students he had that had trouble passing math. Dr. Richards discussed the math tutorial centers that are included in the plan for the 8% tuition increase. 

Another professor presented several ideas and Dr. Richards addressed some of them, including the chronic issue of articulation. He said Nevada may benefit from a statute in this area. 

There was discussion about the 60-credit maximum policy and how the curriculum committee could implement this new policy in time to meet the regents’ deadline. Dr. Richards said he would support the work of the Senate’s curriculum committee. 

A professor brought up the issue of UNLV articulation agreements again and asked that the administration email a list of all the schools with which CSN has articulation agreements to the faculty. This was done through the Faculty Senate chair. 

A faculty member asked about the funding formula and what metrics would be used to measure performance. Dr. Richards explained the hope of the four Nevada community college presidents that the NGA measures would be included. He explained the three dimensions of the system’s proposed funding formula framework. There was an ensuing discussion about how the system is advocating to allow colleges and universities to keep their tuition and fee revenue. 

Someone asked about the progress of the bridge programs with the school district discussed last fall. They are scheduled to begin this summer. 

Henderson Roundtable Discussion:
There was a question about CSN’s strategy for the new funding formula. Dr. Richards explained the framework of the system’s proposed holistic approach. There was a discussion about how to estimate the true cost of instruction and using national models. The use of performance metrics was also discussed. 

A faculty member asked about future maintenance at Henderson. Dr. Richards discussed a proposal that will go before the BOR at the March 1 and 2 meeting to do a mechanical overhaul of the A building this year. 

A faculty member noted that the national pressure on colleges and universities to focus on outcomes may result in professors making their classes easier to ensure more students successfully complete their courses. He wondered what the ramifications of a new formula that focuses on performance measures will be. Dr. Richards said that he and other presidents were concerned about consequences of many new initiatives.  He emphasized repeatedly that faculty are not to diminish the academic rigor of their classes; indeed, they should increase it. 

There were questions about the level of preparedness of incoming students. Dr. Richards discussed the bridge programs and the relationship CSN has with the school districts. He also stressed that CSN has a great GED program that can help students. 

A faculty member suggested the college explore requiring students to take prereqs or a student assessment before they are allowed to take online courses. Dr. Richards said he would share that idea. Again, he stressed that faculty should not diminish academic rigor. 

Finally, a faculty member asked if there was anything CSN could do to help introduce students to the variety of classes offered at CSN. The nature of the electronic schedule and course lookup make it difficult for students to browse course listings and learn more about different classes outside their major that might expand their horizons and enhance their college experience.   Independent of MyCSN is a browse list, but it’s not linked to the registration system. 

Roundtables will continue at the beginning of each semester on each of CSN’s three campuses. 

–Mike Richards

LAS VEGAS, January 26, 2012 — President Barack Obama introduced North Carolina’s Jackie Bray to the world Tuesday night during the State of the Union. 

Ms. Bray, an out-of-work mechanic, attended Central Piedmont Community College, where she enrolled in a program designed in part by Siemens, a local gas turbine factory. The company paid her tuition and then hired her at the plant. 

In the wake of President Obama’s call for a national commitment to train 2 million Americans with skills that will lead directly to a job, College of Southern Nevada officials are proud to introduce students such as Shawn Greene. 

Mr. Greene, a 24-year-old with some college credit, was laid off from his job at a local air conditioning company this summer, when he enrolled in the brand new natural gas heat pump program at CSN. 

Created by a partnership among the college, Southwest Gas and IntelliChoice Energy, the courses teach technicians to install and maintain natural gas heat pumps, which rely mostly upon natural gas to heat and cool large commercial spaces. The technology is new to the United States and uses about 80 percent less electrical energy compared to today’s traditional heating and cooling systems. 

Greene was hired mid-fall semester by IntelliChoice Energy, where he now works in research and development. He will graduate with an Associate of Applied Science in Air Conditioning Technology this spring. 

“I got the confidence and experience I needed at CSN and it opened doors for me,” Greene said. “I love my job.”

To learn more about what CSN is doing to train a highly qualified workforce to help build Nevada click here.

About CSN:

Founded in 1971, the College of Southern Nevada (csn.edu) is the state’s largest and most ethnically diverse higher education institution. CSN offers more than 200 degree and certificate options in more than 130 areas of study, including 30 degree and certificate programs available entirely online. Students create flexible, personalized schedules, including day, evening, and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and multiple locations throughout Southern Nevada. CSN — Your future starts here.

 

Greetings, Happy New Year!  Welcome to spring semester 2012 and to The CSN Chronicle for January.  There is much activity on many fronts that I’d like you to know about.

Holiday Party

Through the Foundation Board of Trustees and the President’s Cabinet, I have extended your collective appreciation to the Foundation for the outstanding holiday party we held last month at Texas Station, and we have already set the date for the 2012 party.  Ticket revenue raised sufficient support to fund one full-time student for a year at CSN, and your food donations contributed more than 800 pounds of food to Three Square to help others in our community during the holiday season.  Thank you all!

Emergency Management for Higher Education Program

In late 2010, CSN was awarded more than $700,000 in grant funding through the Emergency Management for Higher Education Program.  Grants are awarded to a limited number of institutions to improve emergency management efforts including 1) develop/refine a comprehensive emergency response plan; 2) provide faculty/staff training in emergency procedures; 3) coordinate/communicate information across the college; 4) identify collaboration needs with local, state, federal resources.  I have been advised that the committee work is well underway, the RFP for emergency call boxes to be installed around the campuses has been awarded, and the Emergency Preparedness Guide was written, advertised and disseminated college-wide last fall.  CSN’s approach to emergency notification is a multi-level one and includes text and e-mail alert systems among the layers already in place.  Further, in developing our overarching Emergency Operations Plan, we are fortunate to have subject matter experts who bring a high degree of knowledge and years of hands-on experience to the table.  We will keep you apprised of training opportunities and other topics of interest. Our goal is a prepared CSN ready to respond if/when a threat occurs.

During the Semester Break:

Since mid December, a number of significant events have occurred that I will highlight.  Some will be further described below.

• New permanent faculty and staff have joined us.  Please welcome:
  • Matt Sanchez, Director of Student Financial Service
  • Stephanie Espinoza, Instructional Services Librarian
  • Caprice Roberson, Instructional Services Librarian
  • Dr. Garry Widdison, Instructional Dentist
  • Tamara Flores-Sahagun – Coordinator, Western High Tech
  • Jeff  Lycan – Coordinator, Nellis

• Student leaders and the administration refined a plan to invest an approved 8% increase in registration fees in greater student success.  The plan is summarized below, and the full plan is available here.
• OTS sponsored the annual TechConnection program at the Cheyenne campus.  This day-long program of exhibits and training shared the latest technologies in higher education and has raised more than $30,000 for the CSN Foundation.  Many thanks to Mugunth Vaithylingam and to the OTS staff!
• CSN will join with UNLV and the cities of Henderson, Las Vegas and North Las Vegas and Clark County in sponsoring an economic development summit for 100 business and community leaders on January 26^th.  The objective is to engage the state mandate for regional economic improvement.
• CSN joined with the system office and its PEBP committee to develop a survey of all employees on improvements needed in our PEBP plans.  The surveys will be distributed January 19.  BBI was selected as the NSHE consultant on benefit plans and will begin to explore future options.
• Presidents of the eight institutions joined the system’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Council (EDIC) to better advance diversity goals of NSHE, including sharing of plans and information, improving data gathering and information, and planning a diversity summit to be held next fall semester.
• The legislative study on higher education’s funding formula continued to move forward with extensive inter-institutional discussions in preparation for the study committee’s next meeting.  The meeting is further described below.
• A decision was made to acquire Canvas as the new learning management system (LMS) from Instructure.  We will go live in spring 2014 and will spend the months ahead conducting training and migrating course content to the new system.
• Facilities and building systems improvements on all campuses continue to improve our facilities and extend the useful life of our systems.  Through spring semester and into the summer, improvements are planned for restrooms, HVAC systems, and interior finishes.

Formula Study

January 11 marked the second meeting of the Legislature’s study committee on higher education funding.  Preliminary concerns so far include the following conclusions:

• The current funding formula does not meet the state’s goal of more graduates;
• The current funding formula does not meet the state’s goal of reasonable progress to a certificate or degree;
• The current funding formula does not ensure mission differentiation;
• as presently structured, developmental education is failing;
• The current budget does not encourage entrepreneurial behavior;
• The current formula does not meet the state goal of innovation;
• The current formula does not address equity issues or dis/economies of scale; and
• The current formula does not address the state goal of alignment with economic development.

As a result, and with the concurrence of the presidents, the current formula was set aside in favor of a new approach summarized here.  National leaders in funding formulas have been retained to help define the new model, and the committee will also retain a consultant to help with this process.  I have shared the “shell” of the new model with leaders of the Faculty Senate, but this new approach will need many eyes on it and our best thinking.  Unintended consequences and other traps await us, I’m sure.   My plan is to keep you fully informed on where this process may take us.

At a special meeting of the Board of Regents on January 20, CSN and other institutions l submitted final plans for using revenues from an eight percent increase in registration fees.  The fee increase will become effective fall semester 2012.  CSN proposes to make a number of key investments in student success by: Establishing math resource centers on each campus; Hiring more full-time faculty; Hiring more staff support in financial aid, admissions, and advising; and Providing more support to computer labs and to the library for extended hours.   While this fee increase adds a greater burden on students for their education, the revenues directly benefit students as they pursue their education at CSN. Many thanks to student leaders for their tireless help on this plan and for all of the student input.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“What preparations are underway for the 2013 legislative session?”

We have already begun meeting with legislators and candidates in preparation for the 2013 session.  Apart from the rush of late fall or during the session itself, we are using this time in the interim to hold one-on-one discussions with senior legislators.  We’re discussing PEBP issues, the funding formula study, CSN’s equity problem, and we’re inviting legislators to tour one or more of our campuses.  I believe the relationships we cultivate now will help us in 2013, and we’ll need all the help we can get.

 “What is the purpose of the Foundation’s inserts in the newspaper?”

Quarterly, the Foundation sponsors inserts in the Review Journal to share CSN stories and our brand with a wider audience.  In addition to our excellent marketing plan, we have to keep our stories and services front and center in a positive way.   CSN’s story is quality education changing lives.  It’s a story we tell repeatedly to any constituency who will listen.  You can find the latest insert online here.

“What message about CSN can I bring to political candidates I speak to during election season?”

As the season begins in earnest, make sure to tell state lawmakers and candidates three things:  Stop cuts to higher education; invest in CSN as an economic engine for workforce development; and change the funding formula to help CSN’s equity problem and to help NSHE be more accountable to stakeholders.

The Center for Academic and Professional Excellence (CAPE) has organized an outstanding series of meetings and workshops during convocation week.  Please take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about PEBP efforts, new software and technology, and other topics of professional interest.  Many thanks to the CAPE staff and to all those facilitating the instruction and training for their service!

 Watch for a forum later this semester with candidates for the position of Vice President for Student Affairs.  I invite your attendance and participation.

Best wishes for the New Year and for spring semester.

–Mike Richards

December 12, 2011 

Cabinet Members:

President Mike Richards
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Director, Communication & Events
Constance Brooks, Director, Government Affairs & Diversity Initiatives – absent  
Thomas Brown, Senior Advisor to the President
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs  
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Shellie Keller, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Rob Telles, President, Classified Council – absent
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation – absent
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus  
Charles Milne, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect  
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations – absent   
Aimee Riley, President, Student Government
Josh Ruter, Interim Campus Manager, Henderson Campus
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair                                        
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer – absent

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m. 

The notes of the November cabinet meeting were approved with minor changes. 

Dr. Richards went over some upcoming events on the calendar and told the group about a Board of Regents Town Hall meeting to take place at CSN on February 23. Details will be shared as they are made known. The Board of Regents will hold a special meeting on January 20 about the 8% tuition increase. A draft plan will be presented at the meeting. 

Joan McGee presented the 1^st annual Strategic Plan Progress Report that details the development of the objectives for 2010-2011. The report is very comprehensive. The next step will be for Hyla Winters and Joan to meet and discuss ways to implement the feedback received from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. They recommend a revision of the current plan to focus on fewer objectives, with more measurable and specific outcomes. 

John Bearce gave an update on iNtegrate. It is working as it is supposed to; priority registration is complete and early registration is underway. So far over 25,000 students are registered for spring 2012. Grade rosters have been made available to faculty for fall posting. John said to avoid crashing the Peoplesoft system, as was the case for fall registration, a regulator of sorts will display a message when the system is operating at maximum capacity instructing students to try again later. The message will most likely generate complaints, but is the only option at this point to avoid system shutdown. 

Thomas Brown reported on all the activity in Human Resources, Affirmative Action, Sexual Harassment training and on the Cheyenne campus. CSN is doing well overall in Affirmative Action goals, and in 6 of 7 IPEDS categories we are on target. Thomas said, however, that the goals are ongoing and CSN will continue in its efforts to improve.

In Human Resources, there are 27 active recruitments underway to fill about 54 vacancies, many of which are in the facilities areas. Initial work has also begun on a potential college-wide attendance policy. A draft has been developed and shared with Patty Charlton. HR will soon begin sending reminders of mandatory classes, work performance standards and evaluations to supervisors of classified employees. Also the recruitment for a Vice President for Student Affairs closed on November 22. HR is awaiting information from the consultants facilitating the recruitment. 

Human Resources is currently processing 63 Family Medical Leave Act active cases and 5 catastrophic leave cases. The department continues the payroll/benefit sessions for newly-hired employees and helping employees with health insurance and retirement questions. Also, HR continues to work with OTS on the BSDPro upload to HRMS for part-time contracts and PAFs. Email notifications went to employees who have yet to complete sexual harassment training and notification to supervisors of classified employees about taking their required supervisor trainings. HR staff have begun using the automated system for I-9 completion and trainings on the system are scheduled for department assistants and staff who complete the forms as well. Regarding the I-9 audit of human resources, all concerns expressed by the auditors that are due to be resolved by December 31 will have been cleared by then. The next steps will be to revisit the I-9 forms and ensure compliance in all areas. Also being tested currently is the iLeave web-based leave tracking software system. The system will allow leave information (balance updates, request status, accrual information, etc.) to be readily available for employees on and off campus. HR is working toward a January/February implementation date. 

CSN’s Affirmative Action plan continues to be a focus of the Human Resources department along with other general recommendations from the HR consultant. The goal is to complete all recommendations by the end of the fiscal year and as of today, about 75% of them have been implemented. The Affirmative Action plan will be completed and submitted to Administration in January. New Diversity training will be presented in Spring. 

Thomas also reported on the many improvements to the Cheyenne Campus and told everyone how sincerely he appreciates the efforts of Sherri Payne and the Facilities department on all of the projects. The improvements include:

• A furniture master plan being developed by the Facilities department to inventory all of the furniture currently on hand and details on its condition. A replacement schedule will be put into place to rotate out the pieces that are in the worst shape first.
• Remodeling of the Main Building at Cheyenne is continuing. The corridors on the 2^nd floor are almost complete, and the 1^st floor is about half done. Carpet replacement and paint is also ongoing. The project will take several years to complete.
• The directories are almost finished – the vendor will soon add the electrical work and waterproof the cabinet. Once done, the new maps will be added.
• An ADA survey of the campus is taking place to ensure accessibility compliance.
• Asphalt by the Culinary receiving area will be replaced, along with a new gas line needed there. 

Thomas also updated everyone on CAPE training. CAPE is currently working on customized training for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing department, along with teambuilding and conflict resolution. They are developing customized Excel training and customer service training for Human Resources employees, preparing training materials for new workshops including Windows 7 and MS Office 2010, developing the Spring training calendar, and continuing to conduct MyCSN training while providing staff with assistance as requested. The customized customer service training is being offered by CAPE and delivered for all CSN departments upon request. To date, the specialized training has been conducted for:

• CSN Police Department
• Tutorial Services
• Student Affairs
• Human Resources 

Chemene Crawford highlighted the current events in Student Services. The MyCSN call center is being developed and will provide support to students, faculty and staff for system navigation. The interview process is currently taking place for potential personnel who will operate the call center. The Center will tentatively be in place for the Spring semester. 

The NSHE directive, Don’t Wait Graduate, will use leftover grant funds to contact students with a number of credits earned in the last 5 years, and encourage them to re-enroll. Of the 8600 letters sent, 5300 are CSN students. CSN’s Project Graduate initiative fits well with NSHE’s plan, in that CSN students with 45 credits or more and a declared degree goal will also be contacted and encouraged to re-enroll. The letters will go out soon with instructions for the students to go to counseling/advising to put together an academic plan to achieve a degree. There are 5,196 students currently enrolled at CSN who will receive these letters. This number of students is in addition to the 5300 that NSHE will contact. 

Dr. Crawford also reported on the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI), a year-long program developed by the AACC. CSN has just begun the program for faculty and staff, and AACC mentioned CSN favorably in their publication. On December 9, the ELI meeting was on the Charleston campus and featured Ned Doffoney, Chancellor of North Orange County Community College District, as keynote speaker. The meeting was a great success. CSN also hosted the WRCBAA conference in October, which Dr. Crawford helped facilitate. It also was a great success and very well-received by both attendees and presenters. 

Richard Hinckley told the group that CSN hired a new attorney to serve as one of the general counsels for the College, Diane Welch. Diane was a legal secretary at CSN several years ago before completing her law degree. She returns to us with a certain amount of familiarity, which will make her transition easier. She and Richard will alternate attending the cabinet meetings. 

Dr. Richards ended the meeting with other news from around the College. Mugunth Vaithylingam and his wife Aby welcomed a baby girl last week. Jacque Matthews is recovering well from surgery and will return to work the second week of January. The Holiday Party was a success and seemed to be enjoyed by all attendees. Also, Chancellor Klaich and CSN Student Body President, Aimee Riley, will be on Jon Ralston’s “Face to Face” to discuss student fees and other issues facing CSN. 

Patty Charlton also told the group about a celebration in the works that K.C. Brekken and the Internal Recognition Committee are working on. The celebration will take place at the end of the academic year and will be the venue for employee service awards and other recognition. The tentative date for the event – as yet to be named – is May 18, 2012, the Friday before graduation. A contest will be announced soon among the employee groups for naming the event. 

Meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m. 

Next meeting scheduled January 9, 2012. 

aml

Holiday greetings to all!  This is the last Chronicle for 2011 and the last time the logo for our 40^th year will be used.  During the days prior to the December Board of Regents meeting and at the meeting many actions were taken that will impact CSN.      

Please Note:  During January, I will again hold roundtable meetings on each campus.  You will be e-mailed an invitation shortly.  We can discuss any of the following topics as well as other issues you may wish to raise. 

PEBP Benefits

Previously, I have mentioned the PEBP task force and its recommendations.  Those efforts are continuing.  Carolyn Collins and Tina Petrie are able representatives for us, and Jennifer Yonesawa and Rob Telles are also participating in the work of the task force.  A consultant has now been retained to offer additional suggestions and directions.  

It appears that the earliest NSHE can separate from PEBP is 2015 because legislative action would be needed during the 2013 session.  If separation is approved, NSHE would need time to get a new plan in place.  This timeframe has led the task force to consider short-term solutions, and the consultant is expected to focus on what can be done now to improve our benefits.   We are vigilant on this critical issue.  It has become the most serious issue we face in NSHE and at CSN.  Its impacts on recruitment and retention of faculty and staff already constrain us. 

You might be interested in the results of a health benefits survey conduct by the UNLV Faculty Senate and Classified Council: 

• Employees are suffering as a result of PEBP changes.  They are delaying medical care and not filling prescriptions.
• The Board of Regents should direct the NSHE PEBP Task Force to proceed with haste to obtain other health coverage for employees.
• As the Task Force’s research has already shown, the level of access to health care is inferior.
• The Board of Regents should implement either a supplemental insurance policy or provide a supplement to Health Savings Accounts.
• We are not seeking “added” benefits.  We are seeking a return to an acceptable level of access to health care. 

At the Board of Regents’ meeting all campuses were encouraged to survey their employees regarding PEBP access and coverage.  You will likely be hearing more about this early spring semester. 

National Governors Association (NGA) Policy Academy and Complete College America (CCA)

During the first week of this month, various discussions and presentations regarding CCA and NGA goals were shared with faculty, staff, students, legislators, city and county officials, and Regents.  A team of state officials attended the NGA policy academy in Atlanta and returned with a draft of state goals and metrics: 

Goal 1:  Increase the number of students graduating with a high quality degree or credential in accordance with the goals of Complete College America. 

Goal 2:  Align degree productivity with the state’s economic development goals to meet the needs of Nevada’s workforce and establish Nevada’s “new economy.”   

Metric 1:  How many students are we graduating relative to Nevada’s CCA goals? 

Metric 2:  How many students are graduating relative to the overall student population? 

Metric 3:  What is the return on the state and student investment in public institutions in terms of certificates and degree completions? 

Metric 4:  How can institutions demonstrate that gains in efficiency are not achieved at the expense of student learning? 

Details of this draft need further discussion and testing, but the momentum and intent of this issue is clear:  goals and performance metrics are being adopted.  In the coming weeks the governor’s office will convene an informal task force whose charge will be to review these metrics and refine them as appropriate.  The governor’s office and legislative leaders want to link the metrics to higher education funding. 

NSHE’s new strategic directions document, available here, bears directly on NGA/CCA goals, and I encourage you to become more informed on the state’s new direction. 

Tuition/Fee Increases

The Board of Regents approved an 8 percent increase in student registration fees for FY 2013.  Institutions were directed to work with students and faculty on final plans for using the fee revenue, and we will be working on this over the next month.  CSN and other institutions provided a preliminary plan that directed the revenue toward: 

• Scholarships and need-based financial aid;
• Staffing in Student Affairs;
• Improving our full- and part-time ratio with more full-time faculty;
• Establishing and staffing math resource centers on three campuses; and
• Enhancing advising and academic support services. 

Final plans will be provided to the Board of Regents at a special meeting in January. 

Work Climate and Diversity

During the Regents’ meeting each institution reported on diversity efforts, including work climates at NSHE institutions.  I reported briefly on the work climate committee and survey as part of our efforts to improve the organizational culture of CSN.   I know our committee has been meeting each month, and plans a follow-up survey next spring. 

I have been asked about media reports on litigation that is pending.  While I cannot comment on specific cases, it is our position at CSN that whenever a legal matter arises, involving CSN or its employees, we expect full cooperation with authorities, as well as true and accurate testimony.

 Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“What are the changes in CSN’s admission policy?”

Beginning next fall, community colleges in Nevada will require a high school diploma or GED for admission of degree or certificate seeking students.  Institutions may also adopt an alternate pathway for admission.  This is standard practice at most community colleges in the country to impress on prospective students, parents and others the need for college readiness.   The alternate pathway we have adopted will allow prospective students, who score above a certain threshold on placement tests, or those who have transfer credits from accredited institutions, to gain admission to CSN. 

“What is the change in ACT testing?”

The Board of Regents approved a resolution urging the State of Nevada and district superintendents of public K-12 instruction to adopt the statewide administration of the ACT test for all high school students in their junior year.  Additionally, when the test is adopted statewide, the Board of Regents will consider policy revisions requiring the ACT test for admissions at all NSHE institutions and requiring Nevada high school graduates who have taken the ACT be placed into a college-level course based on the ACT cut score.   Also, in time, the presidents and many of the superintendents would like to replace the Nevada High School Proficiency Exam with the ACT test.  

“What is the status of the funding formula study?”

You may recall that the Legislature authorized a study to update and revise the higher education funding formula.  A committee comprised of legislators, Regents, and gubernatorial appointees is conducting the study.  One meeting has been held to organize and to issue a request for proposals for a consultant to assist the committee.  The next meeting of the committee will be on January 11^th. 

“How are the Regents’ accepting the Fresh Look at Nevada’s Community Colleges Task Force recommendations?”

In its review of community colleges in Nevada, a task force, established by the Chancellor, was asked to develop recommendations.  Ten recommendations were submitted.  The Regents’ received the report, and concurrently, not as a result of the task force report per se, some of the recommendations are going forward:  revision of the funding formula, alignment of workforce and state economic development goals, development of meaningful certificates and degree, and public/higher education partnerships.  The NSHE strategic directions document includes a reference to explore implementing recommendations of the task force. 

Happy holidays to all of you! 

 –Mike Richards

I have much information to share with the CSN family this November as we prepare for the holiday season.          

Holiday Celebration

Our annual holiday party will be held at Texas Station from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8. Sponsored by the CSN Foundation, this event has quickly become a college tradition, a time to socialize, relax and have fun.  Please mark your calendar, get your tickets and plan to be with us.  Again this year we will collect food donations (cans and sealed packaged items) for Three Square Food Bank. For more information go to www.csn.edu/holidayparty.      

The Board of Regents will discuss at length the new NSHE Strategic Directions planning document at the December meeting. The plan is designed to advance student success at our colleges and universities, as well as position the system for the 2013 legislative session.  Four strategic initiatives comprise the plan:  1) Increase student achievement, retention and success, 2) Increase transparency, accountability and performance, 3) Increase continuous review and revision of programs to support innovation and responsiveness, and 4) Ensure that higher education is accessible and affordable for Nevadans.    I have posted the document on CSN’s Strategic Plan web page.

 Complete College America and CSN

Through the Complete College America (CCA) program and the National Governor’s Association (NGA), Nevada has committed itself to focusing on and pursuing the performance measurements advocated by these two groups.  Both organizations seek to significantly increase the number of Americans with college degrees or credentials of value and close attainment gaps for traditionally underrepresented populations.  Nationally, the goal is that six out of every 10 young adults will have a college degree or credential of value by 2020.  Currently in Nevada, only 30% of adults, age 25-64, have a college degree.  Each Nevada institution has received a target number of completers to annually strive for until 2020.  

I have posted a report from the system office online that indicates our Complete College America goals and the actual number of completers during this first year. 

I have asked Drs. Divine and Crawford to lead strategies to achieve CCA/NGA objectives: 

• Overseeing initiatives for enrolling and graduating students from diverse backgrounds;
• Continuing our Project Graduate program;
• Adopting performance standards and policies from CCA and NGA;
• Training faculty and staff on CCA/NGA goals;
• Recommending operational or structural changes to achieve CCA/NGA goals;
• Working with faculty on developmental education; and
• Exploring accountability and reporting mechanisms. 

Nevada is one of 30 states subscribing to CCA/NGA goals and has been selected as one of six states to pilot connecting the goals with public policy.  The Governor, Regents and Chancellor are committed to Nevada being among the leading states in the nation to advance CCA/NGA purposes. 

As I have met with the cabinet and the leaders of the faculty to review the CCA/NGA agenda and our institutional obligations, I have stressed two points:  1) faculty participation to the fullest extent possible through forums, Senate meetings, and training sessions; and 2) an institutional commitment to shaping the CCA/NGA agenda where we can in accountability, degree attainment, and developmental education.  I believe it is better for CSN to be proactive and part of the dialog surrounding performance metrics to help shape public policy rather than to have no say in the discussion and be forced to react to it at a later date.  

• I commend faculty and staff members who have already stepped forward on CCA/NGA initiatives. The math faculty have worked internally and statewide to improve developmental education;
• The Student Affairs staff have carried out Project Graduate and other efforts for student success;
• The leaders of the Faculty Senate have demonstrated great vision and energy, representing CSN with the system; 

Through the efforts of many of our people, CSN technology has improved on a number of fronts.  The new SIS/MyCSN system is fully operational and is registering students for spring semester.  The VoiP system is nearing completion with the final installation of phone sets in individual offices.  The research and demonstration of a new LMS system has now been completed and a selection will be forthcoming.  Many thanks to all who have labored over many months to implement these improvements!  We are also moving ahead—enthusiastically—to acquire and implement new financial and human resources systems for a fully integrated administrative computing system.

Faculty & Staff Information Handbook

We have reinstated the Faculty & Staff Information Handbook and posted it online. Thanks to all of the many individuals throughout the CSN community who helped collect and review this information. Located on the General Counsel’s Policies & Procedures webpage, the handbook contains great information about our organization. 

U.S. Secretary of Education Visit to CSN

Please mark your calendars. On Nov. 29 at 10:15 a.m., U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be at CSN to host a public town hall on K-12 and higher education in Nevada at the Horn Theatre on the Cheyenne campus. Chancellor Klaich will moderate the event. This event falls at the same time as the first meeting of the Formula Funding Study Committee, of which I am a member, at the Grant Sawyer Building. I hope you can attend one of these important events that day. 

Way-finding, keys and room numbering

At the end of the renovation project on the Cheyenne campus, new signs and room numbers were adopted for the science labs and classrooms.  This is part of a larger project to better navigate Cheyenne’s instructional spaces.   Over time, new signs and room numbers will be implemented throughout the campuses.  The price of this project, however, is some confusion in the short term as changes are made when classes are not in session.  New directional maps have been installed on all three campuses, and later new building signage will be added.  The Ralph & Betty Engelstad Health Sciences (K) Building on West Charleston includes much of the new signage along with the science renovation on the Cheyenne campus.  We are also stretching our resources to improve access to buildings and rooms with electronic key cards. Our goals for this project include, ease of room and building navigation, room security with appropriate electronic access, and better key management.     

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“Why was fall enrollment down?”

I believe fall enrollment dropped for a number of reasons.  As the recession has dragged on and unemployment remains high, there are few jobs for graduating students, and where students have jobs, they’re hanging on to them.  The new MyCSN system may have discouraged some students.  Six months of talk in the Legislature about closing locations didn’t help either.  But also know that the enrollment drop at most schools in Nevada also occurred in many other states this year, including New York and Alabama among others. 

How was the part-time instructor job fair at CSN on Nov. 17?

CSN is still committed to improving our ratio of full-time to part-time faculty, however, from time to time, we reach out to the community to ensure that we can maintain a strong pool of highly qualified part-time instructors from which to choose.  The latest fair was quite successful in adding names of qualified faculty to department rolodexes.  Many thanks to all who planned and organized the event. 

Will CSN be closed during the winter break?

Other than state designated holidays, CSN will remain open during the winter holidays, although various departments may decide on a case-by-case basis to close shop for a couple of days, depending on their workload and staffing availability during this time.

The CSN Foundation Board of Trustees has developed a fundraising campaign statement and has organized itself to move forward with a 10-year campaign.  We are ready to launch, and we deeply appreciate the commitment of the Trustees to CSN’s future.

 Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

–Mike Richards

Cabinet Members:

President Mike Richards
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Director, Communication & Events
Thomas Brown, Senior Advisor to the President
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs    
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs – absent
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Shellie Keller, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Rob Telles, President, Classified Council
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus  
Charles Milne, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect – absent  
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations  
Aimee Riley, President, Student Government
Josh Ruter, Interim Campus Manager, Henderson Campus
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair                           
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer  

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the September cabinet meeting were approved.

Joan McGee is working with Deans Weiner and Castro to get the last few Strategic Plan updates to complete the first annual report. She reminded the group that the plan will be to get these updates in August from now on to facilitate a timely October 1 report for cabinet next year. Joan also shared a draft template for input on revising the required tasks currently listed on the Strategic Plan, so as to more closely align the task with the desired outcome.

K.C. Brekken shared results of a survey about Convocation. The results showed that employees like to attend for various reasons, networking and hearing important information topping the list. They like it to be brief and to hear the President’s updates. Some recommendations for future convocations included possibly having a motivational speaker and hearing more about the budget. Aimee Riley suggested having a student voice at convocation as well. K.C. reminded the group about the Regent’s awards and the October 21 deadline for nominations. She encouraged everyone to nominate an outstanding person in one of the categories:

• Regents’ Scholar Award
• Regents’ Award for Creative Activities
• Regents’ Teaching Award
• Regents’ Academic Advisor Award

Patty Charlton highlighted two areas, iNtegrate 2 and the Formula Funding Study. A steering committee consisting of the NSHE Business Officers met a week or so ago to discuss and confirm the project org structure, roles and responsibilities of the committee and members, develop a communication plan, establish a timeline and confirm necessary resources. Gerry Bomotti from UNLV will be the lead in identifying and engaging an outside consultant to work with the Finance Subcommittee on defining a common Chart of Accounts. Steve Zink from System Computing Services will take the lead on identifying and engaging an outside consultant to assist in a review of existing policies and procedures in the following major areas:

• Accounts payable/travel
• Accounts receivable/cashiering
• Purchasing and contracting
• Budget
• Sponsored projects
• Payroll/position control
• Compensation/classification
• Employment/salary administration/performance
• Benefits
• Time and effort reporting
• Overall campus data extraction and reporting (including Data Warehouse activities)

The consultants’ roles are important so as to ensure best practices are implemented, and former ineffective practices are not reintroduced in the new system. CSN’s point people will be Mary Kaye Bailey for Finance and John Scarborough for Human Resources. It will be important also to visit institutions that have undergone similar implementations. Some possible choices are CSU San Luis Obispo, University of Northern Arizona and Lone Star College.

The Formula Funding Study will also involve looking at institutions in other states and their cost studies. An ongoing concern for community colleges is performance-based funding and the limiting language contained therein. The funding equity problem has been acknowledged. There will be a meeting on October 13, and the full group will meet again in November.

Patty reminded everyone that direct deposit is available for mileage and hosting reimbursements. She also reminded everyone that phone use in the car must be hands-free.

Joan McGee reported on the campuses and learning centers. She is working with HR to form committees to get permanent Site Coordinators at Nellis and Western and a Campus Administrator at the Henderson Campus. Announcements will go out soon to internal CSN only. Joan is working on several issues at the Charleston Campus, including facility use concerns, elevator maintenance, inventory, security, parking infractions, space requests and more. Josh Ruter was welcomed with a nice party given by the Henderson Campus. Joan has been busy with activities since her last report to cabinet. She was the keynote speaker for CSN High School graduation ceremony, attended meetings, hearings, conferences and other events for the benefit of the college, the students and executive leadership.

Josh Ruter gave a report on the Henderson Campus. The A Building’s roof leaks and is being given top priority for repair. The B Building is getting data drops for VOIP phones and the campus will be getting blue light emergency phones as part of the Emergency Management Grant. The Facilities Department moved ash trays 100 ft from entrances to encourage compliance with smoking regulations. The Boulder City Center will close soon—Spring 2012 will be the last semester of instruction there. An ADA elevator will be installed at the baseball field press box, the Henderson site planning committee will be re-assembled soon, and the campus bake sale raised $470.

Mugunth Vaithylingam gave an update on the Office of Technology Services. The department has been busy with the Exchange 2010 migration. There have been 3,626 migrations and only 2 PC issues. Mac users will be manually migrated. The VOIP upgrade is going smoothly. The Henderson campus will be done on a weekend because the PBX system there necessitates all phones being upgraded simultaneously. The PC Refresh project is moving along and about 88% complete. Mugunth encouraged everyone to keep sensitive data on the server and he is working with the department to develop a policy for PC and Laptop security. Weekly announcements are being sent to all with instructions for changing passwords. The new passwords should be in place by November 1. OTS Recognition Day is December 9 at the Cheyenne Campus June Whitley Center and Tech Connection 2012 will be on January 18 from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm at Cheyenne as well. At Tech Connection last year, $30,000 was raised for CSN and OTS is trying to improve on it this year. CAPE will be working with OTS to offer about 40 workshops at the event which will be during Spring Convocation. The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce honored Robert Spivey and Mugunth with Awards for Excellence in Customer Service. Mugunth again reminded everyone to clear their mailboxes – including their sent folder, deleted items folder and inbox. The ideal total mail folder size is less than ½ GB. Instructions are available at this link: http://www.csn.edu/pages/3428.asp?item=14841

Dr. Richards concluded the meeting with several announcements. The first draft of the Faculty and Staff handbook will be posted to the web site within the next month. The work climate committee’s charge has been expanded and the membership will rotate in staggered terms for members. Ruben Kieuhen resigned his post at CSN to give his attention to campaigning. There will be a transition in the Diversity office to possibly include government relations. Candidates are being interviewed.

Jacque Matthews congratulated Chemene Crawford on the many improvements she has noticed in the past few months in Student Affairs.

Three Square will provide a list of items needed for the food bank and employees will be encouraged to bring a donation to the Holiday Party December 8 at the Texas. Our goal is to surpass last year’s donations. Details to follow soon.

Rob Telles reminded everyone to purchase Boo-Grams from Classified Council.

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled November 14, 2011.

 

aml

Cabinet Notes
September 12, 2011

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Director, Communication & Events
Thomas Brown, Senior Advisor to the President
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs    
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Shellie Keller, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Rob Telles, President, Classified Council
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus  
Charles Milne, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations  
Aimee Riley, President, Student Government
Josh Ruter, Interim Campus Manager, Henderson Campus
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair                          
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer  
Guest: Anita Del Corio, Manager, Human Resources 

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m. 

The notes of the August cabinet meeting were approved. 

New cabinet member, Josh Ruter, Interim Campus Manager at Henderson introduced himself. Shellie Keller, AFA Chair, introduced herself to the newer members. 

Dr. Richards reviewed some upcoming dates on the calendar, and added the CSN Holiday Party on December 8 at the Texas Station. 

Jacque Matthews reviewed the 4-page insert from the Las Vegas Review Journal published on September 7. She has received wonderful feedback from the community via phone calls, emails and handwritten notes. Two individuals, in response to the publication, contacted Jacque and want to set up scholarships. The next printing will come out in November and will feature a Municipal Court Judge and an Osteopathic Medical Director who are both former students of CSN. Jacque encouraged cabinet members to send information to her about successful members of the community who are former students of CSN. The Foundation is always looking for success stories to remind the community what a superb institution CSN is.

The Foundation’s audit is complete and went very well. The comprehensive campaign is progressing, and the Trustees continue to organize and meet with key groups at the college to determine needs and direction. So far they have identified over $250M in need to begin. Mary Thomas is coordinating the employee giving campaign; Jacque is meeting with the Health Sciences folks to identify vendors, professional associations and advisory boards to work with as well. 

Patty Charlton distributed a summary of Bart Patterson’s report to the Board of Regents on Efficiency and Effectiveness. The recommendations he presented to streamline processes involved the areas of Payroll, Human Resources and Purchasing. In addition, he presented some general recommendations. The full report can be viewed at the following link:

http://system.nevada.edu/tasks/sites/Nshe/assets/File/BoardOfRegents/Agendas/11/sept/main/BOR-13.pdf 

Joan McGee is developing a process for annual progress updates to key objectives in CSN’s Strategic Plan. By the end of August of each year, representatives from each division will meet with Joan to summarize and update the progress made on the objectives. By early October, she will present an overview to the cabinet. The annual report will assist in the evaluation of measurable progress to the Plan, which is integral to CSN’s accreditation. 

John Bearce gave an update of the Institutional Research Department and told the group about a new person on the team, Scott Camero. Scott comes from Nevada State College and has both institutional research and iNtegrate experience. The iNtegrate project continues with the transitioning of new data into the PeopleSoft system. John said it did not go as well as everyone hoped, but it is working. The consultants are very responsive, over 35 thousand students were successfully enrolled and the team will continue to work through the challenges of the new system. Another new part-time person with iNtegrate experience, Andrew Moore, will be working to develop an online training environment with mock data needed for faculty and staff training. CAPE will facilitate the training.

