Jobs for Nevada’s Graduates inspires, supports and mentors students to create a powerful and positive future.
Ensuring students graduate and reach their potential.
When you put a caring adult in the life of a young person who is struggling or feels lost, you change the trajectory of their future. That is what J4NG does. We don’t just help a student graduate and consider our mission accomplished. It’s not. Instead, we are committed to inspiring, supporting and mentoring every student in J4NG to reach their fullest potential. Our organization has a passion not just to help students avoid negative outcomes, but to launch them on the path of creating their own brighter futures and a brighter future for all of us!
When you put a caring adult in the life of a young person who is struggling or feels lost, you change the trajectory of their future. That is what J4NG does. We don’t just help a student graduate and consider our mission accomplished. It’s not. Instead, we are committed to inspiring, supporting and mentoring every student in JAG Nevada to reach their fullest potential. Our organization has a passion not just to help students avoid negative outcomes, but to launch them on the path of creating their own brighter futures and a brighter future for all of us!
ISABELLE, Class of 2017
When her plans to attend her university of choice fell through, 2017 JAG Nevada graduate Isabelle applied for the Tesla Manufacturing Development Program at the Sparks Gigafactory. There, she enjoyed an excellent starting salary, benefits, and stock options. It also gave Isabelle an intensive, paid apprenticeship. Today, Isabelle plans to continue her journey at Tesla, and advance her knowledge in robotics and automation. She also serves as a peer mentor for JAG Nevada students following in her footsteps.
JAG Nevada = Balance
Hear one students’ thoughts about the JAG Nevada program.
Low Cost, High Impact, and 4 Decades of Results.
Jobs for America’s Graduates works. Nationally, Jobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) students have achieved 90% plus graduation rates in 39 states for over 40 years. In Nevada, 96% of JAG Nevada students graduate from high school. This is remarkable as students were identified when their grades dropped, attendance declined or they ran into disciplinary problems. Each and every JAG Nevada student that graduates is a big win because their success was previously in peril.
JAG Nevada is the gateway to career pathways too, and 93% of 2019 graduates found themselves working full-time, going to college full-time or combining both for a full-time endeavor. At a cost under $1,400 per student per year, JAG Nevada delivers the highest outcomes by providing students with a minimum of 120 contact hours per student per year.
You Can Make a Difference
Volunteer, Donate, Get Involved.
Please support young Nevadans’ futures. Your J4NG investment will yield a lifetime of dividends in families uplifted and communities transformed. Explore recent data from Program Year 2019-2020 to see total enrollment and entry data as well as key outcomes for program graduates.
JAG NEVADA PROGRAMS
Graduation and Workforce Development Programs
The Multi-Year Graduation and Workforce Development Programs help 9th to 12th graders prepare for and successfully complete high school and connect to a career pathway. Youth identified as benefiting from this program are enrolled in the elective credit Employability Skills class at their high school and remain in the program for 12 months following graduation. Located in 51 high schools serving 15 of Nevada’s 17 counties, youth that might not have graduated are now on a path to a successful future.
Workforce Pathways Program
Following high school graduation, youth participate in the Workforce Pathways Program receiving assistance to enter job skills training whether through an apprenticeship, accreditation program or traditional post-secondary education. Working with many community training partners such as TESLA, Kinross, CSN, TMCC, GBC, Tech Impact and many others, JAG Nevada provides opportunities to engage youth ready to learn and succeed.
The total cost of the Workforce Pathways Program is $900,000. $500,000 (56%) is funded through US Department of Labor via Workforce Pathways Grant. The other 44% is funded through non-Federal resources.
Here is a link to our EO Notice
Supportive Service Program
Youth enter the JAG Nevada program with an average of 7 barriers (there are 38 identified barriers that fall into these categories: academic, economic, familial, or environmental) that interfere with reaching graduation and employment. The Supportive Service program provides resources to remove these barriers to education and/or employment and can take many forms: helping youth obtain a work card, apply to college, access transportation to school or work, purchase necessary job attire or tools, etc. A seemingly small investment pays dividends for the future of our youth and the community.
JAG Nevada STAFF
The management team at JAG Nevada, led by Dr. Rene Cantu is composed of professionals who are committed to student-centered success.
