Nevada State University

Nevada State University
Seal of Nevada State University
Nevada State University logo
Former name
Nevada State College (2002–2023)
MottoOmnia Pro Patria (Latin)
Motto in English
"All For Our Country"
TypePublic university
EstablishedSeptember 3, 2002; 24 years ago (September 3, 2002) (opened)
Parent institution
Nevada System of Higher Education
Academic affiliations
Space-grant
PresidentSandra B. Richtermeyer
Students8,800 (fall 2026)
Postgraduates69 (fall 2021)
Location
Henderson, Nevada
,
United States

35°58′55″N 114°56′16″W / 35.9820°N 114.9378°W / 35.9820; -114.9378
Campus
  • Suburban
ColorsBlack and gold
   
NicknameScorpions
MascotSting the Scorpion
Websitewww.nevadastate.edu

Nevada State University (NSU), formerly Nevada State College, is a public university in Henderson, Nevada, United States. It is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education and opened on September 3, 2002, as Nevada's first state college.

Until 2023, NSU was Nevada State College, when its name was changed to reflect graduate program offerings. NSU is a member organization of the Nevada Space Grant Consortium. It is designated by the United States Department of Education as a minority-serving institution (in particular, students of Hispanic, Asian American and Native American, and Pacific Islander descent).

NSU reported more than 8,800 students for fall 2026. Its main campus is located on a 509-acre (206 ha) site in the southern foothills of Henderson.

History

Liberal arts and sciences building.
James E. and Beverly Rogers student center
Bob and Alison Kasner academic building.

In 1999, the Nevada Legislature created the Advisory Committee to Examine Locating a 4-Year State College in Henderson. In December 1999, the Nevada Board of Regents approved the establishment of Nevada State College.

In February 2000, the committee recommended the new institution be named Nevada State College. The committee members determined Henderson should be part of the official name as they felt additional state colleges would be created in the state. Later that month, the Henderson city council, after having evaluated several potential sites, voted to locate Nevada State College northeast of Lake Mead Parkway and Boulder Highway that was to be part of The LandWell Company's Provenance master-planned community. In March, James Rogers, owner of several television stations and later chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education, agreed to chair the college's foundation.

Opponents of the creation of Nevada State College feared at the time that its creation would take resources from UNLV. However, proponents of the college argued the "proposed college would be up to $3,000 cheaper than educating them at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The savings would come from smaller salaries for professors, who would teach four classes (per semester), rather than the three or fewer taught by UNLV professors."

In April 2000, the board of regents voted 8–3 to begin negotiations for the Boulder Highway/Lake Mead site despite some concerns that the site was near a permanent toxic waste storage facility. The site raised environmental concerns as it was approximately one mile from a toxic waste storage facility, which prompted the Nevada Board of Regents to select the college's present day site located west of U.S. Route 95 in what was once the Wagon Wheel Industrial Park. In June 2000, the regents requested $5.2 million for start-up costs for the campus and $7 million for instruction costs for its first cohort of students in 2002–03 as well as $43.5 million for capital construction which was to include a library. Governor Kenny Guinn's 2001–2003 executive budget, which was developed later in 2000, reduced the regents' request by recommending "$22.8 million in state funding, 6.8 million to open it to 1,000 full-time students in the fall of 2002, and $16 million to help construct the first campus building."

Nevada State College opened in 2002. The college acquired accreditation, moved with its master plan for a 509-acre (2.06 km2) campus, and its first permanent building, the liberal arts and sciences building, opened in August 2008. In 2008, Nevada State College launched a campus-wide recruitment and retention initiative. Between the spring 2009 and spring 2010 semesters, Nevada State College increased enrollment by over 20%, to over 2,600 students.

Among the different educational institutions of the NSHE, the largest 2009 budget cuts by the state legislature were for Nevada State College at 24.1%. Neighboring College of Southern Nevada had its budget cut by only 4.9%. Students protested the cuts which left student services understaffed and about 25% of the university's teaching and administrative positions vacant in 2008. The Nevada System of Higher Education faced a $900 million budget deficit and there were proposals to close down Nevada State College along with other NSHE programs and schools.

DeRionne Pollard became Nevada State University's eighth president on August 16, 2021. She was the first Black female president within the Nevada System of Higher Education.

In March 2023, the Nevada Legislature introduced legislation to change the school's name from Nevada State College to Nevada State University. The legislation passed and the change took effect on July 1, 2023.

Sandra B. Richtermeyer became president of Nevada State University on August 1, 2026, succeeding Acting President Amber Lopez Lasater.