Requests for queries are a little tricky because the new system has different functionality than the old system. Institutional Research plans to develop a list of standardized reports for the most commonly requested data. 

Thomas Brown told the group about Human Resources’ new web page. Dr. Richards commented on the great strides being made in the department toward improving customer service. Thomas said the improvements came about from implementing the recommendations of the consultant that visited HR last year and earlier this year, and the improvements will be ongoing. He is currently scheduling meetings with each VP, Dean and Department Head to determine how HR can better assist each with their goals. Anita DelCorio gave an online tour of the site for the cabinet members, highlighting some new features and the more intuitive layout of the page. http://www.csn.edu/pages/382.asp

Other changes, activities and accomplishments in HR include:

• Automation of the I-9 process for online, paperless system
• Streamlined hiring procedures (pending approval)
• Policy on non-competitive selection (pending review and approval)
• Evaluation of the feasibility of an online application system upgrade
• Formed a committee to review and evaluate an automated leave management system
• Working with NSHE iNtegrate team on the conversion of HRMS to PeopleSoft
• Gathering health benefit comments for Board of Regents
• Three HR employees were nominated for Employee of the Year
• Instituted online registration for fall convocation with record numbers for almost every session offered
• Working with OTS to update CAPE classrooms

Thomas also reported on Affirmative Action. A webpage was created for the Affirmative Action Office to readily disseminate information regarding AAO/EEO and the appropriate contact information. Two sexual harassment prevention trainings were developed that have garnered many compliments and positive comments from attendees. Thomas also continues to attend each initial search committee meeting to share CSN’s AAO/EEO goals and contact information. 

Chemene Crawford reported a busy start to the fall semester, in an effort to get the bugs worked out of the new systems in place. She said that some of the issues were brought to light through students on CSN’s FaceBook page, and she thanked K.C. Brekken for keeping current with the postings. The main focus for Student Affairs this year is to implement, evaluate and improve processes over the entire division. She anticipates the need for much training to create uniformity and consistency across the whole division and will be seeking feedback toward that end. 

Richard Hinckley informed everyone of the Nevada law that will be enforced beginning October 1 prohibiting cell phone usage (other than hands-free) and texting while driving. It is important that employees observe the law, especially during their work day, because any citations issued for not complying with the new statute will be the employee’s responsibility. 

Rob Telles said Classified Council is working to revamp their webpage and include relevant links and updates. The Classified Employee of the month is included as well. On September 22, Classified Council will be holding a bake sale on the Henderson campus, with Cheyenne and Charleston following on the 28^th and 29^th, respectively. The money raised will be used to benefit Angel Tree. Rob told the group that the Catastrophic Leave bank is very low, and asked cabinet members to remind their departments to donate leave if they can. 

Dr. Richards reported that the Board of Regents has suspended the tuition policy and is putting together a group to examine the issues. EDICT’s report recommendations were accepted and include specific obligations to review supplier inclusion. The System is formally asking PEBP to look for an alternative to the high deductible health insurance plan currently in place. They are being asked to work with other employee groups to improve benefits and find a “middle ground” as a choice for employee health care. 

Patty Charlton said the formula funding study group will meet in the next couple of weeks. 

Darren Divine reminded everyone that the Board of Regents meeting in March 2012 will meet here at CSN’s Charleston Campus. 

Dr. Richards reported that enrollment as of Friday, September 9, was down about 8%. 

Meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m. 

Next meeting scheduled October 10, 2011.

 

aml

The CSN Chronicle 

Greetings to all of you!  As we near the mid-way point in the semester, I hope things are going well. Because a number of fine rumors are circulating, I’m going to start this Chronicle by addressing some of them.  Then I’ll share information about other important news and activities.  

Rumor Control 

Distance education will be outsourced.  No.  We have no plans to change anything regarding distance education other than the learning management system (LMS).  

Nevada will create a virtual college.  No.  Although a recommendation in the report of the Fresh Look Task Force advanced the idea, there is no support, particularly at CSN, to create a redundant online college.  CSN is already fully on online, delivering excellent classes and student support services. 

The new password policy is an administrative decree.  No.  The new policy and the reasons for it were exhaustively discussed in Faculty Senate last spring.  As I mentioned at convocation, the intent of the policy is to protect college and employee information through regular changes in passwords. Requiring regular password changes is a common practice at many businesses and organizations. 

Starting Nov. 1, the new computer password protection standards will take effect and you will be prompted to change your Active Directory password. Please be proactive and change your Active Directory password as soon as possible before Nov. 1.  Changing your password now will ensure the new standards are implemented smoothly.  This is part of the Information Systems and Electronic Resources Acceptable Use Policy that was approved in May. Information about password protection can be found in section II G. 

The state/national Complete College America (CCA) agenda will threaten current curricula and programs.  No.  While CSN and other institutions are learning more about how the CCA will affect Nevada, the aspects discussed by the administration integrate into existing structures and programs, predominately in student services.  

CSN is pleased to host professional meetings at its campuses.  This month we will host the Western Region Council for Black American Affairs with its many events and professional activities Oct. 28-29.

 Human Resources Improvements 

Watch for the HR Newsletter, issued periodically with current information from Human Resources.  The newsletter will be posted on the web. 

HR staff members are working steadily to improve services to all CSN employees.  A new software system for administering leave is being tested, and a new I-9 system has been acquired.  Both systems will make our operations more effective and efficient.  I hope, too, that you have visited the new HR web site.  The product of months of effort, the new site offers a wonderful resource for faculty and staff.  Also, take advantage of HR staff visits to other CSN campuses.  Their regular circuit of visits saves you travel time.    

Our facilities staff members, under the direction of Sherri Payne, continue with the phased plan to upgrade space at the Cheyenne campus.  New carpet and paint has made a huge difference, along with improved mechanical systems.  Restrooms are next on the list of projects.  We have also introduced new directional maps and signage to all three campuses.  In some cases room numbers will be revised for more systematic “way-finding,” a particular need at Cheyenne.  Exterior maps are also part of this project.  Our thanks to Sherri, Luis Tristan and the team for these much-needed improvements.

System Planning and Fiscal Direction 

At a special meeting of the Board of Regents on Oct. 21, the Board is expected to develop its strategic direction in preparation for the 2013 legislative session.  The goals and objectives of the Nevada System of Higher Education have not been updated for some time, particularly as the national college completion and workforce competency agendas have been published.  It is expected, too, that institutional performance measurements will be introduced as an aspect of NSHE’s strategic plan.  

We at CSN have developed preliminary directions and ideas for the revision of the state funding formula.  A legislatively-approved study is getting underway as members of the study committee and working group have been named.  From CSN, Patty Charlton is on the working group, and I am on the study committee.  

On Thursday, Dec. 8, CSN is celebrating the end of the year with a Holiday Fiesta at Texas Station. The ‘fiesta’ theme celebrates the large and colorful community gatherings of Latino culture. You should be getting a ‘Save the Date’ e-mail soon, so mark your calendars and plan to join us for this wonderful and festive celebration. Tickets, which go to support CSN programs and scholarships, are $5 and go on sale Nov. 1. Again, we are collecting Three Square donations at the door. The CSN Foundation sponsors the holiday party, and we thank the trustees for their continuing support. I have every assurance that this year’s event will be even more fun than last year. More information is available at www.csn.edu/holidayparty.

Hispanic Heritage Month 

I would also like to encourage you to help CSN celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. You can do this in a number of ways, such as attending the CSN Cesar Chavez Scholarship Luncheon on Oct. 26 at the Stratosphere.  In addition, there is a Wine & Tequila Tasting Fundraiser on Nov. 1 at the Blue Martini at Town Square. More information about both events, which raise money for CSN student scholarships, is available on the CSN home page.

Reminder: Driving and Cell Phones

I would like to remind everyone that talking, texting or otherwise using a handheld device like a cell phone while driving is now against the law as of Oct. 1. Please do not use your handheld device while operating your vehicle at any time. Whomever you need to communicate with – whether it is a coworker, a supervisor at CSN, a family member or friend – will understand and appreciate your prudence if you wait until you are off the road and no longer operating a vehicle to contact them.   I want to stress that you must not use your cell phone to conduct CSN business on your phone while driving at any time. 

Regents Awards

The college’s Internal Recognition Committee is now soliciting nominations for the NSHE regents’ awards, including Regents’ Scholar, Regents’ Teaching, Regents’ Academic Advisor and Regents’ Creative Activities awards. As you will recall when our own Dennis Soukup won the Regents’ Teaching Award this past year, it was a huge source of pride for the college. Each award also comes with a $5,000 stipend. Nomination materials are due to Jann Carson by 5 p.m. on Oct. 21 at jann.carson@csn.edu. For more information on these awards, go to www.csn.edu/recognition.

The committee will also begin soliciting nominations for the excellence and distinguished awards (these are given out at convocation) shortly. 

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“How’s fall enrollment?” 

Our official census date is Oct. 15, but the last numbers I saw indicated headcount and FTE enrollment were down about 10%. 

“Why is enrollment down?”

CSN’s enrollment history is cyclical and we have periods of growth and decline. We believe enrollment is declining as many Nevadans, who would be students, have been told that our education system is broken and are looking out of state for postsecondary opportunities.  We’ve talked for six months about closing sites and even a campus.  That probably didn’t help.  Nevada’s population is no longer growing as it once was, and many who have lost their jobs in recent years have given up and moved away instead of enrolling at CSN to obtain more marketable skills.  Increasing tuition and fees probably did not help either.  But I would not say enrollment is suffering. For the past three years, CSN’s student population has grown and we have some catching up to do.  I see this as an opportunity to look inward and focus on the quality of the education we provide and making sure all of our students receive the attention, knowledge and skills they need to achieve their goals. 

Best regards to all.

 

–Mike Richards

August 8, 2011

Cabinet Members:

President Mike Richards
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Director, Communication & Events
Thomas Brown, Senior Advisor to the President – absent
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Student Affairs   �
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Shellie Keller, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly – absent
Rob Telles, President, Classified Council
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus – absent �
Charles Milne, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations �
Aimee Riley, President, Student Government
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair – absent              �
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer  

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the June cabinet meeting were approved.

Dr. Richards reviewed some upcoming events for August and September, including the Adjunct Impact Conference on August 20, Convocation on August 22 and the Board of Regents Meeting on September 8-9 at Desert Research Institute here in Las Vegas.

Jacque Matthews said a new insert in the Las Vegas Review Journal will be out on September 7, highlighting student success, the new Dean of Arts & Letters, Wendy Weiner, Seth Maurer, a former CSN student who now serves on the CSN Foundation Board of Trustees, a former CSN culinary student who now works as a chef in a well-known California restaurant and much more. A $25,000 grant from WalMart was applied to CSN’s Learn and Earn Program. MGM donated $57,000 to CSN– $40,000 to Dental Faculty Practice for senior citizen dental care, and $17,000 to Learn & Earn. Jacque said the Board of Trustees met on June 21 to further develop a comprehensive campaign for CSN. The Board divided into 10 industry teams with chairs chosen for each. The Executive Committee will meet on August 16. The Foundation hired a part-time major gifts officer, Lou Emmert.

Dan Morris reported that iNtegrate progress is right on task with the projected schedule. Enrollment cancellation will follow the payment due date of August 11 for fall semester classes. The iNtegrate team, Registrar and Student Financial Services are working to ensure that enrollment is not cancelled for students with pending financial aid. The contracts have ended for the consultants assisting with the new system processes in Admissions, but the Financial Services and Advising consultants still have a bit longer to assist.

Aimee Riley said Student Government is in the process of planning and goal setting for the new academic year. They are currently working on filling appointments—2 on the Charleston campus and 1 for Cheyenne. She reported that Papa John’s Pizza donated food for the Student Welcome Back Event; and an agreement has been secured with Papa John’s for CSN students to receive a 50% discount. Implementing Club Ride is also on Student Government’s list of tasks to complete. A Health and Wellness committee has been established with the intention to focus on more than athletics. The broader scope will include campus food options, dental care, stress management, sport program promotions and possibly a golf team. Aimee said she has heard a lot of feedback regarding Math and Science classes’ lack of availability.

Chuck Milne said that Faculty Senate is working on appointments, and there should be more to report as the academic year progresses.

Dr. Richards told the group that NSHE Chancellor Dan Klaich and Board of Regents Vice Chair, Regent Kevin Page will attend CSN’s convocation at the Texas. He reminded everyone to attend and to take advantage of the many training opportunities offered by CAPE during convocation week.

Enrollment is down for the fall semester, primarily due to budget cuts. The Nevada System of Higher Education is organizing a formula study committee to work through the funding equity problem. The group will report back to the Legislature in 2013.

Dr. Richards said that many employees and students are struggling with emotional issues, depression and various upsetting situations, especially in the current economic climate. He asked that the cabinet members be sensitive to the uncertainty people are feeling. There are resources available to employees through the Employee Assistance program, and for students, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). He encouraged everyone to rally around hurting individuals and help when possible.

Darren Divine told the group that the remodel of the science labs at the Cheyenne campus is almost complete and the whole thing looks great. He told everyone to take a look if they get the chance, and that Sherri Payne and all the facilities folks did a terrific job.

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled September 12.

aml

In June 2010, Chancellor Dan Klaich established a taskforce of business and community leaders in Nevada to take a “fresh look” at Nevada’s community colleges and examine:

• Are we adequately preparing students with the skills and knowledge that will be required by employers?
• Are the colleges truly aligned with the future employment and learning needs of Nevadans?

The taskforce became known as the “Fresh Look at Nevada’s Community Colleges Task Force,” chaired by Bruce James.

Meeting each month for a year, the Task Force examined demographic and labor forecasts; roles, missions, successes and challenges at each community college in the state; partnerships and transfer practices; and derived 10 recommendations for consideration by the Nevada System of Higher Education. Below is a summary of each of the recommendation. The full report can be found here. As a faculty, staff or student at CSN, one of the largest and I would argue most important community colleges in the nation, what do you think about these? Please post your thoughts.

1.  Create a Strategic Plan Focused on Student Learning Outcomes

Create a 10-year, statewide plan for Nevada community colleges to be updated annually, using measurable goals and focusing on student success milestones and learning outcomes.

2.  Focus on Future Technology Needs

Establish a technology board for community colleges charged with creating an annual plan for the implementation of best practices that, in turn, would meet the goals of the strategic plan (See recommendation 1.)  Furthermore, partnerships with industry, foundations, etc., would form the basis of state and local networks of advisory committees at each college.

3.  Leverage Resources to Benefit Learners

Establish a Nevada Virtual College (NVC) to deliver e-courses and programs for degree seeking students.  This would be a separate entity, from the private sector, with community college faculty providing student outcomes. Students would bear the full cost of the course.  Partnerships with other proprietary institutions and public college would be linked to NVC.

4.  Create Pathways for K-16 Learners to Succeed

Strengthen partnerships with K-12 in developing clearer pathways from high school, to college, to careers.  Embrace the new Common Core State Standards as a framework for curriculum alignment.  Reinvigorate the Nevada P-16 Advisory Council.

5.  Remake Remedial Education

Return remedial education to the high schools.  Contract adult education with the private sector.  Redirect remedial resources to expand college readiness efforts.

6.  Implement Variable Tuition Pricing

Consider pricing by highest and best use of teaching resources aligned with the state’s needs as defined by a strategic plan.  Consider pricing by semester and student type.

7.  Increase Meaningful Certificates

Better align certificates with actual career opportunities with a close partnership with the Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation (DETR).  Certificate and degree programs should be “stackable.”

8.  Expand Dual High School and College Enrollment

Expand cooperative programs that enroll prepared 11^th and 12^th graders simultaneously, with a 10-year goal of having a third of Nevada’s 12th graders graduating at the age of 18 with a high school diploma as well as an associate degree or certification in an occupation/technical specialty.  Consider pricing incentives for participation; deliver college-level courses through NVC.

9.  Change the State Funding Formula for Community Colleges

Re-evaluate the state funding formula for the successful completion of key milestones, courses, and completion.  Encourage enrollment of committed learners prepared for college work.

10.  Move Governance to the Source

Community colleges should be responsive to community needs.  The Board of Regents should consider delegating part of its authority to local governing councils to oversee the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Learners (again, see recommendation 1).  Each local council might have five to seven members appointed by the Board of Regents.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and having a meaningful discussion on these recommendations. The Board of Regents will discuss the full report at their September meeting on Sept. 8 and 9 at DRI’s Las Vegas campus. The meeting will be video-streamed live and a link will be located on the CSN home page.

I want to follow-up on a news story that aired on Wednesday about the exposure of certain student data and provide you with complete and accurate information. Last week, a menu item link in our student information system, MyCSN, was inadvertently activated that allowed students to search and view other students’ names, addresses, telephone numbers, NSHE IDs, class schedules, dates of birth and the last four digits of their social security numbers.

This occurred in the course of making some security changes to the system and steps were immediately taken to resolve the issue on Friday when we were made aware of and verified the problem.

The information that was potentially exposed for approximately 48 hours did not contain personally identifiable information as defined by state statute, involving financial accounts, driver’s license numbers or social security numbers. In addition, no grades, financial aid, counseling or similar information was able to be viewed. Only students logged into MyCSN had the ability to access the link and search for student information.

I want to assure you that we at CSN and the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) are committed to the security of your personal information, and we have re-doubled our efforts to protect your data. As a result of this incident, we have changed our procedures to require all security changes that impact the student portal of MyCSN to be reviewed at least twice by separate units before being implemented. In addition, we are working to alter certain features to create a more secure electronic environment for students through MyCSN so that we may all enjoy the benefits and efficiencies of this new system.

Lastly, it is important to note that everyone within the CSN community, including faculty, staff and students, has an obligation to respect the privacy of others. If you come upon someone else’s private information, do not pass it on or display it publicly, but rather take steps to stop the disclosure and notify the proper authority – in this case the Office of Student Affairs or the HELP desk at 651-HELP — so that any inadvertent exposure can be corrected immediately.

If you have any questions about this matter, please contact Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Chemene Crawford’s office at 651-5830.

Sincerely,

 

Dr. Michael D. Richards,

CSN President

 

I would like to take a moment to call attention to a few CSN students who have received national attention in their fields this summer! 

Congratulations to CSN Floral Design Students Monica Macaibay, Gayoung Park and Teryl Tollefsen-Soren for placing in the top 10 places at the summer Student American Institute of Floral Design Competition in San Francisco.

Monica Macaibay took first place in the Sweetheart Table Design competition with this creation:

Gayoung Park took sixth place in the bridal bouquet design and eighth place in the buffet table design competitions and Teryl Tollefsen-Soren took fifth place in the buffet table design.

More than 15 colleges and 57 students competed. Congratulations to the CSN Floral Design Program on their success at this national competition.

In other news, congratulations to CSN student Connor Stidham, who took first place at the national SkillsUSA HVAC competition.

Connor, 18, graduated from CSN this spring and is the first student to take advantage of a fast-track HVAC associate’s degree option.

He received his associate’s just prior to obtaining his high school diploma from Foothill High School.

His story is not unusual for community colleges, which educate roughly half America’s higher education students and have a tradition of using innovation to train a skilled local workforce in the latest technologies.

He is also the first in his family to receive a postsecondary degree.

I’d like to extend big congratulations to Connor and the CSN Air Conditioning Technology Program on their gold medal!

Cabinet Notes

May 09, 2011

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
Vartouhi Asherian, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Director – absent 
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs – absent  
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Administration    
J.T. Creedon, Student Government President
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs – absent
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair                            
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Larry Mason, Chief Diversity Officer – absent  
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations  
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer – absent
Guest: Hyla Winters 

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m. 

The April 18 Cabinet notes were approved. 

New Cabinet Members were introduced and welcomed:
Shellie Keller, AFA Chair
Charles Milne, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Aimee Riley, Student Government President 

Dr. Richards reviewed upcoming events, including Commencement on May 23, the Memorial Day holiday on May 30, the Celebrity Golf Tournament, June 2, Fall Convocation at the Texas Station on August 22, and the beginning of the fall semester on August 29. 

Each month the Strategic Plan will be discussed and updated as to what progress has been made by divisions and departments. Joan McGee asked Jacque Matthews to give highlights of the Foundation’s Strategic Goals and Objectives in the Plan for this month’s report. Jacque began by telling the group that the Foundation Board of Trustees attended a planning retreat in November and covered the three core themes of CSN’s Strategic Plan: Access, Diversity and Quality. The objective of the retreat was to develop planning aligned with these core themes. They developed 5- and 10-year goals with 3 basic campaigns:

1. Raising funds for CSN, perpetuating and promoting the College as a superior public institution providing post-secondary education
2. Securing additional resources to enhance educational programs
3. Assisting CSN in providing educational opportunities for the prosperity and well being of the individual and community

In December they formed 3 subcommittees to address first, construction and capital projects, in which they will work closely with Patty Charlton and Sherri Payne; second, institutional support; and third, scholarships.  Additionally, the Foundation Board will meet in June, maybe having a leadership summit. The fundraising goal for the next ten years is $250M. Jacque said there has been a real mindset change, knowing there will be little State support for the College, and the Foundation will take on more than ever before. 

Dr. Richards reminded everyone that Strategic Planning dovetails into Accreditation for each department and division; and he called on Hyla Winters to discuss CSN’s accreditation process and progress. 

Dr. Winters reviewed with the group the new accreditation process. The former system, with nine standards, has evolved to this new system with five standards which need to be continually assessed and reported. The accreditation process will align closely with the strategic plan. The first report is due September 1 and concerns Standard 1 only. A site visit is scheduled for spring of 2013, and will validate years 1 & 2 reporting. The various standards and visits will continue through spring of 2017, at which time CSN should be in full compliance with all five standards. The main idea and focus of the accreditation process is meant to keep the institution continually focused on the standards. Hyla has invited Dr. Ronald Baker, Executive Vice President for NWCCU (CSN’s accrediting body), to come to CSN this fall. The purpose of his visit is to meet with faculty and staff, faculty senate and administration and make suggestions, help with changes and give a pre-evaluation.  

Dr. Richards gave an update on the special Board of Regents meeting on Friday, May 6 and highlighted Chancellor Klaich’s 4-point plan. The plan’s main points are:

1. The “smoothing” of cuts—same amount for each year of the biennium
2. 13% increase in student fees each year with 15% allocated for Financial Aid
3. Institutions to cut $43.3M  in expenditures each year
4. Request for new money into the General Fund (suggestion of $80M)

The legislative money committees have accepted the plan, but it has to be voted on and approved by the Governor.

The Board adopted a re-districting plan for the Regents using the 2010 census as a guideline. The new districts were approved. 

Also at the meeting, Mark Johnson was named interim President for UNR; and Bart Patterson’s Efficiency and Effectiveness draft report has been posted to the NSHE website. 

Vartouhi Asherian reported that the AFA is still working to keep members informed of all the goings on at CSN. She thanked Patty Charlton and Richard Hinckley for attending the AFA meetings and helping with that task. She believes the information coming forth helps to alleviate some of the tension among administrative faculty. She is working with Diane Waryas to discern some of the climate survey feedback as well. 

Richard Hinckley reported that all proposals to the Legislature are on the table and we do not as yet know how it will turn out. Lines are still drawn along party lines and affecting bills and legislature, so the next few weeks are critical for communication with representatives. He urged everyone to make contact with the Senators and Assemblymen in each district. 

Bill Kerney thanked everyone and reminded them that this meeting would be his last one. There are four policies being discussed in Faculty Senate regarding elections, sabbatical, annual leave and distance education; the Senate will have a busy year. 

Jacque Matthews reported briefly on the Legacy of Achievement Gala on April 30. She thanked everyone who attended and volunteered. She was pleased with the amount of money raised in this difficult economic climate and reported $400,000-$500,000 that CSN will keep after all expenses for the event are paid. She said that next year the Gala will take place earlier in the month. 

Dan Morris said the registration function of iNtegrate went live for CSN on April 26. The process went fairly well, with a few issues to work through. About 9,000 were successfully registered through the system with 5,200 FTE. Communication for MyCSN was delivered primarily by email. Pre-requisites are being checked in the system, which is a change from SIS and good verification that only students who are prepared for the class are being allowed to take it. All milestones for the iNtegrate project are currently on point. 

Dr. Richards announced some changes in Administration as a follow up to an email sent this morning. Among the changes are Dr. Byrd’s retirement, the elimination of the Administrative Operations Division, and Dr. Chemene Crawford’s appointment as interim VP for Student Affairs. He updated the group on the Work Climate Survey still being evaluated by the committee. He believes he will have a report from that committee by the next cabinet meeting. He reported that 23 individuals received outstanding student awards, two Regent Scholarships were awarded, and the first Jack Kent Cooke scholarship ever awarded in Nevada went to a CSN student this year. Only 50 of these prestigious scholarships are awarded nationally. 

Dr. Richards asked everyone to attend commencement on May 23 at Thomas & Mack. 

Meeting adjourned at 10 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled June 13, 2011.

aml

Colleagues,

State leaders and media outlets have reported a budget agreement in Carson City, and over the weekend, the Legislature passed many of the bills needed to implement the agreement.  While higher education fares better under this accord than under previous plans, there remain many difficult cuts we will need to face during the next two years. We are still learning the specifics of the agreement, and we’re finding that some issues remain undecided, but I want to let you know what we know at this time.

CSN and other institutions sought funding for the NSHE Four-Point Plan:  1) averaging budget cuts between fiscal years or “smoothing,” 2) tuition and fee increases of 13% in each fiscal year, 3) general fund restoration of $40 million each year to the system, and 4) institutional operating cuts.  We also supported the Regents’ request for equity funding.

Action from the money committees closed with a letter of intent that only allowed a single 13% overall fee increase instead of the 13% + 13% the system had brought forward.  This issue is still undecided.  Also undecided are issues related to retaining fees and other reforms NSHE institutions requested.

Other elements of the Four-Point Plan were adopted.  Cuts will be smoothed, $40 million in general funds will be restored each year to the system, and institutional operating cuts will be made at a reduced level.  CSN will also receive $1.5 million over the biennium to address equity issues.

Compensation cuts were also made, but at a reduced level.  Salaries for CSN employees will be reduced 2.5%, and six furlough days will be implemented in each year of the next biennium. It is our belief that this applies to classified and professional employees.  Anticipated changes in PEBP benefits will also be imposed.

CSN proposed to the Board of Regents and Legislature a plan to make program and access cuts, which will now be scaled back. We will, however, continue with our administrative consolidations and changes.  With the restoration of funds, CSN can continue its access mission, although at a reduced level.  CSN will continue to operate its learning centers at Palo Verde, Western and Green Valley high schools, in Mesquite, and at Nellis AFB.  The Henderson campus, once under discussion for possible closure, will also remain in full operation.  The Horn Theatre on the Cheyenne campus will remain operational as a community and teaching theatre.  Fewer vacant positions will be swept, and the budget will continue to provide equipment and library support.  CSN will still have a sizable budget cut affecting college operations and leading to the closure of the other sites and centers during the biennium. 

Clearly, the budget for the next biennium could have been much worse.  Two weeks ago the scenario for the budget was pretty dire.  Even with these improvements to the budget CSN will still operate at the lowest funding level per FTE in NSHE and among peer institutions, and reductions in compensation (salary and benefit levels) for our employees will severely handicap our ability to recruit and retain quality faculty and staff. 

I am increasingly concerned about the student “brain drain” in Nevada as more and more outstanding students leave our state to continue their education.  We’re losing gifted and able students to funding (i.e., state commitment to higher education) uncertainties.

Nevertheless, CSN will continue its mission in the next biennium to the fullest extent resources allow.

Mike

Cabinet Notes

April 18, 2011

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
Vartouhi Asherian, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly – absent – Shellie Keller, proxy
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Director – absent
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Administration        
J.T. Creedon, Student Government President
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel – absent
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair                         
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Larry Mason, Chief Diversity Officer
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus – absent
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations – absent
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer – absent   

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m. He began with announcing the passing of UNR President Milton Glick over the weekend, and asked the cabinet members to honor Dr. Glick with a moment of silence. 

The March cabinet meeting was canceled due to Dr. Richards’ evaluation and postponed further due to the American Association of Community Colleges Conference. The notes of the February 14, 2011 cabinet meeting were approved. Dr. Richards mentioned several upcoming events including the Legacy of Achievement Gala on April 30, Commencement Ceremony May 23, some tentative special Board of Regents meetings on May 6 and May 27, and the regular Board of Regents meeting in Reno, June 16-17. The regular session of the Legislature ends June 7. 

Jacque Matthews spoke a bit about the Gala and was pleased that there have been 50 tables sold so far. She said there would be some special honorees at the event which commemorates CSN’s 40 years of service to Southern Nevada. Some of the honorees include Thomas Brown and John Rosich, who have been with CSN all 40 years, and CSN’s first President, Stephen Nicholson. Jacque reminded everyone about the celebrity golf tournament set to take place at the Badlands Golf Course June 2. The Foundation is still looking for 10 more teams to play, so she asked the cabinet members to tell all their friends and anyone who might enjoy a day of golf with celebrity sports figures. 

J.T. Creedon gave an update on Student Government. He said the constituents were mostly involved in advocacy activities, continuing their push in the legislature. Other goings-on include Club Ride (in progress), new furniture in Charleston’s B Building Lobby and Cheyenne’s June Whitley Student Center, and a $56,000 donation for solar panels at the Cheyenne Campus. On April 15 there was a no-tax rally that had a turnout of about 200 people; the protest rally from CSN had about 1500 participants. J.T. was proud to report that it was the largest protest rally in Nevada history.

Thomas Brown shared an abridged version of CSN’s Affirmative Action Plan for 2011. He informed the cabinet members that he meets regularly with Dr. Richards regarding CSN’s Affirmative Action goals. This year’s plan begins with the department’s Mission Statement, Goals, Objectives and a letter of support from Dr. Richards. Thomas informed everyone that compliance with Affirmative Action regulations ensures that CSN is eligible for many grants; and that conversely, non-compliance can result in the rescinding of funds awarded. Thomas works with all the search committees and reviews all job descriptions to ensure compliance as well.

He explained several of the tables contained in the report, which list the departments and divisions and record the compliance and disparity with regard to targeted goals. He said that as a whole, CSN is doing fairly well, but the objective is to continually improve our results. The full report can be accessed using this link: http://www.csn.edu/uploadedfiles/Affirmative%20Action/2011%20AA%20Plan.pdf 

Chemene Crawford reported on the departments in Administrative Operations.

• CAPE is looking for MyCSN  trainers. Chemene asked that potential trainers contact Anneli Adams. CAPE also recently sent out a professional development survey for input as to what offerings to present to faculty and staff, and is looking for presenters for Convocation as well.
• Campus Police has hired an Emergency Preparedness Manager, Frank Bertone, in compliance with the Emergency Management Grant. The position is temporary and funded by the grant.   
• Human Resources – training sessions for the professional faculty and staff evaluation process in PeopleAdmin are being offered on all three campuses: Charleston, April 20^th, 2-4 p.m.; Cheyenne, April 28^th, 9-11 a.m.; Henderson, May 6^th, 2-4 p.m. 

Cat Maihen gave an update on the goings on in Classified Council since she last reported to Cabinet. The first item was a good donation to Angel Tree from funds raised with BooGrams in October. Cat and other council members volunteered to assist with Climate Survey distribution in January to employees without regular access to computers. Their efforts added 56 surveys to the pool of responses, the aggregate of which are being evaluated by the Climate Survey Committee currently. During Spring Convocation, the Foundation made available help with preparing wills and trusts for CSN employees, and many classified folks enjoyed the complimentary assistance and information. The Classified Luncheon during Spring Break had a good turnout and several members participated in a roundtable discussion with Dr. Richards afterward. There will be one more fundraiser in May; and in June Cat’s term as President of the Council is up. She said there may be amendments to the bylaws that will decrease representation to one representative per 40 employees, down from the 1:25 ratio that exists currently. 

Larry Mason announced the Asian Pacific Islander month kick-off celebration would take place on April 20^th in the circular courtyard outside of the “D” Building. He reminded the members to look for notices about upcoming events this month and participate whenever possible. There are a number of events at the Henderson campus this year as well, including an anti-defamation league meeting and peace summit. In May, an Asian Pacific Islander luncheon is being scheduled-details to be announced. The Latin Leadership Summit will take place soon with CCSD members participating, in particular Canyon Springs High School and Mojave High School representatives. 

Penny McCollum said the Henderson Horticulture Department received a gift from the Aria Hotel of three large palm trees. They were planted in the area in front of building C on the Henderson Campus. The campus staff facilitated a writing campaign to assist students, staff and faculty through the process of accessing the Budget Issues and MyCSNStory websites so they could share personal stories with members of the legislature. The Henderson Campus/Hinman Elementary Communities-in-Schools Partnership has been productive and facilitated several events including:

• 2^nd Annual CSN Baseball/Softball clinic October 2
• Adopted two Hinman Elementary School families, donated holiday gifts and dinners
• Volunteered for Hinman Reading week
• Will hold a Hinman Family Night Out – BBQ and CSN Baseball Game on April 29. This is the first year and the campus has received 65 RSVPs so far. Penny is working on acquiring media coverage for the event.
• Judging the Hinman Science Fair on May 10 for the 2^nd year
• 5^th grade field trip to Henderson Campus planned for 2011-2012 academic year
• Participation in College Awareness night at Hinman in 2011-2012 academic year

Other happenings on the Henderson Campus included a very successful blood drive in March, with another one planned for late April, the Spring Ketchup in March that was well-attended, and the upcoming Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, April 28. The Henderson Campus Social Committee hosted monthly spring semester social gatherings for the Henderson campus community—February, “Presidential Tea,” March, Spring Fling Picnic; and planned for May are pre-finals campus treat deliveries. In preparation for fall registration beginning April 26, AA support staff are training on the new PeopleSoft System. Penny was happy to report that all the issues related to the January flood at the Boulder City Center have been resolved. She is very appreciative of Luis Tristan and the amazing job the Facilities Department did in readying the building to resume spring semester classes. 

Darren Divine, on Joan McGee’s behalf, gave a quick update on CSN’s Strategic Plan. He asked that the cabinet members pay attention to the “numina.net” reminders that are being sent to various department heads, VP’s and Administrators, and read the objectives. He assured everyone that the tasks listed with due dates are not major undertakings. They are mostly things we are already doing; and the reminders are mostly prompts to encourage you to take a closer look at the items and to be sure the progress is on track. If it is not, the reminder serves as a cue to address it promptly. 

John Bearce reported that the new PeopleSoft system would be live for fall registration on April 26. Students may have questions about the new process and a “how-to” page has been set up at this link: http://www.csn.edu/aboutmycsn 

Jacque Matthews asked to end the meeting on a positive note, and read a letter from a former student. The letter was written in response to the Foundation’s spread in the Las Vegas Review Journal commemorating CSN’s 40^th Anniversary. The letter detailed how CSN was instrumental in her success and in the success of much of her family. Her CSN Associates Degree opened the door to continuing her education at Loyola Marymount, then to U.C. Berkley where she earned her law degree. One brother, after earning his Associate at CSN went on to Harvard; another brother transferred from CSN to UNLV and is studying to be a physician. Her father teaches and tutors at CSN. The letter, Jacque said, is particularly timely and serves to remind us that what we do here really goes beyond the immediate. She reminded us that we here at CSN touch lives every day and we are really doing good things for people. 

Meeting adjourned at 10 a.m. 

Next meeting scheduled May 9, 2011.

Greetings and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for April 2010.  This is an opportunity for me to share information with the CSN family and to address questions that have broad interest.       

Board of Regents Meetings

A special meeting of the Board of Regents was held on Friday, April 16^th at DRI in Las Vegas.  The purpose of the meeting was to receive and act on budget reduction plans, and to adopt tuition and fee recommendations for the next biennium.  As a follow-up to our town hall meeting the previous week, I wanted to let you know that CSN’s plan was presented and approved with no changes.  On June 2-4 in Reno, the Board will hold its next regular meeting.   A salient theme for that meeting is the legislative request for the 2011 session.   

Preliminary spring semester enrollment at CSN was 43,431 headcount, up 6.7 percent over the previous year, and 22,060 FTE, up 5.6 percent over the previous year.  Preliminary enrollments are reported mid semester by all NSHE institutions.  Final enrollment reports are provided at the end of each semester.

Budget Status

As many of you know, CSN prepared a budget reduction plan for the remaining 16 months of the current biennium, and the plan has been shared internally, posted on the web, and approved for implementation.   Our initial budget included a reserve of approximately $1.2M to accommodate an anticipated shortfall, but CSN will still lose about 60 vacant or frozen positions, and reduce about 760 student FTEs in discrete programs.  We further expect that in FY 2011, state revenues will again fall short of projections, and we plan to set aside an operating reserve in case of a mid-year budget cut.   

Recommendations from the ad hoc committee on organizational structure will be submitted at the end of April.  I’m told that the committee has had spirited discussions as well as opportunities for input from the college community.  There are a range of recommendations, and some will be implemented over the summer months.  Others, however, will require more review and input during early fall semester.  I’ll be consulting with our employee groups about this process.

Strategic PlanCSN’s revised strategic plan, charting our course from the next seven years, was presented to the President’s Cabinet and streamed live on the web, prior to being posted on the CSN web site for final review.  Over the summer, we’ll be preparing to submit the plan to the Board of Regents for its actions.  The planning committee, chaired by Drs. Anneli Adams and Joan McGee, worked nearly a year on the update.  If you have any input you’d like to share, please take a moment and submit it on the comment form on the web site.  

Gala

The annual gala that our CSN Foundation and NV Energy sponsor will be held this weekend at the M Resort.  The event is sold out—a singular tribute to community support for CSN.  We will recognize many community leaders that evening, but the most important outcome is scholarships for CSN students.  We are grateful for the support and the work of our staff in the Foundation for making these annual events such a success. 

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“What preparation can we do now for the 2011 Legislative session?”

Right now we’re preparing and watching state revenue figures.  The state is down $3-3.5 billion for the next biennium, and it presents a historic challenge to keep the state viable.  But this June, nearly every CSN employee can have an impact on the decisions that will be made in the next biennium as you participate in the political primary election:    

• Support good candidates in your Assembly and Senate districts who are supportive of CSN, higher education and Nevada’s future.
• Vote in the primary election in June.  Plan now to work for supportive candidates and to share your concerns about education and the future of the state. 

The renovation of science facilities at Cheyenne is drawing the attention of legislative and public works staffs who will be visiting the campus later this spring.  This project is essential to our ability to provide state-of-the-art instruction in nearly every science discipline.  We are anxious to move the project forward to completion.

As spring semester winds down, I extend my best regards.

–Mike Richards

This May Chronicle is intended to provide you with the latest news and information as the academic year comes to an end.  Many of you will be gone from our campuses when the Legislature finalizes our budget and acts on other business, and there is much activity on many fronts that I’d like you to know about.   

Graduation

On Monday, May 23, CSN’s commencement ceremony will be held at the Thomas & Mack Center at 6 p.m.  A record number of students, more than 2,200, will be graduating from the college.  We will also recognize Mr. Bart Masi and Mr. Tony Sanchez with honorary degrees.   I hope you will join us for this special tribute to our students.

Gala

The CSN Foundation sponsored its annual Legacy of Achievement Gala at the Paris Hotel on April 30.  Commemorating CSN’s 40^th anniversary, the gala honored three local foundations that have generously supported CSN and the community in recent years.   More than $250,000 (net) was raised for student scholarships.  Our thanks to the Foundation Board of Trustees and to Jacque Matthews and her wonderful staff for another successful evening—the best event of its kind in Las Vegas!    

