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Great Basin College
Great Basin College
Great Basin College
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Main campus, Elko

Key Information

Great Basin College is a public college in Elko, Nevada, United States. Opened in 1967 as Elko College, it was later renamed to Northern Nevada College and then to its current name.[1] It has 3,836 students and is a member of the Nevada System of Higher Education.

History

[edit]

After its opening in 1967, the college joined the University of Nevada system in August 1969. Formerly, hopes for a college in Elko were fading in the spring of 1968 until a $250,000 donation was received from reclusive Las Vegas billionaire Howard Hughes. The gift was announced by Nevada Governor Paul Laxalt, who was heading the list of dignitaries, at an emotionally charged assembly of supporters at the Commercial Hotel.[1][2]

Academics

[edit]

The college offers baccalaureate and associate level instruction in career and technical education and academic areas. It offers bachelor's degrees, Associate of Applied Science degrees, certificates, and short-term training programs.[2] It also offers dual-credit enrollment programs for high school students in its areas of outreach in the cities of Elko, Ely, Winnemucca, and the town of Pahrump.[3]

Undergraduate demographics as of Fall 2023[4]
Race and ethnicity Total
White 58%
 
Hispanic 25%
 
Black 4%
 
American Indian/Alaska Native 3%
 
Two or more races 3%
 
Unknown 3%
 
Asian 2%
 
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 1%
 
Economic diversity
Low-income[a] 33%
 
Affluent[b] 67%
 

Service area

[edit]

The service area includes the counties of Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, and White Pine.[5]

Campuses

[edit]
Clock tower at the Main Campus

Great Basin College has its main campus in Elko, in northeastern Nevada. Great Basin College covers 86,500 square miles, two time zones, and ten of Nevada's largest counties.

Residence halls are available at the Elko campus. Branch campuses also serve the communities of Battle Mountain, Ely, Pahrump, and Winnemucca. Satellite centers are located in nearly 20 communities across rural Nevada.[6]

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Great Basin College

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from Grokipedia
Great Basin College (GBC) is a public in , founded in 1967 as Elko Community College by ten local businessmen to provide accessible higher education in rural areas. Originally operating out of Elko High School with 367 students and over 30 courses, it has grown into a key institution within the , accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The college serves a vast rural region spanning 86,500 square miles across ten Nevada counties, bordering , , , , and , and operates across two time zones. GBC offers a range of associate degrees (AA, AS, AAS), baccalaureate degrees (BA, BS, BAS, BSN, BSW), and certificates of achievement in academic, career, and technical fields, with many programs available online to accommodate remote learners. It maintains a main campus in Elko and branch campuses in Battle Mountain, Ely, Pahrump, and Winnemucca, supplemented by satellite centers in nearly 20 rural communities to ensure broad access. As of 2025, the college enrolls approximately 4,000 students, emphasizing small class sizes and personalized support from faculty. The institution's mission is "Transforming lives through !" It promotes access and student success, workforce development, and community culture in rural . GBC continues to expand its role as a leader in rural higher education, appointing Dr. Amber Donnelli as president in 2025 to guide its ongoing commitment to post-secondary opportunities.

History

Founding and Early Development

Great Basin College traces its origins to 1967, when ten local businessmen in northeastern initiated plans to establish a to address the region's educational needs. This effort culminated in the founding of Elko Community College, the first such institution in the state, initially governed by an advisory board in collaboration with the Elko County School District. Operations commenced that same year at Elko High School, serving as a temporary facility while permanent was developed. The opened with an enrollment of 367 students and offered more than 30 courses, focusing on foundational academic, vocational, and technical programs tailored to rural communities. A pivotal boost came in May 1968, when Governor announced a $250,000 donation from the Howard Hughes Foundation, of which $125,000 was allocated specifically to Elko to support one year of operations and facilitate development. In April 1969, Assembly Bill 659 passed through the , transferring governance of Elko Community College to the Board of Regents of the University of Nevada System (now the ), marking its integration into the state's public higher education framework. This affiliation enabled expanded resources and stability. The college's first graduating class was in May 1970. It received from the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges in 1974. Throughout its early years into the late 1970s, the college emphasized associate degrees and initiatives, prioritizing accessible training in areas like business, , and trades to meet the workforce demands of 's remote northeastern counties.

