Scorpion’s Tale

The

6 7 84NSC Offering FreeMental Health Services

NSC AlumniEmployees OfferAdvice

Spring 2017 VOL 2.17 OFFICIAL STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF NEVADA STATE COLLEGE

NSC Alum BecomesTransgender Leader

RememberingDr. Russ Raker

Congratulations,Grads!

Introducing 2017 NSC Alumni Laura Hutton, Yesenia Cuevas and David Cortez-Lopez

Photo by Ian Probasco

Congratulations 2017 Nevada State College Graduates!

2THE SCORPION’S TALE

Matthew Abad

Raymonde Agbadje

Ashley Akren

Kimberly Albright

Paige Alvarado

Aaron Anderson

Gisels Arellano

Michael Argarin

Eliane Arredondo

Bryan Astudillo

Vennah Ates

Ryan Awakuni

Endalkachew Ayele

Jeanette Ayon-Ayon

Christina Ayoub

Audrey Balzart

Brian Barrett

Soolmaz Basardeh

Ana Bautista

Ahmad Bayasi

Jo Becios Manabat

Starla Beine

Patricia Bell

Mackenzie Bennington

Whitney Bennington

Carissa Berge-Sisneros

Mariamawit Berhanemeskel

Samantha Bermudez

Tracilli Beswayan

Haley Blackburn-Jacobs

Lidia Blackman

Cindy Blackmore

Shelby Bledsoe

Julianne Bonaobra

Whitnee Bosch

Julia Brathwaite

Jenny Bravo-Gonzalez

Holly Brisendine

Danielle Browley

Cristina Brunty

Kristine Buist

Samuel Burns

Eric Byers

Tiffany Cabos

Michelle Cadiz

Christian Camacho

Erica Camarena

Natalie Camin

Andrea Canales

Roxanna Canas-Rodriguez

Angela Caprini

Claudine Carbonell

Marie Carey

Victoria Caristo

Alondra Castellanos

Gabriela Chaidez

Daniel Chapman

Glennie Chavez

Favour Chikezirim

Rolanda Chung

Kaitlyn Ciarlo

Carlos Cisneros

Maria Cisneros

Patrice Cobb

Alexis Coe

Tyler Collins

Randy Comendador

Amber Consul

Tammy Cook-Toeller

Angelia Corderman

Mayra Corral

Ryan Cosgrove

Joshua Covert

Stephanie Cowitt

Samantha Crowe

Charmelle Marie Cruz

Gener Cruz

Marie Bernadette Cruz

Yesenia Cuevas-Colin

Rachel Curcic

Robert D'Amelio

Traci Daley

Eric Davis

Melissa Davis

Terri Davis

Edward De Jesus

Ronald De Jesus De Guzman

Eric De la Cruz

Zechariah De Silva

Nicole Dechant-Gerhardt

Katherine Descalso

Dusan Despot

Jessica Diaz

Amy Dinh

Jennifer DiPalma

Natalie Dolan

Sherlyn Donovan

Mindy Doty

Arturas Dovydenas

Matthew Downing

Keegan Drawe

Genina Dungo Sicat

Nicole Duva amilton-Oggs

Kassandra Harbour

Susan Harmon

Madison Harper

David Hartman

Patricia Hayden

Lizette Hayman

Lucille He

Catherine Heath

Christina Hebdon

Kevin Heck

Joshua Helmick

Christina Henares

Jessy Hernandez

Riley Herrera

Kainani Higa

Carrie Hilderbrand

Tracy Hildman

Crystal Hill

Christian Hillman

Kevin Hillmon

Antonia Hirsch

Matthew Holcombe

Brittani Holt

Dominique Hoskins

Dominique Hoskins

Kary Houghton II

Emily Houpt

Mollie Huber

Heather Hudson

Angel Hunn

Jennifer Hunt

Stephanie Hunter

Laura Hutton

Jeremiah Ilao

Roy Ilar

Kate Ingalsby

Laura Iniguez

Tonya Jackson

Matthew Janz

Marilu Jaquez

Melissa Jarusiri

Bryant Jaske-Moser

Sarah Jauregui

Melissa Jenkins

Briahna Jones

Carrah Jones

Elizabeth Jones

Emilie Jones

Jessica Jones

Gary Jr.

