ABOUT GBC
Welcome to Great Basin College!
Great Basin College values you! Valuing what we have in common and our differences means we will foster a college climate of mutual trust, tolerance, informed discourse and always seek to promote GBC as a "safe space" to explore new ideas and perspectives with opportunities for you to grow, learn and be successful in a friendly, supportive campus environment. GBC enriches people's lives by providing student-centered, post-secondary education to rural Nevada. GBC students enjoy outstanding academic programs, smaller class sizes, and excellent faculty who really care about our students. We are GBC!
ADMISSIONS
ACADEMICS
For High School Students
STUDENT SERVICES
GBC ONLINE
As part of Great Basin College's mission of transforming lives through education, GBC offers hundreds of online classes and several certificate and degree programs. See our current catalog for more information.
COMMUNITY
Great Basin College wants to be your choice for higher education. GBC offers associate and baccalaureate level instruction in career and technical education and academic areas. About 4,000 students are enrolled annually online from across the country and on campuses and centers across 86,500 square miles, two time zones, and ten of Nevada's largest counties. We border Arizona, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and California. We are GBC!
INFORMATION
Need to find COVID-19 information quick? Check out our Coronavirus (COVID-19) Information and Resources page!
RESOURCES
GBC Hosts "The Power of Connection" to Support Student Mental Health
Great Basin College students, faculty, and community members across Elko, Ely, Winnemucca, and Pahrump came together on November 13, for The Power of Connection, a multi-site event focused on strengthening mental health, building belonging, and fostering open conversation about well-being.
The event brought together students, community and faculty who engaged in storytelling activities, interactive workshops, and conversations about how connection can help us navigate challenges in healthier, more supportive ways.
A significant thank-you goes to the NV Energy Foundation, whose generous grant funding made the event possible and is providing GBC students with access to BetterMynd, an online teletherapy platform designed specifically for college students. This support ensures that students, regardless of location, can connect for five free sessions with licensed counselors who understand the pressures they face.
The program opened with Cody Semrau, CEO and Founder of BetterMynd, who shared his personal journey and the motivation behind creating a mental health platform designed for students. His story underscored the importance of accessible support for rural students.
"I want to acknowledge something that is especially true in rural communities, where privacy can feel more limited. People talk, and the fear of being judged can feel bigger than the struggle itself. But the truth is, 1 in 4 college students experience a mental health challenge," said Semrau, who attended a rural college himself. "Connection is often what saves us: connection to a therapist who listens without judgment, connection to a friend who notices you have withdrawn, connection to a professor who checks in when your work suddenly changes, and connection to yourself when you finally say, 'I am not okay, and I need help.'"
Workshops led by PTK leaders, Lynette McFarlan, and Katie Karnehm-Esh guided participants through self-care activities, journaling practices, and creative expression.
Throughout all four sites, a shared theme emerged: connection is powerful, and when students feel seen and supported, they are better equipped to succeed both in and out of the classroom.
GBC extends heartfelt appreciation to everyone who participated, volunteered, and partnered to make this event meaningful. Our campus community continues to show up for one another, and that support makes all the difference.
GBC's Industrial Maintenance program is part of the college's ongoing commitment to powering Nevada's workforce through hands-on, industry-aligned education. This partnership with Orla Mining reinforces that shared mission. Together, GBC and Orla are expanding access to high-quality training that supports the state's mining sector, critical minerals development, manufacturing, and other growing industries, strengthening the workforce and creating new opportunities for Nevada's rural communities.
Media Contact
Leslie Maple
Executive Director of Institutional Advancement
Great Basin College
leslie.maple@gbcnv.edu | (775) 327-2382
For More Information Contact
Great Basin College
1500 College Parkway
Elko, Nevada 89801
Why Great Basin College
Great Basin College offers associate and baccalaureate level education in academic, career and technical fields. Welcoming students from all corners of the country, both online and at our various campuses and centers, GBC's presence extends across two time zones and spans more than 86,000 square miles throughout Nevada. A leader in rural higher education, GBC takes pride in developing students who are well-prepared to meet the demands of industry and who contribute to the success and prosperity of the local economy.
