Nevada State University President Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard Receives National TRIO Achiever Award
Nevada State University proudly announced that its President, Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard, has been honored with the prestigious 2024 National TRIO Achiever Award by the Council for Opportunity in Education. This esteemed recognition celebrates exceptional TRIO alumni who have not only excelled in their respective fields but have also significantly contributed to their communities. Dr. Pollard will be acknowledged at the 2024 Educational Opportunity Awards Dinner during the COE Annual Conference in New York City on September 10.
The National TRIO Achiever Award specifically recognizes individuals who have participated in Federal TRIO Programs, including Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math-Science, Talent Search, Student Support Services, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, Veterans Upward Bound, and Educational Opportunity Centers. These programs are dedicated to fostering educational access and success for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
As an alumna of the TRIO Student Support Services program at Iowa State University, Dr. Pollard holds a B.A. and M.A. in English from Iowa State University, as well as a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies in higher education from Loyola University Chicago. In a groundbreaking move on August 16, 2021, Dr. Pollard made history by becoming the first permanent Black woman president of Nevada State University and any institution within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE).
Grateful for the recognition, Dr. Pollard expressed, “I am a graduate of the Chicago Public Schools system; former food stamps and public assistance recipient; a wife to a glorious woman I have loved for 30 years; a parent to a teenage boy who is our best thing; a first-generation college completer; and an advocate and warrior for access to equitable, life-transforming education for all who seek to improve their lives and the communities in which we live and serve. This recognition from COE is truly an honor and a testament to the transformative power of the TRIO programs.”
Kimberly Jones, President of the Council for Opportunity in Education, commended Dr. Pollard’s achievements, stating, “Dr. DeRionne Pollard embodies the spirit and impact of the TRIO programs. Her dedication to educational equity, community service, and leadership is a powerful example of what TRIO alumni can achieve. We are proud to honor her as a 2024 National TRIO Achiever.”
Under Dr. Pollard’s leadership, Nevada State University has made significant strides in fulfilling its mission as a Minority Serving Institution, Hispanic Serving Institution, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution. The university is committed to providing exceptional teaching and student support to enhance and diversify an educated workforce, thereby advancing social justice and economic mobility.
Dr. Pollard boasts a distinguished career in higher education, having previously served as President of Montgomery College and Las Positas College. She has been actively engaged in various organizations, including the American Association of Community Colleges’ 21st Century Commission on the Future of Community Colleges, the Ascend Postsecondary Leadership Circle for Parents, and the Center for First-generation Student Success Advisory Board for the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
Her accolades include being named one of Washington’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Washingtonian Magazine, receiving a 2017 Academic Leadership Award from the Carnegie Corp. of New York, and a Visionary Award from the Washington Area Women’s Foundation.
Past recipients of the National TRIO Achiever Award include renowned figures such as actress and producer Viola Davis, U.S. Sen. Reverend Raphael Warnock, Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, and retired NASA astronaut José Hernández.
The Beverly Theater Elevates Key Team Members in Las Vegas Entertainment Scene
The Beverly Theater, a vibrant live entertainment venue in Las Vegas, recently announced the promotion of two key team members, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing independent and creative voices in the city. Alexi Harber has been appointed as the General Manager, while Courtney Davis has taken on the role of Event Sales Manager.
A Las Vegas native, Alexi Harber’s passion for the entertainment industry was ignited during her time with the Rainbow Company Youth Theatre, followed by a focus on technical theater at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. She furthered her education by obtaining a Bachelor of Science in entertainment and arts management from Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Harber’s dedication to the arts led her to various artistic organizations in the Philadelphia area, including her role as a Business Associate at Delaware Shakespeare.
Returning to her hometown of Las Vegas, Harber joined The Beverly Theater as the Theater Manager before its grand opening in May 2022. Her love for downtown Las Vegas and commitment to making arts accessible to all have been instrumental in the theater’s growth and success.
Courtney Davis’ journey with The Beverly Theater began when she joined the grand opening team as an Events Specialist in October 2023. Her exceptional talent and unwavering dedication quickly propelled her to the role of Event Manager in June 2023, and most recently to Event Sales Manager in June 2024. With a Bachelor of Science in entertainment business, Davis kick-started her career with industry giants such as AEG Presents, Goldenvoice, Live Nation, T-Mobile Arena, and DMCs.
Davis has managed local bands, worked as a music journalist for LocalMusicScenes.com, interviewed bands including My Chemical Romance and Keane, produced for BalconyTV, hosted local artists like Mercy Music and international touring artist Matisyahu, and was part of the inaugural team that brought the Emerge Impact + Music Festival to Las Vegas in 2019. Known for her ability to cultivate strong relationships and infuse creativity into every event she manages, Davis perfectly aligns with The Beverly Theater’s vision of innovation and excellence.
Founding Creative Director and Chief Experience Officer Kip Kelly expressed, “As original team members, it’s been a professional privilege to watch these women grow into their roles and help build our operations from the ground up. I look forward to their continued success and am grateful to have such high-caliber individuals on my team. With Alexi and Courtney, we are always on the right track.”
Emily Ho Joins BDO USA as Principal in Tax Practice
BDO USA has welcomed Emily Ho as a Principal in the firm’s tax practice. With over 15 years of experience in providing tax compliance and consulting services to middle market business owners and closely held businesses, Ho’s expertise spans corporate and pass-through entities across multiple state and foreign borders. She has extensive experience working with family offices and clients in industries such as real estate, manufacturing, retail, and professional services.
Bailey Kennedy, LLP Attorneys Recognized Among 2025 Best Lawyers in America
Bailey Kennedy, LLP proudly announces that eight of its attorneys have been honored among the 2025 Best Lawyers in America, marking the 13th consecutive year the firm has received this prestigious recognition. The esteemed attorneys include Managing Partner John R. Bailey, Partner Dennis L. Kennedy, Partner Joshua M. Dickey, Partner Joshua P. Gilmore, Partner Joseph A. Liebman, Partner Paul C. Williams, Of Counsel Mark H. Goldstein, and Of Counsel Sarah E. Harmon.
Best Lawyers is renowned globally for its comprehensive evaluation of the nation’s attorneys, with the list being peer-reviewed to select only those professionals whose abilities are highly regarded by their peers. Each of the honored Bailey Kennedy attorneys has demonstrated exceptional expertise in various legal areas, including commercial litigation, health care law, appellate practice, ethics, real estate law, and more.
Erin Gettel Selected as New Lawyer Representative for United States District Court, District of Nevada
Snell & Wilmer is pleased to announce that Associate Erin Gettel has been chosen as a new Lawyer Representative for the United States District Court, District of Nevada, by the Court’s Judges and the State Bar of Nevada Board of Governors. Lawyer Representatives play a crucial role in assisting the court in enhancing the administration of justice, providing valuable input on issues affecting the federal courts’ operations, and fostering improved dialogue between the court and the legal community.
Gettel, an associate in the firm’s commercial litigation practice group, brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles as an Assistant Federal Public Defender for the District of Nevada and a Term Law Clerk to The Hon. Jennifer A. Dorsey in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada. Recognizing the importance of pro bono and indigent defense work, Gettel is also a member of the District of Nevada’s Criminal Justice Act Panel and serves on the board of directors for the Rocky Mountain Innocence Center.
With a strong commitment to justice and legal advocacy, Gettel’s appointment as a Lawyer Representative underscores her dedication to upholding the principles of fairness and equity within the legal system.
