A UNLV employee for 23 years, Isabelle Johnson was named the second place recipient of the 2023 Classified Employee of the Year Awards. According to in the Division of Integrated Marketing & Branding, Johnson never puts in the bare minimum. She goes the extra mile in representing UNLV’s brand and values — both in her daily tasks as well as the many special projects with which she’s been involved.

Vince Alberta, vice president and chief marketing officer for brand integration, shared one such example. For last year's 40th anniversary of the Thomas & Mack Center, he stated in a nomination letter, "Isabelle took it upon herself to have special artwork developed for both the founding donor families of which the facility is named. She researched and then developed the creative concept and followed the project through to completion. Then, she reached out directly to Tom Thomas to personally deliver the artwork to Joyce Mack and to him.”

After work, Johnson likes to attend Vegas Golden Knights or Henderson Silver Knights home and road games. It’s an interest, she said, must run in her blood.

“I think it's just a given that, as a French Canadian, I have to love hockey,” said Johnson. “I just didn’t discover that until I was an adult. I think in some ways it helps me feel closer to my Canadian roots since we immigrated to the U.S. when I was 3 years old.”

What was your first job?

I was a hostess at Lone Star Steakhouse as a teenager. My first day on the job was Valentine’s Day — Yikes! What a stressful first day. But over time I learned about customer service, multitasking, and to be a team player and pitch in whenever needed. I’m so happy I’ll never have to sweep up peanut shells or country line dance in the middle of a restaurant while people are eating.

What brought you to UNLV?

Wanting to work for a place that provides you with an endless opportunity for growth both personally and professionally and who’s mission, vision, and values improve the lives of students and our community.

How do you feel about being recognized as a Classified Employee of the Year?

I am truly honored to have been nominated for this award. I know we’re all doing great things to help support this university every day.

Outside of work, what’s something you enjoy doing in your free time?

From the middle of September to May/early June, most of my free time is spent going to Vegas Golden Knights and Henderson Silver Knights hockey games. We’re season ticket holders to both so we’re attending on average 50-60 home games every season between the two teams. [Her husband, Cam Johnson, is director of IT operations in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine.]

If I’m not at a hockey game I’m usually doing some sort of cross-stitch project with a movie or TV show playing in the background.

What’s your favorite aspect of your job? Do you have a project that you are particularly proud of?

My work days are different every day and the ability to pivot is something I enjoy. It keeps me on my toes. 

A project I am most proud of is co-chairing the campus signage committee since 2016. Our small but mighty committee works in collaboration with the facilities’ grounds and structural shops to create a sense of place and pride for our university through the use of signage on main campus.

Do you have a quote, phrase, or piece of advice you find especially inspiring?

I have a Ziggy comic strip clipping that’s been pinned to my bulletin board for a really long time that says “If you ever feel you’re falling behind in trying to follow your dreams...just remember that they can’t get far without you!!”

I also have a framed neon orange and blue card that has a narwhal on it that says, “You are strange and wonderful.” 

I love having framed art around my space that celebrates positivity and my unique qualities.

If this award came with a $50,000 bonus — where would you travel?

I would go to Europe for a month or until the money ran out. I’d start in Bruges, Belgium, and stay at my favorite bed and breakfast and then travel by train through France, Spain, and England.

Advice for new employees?

Nobody expects you to do it alone. Everyone’s been a new employee, and you don’t know what you don’t know so lead with curiosity and ask all sorts of questions.

Picking up the phone can sometimes allow you an opportunity to have a more informative and meaningful conversation.

Utilize the new Rebels Onboard website as your road map to ACE your journey as a new employee at UNLV and maybe also a new resident of Las Vegas.

What’s a good way to get involved on campus?

• Volunteer at an Ask Me Booth at the start of the semester
• Get involved with one of the numerous faculty and staff affinity groups
• Attend on-campus events (multicultural fair, performing arts event, Barrick Lecture, visit one of the art galleries on campus)
• Seek out other unique volunteer opportunities on campus

What’s been one of the most memorable moments in your time at UNLV?

Helping our university shine on the national and international stage when we hosted the 2016 Presidential Debate and knowing all the time, hard work, and care that was given by all who were involved. It was such a tremendously proud moment for me. I’ll never forget it!

Your favorite restaurant in Vegas, and why?

Prime Steakhouse at the Bellagio. It’s a very special place where we celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas Eve — and sometimes, just because.

What’s something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I entered the first season of the Vegas Golden Knights as a “casual fan,” but I quickly morphed into an avid fan whose interest in the team went beyond just gameplay. So, to quench my curiosity of what it takes to run a professional hockey team, I challenged myself in the summer of 2022 to read the NHL & National Players’ Association Collective Bargaining Agreement, which I even got printed and spiral bound.