Las Vegas Sands Expands Support for National Hispanic Institute
In a significant commitment to community empowerment, Las Vegas Sands (LVS) has pledged nearly $350,000 to the National Hispanic Institute (NHI) for the academic years 2024-2025 through 2026-2027. This funding aims to support a transformative leadership development program designed specifically for Latino high school students in Las Vegas.
The new funding builds on a previous grant that established NHI's presence in Las Vegas and provided essential support for student stipends and organizational expenses. Over the past three years, Sands Cares funding enabled 97 students to complete NHI's leadership programs, with more than 25 returning as volunteers to give back to their community.
Students enrolled in NHI begin their leadership journey as rising sophomores by participating in the Great Debate, where they enhance their communication skills and prepare for community engagement. As juniors, they delve deeper into governance and policy-making through the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session. By the time they reach their senior year, students engage in the Collegiate World Series, which focuses on college admissions and developing community leadership skills.
Nicole Nieto, executive VP of NHI, emphasizes the immense value of Sands' continued support, stating, "Sands has made it possible for us to immerse high-achieving Las Vegas students into our multi-level leadership development training, which progressively prepares them to be successful in both the public and private sectors, as well as in their personal lives."
为2024-2025学年的资金将用于覆盖学生的学费、赛事旅行费用、表彰仪式、学生公民项目、筹款活动和当地管理员的薪水,后者将负责管理程序,与地方志愿者联盟协调并开展社区外展。此外,NHI打算为有意成为下一届NHI高中项目候选人的八年级学生举办为期一天的领导力项目,并为家长、学校和社区成员发布拉斯维加斯年度报告。
Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs at Sands, remarked on the positive impact of NHI's curriculum on participating students, highlighting that it aligns perfectly with Sands' mission to cultivate a diverse and capable future workforce. He noted, "Students leave NHI's programs with increased confidence, new skill sets, and a vision for their futures that surpasses their previous beliefs. It is a remarkable experience, and we encourage local students to take the journey."
For students interested in applying, NHI is currently accepting applications for its upcoming program cycle until February 28. Eligibility requires ninth graders to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and tenth graders to have a GPA of 3.2 or above, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds to apply. Interested individuals can contact Regina Legarreta at
email protected] or visit [National Hispanic Institute for more information on the application process.
To gain further insights into Sands' community initiatives and its emphasis on workforce development, readers can refer to the company's latest ESG report available
here.
About the National Hispanic Institute
Founded in 1979, the National Hispanic Institute focuses on enhancing the leadership capacities within the Latino community via structured programs aimed at high-achieving, college-bound high school students. The organization collaborates with schools, colleges, and local sponsors, forming partnerships that fortify its mission to cultivate the next generation of Hispanic leaders.
About Las Vegas Sands
As a globally recognized leader in integrated resort development, Las Vegas Sands operates several high-profile properties. The company is committed to delivering economic benefits to its host communities while fostering significant investment back into those regions. Sands is also dedicated to corporate responsibility, with a focus on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives that underline its business practices. Learn more about Sands and its community-focused projects at
Sands.com.