Programs would benefit from new distribution system

On Feb. 4, the Nevada Legislature meets for its biennual session. While every meeting of the state's governing bodies is important, this particular session holds special significance for the Nevada System of Higher Education and the College of Southern Nevada. Earlier, the NSHE's budget requests were submitted by the Board of Regents to Gov. Brian Sandoval.

You can read more about the benefits of the formula in CSN President Dr. Michael Richards' column but chief among them is that it is a formula that incentivizes our colleges and universities to do all they can to produce more highly skilled graduates into the Nevada workforce.

Perhaps the most important change is the recommendation that tuition and fees collected by CSN and other institutions remain with those institutions. This would allow better use of these dollars at the institutional level.

That is important because of efforts like the Business Administration Department's Business Incubator Program, an immersive learning program that allows students to develop and implement their own small businesses.

At the CSN Foundation's January Board meeting, Clarissa Cota, interim dean of the School for Business, Hospitality and Public Service, and Kevin Raiford, a faculty member for the Department of Business Administration, introduced several students who presented two of the nearly 20 new businesses recently developed in the program. Funding for the Business Incubator Program is provided by the CSN Foundation, which also contributes to completion initiatives toward advanced degrees; marketing and retail management programs; and student programming, among other initiatives for the Business School. These funds assist with licensing, materials and marketing supplies for these startup businesses.

"Revive" is a trademarked backpack product currently distributed in several states and Canada. These high-quality backpacks are soon-to-be "ready for prime time" with the launch of a broadcast commercial next month, in addition to its existing direct-to-consumer marketing efforts at major events around the Las Vegas Valley.

"Rebellious Culture," a line of fashion-related wear aimed at a target market of hip, young females, is being distributed in smaller boutique-type outlets in malls and promoted largely through social media channels. The success of both the "Revive" and "Rebellious Culture" entrepreneurs speaks to the high quality of the incubator program. The enthusiasm expressed by both the teams and individuals responsible for the ideas was palpable.

Programs like the Business Incubator are one of the many reasons that CSN is a treasured resource in Southern Nevada. By encouraging local students to develop ideas, market them and grow them right here in our backyard we have taken yet another step toward creating the next Tony Hsieh, a young entrepreneur who has arguably changed the downtown business community in Las Vegas for the better.

With a significant change to the state's funding formula, these programs will grow and thrive, contributing not only to the students' achievements but to the betterment of all of us who call Southern Nevada home.

Please consider assisting CSN with its grass roots efforts to persuade the Legislature to revise the current funding formula. By calling or writing your legislator, you can make a world of difference for the many students who need our assistance.

For more information on this and many other items of immediate need, contact the CSN Foundation offices at 702-651-7301 or foundation@csn.edu.

Peter O'Neill is the chairman of the CSN Foundation Board of Trustees and the vice president of public relations at R&R Partners.