Las Vegas Sands has committed nearly $350,000 in funding to the National Hispanic Institute (NHI) for the academic years spanning 2024–2025 to 2026–2027. This renewed support through the Sands Cares initiative continues the company’s backing of NHI’s leadership development programs for Latino high school students in the Las Vegas area.
This latest contribution builds upon a prior three-year grant, which helped NHI establish a local presence and covered both operational costs and student stipends. From 2022 to 2024, this initial investment enabled 97 local students to complete NHI’s leadership curriculum, with over 25 alumni returning as volunteers to support the next generation.
Students typically join the NHI program as rising sophomores, starting with the Great Debate, which emphasizes communication and advocacy as tools for personal growth and community engagement. As juniors, they participate in the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session, gaining insights into governance, public policy, and organizational leadership. In their senior year, they take part in the Collegiate World Series, which helps prepare them for college admissions and continued leadership roles.
Nicole Nieto, NHI’s executive vice president, noted that Sands’ investment has enabled the organization to offer comprehensive leadership training to high-performing students in Las Vegas, helping prepare them for success across various sectors. The upcoming funding will help expand NHI’s reach locally and provide more students with opportunities to grow and positively impact their communities.
For the 2024–2025 school year, the new funding will cover a range of expenses, including tuition stipends, travel to competitions, recognition events, a civic engagement project, fundraising efforts, and staffing for local program management and outreach. Additionally, NHI plans to launch a one-day leadership event for eighth graders as an introduction to its high school programs, and it will publish an annual report for the Las Vegas community.
Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs at Las Vegas Sands, emphasized the value of the program, highlighting how it aligns with the company’s goal to support a diverse and capable future workforce. He praised the program for equipping students with greater self-confidence, new skills, and an expanded vision for their futures.
NHI is currently accepting applications from ninth and tenth graders for its upcoming program cycle through February 28. To qualify, ninth-grade applicants must have a minimum GPA of 85/100 (or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale), while tenth graders need at least an 88/100 (or 3.2 GPA). Students of all backgrounds are welcome to apply.
School officials and students may please get in touch with Regina Legarreta regina_legarreta@nhimail.com
They could also apply here.
This latest contribution builds upon a prior three-year grant, which helped NHI establish a local presence and covered both operational costs and student stipends. From 2022 to 2024, this initial investment enabled 97 local students to complete NHI’s leadership curriculum, with over 25 alumni returning as volunteers to support the next generation.
Students typically join the NHI program as rising sophomores, starting with the Great Debate, which emphasizes communication and advocacy as tools for personal growth and community engagement. As juniors, they participate in the Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session, gaining insights into governance, public policy, and organizational leadership. In their senior year, they take part in the Collegiate World Series, which helps prepare them for college admissions and continued leadership roles.
Nicole Nieto, NHI’s executive vice president, noted that Sands’ investment has enabled the organization to offer comprehensive leadership training to high-performing students in Las Vegas, helping prepare them for success across various sectors. The upcoming funding will help expand NHI’s reach locally and provide more students with opportunities to grow and positively impact their communities.
For the 2024–2025 school year, the new funding will cover a range of expenses, including tuition stipends, travel to competitions, recognition events, a civic engagement project, fundraising efforts, and staffing for local program management and outreach. Additionally, NHI plans to launch a one-day leadership event for eighth graders as an introduction to its high school programs, and it will publish an annual report for the Las Vegas community.
Ron Reese, senior vice president of global communications and corporate affairs at Las Vegas Sands, emphasized the value of the program, highlighting how it aligns with the company’s goal to support a diverse and capable future workforce. He praised the program for equipping students with greater self-confidence, new skills, and an expanded vision for their futures.
NHI is currently accepting applications from ninth and tenth graders for its upcoming program cycle through February 28. To qualify, ninth-grade applicants must have a minimum GPA of 85/100 (or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale), while tenth graders need at least an 88/100 (or 3.2 GPA). Students of all backgrounds are welcome to apply.
School officials and students may please get in touch with Regina Legarreta regina_legarreta@nhimail.com
They could also apply here.