Sheena Judie-Mitchell

Dawn Judman

April Kagan

LaShara Kama

Adriann Kamakahukilani

Joyce Kattengell

Marcy Katzen

Siranush Khaladzhyan

Homaira Khalidi

Christyn Kim Han

Alisa Klatt

Nichole Klein

Robert Knight

Jennifer Kotch

Mary Kuan

James Kuespert

Sharon Kunsman-Larsen

Renatta Kusko

James LaLonde

Taylor Lambrix

Brittany Larsen

Jade Larson-Houck

Cynthia Lauby-Wheat

Liesl Law

Ryan Leake

Sohyun Lee

Ashley Lemaire

Kristen Letkiewicz

James Lim

George Linh Thomson

Christine Littler

Sarah Llausas

Chanelle Lockhart

Jeremy Loja

Nicole Lombardi

David Lopez

Ramon Lopez

Yazmine Lopez

Ria Loveranes

Nancy Lugo

Jeffery Lutvak

Rebecca Lychock

Jacklyn Magagnotti

Said Mahanyu

Jessica Malone

James Manalo

Kristin Manning

Valerie Maris

Yanitza Marmolejos

Natasha Martin

Jessica Martinez

Lynsey Martinez

Jordan Mathisen

Carol Matute

Sherry Maya

Samantha McCosh

Christopher McCray

Emerald McDonald

Michael McGinnis

Nicole McKay

Brandy Mebane

Paula Medeiros

Michael Medicina

Stacey Medina

Rebecca Medsker

Yordanos Mehanzel

Russell Meiries

Antonia Mendoza

Kaitlyn Meyerowitz

AnDrea Michalsky

Melissa Michaud

Amanda Miller

Amoret Miller

Danielle Minton

Anahi Miranda

Kristen Moehrle

Alexandra Moore

Jose Moran

Christopher Morelli

Wyatt Morgan

Nanika Moseley

Rechelle Moser

Alma Mota

Amy Mueller

Shane Mulvey

Nichole Nalder

Mahvish Nawaz

Krystal Neal-Burdic

Eric Nelson

Melissa Nelson

Amparo Nevarez

Frank Ngbeken

Daniel Nguyen

Truong Nguyen

Cece Nichols

Nneka Nnodim

Claudia Noriega

Erik Nunez

Bonnie O'Daye

Eileen O'Neill

Sarah Oakley Wieman

Marcella Olivares

Jazmin Olivera

Esmeralda Olivio

Martha Oppong

Monika Orovecz

Amber Ostrow

Macario Osuna

Molly Otis

ChaLesha Overton

Christopher Padilla

Jessica Page

Jackeline Palacios

Joshua Palmer

Annie Pande

Corina Paoa-Nixon

Joseph Paul

Tiffany Payne

Kathryn Peck

Lisa Peck

Hugo Peredo

Veronica Perez

Miki Perry

Rhonda Peters

Jenny Peterson

Kelly Peterson

Karen Petty

Thu Pham

Keyshone Pirtle

Mabel Placencia

Kayla Ponich

Krystal Portillo

Annabel Posis

Margaret Potts

Danielle Powall

Carol Powers

Jeannemarie Powers

Nicole Prewitt

Melissa Price-Smith

Jessenia Prichard

Shaina Prichard

Penny Pukall

Diva Pullum

Anthony Punchard

Chris Punsalan

Nathanael Purdy

Nefi Quintero

Jason Rahenkamp

Ashley Ramautar

Jo Ramos Almeda

Sharon Ravenelle

Shabeer Rawther

Alexandra Rea

Lauren Ream

Christopher Reed

Rebecca Reilly

Ana Ricardez

Brandon Rios

Toni Rios

Jamie Riskovitch

Ingrid Rivera

Christina Robinson

Lalaine Robinson

Debrah Rocco

Somer Rodgers

Christopher Rodilosso

Harrison Rodis

Jessica Rodriguez

Eduardo Rodriguez-Gonzalez

Lei Romero

Mirella Rosas

Kimberly Rose

Daniel Roth

Nikolaus Rotzinger

Kaitlin Rowe

Maria Royce

Stephen Ruiz Papin

Brianna Ruiz-Manro

Lina Ryan

Mark Sakurada

Vanessa Sanchez

Maria Sandigan Diez

Lilly Santoyo

Lauren Satterfield

Mercedes Scheel

Shannon Schmidt

Kristin Seifert

Rozele Semana

Maritza Shaw

Natalie Sherwood

Amanda Silvestri

William Sims

