Washington, D.C. — Nevada’s higher education leaders played a prominent role at the 2026 Community College National Legislative Summit, advocating for the vital role community colleges play in workforce development and expanding opportunity.
Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Regents and college presidents joined over 1,250 advocates in Washington, D.C., to discuss key issues facing community colleges nationwide.
- NSHE Regent Carol Del Carlo, as chair of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) Board of Directors, welcomed leaders to the summit.
- Regents Heather Brown and Amy Carvalho joined Del Carlo, along with the presidents of Nevada’s four public community colleges and other NSHE officials.
- The summit featured remarks from DeRionne Pollard, Ph.D., President and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
- Attendees represented 315 colleges from 36 states.
Regent Del Carlo delivered opening greetings and participated in key program moments, including the luncheon keynote featuring CNN’s Manu Raju, according to a post on LinkedIn. Nevada was well represented throughout the summit, with Regents Brown and Carvalho also in attendance, alongside the presidents of the state’s four public community colleges and additional NSHE leadership.
Why It Matters
Community colleges are increasingly critical to addressing workforce shortages and providing accessible pathways to higher education. The participation of Nevada’s leaders at the national summit underscores the state’s commitment to these goals. With more than 1,250 advocates representing colleges from 36 states in attendance, the summit provided a crucial forum for discussing federal policies and funding priorities that impact these institutions. The presence of DeRionne Pollard, formerly of Nevada State University and now leading the AACC, further highlights Nevada’s influence in the national conversation surrounding community college education.
“Community colleges play a central role in expanding opportunity and supporting workforce needs in Nevada and across the nation,” the LinkedIn post stated.
The summit brought together advocates from 315 colleges across the country, demonstrating the broad reach and importance of community colleges in the American higher education landscape.