Renaming and Growth

In 1973, the institution relocated to a permanent campus on the former Ruby View Golf Course in Elko, prompting a to Northern Nevada to better align with its expanding regional role. This move marked an early phase of physical growth, enabling the development of dedicated facilities for vocational and academic programs amid rising enrollments in the and . By the mid-1990s, the college had outgrown its original scope, leading to another renaming in 1995 as , approved by the and of Board of Regents, to reflect its broadened service area across ten rural counties spanning 86,500 square miles. This rebranding coincided with academic advancements, including the authorization for baccalaureate programs, which shifted the institution from a traditional model to a comprehensive one offering four-year degrees. The first , a in Elementary , launched in fall 1999, followed by the in spring 2000, with these initiatives supported by accreditation from the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges. Physical expansion continued during this decade with the establishment of branch campuses in Ely and Winnemucca, and a center in Battle Mountain, facilitating greater access in remote areas. To address the challenges of serving a vast rural population, Great Basin College invested in online and technologies starting in the late , enabling delivery of courses and programs across two time zones without requiring physical presence. This growth in digital capabilities, including partnerships like the 1995 Northeast Nevada School-to-Careers initiative, enhanced and academic outreach through the 2000s. The institution's evolution culminated in its 50th anniversary celebrations in 2017, featuring year-long events on campuses and in communities to honor five decades of educational impact.

Academics

Degree Offerings

Great Basin College provides a variety of associate, bachelor's, and certificate programs tailored to and technical education, as well as academic transfer pathways. These offerings emphasize practical skills for regional industries and in and healthcare. The college offers Associate of (AAS) degrees in key technical fields, including . The AAS in prepares students for entry-level roles in healthcare through a two-year focused on clinical skills and care. At the baccalaureate level, Great Basin College awards (BSN), (BAS), and (BA) degrees. The builds on associate-level to develop advanced clinical expertise and in care. The supports career advancement in applied fields like , technical , land /geomatics, and technology. The AAS in Technology and Technology have been transitioned to programs to provide deeper expertise in geospatial measurement, mapping, , , and control systems relevant to Nevada's , , and sectors. programs include , which focuses on and design for through third-grade settings; English, emphasizing literature analysis and communication skills; elementary , preparing teachers for K-8 classrooms with interdisciplinary methods; and secondary , targeting grades 7-12 instruction in subjects like math and . Certificate programs at the college target career-technical competencies, particularly in mining-related and healthcare. The certificate provides foundational skills in land measurement and CAD software for mining operations. Healthcare certificates, such as those in medical assisting or , offer short-term training for immediate workforce entry in clinical support roles. Great Basin College supports dual-credit enrollment for high school students in communities including Elko, Ely, Winnemucca, and Pahrump, allowing them to earn simultaneous high school and college credits through approved courses. To accommodate rural learners, the college prioritizes online degree programs and distance learning technologies, delivering associate, bachelor's, and certificate curricula via web-based platforms accessible across Nevada's vast service area.

Enrollment and Demographics

As of fall 2023, Great Basin College had a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,936 students. This figure represents headcount enrollment, with full-time students comprising approximately 32.3% or 949 individuals, while the majority—about 67.7%—were part-time enrollees. Annually, the college serves around 4,000 participants, including those in online programs from across the country and on-campus centers spanning 86,500 square miles in rural . The body exhibits a distribution of 65.5% and 34.5% . Racially and ethnically, the demographics are 55.8% , 26.4% or Latino, and 40.7% identifying as minorities overall (as of fall 2023), reflecting the diverse rural communities of northeastern . Additionally, 33% of undergraduates receive grant-based financial aid, indicating a substantial low-income . The college also supports a significant first-generation , as emphasized in its and efforts to address barriers for underserved groups. Enrollment trends show a decline in fall headcount from 3,852 in 2019 to 2,936 in 2023, alongside a corresponding drop in students from 2,260 to 1,855 over the same period (as of 2023). However, the emphasis on online accessibility has sustained broader participation, particularly among rural residents who benefit from flexible, distance learning options to overcome geographic isolation. The college's 2025-2030 strategic plan aims for 3% annual growth to reach 4,000 students by 2030. This approach underscores the college's commitment to serving underserved populations in ten counties across two time zones.