Lori Singer

Katie Sitton

Ashley Skonicki

Rachel Smilovici

Brittani Smith

Taryn Smith

Jaclyn Southam

Amanda Spatz

Somone Spicer

Jessica Steiman

Chelsea Stephan

Cinnamin Stephens

Jade Stephenson

Tyler Stewart

Erica Stiles

Karen Stone

Lauren Strawn

Gabrielle Suarez

Grace Suenaga

Sharlee Suguitan Cabalda

Meridith Sweitzer

Imelda Tarango

Erin Taranto

Arthur Taylor

Cassie Taylor

Jennifer Taylor

Chyson Telles-Petri

Kathleen Ter

Rodney Thomas

Tara Thompson

Vanessa Tobias

Katarina Torrella

Claudia Torres

Corina Torres

Mariah Townley

Jacob Traver

Jordan Travis

Marilyn Tuiasosopo

Michelle Turner

Alexia Tyler

Igwe Ukandu

Cambria Urgola

Melinda Uszuko

Lazaro Valdes Jr.

Brenda Valdez

Yesenia Valencia

Sarah Valent

Jonas Vargas

Madison Veach

Efren Vega

Irishanne Venditto

Sean Vicentina Badidles

Nancy Viedas

Angela Voss

Adam Wagner

Dy-Anne Wagner

Wendy Walker

Daniel Walsh

Daniel Warthan

Ashley Washington

Cam Watkin

Tara Webster

Victoria Weeks

Miriam Whiting

Shaynne Wilcox

Becky Williams

Brittany Williams

Sarah Williams

Chanel Willis

Elizabeth Winkelblech

Katie Wolfe

Kyle Woodall

Ekaterina Woodard

Kristin Yanos

Gabrielle Yates

Sarah Yim

Anthony Ysaguirre

Spring 2017

3

The Clark County School District, one of the largest in the country, is slated to be a different beast beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

A landmark education bill authorizing the CCSD’s complete overhaul passed in the final hours of the 2015 state legislative session. Since then, work has been underway to craft a plan to totally change the way the district manages and finances the education of its 320,000 students.

The changes could have major implications for Nevada State College School of Education graduates who go to work for the CCSD. Many teacher advocates believe the changes will benefit teachers and help alleviate the district’s chronic teacher shortage.

Trustees File Suit to Stop Overhaul, but Legislature Fires BackThe Clark County School Board of Trustees has opposed the reorga-nization and voted in early March to refile an earlier lawsuit opposing it. In enacting the plan, the Legislature “overstepped its authority and failed to complete a required financial impact study while burdening the district with unfunded mandates in violation of state law,” accord-ing to the suit.

Determined to push ahead with the ambitious plan, four of the state’s most-powerful politicians representing both branches of the Legislature held a rare joint hearing March 29. During it, they presented proposed legislation that would incorporate many of the plan’s requirements into state law, pre-empting the objections in the trustees’ suit.

“We want to do what’s best for Nevada students,” The Nevada Indepen-dent quoted Democratic Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson as saying, as he introduced the bill with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford, Republican Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson and Republican Assembly Minority Leader Paul Anderson.

