���ӽ紫ý

Raymond Wilson has heard the phrase, “Put your money where your mouth is,” more times than he could count. So, when he decided to make his first personal gift to support ���ӽ紫ý, the , senior vice president and chief financial officer (SVP/CFO) chose to instead put his money where his heart is–with his son, Brandon.

In addition to a very early Autism diagnosis, Brandon benefited from parents who were aware and engaged in finding an effective treatment for their son. His mom, Kathryn Wilson was a nurse at the Cleveland Clinic, and Ray became an advocate within Brandon’s school community. “Brandon almost had his own classroom, as well as a tutor assigned to him,” Ray recalls. Brandon, now 34, lives semi-independently in California, working in the consumer retail industry and training in the motion picture industry. Having seen the power of knowledge, resources, and advocacy in Brandon's life, Ray is investing in the power of special education for others.

A Career Driven by Giving Back

Philanthropy and community give back have always played a role in Ray’s work. “When I first came to Las Vegas the thing that shocked me the most was the challenges facing teachers, students, and the state's education ranking.” he reflects. 

In addition to his role as SVP/CFO, Ray also serves as the president of the SSSCU’s . The foundation oversees numerous projects and initiatives to support educators and students, as well as to improve education standards statewide.

As he approaches his retirement, Ray is looking for ways to make a difference on a more personal level. He has seen a lot of growth and progress in Southern Nevada over the years, but the region’s education challenges persist. “There are a lot of positive things happening in Las Vegas, but we still have to find ways to continually grow and uplift education," Ray notes. 

Putting a FOCUS on Special Education

Motivated to make a difference in special education, he committed to funding the Brandon Raymond Wilson Special Education Scholarships for two students pursuing careers in this field each year. 

In addition, the scholarships will also support two students with intellectual and developmental disabilities pursuing post-secondary learning opportunities each semester through the College of Education’s Project FOCUS program. The comprehensive post-secondary education program provides inclusive, accessible, and productive career education for Southern Nevada's adult college-aged students with intellectual/developmental disabilities. In addition to building confidence and job readiness skills, participants are prepared for competitive, paid employment and independent living in an inclusive community setting.

“I want to give an opportunity to those who, in the absence of a scholarship or access to the FOCUS program, would either be in financial hardship or not have the chance to continue their study at all.”

Ray is a big believer that we're all blessed with a skill set that can be used to help support and lift up others. Grateful to be in the position that he is after a successful career, and proud of his son’s resilience, he looks forward to contributing to the collective effort of the college through this new scholarship. “I've always wanted to do something to create a legacy on Brandon’s behalf,” he shared. Noting the vital role of special education teachers, “I believe in progress and that there are others who care about the educational landscape, but it takes a village.”