Requirements
The VISTA Award, the longest-standing award in the College of Liberal Arts, shines a spotlight on the top undergraduate student in the college and carries a $1,000 prize. Candidates for the VISTA Award must meet the following requirements:
- at least a 3.5 GPA
- 50 percent of academic credits must be earned at UNLV
- nomination by a liberal arts faculty member
Award Namesake
The award is named for The VISTA Group, a real estate development company of which Michael Saltman is managing general partner and president.
Sonja and Michael Saltman
Past Recipients
Many VISTA winners have gone on to stellar careers in business, the arts, education and the law, among many other fields. Following is a snapshot of where past winners are now.
| Year | Honoree | Major | Where Are They Now? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | Marie Reff | History | Graduate student, MFA program, UNLV |
| 2015-16 | Andrea Parashos | Psychology | Graduate student, San Diego State University |
| 2014-15 | Alan Mattay | History | Writer, UNLV Public History program |
| 2013-14 | Emylia Terry | History | |
| 2012-13 | Brian Trinh | Philosophy | Teacher, Clark County School District |
| 2011-12 | Rikka Weintraub | Psychology | Program Specialist for Employment & Provider Services, Texas Workforce Commission |
| 2010-11 | Jennifer Bivens | Psychology | Training and Development Specialist, Novus International, St. Charles, MO |
| 2009-10 | Hailey Fuller | History | Instructor, Women’s Studies, UNLV |
| 2008-09 | Felicia Lindquist | History | Development Manager, The Mob Museum |
| 2007-08 | Beijie Tang | Political Science | |
| 2006-07 | Paul R. Smith | Political Science | |
| 2005-06 | Nerses Kopalyan | Political Science | Assistant Professor in Residence, UNLV |
| 2004-05 | Zsolt Nagy | History | Assistant Professor, University of St. Thomas |
| 2003-04 | Kari Short | Anthropology | Board Member, Rockstar Ministries, freelance makeup artist |
| 2002-03 | Emily Raba | German and History | |
| 2002-03 | Alexia Vernon | Women’s Studies | Professional Speaking Coach |
| 2001-02 | Daniel Gryder | Philosophy | Unemployment Insurance Representative, Nevada Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation |
| 2000-01 | Delia Jo Hedesan | History | Partner, Co-founder, Arrowheads Consulting, Bucharest |
| 1999-00 | James J. Smedley | Philosophy | Attorney/Owner, Law Offices of James J. Smedley |
| 1998-99 | Erin Warnick | Psychology | Clinical Psychologist, Napa State Hospital, Napa, CA |
| 1997-98 | Matthew Voss | Political Science | |
| 1996-97 | Ioana Mondescu | Philosophy | Attorney, Leone & Alberts, Walnut Creek, CA |
| 1995-96 | Rick Brown | Anthropology | |
| 1994-95 | Paula Lynch | Anthropology | Industrial Hygiene Technician, Nevada National Security Site |
| 1993-94 | Maryanne Salm | Political Science | Associate Director, Research & Strategic Initiatives, AFT |
| 1992-93 | Meri Lull | English | Public Education Program Developer, State of Oregon |
| 1991-92 | Persephanie Silverthorn | Psychology | Licensed Clinical Psychologist |
| 1990-91 | Julie Beasley | Psychology | Clinical Director, UNLV Ackerman Autism Center |
| 1989-90 | Elizabeth Daniels-Henderson | History | Author/Novelist |
| 1988-89 | Lee Barnes | English | Lead Faculty Member, College of Southern Nevada; Author |
| 1987-88 | Cynthia McCoy | English | Retired English teacher, CCSD & UNLV |
| 1986-87 | Melanie Jeffcoat | Theatre Arts | Documentary Film Producer |