NSHE Board of Regents Honors Dr. Lois Tarkanian Posthumously with Distinguished Nevadan Award

The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents unanimously voted to posthumously grant a Distinguished Nevadan Award to Regent Lois Tarkanian. The award is the highest honor the Board can bestow and recognizes Dr. Tarkanian’s years of service in education, public policy, and community leadership across Nevada.

Dr. Tarkanian’s career in education spanned decades, beginning as a classroom teacher before she became a speech pathologist, principal, and college instructor. She was a pioneer in speech pathology and special education, founding one of the first private schools for the deaf in California and later establishing Nevada’s first full-inclusionprogram for deaf children at the College of Southern Nevada. She worked extensively with children with disabilities, ensuring they had access to resources and opportunities to thrive.

“Dr. Tarkanian’s entire life was dedicated to improving education and strengthening her community,” said Board Chair Amy J. Carvalho. “Her leadership and tireless advocacy shaped programs that have benefited generations of students, and her impact will continue to be felt for years and years to come.”

Dr. Tarkanian was deeply committed to public service, serving on the Clark County School Board, the Las Vegas City Council, and the NSHE Board of Regents. She was a champion for expanding educational access and played an important role in the development of the Las Vegas Medical District and the UNLV School of Medicine, recognizing the need for stronger healthcare education and services in Southern Nevada.

“Lois Tarkanian dedicated her life to serving and educating Nevada’s youth. Her commitment to education and public service was truly remarkable, and I greatly admire her dedication to making a difference,” said Vice Chair Jeffrey S. Downs. She is fully deserving of the Distinguished Nevadan Award, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to support this recognition of her lasting impact.”

Her service extended beyond elected office. She was a founding board member of the Public Education Foundation, helped establish a first-of-its-kind tutoring program for UNLV basketball players, and served on numerous organizations focused on child welfare, education, and leadership development, including Nevada PEP, Family and Child Treatment (FACT), and EMERGE Nevada.

Regent Susan Brager, who nominated Dr. Tarkanian for the award, reflected on her colleague’s lasting influence. “I was fortunate to know Dr. Tarkanian not only as a Regent but from our time serving together on the school board and through my years on the county commission. She never stopped working to make Nevada better, whether through education, public service, or simply being a voice for those in need. She was fearless in standing up for what she believed in and made a difference in so many lives.”

Dr. Tarkanian’s legacy is cemented not only in the programs and policies she helped shape but also in the school that bears her name, Lois and Jerry Tarkanian Middle School, which serves as a tribute to her impact on Nevada’s students and families.

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