College of Southern Nevada

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

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

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

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

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

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.