Kayla Minor has been good with numbers since elementary school. But it wasn’t until she began working at UNLV’s School of Dental Medicine as a dental assistant that those skills resurfaced in a meaningful way. While helping patients navigate billing questions and insurance concerns, she discovered an unexpected interest in accounting and financial systems — one that reshaped her career goals.

Now serving as the dental school’s cashiering supervisor, Minor oversees the school’s operational revenue, manages 17 credit card terminals, and supervises cash handling processes across multiple employees. She recently led the implementation of SecureCall, a new payment system that allows patients to make payments using their smartphones, helping position UNLV among the first campuses to adopt the technology.

As she works toward a future in forensic accounting, Minor says she’s embraced a quieter definition of what it means to be a Rebel: being dependable in a fast-moving world.

What did you want to be when you grew up, and what’s your dream job now?

When I was younger, I wanted to be a marine biologist because I loved the idea of studying and working with marine life. But when I joined the dental school as a dental assistant, my former supervisor began training me on the billing side of things. I discovered that many of our patients and students had questions about money and insurance, so I learned everything I could in order to understand the process and explain it to them. The effort reminded me how easily I worked with numbers — math was my favorite subject in school — and eventually guided me to where I am today.

Now, my goal is to build a career in accounting, with a focus on forensic accounting and eventually earning my CPA and CFE certifications.

What was your greatest day on campus? And your toughest?

Interestingly, my greatest and toughest day on campus was the same — my first day in my current role. As my supervisor prepared for retirement, I was given the opportunity to move into her position, which represented a significant promotion and aligned with what I’m studying. It was exciting, but also challenging, as I was suddenly responsible for decisions with much greater impact. It pushed me to grow quickly and build confidence in my abilities.

Best tip or advice for someone new to UNLV?

Take your time and don’t be afraid to ask questions. When I first started at UNLV, I tended to take a more independent approach, but I quickly learned how valuable it is to lean on your team. There are so many knowledgeable people here, and being open to learning from others makes a big difference.

What does being a Rebel mean to you?

I don’t think being a rebel always looks loud. For me, it’s choosing consistency and doing things the right way even when it’s easier not to. Living in Las Vegas, where everything moves fast and can feel a little chaotic, I think there’s something quietly rebellious about being reliable — especially in work that depends on accuracy and trust.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

People are usually surprised to learn that I’m really into sumo wrestling and like keeping up with the tournaments. My current favorite is Aonishiki Arata. He is the second Ukrainian to become a professional sumo wrestler, has broken records for most consecutive tournament wins, and is amazing to watch.

What was the last book you couldn’t put down, show you binge-watched, or band you played on repeat?

I love The Pitt — I ended up finishing it in a weekend. I’ve also been listening to [Swedish heavy metal band] Avatar nonstop lately.

My ideal summer vacation is:

I would love to spend a month, maybe two, in Europe hopping between rock and metal music festivals. In my head, the trip starts in London for the Download Festival and ends in Germany for Wacken Open Air, with stops along the way at Graspop Metal Meeting in Belgium and Helsinki Metal Festival in Finland.