Stepping into November

BLOG POST

Continuing with our new feature this year for our blog, writers can write a blog or tell us their Top 5! This month we are featuring the Top 5 Things you LOVE about Nevada, from Josh Loftis, GEAR UP Program Officer at NDE. You can read it here!

NDE Spring Training

January 26th

NDE has scheduled our required spring training for Monday, January 26th. This year we are just having a one-day session instead of the usual two half-days. Fortunately, this date coincides with some of the school's in-service days which is helpful for their schedules. Per our usual practice, the NSHE team will be having their Team Building Day the following day at the NSHE office. This will also just be a one day session.

Next Grant Application

Spring 2026

Thank you to everyone that completed NDE's recent survey. This information will be used to help formulate the plan for the upcoming 2026 grant competition. Our program is due to write again in 2026. Your insight will help everyone at NDE that will be putting the application together. There should be more information in the coming months.

2nd Annual Nevada FAFSA Challenge

October - March

With the shutdown officially over, we are hoping to start getting completion information soon. Regardless, the competition is on! There are more chances to win this year with the three winners based on senior class size: small 1-199, medium 200-499, and large 500+. More information is available on the website: https://apply.nevada.edu/fafsa-challenge/. Can a GEAR UP school win again?

Social Media

(For all students, parents, staff and supporters)

If you have any suggestions for our social media, let Jana or Janet know! We are open to new ideas to help grow our following! Don't forget to like and follow @gearupnv on any or all of our social media platforms! You can use the icons above to access the GEAR UP accounts. We would love for you to tag us and interact whenever possible!

GEAR UP West Highlights

The GEAR UP West Conference brought together education leaders, advocates, and practitioners from across the region for three days of learning, collaboration, and celebration in Portland, Oregon. The conference opened with afternoon registration with a warm and energetic Welcome Dinner and Presentation, offering a first opportunity to connect with colleagues and partners.

The first full day of programming began with an inspiring Keynote Breakfast, Mark Yaconelli is a writer, retreat leader, community builder, spiritual director, storycatcher, husband, and father. He is the founder and executive director of The Hearth. Then followed by a robust schedule of breakout sessions focused on college access, student success, and innovative program strategies. A midday Keynote Luncheon Dr. Sabrina Klein is a Research Associate in MDRC’s K-12 Education Policy Area. At MDRC, she specializes in rigorous qualitative and mixed methods research, leading studies that explore the complexities of educational systems across the country further energizing participants, and the afternoon continued with additional breakout offerings. As many as 50 conference attendees got to go on a campus tour to Portland State University. The day ended on a high note during the evening Conference Social, which provided networking and community-building opportunities.

The final day opened with another dynamic Keynote Breakfast Mónica Guzmán is a bridge builder, journalist, and author who lives for great conversations sparked by curious questions. Then continued with breakout sessions that allowed attendees to deepen their knowledge and exchange best practices. The conference concluded with a celebratory Lunch featuring the GEAR UP West Professional of the Year Presentation, honoring outstanding leadership and contributions to GEAR UP programs across the region.

NSHE Intro Events

This fall, we hosted our annual NSHE kickoffs for GEAR UP students and their families. Similar to last year, the NSHE team hosted a large-scale event for each school district with in-state college and scholarship information, as well as FAFSA support being provided. Over 150 GEAR UP students and families were able to attend across the three districts, with support from each NSHE institution, the Nevada Treasurer’s Office, the Nevada Promise Scholarship, and the Public Education Foundation. Thank you to all of the GEAR UP staff and guests that made these events possible! Special thanks to Troy Watts (NV Treasurer’s Office), Mario Rodriguez (UNLV), Joy Cooper (NSU), Kelly Briggs (GBC), and Jana Burd (NSHE) for traveling across the state to attend multiple events throughout this series!

Health Physics Special Guest

Our GEAR UP Power Hours are a time where students are able to learn more about various colleges and career options, often through interactive presentations and workshops with guest speakers. This fall, Miss Jana collaborated with Ms. Tracie Clemons, a senior health physicist with the Los Alamos National Laboratory at the Nevada National Security Site, to bring a fun and informative presentation on health physics to Nevada GEAR UP students. Ms. Clemons traveled to multiple GEAR UP schools, sharing her experience, knowledge, and additional resources with Nevada GEAR UP students. She even created a radiation simulation to show students what they could experience if they chose to go into the field of health physics! Students and staff both shared how this was one of their favorite presentations to date, and we look forward to being able to have Ms. Clemons back in the future!

December Awareness Calendars, NSHE Intro Events, and Health Physics Power Hour Photos