Presidents

The following persons served as president:

No. President Term start Term end Refs.
1 Richard Moore December 1999 March 2002
interim Christine Chairsell April 2002 August 2002
2 Kerry Romesburg September 2002 June 2004
interim Patricia Miltenberger July 1, 2004 January 31, 2005
6 Fred Maryanski February 1, 2005 July 2, 2010
interim Lesley Di Mare August 27, 2010 October 31, 2011
interim Bart Patterson November 1, 2011 April 30, 2012
7 April 30, 2012 June 30, 2021
8 DeRionne P. Pollard August 16, 2021 July 31, 2025
acting Amber Lopez Lasater August 1, 2025 October 17, 2025
acting October 18, 2025 July 31, 2026
9 Sandra B. Richtermeyer August 1, 2026 Present

Table notes:

  1. ↑ Died in office.
  2. ↑ Served as Officer in Charge
  3. ↑ Served as Acting President

Campus

Nevada State University's 509-acre (206 ha) site is located at the base of the McCullough mountain range in the southeastern corner of Henderson. The site was annexed from the Bureau of Land Management to the city of Henderson in November 2002 as part of the Clark County Conservation of Public Lands and Natural Resources Act of 2002.

The college opened its first permanent building, the liberal arts and sciences building, on its 509-acre site in August 2008. The 42,000-square-foot (3,900 m2) building has faculty offices, labs and seven classrooms. The building includes SMART classroom technologies which allow professors to use a wide array of audio and visual teaching techniques, and scientific equipment for educational use.

In 2010, the Nevada Board of Regents approved the college's campus master plan, which calls for the development of roughly six million square feet of academic, residential, retail, and cultural space by full campus build-out in order to accommodate 25,000–30,000 students.

In addition to the liberal arts and sciences building, NSU has also opened the Bob and Allison Kasner academic building along with the James E. and Beverly Rogers student center. The Glenn and Ande Christenson education building is a 65,000 sq ft (6,000 m2) building, which includes a speech pathology lab, psycho-educational mental health clinic, and the early childhood education center, and provides students with immersive learning opportunities while providing needed services to the community. The Raker student success center assists students with financial aid and admissions. The Dawson Building includes classrooms, athletics, The Collective, a fitness center, facilities, and police services. The Village is the name of on-campus housing.

NSU no longer leases two auxiliary buildings in downtown Henderson on Water Street.

North Las Vegas campus

Nevada State University is developing a satellite campus in downtown North Las Vegas at Lake Mead Boulevard and Las Vegas Boulevard North. Located within the 19-acre NLV Gateway mixed-use development, the campus will occupy a three-story, 30,000-square-foot academic building. It is expected to open in fall 2027. The project is supported through a public-private partnership involving the City of North Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency, the Nevada Legislature, NV Energy Foundation, and an anonymous donor.

Academics

NSU offers graduate degrees in school psychology, speech-language pathology and nursing leadership, and many bachelor's degree programs. In the fall of 2008, Nevada State College launched Nevada's first Bachelor of Science degree in the education of the deaf and hard of hearing. The program addresses the deaf culture and its integration of deaf students into specific subject areas. The college's academic programs are housed in one of three schools: the School of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Business, the School of Education, and the School of Nursing.

School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business

The School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Business (LASB) offers bachelor's degree programs and undergraduate minors in its disciplines. It also provides a 3+1 bachelor's degree program in visual media in partnership with Truckee Meadows Community College in which students complete three years of coursework at Truckee Meadows and their final year through Nevada State University, with instruction remaining on the community college's campus. A partnership with Roseman University of Health Sciences provides an accelerated pathway from a Bachelor of Science in biology to a Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The program allows students to apply their first year of pharmacy coursework toward completion of their bachelor's degree.

School of Education

The School of Education (SOE) offers undergraduate and graduate teacher education programs. It is housed in the Glenn and Ande Christenson Education Building, which opened in 2021. The 65,000-square-foot facility includes an early childhood education center, speech pathology facilities, and a Psychoeducational Mental Health Clinic.

School of Nursing

Nevada State University’s School of Nursing offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), an RN-to-BSN pathway for registered nurses with an associate degree, and a Master of Science in Nursing Leadership. The prelicensure BSN program prepares students for initial licensure as registered nurses.

Nursing instruction includes classroom coursework, laboratory and simulation experiences, and supervised clinical practice. The school’s simulation center opened at its current location in fall 2021. In 2026, its simulation program received full accreditation in Teaching/Education from the Society for Simulation in Healthcare.

