Izack Tenorio

Izack Tenorio is less than a decade removed from earning dual undergraduate business degrees at UNLV. And he’s only two years removed from following his master’s in public administration with a doctorate in public policy (and officially joining the ultra-exclusive club of quadruple Rebel graduates).

Throw in his youthful appearance, and Tenorio epitomizes the phrase “young professional”.

So it’s clear that the Las Vegas native is being sincere when he says he was “in disbelief” upon learning that he’s the recipient of the 2024 Patrick T. Smith Achievement in Service Award, an honor that traditionally goes to individuals who long ago finished college.

It’s just as clear that Tenorio means it when he says receiving the award feels like “my life’s work is being validated in Patrick’s memory”. 

See, Tenorio and the late Patrick Smith weren’t just casual acquaintances. The latter was Tenorio’s good friend, fraternity brother, mentor, and even — for a short period — his boss.

In fact, when UNLV’s annual alumni service award was named in Smith’s honor, Tenorio was among those asked to film a tribute video announcing the dedication.

“Receiving this recognition means so much to me, because I owe a great deal of who I am to Patrick T. Smith,” Tenorio says. “Whenever I needed guidance, he was always the first person I would call. So receiving this award confirms for me a belief that I am carrying on his legacy.”

Of course, it also confirms that Tenorio is well on his way to establishing his own legacy of service.

The roots of that service date to Tenorio’s freshman year at UNLV, when he began a five-year stint with the student government organization Consolidated Students of UNLV (CSUN). Among the CSUN positions that Tenorio held from 2010-15: Lee Business School senator, senate president pro tempore, and elections committee member.

Additionally, Tenorio spent four years (2011-15) on the UNLV Interfraternity Council as president, vice president of marketing, and bylaws chair; four years in various leadership positions with his own fraternity (Pi Kappa Alpha); and he received four Rebel Awards, including being inducted into the UNLV Student Involvement Hall of Fame.

Now, one might think even the most dedicated student would pump the brakes on their campus involvement after receiving their undergraduate degree. Not Tenorio. As he worked toward his master’s and then doctorate, he assumed roles with the Graduate & Professional Student Association, the UNLV Administrative Faculty Committee, and the UNLV Faculty Senate. 

Then there was a seven-year stretch from 2015-22 when Tenorio was actively involved with the UNLV Alumni Association, holding such positions as Legacy Board member, Philanthropy Committees chair, and Greenspun College of Urban Affairs alumni chapter president (from 2018-2020).

“I chose to serve at UNLV because I have always wanted to make a difference for all students,” Tenorio says. “I also believe strongly that the university will provide as much as any student invests in it.”

These days, Tenorio’s service commitment reaches far beyond his alma mater’s borders and touches the entire Southern Nevada community — in multiple ways. 

Professionally, Tenorio channels his passion for public policy as vice president of government relations for Strategies 360, for which he leverages expertise in such areas as healthcare, education, elections, and Latino advocacy. In addition to serving Nevada-based clients, Tenorio oversees the national Cultura department, which engages communities of color in ways that are meaningful and lasting.

On a personal level, Tenorio recently graduated from Leadership Las Vegas; is a former volunteer with Girls on the Run Las Vegas; currently volunteers as a Peer Mentor for the Clark County School District; puts his bilingual skills to use during Nevada Reading Week when he visits schools with a large English Language Learner contingent; and is involved with the Southern Nevada Children’s Mental Health Action Coalition.

Tenorio’s devotion to that latter act of service dates back to his doctoral studies, when he developed policy aimed at reducing youth suicide rates. It’s also why he’s served for the past four years with the Nevada chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, first as a volunteer and now as a member of the board.

Given this lengthy and impressive service record, it’s no surprise that Tenorio was recently named to Las Vegas Weekly’s annual “40 Under 40” list. Nor is it a surprise that more than two dozen UNLV alumni signed their names to a letter nominating Tenorio for the 2024 Patrick T. Smith Achievement in Service Award.

Also writing a letter supporting Tenorio: Roger W. Smith, the father of the award's namesake.

“Izack’s ambitions, intelligence, and accomplishments complement precisely the stellar community of past [award] recipients and make him highly deserving of the honor,” Roger Smith wrote.

Of course, the way Tenorio sees it, all he’s doing is adhering to the same principles conferred to him by his friend and mentor. And rest assured, he’s determined to pass on those principles to mentees of his own.

