Once is special, but two times means that Marie Arroyo is making waves in the dean’s office at Lee Business School. For a second time in only a few years, Arroyo has been recognized as a Classified Employee of the Year award recipient.

“It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside because I genuinely enjoy helping faculty and staff,” she says of the double nomination and third-place award. “I always strive to be the best version of myself and to be as helpful as I can.”

Originally from California, Arroyo moved to Las Vegas in 1996. She initially worked at Nevada State College before applying to UNLV. In the last few years, she has been promoted to administrative assistant IV and is responsible for training other administrative assistants and supporting business operations in the dean’s office. 

And, though colleagues agree she’s a joy to work with, Arroyo admits to exercising a firm rule over Workday business processes. “Sometimes, I feel like I am the Workday police but I am just following policies,” she joked in her previous interview in 2023.

Colleagues praise Arroyo’s organizational skills and dedication to fulfilling her tasks. One nominator recounted how, despite being out of office one day, Arroyo responded so that a student-veteran needing immediate help could remain enrolled and maintain their financial aid.

“There has never been a moment of doubt about whether Marie will fulfill her responsibilities,” wrote the nominator. “Her consistency and dependability set her apart. On multiple occasions, she has gone above and beyond her job description.”

When Arroyo’s not making it “smooth sailing” for those in the dean’s office, she can be found sailing the seas. She splurged on more than a few cruises last year, and is looking forward to several more over the next year.

“Let’s just say I went a little overboard in 2024,” says Arroyo. “I ended up on eight cruises! It wasn’t planned; it just kind of happened.”

Here, she shares a little more about her adventures — both nautical and otherwise — as a dedicated UNLV staff member of 13 years.

In the past two years, has anything changed about your current role or your outlook on the work you do at UNLV? 

Not too much has changed. I still love what I do and continue to focus on being reliable and supportive wherever I’m needed.

Your colleagues seem very impressed with you. What do you think makes for a reliable co-worker, or at least someone who’s easy to work with?

I think being kind and dependable goes a long way. People know they can count on me to get things done, and I make an effort to build lasting relationships with the people I work with.

Do you have an object in your office that’s meaningful to you? 

I have little ducks in my office that I’ve found on cruise ships. They remind me of all the fun trips I’ve taken and the ones I still plan to go on. It’s a thing people do on cruise ships, hide and find rubber ducks. It’s simple but it brings a lot of joy and smiles for some people. 

A friend pops into town for a visit. Where would you take them for the best meal of their vacation in Vegas? 

Texas Roadhouse! I love their steaks, and the bread is seriously delicious.

What do you think makes UNLV unique compared to other universities? 

One thing that makes UNLV stand out is the Classified Staff Enrichment Award. As a staff member, most of my dependent’s tuition was covered. My son earned his degree in film here, and UNLV paid for most of it.

What projeccts have you been a part of recently? 

I have been working on are creating training videos for various Workday business processes, such as how to create expense reports for domestic and international travel or how to create spend authorizations. I record the steps and then edit the videos to share them.

In the summer what do you like to do? Stay out of the heat, hit the pool, or something else? 

I spend as much time as I can with my family. I visit my mom often and hang out with my chihuahuas, Snowball and Penelope.

You mentioned during your last interview that you enjoy cruises. Do you have one coming up? 

I’m hoping to sneak in a last-minute one with my mom this summer. I already have three booked for 2026 and one in 2027. I just love being on a ship, relaxing, watching the ocean and not having any responsibilities. The crew takes care of everything. My next cruise is to the Western Caribbean, and I’m really looking forward to it.

What’s been one of your proudest achievements? 

Right now, it’s being in grad school! I never thought I’d be a graduate student, and now I only have two classes left before I graduate in fall 2025. I’m definitely looking forward to being done with homework, quizzes, and projects.