Reclaiming the teaching mission in Nevada

Editor’s note: As he traditionally does around this time every year, Brian Greenspun is turning over his Where I Stand column to others. Today’s guest is Derionne Pollard, president of Nevada State College in Henderson.

Alittle over a year ago I received a notification from a friend about a young, growing college in Henderson that was looking for a new leader. At the time, leaving my home in Maryland and the institution I oversaw for 10 years was nowhere on my mind. But out of pure curiosity, I investigated it and was immediately drawn in. The institution’s mission struck me. The students it served felt familiar to me. And the more I read, the more I learned, and the more I realized why: They were me.

I felt a profound connection to this place, Nevada State College, through the students it served, students I now refer to as the “New Majority.” These are first-generation students, adult learners, students of color, immigrants and anyone who is looking to find their way out of poverty and into a solid, middle-class existence. They represent the future of our economy and, dare I say it, are integral to ensuring our long-lasting democracy.

I was also intrigued by the uniqueness of Nevada State’s role and place within the higher education landscape of Nevada.

As the youngest, most diverse and fastest-growing institution in a state with two well-established research universities, there is still growing demand for different learning experiences that enable folks to enter the workforce. In Nevada State, I saw a place ripe with opportunity to own its mission and status as the state’s only teaching college. But as I’ve gotten to know this institution and the community it serves, that potential has grown in my mind to seeing Nevada State become one of the next great teaching universities in the country.

The definition of and need for teaching universities came about following World War II when the federal government commissioned a report on the state of higher education in the country. The report’s goal was to reform higher education in the interest of nation-building following a flood of returning veterans interested in attending colleges and universities.

Higher Education for Democracy, also referred to as the “Truman Commission Report,” called for sweeping and significant changes in higher education. The government also offered a vision for the future of colleges and universities in America. It features a section dedicated to “teachers colleges” or “normal schools.” “Normal school” may be a strange term today, but it holds historical importance. In 1946, when the report was published, 42 of the then 48 states had normal schools — and there were 204 in

total.

The report noted “normal schools” were transitioning to the term “teachers colleges,” and several others were already changing their names to “state colleges” and “state universities.” The role of these institutions was to solve “the most pressing problem” — how to obtain more good teachers. Sound familiar? In 1946, 87% of the states had a teaching college, but Nevada wasn’t one of them. Now, 76 years later, Nevada’s only teaching institution is evolving—just like the report predicted it would.

Now let’s talk about the present. Nevada is 46th in the nation in terms of college-going rates. Less than a quarter of our adults hold a bachelor’s degree or more. Today’s need for an educated workforce remains urgent — especially for us in our own backyard. Nevada State was created in the tradition of teachers colleges and universities. It has continued to progress and evolve to meet the most pressing needs of our state. Teaching institutions like Nevada State prioritize learning and excellence in teaching, as well as helping teachers become better teachers.

We emphasize the science of learning and how we can support our students to be more effective in the classroom. We know how learning works. It’s our specialty — and this is how we set ourselves apart as an institution. This means our faculty spend more time preparing for class with intentionality and provide personalized attention. Our faculty are drawn to Nevada State because they understand this teaching mission, and it’s time the community understands it too. We’re proud of our teaching mission, and I look forward to what we do next as we tell our story as the state’s teaching institution.

The data shows that our teaching mission is resonating. Nevada State is the only school in the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) with any enrollment growth since 2019. On average, NSHE schools saw a decrease in enrollment of 5.5% since the fall of 2019. During that same time, however, our enrollment grew by 29%. In 2022, Nevada State graduated its largest class ever and now has more than 7,400 alumni.

As I move forward in my new role leading Nevada’s newest institution of higher education, I feel it is more important than ever for our community to understand that teaching and education do not only produce the workforce talent needed for the future economy, but also are what really protect and defend our democracy. Nevada State must claim and own its role in this space. And, in a sense, provide the opportunity for Nevada to catch up and join the rest of the country with well-established teaching universities.

The story of Nevada State will continue to evolve. Nevada State is proud of our heritage and our role in higher education that is uniquely ours. As we get ready to celebrate our 20 years of existence, we’re frequently making decisions that will affect the next 20 years and beyond so that we can continue to serve the “New Majority” and expand access to higher education. Nevada State proudly claims our teaching mission.

Derionne Pollard