Administration

Current Leadership

Dr. Amber Donnelli serves as the president of Great Basin College, having been appointed to the role on a permanent basis by the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents on September 11, 2025, following her tenure as interim president starting July 1, 2024. A licensed Registered Nurse in Nevada and Certified Nurse Educator, Donnelli began her higher education at Great Basin College, earning an Associate of Science in Nursing before advancing to roles as a nursing professor and dean of Health Sciences and Human Services at the institution from 2013 to 2024. She later served as Associate Vice President for Faculty Success prior to her interim presidency. Supporting the president's office is Mardell Dorsa, who holds the position of Assistant to the President and aids in executive operations and coordination. Sarah Negrete, Ph.D., acts as Associate for Faculty Success, focusing on faculty development, retention, and academic support initiatives; she previously served as a in the Teacher Education Program at Great Basin College. As of November 2025, the positions, including those for academic affairs, , and and operations, remain vacant, reflecting ongoing recruitment efforts to bolster the executive team. Under Donnelli's leadership, Great Basin College emphasizes inclusive, student-centered education tailored to the needs of rural communities, promoting access to post-secondary opportunities amid geographic challenges and fostering enrollment growth of 20 percent since her interim appointment.

Governance

Great Basin College has been a member institution of the (NSHE) since 1969, when the state assumed control of Elko Community College—its predecessor—and placed it under the governance of the NSHE Board of Regents. The Board of Regents, an elected body of 13 members representing and the state , sets overarching policies for the NSHE's eight institutions, including Great Basin College, covering areas such as academic standards, budgeting, and . This structure ensures alignment with statewide higher education goals while allowing institutional autonomy in day-to-day operations. At the local level, Great Basin College maintains an Institutional Advisory Council composed of community leaders from its expansive 86,500-square-mile service area, including representatives from Elko, Winnemucca, Ely, and other regions. The council meets twice per semester to receive updates on college activities and provide recommendations to the president on program development, service enhancements, and addressing regional educational needs. The council chair also serves in an advisory capacity on the NSHE Board of Regents' Standing Committee on Community Colleges, facilitating input from rural perspectives into system-wide decisions. Internally, the college's President's Council—also known as the Leadership Council—supports decision-making on academics, finances, and operations, comprising the president, vice presidents, deans, executive directors, and representatives from faculty senate, classified staff, and student government. This body advises on policies and strategies to advance the college's mission. Great Basin College's aligns with key state legislation, such as Assembly Bill 527 enacted in 2005, which renamed the University and Community College System of Nevada to the NSHE and clarified the inclusion of state colleges within the system. In recent developments, the NSHE Board of Regents considered a potential merger of Great Basin College with the , in July 2023, aiming to integrate services while preserving the college's rural identity; however, the item was withdrawn from the agenda prior to the meeting and deferred for future review.

