Carlos D. Fernandez
Clark County
About
Carlos D. Fernandez proudly serves as the representative of District 1 on the Nevada Board of Regents. A proud immigrant from Colombia and long-time Nevadan, he is committed to expanding access to higher education, advancing workforce development, and supporting the success of Nevada鈥檚 students.
Carlos graduated from Northwest Career & Technical Academy, attended the College of Southern Nevada, and earned his bachelor鈥檚 degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He also earned a Master of Arts in Urban Leadership through the School of Public Policy at UNLV. While at UNLV, he served as undergraduate Student Body President, representing over 23,000 students, and successfully advocated for funding to support veteran students, the UNLV School of Medicine, and the College of Engineering. He also served as Vice Chair of the Nevada Student Alliance, collaborating with student leaders statewide to address shared challenges and opportunities.
During his time at UNLV, Carlos joined Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc., a Latino-based organization focused on academic excellence, cultural empowerment, and community service. His involvement reflects his lifelong commitment to fostering inclusion and uplifting underserved voices.
Professionally, Carlos has dedicated his career to bridging education, policy, and economic development. As Public Policy Manager for the Vegas Chamber, he worked with educators, business leaders, and policymakers to align education and workforce pathways to meet the needs of Nevada鈥檚 evolving economy. Currently, as Executive Director of the Las Vegas and Nevada Chapters of the American Institute of Architects, Carlos champions sustainability, innovation, and infrastructure development, advocating for policies that strengthen communities and support Nevada鈥檚 growth.
Beyond his professional roles, Carlos鈥檚 dedication to service includes his time as a legacy board member of the UNLV Alumni Association, where he advanced alumni engagement and student-focused initiatives, and as an active member of AIA鈥檚 National ArchiPAC, promoting the architecture profession on a national level. His participation in leadership programs such as the Vegas Chamber Foundation鈥檚 Leadership Las Vegas, the U.S. Chamber Foundation Business Leads Fellowship, and the charter class of AGB鈥檚 Govern NOW Leadership Academy reflects his commitment to cultivating strong community ties and fostering education.
As Regent, Carlos is focused on empowering students to succeed, ensuring accessible pathways to higher education, and preparing graduates to meet the challenges of an evolving workforce. His motto, 鈥淓ngage, Empower, Elevate,鈥� underscores his belief that education is a transformative tool for individuals and communities alike.
Carlos is honored to be the first Latino immigrant elected to the Nevada Board of Regents and the youngest Regent ever to serve on the Board. His vision for the future of Nevada is rooted in his personal journey and his dedication to creating equitable opportunities for all Nevadans.