Felicia Hersh

’09 BA History
College of Liberal Arts Alumna of the Year

High school students with university aspirations have faced the same dilemma for generations in every corner of the globe: Attend the hometown school and save a few bucks? Or pack up, flee the family nest, and (likely) incur some significant debt?

Felicia Hersh wasn’t immune to this dilemma.

“UNLV wasn’t a foregone conclusion for me,” says Hersh, who grew up in Las Vegas. “I applied to eight different schools. In the end, financial aid made the decision.”

As far as Hersh was concerned, that decision — choosing UNLV — would be, without question, the most difficult of her college career. Because everything else was mapped out. In permanent ink: Join the Honors College; major in History; move on to law school; change the world for the better (ideally as a United States Supreme Court Justice).

This was the mission. And it was nonnegotiable.

That is, until one fateful day during her sophomore year when Hersh walked into her History 251 class.

Professor David Wrobel, who taught the Introduction to Historical Methods course, had invited a fellow professor from the law school to give a lecture on the history of law as a discipline. As someone with law school (and legal career) aspirations, Hersh braced herself for a riveting talk.

And then…

“It was, without exaggeration, the most boring lecture I had ever sat through,” says the 2025 UNLV College of Liberal Arts Alumna of the Year. “It sent me into a full-blown existential crisis, and I spent the next week spiraling, rethinking my entire future.”

Thankfully for Hersh, the life spiral lasted for that precise duration: a week. That’s how long it took for Wrobel to invite another guest lecturer to the classroom — a woman with experience in the public history space who introduced Hersh and her classmates to careers outside the traditional academic and legal paths.

The lecture discussed how historians could work in museums and cultural institutions, engaging the public in creative and meaningful ways.

“I’d often heard classmates say they hated history, and I loved the idea of helping people see it differently — making it fun, accessible, and relevant,” Hersh says. “Museums felt like the perfect fit. After that lecture, I thought, ‘Yep, that’s what I’m going to do.’

“Those back-to-back classes completely shifted my life trajectory.”

Hersh ultimately earned her History degree in 2009, graduating magna cum laude while receiving the UNLV VISTA award as the College of Liberal Arts’ outstanding graduating senior.

With encouragement from Wrobel, Hersh went on to pursue her graduate degree from James Madison University in Virginia. Two years after finishing her master’s, Hersh — with an assist from UNLV history professor Michael Green — landed her first museum job at the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement (a.k.a. The Mob Museum) in downtown Las Vegas.

Hersh spent 7½ years working in various guest-related capacities at The Mob Museum, serving as senior director of public operations and guest experiences for the final two-plus years.

“I used to say that The Mob Museum was a ‘gateway museum’ — the kind of place that could hook someone who claimed to hate history,” Hersh says. “It had a certain cool factor. And as a public historian passionate about making history engaging and accessible, I was especially excited by the chance to convert skeptics.”

These days, Hersh applies her guest-experience skills on the Las Vegas Strip at one of the world’s most iconic resorts: Bellagio Las Vegas.

As director of guest experiences for both Bellagio and sister property Park MGM, Hersh is responsible for collecting and interpreting guest data, reporting that data to C-suite executives, and collaborating on ideas and solutions designed to ensure every guest’s visit is memorable.

“Ironically, I’ve never relied on my history degree more than I do in my current role,” Hersh says. “And I have UNLV to thank for the incredible foundation and preparation it gave me.”

Of course, Hersh’s gratitude toward her alma mater extends beyond words to tangible actions.

For instance, she’s a member of the Honors College Alumni Board of Directors; she was one of the founding donors for the College of Liberal Arts’ “Friends of History” program; and she recently returned to campus to deliver a lecture to College of Hospitality students about guest experiences.

Additionally, Hersh raised more than $30,000 for a College of Fine Arts scholarship and more than $75,000 for a similar scholarship at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. Both are memorial scholarships in the name of her late brother, Robert Hersh, ’09 BS and ’11 Master of Architecture.

“Staying connected to UNLV has always been important because it’s part of my community and my story,” Hersh says. “The university gave me so much, and it did the same for my brother.

“After earning two degrees, he spent the last eight years of his life contributing to the development of the new medical school. He loved UNLV as much as I did, and continuing to give back is one of the ways I honor his memory.”

In the broader community, Hersh has lent her support to numerous philanthropic and business development organizations. Among them: Aid for AIDS of Nevada (AFAN), Leadership Las Vegas, Young Jewish Professionals Las Vegas, and MGM Resorts Foundation’s Community Grant Fund (for which she organizes fundraising efforts).