While contending CCSD is “not fearful of the reorganization,” Super-intendent Pat Skorkowsky urged lawmakers at the hearing to proceed more cautiously. “This reorganization, if codified into law, will last long after all of us are in this room,” he said at the hearing, according to The Nevada Independent. “We need to make sure it is done right.”

Reorganization Would Empower Individual SchoolsIf the latest bill becomes law as expected by the legislative session’s June 5 conclusion, the reorganization will grant individual educators and their surrounding communities much more control over each school’s operations. In exchange, schools would be held to higher standards to better educate students.

As of the next school year, each of CCSD’s 336 schools will be its own “precinct,” with control over 80 percent of its budget, along with hiring and policies. This would be a huge change from CCSD’s current centralized operations.

According to a report published August 2016 by the advisory com-mittee overseeing the reorganization, Skorkowsky’s role would be reduced as well. Instead, a new position would be created: the school associate superintendent. “The school associate superintendent is responsible for ensuring that the responsibilities assigned to the local school precincts are carried out in a timely manner,” according to the report. The goal would be to save principals from having to go through multiple levels of bureaucracy to get something done.

Teachers Favor Individual “School Organizational Teams”One feature many teachers will probably favor is the opportunity to be on a “school organizational team,” which will consist of parents, interested community members, and two-to-four teachers from each school. This team will address issues such as staffing and budget-ing. The principal, instead of being the main decision-maker, will be a non-voting member. This way, the school will function not just the way the principal sees fit, but as the community and the teachers see fit as well. “A successful school consists of much more than a one-man operation” was the rationale for this change, according to the August report.

Creation of these teams will help address Clark County’s low teacher retention rate as well, said Amber Lopez-Lasater, political and strategic communications director for the Clark County Education Association, the union that represents about 65 percent of the CCSD’s roughly

18,000 teachers and other licensed professionals. It will create a better school environment for everyone, especially teachers, who often feel like they don’t have a say in what happens at their schools, she added.

Future teachers can also look for a school that fits who they are as educators, Lopez-Lasater said. “I think that each school will most likely have its own specific culture,” she added.

Implementation is largely up to each school and most already have start-ed creating their own organizational teams, with varying success. Harold Harvey, a biology teacher at Boulder

City High School, said he hasn’t seen any changes yet. “The members are still trying to iron out the true role of the committee,” he said.

Next year will be interesting in the CCSD, both for veteran teachers and new recruits. “It’s a pretty ominous undertaking, but at the same time there’s so much opportunity to take our school district and trans-form it,” Lopez-Lasater said.

CCSD Reorganization Promises Big Changes for District’s Schools and TeachersBy Ashley DeWolf

Clark County School District, the nation’s fifth-largest school district, is implementing an ambitious reorganization plan designed to give individual schools and their teachers greater control over operations.

Amber Lopez-Laster, strategic communication and political director of the Clark County Education Association

THE SCORPION’S TALE

4 NSC Alumnus Ethan Avanzino Discovers Personal Purpose as Transgender AdvocateBy Lindsay Newark

Ethan Avanzino leveraged his NSC Visual Media degree into an internship and then a job with Southwest Airlines in Texas. Photo courtesy of Ethan Avanzino.

Nevada State College Class of 2010 graduate Ethan Avanzino has established professional success as a multimedia developer for Southwest Airlines, and more recently, also has discovered personal purpose as an advocate for the trans-gender community.

When Avanzino first came out to his family, friends and employer, he received overwhelming support, something uncommon for many transgender individuals. Aware of how fortunate that made him, Avanzino knew he had to be an advocate for his transgender “siblings.” “I realize that there are people who lose everything when they come out, and because I didn’t lose anything, I realized I had a place to be out there and vocal for them,” he said.

