Titus, A. Constandina (Alice Constandina), 1950-
<p>Alice Costandina Titus (born May 23, 1950) is an American politician who has been the United States Representative for Nevada's 1st congressional district since 2013. She served as U.S. Representative for Nevada's 3rd congressional district from 2009 to 2011, when she was defeated by Joe Heck. Titus is a member of the Democratic Party. She served in the Nevada Senate and was its minority leader from 1993 to 2009. Before her election to Congress, Titus was a professor of political science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she taught American and Nevada government for 30 years.</p>
<p>Titus was born in Thomasville, Georgia. Her mother is of Greek descent, and she was raised Greek Orthodox. She grew up in Tifton, Georgia. Her first exposure to politics came at an early age, when her father, Joe Titus, ran for the Tifton City Council. Her uncle, Theo Titus, served in the Georgia House of Representatives for many years. She attended a summer program at The College of William & Mary and was admitted full-time for the fall without a high school diploma. There she earned her bachelor's degree in political science. Titus went on to earn a master's degree from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. from Florida State University.</p>
<p>After a year teaching at North Texas State University, Titus moved to Nevada for a faculty position in the political science department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). During her 30 years there, her students included a virtual who's-who list in Nevada government, public service and legal circles, and her classes' popularity was reflected in the teaching-related awards she received. She created and continues to coordinate UNLV's Legislative Internship Program, which gives students an opportunity to work at the state legislature.</p>
Citations
TITUS, Alice (Dina), a Representative from Nevada; born in Thomasville, Thomas County, Ga., May 23, 1950; attended Tift County High School, Tifton, Ga.; A.B., College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va., 1970; M.A., University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., 1973; Ph.D., Florida State University, Tallahassee, Fla., 1976; professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nev., 1977-2011; member of the Nevada state senate, 1989-2008, minority leader, 1993-2008; unsuccessful candidate for Governor of Nevada, 2006; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Eleventh Congress (January 3, 2009-January 3, 2011); unsuccessful candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Twelfth Congress in 2010; elected as a Democrat to the One Hundred Thirteenth and to the four succeeding Congresses (January 3, 2013-present).
Citations
<p>Serving the First Congressional District of Nevada, Congresswoman Dina Titus has built a strong record of achievement as both an educator and a public servant. As a professor, Dr. Titus taught American and Nevada government classes from 1979 through June 2011 at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she has professor emeritus status. A noted non-fiction writer, she is internationally known for her expertise in the history and policies related to nuclear power, weaponry, and waste as well as for her knowledge of the popular lore of "Atomic Culture."</p>
<p>In 1988, Dina was elected to represent the people of District Seven in the Nevada State Senate, serving as the Democratic Minority Leader from 1993 to 2008. During her service in the Legislature, Dina was a champion for quality education and renewable energy development, and a strong advocate on behalf of Nevada’s children, seniors, and persons with disabilities.</p>
<p>Dina has received numerous awards from various state and local organizations, but one of her proudest moments came in 2006 with the dedication of the Dina Titus Estates, an innovative affordable housing complex for disabled Nevadans, named in recognition of Dina's tireless advocacy.</p>