The school’s baccalaureate nursing program is approved by the Nevada State Board of Nursing and accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

Undergraduate demographics as of fall 2023
Race and ethnicity Total
Hispanic 46%
 
White 21%
 
Asian 10%
 
Black 10%
 
Two or more races 6%
 
Unknown 5%
 
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 1%
 
Economic diversity
Low-income 41%
 
Affluent 59%
 

Accreditation

When it originally opened, Nevada State College operated under the accreditation of the University of Nevada, Reno. In 2011, Nevada State College received independent accreditation at the baccalaureate degree level from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

Athletics

As of November 2024, Nevada State University was actively planning to launch a fully-fledged athletics program, to be funded through a proposed student fee. If approved by the state board of regents, the funds from the proposed fee would be used to fund a campus athletics and recreation center and the launch of two initial sports, women's flag football and men's track and field. On April 13, 2026, it was announced NSU would join the Great Southwest Athletic Conference. In the coming year the school will add men's and women's cross country, and women's track and field, both indoor and outdoor.

Nevada State University launched its intercollegiate athletics program with competition beginning in spring 2026. Its athletic teams are known as the Scorpions.

Notes

  1. ↑ The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
  2. ↑ The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.

References

  1. ↑ "College Navigator – Nevada State College".
  2. ↑ "Scorpion Stylebook" (PDF). Nevada State College. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  3. ↑ "Facts and Figures". Nevada State College. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  4. ↑ Jennifer Knight (September 3, 2002). "Nevada's first state college opens its doors". LasVegasSun.com. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  5. ↑ "President Pollard". Nevada State University. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  6. ↑ Cruz, Martha (September 3, 2026). "Nevada State University shatters enrollment records for fall 2026". www.fox5vegas.com. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
  7. ↑ "About Nevada State College". Nsc.edu. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  8. 1 2 Patton, N. (January 30, 2000). "First step for Henderson college: Find campus site". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 1A. Archived from the original on January 31, 2005. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  9. ↑ Whaley, S. (February 5, 2000). "School name recommended". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 1B. Archived from the original on January 23, 2005. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  10. ↑ Flanagan, T. (March 1, 2000). "Henderson picks site for college". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 1B. Archived from the original on January 24, 2005. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  11. ↑ Patton, N. (March 24, 2000). "UNLV donor to lead foundation for proposed college". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Archived from the original on January 12, 2005. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  12. ↑ Patton, N. (April 6, 2000). "Henderson college faces crucial regents vote". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 6B. Archived from the original on January 23, 2005. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  13. ↑ Patton, N. (January 4, 2001). Report urges state to fund new college. Review-Journal, p. 8B.
  14. ↑ "Don't dump here town residents worry about radioactivity". Albany Times Union. September 14, 1989.
  15. ↑ Whaley, S. (April 7, 2000). "Regents vote to negotiate for land". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 1B. Archived from the original on July 1, 2006. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  16. ↑ Miller, Valerie (March 23, 2001). "Proposed college gets a new home on old studio site". Las Vegas Business Press. Retrieved August 5, 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  17. ↑ Whaley, S. (March 22, 2001). "Lawmakers to hear pitch for college site". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 1B. Archived from the original on May 24, 2005. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  18. ↑ Whaley, S. (April 7, 2000). Regents vote to negotiate for land. Donrey Capital Bureau, p. 1B.
  19. ↑ Vogel, E. (June 24, 2000). Henderson funding irks some regents. Donrey Capital Bureau, p. 1B.
  20. ↑ Whaley, S. (March 22, 2001). Lawmakers to hear pitch for college site. Donrey Capital Bureau, p. 1B.
  21. 1 2 http://www.ktvn.com/Global/story.asp?S=8858497 Nevada State College Moves to New Building
  22. ↑ Las Vegas Review-Journal http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/budgets-shrinking-enrollments Accessed March 24, 2010.