Avanzino refers to members of the transgender community as his “siblings and family” because the subset is relatively small within the much larger LGBTQIA (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Intersex and Asexual) community, and he’s committed to supporting those considering transitioning, or those who already have. This also includes individuals who are non-binary, which means an individual’s gender identity does not fit male or female.

Avanzino’s Path to Transgender ActivismNow a Dallas resident, Avanzino testified at a hearing before the Texas state Senate in Austin, about proposed legislation affecting transgender residents and visitors, including the controversial “bathroom bill.” The proposed legislation would require transgender people to use bathrooms in Texas public buildings based on their “bio-logical sex,” and would supersede any local nondiscrimination laws that allow them to use

bathrooms that correspond with their gender identities. Avanzano also made a presentation to Southwest.

Avanzino is chair of the Transgender Council at Dallas’ Cathedral of Hope, which bills itself as the world’s largest predominantly gay church. He is also on the Board of Directors for Authentic Life, a group that aims to make the transitioning process easier by supplying scholarships, sup-port and other needs to transgender families.

Changing Legal Documents DifficultOne issue that makes the process more difficult is that there is no set national standard on how to legally change names and gender designa-tions that appear on birth certificates, driver’s licenses and other important documents. Laws and policies are different in every state, and can even vary down to the county level, where many such documents originate and often must be changed. Because of issues he’s faced trying to have his NSC transcript and diploma updated to reflect his identity, one of the improvements Avanzino suggested is that the Nevada System of Higher Education and NSC establish an official process for making such changes.

After graduating from NSC with a degree in Visual Media, he began his tenure at Southwest as an intern in January 2012, eventually being hired to a full-time position. He began to transition in January 2015, and found that his company and colleagues were supportive.

It was in his Southwest position as a multimedia developer that Avanzino was able to film his “coming out” video using the resources available to him. The video, which he posted to various social media outlets including YouTube, where it’s still available, served as a way to communicate his transition with those in his life. The video was Avanzino’s way of answer-ing questions people may have, without having to repeatedly go through the coming out process.

Avanzino stresses to transition-ing individuals that this is also a big change for people in their lives. “Be firm, but be patient because everyone around you has to process this,” he advised.

Communicating His TransitionAvanzino communicated to his professional colleagues via an email he sent Dec. 17, 2015, shortly before he legally became Ethan on Jan. 4, 2016. The email stated that he was now to be referred to as Ethan, which his colleagues immediately began to do.

Southwest has a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index, earning the company a spot on HRC’s “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality” list in 2017. Being aware of a company's stance is an import-ant part of the research process for transgender individuals and their allies when deciding on what companies to support with their business.

When deciding on the name “Ethan,” Avanzino chose it based on memories of playing pretend as a young child with his sister. “I remember playing make believe with my sister and going by ‘Sean Ethan,’ and I decided to play off of this name.” Avanzino said that showing support is one of the key items anyone can do, especially parents, because, “You get to a point where you are willing to lose everything to just feel like yourself.”

There are support groups for both family mem-bers and those that identify as transgender. For example, in Las Vegas, The Center (http://www.thecenterlv.org) offers a support group specifically for transgender teens called Identi-T*.

When asked for advice for those unsure about their sexuality or gender, or who are fearful of transitioning, Avanzino said, “The only way to close the gap and erase the fear of the unknown is to build a bridge and shine a light.” To him, this means to meet people where they are at in their lives, and show them the importance of being true to themselves.

"I realize that there are people who lose everything when they come out, and because I didn’t lose anything, I realized I had a place to be out there and vocal for them."-NSC Alumnus Ethan Avanzino

2010 NSC Alumnus Ethan Avanzino at a rally in Dallas held in support of transgender rights. Photo courtesy of Ethan Avanzino

5 Spring 2017

Started as an informal student activity in 2010 when Nevada State College consisted of only two buildings, ping pong has gained a large fan base and underscores the need for a dedicated student lounge within the new Rogers Student Center, students contend.