Key Dates:

• May 23 – Commencement
• June 7 – Regular Session of the Nevada Legislature Ends
• August 22  – Fall Convocation, Texas Station
• August 29  – Fall Semester Begins 

NSHE Budget Status

• The initial closing of the higher education budget is scheduled for Wednesday, May 18.  I am spending Monday and Tuesday in Carson City on a final press on behalf of CSN and NSHE.  In addition, our students are also traveling to Carson to advocate our needs one more time;
• The Economic Forum recommended more revenues for the state budget, and the Legislature will build the new budget with these additional funds;
• Currently, based on the governor’s recommendations and the distribution of new revenues, CSN would have to reduce its budget nearly 16 percent the first year of the biennium, and 10 percent during the second year.  The published plan for these reductions would still need action by the Board of Regents;
• Currently the Legislature is proposing a 5 percent compensation cut for state employees (excluding K-12 teachers) that includes a 2.5 percent salary rollback and furlough of another 2.5 percent.  We are not sure if this will be the final action on compensation, nor do we know the mechanics of a 2.5 percent furlough program;
• Legislation to give more flexibility to institutions of higher education, including retention of fee revenue, remains to be acted on;
• The governor’s position that campuses should charge higher tuition and fees and seek more federal financial aid for students is embodied in CSN’s plan for a 13 percent increase in fees for each year of the new biennium.  From that revenue, 15 percent would be earmarked for financial assistance to students.  We are formulating a plan for administering that additional financial aid; and
• We are proceeding to implement the CSN budget reduction plan that we have published.  Because of notification requirements and the need to prepare for the next academic year, we are moving forward on the decisions described in the plan.

Chancellor Klaich, institutional presidents and the Board of Regents have proposed a Four-Point Plan for NSHE’s budget that is the focus of our advocacy efforts.  Here’s the plan (dollar amounts are NSHE totals):

1. Averaging the cuts between FY 12 and FY 13 (no additional cost to the state),
2. Increasing student fees by 13 percent in FY 12 and an additional 13 percent in FY 13 (generating $64.6 million over the biennium),
3. Cutting expenditures $43.3 million each year, and
4. Adding new general fund support of $40.3 million each year.

If this plan is approved by the Legislature, NSHE institutions would be able to restore many services.  System-wide, these add-backs are projected to:

• Maintain access for over 12,700 students who would have otherwise been turned away.
• Avoid the elimination of 560 faculty and support staff positions. 

Good News—Our Students

On May 4^th the Outstanding Student Awards recognized 23 exceptional students from age 17 to. . . older.  Scholarships and tributes to the students were widely shared, and two Regents scholarships were also awarded.  The final award of the evening was a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarship to Maryknoll Palisoc.  For the first time, Nevada and CSN presented a Jack Kent Cooke scholarship to a transfer student.  The award is for $30,000 a year, renewable up to three years.  What a wonderful evening!

I’m delighted to share this news about our students.  We have excellent students who achieve because of a dedicated faculty and staff and a commitment of many hours of hard work from everyone.  Thank you all for your outstanding service to CSN. 

 

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“What consolidations are underway and what is the projected savings?”

We have announced a number of administrative changes that allow us to direct more resources to our instructional core.  For example, we will be reducing the number of vice presidents from four to three, and workloads will be redistributed to the remaining executive officers.  We’re combining analytical functions into the institutional research office for better coordination and effectiveness.  We’re combining affirmative action, CAPE and HR under one umbrella so that our human capital is better served, trained, and supported.  We’re planning similar consolidations of services in student affairs.   The changes have a disproportionate impact on an already lean administration of the college, but our focus needs to be on CSN’s mission and student access.  We estimate that several hundred thousand dollars will be saved through this process.  We also know, however, that we’ll have to monitor these changes carefully:  an organization can be too efficient and not as effective as it should be.  I’m also concerned about burnout that is the result of an excessive administrative workload. 

“What is the status of the work climate findings and the committee making recommendations on the survey results?

The results of the work climate survey have been posted on the institutional research website, and the faculty and staff committee assigned to review the findings and make recommendations to the administration have been meeting regularly to discuss issues raised in the survey.  I have met with the committee once to provide input and solicit preliminary suggestions.   I anticipate we will have more to report at fall convocation.

“Will there be mass layoffs and program closures as other institutions have threatened?”

At this time, there is no budget scenario under which CSN will respond with additional wide-scale layoffs and beyond those that we have already announced and begun to implement. As we have communicated to you, under CSN’s response to the governor’s proposed budget and under the NSHE Four-Point Plan, CSN has scaled back its access mission to core operations to protect the classroom. CSN will experience profound changes in the way it operates through administrative changes, referenced above, the closure of sites and centers and the scaling back of course offerings. This will impact everyone and involve shared sacrifice, but we believe our plan can deal with the worst-case scenarios that are being proposed, and still maintain the core mission of the college.  In addition, this plan positions CSN to respond quickly and efficiently to future improvements in the health of the economy.

Have a great summer!

 –Mike Richards

Cabinet Notes

April 18, 2011

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
Vartouhi Asherian, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly – absent – Shellie Keller, proxy
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Director – absent
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Administration
J.T. Creedon, Student Government President
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel – absent
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Larry Mason, Chief Diversity Officer
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus – absent
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations – absent
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer – absent

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m. He began with announcing the passing of UNR President Milton Glick over the weekend, and asked the cabinet members to honor Dr. Glick with a moment of silence.

The March cabinet meeting was canceled due to Dr. Richards’ evaluation and postponed further due to the American Association of Community Colleges Conference. The notes of the February 14, 2011 cabinet meeting were approved. Dr. Richards mentioned several upcoming events including the Legacy of Achievement Gala on April 30, Commencement Ceremony May 23, some tentative special Board of Regents meetings on May 6 and May 27, and the regular Board of Regents meeting in Reno, June 16-17. The regular session of the Legislature ends June 7.

Jacque Matthews spoke a bit about the Gala and was pleased that there have been 50 tables sold so far. She said there would be some special honorees at the event which commemorates CSN’s 40 years of service to Southern Nevada. Some of the honorees include Thomas Brown and John Rosich, who have been with CSN all 40 years, and CSN’s first President, Stephen Nicholson. Jacque reminded everyone about the celebrity golf tournament set to take place at the Badlands Golf Course June 2. The Foundation is still looking for 10 more teams to play, so she asked the cabinet members to tell all their friends and anyone who might enjoy a day of golf with celebrity sports figures.

J.T. Creedon gave an update on Student Government. He said the constituents were mostly involved in advocacy activities, continuing their push in the legislature. Other goings-on include Club Ride (in progress), new furniture in Charleston’s B Building Lobby and Cheyenne’s June Whitley Student Center, and a $56,000 donation for solar panels at the Cheyenne Campus. On April 15 there was a no-tax rally that had a turnout of about 200 people; the protest rally from CSN had about 1500 participants. J.T. was proud to report that it was the largest protest rally in Nevada history.

Thomas Brown shared an abridged version of CSN’s Affirmative Action Plan for 2011. He informed the cabinet members that he meets regularly with Dr. Richards regarding CSN’s Affirmative Action goals. This year’s plan begins with the department’s Mission Statement, Goals, Objectives and a letter of support from Dr. Richards. Thomas informed everyone that compliance with Affirmative Action regulations ensures that CSN is eligible for many grants; and that conversely, non-compliance can result in the rescinding of funds awarded. Thomas works with all the search committees and reviews all job descriptions to ensure compliance as well.
He explained several of the tables contained in the report, which list the departments and divisions and record the compliance and disparity with regard to targeted goals. He said that as a whole, CSN is doing fairly well, but the objective is to continually improve our results. The full report can be accessed using this link: http://www.csn.edu/uploadedfiles/Affirmative%20Action/2011%20AA%20Plan.pdf

Chemene Crawford reported on the departments in Administrative Operations.

• CAPE is looking for MyCSN trainers. Chemene asked that potential trainers contact Anneli Adams. CAPE also recently sent out a professional development survey for input as to what offerings to present to faculty and staff, and is looking for presenters for Convocation as well.
• Campus Police has hired an Emergency Preparedness Manager, Frank Bertone, in compliance with the Emergency Management Grant. The position is temporary and funded by the grant.
• Human Resources – training sessions for the professional faculty and staff evaluation process in PeopleAdmin are being offered on all three campuses: Charleston, April 20th, 2-4 p.m.; Cheyenne, April 28th, 9-11 a.m.; Henderson, May 6th, 2-4 p.m.

Cat Maihen gave an update on the goings on in Classified Council since she last reported to Cabinet. The first item was a good donation to Angel Tree from funds raised with BooGrams in October. Cat and other council members volunteered to assist with Climate Survey distribution in January to employees without regular access to computers. Their efforts added 56 surveys to the pool of responses, the aggregate of which are being evaluated by the Climate Survey Committee currently. During Spring Convocation, the Foundation made available help with preparing wills and trusts for CSN employees, and many classified folks enjoyed the complimentary assistance and information. The Classified Luncheon during Spring Break had a good turnout and several members participated in a roundtable discussion with Dr. Richards afterward. There will be one more fundraiser in May; and in June Cat’s term as President of the Council is up. She said there may be amendments to the bylaws that will decrease representation to one representative per 40 employees, down from the 1:25 ratio that exists currently.

Larry Mason announced the Asian Pacific Islander month kick-off celebration would take place on April 20th in the circular courtyard outside of the “D” Building. He reminded the members to look for notices about upcoming events this month and participate whenever possible. There are a number of events at the Henderson campus this year as well, including an anti-defamation league meeting and peace summit. In May, an Asian Pacific Islander luncheon is being scheduled-details to be announced. The Latin Leadership Summit will take place soon with CCSD members participating, in particular Canyon Springs High School and Mojave High School representatives.

Penny McCollum said the Henderson Horticulture Department received a gift from the Aria Hotel of three large palm trees. They were planted in the area in front of building C on the Henderson Campus. The campus staff facilitated a writing campaign to assist students, staff and faculty through the process of accessing the Budget Issues and MyCSNStory websites so they could share personal stories with members of the legislature. The Henderson Campus/Hinman Elementary Communities-in-Schools Partnership has been productive and facilitated several events including:

• 2nd Annual CSN Baseball/Softball clinic October 2
• Adopted two Hinman Elementary School families, donated holiday gifts and dinners
• Volunteered for Hinman Reading week
• Will hold a Hinman Family Night Out – BBQ and CSN Baseball Game on April 29. This is the first year and the campus has received 65 RSVPs so far. Penny is working on acquiring media coverage for the event.
• Judging the Hinman Science Fair on May 10 for the 2nd year
• 5th grade field trip to Henderson Campus planned for 2011-2012 academic year
• Participation in College Awareness night at Hinman in 2011-2012 academic year

Other happenings on the Henderson Campus included a very successful blood drive in March, with another one planned for late April, the Spring Ketchup in March that was well-attended, and the upcoming Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, April 28. The Henderson Campus Social Committee hosted monthly spring semester social gatherings for the Henderson campus community—February, “Presidential Tea,” March, Spring Fling Picnic; and planned for May are pre-finals campus treat deliveries. In preparation for fall registration beginning April 26, AA support staff are training on the new PeopleSoft System. Penny was happy to report that all the issues related to the January flood at the Boulder City Center have been resolved. She is very appreciative of Luis Tristan and the amazing job the Facilities Department did in readying the building to resume spring semester classes.

Darren Divine, on Joan McGee’s behalf, gave a quick update on CSN’s Strategic Plan. He asked that the cabinet members pay attention to the “numina.net” reminders that are being sent to various department heads, VP’s and Administrators, and read the objectives. He assured everyone that the tasks listed with due dates are not major undertakings. They are mostly things we are already doing; and the reminders are mostly prompts to encourage you to take a closer look at the items and to be sure the progress is on track. If it is not, the reminder serves as a cue to address it promptly.

John Bearce reported that the new PeopleSoft system would be live for fall registration on April 26. Students may have questions about the new process and a “how-to” page has been set up at this link: http://www.csn.edu/aboutmycsn

Jacque Matthews asked to end the meeting on a positive note, and read a letter from a former student. The letter was written in response to the Foundation’s spread in the Las Vegas Review Journal commemorating CSN’s 40th Anniversary. The letter detailed how CSN was instrumental in her success and in the success of much of her family. Her CSN Associates Degree opened the door to continuing her education at Loyola Marymount, then to U.C. Berkley where she earned her law degree. One brother, after earning his Associate at CSN went on to Harvard; another brother transferred from CSN to UNLV and is studying to be a physician. Her father teaches and tutors at CSN. The letter, Jacque said, is particularly timely and serves to remind us that what we do here really goes beyond the immediate. She reminded us that we here at CSN touch lives every day and we are really doing good things for people.

Meeting adjourned at 10 a.m.

Good morning,

As the budget process continues in Carson City, I felt an update to each of you was in order so you know what is happening.

Last Friday, the Nevada Senate and Assembly held their respective hearings on the higher education budget for the next biennium.  You may have read or heard about this in the media.  At the hearings, Chancellor Klaich presented the Regents’ budget and a four-point plan, further developed yesterday, for a system solution.

The four-point plan is a sharing of pain among students, employees and the state, and it presumes a salary rollback for all employees as recommended by the Governor.  In addition, the four points are:  1) balance the state allocation to NSHE equally for each year of the biennium, a process also known as “smoothing,” so that CSN receives the same budget reduction each year. 2) fee and tuition increases of 13% in each year of the next biennium with 15% netted for student financial aid, 3) institutional operating reductions similar to the same level as the contributions we are asking students to make and 4) additional state general fund support. The four parts of this plan are linked together for a comprehensive funding model of higher education that includes state, student, and institutional participation.

The legislative hearings included testimony from business leaders about the need for more revenue to support colleges and universities in the state, as well as further descriptions of impacts on students.  Both the Senate and Assembly received the information and will act next month on all budget decisions.

As you may know, proposed institutional plans for budget cuts have been presented to the Board of Regents and to legislative committees.  Importantly, these plans, specifically in CSN’s case, cover the budget reduction recommended by the governor.  Let me repeat that:  CSN’s proposed plan covers the budget cut recommended by the governor (i.e., without “smoothing”).

CSN’s plan proposes a 13% increase in enrollment fees with a set aside of 15% of the new revenue for financial assistance for students in each of the two years of the next biennium.  We have also proposed institutional operating reductions.  What we are now including in our planning is “smoothing,” the balancing of cuts between the two fiscal years as recommended by the four-point plan.  This will require more reductions in the first year of the biennium and fewer cuts in the second.  We believe that “smoothing” is to our advantage even though additional cuts will be needed the first year.   We will be required to make more difficult decisions to accommodate this change, but it should be worth it for future biennia.

In general, what this means is that there will not be large scale layoffs if this plan holds.   It does mean that our access mission will diminish and operating budgets will be reduced.  As part of this change, I am suspending indefinitely the search for a vice president for administrative operations and examining other non-instructional open positions. We will also be implementing several administrative consolidations to preserve our instructional core.

Apart from our budget situation, our mission proceeds:  the delivery of excellent instruction and of a high-quality collegiate experience for students.  We will move forward relying you, our dedicated faculty and staff, as we close of this academic year.  CSN will continue its commitment to quality training and education next year, and I am optimistic that our premiere level of service to our community will remain a hallmark of CSN.   It is a privilege for me to be part of the CSN tradition of excellence.

My very best regards to all of you.  Thank you for all you’re doing for CSN and our students.

Mike

Cabinet Notes

February 14, 2011

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
Vartouhi Asherian, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Administration  
J.T. Creedon, Student Government President
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair                                               
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council – absent – Cindy Ray, proxy
Larry Mason, Chief Diversity Officer – absent
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations 
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer   

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the January 10, 2011 cabinet meeting were approved.

Dr. Richards reviewed notable upcoming dates including the President’s Day holiday, Board of Regents meeting at WNC, March 10 & 11 in Carson City, his evaluation process the week of March 14-18, and Spring Break March 21-27. He also mentioned the Legacy of Achievement Gala to take place at Harrah’s Paris Las Vegas Resort on April 30.

Joan McGee discussed the Strategic Plan notifications being sent automatically to remind the appropriate departments of approaching due dates for key performance indicators. The notifications are sent urgent email, from “numina.net.” She stressed that the notifications should not be ignored, but rather progress reports on the KPI should be sent to Joan so she can update the status of the KPI on the Strategic Plan program. The Strategic Plan is very important to the accreditation process and our accrediting body, the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, will be looking for an engaged process when evaluating CSN.

Dr. Richards distributed a document from the National Conference of State Legislatures about improving college completion. The document contains action steps for Legislators to explore more thoroughly the issues pertaining to funding, student transfers, ways to speed up degree completion and lowering costs for students by finding ways to make campuses run more efficiently. Dr. Richards again urged the Cabinet members to contact legislators and make them aware of their concerns regarding higher education.

John Bearce gave an update on the iNtegrate project status. The completed tasks are a bit behind schedule as to what was projected, due to consultants being spread thin supporting the five institutions now live with the new systems. Financial Aid went live last Monday, and FAFSA applications are online now. FAFSA Application status can be checked online as well. The portal for students to apply for admissions will be live for summer and fall semesters; communication to all students is beginning. Faculty should instruct students to update contact information and preferred email, and ICS screens will display similar information.

Spring enrollment is down slightly, purges are being run nightly; FTE is about 21,169. Institutional Research is also working on LCB requests which are due today. A graduation rate analysis is in the news for poor rates, but as discussed repeatedly, the reason behind the apparent poor performance stems mostly from the way data is reported to IPEDS. Institutional Research is working with other colleges and NSHE IR analyst, Linda Heiss to standardize reporting—independent of IPEDS—and possibly developing a way to report as a system rather than individual institutions. The graduation rate data is tied to many forms of financial support for students and the College, so addressing the false impression that students attend solely for the purpose of obtaining a degree is a very important first step. For community colleges especially, success does not necessarily mean graduating with a degree.

K.C. Brekken reminded the cabinet members that she will be out of the office on maternity leave beginning March 21. She will send an email listing the various functions of the office and the designees who will perform them while she is out. She shared a publication entitled, “College of Southern Nevada’s Value to Nevada.” A limited number of printed copies are available through the public relations office, but the information in detail is on CSN’s website: www.csn.edu/economicimpact

Dr. Byrd highlighted events and accomplishments in Student Affairs beginning with Project Graduation. There are 4,269 currently enrolled with 45 or more transferrable credits and a GPA of 2.0 or higher. The goal is to increase the graduation rate by 5% by targeting these students to meet with counselors to develop a plan for graduation. The counseling department continues to have success with the express system. Transfer Fairs were held on all three campuses with a total of 400 students attending. It was determined that the three most important considerations when making transfer plans are cost, academic programs and institution location. Recruitment participated in six Perkins Grant Career Specialty Exploration programs featuring health science, welding and construction technology careers. Retention sent 1,674 E-Alerts in Fall 2010. TRIO exceeded or met all goals in its Annual Performance Report to the Department of Education, and the department also coordinated and launched a supply drive to benefit Faye Herron Elementary School’s underprivileged students. Tutorial Services continues to streamline daily operations and at the same time is launching an aggressive campaign to promote tutorial services and increase usage of the department by 10% each year at the Cheyenne campus. The Disability Resource Center and Student Financial Services have been successful in implementing the DRC Note Taker Scholarship program. Roughly 200 students have qualified as scholarship recipients and are serving as in-class note takers for their academic peers with documented disabilities. Sixty-one students received book grants under the Cip Chavez Work for Your Book program initiated last fall. The program was administered through the Department of Student Life and Leadership Development; CSN received 850 hours of service from the students who participated in the program.

Patty Charlton said that since the Legislative Session began, there have been many, many questions from the legislators about specific facts and figures pertaining to CSN. The Finance and Facilities Division is working closely with Institutional Research to supply the statistics as needed by the elected representatives. Finance & Budget is also preparing for the Board of Regents meeting on March 10 & 11, and Facilities is planning a busy Spring.

Richard Hinckley informed everyone that a Legislative Advocacy Report will be emailed periodically to provide updates on the situation in the Legislature, and also to act as a reminder to make contacts with legislators.

Joan McGee and the Emergency Event Communication team are planning a test of the communication system with a drill in the near future. She reported also on the Strategic Planning tracking system, and asked that as the reminders go out to the departments responsible, progress on the items be reported to her. She will then plug the information into the system. Joan is also compiling budgetary information on sites and centers for Finance & Facilities. Some changes to the sites and centers have recently taken place:

• Moapa Valley has a new Site Coordinator, Chantile McAllister, following the resignation of the previous one. Suzanne Garlick was hired as a temporary full time clerical trainee to help with the operation of the site, cover furlough days and other duties.
• Nellis AFB has a new Site Coordinator, Jeff Lycan, who is enthusiastically completing training and is anxious to learn the new My CSN training.
• Western High Tech Center also has a new Site Coordinator, Tamara Flores-Sahagun, who is completing training as well, and working on streamlining the operations at the Center for maximum efficiency.

Joan thanked Sherri Payne and her department for the beautiful job of painting completed at the Charleston campus, and for maintaining the huge amount of square footage with her very reduced number of maintenance personnel. She reported on the Leadership Las Vegas and Leadership Henderson Education Days that went very well, and she thanked Dr. Richards for participating in the round table sessions. The round table participants included Regent Mike Wixom, State Senator Mo Denis, President Smatresk of UNLV, President DiMare of NSC and it was moderated by Jon Ralston.

Mugunth Vaithylingam reported a good turnout for Tech Connection in January. Vendors at the event gave positive feedback and want to participate again, and $18,000 was raised for scholarships. The first day of the spring semester was without issues in the Angel system-there were over 90,000 uneventful logins. For administration, faculty and staff, the transition to VOIP phones is coming soon, hopefully by fall 2011. It is necessary for the migration to exchange 2010 to be completed first, and while that is happening, email will not be available. Therefore, the process is slowed because it has to be done during the night and on weekends; but it is progressing.

Dr. Richards said that Bart Patterson will present the Efficiency and Effectiveness preliminary report at the March Board of Regents meeting. Also at the March meeting, there will be two individuals nominated for honorary degrees and 15 recommendations for tenure. The work climate survey is complete with 847 responses (30-35%), which is a good segment to evaluate. A committee will review the results and make recommendations. The aggregate data will be posted on the Institutional Research website.

Meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled March 14, 2011.

The CSN Chronicle

Greetings and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for March 2011.  Spring semester this year is unusually busy and the Legislature continues its deliberations.

Work Climate Survey

Survey results are summarized here for your information.  The committee, chaired by Professor Janice Glasper, has released the high and low lights of the survey.   The results of the survey have been presented to members of the Work Climate Survey Committee for review and for recommendations to the administration.  Members of the Committee are:  Vartouhi Asherian, Jennifer Basquiat, Kevin Boyle, Janice Glasper, Taylor Gray, Deborah Harbour, Cat Maihen, Troy McGinnis, Larue Mcquin, Garry Moon, Thill (Raghu) Raghunath, Robin Roques, Tracy Sherman, Gillian Silver-Rodis, Debbie Tanner, Stan Vernooy, Diane Waryas, Carla Wright, and Laura Yavitz.   The survey is on CSN’s Institutional Research website and will include a completely anonymous form to be used for any responses.

Committee members have been asked to suggest ideas for change that would benefit/improve the climate for the colleagues we serve.  The chair of the committee has asked the members to consult with their colleagues and return to the next meeting, March 31, with their ideas and recommendations.  If you are not contacted directly, seek out a member of the committee with your suggestions.

Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society

The Nevada/California region of Phi Theta Kappa held its annual Regional Conference in Foster City, CA March 4-6. Alpha Xi Beta, CSN’s chapter led by Jacob Elison and Bruno Rhodes, worked diligently last year to achieve the goals as set forth by Phi Theta Kappa, the largest honor society in American higher education. Our officers’ and members’ efforts paid off Saturday night when they were presented with the following awards:

• Five Star Award for Chapter Development
• Chapters United Award (Working with other chapters)
• Chapter Officer Team Award – 2^nd place
• Honors In Action: Issue 10 History and the Future – 2^nd place
• Regional Project : Make A Difference Day (MADD) – 2^nd place
• Regional Project : Project Read
• Regional Project : Human Trafficking
• Yearbook Project Award -2^nd place

Additionally, Public Relations Secretary, Shara Hinden, was elected Regional Vice-President of Nevada. With 96 chapters in the Nevada/California region, Alpha Xi Beta and its 260+ members is once again a force to be reckoned with.  Congratulations Alpha Xi Beta!  You cannot do better than Five Stars!

	Key dates: March 21-24—Spring Break April 30—CSN Legacy of Achievement Gala, Paris Hotel May 23—Commencement June 7—Regular Session of the Legislature Ends August 20—Fall Convocation

Budget Outlook:  Mid-Session View

• The Legislature has received the Executive Budget Recommendations, and is holding hearings on aspects of the recommendation that affect higher education.  NSHE’s final hearing is on March 22^nd.
• Governor’s position of no tax increases, only cuts, remains his policy;
• A 5% salary rollback for state employees (excluding K-12 teachers) in lieu of furloughs, and increased retirement contributions appear likely;
• CSN has presented to the Board of Regents a preliminary scenario that includes higher tuition and fees, and less access for students.  This scenario is the same one provided to faculty, staff and students;
• Planning for a budget cut continues at CSN, but we’re not issuing multiple budget scenarios.  We know we’ll be on a rollercoaster ride for six months.

Congratulations!!

At the March Board of Regents meeting, tenure recommendations were approved for the following individuals:

Ms. Simone Brito                         Ms. Shirley Marie Johnston

Ms. Patricia Charlton                  Dr. Peter Denham Lanagan

Dr. Charles Deitrich                    Dr. Maria Moya

Mr. Ronald Gonzalez                  Dr. Vasile Munteanu

Ms. Susan Gregg                          Mr. William H. Neff

Ms. Mary Hackie                         Ms. Karen L. Shaw

Ms. Karen Hyman                       Dr. Cynthia Shroba

Ms. Lee Hyun Mi

Congratulations to these members of the CSN community!

Rumor Control:

Below are some of the latest rumors we have heard and need to address:

1. Financial exigency will be declared and tenured faculty will lose their jobs.
   • CSN’s position is that financial exigency will not be declared, based on what we know about the budget at this time.  Tenured faculty positions have not been at risk for the past three years and through many budget cut cycles.  We do not expect any change on the matter.
   • CSN has publically declared that jobs and students are our priorities during times of retrenchment.  These priorities have not changed.
2. Some CSN executives no longer serve in their positions.
   • The current array of executives is fully in place and nothing has changed.
   • If changes were to occur, you’d hear from me.
3. Employee benefits will be cut more.
   • The benefit situation is part of the fluid budget process.  We are expecting cuts as indicated in various communications from HR and from my office.
   • NSHE staff and institutional representatives have been researching benefit programs and comparing benefit plans.  Early results find that CSN and other higher education employees are disadvantaged by current plans.  NSHE staff are exploring other options, such as broader employee pools.
   • Developments on the benefits issue will be fully communicated; as we know more, we’ll share it.

Many of the rumors you hear are panic thinking and may be spread by self aggrandizing people.  My phone number is 651-5600.  If you want to check on a rumor, call me.  I’ll tell you.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“What is the enrollment picture for spring semester?”

We have submitted census data as of March 15^th.  Headcount enrollment was down 4.27 percent over the same period last year, and FTE was down 1.27 percent.  This spring, 41,577 students were enrolled or 21,814 FTE.

–Mike Richards

Good afternoon,

Today, I presented the  following budget plan to the Board of Regents. This is a more-detailed version of what we have communicated in the past. I hope you will review this document. The first section is an overview of our reduction process and the various committees and constituents involved in helping to make these difficult decisions. The second part is an overview of how the governor’s proposed budget will impact CSN. The third section is an FAQ, anticipating regents’ questions about our process (some of which you may also have) and the fourth section is a suggested change to business practices that will help us maintain quality. We are proposing to put these quality assurance efforts in place next biennium.

In this document, we address closing centers and tuition increases of 13 percent each year of the biennium. One section I particularly want to draw your attention to is on page 6: As the budget status becomes clear over the coming months, and should additional resources be available through either changes to the sunset tax provision and/or projected changes due to updated Economic Forum forecast, the plan would be revised to 1) reduce the proposed level of increases for registration fees and tuition, and 2) add back some of the sites slated for closure.

We still have many days left of the legislative session and much will change. I look forward to discussing this plan and other ideas you may have in the near future.

I hope that you will reach out and contact your legislative representatives to let them know how you feel about the executive budget and its impact on CSN.

Best regards,

Mike

Colleagues, 

Today I met with students during a town hall to discuss the budget. I would like to share with you some of the information discussed. As a clearer picture begins to surface about what CSN is facing this legislative session, I think it is important you have the facts. 

In my “all” message on February 16^th , I reported that we have been directed to prepare scenarios and preliminary plans for dealing with the governor’s recommended reductions.  Our scenarios include every expenditure item that CSN has, including the potential closure of all our sites and centers.  Additionally, we have been directed to provide cost information on the possible closure of our Henderson campus.  Without mitigation in the form of new revenues, all these items are on the table because of the magnitude of the governor’s recommendation: the reduction of $26 million in state support plus the loss of fee revenues associated with enrollment cuts.  

As we delve further into our work to examine these budget reduction scenarios, I shared with students that CSN may need to cut the Henderson campus, the smallest of our three main campuses, and all of the sites and centers.  We would also reduce class sections, impacting, in total, an estimated 13,000 students. Again, let me stress, this is without any kind of mitigation to the governor’s proposed budget reduction and is a worst case scenario. But this should clarify for you the gravity of the situation we face. 

What are some of the mitigations we are exploring? We are looking at a 26% increase in student fees over the biennium (13% each year), which would put CSN’s fees at the WICHE regional average.  If we do this, we would want to plow 10% back into financial aid. We believe such an increase if approved by the board would bring in approximately $5 million the first year of the biennium and $11 million in the second if enrollments hold steady and we do not lose students or price them out of CSN. In addition, we will offer another buy-out option in the coming months for faculty and staff. More information will be forthcoming on this option from HR. 

I would also like to stress that CSN has a retrenchment process that is part of our strategic plan that sets forth a reduction process short of program closures and financial exigency, using the shared governance model. This is a good plan that we will likely need to tap to provide college wide input to address funding reductions and how they are to be implemented. 

The Henderson campus — home to our model HVAC program, our baseball and softball teams and many other CSN jewels — as well as the nine CSN sites and centers, all play a critical role in our access mission and are integral parts of the communities in which they reside. I do not view this scenario lightly. I do not want to lose any campuses or deny students access to our programs. I am advocating against any budget cuts that impact our access mission, and I hope that you are joining me in this effort. I hope that you have contacted and will continue to contact your legislative representatives in support of CSN and higher education funding. 

As always, should have questions, please contact me. 

Mike

Cabinet Notes

January 10, 2011 

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
Vartouhi Asherian, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager – absent  
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne – absent
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Administration    
J.T. Creedon, Student Government President
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Larry Mason, Chief Diversity Officer
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus – absent
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer   

The meeting was called to order in I-108 by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m. 

The notes of the December 13, 2010 cabinet meeting were approved. 

Dr. Richards reviewed some important upcoming dates. January 24, the Governor will give the State of the State address at 6:00 p.m. January 29 there will be a town hall hearing on education issues at the Grant Sawyer Building. He encouraged everyone to attend. It is important to have a good turnout for these meetings so as to remind legislators that educational issues matter to a great number of citizens. On February 9, at the Texas Station, there will be a Black History Month event with keynote speaker Dwight Jones, CCSD’s new superintendant. Also speaking at the event will be former CSN President, Dr. Paul Meacham. 

Dr. Richards said that the Effectiveness Council report will be sent forward by Bart Patterson. 

Vartouhi Asherian said the AFA’s monthly meetings would include guest speakers to address current college issues. Carolyn Collins would report about PEBP, Judy Stewart – the mystery shop and its results, Sherri Payne on facilities and construction projects, Chemene Crawford would report on the restructure of the College’s organization and departments under her purview. 

Bill Kerney said Faculty Senate passed evaluation and tenure policies, and also passed an addendum to password policies. 

Jacque Matthews said the Foundation Board of Trustees met in the CSN Fire Station Building. The focus of the meeting was on development, scholarships and institutional support. Tom Schoeman met with Patty Charlton and Sherri Payne on development possibilities; the scholarship team introduced a large endowment initiative plan; and the institutional support team will meet after the spring semester begins. Jacque reported on some new gifts to CSN:

• A $250,000 gift from the John C. Kish Foundation will build a Henderson campus auditorium
• $10,000 from New Hope for the Reentry program
• $10,000 from Jesse Reese for the Photography program

On January 18^th at convocation, CSN employees will have the opportunity to have certain legal documents prepared at no charge, including financial and medical power of attorney. On January 19, there will be lunch catered at Tech Connection at no charge with RSVP. The Legacy of Achievement Gala will be held at Harrah’s Paris hotel on April 30, and on June 2 the annual Pro-Classic Golf Tournament will take place at Badlands Golf Club. 

Dan Morris reported on iNtegrate progress. Training is beginning for front line staff on the new PeopleSoft product; faculty is next, and in March it goes live at CSN. 

Dr. Richards reminded everyone of the round table discussions on January 18 & 19 on each of the campuses. Final enrollment for fall was 44,088 (head count) which is an increase of 1.2% over last fall. FTE is 22,368.8; up 2.3%. The science lab renovations have begun on the Cheyenne campus and will continue. The Boulder City Center is being cleaned up and repaired after the roof incident and should be ready for Spring semester. 

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m. 

Next meeting scheduled February 14, 2011.

Gov. Brian Sandoval has made Nevada’s economic vitality a priority for his administration and invests time and energy to that end.  Along the way he is learning, as are many Nevadans, about what our public higher education system can do to help and what it needs to do better.  

For decades, Nevada’s colleges and universities responded to the state’s priorities. As a result, we have world-class postsecondary programs in hospitality, gaming, mining and construction — industries that have been the foundation of Nevada’s economy.  However, we have all learned the inadequacy of relying upon only these economic sectors in the Great Recession and recognize that Nevada must diversify to gain economic strength. 

Our colleges and universities stand ready to adjust to new priorities of the state.  Responding to market demand, we currently provide quality education and training in sustainable technologies, health care, and other high-tech fields. But we must go further and we need the governor and Legislature to partner with us to refine our priorities and identify new sectors to target. 

As one of Nevada’s college presidents, I welcome the governor’s focus on economic development and his initiatives to bring greater vitality to Nevada.  However, priorities need to be clear and investments need to be made.  We cannot cut our way to a strong economic future. 

The governor recommends reducing higher education’s state support by $162 million in the next two years.  Such a recommendation negates his economic goals and deprives the colleges and universities of a chance to help the state shape its economic future. 

Nearly 114,000 students are enrolled in Nevada colleges and universities, 66,500 or 58 percent of whom attend community colleges.  All of these students should be seen as Nevada’s future workforce, worthy of public investment, even those who are not focused on graduating. Not all high-tech industries require college degrees but they do need highly skilled employees, which community colleges have been producing for America since the beginning of the 20^th Century.  Many of our students do not intend to graduate and only enroll in a few classes. They may transfer before earning a degree or enroll to gain new skills and return to the market place.  In time, we may see them enroll again for additional training. But enrollment flexibility and access is a hallmark of Nevada’s four community colleges.

Yet, of greatest value during these economic times, is the agility of the community colleges to offer training and education that is market responsive.   Community colleges can quickly meet the needs of new employers and develop the workforce required in Nevada’s new economic sectors.  CSN has done this in health care, construction, green technology and many other fields for 40 years. We contract with more than 100 different businesses, government agencies and non-profits each year to provide work-skills training and customized on-demand courses. Great Basin College has provided targeted services for the mining sector of Nevada’s economy.  Truckee Meadows has added sustainable technology training to its portfolio.  All of these initiatives benefit Nevada and lay a foundation for our economic future.

Now is a time to use Nevada higher education.  Invest in it.  As economic priorities of the future are identified, task the colleges and universities with developing curricula that will train highly qualified employees in targeted sectors.  We’re ready to respond.  We have a record of success among students and employers.  Invest in the research capability of DRI, UNLV and UNR.  Invest in the training and teaching capabilities of CSN, GBC, NSC, TMCC and WNC.  Use these remarkable state assets for the economic vitality of Nevada.

Nevada’s institutions can respond and implement performance measurements that hold us accountable to taxpayers.  Every dollar in state support invested in higher education results in $4.39 of economic activity for the state.  At CSN, the state’s investment of $100.1 million returns $864 million to Nevadans each year.  Every state college and university can demonstrate economic and public benefits.

As the Legislature continues its deliberations, let’s move Nevada forward with an economic vision and with the capability of higher education to realize that vision.

The CSN Chronicle 

Greetings to all!  There is much activity on many fronts that I’d like you to know about.     

Black History Month

Yesterday, I enjoyed a wonderful scholarship brunch hosted by CSN and a number of our community partners at Texas Station.  Approximately $12,000 was raised for scholarships and programs at the college, and we had a chance to celebrate a number of our current scholarship recipients.  There are many other great events taking place at CSN, DRI and UNLV during this month.  A full calendar is available online here.

Work Climate Survey

Many faculty and staff participated in the recent work climate survey.  We asked for volunteers to work with leaders of our employee groups to review the findings and make recommendations to the administration.  We received over 80 responses.  Seeking breadth of input and a manageable size for the committee, the pool was reduced to about 20 individuals who are beginning the review process under the leadership of Professor Janice Glasper, as committee chair.  By the end of spring semester, we anticipate recommendations from the committee.   Typically, these kinds of surveys reveal positive observations and areas for improvement.  We intend to take the recommendations seriously.   The aggregate survey data will be posted on the IR web site.

At its special meeting on February 3, the Board of Regents directed that the Chancellor and campus presidents to develop plans and options for implementing the Executive Budget Recommendations.  I am working with Patricia Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance and Facilities, to begin that process.  We will include the budget committee and budget reduction committee.The governor’s budget reduces state support for CSN by $26.7 million over the next two years, including a 5% salary roll back for all employees, and, of course, changes you have already heard about in retirement contribution rates and employee benefits.

 NSHE PLAN AND PERFORMANCE METRICS

I’ve reported previously that the Board of Regents adopted an NSHE PLAN to empower colleges and universities to set and retain tuition and fee revenues, and it describes many more aspirations for the system of higher education.  The plan has been widely distributed and most legislators have received a copy and been introduced to its highlights.   We are now moving to the next level of specificity with the development of institutional performance metrics.    Institutional Research directors at all NSHE campuses are exploring “final” metrics, largely based on the standards of the National Governors Associations.  Here are the NGA’s 10 items:

• Degrees and certificates awarded:  Annual number and percentage of certificates, associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees awarded.
   
• Graduation rates:  number and percentage of certificate-or degree-seeking students who graduate within normal program time or extended time (three years for associates; six years for bachelors)
   
• Transfer rates: annual number and percentage of students who transfer from a two-year to a four-year institution.
   
• Time and credits to degree:  average length of time in years and average number of credits that graduating students took to earn a certificate, an associate degree, or a bachelor’s degree.
   
