NSC Core Themes

Promote Student Success
Nevada State College faculty, staff and administrators are united by an unwavering commitment to the success of our students. As stated in our mission, the College facilitates this success on a broad scale through “excellence in teaching.” This excellence, in turn, yields learning experiences characterized by innovative engagement. This engagement is manifested in “innovative, technology-rich learning opportunities that promote the acquisition of interdisciplinary knowledge and skills.” Our innovative methods routinely incorporate experiential learning opportunities, an active examination of real-world issues, and the pursuit of progressive instructional practices. The “technology-rich” approach immerses students in the study and application of technology and keeps them poised to adapt to the increasingly sophisticated demands of the modern world.

Taken together, these efforts are expected to promote a variety of essential student learning outcomes. In promoting the acquisition of “interdisciplinary knowledge and skills,” we strive to impart students with the critical thinking ability needed to solve complex real-world problems and adapt to the shifting challenges of a rapidly evolving society. Moreover, the broad availability of free, high-quality information engendered by the Internet era compels our educators to place an increased emphasis on the effective evaluation and application of this information. Successful students also develop strong written and oral communication skills and exhibit the integrity and discipline-specific expertise needed to thrive in a chosen career path. Finally, in the pursuit of “a stronger community and a better future for all of Nevada,” successful graduates cultivate a respect for all forms of diversity, a commitment to the common good, and an ability to work well with others.

Foster Educational Opportunity
Nevada State College is founded on the belief that all students deserve an opportunity to succeed at the highest level. The fulfillment of this goal hinges on the provision of “quality, four-year degree programs” to a “diverse population of students” from largely under-served, first generation, non-traditional and/or financially challenged backgrounds. A large proportion of the students the College recruits and supports are particularly likely to benefit from our dedicated faculty and staff, personalized service, and focus on teaching and learning. As such, one of our chief aims is to “open the door to career success and enhanced quality of life” for students who otherwise might face limited opportunities for success in higher education.

To accomplish this, we offer a wide array of affordable four-year degree programs in flexible learning formats that meet the needs of a working, commuter student population. Our School of Education helps address a statewide need by preparing highly qualified educators and speech language pathologists who will respond to the needs of all learners and educate students to reach their highest potential. The School of Nursing provides critical support to Nevada’s health care community and offers degrees in a variety of learning formats, including a second degree accelerated track, an RN to BSN track, and a part-time program designed for students whose external obligations prohibit full-time enrollment. A range of bachelor’s degrees in the Liberal Arts & Sciences prepares students for success in a number of fields, from professional careers in medicine, psychological counseling, and law enforcement to rapidly growing fields in business, biotechnology, and visual media.

Students are guided along each of these degree paths by personalized student support services in critical facets of the college experience. The combined goal of our service and educational initiatives is to “open the door to career success” by improving the retention, persistence and graduation rates of our students. The College aspires to improve the outcomes of all students, particularly those who come from first-generation, non-traditional, and other under-represented backgrounds. Our success in this regard plays an integral role in the future economic and social health of a state burdened by one of the lowest proportions of college graduates in the nation. The graduates of Nevada State College are expected to leaven this burden and contribute to a more diverse workforce and diversified economy.

Strengthen the Community
As a public institution, Nevada State College is determined to provide returns on the investment made by the state and its citizens. Foremost among these returns, as stated in our mission, is the development of graduates who can deliver on “the promise of a stronger community and a better future for all of Nevada.” Aided by the knowledge, skills, and integrity they acquire at NSC, our graduates support existing, high-demand fields and help fulfill the needs of growing industries that promise to diversify the state economy.

This effort to strengthen the community extends to our faculty and staff, who establish partnerships that advance the fortunes of public and private entities across the region. Furthermore, our faculty share their expertise with the community in productive ways, and community leaders are likewise welcomed to contribute their expertise to the growth and edification of our students. Ultimately, we hope that the sum of these endeavors is a community strengthened by a more civic-minded populace and a more diverse, capable workforce.