Rebels sure do know how to make it happen. Just ask the six students who’ll be honored this winter as outstanding graduates.
There’s a therapist creating opportunities for clients and fellow students from underrepresented communities. Researchers making significant strides in the fields of neuroscience and mechanical engineering. A cybersecurity phenom and avid community volunteer who’s dedicated hundreds of hours to keeping small businesses safe. An aspiring attorney using public policy and personal experiences in the foster system to improve the lives of kids in the community. And a non-traditional international student pursuing a career change that focuses even more on helping others.
For more than two decades, UNLV has sought campus and community nominations for exceptional students to be recognized by the president during commencement. President Keith E. Whitfield will carry on the tradition this winter by highlighting these six graduating students for their academic success, research, and community service — embodying the grit, perseverance, and collective achievement of the UNLV Class of 2024.
They’re among an estimated 2,500 students expected to cross the Thomas & Mack Center stage as part of three graduation ceremonies set for Dec. 17 and 18 — an approximately 15% increase over last winter.
This current crop of graduates ranges in age from 19 to 74, hailing from 33 states and 38 foreign countries. The majority — 70% to be exact — are from ethnically diverse backgrounds. And a whopping 90% live right here in the Silver State. This winter’s ceremonies will mark nearly 173,000 degrees that UNLV has awarded since 1964.
Daniel Fisher
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Honors)
A trailblazing researcher and decorated student-athlete, Daniel Fisher’s academic and personal journey reflects an unwavering commitment to innovation, perseverance, and excellence. Daniel graduates Summa Cum Laude as a member of the Honors College, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Daniel has also been achieving goals — quite literally — as a Canadian student-athlete and club president of UNLV’s Skatin’ Rebels Hockey team over the past five seasons. The team has established a strong local following, advancing to the ACHA national championship game for the first time last season. In 2021, Daniel fully ruptured his hamstring but recovered to compete in UNLV’s inaugural NCAA Division 1 hockey games the following year.
During his undergraduate career, Daniel was also an active student-researcher and served as chief scientist of RebelSat, UNLV’s student-led aerospace engineering club, where he contributed to the design of Nevada’s first satellite.
Daniel’s passion for advanced materials and robotics led him to prestigious research opportunities. This includes two National Science Foundation-supported international fellowships at Korea University, where he co-developed innovative technologies for virtual reality applications and contributed to advancements in the field of soft robotics.
He earned the prestigious Craig F. Bohren Best Student Presentation Award at an international research conference earlier this year. He also won first place in UNLV’s 2023 Mechanical Engineering Senior Design Competition for his project, which was developed for the National Marine Mammal Foundation to address the recent spike in marine mammal beachings.
Daniel is continuing his academic journey as a direct-entry Ph.D. student in Mechanical Engineering at UNLV, focusing on renewable energy sensors and aerospace applications under Distinguished Professor Dr. Kwang Kim. He currently teaches mechanical testing labs and lectures on general physics and mathematics. Alongside his academic pursuits, he looks forward to balancing family life with his wife, Marlena, and their children.
Jesse Fager-Larsen
B.A. in Political Science; Minor in Psychology (Honors)
Drawing on his experiences as a first-generation college student who grew up in the foster care system, Jesse Fager-Larsen’s undergraduate journey has been a true reflection of his dedication to advocacy for education, public policy, and foster youth.
Jesse graduates Magna Cum Laude as a member of the Honors College with a bachelor’s in political science and a minor in psychology. He has devoted himself to work in the political, legal, social services, and research realms and has demonstrated both academic and community excellence.
As a student researcher with Brookings Mountain West, he examined issues including public health, education governance, and social equity. The UNLV Mock Trial team member interned with both Congresswoman Susie Lee’s office and the Freedom Law Firm. He also authored significant research publications as a Ronald E. McNair Scholar and while serving as a writer, staff editor, and vice president of the UNLV Undergraduate Law Review.
On top of that, Jesse — a Justice Michael L. Douglas Pre-law Fellow — was a recipient of the highly competitive Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship. He attended the Junior Summer Institute at the University of Minnesota and the Harvard Public Policy Leadership Conference. He maintained this busy schedule while serving in leadership roles as a CSUN senator, UNLV Psychology Club officer, and outreach coordinator for the Phi Alpha Delta pre-law fraternity.
Outside of his academic pursuits, Jesse volunteers with various organizations, including: St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, where he helps organize activities that reunite siblings separated by the foster care system, and through the National Foster Youth Institute, where he advocates for systematic change and betterment of opportunities for foster youth.
Pierre Lescure
B.A. in Criminal Justice (Honors)
Hailing from the French Alps, Pierre Lescure’s adventurous spirit has shaped his dynamic career path. From working as a mascot at Disneyland to managing fitness centers in Montreal, his diverse experiences culminated in his decision to pursue a degree at UNLV.
A global citizen and non-traditional student, Pierre’s pursuit of a UNLV degree reflects his passion for lifelong learning, community service, and personal growth. Pierre has excelled as an international student since joining the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs in 2021 as a criminal justice major, joining the university’s Honors College and earning consistent placement on the Dean’s List.
