Rafael Oganesyan’s connection to UNLV stretches back more than 26 years and four degrees. He arrived on campus in 2000 as a 15-year-old high school student taking college classes. “I did my best to not let my classmates know my age by dressing business casual for class lectures,” Oganesyan recalls. 

It was only when staff asked him for his Social Security number that anyone caught on. “When I admitted I did not know it, they eventually asked my age. Everyone, including the instructor, was shocked to learn I was only 15.”

As a student himself, Oganesyan balanced classes with overnight shifts at jobs on the Las Vegas Strip, an experience that continues to shape how he recognizes the challenges students manage outside the classroom.

Today, he is director of the Office of Undergraduate Research, where he supports students pursuing research opportunities while preparing them for graduate school and careers. His efforts have earned him the 2026 Administrative Faculty of the Year award for Student Service Excellence.

Below, he reflects on his time at UNLV, the lessons he has learned along the way, and what continues to inspire him.

What does being a UNLV Rebel mean to you?

Being a UNLV Rebel means supporting our local communities and advocating for the impact of higher education. I subscribe to UNLV President Heavey’s view of UNLV as an anchor institution for the greater Las Vegas region. The university plays a key role in workforce development and in helping diversify Nevada’s economy.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I enjoy research. To this day, I remain active in my academic field of voting behavior in developing democracies. Last month, I was in Armenia conducting field research on how voters perceive political parties during campaign season, and I also participated as an international election observer for the 2026 parliamentary elections.

I also enjoy helping students accomplish their goals. A large part of this may be due to my own missed opportunities as an undergraduate student. I want our students to take advantage of all the opportunities and resources available to them throughout UNLV.

How does it feel to be a recipient of the Administrative Faculty of the Year awards for this year?

It is a humbling experience and reflects the students and colleagues I have the privilege of working with. Being awarded the Student Service Excellence Award is especially meaningful because of the ongoing effort I put into helping students get involved in research and achieve their career goals.

What's something that people likely do not know about you?

I am in rotation to become a mixed martial arts (MMA) judge. I am shadowing as a judge for a local MMA promotion and hope to evaluate my first bout later this year. One of my future goals is to be a sanctioned MMA judge by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

What is the best advice you've received.

My fifth-grade teacher, Mrs. Gallagher, told me: Successful people never give up.

Name some favorite hobbies when you are not busy at work.

I love watching documentaries about planet Earth as well as space, exoplanets, and black holes. I regularly watch documentary series narrated by David Attenborough. He is an exceptional person and has contributed immensely to raising environmental awareness.

What keeps you motivated?

Talking to each student who visits [the undergraduate research office] about the opportunities UNLV has is what I cherish the most. I often tell students that the reason you are here on campus is to be competitive out there. Are you visiting Career Services to improve your résumé? Are you visiting the Writing Center to strengthen your writing skills? Are you visiting OUR to get involved in research?

Favorite thing about living in Las Vegas?

Las Vegas offers a 24-hour lifestyle. Whether it’s bowling at 3 a.m. or going to a dining spot at 6 a.m., the round-the-clock availability can’t be matched.

Care to share any future goals?

My goal in my current position is to expand undergraduate research opportunities to students who otherwise would not consider getting involved in research. Too often, nontraditional students, first-generation students, and those balancing full-time jobs overlook research because of competing responsibilities, even though they can benefit tremendously from the experience.

More broadly, my career has been guided by a commitment to advancing educational opportunities and student success. Looking ahead, my long-term aspiration is to apply my knowledge and experiences in higher education to help strengthen educational institutions in my home country of Armenia. I serve on the higher education working group within the Armenian Society of Fellows, a network of diaspora higher education professionals working to improve the quality of higher education in Armenia.