With students in Southern Nevada and throughout the nation returning to the classroom, UNLV has experts available to offer context on a variety of topics that families care about.

Those include the best options for a nutritious lunch, staying safe if your student walks to school, managing stress both in the classroom and at home, how to address hearing problems in the classroom, the best ways to manage a heavy backpack, and much more.

All journalist inquiries should be directed to mediarelations@unlv.edu, with more information/experts available upon request. Thank you, and we're looking forward to a successful, healthy school year for all of our students.

Mental Health & Psychology

Christopher Kearney — Chair, Dept. of Psychology

Natasha Mosby — Clinical Program Director of the Nevada Pediatric Access Program

Lisa Durette — Chair, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health

Each of these longtime psychiatric professionals specializes in children's mental health. They can discuss how to help students and parents manage the stressors that accompany a new school year -- be it from studying, friend groups, family, or outside factors.

If you're a parent or student who needs help approaching this difficult topic, our experts can help light the path.

Nutrition

Romina Ballesteros — Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Clinical Dietitian, and Graduate Research Assistant

If you aren't sure what your children should be eating at lunch time, or are looking for the best options to help them maintain their energy throughout the school day (or after school), we have the expert for you! What does a healthy diet for a grade schooler look like? We have suggestions for healthy lunches and snacks, both at school and at home.

Ballesteros is a licensed dietitian and a volunteer educator at the UNLV nutrition center.

Pediatrics

Dodds Simangan — Associate Professor and Residency Program Associate Director, Pediatrics

Simangan can help direct us toward the best practices for making sure students stay healthy in the classroom. From managing heavy backpacks full of books, to the appropriate vaccinations, and general healthy habits at home, he has you covered.

Hearing Health

Megan Masterson — Audiologist, UNLV Health Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) Clinic

As hearing loss continues to be a problem for youths -- along with exposure to damaging volumes -- Masterson can provide advice for parents curious about their children's hearing levels.

How can a parent tell if their child really needs a hearing test? What should students do if they suspect a hearing problem? How valuable is a baseline hearing test, and what does it tell us?

Teachers

Kenneth Varner — Associate Dean, Academic Programs and Initiatives

Bradley Marianno — Associate Professor, Educational Policy & Leadership

Teachers need to be in a healthy, supportive space in order to educate and position the next generation for success.

Does CCSD need more teachers and substitutes? Has the outlook on staffing or work conditions improved over the last few years? How is UNLV, through its traditional and alternative teacher licensure programs, addressing these challenges? These are the sort of conversations thought-leaders such as Varner and Marianno are looking into.

Pedestrian and Driver Safety

Erin Breen — Director, Road Equity Alliance Project

Courtney Coughenour — Associate Professor, Graduate Coordinator in the School of Public Health

If you have a student who is walking to school, or anywhere near a roadway, Erin Breen will make sure you have the knowledge necessary to keep yourself safe. She can provide safety advice for students, parents, and drivers in and out of school zones.

Additionally, Coughenour can discuss general walkability and bikeability for students, along with pedestrian safety for Clark County students.