  23. ↑ hawaiiborn (May 21, 2009). "Faculty, professional staff shielded from furloughs". Lasvegassun.com. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  24. ↑ "Nevada State College students rally against cuts". Las Vegas Review Journal. December 6, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  25. ↑ Charlotte Hsu (July 30, 2008). "Rogers calls off fishing trip, but keeps up the discussion". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Budget cut talks turn into reality". KVBC. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  27. ↑ Virgil Sestini (February 3, 2010). "Regents' options to cut higher education are all grim". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Honoring Dr. DeRionne Pollard, first permanent Black woman president of Nevada State College". Channel 13 Las Vegas News KTNV. February 4, 2022. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  29. ↑ "SB273 Overview". leg.state.nv.us. Retrieved June 29, 2023.
  30. ↑ Rennie, Vincent (May 1, 2026). "NSHE Board of Regents Selects Dr. Sandra B. Richtermeyer as Next President of Nevada State University". Nevada State University. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
  31. ↑ Lake, Richard (November 28, 2011). "Seventh president comfortable at Nevada State College". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  32. ↑ Ryan, Cy; Knight, Jennifer (August 16, 2002). "President appointed for Henderson college". Las Vegas Sun.
  33. ↑ "Special Board of Regents Meeting" (PDF). Nevada System of Higher Education. June 28, 2004.
  34. ↑ "Board of Regents Special Meeting" (PDF). Nevada System of Higher Education. January 7, 2005.
  35. ↑ "Fred J. Maryanski, president of Nevada State College, dies". Las Vegas Review-Journal. July 2, 2010.
  36. ↑ "Dr. Lesley Ann Di Mare- NSC's New President". NSU. August 27, 2010.
  37. ↑ Lake, Richard (October 5, 2011). "Nevada State College president leaving for Colorado post". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  38. ↑ "Bart Patterson appointed as interim president of Nevada State College". NSU. October 25, 2011.
  39. ↑ "Board of Regents appoints Bart Patterson as President of Nevada State College". NSU. May 1, 2012. Serving as the interim president of the college since November 1, 2011, Patterson is the seventh individual to assume the leadership role since the college's inception in 2002.
  40. ↑ "Nevada State College President Plans to Retire Next Year". NSU. March 5, 2020.
  41. ↑ "Board of Regents Appoint New Nevada State College President". NSU. April 30, 2021. She becomes the 8th president of the 19-year-old college.
  42. 1 2 "Nevada State University President Dr. DeRionne Pollard to Transition to New National Role". Nevada System of Higher Education. July 16, 2025.
  43. ↑ Pollard, DeRionne P. (July 16, 2025). "A Message from President Pollard". NSU.
  44. ↑ "NSHE Board of Regents Appoints Dr. Amber Lopez Lasater Acting President of Nevada State University; Launches Search for Permanent President". NSU. October 17, 2025.
  45. 1 2 Nevada State College. (2010, March 2010). Nevada State College Campus Master Plan. http://nsc.nevada.edu/MPDraft.asp Archived July 10, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  46. ↑ Miller, V. (November 11, 2002). College gets land, needs cash. Las Vegas Business Press, p. 1.
  47. ↑ Clark County Conservation of Public Land and Natural Resources Act of 2002 (PL 107-282, November 6, 2002)
  48. ↑ Hsu, C. (March 15, 2008). "College's first permanent building to meet many needs". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved June 20, 2008.
  49. ↑ "Nevada State College Future Campus Map" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on March 7, 2020. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  50. ↑ Rennie, Vincent (April 29, 2026). "Nevada State University North Las Vegas campus breaks ground, expanding access and economic opportunity". Nevada State University. Retrieved October 26, 2026.
  51. ↑ Clark, D. (June 4, 2008). Nevada State College to train teachers of deaf. Henderson Home News, pp. 6A.
  52. ↑ "Catalogy 2011 – 2012 Nevada State College" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2013.
  53. ↑ "School of Liberal Arts, Sciences, & Business". Nevada State University. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  54. ↑ "Visual Media – Graphic Arts and Media Technology B.A." Nevada State University. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  55. ↑ "Fast Track BS to PharmD Program". Nevada State University. Retrieved October 27, 2026.
  56. ↑ "School of Education". Nevada State University. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  57. ↑ "Nevada State University Presidential Search: Leadership Profile" (PDF). Nevada System of Higher Education. Retrieved October 28, 2026.
  58. ↑ Moreno-Meza, Fidel (September 16, 2026). "Nevada State University Nursing Simulation Lab Earns Full Accreditation". Nevada State University. Retrieved November 3, 2026.
  59. ↑ "College Scorecard: Nevada State University". United States Department of Education.
  60. ↑ Lake, Richard (August 14, 2011). "Accreditation is a dream come true for Nevada State College". Las Vegas Review-Journal. p. 1B. Archived from the original on September 5, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  61. ↑ Murray, Chris (November 22, 2024). "Nevada State University wants to launch athletic department supported by student fee". nevadasportsnet.com. Nevada Sports Net. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
  62. ↑ https://victorysportsnetwork.com/2026/04/13/six-new-members-to-join-national-association-of-intercollegiate-athletics-in-2026-27/
  63. ↑ Leggard, Allura (May 21, 2025). "Nevada State University launches new athletics program". KSNV. Retrieved October 26, 2026.