Name: Hazel Alejandro    Degree: ‘25 M.Ed. Higher Education    Current Employer: CSN   Why is it important to give back?  I think it's so important to give back to the community that nourished me so much. I didn't expect to love my grad program so much, or miss it as much, so I just wanted to get back in there and definitely speak to all the professors I had.…

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…

Name: Lilly Sifuentes    Degrees: ‘99 B.S.Ed. Special Education    Current Employer: Clark County School District | Veterans Tribute Career & Technical Academy   What led you to pursue a degree in education?  My son was born with learning disabilities, which inspired me to pursue a career dedicated to supporting students with similar challenges. That…

Of Courage and Purpose: How Kimberly Reed is Forging Her Trail Kimberly Reed, '04 M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction, loves a challenge. When she’s not teaching five AP classes at Pinecrest Academy Sloan Canyon, advising seniors, or coordinating student clubs, she runs competitively and mountain bikes. That’s not all.  She is also pursuing her doctoral degree, managing a fitness coaching…

Name: Alex Templeton Degrees: ‘05 B.A.Ed. Secondary Education (Social Science), ‘09 M.Ed. Educational Leadership  Current Employer: State of California, Employment Development Department   How did UNLV prepare you for your career?  I got involved with student government, and that experience helped build my confidence and leadership. It helped me understand that I can be a…

What did you do during the pandemic?   Many of us switched to remote learning and work, and others found new hobbies and made TikTok videos. We tried to stay engaged and connected with others, but also experienced isolation and loneliness. Amidst the uncertainty, Elena Nourrie, ‘17 M.Ed. Higher Education, and two longtime friends, decided to bring their community together. They organized…

Name: Melissa Lozito-Haskins    Degree: ‘08 B.S. Human Services    Current Employer: Empowering Minds PLLC   What led you to pursue a degree in human services?  I knew I wanted to work in a helping field, but didn't yet know what shape that would take. Being nominated as a peer counselor in high school had given me an early taste of informal counseling, and…

When Melissa McCormick, ‘18 M.Ed. Higher Education, walks into a room, people don't always assume she's a CEO. At 32, she’s not just leading Nevada State High School, one of the top charter schools in the state; she’s one of  Vegas Inc’s 40 Under 40 for 2026.  Under Melissa’s leadership, staff turnover has fallen from over 60% each year to less than 10%, and the school's five-star…

Name: Jonah Shulman   Degree: ‘22 Ph.D. Curriculum & Instruction (Math Education)   Current Employer: CCSD/UNLV   What was a unique class you took? I had to take two from Dr. Travis Olson and Dr. Micah Stohlman; they helped me redefine what a math classroom looked like, and that's when I really started thinking I can do this differently. I always try to do stuff…

  Name: Nicole Holmgren    Degree: ‘20 M.Ed. Special Education   Current Employer: Rochester Public Schools   What is something people don’t know about your field that you believe they should know?  In my field, especially in special education, there are many behaviors. I think what I learned is that all behavior is communication. Flipping the lens and…

For Las Vegas native Mardeane Gaston, becoming a teacher wasn’t a sudden decision—it was a lifelong calling, shaped by decades of experience, perseverance, and an unwavering love for children.  Now in her second year as a licensed pre-K teacher, Mardeane brings more than 35 years of experience in the school district to her classroom. She began her career working in support roles, including…

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…