The now semi-annual NSC ping pong tournament attracts more than 30 participants to the tables on the first floor of the center. Contestants include administration members Dean of Students Dr. Richard Yao and Information and Technology Supervisor Rodney Dizon. The tournament’s popularity led to formation of the NSC Ping Pong Club, with a goal of competing against other schools.

The most recent tournament, held March 31, attracted a wide variety of students, and used a bracket system to determine the order for matches. Anyone is allowed to enter the tournaments.

“Ping pong allows people of different athletic abilities to play and enjoy the sport,” said AJ Wagner, a member of the Nevada State Student Alliance. This semester’s winner, Marco Lopez, credits ping pong for a much-needed outlet for students and encouraging friendships within the NSC student body.

The ping pong tables also provide a platform for staff and faculty to mingle with students in an informal setting. “It offers a consis-tent way for [staff] to interact with [students],” Dizon said. Other recurring on-campus events such as the Mount Scorpion Hike also offer staff-student interaction opportunities, but they occur only once a semester.

But the lack of a student lounge makes it challenging for students to socialize and interact. “It drives the point that there needs to be [a designated] room for the students in the student center,” Wagner said.

The recent addition of the NSC gym in the Dawson Building was a small step toward offering student amenities, but the location away from the campus’ main buildings has limited its use to an average of only 25-to-30 people per week, according to NSC Student Activities Manager Phil LaMotte. Does its more remote location affect attendance? “Definitely,” said Taylor Gagni, a student worker assigned to the gym.

As popularity of ping pong grows, the decibel-level of hotly contested games has at times become an issue for students studying in the library. “It is a mutual respect between us and the library, but it is hard at times,” Lopez said. “We are college students.” That issue will likely re-main unresolved without a designated student socializing area within the student center.

Ping Pong’s Popularity Shows Need for NSC Student LoungeBy Lindsay Newark

"It drives the point that there needs to be [a designated] room for the students in the student center." – NSSA Board member AJ Wagner on the popularity of ping pong in the lobby of the Rogers Student Center

NSC Student Jeffrey Solorzano Pocasangre competed during the recent ping pong tournament at NSC’s Rogers Center. Photo by Lindsay Newark

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THE SCORPION’S TALE

6

A survey of Nevada State College students about their desire for mental health services has led the college to establish an on-campus program free for all students.

The results of the Spring 2015 survey, which involved 356 students, prompted Dean of Students Dr. Richard Yao to spearhead a contract with Healing Reflections, a Las Vegas-based mental health service owned by Lisa Schapiro. Schapiro is a licensed marriage and family therapist who is now on campus every Wednesday.

College is a busy and vulnerable time in students’ lives. About 42 percent of college students experience some form of anxiety, and 36 percent suffer from depression, according to the American Physiological Association. Students often can benefit from professional guidance.

“Therapy can help identify areas for change and build new skills and resources to improve overall mood and well-being,” Schapiro said. “Ultimately, therapy is a resource to help students be successful academically.”

Services are Completely ConfidentialTherapy can help students cope during crucial times when pressure related to grade point averages, financial aid and recom-mendation letters can trigger stress. Students also may be dealing with work, family expectations, dating or other relationship issues, Schapiro said.

“It truly is a balancing act, and is common for even the most resilient students to experience anxiety and depression symptoms at some point in their college years,” she added.

All information related to counseling, including that students even accessed services, is strictly confidential. No information will be released to NSC’s administration, faculty or staff, or to parents or outside agencies without prior written authorization from the student. The only exception ever made is if there’s imminent danger that the student could harm themselves or others.

On-Campus Services Can Expand to Other ProvidersStudents initially will be limited to three or four on-campus sessions with Schapiro, who works out of the Dawson Building.

Introductory appointments involve learning about the students’ needs and reviewing information students are willing to confidentially share. Shapiro initially works on skills students immediately can put to use, and coping skills on how to handle issues appropriately.

That may be all a student needs, but Schapiro also may tap other therapeutic techniques, including behavioral and trauma therapy, imagery, mindfulness and distress tolerance.

