Jill Tolles has built a career that bridges public service, leadership and education, but her journey began with simple curiosity and a willingness to take risks. From her early days within the College of Liberal Arts at the 夜色视频, to her work shaping policy and mentoring leaders, Tolles’ story is a testament to how a liberal arts education can cultivate the skills and confidence to make a difference in the world.
A proud graduate of the College of Liberal Arts, Tolles earned her bachelor’s degree in speech communications (now communication studies) in 1997 and later returned to complete a master’s in communication studies in 2005. Reflecting on her education, she emphasizes how the liberal arts prepared her for more than just a career.
“What I love about liberal arts is that it prepares you for the world,” she says. “It gives you an appreciation for different cultures, perspectives and ways of thinking.”
Dean Isabelli and Jill Tolles during a previous CLA Awards Ceremony.Like many students, Tolles entered college without a clear roadmap. What she discovered were enduring skills: communication, critical thinking and adaptability, that would guide her through life’s challenges.
One pivotal moment came when she nervously enrolled in a debate class. That initial leap of faith sparked a passion: she found her voice, built confidence and became a regular winner in competitions and a loyal member of the College’s Debate Team, which became a formative experience that shaped the leader she is today.
Tolles’ influence extends well beyond her time at the University as both a student and then as an instructor in the College of Liberal Arts for seventeen years. Alongside her role as executive director of the Kenny Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, she shares her expertise as an instructor at the National Judicial College, where she teaches classes to judges from around the world. Her dedication to public service includes her tenure as a three-term Nevada State Assemblywoman, serving on Ways and Means, Education, Judiciary and Commerce and Labor Committees.
Jill Tolles earned her ‘97 B.A. and ‘06 M.A. in communication studies from the 夜色视频.Her civic engagement is equally impressive. Tolles serves on the Advisory Board for the Center for Effective Lawmaking, currently the Northern Nevada Sex Trafficking Task Force and recently completed her term as vice chair of the Attorney General’s Statewide Substance Use Response Working Group and as a member of the Education Alliance Board. She has been recognized as a PBS Spotlight Award recipient, a Junior Achievement Hall of Fame honoree, an Aspen Institute Rodel Fellow, an FBI Citizen’s Academy graduate and a member of the International Women’s Forum.
Through her work and service, Jill Tolles exemplifies the essence of a liberal arts education: curiosity, adaptability and a commitment to making a meaningful impact.
The College proudly honors Jill as the 2026 Alumna of the Year, celebrating a graduate whose leadership, dedication and passion continue to inspire both the College and the wider community.
