Name: Elena Nourrie Degree: ‘17 M.Ed. Higher Ed Current Employer: So'oh-Shinálí Sister Project   What is your current position and how did UNLV prepare you for your career? I am a cofounder and the Executive Director of So'oh-Shinálí Sister Project. The support of faculty members—Dr. Kim Nehls, Dr. Doris Watson, and Dr. Nancy Lough—prepared me to apply critical thinking in my approach…

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…

Dr. Jessica Robbins has never been one to seek the spotlight. In fact, she would likely tell you that research was never her strongest skill. But the work she has accomplished—both in scholarship and in practice—tells a very different story and is the reason why she’s been named the Educational Policy and Leadership (EPL) Alumni of the Year.  Dr. Robbins has become a transformative force as…

For Michael Norsworthy, the path to the classroom wasn’t something he planned—it was something that unfolded. “I don’t think I really chose this path,” he says. “It kind of just happened for me. I walk in faith, and I think God aligned it.”  A native of Las Vegas and a proud product of the Clark County School District, Michael has spent more than two decades serving the district in a…

Coby Carner, the inaugural Intercollegiate and Professional Sports Management (IPSM) Alum of the Year, had always envisioned a career in professional sports. Upon graduation, he found a new passion for creating opportunities for young athletes and their families across Nevada as the director of marketing for National Youth Sports (NYS) in Nevada.  “Thousands of families play with us at NYS…

Name: Louis Lim    Degree: ‘18 B.S.Ed. Secondary Ed Social Studies    Current Employer: CCSD | Clark HS   What led you to pursue a degree in education?  In high school, I had a band teacher who was really supportive of me and a government teacher who had projects where we had to go out to the communities, canvas, volunteer, and talk about our experiences. It…

Experienced teacher and counselor Kimberly Mahan’s experience and heart make her leadership success inevitable.   The top 5%. That’s what Gabrielle Crawford, Clark County School District (CCSD) director of student services, said about Kimberly Mahan. Kimberly’s innovative leadership and dedication to student success make her the ideal Counselor Education Alum of the Year.  “Her…

Supportive Leadership Sets the 2026 School Psychology Alumni of the Year above the Rest We all remember October 1, 2017, as one of the most tragic dates in Las Vegas history. We remember the numbers, the loss, and the trauma that followed. But no one remembers the unsung heroes. The ones who stepped up to help the community heal.  Othoniel (Tony) Hernandez, ‘08 M.S. and ‘11 Ed.S.…

“Monica is the definition of what it means to be an exceptional academic advisor,” Cecilia Rivera shared. Cecilia first met Monica Moreno at her freshman orientation. As a first-generation college student, Cecilia felt overwhelmed by the transition to university life, but with Monica’s motivation and care, she is on her way to crossing the finish line.  "Without her guidance, I would not…

Name: Bucket Manyweather   Degree: ‘24 Ph.D. Higher Education   Current Employer: Roseman University   What made you want to come to UNLV to study education? At first, I was in an Ed.D. program at San Francisco State University, and then I realized I wanted to do something more theoretical. I was looking for a Ph.D. program that was laser focused in higher education. One of…

Name: Safiyya Bintali    Degree: ‘24 B.S.Ed. Secondary Ed   Current Employer: Multiple    Did you have a favorite or secret study spot when you were a student?  In the Carlson Education Building; I always used to go to the third floor because not many people went there, since it's all faculty offices. There was also a little table on the second floor at the…

The UNLV College of Education is pleased to announce that Deanne Moyle-Hicks was named the Spring 2026 Wonderful Washoe Rebel! Deanne earned her bachelors in Elementary Education in 1993 and has been a dedicated educator within the state of Nevada for several decades, currently serving as Numu Language Certified Teacher Specialist – WCSD Family School Partnerships. She is a National Board…