High Sierra AHEC

What High Sierra AHEC does

High Sierra AHEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit Area Health Education Center (EIN 43-1981060) headquartered in Reno, Nevada, operating for over 40 years as part of the national AHEC network. The organization recruits, trains, and supports the next generation of healthcare professionals for rural and underserved communities across Northern Nevada, with primary beneficiaries being K-12 Title 1 and first-generation students, undergraduate pre-health students at the University of Nevada, Reno, graduate-level healthcare students, and incumbent healthcare professionals seeking certification. Reported reach includes 1,476 K-12 students across FY 23-25, 162 CHW certifications, 35 undergraduate Ambassadors, 998 FY 23-24 program participants, 41 newly certified CHWs in 2025, and 900+ professionals trained in cultural competency across 20+ states; 97% of participants expressed interest in higher education and 67% pursued healthcare careers.

The service portfolio spans K-12 pathway programs (Health Care Heroes Camp, CSI Camp, Project Prevent & Project ROARR, CHW Youth Training), university programs (Student Ambassador, HRSA-funded AHEC Scholars), professional certification (CHW Self-Paced Certification through the Nevada Certification Board, Nevada Cultural Competency Training with CME accreditation through UNR School of Medicine), and test preparation courses delivered via a long-running partnership with The Princeton Review (ACT, SAT, GRE, MCAT, DAT, NCLEX-RN). The technology stack is non-proprietary: a Wix-hosted public website, self-paced online training modules, WCAG 2.1 Level AA accessibility compliance, and a planned Virtual Reality simulation capability for healthcare career exploration launching March 2026 in partnership with Upward Bound. The organization holds a 2024 Candid Financial Transparency Gold SEAL, is a member of the National AHEC Organization, and was recognized with the Redefining American Healthcare Award.

Revenue is grant-driven and donation-dependent rather than commercial. Federal sources include HRSA (AHEC Scholars plus a Rural Health Development Grant for a Sex and Gender Minorities healthcare network) and the Fund for Resilient Nevada (Project Rise, December 2024-June 2027, integrating opioid abatement curriculum). Corporate sponsorship is led by Molina Healthcare's $150,000 contribution in April 2025 to fund Healthcare Pathway Program Coordinators across High Sierra, Desert Meadows, and Frontier AHECs. Community fundraising through the annual AceBall contributes approximately $10,000-$14,000 per year; ARPA-funded scholarships ($2,500 undergraduate, $5,000 graduate, totaling $92,000) have wound down, prompting the 2024 formation of a Donor Acquisition Committee. Fee-for-service revenue comes from CHW certification and Nevada Cultural Competency training. Leadership is anchored by CEO Andrea Gregg (18+ years of tenure), with governance provided by Chairman Patrick Rogers, Vice Chair Robert Kidd, and Secretary/Treasurer Amy Stephenson.

Name

High Sierra AHEC

Legal name

High Sierra Area Health Education Center

Website

https://highsierraahec.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

High Sierra AHEC is a Reno, Nevada-based 501(c)(3) Area Health Education Center developing Nevada's rural healthcare workforce through K-12 pathway programs, CHW certification, AHEC Scholars, cultural competency training, and test prep, serving students and healthcare professionals since 1984.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Healthcare Workforce Development and Training

NAICS

Educational Support Services (611710), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Graduate & Professional School Admissions Exams (GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT) Prep (EDANABAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Special Education, Disability Support & Inclusive Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAH)

Keywords

• Healthcare workforce development
• Community health worker training
• Cultural competency education
• K-12 healthcare pathway programs
• Healthcare certification programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Reno

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary revenue from federal and state grants including HRSA funding, Nevada Health Workforce Pipeline grants, and Fund for Resilient Nevada grants. Funding is competitive, time-limited, and specific about use of funds.
2. Fee-for-Service Training: Revenue from CHW certification programs, Nevada Cultural Competency training, and test prep courses. Some programs are grant-funded while others are fee-based.
3. Donations and Fundraising: Individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and fundraising events such as the AceBall fundraiser. Diversification strategy to reduce reliance on federal funding.
4. Scholarship Administration: ARPA-funded scholarship programs ($2,500 for undergraduate, $5,000 for graduate students) supported through Nevada Health Workforce Pipeline Grant

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

High Sierra AHEC is a nonprofit Area Health Education Center that recruits, trains, and certifies students and professionals for healthcare careers in rural and underserved Nevada communities. Its core offerings include K-12 healthcare pathway programs (camps, project-based learning), undergraduate Student Ambassador and graduate AHEC Scholars programs, and professional certifications such as Community Health Worker (CHW) and Nevada Cultural Competency Training. The organization also distributes test prep courses (ACT, SAT, GRE, MCAT, DAT, NCLEX-RN) in partnership with The Princeton Review.

