Maria Soriano, M.Ed., SHRM-CP, began her service at UNLV in 2016, the same year she earned her first graduate degree in education. She started as an adjunct faculty member within the Department of Early Childhood, Multilingual, and Special Education (EMS) and, in 2024, expanded her role to serve as a site supervisor, providing practicum oversight and mentorship to future educators. This decade of experience—spanning her time as a student, instructor, and supervisor—provides her with an essential "boots-on-the-ground" perspective. Being deeply embedded in the UNLV community helps her bring a firsthand understanding of the unique dynamics and challenges faced by students, faculty, and administrators alike.

In 2025, Maria joined the UNLV Ombuds Office  as a graduate assistant. In this capacity, she serves as a vital support for the Ombuds, helping to facilitate a campus environment defined by fairness, neutrality, and transparency. A SHRM-Certified Professional with a background as an HR leader, she leverages her experience in organizational dynamics to manage initial inquiries with a high degree of confidentiality and care. She helps the Ombuds with educational outreach by designing and delivering workshops focused on conflict resolution, psychological safety, and communication. Additionally, she helps coordinate  the onboarding of new team members, ensuring that the Ombuds Office’s core principles of independence, impartiality, informality, and confidentiality are integrated into every level of our work.

Reflecting a deep-seated passion for mental wellness, Maria is currently completing her second graduate degree in clinical mental health counseling. This clinical foundation, combined with her HR expertise, allows her to bring an extra layer of empathy and psychological insight to her work with the Ombuds Office, ensuring that every individual seeking assistance is met with both professionalism and genuine support.

Beyond her work at the university, Maria is a dedicated advocate for authentic communication as the host of the Courageously Speaking Podcast with Maria Soriano. She is also an avid singer and songwriter. She believes that the creative process of making music—finding balance and resonance—closely mirrors her professional goal of helping the Rebel family find harmony and confidence even in difficult situations.