The Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach at UNLV offers educational services free of charge to adults in the Las Vegas Valley. As long as you are older than 19 years of age and either a citizen or eligible non-citizen, you qualify.
The center is a grant-funded program offered through the Nevada Department of Education. As such, 80 percent of its clients have to be classified as low-income or be first-generation college students. The other 20 percent can come from any walk of life.
"All of our services are free here for the community," adviser Joy Zincone said.
Located at 1455 E. Tropicana Ave., the outreach offers pre-testing for GEDs. If the client is ready, the center helps him or her take the test. If not, the center's staff will help that person get ready. "We use UNLV students for tutors," Zincone said.
For those who already have a high school diploma or equivalent, the center can assist with the financial aid search, career assessments or academic advising. The program also offers workshops on computer skills and financial aid periodically.
Program coordinator Helen Tartaglia went through the program herself in 2003 and has since graduated from UNLV with a degree in business.
"It's a great source of knowledge," Tartaglia said. "That's all they do. It's not like they have another job."
Zincone agreed, and said that the advisers spend a great deal of time researching their subjects. "There is educational opportunity for everyone in Clark County," Kyle Ethelbah, director for adult educational services, said.
A former student had been released from prison after serving time on drug charges, and wanted to attend the College of Southern Nevada. The center helped her get through college, and eventually she became a licensed drug and alcohol counselor.
"Society had cast her out," Ethelbah said. "All it took was for somebody to say that's not true, you can go to school."
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