Campuses

Elko Campus

The Elko Campus of Great Basin College is located at 1500 College Parkway, 89801, serving as the institution's primary administrative and instructional hub. Positioned near Interstate 80 and approximately one mile from downtown , the campus spans 44 acres and acts as the central site for most academic programs, including the (BSN). Originally established in 1967 at Elko High School, the college relocated to its current site in 1973 due to rapid growth and the need for dedicated facilities. This move marked a significant expansion, transforming the into a modern educational center with features such as a prominent , a scenic , an outdoor amphitheater, and a glass solarium completed in 2001 through a $4.5 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. The campus infrastructure includes a variety of specialized facilities to support technical and academic programs. Classrooms are distributed across buildings like McMullen Hall, while the Dorothy S. Gallagher Health Sciences Building houses labs for and related fields, including life sciences, physical sciences, chemistry, and laboratories essential for hands-on training in healthcare programs. The Greenhaw Technical Arts Center features labs for and , equipped with computer stations, tools, and spaces for millwright to facilitate practical instruction in land . Additionally, the High Tech Center provides and low-voltage labs for engineering-related coursework. Computing resources are robust, with open labs available in the Elizabeth “Beth” Griswold Hall , the High Tech Center, and the Academic Success Center, supporting both in-person and remote access to . The itself offers extensive resources for and study, integrated with the Academic Computing Center. For physical activities, the Fitness Center in the Leonard Center for Student Life includes a and weight room, accommodating , , workouts, and classes. As the main hub, the Elko Campus facilitates online learning initiatives that extend accessibility across the college's service area, which spans two time zones, enabling hybrid instruction and for remote students.

Other Campuses and Centers

Great Basin College operates three primary branch centers in Ely, Pahrump, and Winnemucca, which provide core associate degrees and select baccalaureate programs to rural residents; the Battle Mountain Center closed physically in July 2024, with services continuing through partnerships. These centers deliver instruction through a combination of in-person classes, conferencing (IAV) linked to other GBC sites, and online WebCampus courses, ensuring accessibility for students in remote areas. The Battle Mountain Center, situated at 835 N 2nd St. in Battle Mountain, NV, focused on , , and IAV classes until its physical closure in July 2024, after which services continue via dual-enrollment partnerships with local high schools and online options to maintain support for students. The Ely Center, at 2115 Bobcat Drive in Ely, NV, emphasizes localized education tailored to east-central Nevada's needs, including dual-credit high school programs in and launched in fall 2023 through the Mining Center of Excellence, preparing students for entry-level roles in the region's mining industry. It offers nine classrooms, including specialized labs for , computers, and nursing simulation, along with tutoring and outreach to surrounding communities like Eureka and . Similarly, the Winnemucca Center, located at 5490 Kluncy Canyon Road in Winnemucca, NV, adapts to north-central Nevada's agricultural and rural economy by supporting associate degrees in and related workforce training, such as past collaborations on agriculture loan classes for local producers. With facilities including a lab and ESL resources, it extends IAV classes to areas like McDermitt and Lovelock. In southern , the Pahrump Valley Center at 551 East Calvada Blvd. in Pahrump, NV, addresses healthcare shortages through programs in , radiology, sonography, and assisting, alongside certificates in to serve the area's growing industries; future plans include student housing and expanded facilities. It features dedicated health sciences labs and dual-enrollment with Nye schools, reaching rural outposts like Beatty and Tonopah via off-site IAV and certified assistant . These branch centers collectively enhance by offering , proctored exams, and academic support without requiring travel to Elko. Beyond the branches, Great Basin College maintains nearly 20 centers in rural communities across its service area, delivering localized classes, advising, and through IAV and online formats to bridge geographic barriers. Examples include sites in Owyhee, Wells, Carlin, Jackpot, Austin, Crescent , , , Dyer, Gabbs, Goldfield, Round Mountain, Silver Peak, Hawthorne, and Lovelock, which focus on community-specific needs like basic skills and career preparation. In August 2025, GBC received a $502,500 grant to continue enhancing skills using virtual and across its programs. This decentralized network supports a total service footprint of 86,500 square miles spanning ten counties and two time zones, serving over 147,000 residents by adapting curricula to local economies such as in eastern , in the north, and healthcare in the south.

