Nora Luna

Photo of Nora Luna, Extension

Nora Luna

4-H Youth Development Faculty

Education

Las Vegas High School, 1990
B.A, University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), 1994
M.Ed., University of Nevada Reno (UNR), 2002

Programs

horsing around in lake tahoe during the summer.

4-H Afterschool Program

The 4-H Afterschool Club teaches children basic life skills including math, reading, science, positive communication, goal setting, self-responsibility, decision-making and good nutrition. Youth who have these life skills are less likely to participate in risky behaviors.

4H camper with soccer ball

4-H Programa de Desarollo Juvenil

Los niños enfrentan muchos riesgos a medida que crecen y se desarrollan. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los niños puede beneficiarse enormemente de las interacciones positivas con adultos ejemplares. Los niños que adquieren buenas habilidades interpersonales y además cuentan con un sistema de apoyo, tienen menos probabilidades

Building rockets from straws in a great lesson in propulsion.

4-H Youth Development

4-H is a community of young people across America learning leadership, citizenship and life skills.

A group of girls

Clark County (Las Vegas) 4-H Youth Development

4-H programming in the general Clark County area.

kids playing board games

Clark County 4-H After School Program

Extension provides 4-H programming in the afterschool setting. Students learn-by-doing in 4-H Afterschool.

Happy students with cap and gowns

Next Steps: College Access & Readiness Program

The program's mission is to guide and motivate youth and their families on the path to achieving a post-secondary education.

Courses

PRESENTATIONS | WORKSHOPS

  • Latinos and End of Life Care and Decision Making. Presenter. National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO), 2017 Management and Leadership Conference. May 1, 2017. Washington DC.
  • Caregiving and End of Life Care for Alzheimer’s Patients. Panelist. National Hispanic Medical Association Annual Conference. April 26, 2013. Washington DC.
  • Baby Boomers and Healthcare: Understanding and Appreciating Cultural Differences. Panelist. Nathan Adelson Hospice Eighth Annual Multicultural Conference and Luncheon. February 15, 2012. Local Presentation.
  • Indigenous Mexican Culture, Identity and Academic Achievement: Results From a Community- Based Curriculum Project for Latino Students. National Dropout Prevention Center/Network (NDPN) Conference. Schaumburg, Illinois. National Presentation.
  • Indigenous Mexican Culture, Identity and Academic Achievement: Results from a Community-based Curriculum Project for Latino students. Society for Applied Anthropology. Seattle, Washington. March 31, 2011. National Presentation.
  • Community Cultural Wealth: Lessons Learned in Implementing a Middle School Program with Latina/Latino Students. Children, Youth and Families At-Risk (CYFAR) Conference. San Francisco, California. May 7, 2010. National Presentation.
  • From Deficits to Assets: Latina/o Community Cultural Wealth, Las Vegas, Nevada 2009. Regional Presentation.
  • Media Advocacy for Public Health, Las Vegas, Nevada 2008. Local Presentation.
  • Azteca Alcohol Prevention Model, Atlanta, Georgia, 2007. National Presentation.
  • Taller de formación para Especialistas en Prevención del Abuso de Sustancias, San Diego, California, 2006. Bi-national Presentation.
  • Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training. Reno, Nevada, 2005. Regional Presentation.
  • Multicultural and Diversity Issues. Reno, Nevada, 2004. Staff Development Training.
  • Sustaining Prevention Programs. Las Vegas, Nevada, 2004. Local Presentation.
  • Prevention Program Evaluation. Las Vegas, Nevada, 2003. Local Presentation.
  • Pathways to Effective Programs and Positive Outcomes. Washington DC, 2003. National Presentation.
  • Environmental Prevention Strategies: Putting Theory into Practice. Anchorage, Alaska, 2002. Regional Presentation.
  • Comparison of Federal Guidelines for Model Programs. Denver, Colorado, 2002. National Presentation.
  • Best Practices to Reduce Underage Drinking. Jackson, Wyoming, 2001. Regional Presentation.
  • Substance Abuse Prevention Specialist Training. Guam, 2001. Regional Presentation for Pacific Jurisdictions.
  • Prevention Services for Adolescents. Las Vegas, Nevada, 2000. Local Presentation.
  • Introduction to Prevention, Online Workshop, 2000. National Course.
  • Introduction to Science-based Prevention Strategies. Casper, Wyoming, 1999. Regional Presentation.
  • Seven Steps to Community Prevention Planning. Salt Lake City, Utah, 1999. State Conference.

