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Heather Torgersen joined the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ) in 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Sociology from Southern Utah University and began her career working on political campaigns. She later earned a Master of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in Public Policy—officially becoming a 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Rebel.

In 2008, Heather graduated from Emerge Nevada and transitioned into the nonprofit sector. She began in public policy advocacy and volunteer mobilization with AARP, eventually spending nearly a decade with the American Cancer Society. Her roles spanned local to national levels and included event planning, fundraising, leading a national training team for development, and managing a team of fundraisers while securing major gifts.

Heather became a two-time Rebel graduate after completing a doctorate in Public Policy from 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s School of Public Policy and Leadership. Her research focused on higher education funding, specifically exploring dedicated support for Minority Serving Institutions through student programming aimed at increasing degree attainment and enhancing social mobility.

Outside of her role at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, Heather is a founding board member of the local nonprofit Branded One, a PTA member and volunteer at a local elementary school, and a graduate of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Leadership Las Vegas program (Class of 2024). She is also a licensed Realtor—a hobby she shares with her husband. Together, they have three children and a rescued tortoise.

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