The Nevada Promise Scholarship is a unique scholarship established by the Nevada Legislature for Nevada high school graduates to attend community college. As a last-dollar scholarship, the Nevada Promise Scholarship can cover up to three years of tuition and other mandatory fees not covered by other gift aid. 

Mentors are an important part of the Nevada Promise Scholarship and a strong support structure is key to help students find success. Meet the mentors who help provide support and guidance to student receiving the Nevada Promise scholarship at CSN. 

Barbara Graham says being a Nevada Promise mentor for students attending CSN has been one of the greatest honors during her tenure at CSN. “My first mentoring opportunity was at the newly completed Henderson Student Union, and I was actually a little nervous,” she said. ” The students that I met that day were amazing young, eager students who were wanting to better their lives, follow a dream and create a career for themselves,” she continued. ” Since that day, being a Nevada Promise mentor has become one of the greatest opportunities I have experienced at CSN.”

When CSN moved to a remote educational platform in March of 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nevada Promise Office and staff quickly and efficiently adapted to this new way of learning. “I am so impressed with our colleagues in the Nevada Promise office and how they tirelessly keep volunteers informed, create an informative newsletter and work with so many new and returning Nevada Promise students,” said Graham.

She is optimistic about the future for CSN student and the Nevada Promise scholarship. “We are all embracing a new way of learning this semester, and I have no doubt that our Nevada Promise students will rise to the occasion and help lead us through these changes,” she said. “I have been inspired by these young students and their commitment to furthering their education and lives. I look forward to continuing my service as a Nevada Promise mentor for years to come. Go Coyotes!!”

CSN is seeking mentors of all backgrounds who are willing to give 3-5 hours each semester to guide the future of Nevada. Learn more at csn.edu/promise/become-a-mentor. 

The Nevada Promise Scholarship is a unique scholarship established by the Nevada Legislature for Nevada high school graduates to attend community college. As a last-dollar scholarship, the Nevada Promise Scholarship can cover up to three years of tuition and other mandatory fees not covered by other gift aid.

Mentors are an important part of the Nevada Promise Scholarship and a strong support structure is key to help students find success. Meet the mentors who help provide support and guidance to students receiving the Nevada Promise scholarship at CSN.

Barbara Oliver is the retired publisher of Minority Business Entrepreneur (MBE) magazine and President of minority- and woman-owned Enterprise Publishing Inc., which purchased MBE in 2012.  MBE magazine is an award-winning 30+-year-old, national, trade publication for and about minority and women business owners. Barbara oversaw the day-to-day operations, sales, marketing and public relations for the magazine. 

In addition to her full-time responsibilities, Barbara represented the publication as an active supporter of the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council and served on various committees of the Women’s Business Enterprise Council-West, Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, and the Airport Minority Advisory Council. Barbara also traveled extensively representing the magazine and had been a keynote speaker, moderator and/or panelist at various events throughout the country.

Barbara joined MBE magazine in 1989 after graduating from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature. She became Publisher in July 2011.

A native of the island of Jamaica in the West Indies, Barbara now makes her home in Henderson, Nevada, with her family. Her hobbies are traveling, singing, and reading.

“I get great satisfaction from helping others. There is just no better feeling of accomplishment for me than when someone asks for my help and I can give it, especially to young people. So, when the opportunity arose for me to volunteer as a mentor for the Nevada Promise program, I jumped at it,” she said.

“I didn’t really have a mentor when I was going to college so I learned through trial and error. But those trials, errors, and triumphs are lessons that I can pass on to help these students navigate an even more confusing and complicated world,” she continued. “I hope I am making a difference for those that I am mentoring.”

CSN is seeking mentors of all backgrounds who are willing to give 3-5 hours each semester to guide the future of Nevada. Learn more at csn.edu/promise/become-a-mentor . 

CSN’s own Precious Carrasco and a trio of Mariachi Plata members had the honor of performing virtually for former U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who was instrumental in bringing Mariachi to the masses in Clark County. We couldn’t be more honored to have such a distinguished audience. Thank you Senator Reid!