College of Education Alumnae of the Year: Laurie Hartig and Lisa K. Habighorst

In 2001, educators Laurie Hartig and Lisa Habighorst co-founded Spread the Word Nevada with a clear goal: ensuring early childhood access to books in low-income communities. The organization has since grown into the largest children's literacy nonprofit in the state, placing millions of books directly into homes.

What was your reaction to being selected as the College of Education honoree?

Laurie: I was genuinely speechless. Neither Lisa nor I ever sought recognition for our work; we simply stayed focused on expanding the reach of Spread the Word Nevada and serving Nevada’s children as best we could. I’ve always seen past honorees as exceptional leaders who made a real difference in our state, so I never imagined myself among them.

Once I caught my breath, I felt an incredible sense of pride and honor. Growing up in Las Vegas and watching UNLV grow alongside the valley makes this feel like a real homecoming. To be recognized by the College of Education alongside Lisa — my partner in this 25-year journey — is something I’ll always be grateful for.

Lisa: My immediate reaction was a big smile and a deep sense of pride. Spread the Word Nevada has grown far beyond what Laurie and I ever hoped or imagined it would become when we started 25 years ago. To be recognized by UNLV — the very institution that helped provide the leadership foundation for this journey — for doing work that I love so much is an amazing feeling!

Knowing that all of that hard work is being recognized and appreciated by the UNLV community is truly the icing on the cake. We have poured our hearts into this mission to ensure children across Nevada have access to books and literacy services. Receiving this honor alongside Laurie, who conceptualized this vision, makes the recognition feel completely whole.

Looking back at your time in the College of Education, how did your UNLV experience shape your philosophies as educators and leaders?

Laurie: Growing up in Las Vegas in the 1960s, UNLV has always been a big part of my life. As a graduate student in library science, I felt a real sense of pride walking the campus. My courses prepared me to become an elementary school librarian, where I saw firsthand how books and a love of reading can change a child’s life and future. UNLV taught me that learning never really ends — you keep asking questions, growing, and giving back to the community that raised you.

Lisa: Pursuing my master’s degree in educational leadership at UNLV was indispensable to my role as CEO of Spread the Word Nevada. At the time, I was a classroom teacher working my way into leadership, and I didn't realize just how much those lessons would shape my future. Things like servant leadership, understanding how people learn differently, and knowing how to keep an organization healthy have shaped how I lead Spread the Word Nevada today. UNLV gave me the confidence and foundation to build an organization that could grow and last.

Over 25 years, Spread the Word Nevada has grown from a grassroots idea into the state’s largest children’s literacy nonprofit. What milestone or accomplishment are you each most proud of?

Laurie: My heart soars whenever I hear a success story that we can trace directly back to our work — like a high school student who becomes the first in her family to graduate, or a little girl who found sanctuary in our books during an unstable childhood and later went on to succeed in the business world. Those stories validate everything we believed from day one: that access to books truly can change the trajectory of a child's life.

What makes me particularly proud is how our focus expanded over time. We recognized early on that building home libraries was essential, but empowering parents with literacy tools to use at home was also vital in creating a deeper impact for the entire family. Every new program we added helped us build stronger households across Nevada, empowering children and the adults who support them to become more engaged, confident, and successful learners.

Lisa: I am most proud of our recent move into our forever home. Securing a large, permanent facility allows us to serve children and families year-round through centralized, hands-on programming rather than limiting our outreach strictly to school sites. Having a true home for Spread the Word Nevada marks a monumental leap forward in making literacy a central priority for every family in our region.

Beyond the building itself, I am immensely proud of the collective community effort that made our growth possible. We started with simple hopes of just securing enough books and cardboard boxes for a handful of schools. Guiding our staff, board of directors, donors, and dedicated volunteers to turn that humble beginning into a statewide movement that has placed millions of books into young hands is the proudest achievement of my career.

What personal moments inspired the creation of Spread the Word Nevada, and what kept you motivated through the early challenges?

Laurie: As a school librarian, I saw that borrowing books was impactful and meaningful, but owning a book gave children a different sense of pride and a greater connection to the book. When I started giving away donated books from a small rolling cart, I watched their confidence and love of reading grow. That was the turning point for us. In those early days of Spread the Word Nevada, seeing that joy on children’s faces kept us going.

Lisa: Growing up in a home impacted by alcohol dependency, reading was my lifeline and sanctuary — a way to escape the chaos through books like Nancy Drew. I wanted to offer that same comfort to children facing difficult circumstances. Additionally, as a mother, my innate sense of fairness drove me to level the playing field for underserved kids. Watching a child realize a book is theirs to keep forever makes every challenge we faced entirely worth it.

As dedicated community leaders, why has it been so important to stay connected to UNLV, and what advice do you have for education students? 

Laurie: UNLV is the intellectual and cultural heart of Southern Nevada, and staying connected keeps our community strong. My advice to current students is to follow your dreams, embrace mentors, and remain open to where your passion leads. You never know when a small effort might grow into a movement that changes thousands of lives. 

Lisa: Education is the single most powerful tool we have to build a stronger Nevada, and our work in early childhood literacy is directly preparing the next generation of future Rebels. To current UNLV students: Get involved in the nonprofit world, follow what you are passionate about, and don't give up during the tough moments. Laurie and I thought we might help 10 schools at most; twenty-five years and 81 schools later, we are proof that staying dedicated to a cause will take you further than you ever imagined.