April 16, 2019
Carson City, NV – Today, Governor Steve Sisolak announced that he has accepted an invitation to join the Board of Directors for Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG), a state-based national non-profit organization dedicated to preventing dropouts among young people who have serious barriers to graduation and/or employment.Gov. Sisolak joins 16 other current and former governors from both parties – the largest contingent of governors on any nonprofit board – as well as other state and federal leaders and members of the business community on the board.
“I am honored to join my fellow governors on the JAG Board of Directors,” Gov. Sisolak said. “Ensuring Nevada’s students are prepared for success after graduating high school is one of my top priorities as governor, which is why public education and workforce development are cornerstones of my executive budget, and why it includes additional funding for Nevada’s JAG programs. I look forward to working with my fellow board members to expand JAG in Nevada and help America’s young people overcome barriers and get on the path to success.”
“The news of Governor Sisolak joining the board is incredibly gratifying news to the JAG family,” said Dr. René Cantú Jr., executive director of JAG Nevada. “For JAG students, the governor’s election tells them the governor’s top priority is their success and the success of all their fellow Nevada students; not only in terms of education, but in terms of career and economic success and prosperity. We give him our warmest welcome to the JAG family!”
Through its 34 state affiliates, JAG’s mission is to increase opportunity and reduce poverty by helping youth of promise to improve their educational and workforce outcomes. Joining the JAG Board of Directors aligns with Gov. Sisolak’s experience in higher education and business and his priority of bridging the gap between K-12, higher education, and workforce development in preparing Nevada’s workforce of the future. Gov. Sisolak included a funding enhancement of nearly $2.3 million over last biennium towards JAG Nevada programs in his 2019-2021 budget.
JAG Nevada serves over 3,000 high school students via 54 programs in 42 Nevada high schools in 12 Nevada counties/school districts.Nearly three-quarters of JAG Nevada participants are students of color or multiracial students, and program participants go on to overcome barriers to success such as high absenteeism, low grade point averages, credit deficiencies, and socio-economic, academic and familial challenges. JAG Nevada has achieved a 94% graduation rate for the class of 2017 and a 96% graduation rate for the class of 2018 after 12 months of intensive follow-up. Nearly 90% of JAG graduates work full time, attend post-secondary education full time, or combine work and school as a full-time endeavor.
CONTACT: Helen Kalla
Communications Director