rcaspersen's blog

As a college student from humble means, I believe in the value of a quality education to transform a life.  I’m a graduating senior at UNLV studying Business Economics, and I am interning here at UWSN with the Social Innovation team. I am impressed by the quality of the people and programs here, and I get to add to it in a meaningful way. I’m thrilled that I am now contributing to a project aimed at improving academic achievement among the most economically vulnerable in town.

We are excited to welcome back Sarah J. McCrea, EMTP, RN, from Las Vegas Fire and Rescue to share an update on the Community Nurse Call Line, a collaboration between the Southern Nevada Health District, Nevada 2-1-1 and first response agencies to address the needs of our community through the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

With the introduction of United Way of Southern Nevada's 2016-2021 Strategic Plan, five organizational values have been identified to help shape our work. In a new series of blog posts, United Way staff members share these values and what they mean to them. Our Vice President of Finance, John Johnson ("JJ") shares our first value, integrity, and how it plays a role in his day to day work.

As part of our ongoing commitment to improving lives in our community, we are excited to welcome James Dzurenda, Director of the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC), to share how the NDOC is introducing new data-driven programming to provide rehabilitation and help inmates avoid relapsing into criminal behavior.

As part of our ongoing commitment to health, we are excited to welcome Sarah J. McCrea, EMTP, RN, from Las Vegas Fire and Rescue to share how the Southern Nevada Health District is collaborating with Nevada 2-1-1 and first response agencies to address the needs of our community through the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP).

I have the great honor to announce that I have accepted the new position of Manager of United Way of Southern Nevada’s Young Philanthropists Society. The joy of being a member is indescribable, but being a part of the YPS leadership team is even more amazing. Every day, I am surrounded by inspirational young leaders in our community and immersed in their commitment to creating a better future. Every single member is dedicated to making a lasting change in the lives of the youth of Southern Nevada.

At the Clark County Election Department, we aim to deliver an election that is honest, transparent and responsive to the needs of our residents, while ensuring that voters are confident in the integrity of every election. Our collaboration with the United Way of Southern Nevada during this primary election helped us reach you, the voters, and provided you with information about when and where to cast your ballot.

As VP of Community & Government Relations, a large part of my work is advocating for the issues that impact our work in education, health, and financial stability. This includes participating on state and local boards that set policy.  For example, I serve on the TLC (Nevada Teachers and Leaders Council) which is creating the evaluation system for teachers and leaders; JAG Nevada, helping students graduate and be workforce and/or college ready;  the Nevada ESSA Advisory Group and the CCSD Superintendent’s Advisory Council.

For the past two years, my husband and I have been "empty nesters" with both of our children in college. Our daughter graduates in May and we are currently waiting to see if she is moving back to Las Vegas for employment. This is an exciting time for her as she is starting a new chapter in her life and we are ready to see the incredible things she will accomplish.

Beginning my sixth month as a resident of Las Vegas, I am excited to share that we have (finally!) found and purchased a home in the west Valley. It is complicated doing a home search when you have three generations (our five kids, Stephanie and myself, my mom and a dog) living under one roof. We are anxiously looking forward to the end of the school year in Buffalo, getting our home there sold, and having the whole family here in Nevada.