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.