• Enrollment in remedial education:  number and percentage of entering first-time undergraduate students who place into and enroll in remedial math, English, or both.
   
• Success beyond remedial education:  number and percentage of first-time undergraduate students who complete a remedial education course in math, English or both and complete a college-level course in the same subject.
   
• Success in first-year college courses:  annual number and percentage of entering first-time undergraduate students who complete entry college-level math and English courses within the first two consecutive academic years.
   
• Credit accumulation:  number and percentage of first-time undergraduate students completing 24 credit hours (for full-time students) or 12 credit hours (for part-time students within their first academic year.
   
• Retention rates:  number and percentage of entering undergraduate students who enroll consecutively from fall-to-spring and fall-to-fall at an institution of higher education.
   
• Course completion:  percentage of credit hours completed out of those attempted during an academic year. 

The IR directors will finalize their work this spring.  We expect the new metrics to complement: 

• Our new strategic plan, its success indicators, timelines, accountabilities, and reporting;
• Our Project Graduation, which has identified 4,269 students with 45 hours or more who have not graduated and is directing them with interventions for specific advising;
• Our steady increases in student financial aid.  The number of students receiving aid is up 42% in four years, and dollars awarded is up 165%, from $23 million in 2006-07 to $63 million in 2009-10;
• Our part-time faculty conference planned for August 20, 2011; and
• Our partnerships with CCSD to help students with developmental education and gifted/talented opportunities. 

In the third year of a president’s contract, the Board of Regents engages a “periodic evaluation” process pursuant to Board policy.  The process involves an external review and multiple interviews with faculty, staff, students, Foundation trustees and community members.  During the week of March 14, my evaluation will occur.  We will be telecasting the meetings of the evaluation committee, and there will be time slots available for public comment.  You will be hearing more about this as March 14th approaches.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“What are your expectations with the work climate survey?”

CSN has long needed to improve its work climate.  We have excellent faculty and staff who do a remarkable job with students, and we truly excel at our mission in this community.  We should take justifiable pride in what we accomplish and how we scrape resources together to deliver quality learning and support.  Yet there are feelings of distrust and stagnation, and in the current fiscal environment there are many faculty and staff struggling and feeling undervalued.  The survey was intended to provide baseline information:  What needs improvement to help all employees feel valued and professionally satisfied with the way CSN operates?  I’ve deliberately kept the administration out of the process, because you need to help us.  You need to express your frustrations, as well as reflect on the positives at CSN.  I look forward to the committee’s recommendations.  If there are things the administration can do better, we will.  My expectation is positive change.  

 “How many students are enrolled spring semester?”

As of February 7, 2011, our headcount was 38,497 (up 0.5% over the same time last year) and our FTE was 21,024 (up 0.56%).    

Best regards to all. 

–Mike Richards

CSN Town Hall – February 2, 2011

The following e-mail was sent to faculty and staff on Feb. 1:

Good morning, colleagues,

We have a town hall meeting scheduled tomorrow to discuss the budget, and I hope you can attend or view the webcast.  For those of you who cannot, the following summary may be informative to you. 

On Monday, January 24, 2011, Governor Sandoval delivered the State of the State address.  During his address he provided an overview of the Governor’s Recommended Budget for the 2011-2013 biennium.  The budget proposal addresses the state revenue shortfall that has widely been discussed in the media. The extent of the revenue shortfall and impact particularly on higher education is misleading. 

On Thursday, January 27, 2011, NSHE’s reaction to the executive budget recommendations was shared in a pre-session budget hearing before a joint meeting of the Senate Finance and House Ways and Means committees.  Although the Governor’s recommendations provide some new approaches to supporting higher education will more budget flexibility, the serious budget reductions have the potential to negatively impact students and institutions for years to come. 

Despite various media reports and other “spins” on the mathematics, the basic fact is that the executive budget recommendation cuts state support to higher education by $162,456,349, and for CSN this is a reduction of $26, 762,251 over the biennium.  Here are the details, along with proposed changes in employee compensation that pertain to CSN. 

Employee Compensation and Benefits: 

• The furlough of 1 day per month is proposed to end on June 30, 2011, and is replaced with a 5% salary rollback for all positions;
• Continued suspension of merit pay and/or step increases;
• Continued suspension of longevity pay for applicable classified positions;
• Changes to the health insurance programs – this information has previously been provided by PEBP and Human Resources;
• Changes to the contribution rate for employees under the PERs program and RPA.  The current rate of 11.25% is increased to 12.25% beginning July 1, 2011. 

Budget Reduction: 

• The Governor’s Recommended budget includes a reduction in each year of the biennium of:
  • FY 2011-12:  ($15,485,182)
  • FY 2012-13:  ($26,762,251) change from FY 2010-11 levels

On February 2, 2011, in a town hall meeting for all CSN employees, we will review the implications of the executive budget recommendations and discuss in general terms the impact on CSN, preparatory to a special meeting of the Board of Regents the next day. 

Further, some faculty have asked if we could provide talking points about the budget.  There are many points in the document, CSN’s Value to Nevada.  Here are several extracts:  

Key messages:  Stop the Cuts, Invest in CSN and Higher Education, Reform Funding 

• Seventy percent of CSN’s budget is from the state.
• Registration fees have increased by 26.48% since 2007
• CSN has reduced staffing by 5% since 2007 and student enrollment has increased by 12.6% (FTE)
• CSN is the largest higher education institution in the State of Nevada – with headcount enrollment per semester of 44,000+
• CSN receives the lowest amount of general fund support per student FTE in the state

On February 3, 2011, the Board of Regents will hold a special meeting to discuss the NSHE budget and the impact of budget cuts.  Further, over the coming months, the Board of Regents, NSHE institutions, and the System Administration Office will work with the Legislature to finalize the operating budget and to identify ways we can improve the higher education budget for the 2011-2013 biennium. 

We must be mindful that a reduction in general fund support will occur for the coming years, and we will be working on various strategies to respond to final funding levels.  Over the past four years, we have worked collaboratively in response to budget cuts that have been imposed, as cuts were first implemented in January 2008.  Some examples of areas that will continue to be assessed include, but are not limited to: 

• Number, locations, and operations  – of access sites and centers;
• Opportunity for consolidation of administrative units;
• Review of registration/tuition levels;
• Evaluation of vacant positions;
• Contractual obligations;
• Operating budgets
• Review of all non-state operating budgets
• Review of all institutional supported activities (non-state) as well

Finally, I’ve been asked if an increase in tuition and registration fees would cover the proposed cuts.  NSHE staff estimate that community college pricing would need to increase at a minimum of 73%, from $69.25 per credit hour to $119.48 per credit hour, just to keep budgets flat.    

More news as we have it, and should you have questions, please let me know.

Best regards,

Mike

Colleagues,

This morning’s RJ includes an excellent article by Richard Lake on how the proposed cuts to higher education are calculated, how tuition at four-year institutions might be raised, and other reactions to the governor’s executive budget recommendations.  I thought, however, you might like to know more about the impact on CSN.

There are several ways to calculate the budget cuts being recommended.  Gov. Sandoval stated in his State of the State address on Monday night that his proposed budget would reduce higher education funding by 17% over the biennium, which includes the federal ARRA funds that are no longer available.  We have analyzed the proposal and its impact on CSN, using real money and actual funds available.  CSN receives $91.4 million from the general fund. Under the governor’s proposed budget, that allocation would be reduced by $15.5 million in 2012 and $11.3 million in 2013 for a total cut of $26.8 million over the biennium. This represents a budget reduction of 29.3% for the college.  This number includes the 5% salary rollback recommended for all employees.

Can we raise tuition and fee to cover this cut?  Using undergraduate tuition and fees from the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), Nevada’s two-year institutions charge $2,243 per academic year.  The average in the 11 western states (excluding California) is $2,834, or 26% more than what Nevada is currently charging.  Assessing higher tuition and fees would indeed help cover the recommended cut. But I have serious doubts that we could raise fees high enough to sustain our current level of operations without pricing out thousands of students who could no longer afford to attend CSN. In addition, under current policy, the first 10% increase in tuition and fees would be subject to the 76/24 mandate:  that 76 cents of every dollar would have to be returned to the general fund.  Increases beyond the 10% would be retained at the campus.

This Saturday, lawmakers will hold a  town hall on the state budget in the South and North from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students, staff and faculty are planning to attend the Southern hearing, which will be held at the Grant Sawyer Building in Rm. 4401 (555 E. Washington Ave.) There will also be a rally specific to higher education at 8 a.m. in front of the Grant Sawyer Building. If you can make it, I hope you will attend to show your support for our students and for education in this state.

On February 3, a special meeting of the Board of Regents will be held at 1:00p.m. in the Third Floor Rotunda at DRI in Las Vegas.  The primary agenda item is the NSHE biennial budget.

On February 7, the Legislature will convene, and we look forward to working with lawmakers and the governor’s office to make our case for investment in higher education funding. It’s going to be a long 120 days during which one of the only things we can be certain is that we will hear many budget reduction scenarios.

Now is the time to begin to contact your legislative representatives. We have updated our Budget Issues site, located on the home page with new information, and we will keep you informed as the process continues.

I hope this information is helpful to you.  Should you have questions, please contact me.

Mike

Greetings, Happy New Year and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for January 2011.  Much will be happening this year as CSN celebrates its 40^th year of service, as a new governor assumes responsibility, and as a new legislative session begins.  There is much activity on many fronts that I’d like you to know about.   

Holiday Party and Convocation

Through the generosity of the Foundation Board of Trustees and the President’s Cabinet, I have extended your collective appreciation to the Foundation for the outstanding holiday party we held at Texas Station.  Our Convocation program will be held again at Texas Station in August.     

Key dates: January 24—State of the State Address January 27—Pre-session Budget Hearing, Carson City January 28—Grand Opening Ceremony of the Engelstad wing of the Health Sciences Building January 29—State Budget Town Hall (legislative meeting) at the Grant Sawyer Building February 7—Legislative session begins

 Budget Outlook:  Early View

• The Executive Budget Recommendation will have only $5.33 billion to spend versus the $8.3 billion requested from state agencies for the next biennium;
• Governor’s position of no tax increases, only cuts, remains his policy;
• A 5% salary rollback for state employees (excluding K-12 teachers) in lieu of furloughs;
• The governor’s position is that campuses should charge higher tuition and fees and seek more federal financial aid for students; and
• Planning for a budget cut continues at CSN, but we’re not issuing multiple budget scenarios.  We know we’ll be on a rollercoaster ride for six months.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“What preparation has CSN made for the legislative session and how can employees help?”

The legislative session begins on February 7, 2011 and our preparations have complemented those of NSHE staff and the Regents: 

• Student/faculty/staff involvement will include a dominating presence at the state budget town hall meeting on January 29^th that will take place in the Grant Sawyer Building, Room 4401 at 9 a.m.  Higher education advocates are being urged to attend and testify.  J.T. Creedon, CSN student body president, has coordinated or led much of this effort for students, and I applaud the work he’s done with other student leaders to advocate for higher education, generally, and for CSN, specifically.
• The Chancellor has established a lobbying team for the session that includes past and present leaders of the state.  CSN will also have legislative liaison folks in place:  Patty Charlton, Richard Hinckley, James Campos, and I will take the lead working closely with student leaders and our employee groups.  Direct contacts with legislators have already begun.
• By the time you read this, two advocacy publications will be available.  One is directed to legislators, and the second is for CSN advocates, including faculty, staff, and community partners.  Both are predicated on one theme and three messages:  the theme is CSN is of value to Nevada.  CSN’s three main messages to lawmakers are to stop the cuts, invest in higher education, and reform funding.  All faculty and staff will receive copies of the advocacy piece and are invited to participate in our ongoing efforts.    

“Will we have town hall meetings?”

Yes.  As we learn more information, we will share it widely, including in a town hall format.  As needed, and as we have more accurate data, Senior Vice President Charlton will be providing information and updates on CSN’s budget issues.  The media will report generalities that may or may be correct.  We will make every effort to insure our information, numbers, data, and policy directions are as reliable as possible.  If you have questions or want to check on rumors you hear, please let me know.     

“Will furloughs continue or expand?”

In lieu of furloughs, the governor is recommending a 5% salary reduction for all state employees except public school teachers.   The Legislature will need to act on the recommendation.     

“What is the enrollment picture for spring semester?”

We have a purge coming shortly, but the last figures I saw showed increases of about 3% in both headcount and FTE.  

“Will we keep sabbaticals and other professional development opportunities going?

We have moved ahead with sabbaticals for this year, and faculty members who have been recommended for sabbaticals have been notified.  To the fullest extent possible we will continue to engage professional development opportunities for our faculty and staff. 

Have a great semester! 

 –Mike Richards

Cabinet Notes

December 13, 2010 

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
Vartouhi Asherian, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Director
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs – absent  
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Administration    
J.T. Creedon, Student Government President
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair                         
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council – Proxy Rob Telles reported on her behalf
Larry Mason, Chief Diversity Officer – absent  
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus – absent
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations 
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer  

Guests: Carolyn Collins, Judy Stewart

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the November 08, 2010 cabinet meeting were approved.

Carolyn Collins is a representative for CSN on the NSHE Task Force on PEBP Health Benefits. She explained the PEBP Health Benefits proposed changes and distributed a summary clarifying what the modifications would mean to NSHE employees. As proposed, the Consumer Driven PPO plan will be essentially a high-deductible plan which will qualify for health savings accounts. The current HMO Plan is currently contracted out on a 3-year cycle and the terms of the contract require that the plan cost be kept within 5% annually with necessary adjustments in co-pays. Rates for both plans are not currently known, but will be set January-March of 2011. Carolyn encouraged everyone to attend the CAPE workshop during spring Convocation, where she will be going over the changes.

Judy Stewart reported on the findings of the Mystery Shop conducted over the last few months at CSN. Much of the shop was positive. CSN’s web site, however, was problematic to many of the mystery shoppers; improving web navigation and content management will be the focus during the coming semester. The Mystery Shop found some department-specific opportunities that are being addressed individually at the department level, but work environments (professionalism, organization) were rated very high. A committee to address the findings will meet this week.

Dr. Richards commented the Holiday Party at the Texas Station on December 9 had a good turnout and he had lots of positive feedback regarding the event. He thanked Jacque Matthews, the CSN Foundation and all the volunteers for putting it together. There were approximately 450 people in attendance. He thanked the Vice Presidents also for donating prizes for the drawings at the event.

Patty Charlton gave an update on the Efficiency & Effectiveness review which took place in November. The Efficiency & Effectiveness Committee’s goal is to review the results of the assessment and put together recommendations to bring to the Board of Regents meeting in June. The team looked at a number of things including consolidating certain NSHE services, streamlining certain processes, staffing ratios for the institutions, and HR and payroll processes. 

K.C. Brekken shared some highlights from Communications and Public Relations. A new 4-page informational packet about CSN will be ready in the next couple of weeks to present to the Legislature. The CSN web page for budget issues will be revamped and any suggestions for content or navigation are welcome. Round Table discussions with Dr. Richards will take place on each of the campuses on January 18 & 19. K.C. reminded everyone that the State of the State address is planned for January 24. Dr. Richards commented on the great article in the Washington Post for which K.C. provided some assistance. Several student stories were included in the article which gives a fair picture of the educational climate in Nevada. The article can be read at this link: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/26/AR2010112605087.html

Richard Hinckley reminded everyone to get involved in the advocacy effort for the coming Legislative session. He is holding a meeting in E-131 at 2:00 p.m. December 13 to give some direction for this year’s focus. He will hold the same meeting on the Henderson campus December 14 in C-225 at 2:00 p.m. also.

Thomas Brown distributed a summary of Cheyenne campus news.

• The switchboard vacancy is in the process of being filled
• OTS Recognition Day will take place on December 17 in the June Whitley Lounge
• The Sports Center will be open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. during the Winter Break Monday – Friday
• The automotive program enrollment has increased to 931 students
• The Cheyenne Bookstore remodel is complete and it looks great
• The Science Lab renovation is scheduled to begin during Winter Break
• Sexual Harassment Prevention Training II is now available on line and has been personalized for CSN. There are still two sections offered in the classroom per month during the semester.

Chemene Crawford touched on the numerous projects underway in the Administrative Operations Division.

• The Climate Survey was distributed via email and will remain open until January 23. A reminder to complete the survey will be sent via email in early January, and a reminder will also be mailed to those without email addresses. Paper surveys will be available for completion to those without email —dates and times to be determined.
• A consultant visited in November to do a study on CSN’s Human Resources Department. She will make recommendations and have a follow up appointment in the spring.
• Two temporary site coordinator positions were posted – one for Nellis AFB Site and the other for Western High Tech Center. The site coordinators at those locations have returned to Student Affairs.
• A search is underway for a 2-year grant funded position in the police department. The position is for a Project Manager and is required under the Emergency Management Grant awarded to CSN’s Police Department.
• Facilities, Police, Finance and Cashier’s office representatives all met with Alarmco, Inc. to review current contracts and reassess the level of coverage needed by CSN. Some of the agreements in place were drafted prior to CSN having its own police.
• CAPE will be offering many workshops during January Convocation. Dr. Crawford encouraged all to participate. The offerings and schedules will be sent to all from CAPE.

J.T. Creedon updated Cabinet on Student Government activities over the past few months. The Candidate Meet and Greet on October 26 had 60 attendees and a strategy planning process is underway for this next Legislative session. J.T. is also working on getting the Club Ride program up and running with CSN students and employees. Other projects in the works are a texting/social media program and a Spirit Scholarship for Spring semester. Student Government has also donated $50K for renovations on the Cheyenne and Charleston campuses.

Rob Telles reported for Classified Council in Cat Maihen’s absence.

• The Classified Employee Satisfaction Survey given in September had 142 respondents
• The majority of respondents (80%) were satisfied with Classified Council’s representation and communication with employees
• An area of concern as indicated on the survey is employee/supervisor relations and the topic will be explored a bit more on the next Classified survey
• Employees also indicated a desire to meet the representatives on the Council, and at the next Recognition Luncheon (tentatively scheduled March 24) there may be an opportunity for that to happen
• The Classified Council Bake Sale in September raised enough money to donate 14-$25 grocery store gift cards to the Angel Tree Program to be given to needy families
• The In-Service days in October reached a new attendance record
• CAPE and Classified Council are developing classes that will directly impact employee performance and morale
• Classified Council will assist with facilitating completion of the Climate Survey for those without email addresses

Dr. Richards closed the meeting with several comments.

• The iNtegrate project is on schedule and $20M has been allocated for the next two (critical) components
• CSN has filed an application to be an “Achieving the Dream” Institution
• Beginning with the next cabinet meeting on January 10, we will review the Strategic Plan and its progression
• The State of the State address from the Governor will be on January 24, 2011.

Meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m. 

Next meeting scheduled January 10, 2011.

This year promises plenty of challenges and frustrations for those of us at the College of Southern Nevada as we embark upon an ominous legislative session. But there is something to celebrate in 2011. This year marks the 40^th anniversary of CSN.

In 1971, CSN was created to be an open-door community college, where any high school graduate or adult could come, work hard and obtain a postsecondary education and technical training. With our grads earning 35% more than individuals with high school diplomas, CSN has provided Nevadans with an avenue to a higher quality of life.

During these four decades, we have dedicated ourselves to our access mission. We have grown from 400 students a semester to 43,600 or 67,000 unique credit and non-credit students each year. We have gone from operating in one building to busting at the seams at three campuses, nine centers and more than 50 additional sites throughout Southern Nevada. We offer 30 degree and certificate programs entirely online and classes as late as 3 a.m. 

If you are a current or former student, you are part of a college which is not only regionally accredited but has specialized accreditations in almost every field possible – a feat which vouches for the quality of the degrees CSN offers. The value of a CSN education is also significant. On average, CSN students receive a 14.2 percent rate of return on every dollar they invest in their education here.

The CSN academic experience is also enhanced by the amazing talents of our faculty, who have much to teach our students.

This creation demonstrates the supreme expertise CSN faculty possess. They are masters in their field, a fact which we can all tout and celebrate.

The coming months will be marked with many dismal budget town halls and summits. There will be a lot of dialogue about the impact of state funding reductions, reduced access missions and diminished opportunities. Let’s try to consistently remind ourselves and our community about the value we provide to the state, the quality of CSN’s education experience and the dreams we help students realize.

Happy 40^th everyone.

Morning Blend show: http://www.vegasmorningblend.com/videos/112627819.html.

Greetings, and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for December 2010.   This issue has a number of reports which affect our College community.  But first. . .

Holiday Party and Ketchup Socials

With support from our remarkable Foundation and the hard work of many people, we celebrated the holidays with a wonderful party—good food, good dancing, and good company.  Our thanks to all who contributed to the success of the evening and to everyone who attended and donated to CSN scholarships and programs and Three Square!  Also during fall semester, Vice President Darren Divine and his staff and friends launched Ketchup Socials at each of our campuses.  Our thanks to him and to all who have made these events so successful!  We plan to continue these events next year.  I believe that all these activities remind us that CSN is a great place to work and provide faculty and staff some much needed time to mingle. 

Two New Bachelor’s Degrees

Thanks to the tireless work of Drs. Hyla Winters, Patti Castro, Darren Divine, and the faculty in the Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences, CSN received approval from the Board of Regents for two new Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, one in Clinical Laboratory Sciences and the other in Cardio-respiratory Sciences This is great news for our community, which lost the CLS program at UNLV due to funding reductions and the state, which has no other accredited four-year program in cardio-respiratory. It will also allow us to build off of our two comprehensive associate degree programs in these areas. What a wonderful opportunity for our students!  Our thanks, too, to the Board of Regents who saw this as a natural fit for CSN, foresaw the need for these niche degrees and approved them.  These specialized degree programs complement CSN’s mission as this community’s college.  Congratulations to all involved!  

Three Assessments, Their Findings, and Next Steps

We have concluded two of three assessments of CSN that many of you participated in.  In summary, here they are:

 Mystery Shopping Project, Chaired by Professor Judy Stewart

• Workplace Climate Survey, underway
• Human Resources Review, Facilitated by Allison Villancourt, Vice President for Human Resources, University of Arizona 

I want to provide a brief report on each one and indicate our next steps. 

Mystery Shopping:  This was conducted during fall semester 2010 with the purpose of defining the customer service experience of individuals contacting CSN either in-person, by telephone or via the web.  A total of 216 “shops” or contacts comprised the study.  Six departments were targeted within our three main campuses.  Positive and negative aspects of our customer service were revealed.  Telephone shops exposed weaknesses in the technical capabilities of the phone system and the training of our staff.  In-person shops revealed frustration with long wait times and mixed experiences with interactions.  Web-based shoppers found the college site informative and easy to navigate, but some of our information creates an overwhelming experience at times.  Knowing more specifically about our customer- service experience will allow us to target solutions with better orientation and training, better technology, and more helpful web design.  Next steps improving our customer relations include:  1) recommendations from the committee that monitored the research, 2) CAPE programs throughout 2011, 3) an upgrade to our phone system, and 4) modification of our web site. 

Workplace Climate Survey:  This study is currently underway, and I hope by now you’ve had a chance to respond to the survey.  If not, it is open until January 23 and can be accessed online here.  I have asked members of our faculty and staff to serve on an ad hoc committee to analyze the results and provide recommendations to the senior administration.   I have asked Professor Janice Glasper to chair the committee.  

Human Resources Review:  Conducted during fall semester 2010 with the purpose of improving the operations of our Human Resources function, this far-reaching review highlighted the dedicated work of many HR staff members and it revealed a number of areas for improvement.  Ms. Villancourt facilitated a similar review of CSN’s Human Resources function in 2004.  Following a pattern used in the earlier study, Ms. Villancourt met with HR employees, faculty and staff, and administrators of the College.  She observed that many improvements had been made since 2004 — a tribute to the employees in HR who labor without an integrated administrative computing system, with multiple groups of employees and systems, with a complex regulatory climate, with limited policies, and through furloughs and other demands to meet the needs of our faculty and staff.  She suggested two priorities for action as next steps, one of which is already in process:  complete revisions to the hiring process and development of appropriate policies and procedures.  A full report of the review will be provided to the administration.    

Join us on January 19 at the Henderson campus for a full day of technology.  The Office of Technology Services, along with help from CAPE, is inviting both hardware and software vendors to share ideas and inspire you to integrate technology into your courses.  Come interact with the vendors as well as your peers while attending workshops scheduled throughout the day. Our event begins at 8 a.m. and will continue throughout the day.  Come join us for breakfast and lunch and a cocktail reception with the CIO.  We will have keynote speakers, technology displays, workshops, and raffle prizes!  In addition, OTS and the CSN Foundation are working together to offer partnerships to our vendors for this event.  With their support, all monies donated by our partners will be designated to the Tech Connection Endowment Fund which will provide financial support to students attending CSN. Visit the Tech Connect website  for updates as we continue to plan this exciting day of learning!

Questions From Recent Meetings:

“What can be done to improve the appearance of our campuses?”

I’ve heard from a number of staff members that trash isn’t emptied as frequently as it used to be, restrooms are looking bad, and the general physical environment isn’t well maintained.  Since 2007 when budget cuts were first directed, we’ve known that by cannibalizing non-instructional functions in favor of students, jobs, and instruction, some areas of the College would not have the resources they once enjoyed.  We also knew that cutting and stretching our resources would cause delays, deferrals, and sacrifice.  We made the decisions to cut nonetheless.  I appreciate the work of Associate Vice President Sherri Payne and her staff as they do all they can to make our working environment better.  They are doing a remarkable job with 20% fewer staff and with our capital priorities of renovating space, particularly at Cheyenne and maintaining it.    

“Will furloughs continue; will we have more furlough days?”

It appears that our new Governor will recommend that furloughs continue, or that salaries be rolled back, or that an additional furlough day be required of state employees.  His exact recommendations will be made known in January.  Of course, his is only a recommendation.  The Legislature will need to deliberate the issues and take final action. 

“What is our message to the Legislature?”

Our general message is that CSN is of value to Nevada and the state’s economic recovery, and we have nine “message points” that support that assertion, including the results of the economic impact study recently published on our website and available at csn.edu/economicimpact.  Please take time to review the CSN Value to Nevada document when it is distributed later this month.  

“What is the status of the improvements at Cheyenne and West Charleston?”

After December 20 the renovation of the Cheyenne science labs begins in earnest.  We have added temporary lab space that will be operational during spring semester.  The renovation should be complete by fall semester 2011.  In addition we are systematically making HVAC, roofing, flooring and other improvements at Cheyenne throughout 2011.  At the West Charleston campus we are installing some new landscaping along Torrey Pines, and we will be painting the exterior of several buildings.     

I wish you the very best for a happy holiday season.  –Mike Richards

November 08, 2010

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
Vartouhi Asherian, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research – absent
K.C. Brekken, Communications Director
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs – absent  
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Administration  
J.T. Creedon, Student Government President – absent  
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair                                           
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Larry Mason, Chief Diversity Officer – absent
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations – absent  
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect – absent
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer  

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the October 11, 2010 cabinet meeting were approved and upcoming calendar events were reviewed. Among the events is the CSN Holiday Party at the Texas Station on December 9. Dr. Richards encouraged everyone to attend and bring non-perishable food donations for Three Square Food Bank.

Jacque Matthews thanked the Police Department, K.C. Brekken, Penny McCollum, Joan McGee, and Chemene Crawford for all the help with the Fun Fest. She had no final report on financials from the event yet. She said the wind was very problematic, but they are grateful for the experience and know what to do differently. Almost all of the vendors would return for another event next year. She also noted that there were many families at the Fun Fest, and lots of children.

Jacque gave a brief report on the Foundation Executive Board meeting. The Board has a strategic plan integrated into CSN’s strategic plan. SunGard provided the facilitator, Bob Wheeler, who did a great job. There are three major areas of focus:

1. New buildings, expansions, capital projects
2. Scholarships
3. Institutional Support – faculty endowments, program endowments, etc.

The next step will be trustees meeting with college staff to gather information and recommendations to bring to the Board in January. Dr. Richards had very favorable comments about the Foundation Board of Trustees and told the group that Robbie Graham would be presenting at the Board of Regents meeting in December.

Annette Lord read an update on the iNtegrate project provided by John Bearce, and distributed the Fall 2010 Headcount and FTE comparisons as of October 15. The iNtegrate planned tasks are right on target for implementation. As CSN moves closer to full implementation there will be an increasing workload on the project team and Student Affairs staff, with emphasis on testing and validating conversion data and modifications to the system.

Patty Charlton told the group that Bart Patterson would be at CSN facilitating an Efficiency and Effectiveness Review on November 17. The review would focus on the administrative structure of CSN, streamlining operations, and HR/Payroll processes. The meeting will most likely last all day as there are around 40 discussion items.

Richard Hinckley encouraged the cabinet members to communicate with all 63 legislators for Nevada with concerns, ideas for solutions, and thanks for their work. He asked cabinet members to suggest that same course of action to their departments as well. He reminded everyone there would be a lot of pressure on the legislature to reduce benefit costs and services; and the elected representatives need to know where we stand. Dr. Richards confirmed that the PEBP issues deserve a lot of attention. Carolyn Collins is representing CSN on the task force. He will send an “all” e-mail to touch on 3 topics that are on the forefront of current CSN business: PEBP, CSN Work Climate Survey, and Intercollegiate Athletics.

Penny McCollum reported on happenings at the Henderson Campus and Boulder City Center. She is meeting with with Academic Affairs and Facilities this month to designate a central location for Henderson Tutorial Services. She welcomed Stephanie Hill to the Henderson Campus as Interim Director of Student Affairs. Solar lighting was installed in the parking lot behind the C Building. Penny is working with Facilities to get additional RTC Club ride parking spots installed in each parking lot. Penny continues to work with the campus food service vendor, Sodexo, to match campus community needs for variety, fresh and healthy items, along with an espresso machine. Henderson Campus will celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a Native American Film Festival, Food Festival, and Poetry Reading. The Boulder City Center hosted a large community event: 31er’s Boulder Dam Community Educational Outreach and Luncheon in October. The event celebrated 75 years of the Dam and the workers who built it.

Joan McGee distributed topics of interest regarding the Charleston Campus, and told everyone about a group that may tour the new Engelstad Health Sciences Building in December. The group will consist of Respiratory Therapists who will be attending the American Association for Respiratory Care Conference in Las Vegas. Joan also gave an update on the Strategic Plan. She reported that CSN’s Strategic Plan reminders are currently being sent by the software program. Responsible parties would receive a communication for each goal assigned to them when a due date approaches. The reminder emails are generated 90 days, 60 days and 30 days prior to the due date, with additional reminders the day before, day of, and day after if not completed. Joan will be attending a conference of the Society for College and University Planning in January, as part 2 of the three-part training program begun in Minneapolis last summer. Other topics of interest listed in Joan’s report included:

• Finalization of the site coordinator job description that will be used for all professional employees in that position
• Completion of inventories at the learning centers
• Completion of the Campus Administration Policy and Procedures Handbook for all campuses
• Thanking of all volunteers for the Fall Fun Fest
• Assistance in coordination of Leadership Las Vegas/Leadership Henderson Education Day classes planned for January and February 2011

Dr. Richards said a Statewide Education Summit may take place at a Las Vegas Hotel in January. The Chancellor, new Governor, Superintendents, and Legislators will be invited to attend.

Mugunth Vaithylingam gave an update on OTS matters. The VOIP project is moving forward. The phones have been purchased and the infrastructure is almost complete. A large refresh is planned for 2011 for classroom computers. November is Cyber Security Awareness Month. Students and Staff can see tips for improving security by reading the Get Connected Newsletter/Blog at this link: http://blog.csn.edu/ots  The 4^th Annual CSN Tech Connection event will be held January 19 at the Henderson campus, presented by OTS and CAPE. The event aims to introduce new, existing, and emerging technologies as an interactive and educational experience. Mugunth is also trying to convince Lenovo to bring their annual Think Tank Conference to CSN. The conference would give CSN National recognition and grant money is available to institutions and students who participate.

Dr. Richards reminded everyone to look for the Climate Survey email link on November 16. The results of the survey will be reviewed by a committee – not by Administration. The committee will make recommendations based on the results. He also reminded everyone to keep current with the PEBP meetings and encouraged solution-oriented feedback from all.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled December 13, 2010.

The CSN Chronicle 

The CSN Chronicle for November sets the tone for the holiday season and for the coming legislative session.  This is an opportunity for me to share information with the CSN family and to address questions that have broad interest.       

Holiday Celebration

Our annual holiday party will be held at Texas Station at 6 p.m. on Thursday, December 9^th.   Sponsored by the CSN Foundation, this event has quickly become a college tradition, a time to socialize and to share.  Please mark your calendar, get your tickets and plan to be with us.   Again this year we will be collecting food donations (cans and sealed packaged items) for Three Square.  CSN collected more than 800 pounds of food last year, and we’d like to top 1,000 pounds this year.  

Preliminary budget information from the Sandoval administration is that executive budget recommendations will reflect a roll back to pre-recession levels.  This is not an encouraging sign for higher education, although there is interest in allowing institutions greater authority to set tuition and fee rates and to retain the revenues collected.  Working through the complexity of issues we face in the next several months will take considerable time and attention.  We are already meeting with our employee groups to share some of the issues and concerns.

Degree Attainment and CSN

Last month’s Chronicle described the goals of Complete College America and the Obama Administration’s efforts to fund more certificate and degree completions.  Paralleling these initiatives are renewed accountability and public communication activities at the national level.  The American Association of Community Colleges is launching a Voluntary Framework of Accountability that will be piloted by three dozen colleges this year.  And there are new proposals for better measuring student success in community colleges.

Developmental education is at the forefront of many of the completion and student success discussions. Even within Nevada, developmental education is receiving attention from academic officers and presidents. 

One overarching concern is that if we do not engage CSN constructively in the accountability, degree attainment, and developmental education conversations, we’ll be directed to make changes.  I believe it is better to be part of the dialog to help shape policy than to react and become defensive.  Hence, I have widely shared the CSN accountability report and process, and encouraged our “Project Graduate” initiative, internal discussions on our own efforts to augment certificate and degree attainment (You’ll be hearing more about this in the coming months.), and our own review of developmental education.     

The Workplace Climate Survey is now open for your input.  Please take time to complete the survey.  Your answers will be anonymous and a committee of faculty and staff, led by officers of our employee groups, will review the findings and submit recommendations to the administration.  My goal with this survey is to improve the organizational culture of CSN to the extent we can.  The survey will remain open until January 23.  Please note that by now you should have received your survey form.

Mystery Shopping and CAPE

During fall semester a team of researchers assessed the customer service experience of individuals contacting CSN with a combination of in-person, telephone-based, and web-based mystery shopping.  All three campuses were involved, and the final report of the assessment is due the second week of December.  However, early findings are helping us shape CAPE training sessions at the beginning of spring semester.    As our CAPE folks design and offer in-service training this year, please review the offerings carefully and participate in the opportunities CAPE provides. 

VOIP Telephone Upgrade

As many of you many know, we are upgrading our telephone system to a Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) system.  This will provide a more efficient and cost-effective phone system and allow CSN to improve its technology infrastructure.  For some of you, this will mean a new telephone, some inconvenience and a new system to learn.   Please be patient during this migration and the change it represents.     

Cheyenne Renovations

During the 2001 spring semester, we will see more renovations on our Cheyenne campus, and with renovation will come inconvenience.  By fall semester, however, we should have new science labs, and the long-term use of portable science labs that will give us greater capacity for lab classes at Cheyenne.  We will also expand the painting and re-carpeting project.  Many thanks to Associate Vice President Sherri Payne and her wonderful staff for these much-needed improvements! 

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“What changes occurred in intercollegiate athletics?”

Over the past two weeks, CSN has made some leadership changes within the athletic department, which you may have seen discussed in the news. These developments have required us to act quickly to ensure our players the best possible chance of success next season.

I would like to ask you to help welcome Marc Morse as interim athletic director at CSN and Nick Garritano as the new baseball coach. Both of these individuals will help our players attain their athletic and academic goals during the coming season.

Marc has played an integral role in the success of the college’s athletic program with his time, passion and support. He served as infield coach under former CSN Athletic Director and Baseball Coach Tim Chambers. In addition, he and his family have been leaders in raising well over a million dollars for CSN athletics. He comes to this position with expertise in athletics, knowledge of NJCAA rules and regulations, coaching and fund raising, essential qualities for an athletic director of a successful program almost entirely funded with private dollars. A community college alumnus with deep roots in Las Vegas, he understands the value of CSN to this community.

Coach Garritano comes to CSN with more than 12 years of success at Green Valley High School, including two Nevada State National Championship titles. Garritano has proven himself a tremendous leader on and off the field. A recipient of the 2007 Secondary South East Region Distinguished Educator Award, he coached six All-Americans and 10 players who have been drafted into Major League Baseball. He will report directly to the athletic director.

We are very pleased to have both of these individuals lead our players and our program and look forward to following the Coyotes this upcoming season.

The CSN Foundation Board of Trustees—ever supportive of CSN and its students—met this month to map its objectives and strategies for the next year.  The Trustees settled on three areas:  institutional support, scholarships, and capital projects.  We will be customizing our fundraising around these themes.

Enjoy the events of international education week and Native American heritage month.

 Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

  –Mike Richards

            Last month, the College of Southern Nevada released an economic impact study that shows CSN is a profitable investment for students, businesses and taxpayers.
            The study, which was conducted over the summer by third party Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. (EMSI), found that last school year’s student body alone will generate about $93.3 million in labor income in the state economy each year. This year, CSN will enroll more students, which will most likely have a positive impact on that number. In addition, the increased productivity of workers due to the accumulation of past and present CSN skills in the region creates around $772.8 million in added income each year.
            This study shows that CSN is a strong investment that generates real returns for our economy and quality of life.

Other interesting facts:

• Over the course of a working lifetime, associate’s degree graduates from CSN earn $414,000 more than someone with a high school diploma.
• Nevada taxpayers receive a rate of return of 9.2 percent on their investment in CSN, far better than the average rate of return on stocks and bonds.
• Once CSN’s current students become active in the workforce, they will promote business output, raise consumer spending, and increase property income in the state. All of this contrib­utes an additional $85.7 million in taxable income each year.
• CSN’s total contribution is approximately equal to 18,150 average-wage jobs, or 1.1% of the total regional economy.

             One of my favorite quotes from the report: “Worthwhile public projects often generate negative taxpayer perspective returns, because the role of government is to provide services that the public wants but that the business sector may find unprofitable … But unlike most government endeavors funding for CSN generates strong results from both the social and taxpayer perspectives. Economists generally assume a 3% discount rate in analyzing government investments, assuming that governments can obtain unsecured loans at a rate of 3% or receive a 3% return on any excess funds, if they were invested. Since CSN’s taxpayer rate of return of 9.2% is greater than 3%, state and local governments actually make money on the investment. By funding the college, therefore, other recipients of state and local funding are actually subsidized through the revenues generated by the college.”

            The growing demand for CSN services is in part due to Nevada’s weak economy and high unemployment rate. But our data show what higher education officials have been saying for years: That postsecondary education contributes to economic health. A growing student body at CSN indicates that more Nevadans are learning valuable skills to improve their lives in addition to increased productivity and income in Nevada.

Please take a greater look at CSN’s economic impact and go to www.csn.edu/economicimpact to review the entire study.