Stephanie Cochrane
Program Manager
Stacy Skubinna
Program Manager
Sean McGrath
Accountant
Rene Cantu
Executive Director
Peggy Oliver
Accountant
Jean Irvine
Administrative Assistant
Narayan Gill
Data Analyst and Training Manager
Melyssa Montehermoso
Program Manager
Mathew Stallworth
Assistant State Program Director
Kristel-Ann Galarce
Program Manager
Francisco Rivero
State Director of Programs
Debbie Tarantino
Director of Finance and Operations
Shianne Farnsworth
Special Projects Manager
Brenda Ford
HR Administrator
Ann Wozniak
Development Director
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
JAG Nevada is governed by a statewide Board of Directors with the majority selected from private business and industry.
Vince Saavedra
So Nevada Building Trade Unions
Tray Abney
Board Secretary | Abney Tauchen Group
Tracy Brown-May
Nevada State Assembly Dist 42
Reuben D’Silva
Nevada State Assembly Dist 28
Paul Moradkhan
Chamber of Commerce
Omar Saucedo
AT&T
Nancy Brune
Guinn Center for Policy Priorities
Matt Morris
Holland and Hart LLP
Marina McHatton
Nevada Dept of Education
Maria Jose Gatti
Board Chair / MGM
Katon Bethay
Amazon
Juanita Fain
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Jennifer Day
Independent Consultant
JC Cudiamat
Enterprise Bank
Jay Bloom
Pegasus Group Holdings
Janice Newman
Board VP / Newman HR, LLC
Hannah Brown
Urban Chamber of Commerce
Gabriel Gonzalez
NV Virtual Academy | Board Treasurer
Frank Woodbeck
CSN
Chris Reilly
Advisory Committee TESLA
Chelsea Capurro
Griffin Company
Cecil Fielder
Workforce Connections
Brian Formisano
Wells Fargo
Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell
CCSD Interim Superintendent
Alex Farley
Aristocrat Technology
Join the Team
Open Positions
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to hr@j4ng.org
Specialist – Various locations
This position is the heart and soul of J4NG. As a Specialist, you work in a school setting inspiring, supporting and mentoring students to create a powerful and positive future. There are various openings in Las Vegas and other locations.
Click here for full job description
Please indicate in your cover letter if you currently hold a valid teaching or substitute license.
Open Positions
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to hradmin@jagnevada.org
Specialist Substitute – Various locations
We are seeking substitute Specialists to be on call when our classroom Specialist is not able to lead the class. The substitute Specialist will provide an environment conducive to the intellectual, physical, social and emotional development of the students in the JAG Nevada program.
Click here for the full job description
Specialist – Various locations
This position is the heart and soul of JAG Nevada. As a Specialist, you work in a school setting inspiring, supporting and mentoring students to create a powerful and positive future. Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a specialist, and we can let you know what positions are available.
Click here for the full job description
Please indicate in your cover letter if you currently hold a valid teaching or substitute license.
JAG Nevada Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Statement
J4NG’s vision and mission reflect our fundamental belief that all people belong and deserve fairness, justice, and inclusivity.
J4NG is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the education and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.
At J4NG:
- We will foster and maintain a safe environment of respect and inclusion for employees, students, and members of the communities we serve.
- We will educate our employees and students to be social justice advocates, creatively providing curricula, programs, and environments that reflect the diversity of our communities, and elevate cultural awareness.
- We will ensure fair and inclusive access to our partner school locations, programs, resources, and services, and also ensure that all of our policies and practices are inclusive and equitable.
- We will advance and build our workforce by assessing hiring practices and performance review procedures to attract, retain, and develop talented employees from diverse backgrounds.
- We will address intergroup disparities in areas such as representation, retention, learning outcomes, and graduation rates.
JAG Nevada’s vision and mission reflect our fundamental belief that all people belong and deserve fairness, justice, and inclusivity.
JAG Nevada is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, leverage the education and institutional benefits of diversity, and engage all individuals to help them thrive. We value inclusion as a core strength and an essential element of our public service mission.
At JAG Nevada:
- We will foster and maintain a safe environment of respect and inclusion for employees, students, and members of the communities we serve.
- We will educate our employees and students to be social justice advocates, creatively providing curricula, programs, and environments that reflect the diversity of our communities, and elevate cultural awareness.
- We will ensure fair and inclusive access to our partner school locations, programs, resources, and services, and also ensure that all of our policies and practices are inclusive and equitable.
- We will advance and build our workforce by assessing hiring practices and performance review procedures to attract, retain, and develop talented employees from diverse backgrounds.
- We will address intergroup disparities in areas such as representation, retention, learning outcomes, and graduation rates.
GET INVOLVED TODAY
Are you interested in supporting JAG Nevada in its mission to help elevate achievement outcomes for Nevada Students?
JAG Nevada works because people are committed to helping youth. If you want to join us or know a student who needs our help, contact us.