It should be no surprise that someone who has traveled the world is very open to helping others. On campus, he has actively supported fellow students as an Honors Peer Mentor and as an instructor for the Honors College’s first-year seminar. As a group fitness instructor, he has inspired people of all fitness levels to embrace physical health and self-care. His contributions to the Student Recreation Center earned him the Rising Leader Award. And if you ever need help planning your own journey, Pierre is super knowledgeable and helpful in offering guidance as a member of the Outdoor Adventures team.
Pierre plans to continue his research and studies as a graduate student in criminal justice at UNLV, focusing on the intersection of spirituality and crime prevention, as well as the challenges faced by male victims of emotional and psychological violence in intimate relationships.
Pierre is graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and an impressive 3.95 GPA.
Darlyn Magaña
M.S. in Couple and Family Therapy
Neither of Darlyn Magaña's immigrant parents graduated from high school or college, but they always emphasized the importance of education and hard work.
Those sentiments have stayed with Darlyn as the Honors College student earned an undergraduate degree in psychology from UNLV, with a minor in family studies. That work, in turn, inspired her journey back to the graduation stage where she earns a master's in Couple and Family Therapy and a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Darlyn's dream is to start a local practice offering bilingual therapy services and a mentoring program for aspiring therapists from underrepresented communities. And she's already helped countless UNLV and community members along the way.
Darlyn is a researcher who has examined the role of OBGYNs in perinatal mood disorders among moms of color. She helped develop effective treatment strategies for clients as an intern with Las Vegas Therapy, and provided weekly sessions in English and Spanish as a student therapist with the UNLV medical school's Center for Individual, Couple and Family Counseling. Darlyn also served as a graduate assistant for multiple entities — leading undergraduate lectures for her academic program, working with UNLV's Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach, and serving as an academic support counselor for UNLV's football program.
She is also a leader. Darlyn mentored undergraduates through UNLV’s Grad Rebel Advantage program, served as president of her Delta Kappa Zeta chapter, represented her unit as a member of the Graduate and Professional Student Association, and volunteered with Future Leaders in Medicine.
And that's only the tip of the iceberg. Darlyn plans to pursue a doctoral degree on her path toward university teaching, research, and other positions aimed at supporting the Las Vegas community.
Samer Youssouf
B.S. in Computer Science (Honors)
Samer Youssouf is a leader, an innovator, and a driving force contributing to UNLV’s rising reputation as a leader in cybersecurity. He graduates from the Honors College with a bachelor's degree in computer science and a dream to advance in the field of digital forensics.
Samer’s passion for cybersecurity was sparked in high school through the CyberPatriot program, where he honed his technical skills and gained competitive experience in cyber tournaments. This foundation propelled him into leadership roles in student organizations such as Layer Zero and UNLV's Cyber Clinic, which he co-founded. Over three years, Samer dedicated nearly 700 hours to the Cyber Clinic — conducting security assessments for small businesses, mentoring junior members, and organizing workshops to train future cybersecurity professionals.
As a member of UNLV’s Collegiate DECA chapter and a current National Collegiate DECA Vice President, Samer has represented over 4,500 students. He leverages his marketing expertise to inspire the next generation of leaders here in Nevada and worldwide, including with DECA members in India. He has earned Top 10 International Finalist honors in DECA competitions and leadership awards from UNLV and industry groups.
His commitment to service extended to teaching high school students about cybersecurity during the College of Engineering's GenCyber summer camp, and working alongside hundreds of campus and community members on a memorial project honoring campus shooting victims by contributing to the creation of 4,000 origami cranes for display in Beam Hall.
Samer will pursue a master's degree in cybersecurity at UNLV while continuing his involvement with the Cyber Clinic and DECA.
Xiaowei Zhuang
Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience
Xiaowei Zhuang possesses the ability to use sophisticated scientific techniques to identify and creatively solve some of the most complex health challenges. She graduates this fall with a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Neuroscience and a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Xiaowei’s dissertation research addresses significant public health issues, including COVID-19, Alzheimer’s, and traumatic brain injuries. Her creativity has enabled her to study rare diseases and emerging health threats in ways that traditional methods cannot, leading to discoveries that will directly benefit patient care and generate new public health strategies.
Her work on Alzheimer’s is uncovering how age impacts genetic risk factors, and her exploration into brain injuries among retired athletes has revealed important links between genetics and the environment that may improve prevention and treatment. Most recently, she’s developed new approaches to detect emerging COVID variants in wastewater earlier than existing methods.
According to her nominators, Xiaowei represents a new generation of scholars who can navigate both the mathematical sophistication of data science and the practical complexities of human health research.
She has contributed to 12 journal articles and more than 20 conference proceedings during her time at UNLV, including multiple first-author articles in top national journals. She is also the recipient of the Expanding the Knowledge Frontier Award from the Graduate & Professional Student Association – which is regarded as one of the most competitive graduate honors at UNLV.
Despite working a full-time job and contributing high-quality research, Xiaowei also hosts workshops for students and the community, and she's dedicated to mentoring future scientists in ways that are both collaborative and inclusive.
