Nevada State University honored several community leaders and organizations during its third annual Community Awards celebration, according to a May 14 statement. The event recognized partners whose support has helped expand educational access, strengthen workforce development, and create new opportunities for students in Nevada.
The awards highlight the importance of collaboration between the university and local businesses, nonprofits, civic leaders, and advocates. These partnerships are seen as essential to advancing student success and broadening opportunities for the region’s diverse population.
The 2026 honorees included Roberto’s Taco Shop, Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, Walter Hashimoto, Las Vegas Raiders Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations Piper Overstreet-White, and the City of North Las Vegas. Each was recognized for their ongoing commitment to Nevada State’s mission. Overstreet-White received individual recognition for her support through her role with the Raiders. Dr. Amber Lopez Lasater, acting president of Nevada State University said: “These milestones happen because businesses invest in scholarships, because nonprofits create experiential learning opportunities, because civic leaders expand access to education, and because community advocates believe in our students before those students even believe in themselves. Tonight’s honorees represent exactly that spirit.”
The celebration comes as Nevada State marked its largest graduating class ever earlier this month with more than 900 graduates crossing the stage. The university also surpassed 10,000 alumni this year; over 60 percent of this year’s graduates identified as first-generation college graduates.
Roberto’s Taco Shop was honored for over a decade of scholarship support benefiting first-generation and underserved students across Southern Nevada. Junior Achievement was recognized for hands-on learning initiatives preparing future educators and professionals. Walter Hashimoto received acknowledgment for his service as a mentor supporting institutional growth.
Piper Overstreet-White was celebrated for helping advance student-athlete opportunities through her work with the Raiders during the launch of Nevada State’s inaugural athletics program in the 2025–26 academic year. The City of North Las Vegas was acknowledged for partnering on a new campus set to open in fall 2027—an investment aimed at expanding educational access in one of Nevada’s fastest-growing regions.
Erin Keller, vice president of advancement at Nevada State University said: “Our community partners continue to invest in students, strengthen pathways to opportunity, and help us create transformative experiences that will impact Nevada for generations to come.”
Nevada State University promotes inclusive excellence while supporting students from diverse backgrounds; it offers more than fifty degree programs on its Henderson campus designed around personalized learning experiences with small class sizes; it operates within southern Nevada as part of the state higher education system; it serves many first-generation college students; its mission is focused on transforming lives through student success initiatives and innovative teaching practices—all according to the official website.
