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…

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.…