Presidential Scholarships Help UNLV Students

In 2013, Nevada State Bank established a scholarship fund totaling $100,000, to be distributed to students of UNLV’s Lee Business School who need financial aid to pursue undergraduate degrees. Six students are currently receiving funds from the Nevada State Bank Presidential Scholarship, and some of them are preparing for graduation in Spring 2018.

“We are proud to play a part in helping these students reach their educational goals,” said Nevada State Bank President and CEO Terry Shirey. “These young people represent the next generation of business leaders, and by assisting them, we are making an investment in Nevada’s future that will pay off for all of us.”

Constandina (Dina) Ciulla, a freshman in UNLV’s Honors College, is enrolled in the pre-business program thanks to a Presidential Scholarship. A Las Vegas native, Ciulla is a graduate of Faith Lutheran High School. Her short-term goal is to earn a finance degree so she can become a financial analyst in the hospitality industry. “After I become stable in my career and build up connections, I’d like to create a non-profit,” she shared. “As a Type 1 diabetic, I am managing my disease well, but I know many others are not. I’d like to help people get the information, supplies and resources they need to manage their diabetes.” 

Judith Fuentes, a freshman currently receiving financial aid through a Presidential Scholarship, said, “I am majoring in International Business, studying my two passions: business and culture. The financial assistance provided by Nevada State Bank is a great help in paying for my educational expenses. Being a first-generation student and coming from a low-income family has its obstacles, but I have learned that everything is possible with determination and to never give up on your dreams.” Fuentes, whose parents are immigrants from Mexico, has lived in Las Vegas since age 4. After college, she hopes to work for a company that has connections with Spanish-speaking countries. She also wants to help other members of Nevada’s Hispanic community with residency challenges and economic struggles.

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Nevada State Bank has been committed to improving education in Nevada since its founding in 1959. In addition to funding college scholarships, it supports Communities in Schools of Nevada, the local affiliate of the nation’s leading dropout prevention program. CIS Nevada works on-site in schools to assess students’ needs and provides resources to help them stay in school – everything from food and clothing to school supplies and tutoring.

Nevada State Bank also supports Ruby Thomas Elementary School, an at-risk school in Las Vegas, through a program with the Clark County School District. The bank provides financial assistance for the school’s education efforts, and bank colleagues volunteer for Nevada Reading Week at Ruby Thomas and teach financial literacy programs such as Banking on Your Future and Teach Children to Save^®, a program of the American Bankers Association.

Sandi Milton, senior vice president, marketing communications for Nevada State Bank, serves on the board for Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, whose programs foster financial literacy and workforce readiness. Bank volunteers teach Junior Achievement lessons in classrooms and also participate in JA’s annual Finance Park, which helps students develop financial skills through hands-on experience. “Helping improve education in Nevada is just one of the ways Nevada State Bank shows its commitment to our core value of Community,” said Milton. “Through our support for students from kindergarten through college, we’re helping make Nevada a better place to live.”

The information provided is presented for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal or business advice. Any views expressed in this article may not necessarily be those of Nevada State Bank, a division of Zions Bancorporation, N.A. Member FDIC