Tava McGinty-Jimenez, M.A.

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Tava McGinty-Jimenez came to Las Vegas from the Pacific Northwest, beginning her professional career in higher education at various colleges within Washington State’s higher education system.  She received a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University, a master’s from Gonzaga University, and a Master’s Certificate from University Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV).  Before arriving at Touro University Nevada, she was a program coordinator at UNLV for ten years.  She helped youth and their families prepare for and succeed in post-secondary education through the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program and TRIO Upward Bound. 

Tava joined Touro University Nevada in 2014 as Assistant Director of Admissions and was promoted to Director in 2015 and later to Associate Dean of Students in 2019.  She oversees the recruitment and admissions process for TUN’s seven academic departments, which encompass 14 different degree and certificate programs.  Beyond the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs, Tava has served in shared governance as the former Vice Chair for the Midlevel Professionals Group and Chair of the Committee for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice.  Her professional memberships include the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education and the Diversity Council for the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.

She is firm in the belief of early exposure and helping to create a college-going culture for youth.  Under her leadership, TUN created and coordinated the Annual Advancing Youth in Medical Education Academy and PreMedical Education for Diverse Students Day to ensure a clearer path from middle school to high school to college to graduate healthcare careers.  Tava is also passionate about being active and involved in the community.  As a member of  Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and on the Executive Board of the Theta Theta Omega Chapter, she spends time serving the membership and raising scholarship funds for community youth.  She is also a member of the Junior League of Las Vegas, where she enjoys volunteering at food pantries and learning more about her community.  For her enjoyment, Tava is an aspiring golfer and a member of the Divas on Course.