You could say Scott Sibella learned the hotel business from the ground up. As a boy, he often tagged along with his construction superintendent dad, who had a hand in building some of the Strip’s most iconic hotel casinos.

But while calling Las Vegas home made sense for the Sibella family, it was a curiosity to out-of-town friends and family.

“People would always ask, ‘Where do you live? The Strip? Do you have churches? Schools?’” Sibella, now the chief operating officer of MGM Grand said. “They didn’t get it, but I did. I became immersed in the industry at a young age just by living here.”

Following two years in Reno, Sibella moved back to Vegas, began working in the industry, and dove into a UNLV career. Although he wasn’t sure where he would end up in the hotel business after graduation, he knew he could go anywhere with his degree.

“UNLV is such a big factor in the success of Las Vegas,” Sibella said. “It has direct access to some of the best properties in the world, and a number of executives and leaders are alumni. If you look at the top universities we are compared with, no one has what we have.”

Thankful for the front-row seat he’s enjoyed while watching the city and the university grow, Sibella continues to call Vegas home and reflects on his alma mater with pride.

“UNLV has done so much for me on a personal and professional level,” Sibella said. “And I’m proud to be part of what the Hotel College means to the city.”