The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) has secured a $20,000 grant to participate in a national initiative designed to help students gain collage credit for learning acquired through work, military service, and other real-world experiences.

The Constellation of Support Initiative

The initiative, named Constellation of Support: A Capacity-Building Approach to Institutional Change, is spearheaded by the State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) and Student-Ready Strategies (SRS), with funding provided by the ECMC Foundation. Nevada, along with Washington, is one of onyl two states selected for this program.

Expanding Credit for Prior Learning

Over the next three years, NSHE will focus on expanding Credit for Prior learning (CPL) opportunities across its institutions.CPL enables students to earn academic credit for college-level knowledge and skills gained outside the traditional classroom setting. This approach aims to expedite degree completion, lower educational costs, and eliminate obstacles for returning and nontraditional students.

Leadership Perspectives

Patricia Charlton, Interim chancellor of NSHE, emphasized the importance of recognizing diverse learning experiences.

This is about giving credit for valuable learning that happens beyond the classroom. Many students, especially adult learners and veterans, bring a wealth of experience to their education. This initiative helps us recognize that in a meaningful and rigorous way.

Patricia Charlton, Interim Chancellor of NSHE

daniel Archer, Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at NSHE, highlighted the strategic value of CPL.

Credit for Prior Learning is a key strategy for making higher education more flexible, affordable, and responsive to today’s students. It helps students avoid repeating what they already know, reduces unnecessary coursework, and supports on-time graduation.

Daniel Archer, Vice chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at NSHE

Natalie Brown, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Community Colleges at NSHE, connected CPL to workforce development.

Recognizing and honoring learning that occurs outside of traditional classrooms is not only essential for valuing the real-world experiences of our students but also directly strengthens our local workforce. By translating prior learning into tangible credits, we help accelerate pathways to meaningful employment, meeting critical industry demands and fueling economic growth.

Natalie Brown, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Workforce Development and Community Colleges at NSHE

Implementation and Support

The $20,000 grant will facilitate the broader and more consistent implementation of CPL within NSHE. Participating institutions will benefit from expert coaching, structured workshops, and a digital collaboration platform. The NSHE system office will also receive technical assistance to refine policies that promote student-amiable approaches to awarding prior learning credit.

Strategic Alignment

This initiative aligns with the NSHE Board of Regents’ strategic plan, which prioritizes the expansion of CPL policies and practices. The goal is to enhance access to education, acknowledge nontraditional learning, and better align credentials with the needs of the workforce.

Looking Ahead

SHEEO and SRS will publish a report at the end of the project, sharing key findings and models for other states to adopt.

Learn More

For additional details about the Constellation of Support initiative, visit sheeo.org/project/constellation-of-support.