Product overview

High Sierra AHEC offers a comprehensive portfolio of healthcare workforce development programs and educational services spanning K-12 pathway programs, professional certifications, and test preparation courses. The core offerings include Healthcare Pathway Programs (Health Care Heroes Camp, CSI Camp, Project Prevent & Project ROARR), professional certification programs (CHW Self-Paced Certification, Nevada Cultural Competency Training), student development programs (AHEC Scholars, Student Ambassador), and test prep courses (ACT, SAT, GRE, MCAT, DAT, NCLEX-RN) delivered in partnership with Princeton Review. Programs are designed to serve rural and underserved communities across Nevada, with offerings ranging from elementary school exposure through graduate-level professional development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Healthcare Pathway Programs K-12 workforce development initiatives providing hands-on experiences, mentorship, and educational resources to prepare students for healthcare careers. Includes Health Care Heroes Camp, CSI Camp, Project Prevent & Project ROARR, and Resource Library. Targeted at Title 1 and first-generation students from rural and underserved communities.
• Health Care Heroes Camp Week-long summer camp for K-12 students exploring public health and healthcare careers through hands-on activities such as banana suturing, heart dissection, and DNA extraction, with guest speakers from healthcare professionals.
• Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) Camp Hands-on forensic science camp hosted in partnership with KIDS University at UNR, immersing students in criminal investigation techniques including bloodstain analysis, fingerprint identification, and crime scene recreation with STEAM concepts.
• Project Prevent & Project ROARR Programs providing underserved and rural students with curriculum covering healthcare careers, health literacy, and advocacy. Builds research and advocacy skills for community health understanding.
• CHW Youth Training Program Training program for students 16 years and older from rural and underserved areas offering grant-funded curriculum, continuing education, workshops, and mentorship toward higher-skilled healthcare careers.
• AHEC Scholars Program Nationally HRSA-funded program for graduate-level students strengthening healthcare workforce by preparing students as leaders in health with practical skills for underserved settings, providing IPE credit and real-world experience.
• Student Ambassador Program Award-winning program for UNR undergraduate pre-health students providing networking opportunities, community engagement, graduate school preparation, and skill-building workshops to equip students for healthcare careers.
• CHW Self-Paced Certification Program Comprehensive curriculum for professionals and those seeking entry into healthcare and community support sectors, preparing participants for Community Health Worker I certification through the Nevada Certification Board.
• Nevada Cultural Competency Training Expert-led, interactive training fostering belonging and culturally responsive, patient-centered care. Includes self-paced training (4-hour), CME credits, Train The Trainer, and cultural competency resources for medical providers and public health professionals. State-approved under AB 267 and CME accredited through University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine.
• Enhanced ACT Self-Paced Course Self-paced test preparation course for ACT college admission exam offered in partnership with Princeton Review with exclusive AHEC discounts.
• Digital SAT Self-Paced Course Self-paced test preparation course for Digital SAT college admission exam offered in partnership with Princeton Review with exclusive AHEC discounts.
• GRE Self-Paced Course Self-paced graduate-level exam preparation course assessing readiness for advanced study, offered in partnership with Princeton Review with exclusive AHEC discounts.
• MCAT Self-Paced Course Self-paced test preparation course for MCAT medical school entrance exam, offered in partnership with Princeton Review with exclusive AHEC discounts.
• MCAT Ultimate 123 Hour Course Comprehensive 123-hour MCAT preparation course offered in partnership with Princeton Review with exclusive AHEC discounts.
• DAT Live Online Course Live online test preparation course for DAT dental school entrance exam, offered in partnership with Princeton Review with exclusive AHEC discounts.
• NCLEX-RN 90 Day QBANK 90-day question bank for NCLEX-RN nursing licensure exam preparation offered in partnership with Princeton Review.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1,476 K-12 students engaged through hands-on programs in FY 23-25
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• KIDS University at University of Nevada, RenocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership hosting CSI Camp and Healthcare Heroes Camp. For over 15 years, KIDS U has brought forensic science and healthcare career exploration to young students through hands-on camp experiences. High Sierra AHEC leads camp instruction with expert professionals providing real-world investigative techniques.
• The Princeton ReviewminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership offering exclusive discounts on test prep courses (SAT, ACT, MCAT, GRE, DAT). Open to everyone—no AHEC affiliation required. Expert instructors, proven strategies, and comprehensive study materials for healthcare career advancement.
• TRiOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration connecting Student Ambassador program with TRiO's medical student cohort. TRiO serves first-generation undergraduate students, offering volunteer opportunities and expanding ambassador community reach. Currently integrating TRiO students into Community Health Alliance rotations.
• Community Health Alliance (CHA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal nonprofit FQHC providing volunteer rotations for TRiO students and Student Ambassadors. CHAs healthcare services to underserved populations. Student Ambassador Yaire A. secured employment as CHW after shadowing experience with CHA.
• Northern Nevada HOPESmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerHome Run sponsor of 5th Annual AceBall fundraiser. Had a table on concourse reaching 6,500 participants. Healthcare organization serving Northern Nevada communities.
• Northern Nevada Health SystemminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAceBall event sponsor supporting healthcare workforce development programs.
• Nevada Primary Care AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAceBall event sponsor supporting community health initiatives.
• The Perry FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAceBall event sponsor supporting healthcare workforce initiatives.
• Nevada Hospital AssociationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAceBall event sponsor supporting healthcare workforce development.
• Office of Minority Health and Equity (NOMHE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration through Nevada Cultural Competency Program supporting Senate Bill 222 implementation. 34 of 52 Diversity and Inclusion Liaisons trained on LGBTQIA2S+ culturally responsive services.
• Office of New AmericanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Minority Interagency Collaboration (MIC) implementing SB222 across state government agencies for Diversity and Inclusion Liaison Initiative.
• Commission on Minority AffairscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPart of MIC collaboration with Nevada Governor's Office for New Americans and NOMHE to implement SB222 requiring DIL designation in state agencies.
• Department of Human Resource ManagementminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency collaboration for Diversity and Inclusion Liaison Initiative training and orientation.
• University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine - Rural Outreach Clinics (ROCs)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSummer community outreach where Student Ambassadors assist patients as CHWs, providing health education and connecting patients with resources and referrals.
• Northern NV JobsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for attending all-Northern Nevada Hiring Event and Career Fair at Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Event targets healthcare-oriented career seekers.
• Upward BoundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMarch 2026 collaboration bringing VR headsets to introduce students to immersive healthcare career simulations including nursing, surgery, and medical diagnostics.
• Reno High School SWENext (Society of Women Engineers)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsored build kits for 3D printed prosthetic hands. Staff attended Hands of Gratitude build event constructing prosthetic hands for recipients worldwide.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Emerging players

