Increasing Investment in STEM Education for Females: Policy Considerations

During this difficult economic time, as policy makers decide how to use their limited resources to help prepare the rising generation for the demands of an ever-changing workforce, aligning K-12 educational priorities with higher education and economic development can help maximize public dollar investments in STEM education, particularly when females are given access to STEM and STEM-related education and programs. Smart public policy initiatives can help increase the representation of women in the technology, research and development, and innovation departments. The purpose of this article is to provide policy recommendations that could help increase gender diversity and participation in STEM education pipelines and stimulate innovation. Viewing public dollar investments in female STEM education as an economic development tool not only encourages diverse participation in traditionally male dominated industries but can help leverage STEM education into an economic driver that promotes strong technology sectors in state economies

Nevada Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Study 2023

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) metrics enable organizations to set concrete goals and self-monitor their performance. In 2021, Nevada’s legislature passed Senate Bill No. 267 (SB267), authorizing the University Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) to study DEI benchmarks in the State. The study is designed to produce actionable results capable of informing policy and employer best practices in Nevada. Workforce Study data was collected for the 2022 calendar year with study participation taking place between January 2-April 30, 2023. The questions in the study were crafted based on DEI public policy considerations as well as metrics for gauging the scope of offerings available to women in Nevada’s workforce and were codified into statute as part of SB 267. As Nevada’s economy continues to diversify, it is important that Nevada companies have the ability to attract and retain diverse talent. As women continue to become disproportionately impacted in the workplace, it is critical that in addition to equal pay for equal work, employers offer benefits that improve quality of life outside of work and set women up for success. Competent, educated, and qualified women exist in Nevada’s current workforce. Despite having the necessary experience, many women are not identified for hiring and are systematically overlooked for promotion. The Nevada Workforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Study (Workforce Study) aims to measure how women experience the Nevada workforce environment, identify employer best practices, celebrate what employers are getting right, and use the study data to make recommendations. In order to provide context for how women transition through their careers, the study considers the different hierarchical levels within a business or organization. It is particularly useful to see the vertical progression into managerial and executive roles. Our study data support other studies’ findings that suggest there is a “broken rung” for advancement into managerial positions.i Unsurprisingly, there are bottlenecks and barriers specific to women’s’ career trajectories that become apparent. Using the benchmarks from the initial study data from 2021, it is possible to measure changes, create a framework upon which we can build sound public policy initiatives, and create mechanisms for identifying employer best practices. We also now possess the tools for educating companies and reinforcing the value of diversity initiatives in the workplace. With this snapshot of the corporate pipeline, predictive and initiative-taking measures become possible. One way these data translate into tangible results is through identifying desirable skill sets that can expand career opportunities. That knowledge empowers companies to collaborate with talent and emerging leaders to create pathways for determining attractive skills sets, measure additional skills, and recognize the benefits of obtaining career enhancing certifications. The purpose for collecting this data is twofold: 1) To commend employers for their achievements in DEI and thereby inspire others to do the same, and 2) To establish a means for determining and developing workforce best practices

Las Vegas metropolitan area social survey 2010 highlights

UNLV sociologists conducted the Las Vegas Metropolitan Area Social Survey (LVMASS) to identify the socio-spatial distribution of attitudes and attributes relevant to urban sustainability in the Las Vegas Valley. The project goal is to understand how Las Vegas residents think about urban sustainability issues across three dimensions: 1) natural environment; 2) community and quality of life; 3) economy

Responsible Gambling and the Rationalization of Risk Taking in America

Global expansion of gambling increases the prevalence of gambling addictions and other gambling related social problems. As these risks have increased, so have demands for improved care of problem gamblers and mitigation of risks to the public. Responsible gambling efforts—such as casino-specific programs, public awareness campaigns, and responsible gambling apps—have proliferated in recent years and focus on reframing gambling as form of entertainment with associated risks that can be mitigated. This paper examines responsible gambling campaigns and their efforts to ease anxieties about gambling. I draw on sociological theories of the risk society and rationalization to contextualize gambling’s place in the contemporary American cultural landscape

The role of recovery capital in overcoming gambling addiction: A Nevada-based case study

The purpose of this study was to understand the role of recovery capital (RC) in people who were in long-term recovery from gambling disorder in the state of Nevada, analyzing the elements that helped participants maintain their recovery. We conducted 40 interviews with individuals who finished a professional problem gambling treatment program a year or longer prior to the interview date and who defined their recovery as successful. Our findings reveal that all three categories of RC (personal, family/social, and community) contribute significantly to participants’ maintaining their long-term goals and that it is fundamental to comprehend individuals’ needs in terms of self-accountability. Moreover, aspects such as family ties and supportive friends play a key role in trigger management. Similarly, participants’ clinical and aftercare experiences influence their ability to control their gambling urges and behaviors. Finally, it emerged that the COVID-19 pandemic affected interviewees’ recovery in different ways. While some declared that the statewide casino closures helped them not to gamble, others perceived the opening of casinos after the closures as a trigger. Implication statement: Our findings support the need for longitudinal studies of persons in recovery and suggest policies should seek to strengthen these forms RC during and beyond the course of treatment for problem gambling

Problem Gambling and Treatment in Nevada

This chapter defines problem gambling and provides a history and overview of community and state-led initiatives to address the harms associated with problem gambling. We outline research conducted in the state of Nevada in the past two decades, with both adults and teens, and with the general population and the treatment population, specifically. After presenting a demographic snapshot of the population that has received state-subsidized treatment, we discuss some common challenges they face. The chapter provides data on treatment effectiveness as measured by improvements in the lives and wellbeing of problem gamblers and reduction of their gambling behaviors. Finally, we formulate policy recommendations based on our data, formulate an agenda for future research, and describe community resources available to help problem gamblers in Nevada

Neighborhood Connections, Physical Disorder, and Neighborhood Satisfaction in Las Vegas

This study helps to disentangle the mutual effects of neighborhood disorder and social cohesion on how residents evaluate their neighborhoods. We draw upon data from the 2009 Las Vegas Metropolitan Area Social Survey to understand how neighborhood cohesion, physical disorder, and perceptions of crime and safety influence neighborhood satisfaction and neighborhood quality of life among residents in the dynamic, yet understudied, urban context of Las Vegas, Nevada. We use ordinary least squares and binary logistic regression to predict two measures of neighborhood satisfaction. Our results show that even with significant neighborhood disorder, social connectedness with neighbors remains a significant predictor of neighborhood satisfaction. We discuss implications of neighborhood satisfaction research for other fast-changing metropolitan areas