President Pollard
President DeRionne Pollard welcomes you to the beautiful and diverse Nevada State – one of the fastest growing colleges in the country – where our mission is to provide quality, affordable four-year degree programs and enhance the quality of life for a diverse population of students.
Meet Dr. Pollard
History was made in the Silver State on August 16, 2021, when Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard became the eighth president of Nevada State University. She is the first permanent Black woman president of the institution and any institution within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE). With broad and rich expertise in the higher education field, Dr. Pollard takes the reins at a critical time in the university’s history. Most importantly, she brings with her a compelling vision for Nevada State defined by three distinct influences: her upbringing, family, and belief in the potency of higher education. Pollard says, “I am a graduate of the Chicago Public Schools system; a former food stamps and public assistance recipient; a wife to a glorious woman I have loved for 30 years; a parent to a teenage boy who is our best thing, a first generation college completer; and an advocate and warrior for access to equitable, life-transforming education for all who seek to improve their lives and the communities in which we live and serve.”
Pollard is truly honored and humbled to lead the university, answering a “calling” to advance Nevada State University’s uncompromising focus on high-impact practices, courageous innovation, dignity through equity, and generational impact. “Nevada State University has a profound and awe-inspiring mission, and I want to be a part of the Nevada State impact and story.” She describes in nearly every interaction she has that robust partnering—building intentional relationships to drive social justice and community vitality—is essential to the work of higher education in this moment. “I work hard to be an informed and engaged leader within the communities I have the privilege of serving; co-creation to solve community challenges, advance community strengths, and build community capacity forms the basis of how I plan to advance the value proposition of Nevada State throughout the state.”
Biography
Dr. DeRionne Pollard is the current president of Nevada State University. She was appointed by the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents in April to lead Nevada State, a four-year public comprehensive institution. Nevada State is one of the fastest-growing colleges in the country and is designated as a Minority Serving Institute (MSI), Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPI). Nevada State University also advances phenomenal teaching and superb student support to expand and diversify an educated workforce, thereby protecting social justice and economic mobility. Dr. Pollard began her tenure on Aug. 16, 2021.
Dr. Pollard is the first Black female president of any NSHE institution. She has held previous roles at the College of Lake County and served as president of both Montgomery College and Las Positas College.
Dr. Pollard is deeply connected to her community, serving on the Board of Directors for the Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance (LVGEA), the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, the Vegas Chamber of Commerce, and Nevada Public Radio (KNPR). Nationally, Dr. Pollard is a member of the Center for First-Generation Student Success Advisory Board for the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), serves on the Board of Directors for Generation Hope, a transformative non-profit focused on the success of parenting college students and their children, the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) national board, and most recently she has been appointed to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) board.
Dr. Pollard was named one of Washington’s 100 Most Powerful Women by Washingtonian Magazine, won a 2017 Academic Leadership Award from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and a Visionary Award from the Washington Area Women’s Foundation. She holds a bachelor’s and a master’s of arts in English from Iowa State University and a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies in higher education from Loyola University Chicago.
Updates from the President
NSHE Board of Regents Launches National Search for Next President of Nevada State College
The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents on Friday, November 13, 2020 officially launched a national search for the next president of Nevada State College. NSHE Chancellor Melody Rose, Board of Regents Chair Mark Doubrava along with…
In the Press
January 16, 2025: KSNV-TV, Raiders commit $100K to start women’s flag football at Nevada State University
December 16, 2024: Las Vegas Sun, Expectations for growth high at Nevada State University
November 27, 2024: The Nevada Independent, University leaders discuss a second Trump term, easing friction with Legislature
July 31, 2024: The Nevada Independent, Nevada State commemorates one year as a university with sights on the future
July 5, 2024: KLAS-TV – Amid challenges, Nevada State University flourishes with 7,000 students
October 25, 2023: Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, 2023 Leadership Award
August 9, 2023: Inside Higher Education, Following a Trend, Nevada State College is Now a University
July 21, 2023: The Nevada Independent, University’s name change invigorates support of Latino students
July 8, 2023: The Nevada Independent, Indy Q&A: DeRionne Pollard on why it’s ‘high time’ for Nevada State University name change
June 13, 2023: Las Vegas Sun, Lombardo signs bill granting university status to Nevada State College
July 31, 2022: Las Vegas Sun — Reclaiming the teaching mission in Nevada
August 11, 2022: KLAS-TV –Nevada State College plans for improvements, expansion as attendance grows
August 11, 2022: Las Vegas Weekly Back to School Edition – President DeRionne Pollard Helps Grow and Improve Nevada State College
July 31, 2022: Las Vegas Sun — Reclaiming the teaching mission in Nevada
June 27, 2022: KTNV – NSC president: Endorsing public education key to economic growth
May 26, 2022: KNPR’s State of Nevada, “Nevada is churning out nurses and teachers: but are they thinkers?”
September 25, 2021: Las Vegas Review Journal, “COMMENTARY: Nevada State College stands ready to serve in the Battle Born tradition”
Presidential Recognitions
October 25, 2023: Las Vegas Global Economic Alliance, 2023 Leadership Award
February 2, 2023: YurLV, 2023 Black History Month Honoree
August 11, 2022: Las Vegas Weekly Back to School Edition – President DeRionne Pollard Helps Grow and Improve Nevada State College