News: Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

female alumna wrapped in India's flag against black background
People |

Lee Business School alumna Krishna Jayasankar Menon overcame injury to earn All-American honors and a national title. Now she's eyeing the Olympics as she works on a master's degree.

Marni Dow sits on the Academic Mall
People |

The senior associate director of Student Government and Activities brings more than a decade of UNLV event experience to her new role co-chairing the university’s 60th Homecoming.

Headshot of a white man with dark hair wearing a casual dark blue suit and silver chain smiles in front of a gray background in an image inset within a stock photo that depicts a UNLV building in the foreground and Las Vegas Strip in the background amid a colorful sky at sunset
People |

An ‘eventful’ life and career led the 2026 Silver State Award honoree to develop a philanthropic relationship with UNLV that has proven to be mutually beneficial.

Headshot photo of a Native American woman with dark hair wearing a dark top with red lipstick and long dark green tassel-like earrings smiles in an image inset within a stock photo depicting desert brush in the foreground and a blue sky and mountain range in the background
People |

For the Patrick T. Smith Achievement in Service honoree, offering a helping hand to those in need isn’t an obligation — it’s a way of life.

Image of an Asian man wearing glasses and a dark blue suit and tie with light blue dress shirt and UNLV pin on his lapel smiles and crosses his arms while posing in front of red balloons in an image inset within a stock photo depicting a bright green tree with a UNLV-logoed banner attached to a light pole
People |

The Outstanding Faculty Award winner is committed to ensuring that all Rebels begin their careers with a wealth of financial knowledge

White man with brown hair, gray suit, white collard shirt and red UNLV-logoed tie with a white pocket square smiles as he poses in front of a building, with the photo inset on a stock image that depicts the Las Vegas skyline in the foreground and a mountain range in the background
People |

The 2026 Outstanding Alumnus shows his profound appreciation for UNLV through personal and professional deeds that resonate today, tomorrow, and far beyond.

Brian Paulson
People |

The William F. Harrah College of Hospitality Alumnus of the Year reflects on the people and experiences that shaped his career in hospitality.

Christina Schlazer
People |

With a science bachelor's and MBA, the Lee Business School Alumna of the Year honoree built a career at the intersection of technology and business.

Shipra De
People |

The Engineering Alumna of the Year leads data and business intelligence analysts at the Nevada National Security Sites while helping connect UNLV students with industry opportunities.

Valerie Tu
People |

The College of Sciences Alumna of the Year and NASA planetary geologist fosters internship opportunities for UNLV's next generation of scientists.

Daniel Joseph Chenin
People |

The internationally recognized architect and College of Fine Arts Alumnus of the Year has built a practice inspired by Southern Nevada while mentoring the next generation of designers.

Ali Caliendo
People |

Urban Affairs Alumna of the Year founded Foster Kinship to support relatives raising children in foster care. The nonprofit has since helped nearly 24,000 Nevada children.