When Lisa Rubin arrived at UNLV as a doctoral student, few could have predicted the national impact she would go on to make in higher education. Today, as the recipient of the UNLV College of Education Higher Education Alumna of the Year, Dr. Rubin’s career stands as a testament to the power of leadership, scholarship, and unwavering connection to her alma mater.

Dr. Rubin completed her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership at UNLV in 2012 while balancing full-time work in career services and teaching responsibilities at institutions across Southern Nevada. Colleagues remember her as a driven scholar and collaborative leader who embraced every opportunity to support students both inside and outside the classroom. 

Just two years later, she accepted a tenure-track faculty position at Kansas State University, where she would begin a remarkable rise through the academic ranks. At Kansas State, Dr. Rubin became nationally recognized for her scholarship in student affairs, academic advising, and student-athlete development. Her research has helped shape conversations around how institutions support college athletes and the professionals who guide them academically and personally. She co-authored the only published book dedicated specifically to student-athlete development, a text now used in graduate coursework at UNLV. She has since risen to the rank of full professor while earning numerous professional honors for her research, teaching, and leadership.

Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Rubin was named one of the Top 25 Women in Higher Education by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education and has received multiple national awards recognizing her contributions to student-athlete development and academic advising. 

Despite her national prominence, Dr. Rubin has remained deeply connected to UNLV and the Rebel community. Over the years, she has returned to campus to speak with students in Higher Education Leadership and Intercollegiate and Professional Sport Management programs, sharing insights from her professional journey and mentoring the next generation of leaders. She has also maintained close ties with fellow alumni across the country, proudly representing UNLV wherever her work has taken her. 

Her career reflects the values that continue to define the College of Education community: leadership, service, scholarship, and a commitment to helping students succeed. As Higher Education Alumna of the Year, Dr. Rubin represents the lasting impact of UNLV graduates who continue to shape education far beyond campus.