CCSN Celebrates 35th Anniversary.

LAS VEGAS -- When classes start on Monday, Aug. 28, at the Community College of Southern Nevada, Nevada's largest institution of higher education will begin its 35th year of teaching.

As Dr. Richard G. Carpenter, CCSN president, notes in his online welcome message, CCSN enrolls more than 36,000 students from 48 states and 62 countries each semester. The Henderson, Cheyenne and Charleston campuses, active in June, July and August with summer classes, will be abuzz with full-scale activity as the fall term of the new school year begins. "Student success and academic excellence always come first at CCSN," Dr. Carpenter said. "We put students first -- it's a value embodied in every CCSN employee."

At CCSN, it's you...only better, with a host of academic choices: more than 3,000 courses available in more than 200 degree fields featuring 80 associate degrees and certificates of achievement. CCSN is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the United States, and the fourth-largest community college of its type. CCSN operates in more than 50 locations including its three main campuses and 11 academic learning centers distributed throughout four southern Nevada counties.

In 1968 billionaire Howard Hughes, who was buying Las Vegas hotels and casinos in the late 1960s, donated $250,000 toward establishing community colleges. By 1971 a building formerly housing the Las Vegas Review-Journal was leased to house Clark County Community College, which started classes with a total enrollment of 402 students. In 1972 enrollment burgeoned to 1,766 students.

In 1973 classes began at the Henderson Community Center. In 1975, when the Cheyenne campus opened, the community college reached an enrollment of 7,000. Total enrollment had grown to 11,500 students when fall classes opened at the new Henderson campus in 1981.

About CCSN

Founded in 1971, the Community College of Southern Nevada (www.CCSN.edu) is Nevada's largest college, graduating more than 70,000 students annually. CCSN has become one of the country's most exciting and dynamic community colleges with more than 100 degree and certificate programs in more than 200 career fields. Students can create flexible, personalized schedules including day, evening and weekend classes taught on three main campuses and more than 20 academic and learning centers. At CCSN, it's you...only better!