Service Area

Geographic Scope

Great Basin College serves ten rural Nevada counties: Elko, Esmeralda, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lincoln, Mineral, Nye, Pershing, and White Pine. This expansive service area encompasses approximately 86,500 square miles and spans two time zones—the Pacific and Mountain—while bordering the states of , , , , and . The region is characterized by its vast, sparsely populated rural landscapes, where access to higher education is limited due to geographic isolation and low . The college's service area is home to more than 120,000 residents, many of whom rely on GBC for accessible postsecondary education in remote communities. This focus on rural underscores the institution's commitment to bridging educational gaps in areas with minimal urban infrastructure. The motto "The Gold Standard in the Silver State" encapsulates GBC's regionally focused mission within , emphasizing excellence in serving these underserved territories. GBC's institutional identity is deeply rooted in its geographic context, with colors of green and gold evoking the sagebrush landscapes and mining heritage of the , and the mascot symbolizing the resilient wildlife native to the region's rugged terrain.

Regional Impact

Great Basin College plays a pivotal role in bolstering Nevada's rural economy through targeted workforce training programs in high-demand sectors such as , healthcare, and . In , the college's with NORCAT launched the GBC-NORCAT Mine Skills Training program in fall 2024, which has already trained 152 workers in areas like mining fundamentals and safety, with recent funding enabling expansion to 500 additional participants to address the state's skills gap in critical minerals extraction. These initiatives build on longstanding efforts, including the Mine Maintenance Training Program established in the 1980s, preparing students for in Nevada's industry and supporting economic stability in resource-dependent communities. In healthcare, the college's School of Health Sciences offers certificates and degrees like the /Phlebotomy/EKG program and Associate of Applied Science in , explicitly designed to expand the rural healthcare workforce and improve access to quality services across Nevada's underserved areas. A bridge program allows paramedics and licensed practical nurses to transition to registered in under a year, further enhancing local capacity to meet regional needs. For agriculture, programs such as the Associate of Science in equip students with skills in sustainable practices and , contributing to the viability of rural farming and ranching economies in water-limited environments. The college fosters community engagement via its department, which delivers non-credit courses, workshops, and customized training tailored to local businesses, promoting and skill enhancement for residents of all ages. These offerings, including contract training in trades and STEM fields, strengthen partnerships with industries and help diversify economic opportunities beyond traditional sectors. Great Basin College addresses key rural challenges, including low college-going rates and the need for economic diversification, by serving as the primary provider of post-secondary over 86,500 square miles of rural and expanding access through distance technologies and targeted initiatives. Its programs, such as surveying certificates, support broader efforts to build resilient local workforces amid fluctuating resource industries. The GBC Foundation enhances regional impact by stewarding resources for scholarships and programs that aid students from rural and underserved areas, with contributions from events like the annual Golf Classic funding educational opportunities across the college's expansive service area. In support of tribal communities, the college acknowledges its campuses' locations on the homelands of the Newe/Nuwu (), Numu (Paiute), and Wa She Shu (Washoe) peoples and facilitates scholarships, such as 150 awards for students through partnerships with mining companies like .