Honors and Awards

  • Luna, N. (2017). Southwest Alliance for Excellence, Level 4 Application, Awarded a Category Award for Workforce for Nathan Adelson Hospice.
  • Luna, N. (2016). Southwest Alliance for Excellence, Level 3 Application Award for Nathan Adelson Hospice.
  • 2012 Spirit of Cesar Chavez Award Recipient, awarded by Luz Community Development Coalition
  • 2013 Vegas Inc. Woman to Watch Award
  • 2013 “Circle of Life Citation of Honor” awarded to the Nathan Adelson Hospice Hispanic/Latino Program by the American Hospital Association
  • 2013 “Outstanding Program Achievement Award” from the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association to Nathan Adelson Hospice for its strong efforts in Hispanic/Latino education and outreach

Accomplishments

GRANTS

  • Luna, N. (2018). Grant submitted to Anonymous donor for various programs at Nathan Adelson Hospice. Awarded: $2,000,000.00.
  • Luna, N. (2018). Grant submitted to Elaine P. Wynn and Family Foundation for the Elaine Wynn Palliative Care Program at Nathan Adelson Hospice. Requested and Awarded: $568,000.
  • Luna, N. (2017). Grant submitted to Anonymous donor for Uncompensated Care, Families In Need, Complementary Therapies and Deciding Tomorrow…Today at Nathan Adelson Hospice. Requested and Awarded: $5,000,000.00.
  • Luna, N. (2017). Grant submitted to Elaine P. Wynn and Family Foundation for the Elaine Wynn Palliative Care Program at Nathan Adelson Hospice. Requested and Awarded: $568,000.
  • Luna, N. (2016). Grant submitted to Elaine P. Wynn and Family Foundation for the Elaine Wynn Palliative Care Program at Nathan Adelson Hospice. Requested and Awarded: $575,000.
  • Luna, N. (2011). Grant submitted to Nevada System of Higher Education for the U.S. Department of Education’s College Access Challenge Grant Program. Awarded $139,000.
  • Luna, N. (2011). Grant submitted to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed). Awarded: $25,000.
  • Luna, N. (2010). Fixed fee contract proposal submitted to Luz Community Development Coalition. Awarded: $8,750.
  • Luna, N. (2010). Grant submitted to Nevada System of Higher Education for the U.S. Department of Education’s College Access Challenge Grant Program. Awarded: $21,000.
  • Luna, N. (2010). Grant submitted to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education (SNAP-Ed). Awarded: $24,838.
  • Luna, N. (2010). Grant submitted to Nevada System of Higher Education for the U.S. Department of Education’s College Access Challenge Grant Program. Awarded: $108,408.
  • Luna, N. (2008). University of Nevada Cooperative Extension in-house program development grant. Awarded: $10,000.

Service

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

  • Ad Hoc College of Southern Nevada (CSN) President Search Committee, January to May 2018
  • University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) Advisory Council, January 2018 to June 2019
  • Latin Chamber of Commerce Professional Mujeres (Womens) Group, Co-Chair, June 2016 to present (formerly, Las Mujeres, Co-Chair, 2008 to 2016)
  • Community Implementation Council (CIC), Member, November 2016 to November 2017
  • The Southwest Alliance for Excellence (SWAE) member of the Board of Examiners for the 2016 Performance Excellence Program
  • Southern Nevada Public Television Board of Directors, Member at Large, June 2015 to June 2019; Secretary, June 2019 to present 
  • Latino Leadership Council, Board of Directors, January 2015 to present (inactive)
  • Nevada State Public Charter School Authority Board, Member at Large, January 2012 to June 2019
  • Girl Scouts of Frontier Council, Board of Directors, Member at Large, May 2009 to May 2013
  • National Dropout Prevention Network, Member, 2009 to 2012
  • Addiction Counselor Certification Board of Oregon, Certified Prevention Specialist, 2000 to 2012
  • Addiction Technology Transfer Center (ATTC), Board Member, 1998 to 2003
  • Annual Hispanic Leadership Summit, Steering Committee Member, 1997 to 2002
  • Latinos for Political Education (LAPE), Board Member, 1998 to 2000 (Reno, NV)
  • Latin Chamber of Commerce, Latino Youth Leadership Conference, Committee Member, 1996-98
  • Family Advocates for Community Empowerment Consortium, Co-chair of Service Delivery Committee, 1996-1998
  • Bringing Everybody’s Strengths Together Coalition (BEST), Parent Network Committee Member, 1995 to 1996

News & Journal Articles, Fact Sheets, Reports...