October 11, 2010

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
Vartouhi Asherian, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Administration
J.T. Creedon, Student Government President
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs – absent
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Larry Mason, Chief Diversity Officer
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations 
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the September 13, 2010 cabinet meeting were approved.

Dr. Richards reviewed upcoming events, including the CSN Foundation Fun Fest, October 29-31, and the end of the year holidays.

Vartouhi Asherian began the cabinet member reports with an update on the AFA. There are concerns among members about benefits. Vartouhi is directing everyone to the forums and is hopeful everyone’s concerns will be addressed there. AFA is trying something different this year in the employee of the month. She told the cabinet members they may be polled for positive feedback about nominees. She also asked cabinet members to inform AFA about any professional development ideas you may have. She will be working with CAPE to address the training needs.

Dr. Byrd gave an update on the areas of Student Affairs, starting with Project Graduation. Through Institutional Research, Student Affairs has identified 4,269 students with a large number of credits and a good GPA. The plan is to work with these students and encourage them to graduate. Counselors will be setting appointments on all three campuses. In response to reorganization recommendations, the Counseling Department Liaison Initiative with CSN’s schools and departments is beginning; and cross-training of advisors and retention specialists to provide early intervention to incoming students is beginning also. Other news in Student Affairs departments include:

• TRIO – was awarded the Student Support Services project award – renewed for 5 years at $255,505 annually for approximately $1.27 Million total
• Tutorial Services – one-on-one tutoring has increased 18.25% overall; and Math & Science Lab visits are up over 61% from last year
• Learning & Earning – Increased the number of Learning and Earning youths served by 50%; the department was awarded the highest level of recognition from Workforce CONNECTIONS, formerly known as Southern Nevada Workforce Investment Board; secured a grant of $150,000 for the summer of 2010, which was an increase of 36.5% compared to previous years; and was awarded $30,000 from MGM International Resorts VOICE Foundation for the 2010-2011 academic year
• Veterans Educational Center – Ribbon cutting and reception on Thursday, October 28 at the Charleston Campus
• Retention – processed over 900 E-Alerts by the 5^th week of class, a 13% increase from last year
• DRC and Student Financial Services – DRC and SFS have been successful in implementing the DRC Note Taker Scholarship program. About 200 students have qualified as scholarship recipients by earning a 3.0 GPA and successfully completing the DRC’s Note Taker Training. This very innovative program provides recipients opportunities to improve their note taking skills, have incentives for course attendance and success, and receive awards to their student account from Student Financial Services.

Bill Kerney relayed current events and concerns in Faculty Senate. They continue to work with Mugunth and the OTS department on the password policy. Bill brought up the fact that using graduation rates to evaluate Community College success is a hot topic with Faculty Senate—it is not fair evaluation criteria for CSN. Dr. Richards told him he knows that it is problematic to reconcile the expectation using the current success criteria, but the national trend is for this type of completion. Nevada (NSHE) is participating in Complete College America which will require CSN to show an increase in certificates and degrees over the next 10 years (2010-2020). Some of the ideas being discussed to improve the completion rates are possible certificates for General Education completion, certificates for transfers, or some other method of commendation. The problem at present is that IPEDS will not recognize these certificates in evaluating the data. Dr. Richards also discussed a national movement to standardize Bachelor’s degrees at 120 credits and Associate degrees at 60 credits. Another mistake being made by legislators and others unfamiliar with higher education is the elimination of low producing programs to save money. Using that kind of logic, many health programs and engineering programs would be eliminated from many institutions’ curriculums. The NSHE Plan for Nevada’s Colleges and Universities, Combining Excellence and Austerity to Attain Success is an outline for the Nevada Legislature to explain some of the issues and possible solutions for higher education in Nevada. It can be read in its entirety at this link:

http://system.nevada.edu/Chancellor/PLAN-FOR-NEVADA.pdf

Jacque Matthews talked about the Foundation’s activities and highlighted the upcoming Fall Fun Fest, October 29-31. She distributed some of the Fun Fest marketing materials being used for what is hoped to become an annual event. Some of the sponsors include Budweiser, Cox, the Las Vegas Review Journal, and Lotus Broadcasting. She said that publicity begins in print this week, and during the 10 days prior to the event radio and television spots will run. On the Wednesday before the Fun Fest, two parking lots will be closed to allow for set up. Although it will be inconvenient, it is only for one day and will be well-communicated to faculty, staff and students. There will be a meeting of the Foundation Executive Committee on November 4, with a goal of establishing a cohesive fundraising strategic plan, owned by the trustees. The committee will be conducting in-depth interviews with business leaders and other members of the community to identify the Foundation’s strengths and weaknesses in fundraising, and determine the community’s perception of the College.

The Foundation’s annual Golf Classic is scheduled to take place on November 23 at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Club Resort. The venue change will give CSN an additional $50 per player and allows for growth for the event, from the resort’s three courses. Jacque said they have at least 13 pros confirmed to participate.

John Bearce and Dan Morris reported on the iNtegrate Project. With Robyn Render’s passing, some changes have been made in leadership. Chancellor Klaich named Annie McDonald as the Interim Project Director and Marilyn Delmont as Interim Vice Chancellor for Information Technology. A national search will begin soon for permanent staff. The September iNtegrate task report shows very little disparity between projected and actual completed tasks, and CSN achieved a milestone accomplishment last week when the Course Catalog was put into the production system. The Summer and Fall courses for 2010 were also put into the system for rollover purposes, and will simplify the process when the system is live. On the academic side of the iNtegrate transition, the student portal will be called “My CSN,” following suit with a number of other institutions with student portals. Dan listed the “go live” dates for some of CSN’s areas: Admissions, December 13; Registration, April 26, 2011 for Fall of 2011; Student Financial Services will go live shortly thereafter. Dan is working with K.C. Brekken to communicate with all constituents regarding training on the new systems. Summer 2011 will be on the current Legacy system, Fall 2011 will be on the new PeopleSoft system; and although there may be confusion initially, the new system is very intuitive and should pose few problems.

Dr. Richards shared that another institution found the transition to the PeopleSoft product very problematic, and asked Dan if CSN would have the same issues. Dan explained that the problems the other institution experienced were caused primarily by a 3^rd party, which CSN will not use. Our transition will be implemented differently and with our own staff rather than a 3^rd party. Dan said our student records staff is very dedicated to the transition running smoothly, and Administration has been supportive as well. He is confident that we will not have the same issues.

Dr. Richards spoke about the Efficiency & Effectiveness memorandum from the September Board of Regents meeting. He again reminded everyone to become familiar with the topics discussed therein. On the second page of the memo is a reference to the Community College Task Force. It has been renamed a “Fresh Look at Nevada’s Community Colleges.” The group will meet monthly and evaluate many recommendations for Community Colleges. Another task force talked about in the memo is the Library Task Force, which will look at combining services with the intention of becoming more efficient and saving the system money.

Richard Hinckley presented a draft of a Legislative Advocacy plan developed by himself and James Campos for CSN this year. He began by reminding the group that since 2007, CSN has cut 25% from the budget. This fact is affecting access – a big part of our Strategic Plan, Mission, and one of the core themes – and CSN is turning away many qualified students requesting access to various programs. Among these programs are many in the Health Sciences areas. The overall strategy for the College in this Legislative Session is to focus on communicating with the Legislative Leadership. CSN must be involved in discussions with legislators. Richard presented 5 goals for consideration:

1)    Restore and strengthen CSN’s ability to accomplish its Mission to provide access; and continue to make progress with the Legislature’s addressing CSN’s funding equity problem.

2)    Increase CSN’s student access by keeping education here affordable.

3)    Strengthen partnerships for workforce and economic development and respond to current and emerging labor market trends.

4)    Publicize and reinforce the fact that higher education is not an expense—it is an investment. Higher Education is a critical investment needed to help solve the current economic situation and to buffer the state and the country from future turbulence.

5)    Make a long term commitment to excellence in education by focusing on quality and access.

CSN’s action plan will involve meeting with the Legislative Leadership, preparing a post-election report and refining the strategy once the new legislators are in office, and meeting with the NSHE lobbyist regularly to be sure CSN’s issues are heard. One of the most important factors in a favorable outcome is to increase the number of advocates for CSN. It is critical that we have people in attendance in Las Vegas at the Grant Sawyer Building when there are legislative events going on. It is also critical that we greatly increase our number of communications with legislators, and to keep these communications worded positively. Dr. Richards commented on the impact CSN’s students had when they presented testimony at the last sessions, and how powerful their stories are in getting the message across to the public. Richard Hinckley and Dr. Richards both stressed the importance of communicating CSN’s issues to family, friends, neighbors and everyone who votes. Former NSHE Chancellor, Jim Rogers, will be interviewing all 8 NSHE Institution Presidents individually for his talk show; and the interviews will air prior to the Legislative Session in February 2011.

Dr. Richards shared with the group a PowerPoint presentation given by Senator Horsford in July of this year to the Business Leaders Group. The PowerPoint covers Nevada’s budget shortfall, unemployment and a reasonable approach to balancing Nevada’s budget. The solution as presented in the PowerPoint, calls for a fiscal reform with a combination of reasonable cuts to the budget while protecting education, and broad based revenue strategies to lessen the State’s dependence on gaming revenue. The presentation also emphasizes the need for a long term look at education, fiscal reform and health care to create a better Nevada for us all.

Larry Mason reminded everyone of the Cesar Chavez Luncheon at the June Whitley Student Center on Tuesday, October 12. The keynote speaker is Hilda Solis, Secretary of Labor.

Dr. Richards invited everyone to view the video of the White House Summit on Community Colleges, and read the written summary of the discussion groups. Both are posted on the President’s Blog at this link: http://blog.csn.edu

Dr. Richards complimented Darren Divine and the Henderson Campus on the Ketchup event. He said it was a lot of fun.

Joan McGee told everyone that Part Time Music Instructor, Alan Popick passed away. He participated in the holiday party each year by playing Santa Claus. An announcement will go out later in the day.

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled November 8, 2010.

Greetings to all!  There is much activity on many fronts that I’d like you to know about.

White House Summit on Community Colleges

Earlier this month, I had the great privilege of attending the White House Summit on Community Colleges, a special experience for me and most valuable for the whole national system of our colleges.  President Obama expressed his goal of attaining 5 million more college completers by the year 2020.  I’ve posted on my blog an outline of the summit if you wish to know more about the discussions and events of the day.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 amended the Trade Act to authorize the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training Grant Program (TAACCCT, aka C3TG).  The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act included $2 billion over four years to fund this program, which will be awarded by the Department of Labor at the amount of $500 million per year.  By statute, the program is designed to ensure that every state, through its eligible institutions of higher education, will receive at least $2.5 million.Nevada’s community colleges are applying as a consortium for this funding.   Funds are to be used for program development for degree programs that will have a benefit to trade impacted workers if they choose to participate, but programs will be open to all students. The focus must be on quality certificates and/or degrees that will result in meaningful employment based on local needs.  We are also encouraged to engage community partnerships in this process. In addition, Nevada is a participating member of Complete College America, an organization that will assist us in bolstering college completion goals in two ways: 1.  Provide resources and support in writing state consortia grants with a focus on accelerated intensive certificate and degree programs that will reduce time necessary  to obtain designated degrees and substantially increase completion based on successful models; and 2.  Develop a national consortium of community colleges that would apply to develop and disseminate a portfolio of three to four nationally portable STEM one-year certificate programs.  These one-year programs will be nested within two-year associate degree programs that are themselves fully articulated with four-year programs. CSN is participating in the Nevada consortium.  Ann Johnson is our representative on the state wide project, but we will be involving community partners as we launch our part of this project.  You’ll be hearing more about this effort over the next biennium.

NSHE PLAN, etc.

The Board of Regents has adopted an NSHE PLAN that has been posted on the CSN home page and Budget Issues web site and shared with state leaders.  The plan empowers colleges and universities to set and retain tuition and fee revenues, and it describes many more aspirations for the system of higher education, including:

• Committing to performance metrics and linking those metrics to funding (National Governor’s Association);
• Producing more graduates as a Complete College America partner;
• Revising the funding formula that has battered CSN;
• Accelerating degree programs;
• Placing credit limits on degrees;
• Dropping low-yield programs;
• Supporting part-time faculty;
• Investing in efficiency efforts;
• Decreasing the time to graduate;
• Optimizing financial aid;
• Setting tuition and fee rates and keeping the revenues locally; and
• Seeking more external funding from grants and donations.

This is a plan that combines excellence and austerity to attain success.

Although it’s early in the process, CSN has already begun its implementation of the NSHE PLAN:

• Our new strategic plan has an implementation component of tasks, success indicators, timelines, accountability, and reporting.
• CSN Student Affairs has begun Project Graduation, which has identified 4,269 students with 45 hours or more who have not graduated and is directing them with interventions for specific advising.
• We have increase student financial aid.  The number of students receiving aid is up 42% in four years, and dollars awarded is up 165%, from $23 million in 2006-07 to $63 million in 2009-10.
• We have a part-time faculty convention planned for 2011, and more partnerships developing with CCSD to help students with developmental education and gifted/talented opportunities.

And we’re working with other institutions to implement this plan.   It is our hope that implementation of the plan will help us appeal for federal and foundation grants that are seeking institutions willing to employ similar initiatives aimed at assisting students with certificate and degree attainment.  We will be working with other colleges in the system on these grant requests.

Fall Fun Fest is an initiative of the CSN Foundation to raise money for CSN and to offer a family event over Nevada Day and Halloween.  The staff members of the Foundation have brought together craft booths, concerts, local authors and book signings, and a carnival that will be open to the public.  This is a major event, staged for the first time.  The set up for the festival may cause you some inconvenience on Wednesday night and Thursday in terms of parking, but this event represents a unique opportunity for  CSN to engage the community in a wholesome and entertaining event.  Many thanks to the organizers and volunteers for our Fall Fun Fest.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“How many students are enrolled this semester?”

Our official census date is October 15th, but the last numbers I saw—a day ago–showed 43,686 headcount (up 1.4% over the same time last year) and 22,286.4 FTE (up 2.5%).

“How are we doing?”

Often asked, this general question means, “How’s the external fiscal environment.”  Actually, it’s relatively good.  The election is consuming local and state energy, but beneath the politics and campaigning a number of healthy signs reinforce my optimism.  Our enrollment is up.  Our budget is sound.  Our investments are growing.  Our economic benefit to southern Nevada is well documented and widely published.  Our faculty and staff are engaging students.  And our students are generally staying enrolled in their classes and enjoying the learning environment of CSN.  We’re having an excellent fall semester!

Best regards to all.

–Mike Richards

September 13, 2010

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
Vartouhi Asherian, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
John Bearce, Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Director
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Administration    
J.T. Creedon, Student Government President
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair                                 
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Larry Mason, Chief Diversity Officer
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations 
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect – absent  
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer  

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the August 9, 2010 cabinet meeting were approved.

Dr. Richards reviewed some upcoming dates including Wednesday, September 15’s Classified Town Hall Meeting in K-101, October and November holidays, the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk on October 2, and The Foundation Fun Fest October 29-31.

Chancellor Klaich chartered a committee over the weekend to review the System’s benefit structure. There will be representatives for Administration, Faculty, and Classified employees on the committee.

K.C. Brekken told the group about Telemundo’s Health Fair to take place on the Cheyenne Campus on September 25 from 10 am until 3 pm. The event will bring thousands of people to the college. It is a great opportunity to showcase all that CSN can offer the community. She added that on October 9, Student Government will host a Town Hall/debate with the Asian, Latin and Urban chambers. Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. completed a socio-economic impact analysis to determine CSN’s effect on the community. K.C. distributed a summary of the analysis, and the complete study can be viewed at this link: http://www.csn.edu/economicimpact

Thomas Brown gave an update on a procedural manual for campus administration across the college. He met with Dr. Joan McGee and Penny McCollum to discuss and develop the manual to make all policies and procedures on campuses and sites uniform. He also told the group that the “ask me” team again provided information and guidance this year to students during the first week of classes. Other items reported to cabinet included:

• In August, the 12^th Annual Back-to-School Fair went very well. Thomas met with Larry Mason and David Osman from the Nevada Youth Alliance to discuss how to give more of a presence to CSN at the event
• Former CSN President, Dr. Paul Meecham, and his wife celebrated their 50^th wedding anniversary with an open house in the Whitley Student Lounge. The event was well attended.
• Thomas is currently developing a web page for the Affirmative Action Office that will contain CSN’s Affirmative Action Plan and information about grievances and compliance issues.
• Thomas is attending all initial search committee meetings to explain how CSN plans to reach recruitment goals.
• Anneli Adams, John Mueller and Thomas Brown met to discuss the use of online NEATS training for the Sexual Harassment Prevention Training refresher. The refresher will be offered both online and in a classroom setting; and will be customized for CSN-specific information.

Dr. Chemene Crawford highlighted the main goals for Administrative Operations as a whole and by department. Her goals for the division are:

• To establish a web presence
• To work with Institutional Research to develop and administer a campus climate survey
• To revise the Emergency Communications Plan
• To work with Human Resources on a 3-5 year operations plan to include among other things, automated leave-keeping
• Develop a first draft of a campus/sites/centers procedural manual
• Facilitate customer service training for all police officers to be completed within the year
• Improve participation in the Emergency Notification System
• To work with CAPE on more supervisory and leader development workshops

J.T. Creedon reported a busy summer. Student government has a new logo and is working on branding. Students like the book exchange program and its online capability. The ASCSN/Cipriano Chavez Work for Your Book Assistance Program is a great opportunity to earn a book voucher for $100 or $200. Applications and program details are at this link: http://www.csn.edu/pages/3417.asp

A recent club rush, featuring a dunk tank and other fun activities, turned out to be a successful event to encourage participation in clubs. Thirty clubs participated. Student government also hopes to publish a questionnaire prior to the November elections to assist with advocacy. J.T. also reported a legislative victory with the Millennium Scholarship available to students for at least one more year.

Cat Maihen distributed a list of Classified Council events and encouraged everyone’s participation in the Town Hall meeting to take place on Wednesday, September 15 in K-101. Scheduled to speak and to answer questions at the event are Dr. Richards, Patty Charlton, and John Mueller. A Classified Employee survey will be available from September 20 through October 1 using the Student Voice link via email. Classified Council will hold a bake sale on September 28 from 10 am – 1 pm on all three main campuses, and will begin taking orders for Boo Grams to be delivered October 26 & 27. A Boo Gram is a sweet treat to show co-workers you appreciate them. The price for Boo Grams this year will be $1 each, or 6 for $5. CAPE in-service days are to be October 19 & 20 at the Charleston & Cheyenne campuses, with classes and times to be announced. The classes offered this semester will be geared toward relevance to CSN Classified employee duties. Cat thanked Dr. Richards for encouraging Classified staff to participate in legislative advocacy and communicate their views to administration. She commended him for encouraging an environment in which all its members treat each other with courtesy and respect.

Dr. Richards, Dr. Crawford and John Bearce informed the group that a climate survey would be developed and distributed tentatively before the end of the fall semester.

Larry Mason is collaborating with other southern Nevada colleges and with CCSD on events for Hispanic Heritage Month. The events will feature several high profile Hispanic keynote speakers including: Astronaut Joe Hernandez and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis.

Dr. Richards told the cabinet members that Robyn Render, Vice Chancellor of Information Technology for NSHE, passed away last week. He commented on her fairness and support for CSN and she would be missed.

Dr. Richards mentioned an article in the September 13 Review Journal by Richard Lake and asked the cabinet members to take a look at it. The emphasis of the article is the scarce availability of courses due to increased enrollment and lack of funding to meet the demand. http://www.lvrj.com/news/students-getting-turned-away-102758159.html?viewAllComments=y&c=y

The Board of Regents approved CSN’s Strategic Plan. This strategic plan takes on a unique position in that the accreditation process now uses the plan as a big part of the basis for certification. The first report will be due next fall, so everyone will need to pay close attention to the goals and objectives on the strategic plan and adhere to the details and timelines listed.

At the Board of Regents meeting in Reno on September 9 & 10, Dr. Richards noticed that the subject of completion with regard to graduation rates and skills sets was raised several times. Dr. Richards realizes the difficult task CSN has in this area, and sees opportunities for better articulation. A Community College Task Force is being charged with defining student success as it relates to institutions like CSN. Part of the disconnect is due to students’ declared goals versus their actual goals. Many of them are financial aid recipients and must declare they are working toward a degree in order to receive the aid, when in reality they are not. Also there are many students who take a few classes to improve their job performance, learn or improve a skill or trade, or learn a language – but again, because they are not earning a certificate or degree – the assumption is they did not complete. Another factor affecting completion at CSN is the proximity of the Air Force Base. Students begin their education, and then are deployed.

Dr. Richards distributed a 5-page memo dated September 7, 2010 addressed to the NSHE Board of Regents from Chancellor Klaich, Vice Chair Geddes, and Regent Page, discussing the Board Efficiency and Effectiveness Initiative. Dr. Richards advised the cabinet to become familiar with the memo and how NSHE applies good stewardship to public resources. It will be an ongoing initiative to improve policy makers’ and citizens’ awareness of the steps implemented to reduce budgets, processes streamlined for more efficiency, and efforts to reduce the cost of operating the System. He also distributed a short list of bullet points designed to clarify some common misconceptions about CSN’s budget cuts and growth:

How was CSN able to cut the budget so easily and still grow?Premise CSN cut access by reducing the number of learning centers and sites CSN cut positions and froze vacancies CSN instituted a registration fee surcharge CSN enrollment growth met or exceeded growth projections CSN realized excess fee revenue How has CSN afforded its growth? Because several new classrooms came online due to a private gift and a public-public partnership Because the student surcharge was targeted to protect class sections, CSN can fulfill its commitment to students to add class sections Because CSN increased the minimum required class size, CSN has increased efficiency by increasing the proportion of class sections that are at, or near, full capacity Because distance education continues its popularity with students, CSN can methodically increase online offerings Because innovation has allowed CSN to expand late-night class sections, CSN has extended access to education to another sector of the community Because part-time faculty are available in the community and CSN can add selected courses at relatively low cost while preserving quality

CSN and TMCC will participate in a Community College recruitment fair to be held in January in Los Angeles. The fair attracts job seekers, and is an opportunity to boost awareness of all the programs community colleges have to offer at substantially lower costs than at a university. 

Meeting adjourned at 10:05 a.m. 

Next meeting scheduled October 11, 2010.

Last week, under the leadership of President Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, a historic White House Summit on Community Colleges convened in Washington D.C.   This was a very special experience for me and for the entire national system of colleges like CSN.

President Obama spoke of building American skills by strengthening community colleges.  He announced a national goal to increase the number of community college graduates by 5 million by 2020, and announced the “Skills for America’s Future” program to link community colleges and businesses to meet national workforce needs.

Just as easily he could have talked about building the skills of Nevadans by strengthening community colleges.  His challenge to increase the number of certificate and degree graduates in Nevada applies directly to CSN, and a “Skills for Nevada’s Future” initiative, adding more linkages of community colleges and businesses to meet Nevada workforce needs also applies.

Six breakout sessions led to specific discussions about national issues and community colleges.   Two are of special note and continue the conversation we began at convocation a little over a month ago:

1.       BREAKOUT SESSION: Increasing Community College Completion, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

Considerable discussion of the developmental instruction process:

o   Remove stigma of remedial instruction

o   SPEED UP THE PROCESS! Only remediate what needs to be remediated

o   Help students to understand that it will get them somewhere

o   Use technology

o   Streamline institutional policies

o   Look at what works:

• I-BEST Integrated Basic Education Skills Training
  • Use two faculty members, one developmental, one vocational, provides relevance to field of study
  • Implemented in Washington State, cost twice as much to deliver as previous methods, but had 3 to 9 times better outcomes.
• Peer mentoring is an opportunity for good students to share strength with those struggling. Part of a learning community.

o   Use technology to teach and faculty to mentor

o   Support PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

o   Plan for student success

• Continue to provide access
• Focus on student success (relevance to field of study.)
• Responsive to workforce (work more closely with advisory boards)
• Create a culture of evidential data for “Achieving the Dream.” IF NSHE COMMUNITY COLLEGES WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE IN ANY OF THESE AREAS, WE MUST WORK TOWARDS AN ACHIEVING THE DREAM CERTIFICATION. LUMINA, GATES et al. WILL NOT FUND WITHOUT. BUSINESSES WILL MIGRATE TOWARD ACHIEVING THE DREAM CERTIFIED COMMUNITY COLLEGES BECAUSE IT WILL HAVE ADVANTAGES FOR THEM. THEY’LL MIGRATE TOWARD STATES WITH CONSORTIUM OF ACHIEVING THE DREAM SCHOOLS AS WELL.

o   In the end, we hope to avoid the need for developmental instruction, rather than improve it. (K-12 responsibilities… dual credit opportunities. Remediation in dual credit, tech prep?)

o   Sect’y Duncan: How do we hold ourselves accountable?

• Increasing associate degree awards
• Increasing certificate awards
• Rapid completion of developmental course work

o   Secty Duncan: What does success look like?

• We need to determine (CSN is working on an applied definition)
• Measure workforce placement (More employer surveys)

o   More focus on work with business and industry, both training and assessment.

o   Consideration of what “college ready” means.

• Washington State Model, Momentum Points

o   Reward colleges when students achieve research-based benchmarks, rather than for graduation. (Achieving the Dream connection.)

o   Momentum points mark achievement of certain course work, skill acquisition. Many cc students do not achieve “milestones” (graduation, for instance) Momentum points more accurately record cc 21^st Century student achievement

• “21^st Century Student” as opposed to Non-Traditional Student

o   A new name. Non-Trad is the norm. 21^st Century Student is what we are dealing with. Distinct from the GI Bill era student.

o   Develop acceleration models.  Need more!

• Block scheduling; late night scheduling
• Living stipends so students can focus on their studies
• Saves money and increases capacity. The more students we move THROUGH the system, the more we can move INTO the system.

Identifying and advising more graduates. The discussion was:

o   Many students who might have earned an AA never register to graduate, varieties of reasons. We are already more successful than we think.

o   Transferring credits earned at a university BACK to the community colleges for associate credit. Give students an AA whether they like it or not!

o   Partnerships with community based non-profit training orgs (H.A.N.D.S., Goodwill, FISH) already providing training. Give credit for training at those places.

o   Discussion of WIB/WIA partnerships. Working on policies that work for cc’s and one stops.

• Create policies to incentivize cc degrees
• Creating more partnerships

o   Public/private, public/public, CC/CC. More collaboration at NSHE?

• More collaboration between NSHE CCs means more opportunity for funding. Lumina, Gates, DOE, more apt to fund consortiums than individual CCs

o   The risks:

o   “If we unabashedly award completion, we risk shutting out those we’re trying to help.”

o   Core Value Conflicts:

• Completion vs. access
• Quality vs. access
• Performance vs. access

o   College autonomy vs. state and national policy

o   Cost based vs. value based thinking

o   Student choice vs. tight and limited programs

2.       BREAKOUT SESSION:  Community Colleges in the 21^st Century, Secretary Janet Napolitano and Melinda Gates.  Melinda Gates conducted much of the discussion that reflected some of the priorities of the Gates Foundation.

Discussion focused on barriers and solutions:

o   Barriers were shared from a number of institutions and included,

• inexperience with foundations and alumni,
• scalability of best practices,
• data systems and definitions (swirling student phenomenon),
• systematic retention practices,
• access to on-line coursework of high quality, and
• transferability of credits.

o   Solutions and initiatives that are working included,

• learning outcomes and assessment at course and program levels,
• institutional assessment,
• partnerships (public-private and public-public),
• internships and apprenticeships,
• faculty dedication and willingness to innovate for student success.

o   On the horizon:

• using technology to teach, faculty to mentor and coach for content mastery;
• competency-based instruction initiatives–changing how learning is measured from seat-time (Carnegie units) to competencies;
• I-BEST in Washington (major discussion on this because Gates Foundation is enthusiastic about the program)
• performance scholarship programs;
• virtual financial aid model in Connecticut;
• PATHWAYS models for bridging public and higher education;
• real time modules (Carnegie Mellon open campus),
• contextual developmental education (more of Carnegie approach); and
• formal PTI training programs.

CSN is ahead of the game on some of these items and will continue to be a major player in Nevada and national higher education. But I think it is important that we ramp up discussions on these issues.  I shared many examples of what CSN is already doing to meet state and national goals for more graduates.  As federal and foundation opportunities for grant funding emerge, CSN will be there and positioned to receive the resource supplements need to achieve our goals.

I was also pleased in this national forum to commend our faculty and staff for their dedicated service to student success and institutional innovation.  Thanks to all for making CSN such a vibrant example.

Mike

For those who were unable to watch the White House Summit on Community Colleges live on the web on Tuesday, Oct. 5. We have posted the opening and closing sessions here.

Or read the Reno Gazette Journal’s coverage of the summit here: http://www.rgj.com/article/20101005/NEWS/101005063/1321/NEWS/Nevada-schools-do-their-part-as-U.S.-junior-colleges-called-%E2%80%98unsung-heroes–

Opening Session

Closing Session

Greetings to all!  I hope your semester is going well.  There is much activity on many fronts that I’d like you to know about.   

Strategic and Fiscal Direction 

Many preliminaries are underway preparatory to the 2011 legislative session.  On August 27^th, the Board of Regents adopted a budget recommendation for the next biennium that is a maintenance-level request.  Even so, by following state budget office guidelines, it’s about 24% higher than the previous biennium.   We certainly commend the Board for its unfailing support for our system of the higher education.  

At the September Board meeting, action was taken to link state funding with quality improvements in NSHE.  A plan was presented and approved to reinvent the System with changes in tuition and fee setting, design of the funding formula, goals and performance metrics, efficiency and effectiveness, financial aid, partnerships, and accountability.  The plan is available on the NSHE and CSN web sites.  I have formed an All-College Committee on Innovation and the Future with the task of developing ways CSN will implement this plan (as well as other reviews and initiatives that are underway in NSHE). 

Also at the September meeting of the Board of Regents, the new strategic plan for CSN was approved.  We’re moving ahead with steps to implement it. 

Texas Station will be the site for our annual Holiday Party on Thursday, December 9th.  Please mark your calendars and plan to join us for this wonderful celebration.  Again this year we will partner with Three Square to collect packaged and canned food for people in our community.

Cheyenne Improvements 

Our venerable Cheyenne campus needs considerable capital investment to improve its facilities.  Sherri Payne and her staff have developed a phased plan to upgrade public circulation and assembly space with new carpet, painting, and mechanical improvements.  Major improvements will need state funding, but there is much we have done and will do to make the space better for faculty, staff and students.  New carpeting has been installed in the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre, new flooring has been added to stairways, and the replacement of the corridor carpeting has begun and will continue for the next couple of years.  We are also going to begin renovating many of the older restrooms in the main building.  Each semester we will be working on improvements to renew the campus.  Also, by next fall semester, science labs will be greatly improved in two ways:  We’re adding a “permanent” modular laboratory facility that we’ll use during renovation of the current science labs, and we’ll keep the modular facility operational after the construction is finished to add more capacity for our science program.   

Of course, improvements of the magnitude we have planned will not be without disruption.  Furniture has to be moved and in some cases replaced.   We’re sorry for the inconvenience, but when completed the space should look and feel much better.  Thank you, Sherri, for the effort on this important project. 

CSN has received a grant of $756,000 in emergency management funds.  This grant will support an initiative to improve the safety of our campuses and our police department.  Proceeds of the grant will support equipment, training, and emergency preparedness efforts for the institution.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members: 

“How many students are enrolled this semester?”

Our official census date is October 15^th, but the last numbers I saw indicated headcount enrollment was 40,044 (up 1.1% over the same time last year) and 21,622 FTE (up 3.16%).  

“Are budget cuts over?”

No.  CSN has cut its budget every fiscal year since 2007, and we’re not finished.  Based on our experience, a retrenchment plan was approved as part of our new strategic plan.  The retrenchment plan sets forth principles and priorities for future budget reductions, and it keeps our priorities focused on jobs and students.  I fully expect another round of budget cuts during a very difficult legislative session, but we’re prepared.  We know how to do this with the college-wide community involved in the process.   Ahead of us are many days of advocacy, persuasion and tough times.   

“Am I going to lose my job?”

I’m being asked this question more often this year, and I know there is uncertainty among our people.  Please know, however, that since 2007, protecting jobs has been a priority through all the budget cuts.  CSN has fared better than most institutions through these hard times because of our planning, growth, and extensive involvement of people in the process.  Be assured we will do our utmost to keep our priorities straight, to keep you fully informed, and to protect our mission and people.  

Best regards to all. 

–Mike Richards

August 09, 2010 

Cabinet Members:

President Mike Richards – absent
Vartouhi Asherian, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
John Bearce, Interim Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne – absent
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs – absent
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Administration
J.T. Creedon, Student Government President – absent
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair                                          
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Larry Mason, Chief Diversity Officer
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation – absent
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Dan Morris, Executive Director, Business Operations
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect 
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer  
Anne Zemek de Dominguez, General Counsel – absent
Annette Lord, Executive Assistant

The meeting was called to order by Patty Charlton at 9 a.m.

The notes of the June 14, 2010 cabinet meeting were approved.

Patty told the group that Dr. Richards was meeting with the Chancellor and would not be attending the cabinet meeting. She reminded the cabinet members of some upcoming dates including the special Board of Regents Meeting on August 27 and the Fire Station Dedication on August 30.

Dan Morris shared a summary of the NSHE Strategic Plan for Information Technology. The SCS Advisory Group and the NSHE Campus Technology Officers formed the planning team, whose primary objectives represent the areas critical for an enduring base for IT among the NSHE institutions. The five areas of focus for the next 3-5 years are:

• Sustaining a Current Infrastructure
• Collaboration on Shared Services
• Awareness of the Value of Information Technology
• Services that Mirror Institution Priorities
• Information Security

SCS initiatives for the 2010-2012 Biennium:

1. Infrastructure Capacity Plan – Develop a capacity plan and funding document for the next biennium to support NSHE-wide services and infrastructure requirements to deliver SCS services.
2. Shared Services Costing Model – Develop a methodology and tools to examine cost and benefits of central IT services and to develop a cost/benefit model to analyze collaborative/shared versus independent approaches to delivering NSHE IT services.
3. IT Metrics – define and report on relevant IT service metrics for SCS services and complete service level agreements for each service area.
4. Collaboration Plan – Evaluate and modify SCS user and advisory committees to ensure all NSHE stakeholders are represented and to improve communication and information dissemination with NSHE institutions.
5. Continuous Planning Improvements – Strengthen IT and strategic planning between SCS and NSHE Institutions and continue to improve relationships and communication and feedback channels.
6. Information Security – Collaborative planning and implementation of NSHE-wide information security standards and practices.

John Bearce shared enrollment information current as of August 5. Compared to last year at the same time, the percentages are up and classes are 85% full. More sessions may be offered for some courses, but not very many. The midnight classes are again very popular and pre-purge had over 500 students enrolled. Head counts will be made available at the end of the first week of classes. The iNtegrate project is proceeding at close to projected timelines. There are a few concerns involving the data warehouse and reporting capability at the go-live date, but alternatives are being discussed. The consulting resources may be strained as well during some phases of implementation.

Patty Charlton reported a very busy summer season for the Finance & Facilities division. The fiscal year (2009-2010) was closed the end of June. The new fiscal year started July 1, 2010 with a general fund reduction of 6.9%. Patty is optimistic at this time that an additional general fund budget reduction will not be imposed.

CSN’s annual audit by external auditors, Grant Thornton LLP, begins in August and auditors will be on and off campuses through the end of September.

A number of employees have retired from the Financial Services area and as a result some operational changes are being implemented. Included in these changes is the discontinuation of account clerks assigned to academic departments. Training and assistance will be provided to department/divisional managers and support personnel through the transition. The receiving and delivery function at the Henderson Campus has been eliminated – and will be coordinated through departmental personnel on a weekly basis and as needed for critical items that may arise. Additional information will be provided to the College community during the week of Convocation.

Facilities Management is nearing completion of two major construction projects—the Engelstad Health Sciences addition and the Fire Station on the Charleston Campus. Both facilities will be open for the start of the Fall 2010 semester. In conjunction with the completion of the Fire Station/Instructional Center, we are completing ½ street improvements on Torrey Pines. The improvements include landscaping, street lighting, and sidewalks along the campus. Additional parking will be available also as the projects are completed.

Sherri Payne and Patty Charlton will be in Carson City on August 26 to present Capital Project Requests for CSN to the State Public Works Board. Included on CSN’s list are:

• Building A Mechanical Retrofit – Charleston campus
• Building A Mechanical Retrofit – Henderson campus
• HVAC Retrofit – Cheyenne campus
• Planning Request – Classroom/Student Services Building Charleston campus

A number of organizational changes have been implemented with the start of the new fiscal year. Among the changes are the Planetarium and Dental Faculty Practice transitioning to Academic Affairs. The change was effective July 1.

The Community College Task Force will meet on August 19 at CSN.

Serious cuts have been recommended to the PEBP; CSN will have representatives at the meeting on September 2. All public employees need to keep a close watch on the health care situation and contribute opinions, alternatives, and ideas.

Joan McGee commended the Strategic Planning Committee for their work over the past year. A presentation of CSN’s Strategic Plan will be given at the Board of Regents Meeting on September 9 & 10 by Dr. Richards and Dr. Crawford. Dr. McGee submitted the annual request for room usage to CCSD for the High Tech Centers. She updated the group on the centers as well:

• Green Valley HTC – Josh Ruter is out for a couple of weeks. He and his wife welcomed their first child to their family.
• Lincoln County – Rebecca Metty-Burns and Joan McGee are working with Workforce Connections on grant support for the center. They are visiting this site more often in order to reinforce the new focus and answer any questions motivated by the new funding source.
• Moapa Valley – visit scheduled for fall
• Nellis AFB – Joan is working with site coordinator Jim Johnson to continue support for students and families on the base
• Summerlin HTC – Floral Design program has moved here
• Western HTC – the parking lot serving both the high school and our college site has been paved and re-striped.
• Charleston Campus – new Fire Station/Classroom complex and Engelstad addition completed for fall.

Joan reported that the recent blood drives have been very successful and thanked students, faculty and staff who all stepped up efforts to help the blood bank. Circle K Student Club and Phi Theta Kappa helped with registrations and donated as well. Joan is also working with Leadership Las Vegas and Leadership Henderson toward a successful Education Day next year. Her goal is to be sure higher education as well as K-12 is appropriately represented and that CSN gets good “air time” at this next one.

Mugunth Vaithylingam reported that the amount of SPAM has increased worldwide and as a result we here at CSN may see an increase as well. The SPAM filters are blocking enormous amounts of it, but we can expect to see some in our email. The OTS Newsletter will address some ways to minimize it and ways to avoid making it worse. Mugunth reported the PC refresh project is continuing as planned. The Voice Over IP Project is a major undertaking, and infrastructure to support it should be in place by the end of October. VOIP will be phased in following that portion of the project. Another big project is the self-service help desk which is being tested currently. The pilot will be tested at the beginning of the semester. The print-management solution is currently in place in computer labs, libraries and classrooms.

Patty Charlton congratulated Larry Mason on his appointment as Chief Diversity Officer.

Meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled September 13, 2010.