Students may then meet with Case Manager Kristin Collins, a graduate student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Collins can assist stu-dents in finding off-campus resources, including drug or family therapy, grief groups, and even housing. “My role is to ensure that students’ transition to an outside therapist is somewhat seamless,” she said.

If students have private insurance, Collins will work with them to identify providers who accept their coverage. She manages this part of the process because it can be tedious and discouraging for students to find the right provider.

UNLV’s CAPS is Another Available ResourceStudents without insurance or access to Medicaid may be referred to the Wellness Center at UNLV’s Student Counseling and Psychological Services, which also provides services to NSC through a contract. The center can offer students short-term therapy with interns and clinicians. Collins also may research agencies that offer services on a sliding-scale fee based on the students’ household income.

Future mental health services at NSC will be influenced by student demand, but could include skills-building and group therapy.

Students interested in the services may confidentially contact Schapiro at 702-332-5874 or at Lisa.Schapiro@hotmail.com. General information about all the mental health services described above is available at https://nsc.edu/student-resources/counseling-services.aspx.

NSC Now Offering Free Mental Health ServicesBy Erika Stockbridge

Lisa Schapiro, LMFT Office Location:

Dawson Building 104B (702) 332-5874

(Please contact Lisa Schapiro directly for appointments)

Kristie Collins NSC Case Manager

(702) 992-2513 RSC 250

On-Campus Case Management Support Also Available

Goals of Short-Term Therapy Model Include Stabilization

Symptom Reduction

Skill Building

Now scheduling appointments on Wednesdays

NSC has contracted with

Healing ReßectionsThe NSC Case Manager, Kristie Collins will also work with students to connect them with community

resources, outside therapy providers, create plans with the student and follow up if need be.Lisa Schapiro

"It's common for even the most resilient students to experi-ence anxiety and depression symptoms at some point in their college years." - Therapist Lisa Schapiro

ectly for

Lisa Schapiro, LMFT Office Location:

Dawson Building 104B (702) 332-5874 (702) 332-5874

Kristie Collins NSC Case Manager

(702) 992-2513 RSC 250RSC 250

On-Campus Case Management Support Also Available On-Campus Case Management Support Also Available

7 Spring 2017

Remembering NSC’s Dr. Russell RakerBy AJ Wagner

Dr. Russell “Russ” Raker was one of the most influential members of Nevada State College’s community to date. His tenacious fundraising is a big reason NSC is where it is today.

Raker passed away Dec. 21, 2016, at the age of 76, after a 53-year career in fund-raising leadership. He led teams that raised more than $1 billion for charities and non-profit organizations, including $10 million for NSC.

After retiring in late 2006 and moving to Southern Nevada, Raker was elected asso-ciate vice president for development of the Nevada State College and Foundation. The foundation was established in 2001 “to encourage and promote the growth and improvement of Nevada State College, and to receive and administer private gifts provided to the college.”

Raker’s incredible personality, tenacity and goofy smile brought millions of dollars in donations to the school, which financed everything from scholarships to new buildings. He regularly demonstrated his impressive ability to persuade people to make donations, and as those he worked with can attest, it was impossible to say “no” to him. He even created a scholarship with his personal donations.

Raker had a passion for higher education and loved students more than anyone else. He took great pride in seeing students succeed. Despite his busy schedule, whenever students wanted to talk to him, he always made time for them.

Raker also dedicated a great deal of time to advancing projects initiated by the Nevada State Student Alliance. For example, upon completion of the Scorpion Statue in the NSC Plaza, he was instrumental in establishing the “Brick Campaign,” a fundraising initiative that allows NSC alumni and supporters to purchase personalized bricks

that will be permanently placed in the plaza, with proceeds funding student scholarships.

Beyond NSC, Raker was one of only about 80 individuals nationally to hold the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executives designation granted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. He also was instrumental in creating the organization’s advanced certification.

