Graduation ceremony, person in foreground has "UNLV" written in rhinestones on their graduation hat

Alumni

In 1957, UNLV set forward its first graduating class. You are part of a special tradition - a tradition of excellence in education, service as professionals, and support of future alumni. Wherever your life’s work takes you, we hope UNLV and the College of Education will always feel like “home” to you.

With an alumni base of more than 25,000 and growing each year, we encourage our graduates to take advantage of the variety of services and opportunities available to support them and their families. UNLV alumni are encouraged to support the values of higher learning through advocacy, involvement, and giving.

Get Involved

With the growth of our research and academic programs, there are a number of ways for alumni to get involved. If you're interested in:

  • Mentoring pre-service and new teachers
  • Participating in research opportunities
  • Supporting our recruitment efforts by meeting with prospective students
  • Serving on the college’s alumni chapter board
  • Participating in a panel or networking event

Please let us know by completing this involvement interest form.

Jennifer Oshiro Rivers
Jenn Oshiro

Jenn Oshiro Rivers '05 '08 M.Ed.

Associate Director of Alumni Engagement
Phone: 702-895-3375
Email: jennifer.oshiro@unlv.edu

 

Stay Connected with Your College of Education

Submit Your News

We want to hear from you! Submit your news, appointments, accomplishments, honors, and awards. We'll share your news with alumni and current students.

Submit an Update View All Class Notes

Lead Through the Alumni Chapter

Our Alumni Chapter aims to benefit the UNLV community and next generation of professionals through outreach, engagement, and philanthropy.

Learn More and Get Involved

Recognize and Honor Our Graduates

Our alumni are amazing and we celebrate their many contributions through specific college awards as well as those through the UNLV Alumni Association.

Awards and Recognition

Continue Developing

Keep up with the latest research and best practices through our many professional development opportunities. The latest events are always listed on our college calendar.

Summit on Nevada Education Scholarship in Practice Webinar Series

Alumni Mentorship Program

Be mentored as a recent graduate (within five years) or share your experience through the Alumni Mentorship Program. Additionally, contact us if you are interested in supporting a pre-service teacher at your school.

Recent Graduate Interest Form Alumni Mentor Interest Form

Request Program Verification

Need to get verification of your degree for teaching outside Nevada? Submit the details of your request and upload any forms you need online and a member of our team will process it within 7-10 business days.

Program Verification Form

Speak to Our Students

Interested in being a guest speaker at one of our classes? Share your information and expertise and we'll share it with faculty looking to bring real-world experiences to our students.

Speaker Interest Form

Join UNLV as a Part-Time Instructor

Interested in expanding your professional influence to your alma mater? Become a Part-Time Instructor to share your wealth of expertise to future educators and mental health professionals.

Learn More

Join the Conversation on Social Media

Get the latest info by following the college and alumni chapter on your preferred platform.

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Alumni Chapter

Stay in Touch

Sign up to receive periodic news updates and event announcements from the College of Education.

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Alumni News and Announcements

Nominate a Wonderful Washoe Rebel by Sept. 30
Featured
The UNLV College of Education is excited to announce that nominations for the Fall 2026 Wonderful Washoe Rebel award are now open! This alumni recognition program seeks to honor the outstanding College of Education alums who live and/or work in Washoe County. Educators, counselors, administrators, human service professionals, higher education staff-- anyone with a UNLV College of Education…
Alumni Spotlight: Rachel Ferreiro ‘23
Name: Rachel Ferreiro Degree: ‘23 M.Ed. Educational Policy & Leadership  Current Employer: Nevada Department of Education   How has your career evolved from when you first graduated to now?  I spent many years in the classroom, teaching and growing within the school setting. I transitioned into a STEM strategist role at a STEAM school, which allowed me to work across the…
Alumni Spotlight: Jason Beegen ‘22
  Name: Jason Beegen   Degree: ‘22 M.Ed. School Counseling   Current Employer: Clark County School District / Cortez Elementary School   Why did you choose UNLV for your School Counseling degree? UNLV was a no-brainer for me. Its strong reputation, along with positive recommendations from friends and colleagues who attended, made the decision easy. I wanted to…
View All

College of Education Alumni in the News Center

Events

  • Oct 15: College of Education Mentorship Program: Mentee Info Session
    4:00pm

    Are you a UNLV College of Education student or recent graduate (within the last five years)?  You can be matched with alumni mentors to aid in your career preparation and advancement. This free program allows you to be…

