Since 2013, hundreds of students from Dean’s Future Scholars have been going to Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Grizzly Creek Ranch for teambuilding, leadership training and social-emotional learning.

“We have proudly partnered with Sierra Nevada Journeys to provide outdoor learning experiences for our middle school students to increase their exposure to STEM, our incoming college freshman to develop effective leadership and communication skills, and family camps that increase family engagement and emotional well-being. I have witnessed first-hand the transformative and positive effects that the overnight camp experience has on our Dean’s Future Scholars students, parents, siblings, and college student mentors who would otherwise not have access to this type of experience. No matter what our program need is, Sierra Nevada Journeys successfully delivers,” said Mariluz Garcia, PhD, Executive Director of the Dean's Future Scholars program and founder of the Nevada First-Gen Network. While wearing multiple hats, Mariluz dedicates her time to working with low-income, first-generation students. Additionally, Sierra Nevada Journeys has her guidance as one of its board of trustee members.

Dean’s Future Scholars is a pathway and mentorship program housed in the College of Education and Human Development with the goals of increasing the number of low-income, first-generation college students graduating from high school, of helping them gain access to higher education, and of giving them the opportunity to enter a career in the field of education. Students begin their journey with Dean’s Future Scholars in sixth grade. It is an ideal time for youth to find a sense of belonging, and Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Overnight Outdoor Learning program — a three-to-five-day outdoor school program taught by experiential educators — is designed specifically for youth at this age. The synergy of the partnership between Dean’s Future Scholars and Sierra Nevada Journeys creates the ideal setting for students, especially those who have come from Title 1 schools that face financial barriers to high-quality STEM programs.

Recently, Dean’s Future Scholars was featured in Nevada Today, University of Nevada, Reno’s official news and information site. The article highlighted SB461, which allows for federal American Rescue Plan funds of $725,000 annually over the next three years to be used for microgrants to other organizations that serve the same demographic profile of students as Dean’s Future Scholars to promote early intervention and access to mentorship, tutoring, academic opportunities, food, and technology. The Nevada First-Gen Network is a new umbrella organization that will work to connect first-generation practitioners and initiatives throughout the State of Nevada and highlight best practices like those delivered by Sierra Nevada Journeys.

“We’ve had many years of success collaborating with our partner Dean’s Future Scholars, and it is a great example of how two organizations can come together. Collaborations like this one provide students with opportunities that could positively impact their life path. Oftentimes, experiences like ours are the first time for many youth to go to camp, spend time in nature exploring while learning outdoor science along the way,” said Eaton Dunkelberger, CEO of Sierra Nevada Journeys. “We’re exposing students to STEM career possibilities that they might not otherwise experience. We’re thrilled that the Nevada legislature has allocated American Rescue Plan funds at a critical time with so many young adults negatively affected by COVID-19. This is an opportunity to impact lives and move forward with their future plans of heading to college.”