Welcome!
I am Irene Cepeda, I am a mamá, wife, higher education professional, college access/completion advocate, and youth leadership supporter.
I have spent my entire life working and serving public education in Nevada.
I am a product of public education. I attended to Fay Herron Elementary School, Von Tobel Middle School and Canyon Springs High School. I graduated with my Bachelors and Masters in Education from UNLV.
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ENDORSEMENTS
MY SHARED STORY
Growing up, my mother and father worked long hours, my dad as an exterminator and my mother in the kitchens at the Bellagio. They migrated to the United States from Nicaragua in the 1980s fleeing instability. I was lucky to have great teachers who believed in me, challenging curriculum, and parents who ensured that education and extracurricular activities were always a priority in our home.
Programs like GEAR UP and the Latino Youth Leadership Conference helped me earn a Masters of Education and a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Latin American Studies from UNLV. I’ve been blessed with an amazing career in Higher Education. I love my work and the community I live and serve in.
In 2020, my family doubled. Motherhood has broadened my compassion, patience, and perseverance. I support and fight for a quality public education because every child has the right to a quality education.
EXPERIENCE
I have over 12 years of educational experience.
Present:
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Title V Project Director, NSC College of Education
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Adult Facilitator, Latino Youth Leadership Foundation
Past:
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Director and Past Chair, Latino Youth Leadership Conference
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GEAR UP Ambassador | College Access Specialist, College of Southern Nevada.
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Teaching Assistant, UNLV College of Education
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Graduate Assistant, Associate for the Study of Higher Education
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Service-Learning Coordinator, College of Southern Nevada
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Program Instructor, After-School All-Stars
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Economic Development Assistant, City of North Las Vegas
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Intern, CCSD Real Property Management
Professional Presentations:
“Cultivando Mentes/ Cultivating Minds: Building a Community of Care to Support Teacher Candidates of Color.” Presented to NSHE Diversity Summit, October 2021
“Growing Our Own: Serving and Supporting Future Latinx Educators.” Presented to Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), March 2021
“Transformando Caminos/Transforming Pathways.” Presented to NSHE Transfer Summit, March 2021
“Why Teach? Building a Diverse Teacher Pipeline in the State of Nevada.” Presented to NSHE Southern Nevada Diversity Summit, October 2019
“Messaging Grit: Intent and Mindfulness for Practitioners.” Presented to State ACT Conference, February 2016
“Grit and Belongingness, It's in the Details.” Presented to GEAR UP West Conference, October 2014
“Feedback, Conflict, and Communication.” Presented to Sigma Omega Nu National Conference, August 2013
CONTACT IRENE
Paid for by Friends of Irene Cepeda