About Us

Nevada STEM
Mentor Network

The Nevada STEM Mentor Network is a one-stop online resource that provides access to Nevada’s finest mentors and premier research projects in the STEM fields. We are committed to helping connect students and faculty to research opportunities statewide.

Who are we?

The System Sponsored Programs and EPSCoR Office (SSPO) is part of the Higher Education (NSHE). Our mission is to promote collaboration and multidisciplinary learning among NSHE institutions, and to enable alignment of our efforts with the needs of the state to increase research competitiveness. Our goal is to create new opportunities in the State of Nevada for workforce development and promote the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines for the state.

To support our goal and those of the Nevada Science & Technology Plan, prepared by the Research Affairs Council, a centralized platform to provide resources and networking opportunities necessary for successful research mentoring and partnerships is critical.

Who comprises the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE)

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) is comprised of two doctoral-granting universities, a state college, four comprehensive community colleges and one environmental research institute. NSHE serves the educational and job training needs of the nation’s fastest growing state. NSHE provides educational opportunities to more than 108,000 students and is governed by the Nevada Board of Regents.

The NSHE Nevada System Sponsored Programs and EPSCoR mission is to promote collaboration and multidisciplinary learning among NSHE institutions, and to enable alignment of their efforts with the needs of the state to increase research competitiveness. Their goal is to create new opportunities in the State of Nevada for workforce development and promote the development of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines for the state.

Institutions

Board Of Regents

An elected Board of Regents is responsible for the governance of the institutions comprising the Nevada System of Higher Education. Elected to serve a six-year term, the 13 Regents set policies and approve budgets for Nevada’s entire public system of higher education. The Board holds eight regular meetings each year as well as additional committee meetings. Regular meetings are rotated among the campuses throughout the state. All regular and committee meetings are open to the public.  View Current Regents

Research Affairs Council

GOALS/OBJECTIVES: The Research Affairs Council will strive to:

  • Collaboratively establish priorities, goals, and objectives for promoting statewide research efforts, including, but not limited to EPSCoR programs;
  • Review and update the NSHE Science and Technology Plan at least every five years;
  • Prepare reports to inform NSHE, including the Board of Regents on research activities, projects, outcomes, accomplishments and future directions/plans;
  • Proactively explore procedures, and mechanisms that will facilitate building collaborative research efforts between the NSHE research institutions of DRI, UNLV, and UNR;
  • Proactively explore procedures and mechanisms that will facilitate building collaborative research efforts between the NSHE research institutions of DRI, UNLV, UNR and regional, national, and international institutions/agencies;
  • Implement procedures and mechanisms to enhance the research competiveness and reputation of the NSHE research institutions of the DRI, UNLV, and UNR; and
  • Align the research expertise of NSHE research institutions with the economic development interests of the state and explore ways to leverage these research strengths.
Current Vice Presidents for Research:
Dr. Kumud Acharya
Desert Research Institute
Dr. Mary S. Croughan
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Dr. Mridul Gautam
University of Nevada, Reno

Nevada Science and Technology Plan

This Nevada Science and Technology Plan provides details about the directions, capability, and vision of the educational, research, and economic development efforts of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) and its community partners to frame future decisions about directions for Nevada and for public higher education.  View 2015 NSHE Science and Technology Plan

Contact

Michele Casella
Education, Outreach & Diversity Administrator
Nevada System of Higher Education
(702) 522-7076
Mayara Cueto-Diaz
NSF EPSCoR Program Coordinator
Nevada System of Higher Education
(702) 522-7083