Few students or faculty perhaps knew his name or would have recognized him, but Raker left a legacy at NSC, and shoes that will not be easy to fill. His spirit will forever live on through NSC students who may not know how they were supported by his dedication to the college.Rest in peace, Dr. Raker. Thank you for your dedication to improving our college.

Dr. Russell "Russ" Raker

Comic by Jose-Angel Corral Rodriguez

THE SCORPION’S TALE

8

Paige HallPaige Hall graduated from Nevada State College in the fall of 2015. She initially worked for a local attorney’s office, but left it to seek a job with better benefits while preparing to attend law school. Dr. Kathryn Tucker, director of the NSC Writing Center, offered Hall an interim position at the school, which she welcomed because she missed the NSC community. “The salary and health insurance also didn't hurt,” Hall quipped. She began as the college’s writing center programs coordinator in 2016.

To NSC seniors, Hall recommended that they network as much as possible because one never knows what opportunities may arise from people one meets. She also advised students planning to attend graduate school should, “attempt to find an internship or entry-level position in their field, to gain some insight and experience before heading off.” Hall will leave NSC in June to attend law school, hopefully in Las Vegas.

Danette BarberDanette Barber is the coordinator for embedded peer programs, including in the course assistant programs for the Schools of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Education, and the supplemental instruction program in the Academic Success Center. She graduated in May 2016 and started working at NSC three months later. She chose to work at the school because, “the culture is driven by hardworking, passionate rock stars who care intimately about student success.” If she wants to be the best, Barber reasoned, she must work with and learn from the best.

To NSC seniors, Barber advised, “If you aren't sure what the next step looks like, don't worry. It's like that for most of us. Even though you're graduating, there are still resources here at NSC that you can use. I know it's scary, but you're about to accomplish graduation, which is spectacular! You've demonstrated that you can do this amazing thing, so if you feel scared, that's normal, but that's not going to stop you, is it? Nope!”

Phil LaMottePhil LaMotte graduated in May 2013 and began working as NSC’s Student Activities Manager in December 2015. He chose to come back to work at the college because it’s a special place for him that gave him a second chance to live up to his potential as a student. “When this position opened up, I saw it as an op-portunity to give back to the NSC community, while also continuing to grow as a person and professional,” LaMotte said.

His advice to graduating seniors: “You will be faced with tough decisions and you can't make everyone happy always. Understand your personal principles and value system. If you apply the same logic to all situations and stay true to your personal values, you'll always be able to live with your decision.”

Anam Qadir Anam Qadir is an academic advisor who graduated in 2013. She returned to work for the school the year after she graduated because she feels as though NSC is a second family to her. NSC “provided me with so much support as a student, so when I had the opportunity to come back and make a difference in our student’s lives I took it!” she said.

As an academic advisor, Anam encounters stressed-out students all the time. To seniors about to graduate, the stress is likely high, so she recommended that they take a moment to breathe. “You are starting a whole new adventure in your life,” she advised. “Be open-minded and ambitious.”

NSC Alumni Employees Offer Advice to Graduating Seniors

Scorpion’s Tale

The

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Mark A. Wallace

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Lindsay Newark

DESIGN EDITOR: Arnold Placencia-Flores

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR: Cinnamin Stephens

SPONSORSHIP MANAGER: Erika Stockbridge

FACULTY ADVISER: Rebecca Theim

ADMINISTRATION ADVISERS: Dean of Students Richard Yao;

Student Activities Manager Phillip LaMotte;

Newspaper Business Coordinator Sita Sales

CONTRIBUTORS: Jose-Angel Corral Rodriguez, Ashley DeWolf,

Ian Probasco, Tucker St. John and AJ Wagner

The Scorpion’s Tale is the official news source of

Nevada State College. We invite articles and

photographs to be published in the newspaper or

its digital platforms, and news tips about stories we

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contact us at Scorpions.Tale@nsc.edu.

© 2017, Nevada State College

By Tucker St. John

Paige Hall

Danette Barber

Phil Lamotte

Anam Qadir