• Health Career Connection: Nonprofit operating healthcare pathway and internship programs for underrepresented students. Comparable in targeting Title 1 and first-generation undergraduates entering healthcare careers, overlapping with High Sierra's Student Ambassador and AHEC Scholars programs.
• National Association of Community Health Workers (NACHW): National membership organization supporting CHWs with training, certification standards, and policy advocacy. Comparable to High Sierra's CHW certification and training programs, with broader national scope and policy influence.
• Community Health Impact Coalition: National nonprofit advancing Community Health Worker professionalization, training standards, and policy advocacy. Comparable to High Sierra's CHW certification and workforce development work, with broader national scope.

Direct peers

• North Carolina AHEC: Established state-wide AHEC network offering pre-health student programs, continuing education, and community health workforce development. Comparable as a multi-region AHEC serving rural and underserved communities with HRSA funding.
• California AHEC (CalAHEC): State-level AHEC operating K-16 health pathway programs and provider training across California. Comparable mission and funding structure, serving a similar rural/underserved population with HRSA-aligned programs.
• Desert Meadows AHEC: Sister Nevada AHEC serving southern Nevada, jointly funded through the Molina Healthcare Pathway Program Coordinator expansion. Identical mission and operating model; explicitly coordinated with High Sierra AHEC.
• National AHEC Organization: Umbrella organization for the nationwide AHEC network of which High Sierra AHEC is a member. Directly comparable because High Sierra operates under NAO's programmatic model, receives HRSA-aligned funding channels, and runs the AHEC Scholars program that NAO coordinates nationally.
• Massachusetts AHEC (MAHEC): One of the largest state-level AHECs in the country, delivering K-12 pathway programs, CHW training, and graduate healthcare workforce development. Closely comparable mission, structure, and federal funding mix to High Sierra AHEC, but at greater scale.
• Frontier AHEC: Third Nevada AHEC serving rural frontier regions, part of the same statewide Molina-funded expansion. Identical programmatic structure and HRSA funding alignment.

Broad incumbents

• The Princeton Review: Large national test prep provider partnered with High Sierra AHEC to deliver SAT, ACT, GRE, MCAT, DAT, and NCLEX-RN prep. Comparable on the standardized exam training products High Sierra resells, though operating at far greater scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC_VIuMIJXX_tu-xZP3NkENg
• Facebookfacebook.com/highsierraAHEC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/highsierraahec/posts/?feedView=all
• Instagraminstagram.com/highsierraahec/?hl=en

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about High Sierra AHEC