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Meet Your Neighbor: Patty Charlton
By Callie Thomas
Every success begins with a good foundation. Which is why every student that aspires to reach their educational goals, can be thankful for the efforts of 89012 resident Patty Charlton. Patty is in the business of providing students with the educational opportunities to be successful. She puts her financial wizardry into motion to help bring about the necessary programs, resources and inspirational teachers and mentors that guide our students and provide the quality education that breeds future success.
Patty Charlton discovered her knack for the financial side of business as a student herself, having attended the College of Southern Nevada (formerly known as Clark County Community College) where she received an Associate’s degree in Business Management. She later attended UNLV and received a Bachelor’s degree in Management Information Systems and eventually a Master’s in Public Administration. “During my college years, I worked in the banking industry and found that I had a real interest in finance and associated fields,” says Charlton. “I began working at the college and during that time have worked in the finance area in a variety of positions.” Those positions included working her way up from Administrative Assistant and Budget Director to her current position as the college’s Senior Vice President for Finance & Facilities.
Charlton has gained valuable experiences through her work, which has provided her with the opportunity to interact with the faculty, staff, students, community, legislators and the CSN Foundation. “I have been able to see firsthand the wonderful programs we teach, student demand for education and the outcome of our teachers and motivators that inspire our students on a daily basis,” she said.
As an administrator, Patty has an ongoing involvement with the CSN Foundation, which is comprised of business and community leaders and supports student programs at the college, as well as secures donations, equipment to build classrooms, laboratories, auditoriums and academic buildings. The foundation recently funded over $1 million dollars for new scholarships and programs at CSN.
Charlton also lends her skills in organizing and assisting the group’s special events such as the Great Steak Out, an evening of select delicacies and wines to raise funds for students in the hospitality program, as well as the Annual Golf Tournament which will be held this November. Participants have an opportunity to play with celebrity baseball greats such as Greg Maddux, Aaron Rowand, Mike Dunn and Steve Garvey to raise funds for the foundation. “Through the annual CSN Golf Tournament we have been able to actively participate in support of Inter-Collegiate Athletics at CSN,” says Charlton. “The college receives no public support for this program, and operations are dependent on private and other resources.” As a result, the college has a men’s baseball program and women’s softball team where student athletes have historically been from local high schools who have shown academic excellence in the classroom and on the field.
One of the foundation’s programs that Charlton is particularly proud of is the introduction of the Justin Bailey Scholarship. “Justin was a veteran and son of one of the CSN family who passed away at a young age. We established a scholarship in his name that was generated through donations that benefit veterans who are returning to school.”
Patty Charlton is the proud mother of daughter Taylor, and when she isn’t influencing the future of others, she is excited about her new hobby—learning to golf. Charlton also looks forward to furthering her own education by pursuing a Ph.D. at UNLV. As a former and future student, she identifies and rejoices in the successes of the CSN students. “I look forward every year to the graduation ceremony where hundreds and hundreds of students walk across the stage, accept their diploma and sharing in the experience of their great accomplishment.”
