Enthusiastic? For sure. Outgoing? Definitely, yes. When this Disney-enthusiast isn’t running here and there for dance team practice and Scout leader meetings, Deana Wilson is making the most of her time at UNLV.
“Monotony is not for me,” says Wilson, an administrative assistant IV in the Office of the Registrar’s scheduling department who also happens to be a member of the Classified Staff Council, an NSHE representative, and a UNLV Values Ambassador.
In fact, she’s so dedicated to her professional and personal pursuits that even broken bones can’t stop her! In 2013 — after successfully completing an obstacle-filled Spartan Race — Wilson later discovered that she’d sported a broken hip throughout the event.
Colleagues applaud Wilson for her involvement in organizations across campus as well as her sincere desire to build relationships with members of the UNLV community.
“In 2021, I had the pleasure of working with Deana on many committees in 2021 and she was a rock star representing the Classified Staff,” says Erin Collier, former director of Organizational Development in the Office of Human Resources. “You can tell that she takes pride in her day-to-day work, as well. When she introduces herself, she talks about the relationships that she builds with the campus community as a scheduler in the Office of the Registrar. [She] is someone that really enjoys coming to work and talking with people.”
Tell us about your job at UNLV.
I work in the registrar’s office in the scheduling department (aka operations), which is a fantastic team of five. The main goal is to produce a clean semester schedule and place classes in classrooms. Sounds easy, right? Well, with 12 different instruction modes, a minimum of 5,000 classes, and only 188 general purpose classrooms, it truly is like fitting a puzzle together.
This position allows me to build rapport with each department scheduler, chair, and deans, as well as interacting with the student population. It is the best of both worlds.
Why UNLV?
I have always loved the campus atmosphere. When I started working for the state (with the Occupational Safety Health Administration in 2013), I would constantly look to see what was open at UNLV. Since moving to Las Vegas, I would attend UNLV football and basketball games, and the electricity of the students and staff with school spirit, made me want to be a part of it all on a daily basis.
How did you make your way to Las Vegas?
It was a zigzag all over the country. Having a father in the military took us from Memphis, Tennessee; to Colorado Springs, Colorado; to Baltimore, Maryland; to what I now call home – Las Vegas, Nevada.
How do you feel about being recognized as the Classified Employee of the Year?
It makes me feel like I made the right career choice. To find out that I had multiple nominations from outside of my department was the real “kicker.” I like to think that I have a great working relationship with others on campus, and this validated that.
What was the first job you ever had?
At Arby’s in high school. I was there for three years, and it taught me that I did NOT want to work in fast food as a career.
What do you like to do outside of work?
My family is my life. What they do, I try to get involved with. With five kids, they keep me busy.
I have two kids in Scouts, so I became Scout leaders for them. My son is in percussion in his high school marching band, meaning I am now a booster member for marching band, and you can find me at Friday night football games helping set up the band instruments. One of my daughters is on the high school dance team and in choir, having me give equal time to dance and choir boosters. When there is a break in all of that, you can find all of us camping or hiking – that is what we like to do as a family – get away from city life and enjoy nature.
If five kids weren’t enough, we have two dogs and a desert tortoise that fill any free time that I have left. If there is a possibility of squeezing a Disneyland trip in at least once a year – I am all about that!
Why is it important to get involved on campus?
I think the best answer is that I am nosy. I like to know what is going on. I want to make coming to work enjoyable for everyone. Classified staff is such a great group of people making a voice to be heard on campus. Same for all the NSHE classified staff; this way we can keep in touch with the other NSHE institutions. The Values Task Force is still a newer program and being on the task force from its inception has really opened my eyes to the remarkable people that we have on campus. The values are already being lived each day by so many employees of UNLV; being able to recognize them for it is a great feeling.
Do you have a TV show, movie, or book to recommend?
- TV Show – Ted Lasso. So funny.
- Movie – The Super Mario Bros. Movie
- Book – Taste by Stanley Tucci; there are recipes in each chapter that I have bookmarked to try to make (when time allows)
What has been your best day on campus?
There have been so many. The first day of work when I was welcomed by the entire registrar’s office, that is up there. I love the first day of semester and seeing the campus ALIVE with students. I volunteer to work Ask Me! booths as often as possible, to be a part of the day … But I would have to go back to the day that I was awarded the Classified Staff Employee of the Year. My direct supervisor was unable to be there, so my daughter, Caitlin Moscato, presented me with the award. There were some serious waterworks that day!
Do you have a quote, phrase, or piece of advice you find especially inspiring?
Walt Disney said it: “Why Worry? If you’ve done the very best you can, worrying won’t make it any better.” Followed closely with Dr. Suess’: “Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive that is you-er than you!”
Any advice for employees new to UNLV?
Get involved! You have to be here for 40 hours a week, make the most of it. This is a great place to work and with so many committees, councils, and organizations available, be a part of something great and then it’s not work.
