August 2018 Chronicle

Posted on August 1, 2018 by CSN

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
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July 2018 Chronicle

Posted on July 3, 2018 by CSN

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
Posted in Monthly Chronicles | Comments Off on July 2018 Chronicle

CSN Reverse Transfer Degrees

Posted on June 11, 2018 by CSN

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

 

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June 2018 Chronicle

Posted on June 1, 2018 by CSN
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

 

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May 2018 Chronicle

Posted on May 1, 2018 by CSN

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.
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April 2018 CSN Chronicle

Posted on April 2, 2018 by CSN
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
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March 2018 CSN Chronicle

Posted on March 1, 2018 by CSN
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
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Board of Regents Awards Tenure

Posted on March 1, 2018 by CSN

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

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NWCCU Accreditation Response Letter

Posted on February 7, 2018 by CSN

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.

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February 2018 CSN Chronicle

Posted on February 1, 2018 by CSN

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.

Click Table to Enlarge

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.

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