The Board of Regents of the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) recently announced the names of UNLV faculty, staff, and students who received honors for the 2002-03 academic year.

Mark Hoversten, UNLV associate professor and coordinator of landscape architecture and planning, is this year's recipient of the $5,000 Creative Activity Award, which is given to an individual whose work brings national and international attention to the university, the UCCSN, and the state.

Hoversten's research and design work has been critical to the success of numerous projects around the Las Vegas Valley and the region, including the Las Vegas Spring Preserve and the Summerlin master-planned community, among others. His emphasis on developing sound design master plans for the desert climate has recently led to a joint project with the Nevada Department of Transportation to develop a landscape and aesthetics plan for the entire state highway system.

Hoversten earned his bachelor's degree in landscape architecture from the University of Minnesota, as well as a master of arts and master of fine arts from the University of New Mexico and the University of Iowa, respectively. He is a fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

Carol Jensen is the recipient of the regents' Academic Advisor Award, which honors outstanding academic student advising. She received a $5,000 stipend in recognition of her efforts.

Jensen, who serves as director of the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs' student advising center, was selected for her work with the college's undergraduate students and for her work with the UNLV Academic Advising Council. She has been in education for more than 40 years and has taught at all levels, from kindergarten to college.

She earned her bachelor's degree in English, history, and education at Mt. St. Mary's College in Los Angeles, California. She also has master's degrees in English literature and religious studies from Indiana University.

Two UNLV students, undergraduate Lisa Marie Akbari and graduate student Diane Nell, received Regent Scholar Awards. The women, who each received $5,000 stipends, were recognized for their academic accomplishments, on- and off-campus leadership contributions, and the potential for continued success.