Six students from the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality spent an inspiring evening among the lights of the Neon Boneyard, an outdoor museum in Downtown Las Vegas that houses restored neon signs from some of Las Vegas' most iconic landmarks. Against the backdrop of these relics, the students contemplated their career trajectories and what it means to be the next generation of industry leaders.
Christian Egbo-Cruz
Freshman
Interests: Event Management & Hotel Development
Christian Egbo-Cruz loves meeting new people and creating great experiences for others — core tenets of the hospital industry. With an easy smile and authentic charm, Cruz embraces the assignment with a comfort level not often seen in a person his age.
The Hospitality College freshman came to know UNLV through Upward Bound, a college-preparatory program for income-qualified and first-generation high school students. Cruz spent four summers at UNLV in Upward Bound, learning the ins and outs of university life, degree options, and future careers.
That’s when the Hospitality College first caught his eye.
“I had a tour of [Hospitality Hall],” says Cruz, who's from Illinois. “I knew the Hospitality College was at top-ranked in the nation, so I wasn’t going to miss that opportunity.”
When asked which area of the hospitality industry interests him most, Cruz says he plans to start in event management, with an eye on being involved with events surrounding the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. But his ultimate goal is to develop his own hotel concept, one that caters to the average traveler while offering something special to every guest.
“You can see from those signs that the properties back then had more variety,” Cruz says “These days, [resort companies] are just thinking about luxury and not about the people who are staying [or not staying] there. For me, it’s about creating a unique vibe where everyone feels seen and appreciated.”
Taylor Freeman
Master’s student
Interests: Event and Sports Management
Taylor Freeman knows what it takes to succeed at the highest level. As a former national champion on UNLV’s Rebel Girls and Company, Freeman has stood at the pinnacle of the competitive dance world.
Upon arriving at UNLV from Northern California, Freeman was a business major with aspirations of one day opening her own dance studio. Exposure to the hospitality industry changed all that.
“I fell in love with [the industry],” Freeman says. “It fits everything my personality aligns with.”
Freeman found a new home on campus at the Harrah College of Hospitality — a place where she could harness her “Rebel Girls” discipline while honing a career in events and sports management. Through her classes and the college’s multitude of networking opportunities, she found others who shared her hospitality mindset.
“My classmates and I want to take everything we learn from the school and grow the hospitality industry to the next level,” Freeman says. “We want to be the new leaders.”
Now a master’s student, Freeman credits the college’s focus on real-world experiences (internships, mock interviews, mentorship program) for enabling graduates like her to hit the ground running in the workforce.
“I want to get all the knowledge out of the school while I have the time, continuing with my internships and shadowing industry leaders,” Freeman says. “You learn the most about the industry on the front lines.”
Braden Scher
Junior
Interests: Gaming Management & Hotel Operations
The world of hospitality is not new to Braden Scher. Since high school, the Hospitality College junior has come to know the many faces of the field, starting as an usher at a concert amphitheater to now working as a host at a celebrity chef restaurant on the Strip.
Originally from Irvine, California, Scher finds fulfillment by creating exceptional experiences for guests. His eagerness to consistently deliver excellent customer service is what led him to the Entertainment Capital of the World. “There's no better place than UNLV to learn how to give people that experience, especially in Vegas,” says Scher, whose new home also happens to be his family’s favorite vacation destination.
With artificial intelligence growing by the day, Scher reflects on the future of the industry. He sees AI as a complement to the human touch in hospitality, balancing face-to-face connections with technology.
Seeking to polish his craft, Scher plans to earn his master’s in hotel administration at UNLV after completing his undergraduate degree. “I like everything about hospitality,” he says. “Having a [graduate] degree will give me that extra push to excel and move up in the hospitality field.”
With an appetite for learning all sectors of the industry coupled with his well-rounded experience, Scher is set to make his mark on the Las Vegas Strip.
Leah Im
Master’s student
Interests: Corporate Golf Industry
Leah Im credits others for opening the door to her golf career. As a youth golfer participating in the First Tee program, Im found opportunities to develop her game and meet new people, including a representative from the Hospitality College’s PGA Golf Management Program (PGM).
This encounter led to a volunteer opportunity at the Shriners Children’s Open, the annual PGA Tour event in Las Vegas. From there, Im was hooked.
“I wanted to be the person running these big events one day,” she says. “That’s how I got into this field.”
The Las Vegas native soon enrolled at UNLV as a Hospitality Management student with a concentration in PGA Golf Management, learning the business side of golf, which encompasses facility management, teaching, and coaching.
Now a graduate student immersed in classes she describes as “thought-provoking” and “collaborative,” Im has her eye on a career in the corporate golf industry. She sharpens her skills through regular internships and by working as a PGM program coordinator and golf instructor.
When asked what excites her the most about the future of golf, Im talks about growing the sport.
“As PGA of America members, our mission is to bring people of all backgrounds, across abilities, income levels, ages, and more, into the game,” says Im, who never forgets the early support she received
Im is happy to be the one now opening doors for others.
Sarah Ochoa Diaz
Senior
Interests: Human Resources
As Sarah Ochoa Diaz stood among the vintage signs housed in the Neon Boneyard museum, one in particular caught her eye — a sign that offered a glimpse into the historic roots of her current employer, the Sahara Las Vegas. Though a full-time student, she finds the time to work at the iconic property as a human resources generalist.
Diaz’s decision to pursue hospitality was influenced by her parents, who work in the industry, as well as her family’s bakery business back in El Salvador. The Hospitality Charitable Foundation (HCF) reinforced her decision, opening doors she never thought were possible through their four-year mentorship and scholarship program.
“HCF changed the way I see the hospitality industry,” says the Las Vegas local and first-generation college student. “I used to think of it as just a job. Now, I see it as a career and a lifestyle. I'm really grateful for having the [HCF team] in my life. I am who I am because of them.”
She also credits her mentors, composed of hospitality C-Suite executives and industry leaders, for shaping her future aspirations. Diaz has her eyes set on becoming an HR executive at a major Las Vegas resort, focusing on workplace culture and developing employees to deliver standout service.
“Education is power,” Diaz says. “And I want to use it to create opportunities for others, just like people have done for me.”
Lazaro Cabrera
Junior
Interests: Sports & Golf Management
Lazaro Cabrera is a natural-born leader who never hesitates to step up when needed. Whether serving on the executive board of his fraternity, Pi Kappa Alpha, or leading a major fundraising event for the Hospitality Charitable Foundation (HCF), Cabrera eagerly lends a hand whenever and however he can.
This knack for helping others sparked Cabrera’s interest in hospitality, which led him to attend the Harrah College of Hospitality. His first experience with the industry came early in high school when he worked in the nightlife scene with his family.
As a Las Vegas native, he has had a front-row seat to the growth of both the city and hospitality industry. He finds the increasing connection between athletics and Las Vegas particularly exciting and envisions himself as a leader in this emerging, dominant space.
“The old Vegas focused on gambling and partying. Now it’s about sports entertainment,” Cabrera says. “Golf is growing too, and I want to be part of that shift.
Supported by his family, Cabrera is committed to making the most of the opportunity afforded to him through the generosity of others. “Being a first-generation college student, I’m grateful I had the chance to attend college for free because of the [HCF] scholarship.”
Check out available hospitality-specific scholarships on the UNLV College of Hospitality website.
