In just a few short days, the GEAR UP Nevada staff will be coming to the UNLV campus to participate in our NDE Spring Training opportunity! This time the training will be split across two days to give the staff more in-depth training time and more time together for collaboration. This is one of only a couple of times each year that the whole team, including NDE, come together. We really appreciate these times and look forward to the training next week.

We are very happy to share the good news that Clare Cerda, the GEAR UP Administrative Assistant at NDE has been promoted to the vacant GEAR UP Program Officer position! Clare has been with the GEAR UP Nevada program for a few years now so it was a perfect opportunity! This change was effective on January 9th.

Awesome job, Clare! You deserve it!

On Tuesday, January 10th, we were fortunate to have two NSHE colleagues present information on two exciting workforce development grant programs that can help not just our students, but possibly their parents or other family members as well. First we had Tony Villalobos, NSHE Project SANDI Coordinator, talk about the opportunities his grant offers. Then Jose Quiroga, NSHE Research Analyst, presented on the new Workforce Incentive Grant which is set to launch later this term. Both programs offer financial support for learning opportunities in high demand areas. These programs are or will be available at all of our NSHE community colleges. The highlight of the session was an interview portion where two SANDI grant students, including one recent GEAR UP graduate, were talking about their experience in the program.

Thanks so much to Tony, Jose, and the SANDI students!

Capacity Building Workshop Preview!

As difficult as the pandemic has been, one advantage to come from it is the use of technology to provide virtual conference offerings. While some may prefer to travel to a conference and meet in person, the virtual option makes it possible for many to attend that might not otherwise be able to do so. As mentioned in the column on the left, registration is now open for this year's Capacity Building Workshop (CBW) event. If you have never attended a CBW, we recommend you attend this one. They are a different format from your typical conference. Rather than having a series of break out sessions, most of the time is spent in workshops were you apply what you are learning to some element of your program. NCCEP devotes each day to one of their national strategies, Excel, Prove, and Mobilize. Like the national conference, there are always amazing and inspiring keynote speakers too. All of this can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own office!