“Patrick demonstrated unconditional service, lived a life with high moral character, and exemplified class,” Tenorio says. “I am so grateful to have gotten to know him. He’s the person I emulated, and I wholeheartedly followed in his footsteps. 

“Not only am I committed to keeping Patrick’s memory alive by dedicating myself to serving others unconditionally — as he did throughout his life — but I’m equally committed to setting an example for others. Just as he did for me.”

How did you come to know Patrick T. Smith?

Patrick founded my fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, at UNLV. I got to know him because he hired a few of us to staff a work event he was putting on. That led to other opportunities, and I got to work closely with him on the Fix Our Roads campaign, a nonpartisan initiative to pass a fuel indexing measure in Clark County.

I took a lot of inspiration from Patrick, and I strive to embody his values every day.

What went into your decision to choose UNLV for your undergraduate studies, and when did you know for certain that you made the right call?

UNLV students visited my elementary school one day, and at that moment, it became my dream school. That dream stayed with me through high school, as did a desire to remain in close proximity to my family, in part to see my younger brother grow up.

Also, the accessibility of a college education at UNLV was a draw point.

As for when I knew that I made the right decision, I could easily say it was my first day on campus as a student — because UNLV immediately felt like home. But really, it was during my second semester, when I decided to join Pi Kappa Alpha.

I found through this fraternity a group of gentlemen who inspired me to break out of my shell and become the person I am today. These friendships have endured and in fact comprise my core group of friends to this day.

You returned to campus for both your graduate and doctoral degrees. Was it always part of your academic game plan to pursue advanced degrees? 

It definitely was. 

In my last conversation with my grandfather before he passed away, I promised him that I would finish school. Given the context that no one in the family had ever even graduated from high school, it would be fair to say that “finishing school” to my grandfather meant getting my high school diploma. However, I felt that to truly fulfill that promise, I needed to reach the highest level of education.

Through the late nights of writing papers, studying, and all the stress that comes with that, I remained driven by that promise.

From your academic journey to your numerous acts of service, your commitment to and passion for UNLV runs deep. Can you articulate the reasons for this ongoing devotion to your alma mater?

UNLV is my home, and I believe in the UNLV brand. Over the last 14 years, the university has given me a new life by providing an education that has come with certain privileges. That, in turn, has allowed me to give back to my community.

Being from a Mexican immigrant home, I was always taught to take full advantage of my educational opportunities. So I support UNLV’s vision and mission by devoting myself to philanthropy and service in the Southern Nevada community.

Simply put, I am completely indebted to UNLV, because it made me who I am today. At UNLV, a fast food and construction worker’s son can earn a doctorate to serve our state.

During your time as a UNLV student, you took on various leadership roles with student-related organizations. What would you say to the current student who is on the fence about participating in campus activities?

Getting involved on campus enhances your college experience, provides an opportunity to meet other like-minded and amazing Rebels, and helps you develop lifelong skills that you can carry into your career.

Also, this involvement fosters a large sense of pride in UNLV. You will learn that this campus is a magical place where dreams come true and generational trees are changed for the better.

What’s your message to today’s UNLV students about the importance of heeding the call to serve?

My message is short and sweet: Your community needs you — now more than ever. 

Obviously, this is a challenging time in our country’s history as we continue to live in a divisive environment — one that separates us based on our differences and ignores our similarities. And that creates tension. 

So it’s important for all Rebels not to forget what we learned at UNLV — and in this instance, I’m not referring to academics. Rather, I’m speaking about the fact that our campus has long been recognized as one of the most diverse in the nation. With diversity come differences, and those differences should be embraced. Because when they are, we can accomplish incredible things. 

Through giving back, one gains a deeper understanding of others and themselves. And there is indeed a reciprocal nature to service — the more you give, the more you grow as a person.

Your doctoral studies at UNLV focused on suicide prevention among youths, and examined strategies and techniques to help K-12 educators identify suicidal tendencies among students. When and why did you develop an interest in this particular topic? 

I am devoted to youth suicide prevention because of my experiences working at the Clark County School District and UNLV. I’ve seen firsthand students experience suicidal ideation and the complexities that exist in servicing these students.

Youth suicide is on the rise in Nevada. The stressors of modern life — such as depression, anxiety, stress, social media, and bullying — are causing more youths to commit suicide.

I want to be a part of the solution, so I am proud to serve on the board of the Nevada Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and chair its Public Policy Committee.