Arpine Mkrtchyan, Ph.D.

Department of World Languages and Cultures

Arpine Mkrtchyan holds a Ph.D. in French and Romance Philology and has over 21 years of experience teaching French as a second language, Theory of Linguistics, French Literature of the 19th century, Theory of Grammar, and Theory of Phonetics. She currently teaches French Language, and Current Theory of Linguistics at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Her distinguished international career includes positions in Armenia, France, Belgium, and the United States, including serving as Associate Professor and Chair of French at Yerevan State Linguistic University. She has also supervised and guided numerous Ph.D. students, contributing to the advancement of research in French language, linguistics, and literature.

She is the author of several influential books/publications and pedagogical guides, including Linguistic Manifestations of Intercultural Stereotypes in the Translation of Poetic Texts (2016, Germany), La motivation de l’apprentissage de la langue française (2018, Moscow, Russia), L’analyse praxématique des textes poétiques (2011, Brest, France), Quels supports pour l’enseignement de la langue française (2017, Paris, France), Written Skills for B1/B2 Levels (2015, Bucharest, Romania), and Pedagogical Guide of B1/B2 (CECRL) Evaluation Levels (2014, Sofia, Bulgaria).

Mkrtchyan’s teaching philosophy is student-centered and communicative, emphasizing the integration of language, culture, and critical thinking. She fosters inclusive, dynamic classrooms where students engage with authentic materials and develop both linguistic proficiency and intercultural competence. Her approach encourages learners to apply their skills confidently beyond the classroom, cultivating curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong passion for language.

Recognized for her dedication to student success and academic excellence, Mkrtchyan continues to inspire learners worldwide and advance the study and teaching of French language and culture.

Mkrtchyan has graciously agreed to share her application awards packet with those who plan to apply for the PTI award. Please contact the Teaching & Learning Commons to obtain a copy.

Michael Tarby, BS, R.T.(R) (ARRT)

Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences

I am a proud graduate of the UNLV Radiography Program, a path that has been one of the best decisions of my life. That experience not only shaped my career in medical imaging but also inspired my passion for teaching. Today, I am deeply committed to supporting students as they begin their own journeys in this amazing field.

My teaching philosophy centers on connection, engagement, and genuine care for each student’s success. I believe learning is most effective when it is interactive and meaningful. I focus on creating an environment where students actively participate rather than passively listen. I move beyond traditional lecturing by encouraging discussion, critical thinking, and real-world application of concepts.

I truly care about my students - not only as learners, but as individuals with unique goals, challenges, and unlimited potential. I strive to build their confidence, challenge them to grow, and support them through both successes and struggles. Teaching at UNLV has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. My goal is to continue making a lasting impact on every student I have the privilege to teach.

Michael Tarby has graciously agreed to share his application awards packet with those who plan to apply for the PTI award. Please contact the Teaching & Learning Commons to obtain a copy.

Nikki Rose Ty-Albright, MSN-Ed, RN, RNC-OB

School of Nursing

Nikki Rose Ty-Albright, MSN-Ed, RN, RNC-OB is a labor and delivery nurse turned part-time clinical educator. As a certified Inpatient Obstetric Nurse with over a decade of bedside nursing experience in the Las Vegas Valley, she brings the realities of maternal-newborn nursing into every classroom, simulation, laboratory, and clinical she facilitates. Nikki earned both her BSN and MSN-Ed from UNLV. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Nursing Education and is deeply committed to advancing the science of how nurses learn and succeed.

Nikki's love of teaching began as a childbirth educator, where she taught hundreds of expecting families. That passion grew into a teaching philosophy grounded in active learning, socioemotional intelligence, and the belief that students learn best when genuinely engaged. She is known for designing game-based learning experiences that transform complex maternal-newborn content into collaborative, high-energy activities that build clinical confidence and critical thinking. Her innovative approach extends into her doctoral research, which focuses on artificial intelligence integration into nursing simulation prebriefing.

As an immigrant nurse and mother of three, Nikki brings a deeply personal commitment to creating learning environments where every student feels seen, challenged, and supported. She particularly loves working with undergraduate nursing students, helping them grow into competent and compassionate providers. Her long-term goal is to shape the future of nursing education at the faculty level, where she can continue building classrooms that are academically rigorous and technologically advanced, yet human centered.