Charles Weber’s story is one of persistence, local pride, and the power of strategic community investment. As a Las Vegas native and graduate of UNLV’s Lee Business School, Weber has journeyed from student to professional with the help of the MGM Academic Excellence Scholarship, showcasing how a commitment to education and mentorship can yield extraordinary outcomes.

Born into a family of plumbers spanning generations, he inherited a strong problem-solving mindset and an appreciation for the city that shaped his journey. “Las Vegas is a cool place to grow up,” Weber says. “I’ve always felt a lot of local pride.”

That pride guided his decision to stay close to home when the turbulence of the pandemic struck during his senior year of high school. Choosing UNLV offered him proximity, familiarity, and the opportunity to thrive within a community he loved.

Exploring Every Opportunity

His journey at UNLV began with an unexpected boon — the MGM Academic Excellence Scholarship. Offered through the Honors College, this four-year scholarship provided both financial relief and a sense of security.

“It was comforting knowing that MGM had my back throughout my education,” Weber says.

The scholarship allowed him to focus on his dual passions: economics and information systems. What set Weber apart was his ability to blend theoretical and technical expertise. From exploring macroeconomic trends to mastering programming languages like Python and SQL, his education bridged understanding and application. This combination of skills became a key part of his identity and would later define his role in the professional world.

But, education was only part of Weber’s success; he seized opportunities that others overlooked. When a professor mentioned an internship during class, Weber was the only student to approach him afterward. That conversation led to a cybersecurity internship with Town Hall, where Weber began building a career that would later include roles at NV Energy and Bungie. “Opportunities are everywhere, but you have to be prepared to take advantage of them,” he says, echoing a sentiment shared by one of his mentors: “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.”

Investing Locally Builds a Stronger Community

Weber's preparation paid off when MGM Resorts International, a company that had already invested in his education, reconnected with him after graduation. The introduction led to Weber’s current role as an enterprise analytics analyst at MGM.

In this position, Weber has embraced challenges ranging from building data pipelines to managing customer relationship systems. He draws a connection between his work and his family’s plumbing heritage. “We’ve been building pipelines through generations — whether real pipelines or data pipelines,” he says.

Reflecting on his journey, Weber credits the support of his family, UNLV, and MGM for his success. His achievements were further recognized when he was named an Outstanding Graduate by the Department of Economics for the 2023-24 academic year.

Weber says his father, whose honesty and work ethic deeply influenced him, instilled a simple but profound lesson: “You can fool a lot of people, but you can’t fool yourself.”

Weber says he’s especially grateful for the relationships he’s built — both at UNLV and in the workplace. “The people I work with are amazing. Even small tasks are met with such gratitude — it’s really motivating,” he says.

He’s also passionate about the partnership between MGM and UNLV, advocating for continued investment in local talent. “There’s so much brilliance in Las Vegas. MGM’s initiative to support students like me has been transformative. I hope partnerships like this continue to grow.”

From his first semester at UNLV to his current role at MGM, Weber exemplifies how preparation, initiative, and opportunity can align to create a legacy of success and gratitude.