Name: Stephanie Hartzell   Degree: ‘12 Ph.D. Educational Psychology   Current Employer: Concordia University Texas   What was a fun class you took at UNLV? My very first stats class. It was one of those courses that I had to take, and wanted to get it out of the way early. I just fell in love with it, which is weird because nobody else did, but I got it and…

The UNLV College of Education is excited to announce the Fall 2025 Wonderful Washoe Rebel, alumna Sabrina Adkins. Sabrina is a 2006 graduate of the Secondary Education B.S.Ed. program, focusing on English Literature. An English teacher at Damonte Ranch High School, Sabrina has been a part of the team focused on creating a well-rounded environment for her students to succeed. DRHS has integrated…

  Name: Thomas Galstian   Degree: ‘16 M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction (Secondary Math Ed)   Current Employer: Curious Cardinals   What is the most important skill you’ve used in your current role that you gained in your time at UNLV? What it boils down to is acknowledging the skill set that we have as educators, and then recognizing that no matter what we think, it…

  Name: Claire Lustumbo   Degree: ‘18 M.Ed. School Counseling   Current Employer: Clark County School District   How did UNLV prepare you for your career? Networking through UNLV has been extremely helpful. Not only did they prepare me for my job, but I’m also still friends with many of the cohort members I graduated with, and we bounce ideas off each other. To be able…

  “Each time I hear that they get their benefits, it’s rewarding,” says Amy Lesher.    Her journey to working in Veterans Affairs (VA) was anything but straight. Amy, a proud UNLV alumna, ‘18 BS Human Services and '23 MSW Social Work, began her professional journey with an unexpected pivot.    Born into a family of educators and veterans, she tried to follow…

  “My biggest motivation is to advocate for my community.” When fourteen-year-old Ivana Hernández first arrived from Honduras, she barely spoke English. Each school day felt harder than the last, but she was determined. By the end of high school, not only had she mastered the language, but she also graduated in the top 20 of her class. That triumph—born from persistence and community…

  Name: Krystal Green   Degree: ‘16 M.Ed. Early Childhood Education   Current Employer: Clark County School District   What are some key aspects of campus culture that helped prepare you for the professional world? The university has a strong connection to Las Vegas industries—especially education and hospitality—so they’re not guessing at what employers want. The…

  Raymond Wilson has heard the phrase, “Put your money where your mouth is,” more times than he could count. So, when he decided to make his first personal gift to support UNLV, the Silver State Schools Credit Union (SSSCU), senior vice president and chief financial officer (SVP/CFO) chose to instead put his money where his heart is–with his son, Brandon. In addition to a very early Autism…

  Name: Todd Polk Degree: ‘22 M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction Current Employer: Arbor View High School   What is something that people don’t know about the field, specifically secondary science teachers, that you think people should know? I think one thing about science that I think a lot of people need to focus on isn’t so much the facts, but rather the skills. I think the…

“Is this even important?” “Why do I need to learn this?” As a middle school educator for over 15 years, Mike Taack, ‘11 M.Ed. Secondary Curriculum and Instruction, had heard those questions from his students more times than he could count, so much so that he sought and found a solution in project-based learning.  By connecting teaching approaches to students' interests, Mike helped his…

Name: Annie Macias Degree: ‘12 Ph.D. Educational Leadership Current Employer: California State University San Marcos   What are your favorite memories from UNLV? One of my favorite moments is when I met some of the folks from my cohort. We almost became like each other’s families away from family. We had potlucks at my house. We had New Year’s parties at my house. I’m happy to say, I’m…

  Name: Brent Florence Degree: ‘14 M.Ed. School Counseling Current Employer: CCSD Sunrise Mountain High School    What was your favorite/secret study spot? The top floor of the Lied Library was my go-to spot. The tables by the glass railing offered a peaceful view and quiet space — hardly anyone ever went up there.   What do you know now that you wish you knew when…