Another cause near and dear to Hersh’s heart: Angel Sibs, a multi-session grief program operated by Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation that supports children who, like her, have lost a sibling. 

“Much of my life has been shaped by the generosity and support of others,” Hersh says. “My brother and I were adopted at birth and raised by a family that treated us as their own. Before we turned 1, both of our parents became seriously ill and our grandparents stepped in to make sure we were cared for.

“When our father passed away at age 15 and our mother, living with a disability, couldn’t manage daily logistics like getting us to school, our neighbors stepped up to help. I also was fortunate to receive substantial financial aid that made it possible to pursue every degree I’ve earned.

“These experiences have instilled in me a strong sense of responsibility to give back. Whenever I’m in a position to help, I do.”

You had applied to more than a half-dozen universities before eventually deciding to attend UNLV. When did you know for certain that you made the right decision to become a Rebel?

When I decided to go through sorority recruitment. Because UNLV was a commuter school, I was concerned I wouldn’t get the campus experience I was looking for — but that changed when I joined Greek life.

Coming from a high school where I had been deeply involved in extracurriculars, I needed to rebuild that part of my life outside the classroom. Joining a sorority helped me do exactly that — it gave me the opportunity to engage, belong, and thrive.

At what point did you consider joining the UNLV Honors College?

Once I committed to attending UNLV, I applied to the Honors College right away. In addition to wanting a full campus experience, I was looking for academic rigor. And the Honors College seemed like the best way to find that at UNLV.

I’m so glad I did. Beyond benefiting from smaller, more engaging classes, the course topics themselves were far more interesting. One of my favorites was a class on the history of the Supreme Court (a nod to my earlier dream).

I also took a science course that included an overnight field trip to Death Valley, where I gave a presentation on pupfish — and handed out Swedish Fish to the class because, as I joked, they’re about the same size.

It’s still one of my favorite college memories.

What’s it like to be working daily on the famed Las Vegas Strip and at one of the world’s most elegant resorts?

I feel incredibly fortunate to have such a dynamic and rewarding role — especially one where I get to put my history degree to use. 

A significant part of my work involves evaluating sources, identifying trends, and making persuasive recommendations about which actions we should take. 

It’s highly strategic, giving me the opportunity to collaborate across departments and pull the right levers to elevate the overall guest experience.

I report directly to the property president and have a seat at the table to advocate for our guests — something I take very seriously. I pride myself on earning our guests’ trust and loyalty, sometimes one interaction at a time.

We have a reputation to uphold, and we’re always striving to exceed expectations. That’s why it matters deeply to me that we consistently deliver on our brand promise: an extraordinary, memorable, world-class experience.

Prior to your current position, you spent more than seven years with the Mob Museum. What was the most fascinating element of that job for a public history enthusiast?

One of the most fascinating parts was the access to the very individuals featured in our exhibits.

Unlike traditional history museums, we were telling a story that was still unfolding — organized crime as a living, breathing, ever-evolving phenomenon.

While historic sites like Colonial Williamsburg offer immersive period settings, we hosted live events featuring the children of some of the most notorious figures in mob history — and even conversations with former mobsters themselves.

In addition, I had the opportunity to engage with high-level members of the local and national law enforcement community.

It was an incredible environment for any historian, but especially for one committed to bringing history to life for the public.

What academic course at UNLV did you lean on most to set you up for early-career success?

In my current role, I often find myself thinking back to a course I took on the History of Cowboy Films. It might not seem immediately relevant, but the core premise of the class was powerful: cowboy movies don’t necessarily portray history — they reflect the era in which they were made.

That idea fundamentally changed the way I approach sources. Like so many of my history courses at UNLV, it taught me to question context, perspective, and intent — skills that have become invaluable in my work today.

Every career is filled with challenges and rewards. What is one of the greatest challenges you have encountered (and how did you navigate it), and what has been your most meaningful professional reward?

Change can be difficult. When I received an offer from The Mob Museum, I considered it my first “real” job — the beginning of my career. I spent more than seven years there, learning, growing, and honing my skills. So when the time came to move on, I was scared. I wasn’t sure if I could succeed in a new industry, especially at a larger organization.

Adjusting to a new role took time, but I proved to myself that I was capable of thriving in a different environment. More than that, I found a job I genuinely enjoy — one that challenges me, encourages strategic thinking, and pushes me to keep growing. I’m learning something new every single day.

Perhaps most importantly, I’ve gained confidence in my ability to navigate change. I now feel more prepared — and more excited — to pursue new and different opportunities in the future, knowing that I have the skills and resilience to succeed wherever I go.