I have been thinking quite a bit over the summer about shared governance and the delicate balance between faculty and staff participation in planning and decision-making processes, on the one hand, and administrative accountability on the other.

In Nevada, all legal authority resides with the Board of Regents.  The Board then delegates certain authority to the Chancellor and to the presidents of the institutions.  I, in turn, also delegate certain authorities.  The Nevada Board of Regents has also delegated certain authorities and privileges to faculty senates and to student government associations. 

Since the 1960s, however, shared governance has become an ambiguous concept; some would say it’s an entitlement, and others that is a hollow phrase, quite meaningless.

I disagree with both views.  The best governance of a college is a collaborative venture with lots of communication.   As a result I believe in giving student and employee groups a share in key decision-making at CSN, typically through elected representation.

That’s why I meet regularly with the three leaders of the Faculty Senate, our student body president, the leaders of the Classified Council and Administrative Faculty Association.  These folks are also on the President’s cabinet so coordination regularly occurs.

And that is why I think it is important that we develop a part-time position of ombudsperson to be a resource for faculty in implementing governance. That is also why I have asked the general counsel to add “compliance” to its current list of duties to ensure we operate in compliance with codes, statutes, regulations and rules that affect us.

“Shared” means consultation and participation.   It means I’m obligated to share information so prudent decisions can be made, and it means faculty and staff should stay informed, without relying on rumor, fear mongering, innuendo, or other agendas before engaging in a discussion, concluding a search, or recommending a policy.  

But “shared” doesn’t mean that every constituency gets to participate at every stage. Someone has to exercise due diligence.   No one person is arbitrarily making important decisions absent the advice of key constituents; CSN stakeholders participate in well-defined parts of the process. 

“Shared” governance also does not mean that any constituency exercise complete control over the decision-making process.  For example, a search for a new hire cannot be a simple matter of a popular vote. Someone has to exercise due diligence and be held responsible for a lack of due diligence because committees and groups cannot be held accountable for poor decisions in the same manner as an individual. Another example of this often seen on college campuses is that the student senate receives primary, but not total, responsibility for devising policies relevant to student governance.

True shared governance attempts to balance maximum participation in decision making with clear accountability. That is a difficult balance to maintain.   And, frankly, sometimes we fail to be as inclusive as we should be.  Our goal, however, is for genuine shared governance to give voice (but not necessarily ultimate authority) to concerns common to all constituencies as well as to issues unique to specific groups.

The key to genuine shared governance is broad and unending communication. When various groups of people are kept in the loop and understand what developments are occurring within the College, and when they are invited to participate as partners, the institution prospers.  That has been our experience during our cycles of budget cuts, during the development of policies, and that remains our common goal.

I believe creating an ombudsman role to facilitate this communication and ensuring CSN has its own watch dog to make certain policies and procedures are followed will go a long way to strengthen faculty governance at CSN.

More information about the ombudsperson position, its role and responsibilities was sent forth from the VPAA’s office earlier this week. It is my hope that we can work to make the college a national model in shared decision making.

Cabinet Members:

President Mike Richards
John Bearce, Interim Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager – absent
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne – absent
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities – absent
Chemene Crawford, Interim Vice President for Administration
Darren Divine, Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus – absent
Larry Mason, Interim Vice President, Diversity & Cultural Affairs
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Dave Morgan, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Tracy Sherman, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer – absent  
J.T. Creedon, Student Government President
Anne Zemek de Dominguez, General Counsel

Guests: Dan Morris, Mary Thomas

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the May 10, 2010 cabinet meeting were approved.

Dr. Richards pointed out some important dates including Convocation at the Texas Station on August 23 and a special Board of Regents meeting on August 27 to approve a budget to submit to the Legislature for NSHE and the next biennium. Dr. Richards told the group that Patty Charlton is attending a Legislative Hearing regarding the budget and would miss cabinet today.

Tracy Sherman and Chemene Crawford were introduced and welcomed to their first cabinet meeting.

Dr. Richards asked the cabinet members for recommendations to replace CAPE advisory board members Shawn Claxton and Dick McGee whose terms are completed. Jacque Matthews and Anne Zemek de Dominguez volunteered to fill the posts, and Cat Maihen asked that Deborah Johnson be allowed to continue for another term to represent Classified employees. Dr. Richards approved of the suggestions.

Jacque Matthews introduced Mary Thomas, Program Manager for CSN Foundation. The Foundation is working on a new fundraiser called the CSN Fall Fun Fest. The event is planned to take place on Nevada Day weekend, Friday – Sunday, October 29-31, 2010. It will be similar to the Harvest Festival, with craft booths and items for sale. Also planned for the festival are carnival-type rides, food, wine and beer tasting, and live music each evening. Faculty and staff are encouraged to volunteer, and a discount price on a booth is available to faculty and staff who are interested in one. During the event, all entrances to the CSN property will be blocked except for one, where event parking will be available for a fee. The Foundation is working with Facilities, Security and O & M to sort out the particulars for the 3-day festival. The event is projected to cost about $60,000 and is projected to bring more than $200,000 to the college. If it goes well, the long term goal is for the Fun Fest to be an annual event and for it to grow and be held on the other campuses as well. The Foundation will present a workshop at convocation this year to give maps and details, as issues should be fairly well-vetted out by then. It will be well-communicated to all regarding any parking issues or inconveniences.

Dr. Richards told the group that there are new parking spaces open – about 200 of them – by the Engelstad Building.

The Board of Regents meeting on June 3 & 4 was mainly centered on UNLV and UNR and the planned budget cuts from each institution. Most notably, UNLV announced they will drop their Clinical Laboratory Science bachelor degree program. CSN offers a 2-year CLS degree, and there may be a proposal to offer the bachelor degree here at CSN.

Chancellor Klaich introduced at the Board of Regents meeting, an entrepreneurial model for NSHE that emphasizes partnerships with Legislative and business leaders in Nevada and efficiencies and effectiveness initiatives.

Other topics discussed at the Board of Regents meeting included NSHE possibly adopting some of the diversity initiatives that USC uses (scorecard system), a code change to faculty tenure requirements, and the budget request for the next biennium which includes COLA and merit increases. This last item will be finalized at the special Board meeting on August 27 then sent to the legislature. Dr. Richards said that CSN will have several items on the regular meeting agenda in September.

Dr. Byrd gave an update for the Student Affairs areas. Financial Aid is up, with CSN ranked 12^th of all colleges, and 7^th out of all community colleges nationwide. Twenty outstanding students were awarded $500 – $1000 scholarships, and Dr. Byrd thanked the Foundation for $6000 in donations.

Link to the 2010 Outstanding Students awardees: http://www.csn.edu/pages/2451.asp?item=13907

Counseling is testing a prescreening process to mitigate the wait time for people with quick questions. The prescreening process should improve the efficiency in the counseling/advising area significantly. In May, approximately 700 graduates participated in the commencement ceremony. Dr. Byrd commended the CSN Baseball team for not only their great season, but also for the high percentage of the athletes who earned the academic achievement award with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Two players had a 4.0 GPA. Some changes to Student Affairs areas will be taking place. June 30 will be Cip Chavez’s last day before retiring. Dr. Chemene Crawford will move from the Dean’s position at the Charleston Campus to Interim VP for Administration; Tim Chambers accepted a coaching position at UNLV.

Darren Divine reported that summer enrollment is up 4%, FTE up 7% so far. It is expected that enrollment will be up for the fall semester as well. Late night classes have proved to be popular and another time slot was added. The media has given the night classes a lot of attention, and the press has been good. The Fire Station and Engelstad Buildings are progressing quickly.

Larry Mason said Asian Pacific Islander month raised $6000 for scholarships. The heritage months have in total raised approximately $16,000 so far this year. The college matched $10,000 in scholarships to the various chambers, also. Larry said the Advisory Boards will meet this summer, and have met with Recruitment to assess under-represented students. CSN is close to being a Hispanic-Serving college. The requirements include having a Hispanic student population of 25% for two years in a row to be considered. The designation would give CSN access to more grants and funding for students.

Jacque Matthews reported on CSN Foundation activities. In addition to the Fall Fun Fest planned for October, the Foundation is planning a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Engelstad Building, working on a partnership with the Nevada Cancer Institute, 30 scholarships, and a planned giving committee to improve consistent availability of funds. The Foundation is also working to identify some best practices in some successful fundraising campaigns at other institutions in the expectation of improving CSN’s results.

Dan Morris told the cabinet members a bit about the new food service provider, Sodexo. The company will take over on July 1 at the Charleston and Cheyenne campuses, and September 1 at the Henderson campus. Sodexo brings much food service experience to CSN. Some noticeable changes will include standard hours across the campuses, more variety including vegetarian and vegan options, and a wide range of price points. Sodexo also offers catering on campus.

Penny McCollum informed the cabinet members that due to reorganization and budget issues, receiving services will be reduced to 1-2 days per week beginning July 1. She will work with departments to prevent delays. A new lead Administrative Assistant lll is on board at the Henderson campus and will support campus administration and the Boulder City Center. Her name is Jenny Cowan and she comes to NSHE from the Welfare Division. Penny completed the Leadership Henderson program, and the class project raised money to benefit C.T. Sewell Elementary school and various charities in Henderson. All three campus managers are working toward developing better processes related to the use of college space. Specifically, the tasks planned include:

• Revising and updating the Facility Usage Application and Agreement form
• Identifying and clarifying the Definition of Event Types and Requirements and Fees
• Working with OTS on a web-based application that generates email notifications and can provide department reports
• Determining OTS technical event support
• Linking the new web-based system with the Facilities I-Service work order system
• Establishing clear Payment and Liability Insurance Certificate Deadlines

All campus managers participated in CSN’s High School graduation ceremony at the Orleans Hotel.

Penny will work with Business services and the new food service provider, Sodexo, to request upgrading the café area to hot food services with a grill and hood. There will be a contest to name the new Henderson café in fall, with a prize awarded to the winner by Sodexo. In April TODAS (Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day) was hosted on the Henderson campus and 30 kids and parents participated in the activities. Many other recent events and activities on the Henderson campus include:

• Lunar Sample Week in April – moon rocks on loan from NASA, CSN’s meteorite collection, and guest speakers
• A successful United Blood Services Blood Drive
• Sociology Forum with the topic, “Haiti, Then & Now” with Kevin Noblet, the award-winning speaker. Along with the web-streamed forum, Professor Carlo DeFazio partnered with the American Red Cross and raised over $500 in donations – Kevin Noblet also donated his $2000 speaking fee to the cause
• Student Affairs Appreciation Day on April 20 with a pot luck organized by Erik Proctor followed by a CAPS Stress Management and Motivation Workshop
• Professor Chieko Fukushima’s Advanced Ikebana Student Art Exhibition was on display for a week in April in the C Building lobby
• A Child Haven benefit, “Pajama Jam” for Communications 261 class project
• The Henderson Campus Social Committee had cupcakes hand-delivered to the entire Henderson campus just prior to the end of the spring semester, as a thank you for a job well done and wishes for a great summer
• Boulder City Center closed for the summer on June 1, to reopen August 16 just prior to fall semester

Dr. Richards reported that Chancellor Klaich organized a Community College Task Force to empower Nevada Community Colleges. The task force will be chaired by Bruce James, formerly with Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities and the Governor’s Sage Commission. All members of the task force are Nevada citizens. Bruce James will be at CSN on June 22 for a look at CSN’s management. Chancellor Klaich has initiated a study of the Nevada funding formula, with the help of consultants, to take place this summer. Chancellor Klaich is also a co-chair with Elaine Wynn on the Governor’s task force. The task force will develop some higher education initiatives over the summer as well. Nevada has joined the national initiative, Complete College America, to improve degree completion. Another national focus has been on developmental education, and CSN is looking into the developmental programs we offer and their effectiveness. The administrative team attended an IT retreat with SunGard to discuss 30-, 60-, and 90-day priorities. Among the priorities are password policies, security, and working with faculty senate on an Angel management team. There will be a follow-up retreat in November.

Anne Zemek said there is a state employee on lay-off that may step into Lisa Sly-Martinovic’s position now that she is retired. The person is a legal assistant, but has not decided whether or not to come to NSHE.

Meeting adjourned at 10 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled July 12, 2010.

We are gearing up for the dedication of the City of Las Vegas Fire Station 6/CSN Instructional Center on Aug. 30 at 9 a.m. – the first day of the fall semester. Hope you can make it!

I went over there last week with Las Vegas Councilwoman Lois Tarkanian and Fire Chief Greg Gammon. If you missed this great piece done by Channel 13, please take a look.

Fire Station 6 officially moves in later this month. The station includes rescue, engine and latter dormitories, four fire station bays, an exercise room, day room and kitchen in addition to the three CSN smart classrooms. A fact many people might not know is that the station is conveniently located less than half a mile from Firefighter Memorial Park on Oakey and Redwood.

We estimate the joint fire station and classroom facility will see approximately 1,500 CSN students a week. When they walk in the building for the first time, those students will see a huge window looking into the bays of the fire station.

This really is a wonderful achievement for both the city and CSN. I hope you will all take a moment this coming semester to admire our newest facility and to welcome Fire Station 6 to CSN.

For years it seems there has always been someone in the community advocating for CSN to develop a public cosmetology program. Whatever your opinion about that may be, I have an announcement that will interest you. 

CSN has entered into a partnership with Expertise Cosmetology Institute, located on Stella Lake Avenue. In all honesty, I could not tell you the difference between an extension and a highlight, but I know CSN can train stylists to operate successful businesses.

Starting this fall, the college will offer a business course at the institute with the hope that some of the students will come to CSN to complete a Certificate in Business Management.

This will help those students who intend to work for major salons or have their own operation create a business plan, design a budget and develop other major skills that will help them thrive in the community.   

We look forward to beginning this first course and perhaps expanding this collaboration to include more classes in the future.

CSN does not shy away from outreach opportunities that stand to help the people of Southern Nevada diversify our economy. That is why I want to take this opportunity to let you know about an exciting partnership the college is ready to embark upon with a multitude of public and private entities to create the Southern Nevada Sustainability Center (SNSC).

The SNSC will one day serve as a hub for sustainable technology training and business development in North Las Vegas.

The SNSC concept, which may change as plans solidify, includes a technology development initiative, CSN job training, a business incubator program, community outreach, a policy development think tank and a cultural learning center that may include interactive pedagogical exhibits that explain sustainable technology in ways that make sense to the average Joe.

The idea would provide business owners, looking for ways to save resources, a one-stop shop for training programs, research and development, and perhaps access to seed money to create a new product. Residents could take advantage of the cultural learning center to teach their children about the importance of resource conservation and obtain assistance from CSN to get the job training they need to enter into this emerging field. It will also include an information exchange for business owners and residents alike to share ideas on conservation practices, tools and financial incentives, creating true “conservation communities.”

For the past year, I have served on a working group led by Nevada Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, along with representatives of NV Energy, Bombard Electric, Blackbox Consulting Group, Nevada Partners, the Nevada AFL-CIO, and Energy Works Consulting.

The group is examining other national models to create a center that can leverage each entity’s skills sets to help the community become more sustainable and create a skilled workforce ready to diversify Nevada’s economy.

The idea of an SNSC has been around for some time, but it is our sincere hope that we will acquire the necessary grant funding to make the transition to a permanent site on 87 acres adjacent to the North Las Vegas Airport by 2012.

Meanwhile we are reviewing a temporary lease with the City of Las Vegas at the Las Vegas Business Center site currently being operated by the Urban Chamber of Commerce to begin providing resources for residents and local businesses on sustainable energy job training in areas such as weatherization and photovoltaic technology and provide a location to begin promoting the SNSC to the community.

This will provide an excellent outreach opportunity for CSN and numerous job and training options to the community in an up-and-coming field.

Earlier this week, I told you about the solar panel installation going up on the Charleston campus’ Student Services Building roof with the help of a $500,000 NV Energy rebate. I mentioned that we are also getting solar panels on the new City of Las Vegas Fire Station/CSN Instructional Center — enough to produce 30kW per year.

Today, I received these photos from the fire station/instructional center, located on the Southwest corner of the Charleston campus. We hope to get the panels installed and inspected by NV Energy today.

I am proud to announce that CSN’s first solar panels will be generating electrical power by September 10. 

CSN has been awarded a $500,000 rebate from NV Energy to place enough solar panels on the roof of the D Building at the Charleston campus to generate 100 kW of power.

Here are some interesting facts about the environmental impact of this installation:

The amount of electricity the system will produce over a 25-year lifetime: 3,625,162 kWh

Barrels of Oil Offset, over a lifetime: 7,374
(The number of barrels of oil required to generate the same amount of electricity that our system will produce during a 25-year lifetime.) 

Equivalent Mature Trees Planted: 12,316
(Trees remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and many environmentalists advocate tree planting as a way to offset carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.)

Smog Emissions Reduction, lbs:  13,070
(Nitrogen oxides are a key contributor to the formation of ground level ozone, a major component of smog. Ozone irritates the eyes, and aggravates respiratory problems. It is our most widespread intractable urban air pollution problem.)

Acid Rain Emissions Reductions, lbs: 27,188
(Generating electricity from fossil fuels also releases sulfur oxides and nitrogen oxides, primary causes of acid rain into the air. Acid rain damages lakes, streams, trees and forests.) 

Gallons of Water: 3,560,858
(Water cooled coal, nuclear power plants and gas-fired powered plants use water as part of the generating process.)

Greenhouse Gas Reduction, lbs: 5,147,744
(Carbon dioxide, along with other “green house gases,” cause global warming. This results in increased rainfall and violent storms, decreased snow and ice cover, and rising sea levels.)

 Car Miles Not Driven, Lifetime: 6,435,582
(Using electricity from fossil fuels and driving cars are the two personal activities that have the most significant environmental impact.) 

Data sources:  Emissions data: EPA E-Grid 2000; Electricity mix and energy content: U.S. DOE Energy Information Administration; Car miles and tree data: U.S. EPA, Green Mountain Power

As part of the rebate agreement, we are required to provide a public monitoring system and the college is investigating ways to show just how much power the panels are generating in real time on the Intercampus Communication System. So the panels will not only reduce our carbon footprint but help educate our students about solar power.

There will also be solar panels on the Las Vegas Fire Station/Instructional Facility, when it opens this fall. As many of you know this unique public-public partnership, constructed by the city and located on the southwest corner of the CSN Charleston campus, is a LEED equivalent facility.

The D building installation is the first solar project at CSN and part of our solar strategic build out plan that will eventually maximize space on all three campuses for panels, pending funding.

We estimate that the Charleston campus will one day generate as many as 3,096 kWhrs, Cheyenne will create as many as 2,500 kWhrs and Henderson will be able to boast 1,200 kWhrs and this is without any new buildings or additions.

The CSN Chronicle

I hope you are having a wonderful summer and that this June edition of The CSN Chronicle finds you well.  As always, there is much news to share. 

System Initiatives 

A number of initiatives from Chancellor Klaich and the regents are developing over the summer months:

• Nevada has joined 22 other states in a College Completion America (CCA) initiative to improve our ability to encourage students to complete degrees;
• A study of the Nevada funding formula is underway;
• Attention to developmental education is gathering state and national momentum, and we are examining our program and its effectiveness;
• The Community College Taskforce has started work on ways to strengthen and empower Nevada’s community colleges; and
• Chancellor Klaich and others are exploring a more entrepreneurial model of Nevada higher education is developing to help with the next legislative session and the strategic direction of NSHE.

I’ll discuss these and other issues during the State of the College Address during Convocation on Monday, August 23^rd.

Commencement

On May 17^th we awarded 2,238 degrees and certificates to our 2,069  graduating students.

Parking

As construction on the fire station/classroom building and the new wing of the Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences comes to a close, we are adding more surface parking for the start of the new school year.   With the new parking area at the Henderson campus and the parking improvements on West Charleston, we will be able to accommodate additional student vehicles when fall semester begins..

Food Service

Over the summer months we will transition to a new contract for food services. Through an RFP process during spring semester, a college-wide committee selected Sodexo  as our new food service management company.  There will be some transition time as the new vendor establishes its presence on our campuses.  We extend our thanks to Campus Food Services for its many years of dedicated service to CSN and its students.

With my support, Bill Kerney, Chair of the Faculty Senate, is launching an ad hoc committee to review CSN policies during fall semester.  There are concerns about correlation of policies and their application.  We want to ensure the integrity of our policies and how they are applied.

Fall Convocation

This year, we will begin professional development activities for Convocation on Thursday August 19 with the annual State of the College address taking place on Monday, Aug. 23, at Texas Station in North Las Vegas. More information will be forth coming via e-mail over the next few months so if you are off campus this summer, please check your CSN account sporadically for updates.  Also this year, I am proposing a President’s Roundtable, an opportunity for open discussion on any CSN topic.  An announcement for the roundtable sessions went to all employees with a request to return a response to kc.brekken@csn.edu by July 16.  We’d like to keep the sessions to a manageable size of about 25.  If there is enough interest, we’ll add sessions.  My hope is that this will be a helpful opportunity for Q&A in a small group setting.

Budget Status

We are implementing our budget for fiscal year 2010-11 in accordance with the budget reductions approved by the Board of Regents.  With such resources as we have, we’ll continue to keep student learning and the co-curricular experience as top priorities  and do the best we can.  Our focus is quickly turning to the 2011 legislative session and the NSHE budget and legislative priorities during the regular session. 

CSN’s new strategic plan is still open for comments and suggestions via our website.  We plan to present the final plan at the September meeting of the Board of Regents and discuss its implementation at fall Convocation.  We appreciate the countless hours of work the strategic planning committee dedicated to this significant effort.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“What changes in CSN’s organizational structure can we expect to see this summer?”

As you may have noticed by some of the announcements this month, CSN will undergo a few administrative changes this summer based on the recommendations of the CSN Organization and Structure Committee to improve efficiencies. Those recommendations can be viewed online at: http://www.csn.edu/pages/3266.asp and efforts to fill those positions permanently will take place during fall and spring semesters.

 “Will CSN keep its baseball program?”

What a remarkable baseball season we had this year!  Talented players and a 92% graduation rate, national media attention and multiple opportunities beyond CSN for our players and coach—a very good year!  We are keeping baseball.  We are keeping intercollegiate athletics.  We will restructure our program and prepare for next year.  Currently, we’re discussing the program with community members and interested coaches, and we’ll have announcements regarding the program in the near future.  We will begin the search for a new baseball coach immediately. Dr. Art Byrd will head up the process and we hope to have a new coach selected during the next few weeks in order to begin recruitment for the next season.

  –Mike Richards

Cabinet Members:

President Mike Richards
John Bearce, Interim Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs – absent
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Darren Divine, Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel – absent
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Larry Mason, Interim Vice President, Diversity & Cultural Affairs – absent
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Dave Morgan, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Mark Rauls, Faculty Senate Chair
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer
Nathaniel Waugh, Student Government President
Anne Zemek de Dominguez, General Counsel – absent

Guests: J.T. Creedon, Clarissa Erwin, Dan Morris, Laura Yavitz

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the April 12, 2010 cabinet meeting were approved.

Dr. Richards pointed out some important upcoming dates including Commencement on May 17 at the Thomas & Mack at 6:00 pm, and summer sessions beginning on June 7.

Nate Waugh introduced his successor as Student Body President, J.T. Creedon. Dr. Richards welcomed him and thanked Nate for his service over the last year.

Clarissa Erwin distributed statistics and gave a short presentation about the CSN Library’s web page. The Library’s main page is the 6th most accessed page, behind registration, student login, catalog & schedule, CSN Baseball, and faculty & staff email. In April there were more than 35,000 visits to the site. The statistics also indicated that CSN students use the library resources extensively in their studies, with over 247,000 materials accessed in April alone. Clarissa clicked on the streaming digital video collections for the cabinet members and demonstrated the ease of access to high quality research materials. The videos accessible through the site are from a variety of sources such as PBS, The History Channel, and Universal Newsreel. They have been copyright cleared and can be embedded into lessons by instructors (in their entirety or selected segments) for on-line courses through Angel. There are currently thousands of titles available. The link is below:

http://www.csn.edu/pages/209.asp

John Bearce and Laura Yavitz explained the content and results of the Decision-Making Survey used by the ad-hoc Organization Structure Committee. Three of the questions on the survey were open-ended and John and Laura grouped the responses according to subject. Fifty percent of the comments on the survey were positive, 29% were negative, and 21% were neutral; comments about supervisors, however, were 92% positive. Overall the survey reflected a great deal of job satisfaction. The comments indicated the following areas of concern:

CSN’s need for streamlining processes
Poor or inconsistent communication through middle management
The need for CSN to implement technological efficiencies

A climate survey will most likely be presented to all employees within the next year to further clarify and address areas of concern.

K.C. Brekken distributed the new Facts-In-Brief tri-fold brochure with updated Fall 2009 FTE data in it. The pamphlet is a great tool that gives a snapshot of CSN particulars for student demographics, tuition, fees and other revenue information as well as traditional and online class statistics. It is posted online at http://www.csn.edu/uploadedfiles/Administration/Institutional_Research_and_Planning/Reports/Data_Pubs/CSN09-10FactCardFinalLo-res.pdf

K.C. told the group that Convocation would take place at the Texas Station on August 23. Complete details will be forthcoming. K.C. is also working with Taylor Gray on some updates to pages on the CSN web site, and working on making the Red Rock Review available in our Bookstores soon. Currently they are in several Barnes & Noble stores. Shredding day at CSN took place on May 7 and was a great success.

Thomas Brown has been meeting with Search Committees and with Human Resources to re-visit CSN’s Affirmative Action and Diversity goals with great success. The meetings have improved the understanding of all involved with our hiring process. The Cheyenne campus has hosted many events over the last couple of months, so it has been a busy place. Most notable were the diversity celebrations and the Science & Technology Expo. The events were well-attended.

Cat Maihen gave an update on Classified Council’s activities for the past few months. In March, CAPE along with state agencies hosted a semi-annual workshop. The topic was Preventing Identity Theft, and was very enlightening. In April, Classified Council had a booth at the Technology Expo and had quite a few visitors. On May 27, the annual Classified Employee Recognition Luncheon will be held on each of the three main campuses.

Information about specific locations on campus will be provided via email in the next week or so. June will bring elections for the nine seats available on the council. Nomination forms will also go out in the next week. July 1 begins the new members’ terms.

Dave Morgan reported that Vartouhi Asherian would begin her term as AFA Chair on June 1. The last meeting for Dave’s term would be the one this month (May). The next meeting of the AFA after that, however, will not take place until September, so Vartouhi may not have much to report to cabinet before that.

Mark Rauls reminded cabinet members that Bill Kerney begins his term as Faculty Senate Chair on June 1, with Tracy Sherman from Cardio Respiratory Sciences as the chair-elect. Mark is hopeful that the Academic Integrity Policy will be in place by then as well as the Administrative Drop for Non-Attendance Policy.

Mugunth Vaithylingam reported that a PC refresh timeline has been established for faculty and staff. In Fall, OTS will be fine-tuning servers and installing necessary updates. At the Legacy of Achievement Gala, OTS was instrumental in Microsoft’s purchase of a table. Mugunth looks forward to cultivating the relationship established between Microsoft, CSN and SunGard.

Nate Waugh gave his year-end report from Student Government. Some highlights of the 2009-2010 Year included: Creating the ASCSN Student Government Work for Your Textbooks Program, which allows students who volunteer on campus to be eligible for up to $200 in textbook vouchers. Creating a CSN Student Honor Code in an effort to create a culture of achievement, integrity, and responsibility at the College of Southern Nevada Co-sponsoring the CSN Golf Tournament helping raise over $50,000 for student scholarships Sponsoring the African American, Asian-Pacific Islander, and Native American Heritage Month activities and scholarship breakfasts. These events assist CSN and the community learn about the cultures that make our country great. It is appropriate that CSN host these events because our institution is the most diverse in Nevada. Co-sponsoring with UNLV and NSC, a lobbying trip to the Special Session of the Nevada Legislature.

Dr. Richards commented that the Student Mixers with the various local Chambers of Commerce have been wonderful. The mixers are great venues to bring CSN to the community and promote legislative advocacy. Dr. Richards also had praise for the Foundation and especially for the Legacy of Achievement Gala this year. It took place at the M Resort on April 24, and next year will probably be somewhere new. Dr. Richards was approached by a past honoree of the Gala who informed him that most of the people in the room would not miss the opportunity to attend it each year because it is ―the best fundraising event in Las Vegas.‖ The event was well-attended again this year. Each year the Gala raises about $300,000 for scholarships—that is about $1M every three years. The CSN Foundation does a marvelous job with this event.

Dr. Richards told everyone that the State Legislative Counsel Bureau would be on the Cheyenne Campus on May 11 with several legislators for a tour of the facility. They will discuss Capital Improvement Projects and the budget for the next biennium. Dr. Richards also reminded everyone that there is a primary election in June, and that early voting begins May 22. He asked that the cabinet members get involved, encourage participation from their various departments, and put the best people in office. Nate Waugh said he is working on approval to make CSN campuses voting sites. There is a good possibility that it will happen.

Meeting adjourned at 10 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled June 14, 2010.

I want to extend my congratulations to our CSN Coyotes as they work toward their second national championship this weekend at the Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.

To update my previous entry, the team beat Central Arizona 25-11 to win the NJCAA Western District Tournament last week.

I am so proud of our athletes and Coach Tim Chambers for their efforts. This powerful team has done so much this year, not only in terms of wins, but also for Southern Nevada. Thousands have come out to enjoy their games and these players have incited a level of reverence and excitement for NJCAA ball never seen before in this community.

Watch the game live online. The first game is against North Carolina’s Pitt Community College on Saturday, May 29 at 6:30 p.m.

To view the 2010 JUCO Baseball Tournament Bracket go to: http://www.jucogj.org/upload/bracket.pdf

Good luck Coyotes. We are behind you 100 percent.

Congratulations to the CSN Coyotes baseball team on winning the NJCAA Region XVIII Baseball Championship this weekend at Morse Stadium.

The Coyotes defeated Western Nevada College 8-2 in the championship game. CSN’s Trevor Kirk, who went 6-for-12 with six RBIs in the tournament, received the Most Valuable Player award.

CSN (46-13) advances to the NJCAA Western District Tournament, which begins Thursday in Lamar, Colo., and goes through Saturday. Go Coyotes!

Yesterday, I had the privilege to help honor two individuals, who have given much of their time, energy and passion to help their community, with the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Awards.

 The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation was established in 2003 to honor volunteers and their contributions. It takes a tremendous amount of time to earn one of these awards. It’s no easy feat.

 

CSN student Dustin Rains completed 450 hours of community service this past year at organizations such as Catholic Charities, Opportunity Village, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth and Three Square. He did this while working at the CSN Foundation, taking classes and serving student government. He’s the incoming student body vice president for this next school year. In addition to what are clearly excellent time management skills, Dustin is also motivated to improve. Next year, he hopes to do 1,000 hours of volunteer work. To put that in perspective, that’s nearly a third of an entire year in terms of the typical eight-hour workday.

I also had the privilege of honoring one of our own faculty members, Linda Gannon, from the Department of English. Linda performed 300 hours of community service. She volunteers with the Nevada SPCA and tours local schools to teach children about responsible pet ownership. She is chair of the CSN Henderson Campus’ Communities in Schools Partnership and coordinates activities to help students at Hinman Elementary. She goes further than volunteering her own time and schedules at least one group volunteer opportunity with her students each semester, requiring each of them to do what we call a service learning project. Her students go out and work with organizations such as Three Square, Habitat for Humanity, College Park Rehabilitation Center and others and see how their volunteer service makes a difference.

 

I am so proud of these two individuals and hope that they can inspire all of us to give more of ourselves. I think our community needs this now more than ever.

Cabinet Notes

April 12, 2010

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
John Bearce, Interim Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Darren Divine, Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Larry Mason, Interim Vice President, Diversity & Cultural Affairs
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Dave Morgan, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Mark Rauls, Faculty Senate Chair
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer
Nathaniel Waugh, Student Government President
Anne Zemek de Dominguez, General Counsel
Guests: Faculty, Staff and Members of the Strategic Planning Committee

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the March 8, 2010 cabinet meeting were approved.

Dr. Richards reviewed upcoming events from the calendar then turned the meeting over to Dr. Joan McGee and Dr. Anneli Adams, co-chairs of the Strategic Planning Committee. The link to the presentation, Web cast, and support materials can be viewed at the following link:

Good afternoon to everyone!

On this site is also the Web cast presentation from last Monday’s President’s Cabinet meeting, in case you were unable to attend and want to review that meeting.

Following a comprehensive and inclusive two-year process of open forums, e-mails, phone calls, surveys (more than half of the respondents were students!) and personal contacts with hundreds of people, the plan was put together very thoughtfully and deliberately. The Board of Regents approved our new mission, vision and values statements last April, and we anticipate going to the Board again at the end of this year to approve the rest of this draft plan.

Tom Rosenberger Faculty, and Dept. Chair, Hospitality Mgmt
John Ziebell Faculty, and Dept. Chair, English
Barbara Graham Professor of Physical Sciences, Dept. of Physical Sciences
Mark Rauls Professor of Philosophy, and Senate Chair
Bob Bonora Professor of Music, Fine Arts Dept.
Michelle Word Administrative Faculty, Coordinator in Academic Affairs
Eric Garner Administrative Faculty, Manager-Public & College Relations
Kevin Stich Classified Facility Supervisor III, Facilities and Management
Derek Smith Classified Personnel Analyst II, HR
Patti Castro Interim Dean, School of Health Sciences
Hyla Winters Assoc. VP, Academic Affairs
Mary Kaye Bailey Assoc. VP, Financial Services
Ann Johnson Assoc. VP, Student Affairs
Thomas Brown Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
K.C Brekken Manager, Public & College Relations
Nate Waugh Student Government President
Carlo Dacumos Director of User Services, OTS
Laura Yavitz IT Professional II, Institutional Research
Javier Trujillo Intergovernmental Specialist, City of Henderson
Anneli Adams Executive Director of CAPE, Facilitator
Joan McGee Charleston Campus Manager and Executive Director, Facilitator

We were honored to help facilitate this huge undertaking, and are very proud of this document. It is the result of a lot of hard work by a great many dedicated and talented people here at CSN, and supporters we have out in the community. Should you have any last minute feedback after reviewing the entire plan, please share your comments with either Anneli Adams (anneli.adams@csn.edu) or Joan McGee (joan.mcgee@csn.edu).

Cheers,

Joan and Anneli

Meeting adjourned at 10 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled May 10, 2010.

The CSN Chronicle

Greetings and welcome to The CSN Chronicle as we close this academic year.  This May edition provides an opportunity for me to share year-end information with you before many of our faculty leave for the summer.  There is much to share.       

Commencement

Graduation ceremonies will be held on Monday, May 17^th at 6 p.m., at the Thomas & Mack Center.  Commencement marks the close of our academic year, and I encourage your attendance and support of our graduating students.

New Facilities and Office Space

During the summer months, two construction projects will be completed: The fire station/classroom building and the new wing of the Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences. We will furnish these new spaces, but we have decided to delay office assignments until early fall. This will give faculty a chance to return, ensure the new space is ready for occupancy, allow us to prepare for the “domino” effect of office changes under CSN policy, and to make appropriate support assignments.   This new space will be a wonderful addition to CSN.

Searches

In August we will move ahead with searches for interim dean positions and continue to hire full-time faculty in selected disciplines.  We are also conducting a departmental analysis to determine if establishing a new department or two can be supported.  

The ad hoc Organization and Structure Committee completed its work in late April and provided a number of recommendations.  To each member of the committee and its chair, Dr. Larry Martin, I extend my sincere appreciation for the excellent analysis and recommendations in the report.  I have posted a summary of the recommendations and my action/comments on the CSN home page. We will implement some of the recommendations almost immediately in preparation for the next academic year.  One of those recommendations includes re-establishing the Vice President for Administration position that was discontinued in 2007.  However, key recommendations in academics will await the outcome of:  1) internal and system discussions on developmental education and other issues, and 2) faculty to return for fall semester.  We want to ensure adequate opportunity for faculty input on the final recommendations and their implementation.

Budget Status

On July 1, CSN and the State of Nevada will start another budget year, FY2011.  Already we have been told to expect a mid-year budget cut, and we’ve been directed to propose a budget for the next biennium that is 10% lower than the present budget after action of the special session.  We will begin some initial work on this new plan and save much of the work for the Budget Reduction Committee when it returns in the fall.  Before the semester ends, I’ll be meeting with the leaders of our employee groups and students to discuss our budget status and options for solutions.    

CSN’s new strategic plan is still open for comments and suggestions via our website.  We plan to present the final plan at the September meeting of the Board of Regents and discuss its implementation at fall Convocation.  We appreciate the countless hours of work the strategic planning committee dedicated to this significant effort.

Gala

The annual gala that our CSN Foundation and NV Energy sponsored was held on April 24th at the M Resort.  The event was sold out — a singular tribute to community support for CSN.  The evening was a remarkable success, raising scholarship funds for CSN students and programs.  We are most grateful for the support of our Foundation trustees and the work of Foundation staff for making these annual events such wonderful successes that our donors, sponsors and the community look forward to each year.

Fall Convocation

This year, we will begin professional development activities for Convocation on August 19 with the annual State of the College address taking place on Monday, Aug. 23, at Texas Station in North Las Vegas. More information will be forth coming via e-mail over the next few months so if you are off campus this summer, please check your CSN account sporadically for updates.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“Will CSN employees have a flex option for summer?”

Periodically in the past, we have implemented a flexible work schedule during the summer months.  After careful analysis, we have determined this is not feasible for the upcoming summer.   Our priority, of course, is to provide the most efficient and effective operations across the College without compromising quality and coverage.  That is particularly difficult under the state furlough mandate.  Furloughs present significant scheduling and management challenges college-wide, and furloughs will continue through the summer.  We appreciate your understanding of this decision. 

“What preparation can we do now for the 2011 legislative session?”

Right now we’re preparing and watching state revenue figures.  The state is down $3-3.5 billion for the next biennium, and it presents a historic challenge to keep the state viable.  But this June, nearly every CSN employee can have an impact on the decisions that will be made in the next biennium as you participate in the political primary election: 

• Support good candidates in your Assembly and Senate districts who are supportive of CSN, higher education and Nevada’s future.
• Vote in the primary election in June.  Plan now to work for supportive candidates and to share your concerns about education and the future of the state. 

The renovation of science facilities at Cheyenne is drawing the attention of legislative and public works staffs who will be visiting the campus later this month.  The renovation project is essential to our ability to provide state-of-the-art instruction in nearly every science discipline.  We are anxious to move the project forward to completion.

As spring semester winds down, I extend my best regards and look forward to seeing you at fall convocation.

–Mike Richards

Good morning,

For the last several months an ad hoc committee of faculty and staff has been studying the organization and structure of CSN.  They have issued a report of findings and recommendations, and they have provided results of a survey on decision making and other issues related to CSN’s operations.  Click here for a matrix of the organizational recommendations and my response and/or comments.

The committee was comprised of Dr. Larry Martin (chair), Mary Kaye Bailey, John Bearce, Mark Garner, Belinda Hobson, Ann Johnson, Bill Kerney, Dr. Joshua Levin, Richard Logsdon, Annette Lord, Cat Maihen, Rhett Michelson, John Mueller, Sherri Payne, Alok Pandey, Mark Rauls, Patrick Villa, and Laura Yavitz.  To the members of the committee, I extend my gratitude for their service and for the many hours that were dedicated to the analysis and recommendations.  Thank you.

