Nevada System of Higher Education Welcomes New and Returning Regents

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) proudly welcomed four Regents—two newly elected and two re-elected—during a ceremonial swearing-in at a special meeting. Judge Jacqueline M. Bluth led the ceremony, marking the start of their four-year terms on the Board of Regents.

Newly Elected Regents

• Regent Aaron Bautista (District 4): Aaron Bautista is a lifelong resident of East Las Vegas and a dedicated special education teacher with nine years of experience. He holds an associate degree from the College of Southern Nevada, a bachelor’s degree from Nevada State University, and a master’s degree in special education from Grand Canyon University. Regent Bautista is committed to making higher education more accessible and affordable, improving campus safety and inclusivity, and enhancing the college-to-teacher pipeline in Nevada.
• Regent Carlos D. Fernandez (District 1): Carlos D. Fernandez is the first Latino immigrant and the youngest person ever elected to the Nevada Board of Regents. A proud Colombian immigrant and long-time Nevadan, he is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he served as Student Body President. Professionally, Fernandez serves as the Executive Director of the Las Vegas and Nevada Chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He is dedicated to expanding access to higher education, aligning education with workforce needs, and creating pathways for student success across Nevada.

Re-elected Regents

• Regent Amy J. Carvalho (District 12): First elected in 2018, Amy Carvalho is the current Chair of the Board of Regents and has a long history of leadership in both business and community service. A graduate of the College of Southern Nevada and UNLV, she has also earned an MBA from WGU. Carvalho has served in leadership roles with organizations like the Boulder City Library District Board of Trustees and the Nevada Department of Education’s Council to Establish Academic Standards. She is deeply committed to supporting students and improving higher education opportunities for all Nevadans.
• Regent Carol Del Carlo (District 9): A native Nevadan and dedicated public servant, Regent Carol Del Carlo has served on the Board since 2016. Regent Del Carlo’s commitment to higher education extends beyond Nevada, as she is the first Nevadan to serve on the Board of the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) in its 55-year history. She currently serves as chair-elect of this national organization. Her dedication to education is rooted in her own experiences, having completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees while balancing a corporate career and family life.

Tasked with overseeing Nevada’s public higher education institutions, the Board of Regents ensures that NSHE’s mission to provide high-quality, accessible education continues to meet the evolving needs of the state.

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Elizabeth Callahan at ecallahan@nshe.nevada.edu or 702-522-7021.