More than 3,500 students will officially become UNLV alumni this week during the university’s spring commencement. And among them will be some new grads with great, hands-on experiences in the STEM fields on their resume. 

As they get ready to claim their diplomas, learn how the Class of 2023 is making it happen in their careers.

Kennedy Wharton, Electrical Engineering, Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering 

After eight years at UNLV and two degrees (her first degree was in psychology), Kennedy Wharton has amassed a long list of memorable moments and a short list of advice for new students. 

“The real study tip is: Don’t give up. For engineering or all around. Just don’t give up. You may fail at first, but just get back up!”

As a former student-athlete for the Lady Rebels basketball team, Kennedy knows from experience what it’s like to work hard to reach a goal. One of her most memorable experiences, she says, was seeing the confetti come down after winning the Mountain West Conference championship. Now, after completing this degree program in engineering, Kennedy will add another “top moment” to her list when she crosses the stage a second time. 

Dhruv Luhar, Mechanical Engineering, Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering 

Congrats to Dhruv— a hands-on engineer with a shocking background — on graduating with a B.S. in mechanical engineering!

As a member of the UNLV BAJA Society of Automotive Engineers, he started working on the next generation of vehicle shocks. He’s now ready to tackle new challenges and bring innovation to life after relocating to Peoria, Illinois, to design bulldozers for Caterpillar.

His advice to students? “I did a lot as an upperclassman; however, I think I could have done much more if I started sooner! Be sure to make an effort to get involved early in your college career.”

Madison Kleinrock-Andrews, Biological Sciences, College of Sciences

Since she was a kid, Madison Kleinrock-Andrews was interested in learning how the natural world works, so majoring in biology was always the plan. Even after experiencing how challenging science classes could be (O-chem has long been at the top of the list for hardest college courses), the only thing that changed for Madison was what she wanted to do with the degree she’d worked so hard to attain. Rather than applying for med school, she wants to take a deep dive into research.

She’s now planning on pursuing a Ph.D. program in biology, specifically to study genetics or endocrinology. One of her biggest lessons learned during her time at UNLV? That “college is more about work ethic than your inherent intelligence.” 

Aaron Dexter, Business Administration, Information Systems, Lee School of Business

Why should you get involved in college? Aaron Dexter would answer that it can change your entire experience. At first, Aaron joined a couple of clubs, including the 8-bit eSports team. But once the pandemic hit, he realized he wanted to do even more to take advantage of all that UNLV had to offer. From working as a student employee in UNLV Admissions to participating in a homecoming float, getting involved helped him build a support system.

“Having autism, I had difficulty growing up making friends and participating in the community, but UNLV changed all of that. I was welcomed with open arms and made a whole bunch of friends and joined a lot of organizations.” 

After graduation, Aaron is planning to finish up his application for a master’s program — but only after he’s done celebrating his achievement with his family. 

Lester Cruz, Mechanical Engineering, Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering 

Lester Cruz, a.k.a “Scarlet” on the Glitter Squad, is graduating with a B.S. in mechanical engineering. But don’t worry; we’re not saying goodbye to Scarlet just yet. Lester will be an orientation leader for incoming UNLV students this summer and will start his master’s program in communication studies this fall. 

He loves to tell eager first-year students, “Seek discomfort. The best things in life happen outside your comfort zone.”

Benjamin Khavkin, Biochemistry, College of Sciences

For some students, their path through college never wavers. Benjamin Khavkin was able to graduate with his B.S. in biochemistry in four years because he stayed on track thanks to the help of his advisors. As a member of the Honors College, his experiences with professors, events, friends, and facilities defined his college memories. 

What’s next for Benjamin? He will be attending medical school at Touro University.