As you will see from the attached matrix, a number of the recommendations are in process, but several others will take more time and input.  I have asked that major recommendations in the academic area be given more consideration and time for faculty review, primarily because the four community colleges are reviewing how developmental education works or doesn’t work for students.  Rather than implement a major academic recommendation now, it seems prudent to see what transpires in the next several months.  This will also allow our faculty time to return for fall semester and have opportunities for comprehensive input. 

A word, in conclusion, on the survey the committee administered and analyzed.  The survey examined levels of decision making, span of control, and perceptions of authority and responsibility.  It also invited comments—open-ended—and suggestions about CSN.  I want to assure you that my interest is on content and substance.   The outcomes of this survey highlighted challenges with span of control in departments, communication to and from mid-level managers, enhancing the use of best practices, and improving use of technology for greater efficiency.  The survey also provided a basis for a survey of the CSN work climate next year. 

Again, I appreciate the work of the committee.  As always, should you have questions, please let me know.

Best regards,

Mike

Today is the first day of student elections and I would like to encourage all CSN students to vote!

Our ASCSN senators and executive officers do a tremendous job of providing leadership for our growing student body. These roles will be crucial as we enter into the next legislative session. Lawmakers need to hear from you and selecting strong student leaders is a great way to make sure your voice gets heard. So if you are a CSN student, go online and read about the candidates at:http://www.csn.edu/pages/3260.asp

Then make sure you vote between 8 a.m. today, April 27, and 6 p.m., Wednesday at: https://eballot.votenet.com/CSN

I also want to mention our CSN Culinary Club, which has gone above and beyond, contributing to our community. Earlier this month, they went and volunteered at Three Square food bank. On Saturday, they assisted with the CSN Foundation Legacy of Achievement Gala at the M Resort, which helped raise money for CSN scholarships and programs. In May, they plan to bake 10,000 cookies for U.S. troops abroad.

I look forward to telling you more about ways in which CSN impacts the Las Vegas Valley.

Best,

Michael Richards

The CSN Chronicle

 Greetings and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for April 2010.  This is an opportunity for me to share information with the CSN family and to address questions that have broad interest.       

 Board of Regents Meetings

A special meeting of the Board of Regents was held on Friday, April 16^th at DRI in Las Vegas.  The purpose of the meeting was to receive and act on budget reduction plans, and to adopt tuition and fee recommendations for the next biennium.  As a follow-up to our town hall meeting the previous week, I wanted to let you know that CSN’s plan was presented and approved with no changes.  On June 2-4 in Reno, the Board will hold its next regular meeting.   A salient theme for that meeting is the legislative request for the 2011 session. 

Preliminary spring semester enrollment at CSN was 43,431 headcount, up 6.7 percent over the previous year, and 22,060 FTE, up 5.6 percent over the previous year.  Preliminary enrollments are reported mid semester by all NSHE institutions.  Final enrollment reports are provided at the end of each semester.

Budget Status

As many of you know, CSN prepared a budget reduction plan for the remaining 16 months of the current biennium, and the plan has been shared internally, posted on the web, and approved for implementation.   Our initial budget included a reserve of approximately $1.2M to accommodate an anticipated shortfall, but CSN will still lose about 60 vacant or frozen positions, and reduce about 760 student FTEs in discrete programs.  We further expect that in FY 2011, state revenues will again fall short of projections, and we plan to set aside an operating reserve in case of a mid-year budget cut.   

Recommendations from the ad hoc committee on organizational structure will be submitted at the end of April.  I’m told that the committee has had spirited discussions as well as opportunities for input from the college community.  There are a range of recommendations, and some will be implemented over the summer months.  Others, however, will require more review and input during early fall semester.  I’ll be consulting with our employee groups about this process.

Strategic Plan

CSN’s revised strategic plan, charting our course from the next seven years, was presented to the President’s Cabinet and streamed live on the web, prior to being posted on the CSN web site for final review.  Over the summer, we’ll be preparing to submit the plan to the Board of Regents for its actions.  The planning committee, chaired by Drs. Anneli Adams and Joan McGee, worked nearly a year on the update.  If you have any input you’d like to share, please take a moment and submit it on the comment form on the web site. 

Gala

The annual gala that our CSN Foundation and NV Energy sponsor will be held this weekend at the M Resort.  The event is sold out—a singular tribute to community support for CSN.  We will recognize many community leaders that evening, but the most important outcome is scholarships for CSN students.  We are grateful for the support and the work of our staff in the Foundation for making these annual events such a success.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“What preparation can we do now for the 2011 Legislative session?”

Right now we’re preparing and watching state revenue figures.  The state is down $3-3.5 billion for the next biennium, and it presents a historic challenge to keep the state viable.  But this June, nearly every CSN employee can have an impact on the decisions that will be made in the next biennium as you participate in the political primary election:    

• Support good candidates in your Assembly and Senate districts who are supportive of CSN, higher education and Nevada’s future.
• Vote in the primary election in June.  Plan now to work for supportive candidates and to share your concerns about education and the future of the state. 

The renovation of science facilities at Cheyenne is drawing the attention of legislative and public works staffs who will be visiting the campus later this spring.  This project is essential to our ability to provide state-of-the-art instruction in nearly every science discipline.  We are anxious to move the project forward to completion.

As spring semester winds down, I extend my best regards.  

–Mike Richards

Today the Board of Regents approved CSN’s 2010-2011 budget reduction plan. If you missed last week’s town hall, the plan is available on CSN’s Budget Issues Web site, located on our home page. 

I want thank all of our faculty, staff and students who have labored these past few months to create this plan. It was not an easy or enjoyable task. But it was one that needed to be tackled comprehensively to reflect our unique constituents.

I ask for your patience and continued collaboration as we implement this plan. Students have been called upon once again to take the brunt of these cuts. It will be harder for them to get the classes they need. There will be longer lines for student support services, such as tutoring and advising.

Our first priority has been to protect the classroom experience. Our second has been to protect jobs. That said, this is not the time to breath a sigh of relief.

We expect another mid-biennium budget cut and we will keep our collaborative budget reduction processes in place. We are also gearing up for the 2011 legislative session, at which time the state is expected to face a deficit roughly half the size of the general fund budget.

Today’s vote was significant in that it allows us to get to the business of educating students and doing what we do best, providing opportunities and changing lives. Nevertheless, I will continue to keep you as informed as possible on the topic of higher educating funding and hope that you will stay informed and engaged as we will need your support and advocacy efforts continuously throughout the next 12 months.

March 08, 2010

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
John Bearce, Interim Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Darren Divine, Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Larry Mason, Interim Vice President, Diversity & Cultural Affairs
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Dave Morgan, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Mark Rauls, Faculty Senate Chair
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer – absent
Nathaniel Waugh, Student Government President
Anne Zemek de Dominguez, General Counsel

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the February 8, 2010 cabinet meeting were approved.

Dr. Richards reminded the group of Spring Break, March 15-21, and the Legacy of Achievement Gala on April 24 at the M Resort. Jacque Matthews told everyone that so far, the Gala planning and table sales are progressing as expected, but there are plenty of tables and seats still available for purchase.

Dr. Richards recapped the Board of Regents meeting that took place on CSN‘s Charleston campus March 4 & 5. Most notably, the Governor gave a speech outlining ―sweeping changes‖ he would like to propose for Nevada‘s System of Higher Education. Some of the changes he proposed include measures that CSN constituents have been suggesting to legislators since before he took office. A proposal to help balance the state‘s budget with four ten-hour workdays and an additional 2-hours of furlough per month is still not well-understood as far as it concerns CSN. Patty Charlton told the cabinet members that Human Resources will be meeting this week to discuss the various issues in implementing that type of work schedule.

The Board of Regents and Legislators will need to vet out the details as well, and decide if it is even feasible for NSHE institutions to participate. The earliest any change in classified employees‘ work schedules would take effect – if, in fact, it does change – would be July 1. Dr. Richards, Patty Charlton and Human Resources will keep the College updated as the issues are considered.  

The Board of Regents wants a report from each institution on the progress of their Diversity initiatives at the June Board meeting.

Patty Charlton said the budget cut of 6.9% for the current fiscal year would mean $2M for CSN, and the plans to address the cut have already been put in place. The next fiscal year that begins July 1 will involve about $5.7M, and may require more if a mid-year (December) additional cut is applied. Any speculation about changes in classified work schedules, additional furloughs, Grant-in-Aid reductions, etc. is all very premature. The legislators need to discuss the situation and vote before any definite course of action can be planned.

Dr. Richards distributed a copy of Chancellor Klaich‘s notes from a recent visit to the University System of Maryland. The System has in place an effectiveness and efficiency initiative brought about by the state‘s lack of confidence concerning costs incurred by the system.

John Bearce told the cabinet members about the March 15 census date, and the IPEDs reports due next month will be sent to the Federal Government. John distributed an iNtegrate project update, which indicates that the Pilot schools are going live on the new registration system in April. CSN goes live along with the other ‗copilot‘ schools in October. The first phase of the Admissions IDP takes effect this week. Cedar Crestone consultants who are on campus now occasionally, will be here more often and more permanently in April or May to ensure smooth transition to the live system.

K.C. Brekken reminded everyone of the Science Technology Expo on the Cheyenne campus. The event has a good turn out each year, and this year Senator Reid may be in attendance. The SciTech Expo is scheduled for April 9. K.C. is also working on this year‘s Report to the People. To save money on printing and improve efficiency, the new report will be an electronic version. The new format will allow for more frequent updates at a minimal cost.

Thomas Brown gave an update on Affirmative Action plans and training, and on events at the Cheyenne campus. He thanked Nate Waugh for his invitation to the Student Government meeting to meet the new senators. Black History month brought several events to the Cheyenne campus that were well-attended. There are several ongoing employee grievance investigations, and sexual harassment training implementation has greatly reduced the number of grievances to date. Thomas also reminded everyone that Russell‘s Restaurant is open for business and is a great bargain.

Dr. Richards reminded the cabinet members that CSN‘s full-time to part-time ratio is approximately 50-50. The reason CSN is hiring for some positions is to improve that ratio.

At the June Board of Regents meeting, we will present our Affirmative Action plan in hiring and retaining faculty. We have a solid plan, but Dr. Richards emphasized the need for its communication—especially to supervisors, deans and department chairs. Everyone in a supervisory position should be familiar with the AA Plan and the compliance status of his or her department.

Dr. Byrd reviewed the status of the departments in Student Affairs. There were almost 8,000 students on the Dean‘s Honor List for Fall 2009. Student Affairs in collaboration with the Office of Diversity and Cultural Affairs prepared a report on CSN‘s initiatives and efforts to improve recruitment, retention and graduation of students from diverse backgrounds. The report was presented to the Cultural Diversity Committee of the NSHE Board of Regents at the March 4-5 Meeting. Financial Services reported a record increase in Federal Pell Grant recipients. During the spring semester, recruitment staff will host Specialty Career Days for high school sophomores and juniors attending magnet schools. The Specialty Career Days allow participating students to attend 90-minute seminars designed to increase their knowledge of opportunities in various industries, and familiarize them with the academic rigors of the CTE/Technical fields. Specialty Career Days will be offered with the assistance of Perkins funds and the collaboration of Academic Affairs‘ Professors Dr. Warren Hioki and Dr. Mike Spangler and will focus on the following fields this year:

Alternative Fuels, Diesel Technology, Auto Body
Biomedical, Mechanical, and Electronic Engineering
Media Game and Graphic Design
Travel & Tourism
Forensic Science
Culinary Arts

Student Affairs has a new Online New Student Orientation Program designed to increase accessibility to students and reduce costs to CSN. Dr. Byrd says it is ready for implementation. CSN‘s Tutorial Services Program earned national recognition and certification from the College Reading and Language Certification Program. Veterans services will relocate to Charleston D-204 effective Fall 2010.

Dave Morgan highlighted news from the Administrative Faculty Assembly beginning with announcing the new AFA Chair-Elect, Vartouhi Asherian. Vartouhi officially begins her term in September at the AFA‘s first meeting for the new academic year. The AFA Employee of the month for March is Linda Chapman. There is a new representative from Student Affairs, Wayne Schultz. He replaces Iluminada Dioquino who retired. All bylaws changes were ratified at the December meeting and are now posted online at this link: http://www.csn.edu/PDFFiles/Administration/AFA/Files/AFABylawsRevisedJanuary2010.pdf

Dave also solicited feedback for legal counsel on the proposed 4/10 workweek and furlough/holiday issues being considered by the legislature. He will summarize the comments and questions. Patty Charlton reminded everyone that there is much to vet out and the final guidance will come from John Mueller when the issues particular to CSN are resolved. The next AFA General Meeting is Friday, March 26 at 1:00 pm in H-105 (Charleston campus).

Dr. Richards reminded everyone that any changes to the work schedules, benefits, etc. not only need much more review, but also require legislative action. He asked the group to wait for facts and not fuel any rumors of action.

Larry Mason announced Women‘s History Month is this month through April 2.

Meeting adjourned at 9:50 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled April 12, 2010.

CSN Town Hall – April 8, 2010

I want to take this opportunity to draw attention to several upcoming events at CSN.

First on April 8, CSN will host a town hall forum to discuss the budget reduction plan for the current biennium. As many of you know, CSN along with the Nevada System of Higher Education, was asked to cut 6.9 percent of its budget each year of the biennium. Through a collaborative process involving students, staff and faculty, CSN has created a budget reduction plan that I believe minimizes the impact to students and classes.

The media recently announced today that unemployment in Nevada is up to 13.2 percent, from 13 percent in January. In Las Vegas, unemployment rose to 13.9 percent from 13.8 percent in January.  I would guess the effective rate is much higher.  We have a long-term challenge in Nevada to turn this economy around.

Our enrollment this spring is up 6.7 percent over last spring and I believe we will continue to see similar growth in demand for postsecondary services in the fall if job opportunities further diminish. Clearly our community needs the education and train CSN offers, and I feel a responsibility to help as many people as we can.  We also committed to student leaders that revenue from a registration fee surcharge would be reinvested in additional class section.   As we prepare to implement budget cuts, it is imperative that we strive to maintain our open-access mission and try to meet the needs of the community. I’ll discuss how we hope to achieve that and more during the town hall.

The event will be Web streamed live and I anticipate posting the video on this blog.

The next day, on April 9, CSN’s seventh annual Science & Technology Expo will take place at the Cheyenne campus. This event, which strives to get kids excited about math, science and technology related careers, is an amazing enrichment opportunity for students across the valley and this year promises to be extra special. To commemorate the 60^th anniversary of the National Science Foundation, NSF Director Dr. Arden Bement will come and speak at the event, bringing with him a number of NSF supported exhibits that are not only educational but exciting.

Finally on April 12, the President’s Cabinet and the Strategic Planning Committee will discuss in an open meeting the new CSN Strategic Plan.  The meeting will be held at 9 a.m. in I 108 at West Charleston.  Although there has been considerable campus input on the plan, this is another opportunity to discuss the draft plan. This is an important document that will help CSN move forward in this economic climate. I hope you will attend or watch online as I have asked that this event also be Web cast.

February 08, 2010 

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
John Bearce, Interim Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
Darren Divine, Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Larry Mason, Interim Vice President, Diversity & Cultural Affairs
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Dave Morgan, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Mark Rauls, Faculty Senate Chair
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer
Nathaniel Waugh, Student Government President
Anne Zemek de Dominguez, General Counsel
Guest: Dan Morris, Executive Director for Business Operations

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

The notes of the January 11, 2010 cabinet meeting were approved.

Calendar items include February 15, President’s Day, March 4 & 5, Board of Regents meeting here on the Charleston Campus, and March 15-21, Spring Break. 

Thomas Brown began with CSN’s Affirmative Action Program report. The comprehensive report was distributed to the cabinet members. Mr. Brown explained new reporting guidelines, supervisor responsibilities, and went over the results of the analysis. Overall CSN is in good shape, but there is room for improvement. He thanked Laura Yavitz for her assistance in compiling the data, and his assistant Nicholas Sheppard-Miller for his help assembling the report. As Mr. Brown went through the booklet with cabinet members, he highlighted some important areas including changes and additions in supervisory responsibilities, professional recruitment, grievance procedures and forms, Affirmative Action and Sexual Harassment training plans, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Affirmative Action definitions, ethnic categories and overall analyses. He will work with search committees also to inform members of any disparity in departments with open positions. 

Mugunth Vaithylingam shared a presentation about some security issues and solutions in defending CSN’s electronic data. The solutions are still tentative, but OTS has investigated PGP software as one option. If implemented, the security measures would roll out in stages, and include widespread communication and detailed instructions for all users. The security improvements will help CSN to stay in compliance with NRS 205 and 597. 

Darren Divine presented drafts of the academic calendars for 2011-2012 and 2012-2013. The reason for discussing the calendars is to secure a date for commencement at the Thomas & Mack as far in advance as possible. Doing so saves CSN a lot of money, because we can coordinate with UNLV’s graduation and save on time and fees for the auditorium set up. Also, Spring Break must be prior to the 10th week of instruction or coincide with CCSD or UNLV. Joan McGee pointed out some omissions and errors on the dates, then made a motion to approve the calendar with the corrections. The motion was seconded and passed. Annette Lord will communicate the corrections to Joe West. 

Patty Charlton gave an update on CSN’s budget status according to the latest communications from legislators and the Board of Regents. K-12 and Higher Education in Nevada are expected to make required cuts of 10% from operating budgets, and a salary reduction is expected in addition to those cuts. The Governor will give the State of the State address tonight, and is expected to announce a Special Session. Dr. Richards will continue to address employee groups as more information is known. More town hall forums are a possibility as well.

Bill Kerney informed everyone of a Legislative Town Hall meeting at the Grant Sawyer Building on Saturday, February 13 at 9:00 am.

Richard Hinckley told the group that some amendments to the Higher Education Opportunity Act from fall of 2008 will require CSN to be in compliance by July 2010. A few of those requirements due on July 1 are: 

• New information for classes and textbooks 
• Emergency Event Communication 
• Crime reports 
• New area of emphasis on file sharing and non-violation of copyrights 
• Loan compliance 
• Background ID verification 
• Cost of attending CSN 

On the General Counsel page of CSN’s Web site, there is a checklist of general information with regard to the requirements: http://www.csn.edu/pages/324.asp

Richard also encouraged everyone to communicate consistently with legislators. The communications should contain a good, strong message. Richard responded to questions about the candidates who are friends of CSN’s cause, but CSN cannot favor or endorse one candidate over the other. 

Larry Mason reported many events were planned for Black History Month. The events are posted on CSN’s website and on the ICS screens at all campuses. Four advisory board meetings have taken place already and Larry thanked Dr. Byrd for presenting the recruitment and retention policies for under-represented students at the meetings. Each advisory board has individual goals and Larry is working with CCSD to help accomplish them.

Jacque Matthews updated the cabinet members about Foundation events and projects. The Dine-About card is about ready to be offered on the web page. The card will cost $20. All expenses are covered by sponsors, so there is no overhead for CSN. This means that all the money will go to CSN and the funds are unrestricted. The card offers discounts at various restaurants and as soon as it is ready, will be available for purchase through the Foundation page online. Jacque encouraged everyone to keep their eyes open and when the cards are ready, tell everyone they know to purchase one. The Legacy of Achievement Gala will take place at the “M” Resort on Saturday, April 24. The theme for the Gala this year will focus on celebrating CSN’s friends. The “Night of the Stars” Gala will feature five honorees, discount tickets for employees, and red carpet treatment for the friends of CSN and guests. 

Penny McCollum reported 150 new parking spaces became available with the temporary parking lot behind building C. The additional spaces have helped a great deal, and CSN still has permission from Foothills High School to use available parking there when necessary. Henderson will be hosting Sociology Forums in March and April, and will continue to conduct monthly social gatherings. The first spring semester social gathering will be planned by the Social Committee in the near future. The Henderson campus has three projects in the works with Hinman Elementary School for this semester: Reading Week, Science Fair Judging, and organizing a Baseball Outing for Hinman classroom contest winners. Penny is continuing work with “Leadership Henderson,” and is involved in many events, projects and fundraisers associated with the eight-month program. She is also continuing work on the Campus Signage Master plan to provide input on the permanent signage project for all three main campuses. 

The Boulder City Center hosted the BC Chamber Mixer on January 13. There was a nice turnout and Penny thanked Student Government for their sponsorship, Senator Dustin Rains and Henderson Senator Kristy Gildner for support and help in the organization of the event. Dr. Richards, Dr. Byrd and Dr. Joan McGee attended the event as well. The Boulder City Center has approximately 146 students attending classes this semester with all available classrooms occupied for the evening classes. Penny is working with DWED and partnering with Henderson Job Connect to bring intensive 1-2 week Job Search Workshops and Basic Workplace Skills computer classes to the BC Center for those individuals who are unemployed and/or recently displaced. For those who qualify, DETR will cover the cost of the course. 

Joan McGee shared that the Strategic Planning Committee is considering all the forum feedback and survey results to determine goals and objectives consistent with the three core themes identified by last year’s committee. She encouraged everyone to participate when input is requested. Joan also gave updates on each of the Learning Centers, and said that all the sites are working to increase FTE and headcount on behalf of the budgets at CSN. The blood drive at the Charleston Campus was very successful. Contributions to the blood bank are vital as someone needs a transfusion every two seconds. She thanked everyone who donated and the Circle K Student Club for their support and assistance in soliciting donations. Leadership Las Vegas held Education Day at UNLV in January, but was focused mostly on K-12. When Joan brought that fact to the attention of the facilitators, they agreed and asked her to be on the committee to create and facilitate Education Day for next year’s class. 

Meeting adjourned at 10:35 a.m. 

Next meeting scheduled March 8, 2010.

CSN Colleagues:

Since the beginning of the year, we have been engaged in an intensive effort on multiple fronts to address recurring and shifting financial challenges as Nevada continues its chronic fiscal crisis.  The crisis has affected all of our employees and students, and our work to address the problem has required the energy and commitment of many of our faculty and staff.   To all of you I express my appreciation for your advocacy of education, your thoughtful consideration of solutions, and your patience as this crisis seems to repeat itself year after year.

What began as a 6-8 percent budget cut grew within weeks to 20-22 percent.  Thankfully, as a result of the special session of the Legislature, the operating reduction has settled at 6.9 percent.  This represents about $ 1.9 million for the rest of this fiscal year and $5.7 million for the next for CSN.  We will continue to use our budget reduction, Faculty Senate budget and program evaluation committees to finalize the reduction plans and to help us prepare for the next biennium.   

Legislation regarding a 4/10 work schedule is still under review by legal staff at system and institutional levels.  We need the results of the legal interpretation to determine how the program might impact CSN and NSHE.  We will know more following the Board of Regents meeting, taking place at the Charleston campus, on Thursday and Friday. I encourage you to attend as the budget and other issues will be extensively discussed. If you cannot attend in person, a link will be available on our home page to watch the meeting live online.

The latest situation facing us for the remainder of this biennium and into the next is on a scale unmatched in recent memory.  The Legislature used a combination of operating cuts, salary reductions, furloughs, and revenue increases to balance the state budget—for now.   Moreover, looking ahead to the next biennium, the fiscal challenge for the state is daunting, as we anticipate a deficit the size of half the state’s budget.  One time funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) will no longer supplement the state operating budget in 2011.   As a result, the next three to four years will see major financial difficulties for Nevada and CSN.  

Priorities during past budget cuts have served us well:  preserve jobs, protect the core mission of access and instructional quality, and prepare for a more strategic future for CSN.  The magnitude of the current crisis will test our ability to hold to these priorities.  The plan we are in the process of developing includes bold actions to advance our mission with more long-term decisions, guided by student demand and community needs.

Our budget planning will meet the state requirement for budget cuts and also leverages important initiatives for our future.  Our goal is not just to achieve cost savings, but to build a culture of continuous improvement, institutional strength and viability, and provide support for our academic mission more efficiently.

Strategic Planning and Positioning

Concurrent with our budget planning, our strategic planning continues to move forward.  We expect the draft phase of our strategic updating to be completed by the end of March, at which point we will open the draft for input from the college community.  As you may know, we launched a Strategic Planning Process, with extensive faculty, staff and student participation across the institution, to ensure that CSN is well positioned to maintain its unique standing in the greater Las Vegas community. 

Reorganization and Restructuring

Finally, among the committees looking at CSN, we have launched an organizational review committee so that CSN can function more effectively and become more viable in the future.  In the past, we have initiated best practices in facilities management and finance.  We will build on these efforts, by rethinking how other aspects of the College are organized to improve student success and will be sharing more details in the coming weeks.

As always, if you have questions, please let me know.

Regards to all,

Mike

Approximately 45 higher education students from Southern Nevada, 17 of which were from CSN, took a bus up to Carson City on Monday night, leaving at 10 p.m. to make it to the special session. Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford invited the students to an impromptu meeting with the Senate, where students told lawmakers about why higher education funding matters.

Following a long day at the capitol, the students got back on the bus and returned home early this morning. I want to applaud these students’ commitment to their institutions and to their education and our lawmakers for taking the time to meet with them. Thank you.

We are eagerly awaiting the resolution of the special session. We have heard, as you may have in the media, that they are discussing cuts below 10 percent for higher education. Now is a crucial time to write your state senator to impress upon him or her your feelings about higher education funding. You can find their contact information here: http://leg.state.nv.us/26th2010Special/Legislators/Senators/slist.cfm.

On another note, I attended the Black History Month Scholarship Breakfast at the CSN Cheyenne campus this morning. It was a wonderful conclusion to Black History Month, which we celebrated at CSN with four weeks of activities and events.

We had a full house, including community supporters, faculty, staff and students, who came to hear keynote speaker Dr. Linda Young from the Clark County School District Board of Trustees and to help raise money for CSN scholarships and academic programs. Sherman Rutledge, Jr., executive director of Strengthening America’s Communities and Dr. Joni Flowers, a CSN professor and executive director of the Cultural Diversity Foundation, received awards for their service to education and the community.  Thanks to all who attended.

I would just like to say that I am very proud of the CSN students who braved the rain and cold yesterday to attend the rally at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building with students from NSC and UNLV.

I happily received pictures from the event (posted below). There were hundreds of you, letting elected officials, the media and community know that you won’t stand for further budget cuts.

I am behind you 100 percent.

Now, I want to ask a favor of you. 

If you rallied yesterday – come back to the Grant Sawyer Building on Saturday.  At 9 a.m. in Rm. 4401, there will be a legislative town hall, in which lawmakers will be looking to hear from constituents. They want to know what you value most about state government and public services. This is a great time for you to voice your concerns about K-12 and higher education. We need your enthusiasm and energy.

For those who did not make it out yesterday, Saturday presents another chance. Time is running out for lawmakers to hear from you before the special session begins the week of Feb. 22.

Thank you again to the students. You made a difference, not only for yourselves but for the future of this state.

Best,

Mike

January 11, 2010

Cabinet Members:

• President Mike Richards
• John Bearce, Interim Director of Institutional Research – absent
• K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager
• Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
• Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
• Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities
• Darren Divine, Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs
• Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
• Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect
• Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus
• Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
• Larry Mason, Interim Vice President, Diversity & Cultural Affairs
• Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
• Dave Morgan, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
• Mark Rauls, Faculty Senate Chair
• Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
• Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer
• Nathaniel Waugh, Student Government President – absent
• Anne Zemek de Dominguez, General Counsel  

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m. 

The notes of the December 14, 2009 cabinet meeting were approved.

Dr. Richards reminded everyone to take advantage of the workshops offered this week for convocation, and that next Monday, January 18 is the Martin Luther King holiday; then spring semester begins the following day. 

Patty Charlton began with an update on budget planning. Governor Gibbons has requested all state agencies to provide plans to make cuts from General Fund sources of between 6% and 10%–for the fiscal year we are in currently (2010). An 8% reduction would mean approximately $2.2M for CSN (March 2010 – June 30, 2010), and $6.5M in FY 2011. Plans are currently in draft form and will be discussed further through the Chancellor and the Board of Regents. The Budget Reduction Committee was re-instated and strategies are being discussed should the reductions be imposed. It is an all-college committee and through this committee information will be shared, more strategies will be developed, and the College Community will be engaged. The Budget Reduction Committee members are listed below: 

Mary Kaye Bailey, Lisa Bakke, Patty Charlton, Chemene Crawford, Bill Kerney, Cat Maihen, Dave Morgan, Mark Rauls, Judy Stewart, Dale Warby, Nate Waugh, Hyla Winters and Anne Zemek de Dominguez 

There will be a special meeting of the Board of Regents on February 2 to delve further into how an 8% reduction would impact and be implemented at each of the NSHE Institutions in both FY 2010 and FY 2011. For the current fiscal year, the initial operating budget for CSN included a projected shortfall, as we were concerned about the timeliness of Nevada’s economic recovery, but those funds alone will not be enough to cover an 8% cut, and operating reductions will be necessary if the cut is imposed. For the next FY, the impact will be a greater challenge. We will require input from faculty, staff, and students to develop the skeletal strategy for FY2011. We are not anticipating any additional increases to the Student Surcharge. The Offices of the President and Sr. Vice President for Finance and Facilities will keep faculty, staff and students apprised of the developments. There is speculation of the need for a Special Session. 

Dr. Richards spoke about the Northwest Campus and its importance in CSN’s strategic plan. Although the current state of the economy would seem to dictate holding off on the development of the Northwest Campus, there are many reasons to proceed. We can’t be short-sighted and need to look at CSN’s future. Right now construction costs are low, the opportunities for local employment would be helped, and we have worked very hard in getting the land grant. CSN does not currently have a presence in the northwest part of the valley, and that area is growing rapidly. 

Dr. Richards also reported that Chancellor Klaich and some key staff members went to Maryland to learn more about that system’s Efficiency and Effectiveness initiative. 

Cat Maihen updated the group on Classified Council activities. The bake sale raised $580; at the Classified Council meeting member accountability was the focus, and other fund-raising options. Cat said the Classified In-Service days went fairly well. Participation was down in some areas, but among the better-attended classes was one in self-defense. That will be offered again in the future.

Mark Rauls had little to report, since he just reported last month. He expressed his appreciation that faculty is included in the budgeting process ad-hoc committee to review programs. 

Mugunth Vaithylingam distributed the convocation schedule for the tech booths at the Cheyenne campus. The programs for convocation will include workshops, discussions, and raffle prizes provided by vendors. In other news form OTS, Dr. Richards attended employee recognition; a new computer refresh schedule is being developed; and a student manage-print solution is being tested this semester. 

Anne Zemek said there has been an increase in the number of unhappy/disgruntled students. It is important that employees in all areas know their department’s policies and procedures and follow them. Students should get the same information from everyone in the department. She reported also on the Sexual Harassment policy being expanded to clarify several things with regard to supervisor duties and responsibilities. 

Larry Mason told Cabinet that CSN has a convertible car in the Martin Luther King parade and encouraged everyone to attend.

Dave Morgan said there would be welcome back events at each of the campuses on January 19, 20 & 21.

Meeting adjourned at 10 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled February 8, 2010.

Good afternoon,

The Board of Regents met at the Charleston campus today to discuss the state’s nearly $900 million budget deficit. We estimate this will mean a 22 percent cut in general fund appropriations to the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). This would mean a statewide cut to Nevada colleges and universities of about $37 million for the remainder of this year and $110 million for next year.

For CSN, we estimate that this would mean a budget reduction of about $6 million this fiscal year and $18 million next year.

I urge you to watch Chancellor Klaich’s presentation below for more details.

To summarize, regents discussed the possibility of declaring a financial emergency, pending the outcome of the special legislative session, which we expect to take place late February or early March. Declaring financial exigency – emergency is much easier to say — allows the system to take more extreme measures to handle the budget deficit, including implementing layoffs and pay reductions.

Regents expressed their desire to proceed cautiously. Presidents will not put forth plans that are not considered sustainable. An overlying message was that no one group can bear the sole burden of this budget cut and that our priority must be to protect our missions.

Chair Leavitt stressed that advocacy efforts should be focused on writing letters and contacting the following legislators: (You can find contact information for each of them at the following site: http://leg.state.nv.us/ – click on the “Assembly” or “Senate” links to get e-mail addresses and telephone numbers for individual legislators.)

Sen. Bernice Mathews
Sen. Steven Horsford
Sen. Bill Raggio
Assemblyman Morse Arberry Jr.
Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley
Assemblyman Marcus Conklin
Assemblywoman Heidi Gansert
Assemblywoman Debbie Smith

I also urge you to write your legislative representative. You can find out who represents you at: http://mapserve.leg.state.nv.us/website/lcb/viewer.htm

I will continue to pass along information as we have it. I urge you to talk about these issues with your colleagues, contact your legislators and stay informed.

Town Hall Part 1

Town Hall Part 2

As most of you have heard by now, the Economic Forum estimated the state is $800 million in the red for this current budget.

Gov. Jim Gibbons is expected to call a special session during his State of the State address on February 8. Tomorrow, Chancellor Klaich and several regents will join me for a town hall at the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre at 3:30 p.m. to discuss the budget outlook and what it could mean for CSN. I hope you can make it.

Keep checking back on this blog for further information.

Cabinet Members:
President Mike Richards
John Bearce, Interim Director of Institutional Research
K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager
Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne
Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs
Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities – absent
Darren Divine, Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs
Richard Hinckley, General Counsel
Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect – absent
Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus – absent
Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus
Larry Mason, Interim Vice President, Diversity & Cultural Affairs – absent
Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation
Dave Morgan, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly
Mark Rauls, Faculty Senate Chair
Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council
Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer
Nathaniel Waugh, Student Government President
Anne Zemek de Dominguez, General Counsel
Guests: Eric Garner, Manager, Public & College Relations
Taylor Gray, Webmaster
 

The meeting was called to order by Dr. Richards at 9 a.m.

He told everyone that the cabinet will put together the report that will support CSN‟s efforts to obtain funding from the legislature for the next biennium, and distributed a CSN draft report for everyone to look over. He noted that the report should contain very specific data and minimal narrative.

Darren Divine talked about the midnight classes being offered for Spring. He emphasized that the offering is being done on a trial basis, and the outcome will be evaluated after the semester ends. The classes have had some positive press. Darren also told everyone that the classes were meant to help students who actually need the late-night class time. The classes were not meant to be overflow for regular sections. Spring enrollment is up. Biennium discussions about 3

funding are pending, and CSN will move forward while at the same time evaluating our increasing needs very carefully.

Dave Morgan said the AFA would be voting on bylaw changes at the next meeting on December 18. Kelly Wuest was voted the AFA employee of the month.

Mugunth Vaithylingam detailed the projects that OTS is currently working on. Among the many OTS items in progress are:

A password policy draft which will require passwords to be changed regularly has been submitted to Patty Charlton.

A student e-mail system committee is discussing CSN needs versus wants in a new system

OTS is discussing classes with CAPE to increase encryption awareness, „WinZip.‟

OTS is researching how the under-utilized features in Outlook could fill some of CSN‟s needs

A Frequently Asked Questions page is being developed for faculty and staff. The content is being determined by categorizing help desk tickets and calls.

Patty Charlton and Mugunth are discussing the need and the possibilities of developing a CSN intranet.

Desktop, Laptop, and Mac refreshes – OTS is investigating an IBM product (Lenovo) to assist with CSN and OTS‟s security priorities

Microsoft will have a booth at convocation (Tech Connection) on January 12, and they will have a session on Windows 7 as well.

Mark Rauls reported that Faculty Senate has three major policies to complete at the first of the year:

Academic Dishonesty / Plagiarism

Drop policy for students not attending the first week of classes

Electronic Elections (Angel)

Faculty Senate has formed a work group to discuss Gen-Ed requirements. The group is working with Hyla Winters and UNLV‟s Gen-Ed Committee.

Nate Waugh gave some highlights from Student Government and site visits. An Open House/Mixer at the Boulder City site is planned in collaboration with the Rotary Club and the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce. The event is planned for January 13. ASCSN will cover the cost of advertising, food and drinks. Nate and VP Foster are coordinating with Moapa Valley High School for a college visit day. ASCSN will help retention give tours to the students and coordinate the trips to CSN and UNLV. Also, Student Government is working with the campus bookstore to coordinate book delivery for students there. Students would reserve the books and the bookstore would deliver them to the site near the first day of classes. Student government is also working with Counseling Services to have a counselor go to the Summerlin site once per month to meet with students there. The Mesquite site will have a Back-to-School BBQ on January 14. The community will be invited as well as several guests from Administration. Represented at the Mesquite event will be Counseling, Financial Aid, and Registration. Also at the Mesquite site, some substandard and incorrect signage will be replaced. The same signage issues exist at the Caliente site and Sherri Payne is collecting the information to get both sites set. The Caliente site has advertising concerns, and Student Government has received a request to pay for advertising for Spring classes. The ad would be in the form of an insert into the 4

Lincoln County Record, which goes out to 2300 people. The Nellis site will be visited the first part of January.

Nate also reported on recent events including his Karaoke rendition of “Unforgettable.” Some upcoming events will be Karaoke ll, Active Shooter Presentation for Students, Stop the Violence Presentation, and Battle of the Bands. The Battle of the Bands event has been tentatively set for April 2010 on the Cheyenne campus; the rest of the events‟ dates are yet to be determined. There are currently four vacancies for senators in Student Government. The Veteran‟s Memorial is moving forward. There is a gubernatorial higher education forum in April. For student union areas, Student Government is looking into various entertainment ideas.

Anne Zemek de Dominguez informed the cabinet members that the legal department would be working regular hours over the holidays.

Dr. Richards reported what he knows about the current budget situation. The Governor is asking for plans from other Nevada institutions to cut 1.4% and 3% in additional spending for the current fiscal year. Those plans are due to the Governor January 19. There may be a special session in January. CSN is in the process of preparing with a plan just in case it is needed.

Dr. Richards told the group the Holiday Party was sensational and thanked the Foundation. Jacque Matthews said that the Vice Presidents donated gifts for the raffle, and our guests donated 800 pounds of food from the event to Three Square Food Bank. About 450 people attended the party. Dr. Richards wished everyone a Merry Christmas and adjourned the meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 10:12 a.m. (after only 72 minutes!)

Next meeting scheduled January 11, 2010.

The CSN Chronicle 

Greetings, Happy New Year and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for January 2010.  There is much activity on many fronts that I’d like you to know about.      

Holiday Party

Through the Foundation Board of Trustees and the President’s Cabinet, I have extended your collective appreciation to the Foundation for the outstanding holiday party we held at the Las Vegas Hilton on December 10^th.  Ticket revenue raised sufficient support to fund one full-time student for a year at CSN, and your food donations contributed more than 700 pounds of food to Three Square.  Thank you!      

In early December the City of Las Vegas approached us about moving ahead on development of the northwest campus, and at the same time, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee approved S 940—our land patent for the property.  The full Senate will now have to vote on the bill.  For CSN’s part, we have retained an architect for the project.  Using the “I” building as a prototype, we will adapt its plans as the first building for the new campus.

Budget Status

We have been directed to prepare blueprints to respond to the governor’s call for budget reduction plans of 6, 8, or 10% for each year of the biennium.  The plan we are preparing is in the mid range of the governor’s request, and will likely be presented at a special meeting of the Board of Regents on February 2.  The state has requested budget reduction plans for FY2010, effective March 1, that are at a pro-rated level based on the support that each institution receives from the general fund.  For CSN, this reduction could range from $1.65M to $2.75M. 