  • Oct 15: Counseling Master's Degree Programs: Virtual Information Session
    5:00pm

    Join us for a virtual information session hosted by the UNLV Office of Graduate Admissions in partnership with the Department of Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services. In this session, you'll get an…

  • Oct 22: Research in Action: How Education Research Shapes the Real World
    5:00pm

    What can education research tell us about how people learn, how organizations lead, and how policies and practices shape students' experiences? Research in Action brings together UNLV faculty, alumni, and graduate students…

  • Nov 04: College of Education Alumni Mentorship Program: Mentor Drop-In Info Session
    4:00pm

    Looking for a way to give back to your alma mater? We’re seeking College of Education alumni to serve as mentors in our alumni mentorship program. Support the next generation–you could be matched with a current College of…

  • Nov 05: Counseling Master's Degree Programs: Virtual Information Session
    5:00pm

    Join us for a virtual information session hosted by the UNLV Office of Graduate Admissions in partnership with the Department of Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services. In this session, you'll get an…

  • Nov 07: College of Education Alumni Chapter: Basic Needs Supply Drive and Kit Making
    9:00am

    In support of students and the UNLV Basic Needs Program, the College of Education Alumni Chapter is partnering with the Division of Student Affairs for a basic needs drive and kit-making event. College of Education alumni,…

  • Nov 07: Science Teachers for Social Justice
    9:30am

    This group meets several times a semester to explore and discuss topics related to justice-oriented science teaching and share resources.  All teachers, all grade levels are welcome to join!  You can come to one…

  • Nov 21: Service Project: Book Cleaning at Spread the Word Nevada
    9:00am

    Founded by UNLV College of Education alumni, Spread the Word Nevada is a children’s lit­er­acy non­profit ded­i­cated to advanc­ing early child­hood lit­er­acy by plac­ing books into the hands and homes of chil­dren within…

  • Dec 03: Counseling Master's Degree Programs: Virtual Information Session
    5:00pm

    Join us for a virtual information session hosted by the UNLV Office of Graduate Admissions in partnership with the Department of Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services. In this session, you'll get an…

  • Jan 23: 12th Annual Summit on Nevada Education
    8:00am

    The UNLV College of Education is proud to work to expand existing best practice into next generation practices that address and overcome the challenges we face in education here in our state. The annual Summit on Nevada…

  • Feb 20: Science Teachers for Social Justice
    9:30am

    This group meets several times a semester to explore and discuss topics related to justice-oriented science teaching and share resources.  All teachers, all grade levels are welcome to join!  You can come to one…

  • Mar 26: College of Education Alumni Campus Tour
    9:00am

    When was the last time you visited UNLV? College of Education alumni are invited back to campus for a custom 60-minute campus golf cart tour. Reminisce about the time you spent here for your studies and activities and check…

  • Apr 03: Science Teachers for Social Justice
    9:30am

    This group meets several times a semester to explore and discuss topics related to justice-oriented science teaching and share resources.  All teachers, all grade levels are welcome to join!  You can come to one…

Class Notes

+ Submit a Class Note

Kristina Carmona

Kristina Carmona, ’18 BA Special Education, teaches high school students with autism at Basic Academy while leading the school’s Best Buddies Leadership program. She recently won a brand-new car, an unexpected milestone she describes as a reminder that great opportunities can come when you least expect them. Carmona credits the professors and mentors who supported her as a Rodman Scholar with helping shape her career as an educator.

Scott Horn

Scott D. Horn, ’01 BS Special Education, is a substitute teacher. He enjoys collecting baseball cards.

Mike Taack

Mike Taack, ’02 BA English and ’11 M.Ed., is founder, CEO, and head of school for WYLEES, the Western Youth Leadership, Engagement, and Empowerment Middle School, a tuition-free public charter school near UNLV. He continues to collaborate with UNLV’s College of Education and support current and future educators. Taack enjoys photography, painting, traveling, writing, playing video games with his children, and attending live music performances.

Patricia Violi

Patricia Violi, ’17 M.Ed., has been appointed inaugural director of Lancer Accessibility Resource Services at Pasadena City College. Drawing on her experience in higher education disability leadership, she will lead efforts to advance accessibility, inclusion, and student success through the new office.

Rebels Forever!

Once you’ve been a Rebel, you’re always a Rebel! Check out UNLV’s Rebels Forever program to find out all the benefits and perks of being a UNLV Rebel Forever.