Blog Posts
A memorable experience at 4-H Capitol Days Morales, Y. 2025, Extension | University of Nevada, Reno
Book Chapter(s)
School-based prevention programs. In G.L. Fisher & N.A. Roget (eds.). Encyclopedia of Substance Abuse Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery (pp. 803-806)
The scope includes behavioral addictions such as eating disorders, gambling and compulsive shopping. Preparation of the profession is heavily featured in numerous articles on standards, training, ethics and professional organizations.
 Luna, N. (2009). In G.L. Fisher & N.A. Roget (eds.) 2009, Thousand Oak, CA: Sage.
Books
Substance abuse prevention: The intersection of science and practice
This cutting-edge book responds to the growing need for a textbook that addresses the rapid development of the substance abuse prevention profession.
 Hogan, J. A., Gabrielsen, K., Luna, N., & Grothaus, D. 2003, Pearson
Curriculum Materials
Fact Sheets
Informational Publications
Journals
A Systematic Scoping Review to Characterize the Challenges in US Food Banks (USFB) and Pantries
The purpose of this systematic scoping review was to characterize the challenges in the U.S. food banks and to identify areas for further research and intervention.
 Angeline Jeyakumar, Sandra Nyarko, Jamie Benedict and Holly Gatzke 2024, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior Volume 56, Issue 8, Supplement 1, August 2024, Page S24
Using Popular-press Nutrition Books to Develop Critical Reading Skills of First-Year College Students J. Benedict 2013, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, Volume 45, Issue 2 , Pages 188-190
Team Development and Beyond
The objective of this article is to demonstrate how Tuckman’s model for small group development can be used to examine the evolution of teams retrospectively for the purpose of improving future practice.
 Wilson, M. P., Benedict, J. A., Snow, G., Havercamp, M. J. 2010, Journal of Extension, 48(5)
Evaluation of a community-based health promotion program for the elderly: Lessons from Seniors CAN Collins, C., Benedict, J. 2006, American Journal of Health Promotion, 21(1), 45-48.
Food for Health and Soul: A curriculum designed to facilitate healthful recipe modifications to family favorites. Woodson, J., Braxton-Calhoun, M., Benedict, J. 2005, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 36(6), 323-324.
Use of Health Belief Model to examine older adults food-handling behaviors. Hanson, J., Benedict, J. 2002, Journal of Nutrition Education, 34 (Supplement 1), S25-S30.
Spoon, M., Devereux, P., Benedict, J., Leontos, C., Constantino, N., Christy, D., Snow, G. Spoon, M., Devereux, P., Benedict, J., Leontos, C., Constantino, N., Christy, D., Snow, G. 2002, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior, 34 (5), 268-272.
Team Nutrition Partners: A volunteer program to enhance the school environment. Benedict, J ., Spoon, M. 2001, Journal of Nutrition Education, 33(4), 249-250.
System, Environmental, and Policy Changes: Using the sociological model as a framework for evaluating nutrition education and social marketing programs with low-income audiences. Gregson, J., Foerster, S.B., Orr, R. Jones, L, Benedict, J., Clarke, B., Hersey, J., Lewis, J., Zotz, K. 2001, Journal of Nutrition Education, 33(Supplement 1), S4-S15.
An exploratory study of recreational drug use and nutrition-related behaviors and attitudes among adolescents Benedict, J. , Evans, W., Calder, J. 1999, Journal of Drug Education, 29(2), 141-157.
Use of nutrition screening to develop and target nutrition education interventions for the elderly. Benedict, J., Wilson, D., Snow, G., Nipp, P., Remig, V., Spoon, M., Leontos, C., and Read, M. 1999, Journal of Nutrition for the Elderly, 19(2), 31-47.
Reports & Updates
Technical Publication
Statewide Needs Assessment for Nevada’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program-Education (SNAP-Ed) Benedict, J. A., Wahrenburg, M. V., Kerwin, H., Treftz, C. 2019, Nevada Department of Health and Human Service