Speakers

Jhone Ebert is the Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Nevada Department of Education. A lifelong educator, she began her career as a math teacher, later working as chief technology officer and chief innovation and productivity officer in Clark County School District, and as Senior Deputy Commissioner for P-20 Education at New York State Education Department.  Superintendent Ebert champions equity and accessibility, seeking to close opportunity gaps and narrow the digital divide.

Through the COVID-19 pandemic, she has worked to provide support and flexibility to districts and schools, while ensuring that vulnerable students receive the services they need, including nutrition services, broadband and devices, special education services, English learner supports, professional development for teachers, and social-emotional supports and resources for all community members. This work would not be possible without the relationships and knowledge gained during her 2019 Statewide Listening Tour, during which she visited all 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority. 

Ebert is the recipient of numerous professional honors and awards, including the National School Board Association’s Technology Leadership Network 20 to Watch, CCSD Excellence in Education Hall of Fame Award, Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics Teaching, the Fulbright Hayes Program scholarship, and an ISTE Impact Award.

The Rotary Youth Exchange program is a long-standing program that has been supported by our local Rotary Clubs in both sending and receiving students wanting a foreign exchange experience.  Bob Connor will be giving a brief history of the program, as well as providing student selection criteria and host family responsibilities, qualifications and expectations.  Those who have participated as a student or host famly create relationships that last a lifetime.

Fred Lokken is Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Business, History & Political Science Department at TMCC.  Fred is in his 29th year at TMCC and devoted 20 years to various administrative positions including Dean of WebCollege. He is recognized as a leading expert on Nevada politics and annually participates in numerous interviews  and speaking engagements.  Fred is currently the Executive Commissioner for Nevada Western Interstate Commision of Higher Education (WICHE) as well as past chair of the Instructional Technology Council (ITC), an affiliated council of the American Association of Community Colleges

He will be speaking on the following topics related to the 2021 Nevada Legislative Session with time for questions at the end:

  - political make-up of Assembly/State Senate

  - major issues facing the session

  - interesting legislation

  - redistricting

  - budget during a pandemic

- 2022 political prognostications 

  - Governor's race

  - CD2/other congressional races

  - US Senate race

  - Impact of redistricting

  - changing state demographics:  Is Nevada permanently Blue?

Achievement Beyond Obstacles (ABO Reno) began in 1996 as a local Rotary Club program to support youth in our community, specifically students in their senior year of high school who despite having faced enormous personal challenges, found a way to stay on a road to graduation.  The program has grown to be a charitable 501c (3) foundation with the support of three additional Rotary Clubs and all 20 high schools in Washoe County, including charter and private schools, have counselors select as many as 40 students to participate each year.

The students attend a Leadership Weekend led by nationally recognized trainers, Dean & Rochelle Wellhams where in a short amount of time, these young adults gain tools that will help lead them to success in school and in life.  In addition to self-discovery and confidence building, the program provides additional training to help the students navigate the steps necessary to further their education whether it be community college, a four-year institution or trade school.  The program includes a Financial Literacy Workshop, Speaking Workshop, and interaction with Dean's Future Scholars.

At this luncheon, you will hear from some of the students about their journey to graduation and their plans for the future.  it will be a very inspiring program!