A Message from Our President
For 55 years, the College of Southern Nevada has been a place where opportunity begins and futures take shape. What started as a small community college has grown into Nevada’s largest public college, serving thousands of students each year and more than a million alumni across our region. This milestone is more than a celebration of time. It is a celebration of the students, faculty, staff, and community partners who have made CSN such an important part of Southern Nevada.For more than five decades, CSN has remained committed to empowering our students and communities to achieve, succeed, and prosper. As our region has grown and evolved, so has our college. Together, we have opened doors for first-generation students, strengthened our workforce, and created pathways to success for families throughout our community.
While we are proud of the past 55 years, we are even more excited about what lies ahead. CSN’s future will continue to be shaped by innovation, access, and our unwavering commitment to student success. Thank you to everyone who has been part of the CSN journey. Your support helps ensure the next generation of students can learn more, achieve more, and build brighter futures.
Dr. Stacy K lippenstein
Days Until CSN's 55th Anniversary
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The countdown to our 55th anniversary has begun. Together we celebrate the students, faculty, community partners, and more than one million CSN alumni who continue to make an impact across Southern Nevada and carry the CSN legacy forward.
1971
Mission: Provide accessible, workforce-focused education to Southern Nevada
September 10: Clark County Community College (CCCC) officially established in North Las Vegas
1975
CCCC became accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities
1984
September 17: First Henderson campus opened
January 14: CSN community participates in Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, reflecting early community engagement and student involvement
1987
Planetarium opens, expanding science and community education offerings
1988
West Charleston campus opens
1990s
Expansion of vocational and academic programs
Rapid growth alongside the Las Vegas population boom
1991
Renamed Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN)
CSN Foundation was established with founding trustees Charlotte Hill and Dr. Nicholas Horn
20th Anniversary Culinary display highlights growth of culinary program
1998
Expansion of the Law Enforcement Training Center, strengthening public safety and workforce training programs
2003
CCSN Coyotes baseball team wins the NJCAA Division I National Championship
2006
35th Anniversary campaign launched
“Back to School” events introduced (later evolving into Connections events)
2007
Official name change to College of Southern Nevada (CSN)
2011
40th Anniversary campaign
2014
CSN is designated a Minority Serving Institution
2015
Became Nevada’s first federally recognized Hispanic Serving Institution
Expanded access to new funding and student support resources
2021
50th Anniversary celebration
2023
Debra March Center of Excellence
Advanced Manufacturing Training Center opens
2025
Westside Education and Training Center opens
2026
Construction begins on the Northwest Campus
55th Anniversary campaign launches
Milestones & Acheivements
Decades of Discovery
Across every decade, CSN students have gone on to lead, create, and serve in countless ways. Discover the alumni stories that showcase the achievements and lasting impact of the College of Southern Nevada.
1981
Linda ForemanCSN is Las Vegas. It's the best thing Las Vegas has going, and we're in it for the long haul.
2000
Jeremy AyresAt 36, I came to CSN to start over, and it launched me into a film career I never imagined.
2017
Edgar EffioCSN is where I started over, and where everything became possible. From ESL classrooms to leading a marketing agency, CSN was step one.
2018
Christina MartinCSN helped me go from student editor to working professional in video production. CSN gave me the training and support to turn creativity into a career.
2022
Noah ZapataGraduated from the Transportation Technology Automotive program in Spring 2022. Once he completed the program, he received a job at Tesla.
2025
Anthony StoneI was able to accomplish the ultimate goal, which was not only graduating but also understanding what I liked about the path I chose.
2025
Ariana MartinezI earned seven student production Emmy awards, a new record in CSN's history. I’m grateful for the rich learning environment that was fostered, which gave my skills the room to flourish and make this possible.
Test Your Knowledge
CSN History Facts
What year was the College of Southern Nevada originally founded?
1971
Before becoming the College of Southern Nevada, what was the school’s original name?
In 1971, the institution opened as Clark County Community College (CCCC). In 1991, it was renamed The Community College of Southern Nevada (CCSN).
How many main campuses does CSN operate across Southern Nevada?
Three Main Campuses: Charleston, North Las Vegas, and Henderson | 10 Satellite Learning Centers
CSN has grown to become the largest public college in Nevada. Approximately how many students does the college serve each year?
More than 30,000 students annually
CSN was created to support Southern Nevada’s growing workforce. Which major industry in Las Vegas helped drive early demand for career and technical education programs?
Hospitality and tourism
CSN plays a major role in workforce training for Southern Nevada. Which major international airport just minutes from the college has benefited from CSN’s aviation and technical training programs?
Harry Reid International Airport (formerly McCarran International Airport)