References

  1. https://www.gbcnv.edu/about/
  2. https://www.gbcnv.edu/
  3. https://www.gbcnv.edu/about/mission.html
  4. https://nshe.nevada.edu/system-administration/news/2025/09/nshe-board-of-regents-appoints-dr-amber-donnelli-as-president-of-great-basin-college/
  5. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1078&context=cehsedaddiss
  6. https://www.gbcnv.edu/foundation/docs/2015_2016/05192016_trusteemeeting_minutes.pdf
  7. https://www.gbcnv.edu/accreditation/GBCNWCCU_Year_One_Report_2014.pdf
  8. https://www.gbcnv.edu/catalog/catalogs/catalog2000.pdf
  9. https://www.gbcnv.edu/programs/programs.html
  10. https://www.gbcnv.edu/academics/
  11. https://www.gbcnv.edu/programs/associates.html
  12. https://www.gbcnv.edu/programs/bachelors.html
  13. https://www.gbcnv.edu/catalog/catalogs/catalog2023.pdf
  14. https://www.gbcnv.edu/programs/certificates.html
  15. https://www.gbcnv.edu/academics/dualenrollment.html
  16. https://www.gbcnv.edu/programs/online/
  17. https://www2.gbcnv.edu/IR/docs/fall_quick_facts.pdf
  18. https://www.gbcnv.edu/IR/GBC.html
  19. https://datausa.io/profile/university/great-basin-college
  20. https://www.gbcnv.edu/accreditation/Great_Basin_College_Accreditation_Report_Final.pdf
  21. https://www.gbcnv.edu/administration/docs/GBC_2025_Strategic_Plan_Booklet_rev_for_web.pdf
  22. https://nshe.nevada.edu/html/wp-content/uploads/file/BoardOfRegents/Agendas/2025/06-jun-mtgs/refs/bor/BOR-31a.pdf
  23. https://www.gbcnv.edu/news/news_article_332.html
  24. https://www.gbcnv.edu/administration/president.html
  25. https://www.gbcnv.edu/administration/council.html
  26. https://www.gbcnv.edu/administration/administrators.html
  27. https://www.gbcnv.edu/news/news_article_326.html
  28. https://www.gbcnv.edu/news/news_article_322.html
  29. https://www.gbcnv.edu/accreditation/NWCCU-GBC%20Year%20One%202011.pdf
  30. https://nshe.nevada.edu/regents/
  31. https://www.gbcnv.edu/administration/
  32. https://www.gbcnv.edu/administration/advisory.html
  33. https://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/73rd2005/Bills/AB/AB527_EN.pdf
  34. https://thisisreno.com/2023/07/regents-to-consider-great-basin-college-merger-with-unr/
  35. https://www.gbcnv.edu/campus/elko.html
  36. https://www.gbcnv.edu/programs/health_sciences/bsn_nursing/index.html
  37. https://www.gbcnv.edu/catalog/catalogs/catalog2015.pdf
  38. https://www.gbcnv.edu/maps/map.pdf
  39. https://www.gbcnv.edu/programs/health_sciences/aas_nursing/index.html
  40. https://www.gbcnv.edu/programs/as-ls/as_ls_new.html
  41. https://www.gbcnv.edu/fitness/
  42. https://www.gbcnv.edu/campus/
  43. https://www.gbcnv.edu/campus/ely.html
  44. https://www.gbcnv.edu/campus/battlemountain.html
  45. https://elynews.com/2023/04/11/great-basin-colleges-mining-center-of-excellence-dual-credit-program-is-set-to-launch-in-fall-2023/
  46. https://www.gbcnv.edu/programs/show.cgi?AS-AG
  47. https://www.gbcnv.edu/campus/winnemucca.html
  48. https://www.gbcnv.edu/campus/pahrump/index.html
  49. https://www.gbcnv.edu/campus/other.html
  50. https://www.kolotv.com/2025/08/13/great-basin-college-receives-502500-continue-teach-mining-skills/
  51. https://www.gbcnv.edu/about/overview.html
  52. https://www.gbcnv.edu/departments/communications/colors.html
  53. https://www.facebook.com/greatbasincollege/posts/with-donations-from-the-nevada-department-of-wildlife-elko-bighorns-unlimited-an/10155183600769203/
  54. https://nshe.nevada.edu/system-administration/news/2025/08/nshe-community-colleges-receive-workforce-funding-to-address-nevadas-skills-gap/
  55. https://nevadamining.org/great-basin-college-partnering-to-support-education-in-rural-nevada/
  56. https://www.gbcnv.edu/programs/health_sciences/cert_mape/index.html
  57. https://greatbasinsun.com/news/2024/jun/20/great-basin-college-provides-new-pathway-into-healthcare/
  58. https://www.gbcnv.edu/academics/continuing.html
  59. https://www.campusce.net/gbcnv/
  60. https://www.gbcnv.edu/academics/contract.html
  61. https://www.gbcnv.edu/accreditation/docs/2023_mid_cycle/Attachement_A-GBC_Strategic_Plan_2022.pdf
  62. https://www.gbcnv.edu/foundation/
  63. https://www.gbcnv.edu/diversity/
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