Our strategy at the beginning of this fiscal year included establishing a reserve should the state realize a revenue shortfall. Our initial budget included a reserve of approximately $1.2M to accommodate this shortfall. Budget cuts will be necessary to meet the balance of any state imposed budget reduction. These reductions will be determined through a participatory process working with faculty, staff, and student leadership. 

More difficult to address is the budget picture for FY 2011.  State revenue projections are not likely to be realized and the governor’s proposed cuts of 6, 8, or 10% may mean a reduction to CSN’s budget of $5.0M to $8.2M.   Again, we will involve faculty, staff and students and focus on protecting our institutional mission as we prepare these budget reduction plans and keep you apprised as new information arises.  By the time you read this, the budget reduction committee will have met twice, and a general plan for FY2010 will be drafted to submit to the Chancellor.  The plan for FY2011 will take more time and input to detail.

About a week after spring semester begins, the southwest entrance to the West Charleston campus off of Torrey Pines—just south of the KNPR studio–will be closed for about a month.  The contractor on the drainage project will be making connections at that intersection.  The driveway to the north of the Sparks Art Center will be open, but we urge you to use Community College Drive if at all possible.  The access road should reopen around March 22.

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“What preparation can we do now for the 2011 Legislative session?”

Nearly every CSN employee can have an impact on the membership of the Legislature.  Here are two suggestions: 

• Candidates for legislative office have to file their applications in March.  Work now to line up good candidates in your Assembly and Senate districts who are supportive of CSN, higher education and Nevada’s future.
• Primary elections will be held in June.  Plan now to work for good candidates and to share your concerns about education and the future of the State. 

“Why should I care about legislative advocacy?  Isn’t that the job of the administration, the Faculty Senate, and the Chancellor’s staff?”

We have an advocacy group at CSN, and NSHE will have staff and a lobbyist ready for the 2011 session.  Combined with our students, the CSN advocacy group made immeasurable progress during the 2009 legislative session.  We can do it again, but it takes all of us.  When the time comes, your legislators need to hear from you. 

Construction projects at the Cheyenne, Henderson and West Charleston campuses move steadily toward completion.  The Engelstad addition is on time and on budget.  The renovation of science facilities at Cheyenne will soon be under contract through the State Public Works Board.  The fire station project is on time and on budget, as is the drainage project at Charleston.  At Henderson, we’re moving ahead with additional parking that should be completed this spring.

Watch for forums on budget issues and the search process for a new Provost and Academic Vice President.  I invite your attendance and participation. 

Best wishes for the New Year and for spring semester.

–Mike Richards

As we welcome faculty, staff and students back for spring semester 2010, we are beginning to make internal plans to respond to the governor’s call for budget reduction plans of 6, 8, or 10% for each year of the biennium.

The state has requested budget reduction plans for FY 2010, effective March 1, 2010, that are at a pro-rated level based on the support that each institution receives from the general fund. For CSN, this reduction could range from $1.65M to $2.75M. 

Our strategy at the beginning of this fiscal year included establishing a reserve should the state realize a revenue shortfall. Our initial budget included a reserve of approximately $1.2M to accommodate this shortfall. Budget cuts will be necessary to meet the balance of any state imposed budget reduction. These reductions will be determined through a participatory process working with faculty, staff, and student leadership. 

More difficult to address is the budget picture for FY 2011. State revenue projections are not likely to be realized and the governor’s proposed cuts of 6, 8, or 10% mean a reduction to CSN’s budget of $5.0M to $8.2M. 

Again, we will involve faculty, staff and students and focus on protecting our institutional mission as we prepare these budget reduction plans and keep you apprised as new information arises.

As we head into the holiday break, Jan and I would like to wish everyone happy and safe holidays. This is a great time for reflection about the year ahead and what we hope to achieve in 2010.

I will be taking a few days off to enjoy family and friends. On Christmas Day the Richards clan will gather for good food and games with grandchildren. I trust that each member of CSN’s family will find restful time among good friends.      

If you have time and the inclination to do some reading, I recommend the following:

W. Bown, M. Chingos and M. McPherson, Crossing the Finish Line, Completing College at America’s Public Universities

J. Garland, Saving Alma Mater, A Rescue Plan for America’s Public Universities

R. Zemsky, Making Reform Work, The Case for Transforming American Higher Education

I highly recommend the Zemsky and Garland books.

Thank you all for a great 2009. We have come far in the last 365 days. Imagine what we can do in the next year.

Enjoy the holidays. See you in the next decade.

Public reports of an all-agency memo regarding budget reductions are correct.  The state has asked all agencies, including the Nevada System of Higher Education, to prepare plans for budget cuts.  Here’s the essence of the request:  “As a result of the most recent revenue reports, agencies will need to determine proposed budget reserves in the amount of 6%, 8% and 10% for FY 2010 and FY 2011 and submit them to the Budget Office by the close of business on Tuesday, January 5, 2010.”   For the current fiscal year, the cut would be prorated.

CSN has planned for a mid-year cut, although not at such high levels.  Now, we’ll revise our plans and respond as the Board of Regents may direct.  As you know, we have done this in previous years; we know how to improve our response with each cycle of cuts.  Please be assured that even though the holidays are upon us, we will make this an inclusive process.  The memo from state Budget Director Andrew Klinger also includes this sentence:   “At this time no decision has been made as to whether these budget reserve recommendations will be implemented, however this information will be considered in the decision making process for closing the current projected deficit.”

As we receive more information, I’ll certainly share it.

Cabinet Members:

President Mike Richards

John Bearce, Interim Director of Institutional Research

K.C. Brekken, Communications Manager

Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne

Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs

Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities

Darren Divine, Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs

Richard Hinckley, General Counsel

Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect

Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus

Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus

Larry Mason, Interim Vice President, Diversity & Cultural Affairs

Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation

Dave Morgan, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly

Mark Rauls, Faculty Senate Chair

Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council

Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer

Nathaniel Waugh, Student Government President

Anne Zemek de Dominguez, General Counsel – absent

Guests:                

Taylor Gray, Webmaster

Wai Ho, OTS Network Services Director

Rebecca Metty-Burns, Interim Director, DWED 

Rebecca Metty-Burns and Taylor Gray demonstrated the Division of Workforce and Economic Development’s improved website. The website, still under construction, was recently restructured based on call topics and call volume. Buttons for class selections are divided into three categories: Careers, Business Solutions, and Personal Enrichment. There is still work being done on the site. One area of concern is how to communicate to the general public the difference between classes for credit and DWED classes. The functionality of the site has been greatly improved, with search capability for classes made possible with new software (AJAX with jQuery) being utilized. The DWED website should be complete by early next year.

John Bearce reported on Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data, which compares CSN to its peer institutions in a number of categories. These categories include enrollment, student charges, graduation rates, finances, program completions, faculty, and staff. John showed the group how CSN compared to its peer institutions and informed the cabinet members of some changes in diversity reporting methods being established by the federal government. The full report can be viewed using the link below. http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/datacenter. 

Mugunth Vaithylingam and Wai Ho reported on plans OTS has for email upgrades. The reasons prompting the change include better security, more functionality, easier socialization for students, and reduced costs. The current email system is 11 years old and to keep competitive, CSN should offer a modern alternative. OTS is researching several options. Among them are Microsoft Live Edu and Google Student Apps. They offer portal capability, the inclusion of adjunct faculty, an improved overall experience, and permanent mail (as opposed to mail available only during the college experience). Security will be the primary consideration in making the decision, and exchange-supported functionality will also be important as it pertains to CSN‟s needs. 

Patty Charlton told the cabinet members of a change in the Cabinet reporting schedule that will begin in January. Instead of reporting every other month, cabinet members will report quarterly. Annette Lord will distribute the schedule at the next meeting and will send reminders to members the week prior to their scheduled reports. 

Dr. Byrd informed the group about a change in hours for certain Student Services departments. The changes will be sent out via “all” e-mail. The Emergency Notification System is ready for faculty, staff and students to register. The system will alert them in the manner they request (email, text, phone, etc.) when the situation dictates notification. It will be tested over the next few weeks. He asked that cabinet members encourage everyone to enroll for the notification. The link to enroll was sent out to “all.” Dr. Byrd also gave a brief update on CSN’s crime report and noted that car thefts have declined over the last three years. 

Thomas Brown met with Sherri Payne for their monthly meeting to discuss plans for the Cheyenne Campus. The plans include paint, tile, carpet, and signage. Thomas is working with Darren Divine and Dr. Richards on some beneficial partnerships in the community. The MOU’s are being developed. He also reminded everyone that Sexual Harassment Training is offered at all campuses at various times during the month, and that all employees are required to complete the training. 

Joan McGee reported progress with Strategic Planning. The committee has solicited feedback from the community through surveys, and once all the responses are collected a draft will be developed. 

Penny McCollum highlighted items from the Henderson Campus and Boulder City Center:

• Henderson Italian Café has new vendors, better quality, and lower prices.
• Parking lot behind Building C should be complete for spring 2010 semester.
• Henderson Campus Environment Steering Committee will meet this winter.
• Henderson faculty member, Dr. Gary Solomon, was selected as the Henderson Chamber of Commerce “Teacher of the Year.”
• The November Social Gathering will be a Veterans Day Lunch and feature a red, white, and blue theme, photos of faculty and staff who served in the Armed Forces, and a web page for sending thank you messages to our currently deployed troops.
• The Henderson Campus/Hinman School Partnership continues to help students at the elementary school. A school supply drive is being planned, and next year grant funding will be sought to assist the children with transportation issues.
• The Boulder City site needs work before it is operational and Penny is working with Facilities, Financial Services, OTS, Academic Departments and the CSN Police Department to address the various issues.
• The Boulder City Center will be hosting a Boulder City Chamber Mixer in January 2010. Community Business Leaders and the public will be invited.  

Jacque Matthews announced the new officers of the Foundation Board of Trustees: 

• Chair – Robbie Graham
• Vice Chair – Neil Friedman
• Treasurer – Bryan Dziedzack
• Secretary – Peter O’Neill

They approved a comprehensive fundraising campaign that should launch in Fall of 2010. Jacque said the President’s Breakfast had excellent support from faculty, deans and marketing; and the event had about 130 attendees. The program went very smoothly. A Dine-About card will be selling soon, and has the potential to raise a lot of money for the college. It should sell for about $20. She also reminded everyone of the Holiday Party on December 10 at the Las Vegas Hilton, and asked that everyone bring a non-perishable food donation for the backpack program.

Larry Mason reminded everyone that November is Native American Heritage Month and distributed a calendar of events. He also issued a flyer for the Sarah Winnemucca Scholarship Breakfast to take place on November 19 at the June Whitley Student Center on the Cheyenne Campus. The Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM) program will take place on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for faculty and staff to help CCSD students with those areas of study. A leadership summit is planned for February 19 to address high dropout rates of students from Latino and African American descent. Larry and Dr. Byrd plan to attend.

Cat Maihen reported good attendance for the classified in-service classes offered in October. The classes will be offered in spring at the Henderson campus. The course in self-defense was especially well-attended. The bake sale raised $580 and another one is planned for December. The furlough days are causing some conflict with adjunct instructors who are also classified personnel. The conflict involves overtime pay for these employees and is being vetted out to find a solution. CSN, NSC and UNLV classified employees are planning to get together to discuss the upcoming legislative session and address common issues.

Dr. Richards expressed his appreciation to Jacque Matthews and the CSN Foundation for the President’s Breakfast. He said it was excellent, and he received many compliments on the quality of the event.

Nate Waugh presented appreciation awards to several members of the cabinet for their support of Student Government and its initiatives. Dr. Richards, Patty Charlton, K.C. Brekken, and Mugunth Vaithylingam were among the recipients.

Meeting adjourned at 10:40 a.m.

Next meeting scheduled December 14, 2009.

Media in the state have been reporting on forthcoming budget cuts and the governor’s call for the Economic Forum to meet, which may lead to a special session of the Legislature and more budget reductions.  Understandably, you as a student or CSN employee, might be worried about diminished operating funds, furlough days or fewer class sections.

Let me appease those concerns first and clarify that there have been no changes to this year’s budget or to the furlough requirements adopted by the State Personnel Office or the Regents.

We are carefully monitoring developments on state budget issues and you should enter this holiday season confident that I will keep you informed and we, as part of the Nevada System of Higher Education, will do all we can to protect our core mission. This will require efforts on your part next year to mobilize with us and help educate the public about the value of CSN. 

The Board of Regents and the Chancellor have suggested to the governor alternative approaches to cutting higher education.  They have also defended cuts already taken by our institutions — cuts greater than other state agencies.  We have able leadership advocating our cause.  In the mean time, at CSN, we have a new mission describing a generation of service to students.  We’ll not shirk from our purpose.  The state of Nevada and our community need us.

We will continue what we started together in 2007.  Through all of our efforts and your strong voice, we succeeded in the 2009 legislative session to preserve CSN and higher education in Nevada.  I invite you to join me in the continued struggle for fiscal stability.  We also need to stand together by defeating our own fears of uncertainty, change, and innovation.

There will be plenty for us to do, but for now enjoy your holidays.  Enjoy family or professional development time.  Give honor, respect and trust to your colleagues:  The Golden Rule is timeless, especially now in our current circumstances.  We have much to be grateful for, particularly our CSN family. Come back to the new semester rested, energized and ready.

As you know, I stand committed to our college and ready to serve you and support your success. I look forward to 2010, come what may, and to working with you to build a strong, vibrant CSN for the next generation.

Best regards,

Mike

The CSN Chronicle

This is the December CSN Chronicle.  You may note that Chronicles are posted on my blog for your convenience and as a way of letting me share with you some of the news and questions raised by our faculty and staff members.   

iNtegrate Project and Hiring

iNtegrate was a handle created several years ago to describe our new administrative computing system.  The idea was to represent Nevada electronically integrated for all administrative computing.  CSN is ready in 2010 to begin “production” of its student information system (SIS).   To help with the transition and the continuing operation of the new system, CSN joined with other NSHE schools to request an addition to the technology fee.  The Board approved the request.  Revenues from this fee will support the hiring of several new positions that you will soon see announced.   Among the positions are user and information security specialists.  I bring this to your attention because when you see the position announcements, you may have questions about the resources for the positions and what the jobs are all about.  Please let me know if you’d like more information on the iNtegrate project.     

Check out this blog regularly at http://blog.csn.edu. We post updates and other information frequently here for your convenience and comments.

Accreditation Changes

The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) oversees the regional accreditation of CSN.   For the past several years, members of the Commission have worked with representatives from member institutions to revise accreditation standards, and that work has now been completed.  Accreditation will be a very different process for colleges and universities.  It will be a process of continuous improvement, regular reporting (about every other year), assessment at institutional and program levels, and driven by data and themes.  In CSN’s case, the themes are derived from our mission statement:  access, quality and diversity.   We will be integrating the new process into our organizational structure as we begin preparations for the first CSN submittal that is due fall 2011.   Work for our report will involve departments, divisions, schools, and offices of the College.  And down the road, I fully expect that as we engage this new process, we will be asked to provide assessment data at the course level.  This would be a significant change for CSN as departments would need to determine and assess course outcomes for the curriculum.  Course level assessment may not be required for the first report, but it’s coming, so we’ll need to prepare.    

September sales tax revenues were down 17.7%, continuing downward pressure on state revenues.  Although I have not heard anything official about a special session of the Legislature, we are anticipating state action on the budget and on an issue affecting public education.  We have taken limited precautions in preparation for a budget cut just in case.  If I hear anything official from the state, I’ll certainly share it with you.

 Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

“Will classified employees be required to take a second furlough day?”

As of this writing, I am not aware of any such requirement.  There are rumors about a second day, but that’s all it is—a rumor.  You may recall that the State Personnel Office provides governance of classified employees.  To my knowledge, State Personnel has not changed the furlough requirement.

 “The media are reporting possible 1.5% and 3% budget cuts.  What’s that about and will CSN be implementing a cut?”

The Governor’s staff raised the possibility of a budget cut and asked for plans at reduction levels of 1.5% and 3%.  Chancellor Klaich reported this to the Board of Regents at its December meeting.  No action was taken on the request.  System staff and members of the Board are awaiting further and more definitive information. 

“Will CSN be offering an employee buyout program this year?”

 For the past two years we have offered a buyout program for professional employees.  Although this program has helped with the budget crisis, we often lose experienced faculty and staff with such a program.  Continuity and leadership are victims of buyout programs.  We have this option in our pocket in case the fiscal situation worsens, and we’ll hold it until there is a clear need.

Best wishes to you all for a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  Let’s enjoy this holiday season.  I look forward to seeing you in the New Year.

  –Mike Richards

Recent media coverage has raised the possibility of enrollment caps on community colleges in Nevada.  Links to the articles may be found here:

Access to What? – Inside Higher Ed

Enrollment Caps Considered – Las Vegas Review-Journal

State’s Community Colleges Trying to Avoid Sacrificing Quality for Quantity – Las Vegas Sun

As you can imagine, the issue of caps is difficult and complex, almost anathema to our community college DNA that prizes access, inclusion and affordability.  I’ve maintained two positions: 1) as long as enrollment growth is the sole driver in Nevada’s funding formula, CSN will plan and manage for growth, and 2) instructional quality will not be compromised as we accommodate growth with innovative ideas, such as midnight classes, and with the de facto caps in place as we reach classroom capacity.  What do you think?  What are some alternative ideas we can implement to accomodate student demand?

In response to Dr. Blizard’s question in the previous post, we are going to have a civil engineer assess the stop signs in front of the C building and meet with college administrators to determine an appropriate course of action.

I have more to share with you.

I recently spent a week in Washington, D.C., visiting with members and the staffs of our congressional delegation and attending meetings of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).  Sen. Harry Reid was the only member of the delegation still in Washington at the time, and we had a helpful discussion about CSN and its needs.  I appreciated his interest and support.

In meeting with other higher education leaders at the AACC conference, I sensed that many other community colleges are caught in a euphoric wave, knowing that as state budgets across the nation are in the red that the Obama administration is more supportive of community colleges than any administration in recent history. Nevada is not alone, but we may be more deeply mired than others.  

A number of institutions are using social media to engage faculty, staff, and students.  The use of social media — like this blog— is growing at CSN.  We have Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, MySpace and other outlets.  Are we using these in helpful ways for the college community?  Can we do more? Should we be relying on these electronic mechanisms less? Do they isolate us? I would like to hear your thoughts on how we can use social media and/or more traditional forms of communication to strengthen our ties as we prepare for hard times ahead.

This is the final interview with former Chancellor Jim Rogers. In it, we discuss what CSN is doing to help keep K-12 students in school and prepared for postsecondary education.

Part V

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Link to video

Courtesy of KVBC

In this segment, I talk with former Chancellor and Channel 3 station owner Jim Rogers about how CSN is dealing with increased enrollments and budget cuts.

Part IV

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Link to video

Courtesy of KVBC

Former Chancellor Jim Rogers and I talk about what CSN is doing to help students achieve their educational goals, including a potential dual admissions program with NSC and UNLV that will build off of CSN’s partnership with the school district and help students transfer seamlessly from high school to post-secondary education. Click on the screen below for more information. If a screen is not seen below, click on: http://blog.csn.edu/?p=165

Part 3

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Courtesy of KVBC

In this segment, I talk with former Chancellor Jim Rogers about CSN partnerships with Clark County high schools and other institutions.

CSN has classes at more than a dozen local high schools that allow juniors and seniors to get college credit before they graduate with their high school diploma. We have partnerships with 15 trade unions to increase technical education throughout Southern Nevada. A new and exciting cooperation underway with DETR will help us delve further into green technology and sustainability. Learn more by clicking on the screen below. If a screen does not appear below, click on: http://blog.csn.edu/?p=151

Part 2

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Courtesy of KVBC

Recently, I had the opportunity to do an interview with former Chancellor Jim Rogers on KVBC to discuss CSN’s significance to Nevada. This is the first of series of interviews that are running this week on Channel 3 at noon. We will add the rest to the blog as they become available.  To view, click on the screen below:

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Courtesy of KVBC

Cabinet Notes

October 12, 2009 

Cabinet Members:

President Mike Richards

John Bearce, Interim Director of Institutional Research

K.C. Brekken, Manager of Communications

Thomas Brown, Chief Campus Administrator, Cheyenne

Art Byrd, Vice President, Student Affairs

Patty Charlton, Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities

Darren Divine, Interim Vice President, Academic Affairs

Richard Hinckley, General Counsel – absent

Bill Kerney, Faculty Senate Chair-Elect – absent

Penny McCollum, Campus Site Administrator, Henderson Campus

Joan McGee, Chief Campus Administrator, Charleston Campus

Larry Mason, Interim Vice President, Diversity & Cultural Affairs

Jacque Matthews, Executive Director, Foundation

Dave Morgan, Chair, Administrative Faculty Assembly

Mark Rauls, Faculty Senate Chair

Cat Maihen, President, Classified Council

Mugunth Vaithylingam, Chief Information Officer

Nathaniel Waugh, Student Government President

Anne Zemek de Dominguez, General Counsel

Guests: Christian Schreiber, SunGard Information Security Officer 

The meeting was called to order by Patty Charlton at 9 a.m. 

The notes of the September 14, 2009 cabinet meeting were approved with minor corrections.

Patty reminded the cabinet members of an IT security presentation at 3:00 pm in D-101, and encouraged everyone to attend.

Patty reviewed some important upcoming events including the ACE OWHE Nevada Network Conference on Friday, October 16 at the Cheyenne campus, the Campus College Party on the Henderson campus October 24, and no classes on October 30 (Nevada Day) and November 11 (Veteran’s Day). Some items were added to the calendar as well: International Education Week, November 16 – 20 and the CSN Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament on November 24. 

Mugunth Vaithylingam introduced SunGard’s Information Security Officer, Christian Schreiber. Christian spoke to the group about the security challenges in higher education and some of the easiest ways to prevent security breaches. His main focus with SunGard is to identify threats and develop ways to mitigate the data breach risk. Nevada defines a breach as unauthorized disclosure of personal information. The cost to an institution after a breach occurs is high and includes direct and indirect costs. The direct costs are comprised of mailings, fines, costs of upgrades to systems, and public relations. Indirect costs are more subtle and time-consuming, such as media scrutiny, inquiries from alumni, the general public and legislators. One of the college’s best defenses against breaches is common sense. Using complex passwords and changing them often is a good practice. Keeping up-to-date on system upgrades and patches is also recommended. Other common sense practices are locking your computer when you are away from it, not writing down passwords, and not giving sensitive information through email e.g., credit card numbers, social security numbers, birthdates, passwords. A more in depth look at IT security is planned for today at 3:00 pm in D-101. 

Jacque Matthews presented the details of the Holiday Fundraiser/Party at the Las Vegas Hilton. Tickets can be purchased from the CSN Foundation for $5 per person (limit 2 tickets per employee). The ticket is tax deductible and every penny of the money will go to support CSN students and academic programs. The ticket will also enter the employee into a drawing for a $500 Gift Card for Southwest Airlines. In addition, each employee is asked to bring a non-perishable food donation to the event, and at the end of the evening Three Square will gather the food donation and distribute it to families in need. Checks for tickets should be made payable to CSN Foundation and sent to W32E by November 30. Jacque also encouraged everyone to spread the word about the annual Golf Tournament, which will take place at Dragon Ridge Golf Course on November 24. The goal is to have 144 players. Last year’s tournament raised about $50,000 for CSN’s Athletics Programs. 

CSN Effectiveness Council

Joan McGee reported on the Strategic Planning Forums held at all three campuses during the last few weeks. There were about 60 participants at the forums, and the strategic planning survey to employees is still open. Some of the preliminary outcomes of the forums and survey indicate a desire for a campus climate annual survey including the learning centers, a need for K-12 input, and concerns about the budget. Some have recommended that the scope of the strategic plan should be limited to 3 years, because of the legislative sessions and the impact the outcomes of those sessions have on CSN. Also being considered is an evaluation of the Board of Regents’ expectations of a community college to identify ways CSN, in light of the current financial situation, can best meet those expectations. The core themes identified in our accreditation requirements are Access, Quality, and Diversity. One of the Strategic Planning Committee’s charges is to determine how these themes apply to all areas of the College. Joan also reminded everyone that the committee will develop a draft of the Strategic Plan—there will be opportunity for more input. 

John Bearce updated the group on the progress of the iNtegrate project. The Bio/Demo information that CSN worked to clean up is live as of September 8. Some additional incremental conversions will follow. UNLV and TMCC, the pilot institutions, went live with their Admissions systems this week. CSN will go live in 2010. John said that all of the modules are in the testing phase now, except Student Records, which still has some opportunities. Currently being tested are the Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) and Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition (OBIEE) which will bring comprehensive and relevant data analysis capability to each institution. 

John also gave an update on Institutional Research data and shared enrollment numbers. CSN’s FTE as of Friday, October 9 was 21,937—up 4.48% over last fall. Overall enrollment is up, but the Apprentice Program shows a sharp decline. The largest decline in that area is in the construction trade and reflects the current economy. On October 15, the official count after purges will be reported to the State and Federal Government.

K.C. Brekken reported the Fire Station groundbreaking ceremony went very well. She thanked especially the O&M Department for their help, and the company that set up the tent twice, when the wind brought down the first one.

Patty Charlton gave the highlights from Finance & Facilities. The Human Resources department is working with the System Office to review benefits details regarding the newly effective Domestic Partnership legislation. She also reminded everyone that the new health insurance plan year begins November 1. New rates, coverage, and deductibles will be effective on that date. The Grant Thornton Company will be completing its on-site visit with the Financial Services office this week. The company serves as CSN’s external auditors. The Facilities department is working on a number of projects around the campuses.

Among them:

• Underground drainage on the Charleston campus and half street improvements along Torrey Pines for the Fire Station/Instructional Center – ongoing through the academic year. 
• The Ralph & Betty Engelstad School of Health Sciences Building construction is in progress and on schedule – to be completed during the Summer/Fall 2010.  
• Fire Station 6/Instruction Center groundbreaking ceremony was September 30 – construction prices are being finalized and work will get underway in the next several weeks once contracts are executed 
• Cheyenne Science Lab renovation – architect selected 
• Gowan street improvements are completed  
• Henderson campus expansion – public request process will begin in the next several weeks to select an architect. Facilities Management staff and departments will work with the architect selected in the planning for more space for Student Services, Cashier’s Office, Student Government and Food Services  

Darren Divine spoke briefly about stimulus dollars for green technology initiatives at CSN. An MOU with Southwest Gas is being discussed for HVAC, and hybrid technology for our automotive programs. Other methods to make CSN more green and control campus utility costs are also being considered. Some green technology may be implemented into our existing buildings in the near future. 

Dave Morgan reported that representation in the AFA is nearly complete – just one representative seat remains unfilled. The AFA employee of the month program will begin in November with its first award. The program is modeled after the Classified Council program, with a parking space and electronic recognition planned for now, but the AFA hopes to develop the reward further. The Executive Committee is considering procedural changes to the bylaws which have not been revisited since 2006. Dave reported great attendance for the September meeting. The new online and teleconference meeting options presented were well-received, and new equipment is being considered for electronic voting capability. Bake sales are planned for Cheyenne campus on October 13th and Charleston campus on October 20th. The next AFA general meeting will be held on October 23 in H-107 on the Charleston campus. 

Mugunth Vaithylingam told the group that OTS is working on permanent solutions for help desk tickets with high occurrences. The goal is to reduce the number of tickets being created. OTS is readying the servers for Spring semester also. The next Technology Expo will be coordinated with CAPE and will include more faculty workshops. Also being revisited is the relevance of certain vendor booths at the expo. The objective is to keep technology as the focus of the event, and not have vendors just for the sake of having vendors. Dr. Richards commented on the success of the recent OTS retreat, and thanked Mugunth for the improvement in service the college is already seeing. Goals for improvement were set with 30- 60- and 90-day timeframes.

Marc Rauls said Faculty Senate has a couple of new policies – one for Tenure and one for Faculty Evaluations. In November, the policies to be discussed are Academic Dishonesty (proposed last spring), and adjustments to the Add/Drop Policy. This next meeting on November 6 will be held in I-108, and Chancellor Klaich will attend. Everyone is invited.

Nate Waugh highlighted the current news from Student Government. Eight senators were sworn in on October 6, another senator was appointed to the Cheyenne campus. ASCSN is beginning the conversion of documents/archives into electronic format. Also, Student Government is experimenting with new methods of marketing. A ‘Did you know?’ campaign and college Spirit Weeks are a couple of ways ASCSN is trying to develop awareness on campus. Nate also shared some upcoming events: 

• Spirit Week, October 12-16  
• Antonia Juhasz, ‘The Tyranny of Oil,’ October 14  
• Mid-Term Resources Fair, October 20-22  
• Magic Schoolhouse Festival – a safe Halloween event coordinated by PTK and ACCSN on October 30  
• Meeting on November 6 – Chancellor Klaich will attend

Anne Zemek de Dominguez reported a busy month for the legal counsels. The System Office is working with legal counsels from each institution to create a central resource students can utilize for various areas of concern. Bart Patterson will oversee the group as NSHE Vice Chancellor for Legal and Administration.

Joan McGee asked for volunteers to fill water balloons and perform other set-up tasks for the October 24 Henderson Campus College Party. She will also send the results of the ‘Great Place to Work’ Survey via ‘All’ e-mail, that details CSN’s answers to the questionnaire. CSN did not win the contest, but there was very good feedback from employees.

Dr. Richards told the group he and Richard Hinckley have been working to secure the land for the Northwest Campus, and get the details in writing. Another undertaking Dr. Richards has been working on with the VP’s, is setting budget priorities for 2011. Dr. Richards also attended a Latin Chamber of Commerce event at which CSN was honored as a Friend of the Latin Chamber.

Meeting adjourned at 10:45 a.m. 

Next meeting scheduled November 9, 2009.

The CSN Chronicle

Greetings, and welcome to The CSN Chronicle for November 2009.   The Chronicle lets me share some of the news and important questions raised by our faculty and staff members from time-to-time.   

Holiday Party

The 2009 Holiday Party will take place at the Las Vegas Hilton on Dec. 10. This year’s event is all about giving back to help spread holiday cheer. Tickets will be $5 per person and go to support student scholarships and programs. They are available for purchase starting Nov. 5 at your campus cashier’s office or at the Foundation. Please bring non-perishable food items to the party for collection by Three Square.  We have many in our community who need help this holiday season.  For more info go to www.csn.edu/holidayparty.

As many of you know, I have started a blog at http://blog.csn.edu.  We will be posting to it our notes from CSN Cabinet meetings and this Chronicle for ease of access.   We’re using the blog as an additional communications arm for the college community so you can be better informed about what’s happening and add your comments and suggestions.

Budget Outlook for 2011-13

Chancellor Klaich provided some state budget information to the CSN Foundation, executive leadership, and Faculty Senate that I would like to paraphrase for you:

For 2009-11, the biennial budget is expected to be approximately $6.56 billion; the current estimated deficit is expected to be at about $2.25 billion.

This calculation does not include paying back the loan plus interest to the federal government for unemployment benefits that could reach $100 million per month and which some predict to put the state another billion dollars in the hole by the time the Legislature meets – plus interest.

The biennial budget for the Nevada System of Higher Education is about $1.2 billion, so the state could close every college and university and not even make up half of the structural deficit.For my part at CSN, I would urge you to read and re-read this information.  The fiscal problem the Chancellor outlines will need our leadership and advocacy to work toward a statewide solution.  For our employees and students, the significance of this problem is nearly overwhelming.  With the budget challenge and reapportionment on the docket, the 2011 session of the Legislature will be extremely difficult. 

West Charleston Library

For the month of September 2009, the number of patrons visiting the library jumped 60% over the prior September as 63,900 patrons used the new facility.   This is a tribute to our library staff for accommodating large numbers of users, to our faculty for affirming the rigor of our coursework, and to our students who are seriously engaged in their studies.  College-wide the libraries on all campuses served 81,600 patrons during September.  

Questions from Faculty and Staff Members:

A question I often get is: Will there be a special session of the Legislature? I haven’t heard anything at this point about a special session, but I am wary. This year has all of the hallmarks of 2007, when second-quarter state revenues were lower than expected and a special session was called in December. I will keep you informed if I start to hear anything new on this issue.

“What is the official fall enrollment for CSN?”

As of October 20, the fall preliminary enrollment report was issued for all seven campuses.  CSN reported a headcount enrollment of 43,091 headcount (up 4.1% from fall 2008) and 21,751 FTE (up 4% over the previous year).   UNR was up 1.4%, UNLV 1.8%, NSC 19.8%, TMCC 3.7%, GBC 8.5% and WNC 9.5%.  No enrollment declines were reported this fall.

“What is the status of our capital projects?”

The Cheyenne projects (HVAC and Science Lab renovation) are under the control of the State Public Works Board.  It is moving steadily forward with design work.  The drainage project at West Charleston has been delayed by our soil conditions.  The project should resume shortly.  The Engelstad addition is on schedule, as is the Fire Station project.  We also have a number of small improvement projects underway to improved building systems on various campuses.

“What is the Foundation planning this year?”

The CSN Foundation is fully staffed and functioning under the leadership of Foundation Chair Robbie Graham.  On November 5^th, the Foundation held its annual meeting, including 1) the annual President’s Breakfast that about 120 people attended to hear Chancellor Dan Klaich speak, 2) the introduction of the concept of a comprehensive fundraising campaign to run for the next five years, and 3) a review of the Foundation’s operations this past year that will be reported to the Board of Regents in December.  Our Foundation is full of energy and commitment, and we’re very proud of their dedication, advocacy, and generosity.  

Best wishes to you all for a Happy Thanksgiving and I look forward to seeing you at our holiday party.

   –Mike Richards

I want to take a moment to urge you to attend the Vegas Valley Book Festival this week if you have a chance. Some of CSN’s faculty will be highlighted at this event.

CSN Professor H. Lee Barnes, a novelist and short story writer, whom we are very proud to say was recently inducted in the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame, will be on a panel at 3 p.m. on Saturday with English Professor Richard Logsdon, senior editor of the literary magazine Red Rock Review, and Professor Tina D. Eliopulos, staff editor of the Red Rock Review.

Michael Green, history professor and author of Freedom, Union, and Power: Lincoln and His Party During the Civil War and Nevada: A Journey of Discovery will sit on a panel for “Great Characters from Las Vegas History” with RJ columnist Geoff Schumacher, author Jack Sheehan (who was kind enough to conduct our live auction at the 2009 CSN Foundation gala) and veteran journalist Myram Borders at 11:15 a.m. on Sunday. For more information about dates, times and other featured speakers go to: http://www.artslasvegas.org/vvbf/

I  also want to say thank you to the Native American Heritage Committee, chaired by Colleen Trujillo, for planning and implementing a number of great events to commemorate this month.

 

The kickoff festival included a number of tables showcasing Native American art and craft work, as well as dancers at the Charleston campus on Nov. 3. The music could be heard throughout the campus and attracted curious students and community members.

It was well attended and I think everyone from the children from our day care center who came out to watch Native American dancers to the students who stopped for the pizza and fry bread, learned something new. A special thanks to all those who came out to attend and help put on the festival.

There is a whole month’s worth of great events focused on Native American history and culture.  Please take advantage of the events on campus this month and come to the committee’s scholarship breakfast on Nov. 19^th at the Cheyenne campus.

International Education Week is also this month, starting Nov. 16 with a kickoff luncheon at Russell’s.  For more information about what’s happening at CSN this month go to the home page, http://www.csn.edu/, and click on the events calendar.

 On another note: I received a number of e-mail responses on my first post about our numerous faculty achievements. I was very impressed to learn our own Social Sciences Professor Sammuel Sarri has published an impressive list of textbooks and other works in his field, including: Microeconomics–Logic, Science, and Policy, 2nd Ed., 2009, Sarri & Dolan, Horizon Textbooks (HT), 2009; Macroeconomics–Logic, Science, Policy, 2nd Ed. (HT), 2009, Sarri & Dolan, 2009; Applied Logic, Critical Thinking in the Real World, 2nd Ed., Sarri & Lee, McGraw Hill, 2008; Socrates to Sartre & Beyond, An Applied Globalization Philosophy Approach, Sarri, Stumpf, and Fieser, McGraw, 2008; Investment Engineering Economics, Sarri, Coply, 2nd Ed., 2008; Risk Management Engineering Economics, Sarri, Coply, 2nd Ed., 2009; Microeconomics Financial Engineering, Sarri, Coply, 2nd Ed., 2009; Globalization Economics, Finance, & Currency, Sarri, UPA, forthcoming, 2010; and Globalization Ecology–Case of Morocco & Euromediterraneanism in a UN Environmental Sciences Anthology, Sarri et al., forthcoming, 2010.

In early October, about 130 CSN employees signed up for the annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at the Las Vegas Marriott, part of the American Cancer Society’s national fundraising effort to cure breast cancer.  The CSN group raised over $9,500, the largest amount raised that day by any group in southern Nevada.  What a tribute that event was to our faculty and staff!

Last Saturday, CSN celebrated our “Fall Get-Together” for faculty and staff and their families at the Henderson campus.  What a great afternoon we had together!  We experienced unprecedented attendance, and it was wonderful to see everyone out with their families, enjoying the moderate weather. I want to thank Joan McGee and Judy Stewart for organizing the event, Mark Rauls and Terry Pippen who volunteered to fill water balloons, Tim Chambers for hosting us and the many volunteers who helped with the food.

The vice presidents and I manned the grill and produced enough veggie burgers, hot dogs and hamburgers to feed a small army.  I got a chance to meet many of your families, and, of course, I understand the many pleas to ask Chef Metcalf to help at the grill next year.

Come mid-semester we can get so consumed with our day-to-day schedules, our classes and meetings. These kinds of social events are important for a college our size, and I hope to see you at the fall get-together next year.  Thanks to all for coming out.

These events are part of CSN life in a great organization of which we all can be justifiably proud.

In the past two years, I’ve been impressed with the kind of institution CSN is, and with the positive way faculty express themselves about their profession and the way students aspire to succeed in the classroom through their service of this institution.   Much of this can be better communicated.  So, I’m starting a blog to extend our communications through a series of messages and comments.  I invite your questions and thoughts.  My hope is that with a constructive exchange of information, our stakeholders will be better informed, and I can have another venue for responses to your questions.

This inaugural message recognizes a few of CSN’s many faculty who engage in scholarly work in their respective disciplines.  Here is a sampling of recent efforts:

Dante and Byzantium by E.D. Karampetsos (2009)

Dolly And Zane Grey: Letters From A Marriage (Western Literature Series) by Candace C. Kant (2008)

Thinking Through the Past: A Critical Thinking Approach to U.S. History: Volume I and Volume II by John Hollitz (2007)

Beyond The Mafia: Italian Americans And The Development Of Las Vegas (Wilbur S. Shepperson Series in History and Humanities) by Alan Balboni (2006)

The Moulin Rouge and Black Rights in Las Vegas by Earnest N. Bracey (2008)

Not only are we proud of these faculty for their publications, but we’re also proud of CSN, where a climate for scholarship can thrive without publish or perish stress. Heavy teaching loads are a characteristic of community colleges that often prevent faculty from pursuing scholarly work. Knowing these scholars are among us benefits us all.