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By Mandi Enger

Creating new opportunities for Nevada State College (NSC) students to both engage in their coursework and achieve academic success; the Student Academic Center (SAC) has launched a Supplemental Instruction (SI) program. SI is a free student service that focuses on historically difficult courses, such as math and biology, and encourages students to take advantage of highly interactive, peer-organized study sessions.
According to Jill Weigel, SAC director, the program aims to increase course retention, student grades, as well as the overall graduation rate of the college’s students. Students that attend SI sessions on a regular basis increase their chances of passing a class successfully potentially a letter grade higher than their classmates that do not attend. We look forward to the seeing the positive results of this semester’s SI implementation.
Each regularly scheduled SI session follows a lesson plan developed by the Supplemental Instruction Leader; a student tutor that has previously excelled in the session’s course. Leaders additionally sit in on regular classroom lectures to take notes and participate as model students.
Allysa Starkweather, math and statistics tutor said, “SI is a great opportunity for students to get a more hands-on grasp of the material that is being covered in class. The sessions are fun and make difficult content obtainable for students at various levels of understanding.”
The SI program empowers students as it encourages them to explore a variety of alternate routes and methodologies to increase their learning and discovery, added Weigel. We also aim to enhance the creative aspect of learning by using games, models, drawing, and aural learning strategies to encompass a variety of learning styles.
After participating in an International Center for Supplemental Instruction supervisor training at the University of Missouri-Kansas City last spring, Weigel developed the program for NSC. SI was initiated at the college during the Nepantla Program: Summer Bridge in July and launched to the full campus during the fall semester. Fabian Meraz, a math tutor and a SI Leader for the Nepantla Program stated, The Supplemental Instruction program allowed me to get to know the students on a more personal level. The program helped me individualize the content in a way the students can understand.”
The fall SI scheduled includes sessions for American Sign Language 145, English 101 and 102, Biology 223, and Math 93 and 95. To-date, the sessions have attracted an average of 10 student participants per meeting, with room for expanded participation.
The SI program creates a community of learners for our college, benefiting both students and tutors, said Teresa Carey, tutor coordinator. Carey additionally serves as an English tutor and SI Leader. We are excited to share this opportunity with all students and see the program grow in participation as new sessions are developed.
The spring 2014 SI schedule is in the planning stage with new sessions are planned for English 100, American Sign Language, math, technology, and biology courses.
For full schedule details or to learn more about attending a program session contact the Student Academic Center at 702-992-2990.

Five students to be awarded annually
Release | Media Contact: Mandi Enger
HENDERSON, Nev.  Roberto’s Taco Shop (RTS), a family owned and operated business, has partnered with the Nevada State College Foundation (NSCF) to establish the Roberto’s Taco Shop Scholarship Program. An annual gift of $10,000 from RTS will provide scholarship awards to five students to be known as Roberto’s Taco Shop Scholars.
I was very thrilled when the opportunity to partner with the NSCF came about as this is the first time I am given the chance to provide a scholarship to a local college, said Reynaldo Robledo, owner of RTS. I feel it is very important for local companies to give back to the community whenever possible it is a win-win for everyone.
Nevada State College (NSC) students maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average or above will become eligible for the scholarship program. First preference will be given to students majoring in psychology, biology, business administration, criminal justice, law enforcement, education, or nursing.
Students must additionally complete the free application for federal student aid (FASFA) and have the completed the NSC Scholarship Application through the Office of Financial Aid & Student Employment.
Awards will be made each fiscal year, with the first scholarships being distributed during the 2013-2014 school year. The 2014-2015 scholarship application will be available December, through mid-April 2014.
We are pleased to work with Mr. Robledo as well as his company, Roberto’s Taco Shop, in the development of the Roberto’s Taco Shop Scholarship Program, said NSCF Chair David Grant. As our local students work towards achieving their educational and career goals, their successes will in turn enhance the success and growth of our community as a whole.
Established in 2001, the NSCF is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt organization developed to encourage and promote the growth and improvement of NSC. The 19-member foundation receives and administers private gifts in support of the educational, technological, operational, facility and research needs of students, faculty and staff.

Release | Media Contact: Mandi Enger

HENDERSON, Nev. Nevada State College (NSC) has announced the appointment of Edith Fernandez to the position of Associate Vice President of Community Engagement and Diversity Initiatives after a national search. In this new leadership role, Fernandez will work closely with the Southern Nevada community and the institution to support community outreach and diversity initiatives as well as coordinate internal efforts to retain and graduate students of all backgrounds.
The percentage of the NSC student population belonging to an ethnic or racial minority group has grown every year since the college’s inception, from 26% in 2002 to over 50% in fall 2013. This fall, the Hispanic student population has also increased to 22%.
As Nevada State College continues to see growth in ethnicity of our student population, it is important that we maintain a focus on fostering a welcoming and successful learning environment, said President Bart Patterson. With her vast experience in higher education, positive relationships with our community, and innovate leadership skills, the college is honored to appoint Ms. Fernandez to this new role within the college.
Born and raised in Las Vegas, Fernandez is a graduate of the University of Nevada Reno, Bachelor of Arts; Harvard University, Master of Education; and the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Master of Public Administration. In 2006, she completed her Ph.D. in Higher and Postsecondary Education, Academic Affairs and Student Development from the University of Michigan.
Holding various positions within the Nevada System of Higher Education for a total of eight years, Fernandez joins NSC with over 17 years of experience in higher education. Most recently, Fernandez served as the District Director for Congressmen Steven Horsford. Fernandez stated, it was an honor to have worked with Congressman Horsford. My experience with federal legislation served to reinforce the critical role higher education plays in fostering economic stability and strengthening civic, cultural, and community life.