Student Stories

We have more than 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students at UNLV. Whether it’s achievement in academics, contributions to research, or mentoring and advocating for others, these Rebels are making things happen.

UNLV undergraduates pose for photo outdoors in front of red UNLV letters

Students Lex de Asis and Adrianna N. Tsao among select group nationwide selected for the prestigious research award.

Ramhae Await in front of UNLV sign on campus

Lee Business School helped Ramhae Andrea Awit build an internship portfolio across Las Vegas’ sports and tourism industry before launching her marketing career.

Magnus Chun, MD, is a third-year resident in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Department of Internal Medicine.

Driven by all kinds of research, Dr. Magnus Chun has a keen interest in gastroenterology topics.

fine arts student stands in front of tyler perry dream arts collective marquee

UNLV Film student Hisonni Mustafa was selected as a winner of the Tyler Perry Dreamers Program, which included a trip to Tyler Perry Studios in Atlanta.

Gabson Baguma wears googles while working with lab equipment

Water engineer Gabson Baguma presents his research on an international stage at Nobel Laureate Meeting.

Liuba Williams in a white lab coat and working in a lab

By making it easier to trace components used in detonations, Liuba Pauline Williams is helping prevent the spread of nuclear materials.

Sky Denson in shirt and open blazer in front of Rebels sign

Sky Denson says UNLV's real estate program helped launch his career — before he even graduated.

Hospitality student David Jelinksy fishes in the UNLV pool. Members of the UNLV Swim Team dive underneath the water.

UNLV student and 'Survivor' contestant David Jelinsky returns to campus with lessons learned from his reality show appearance.

female student using lab equipment

Motivated by the challenge of understanding the human body, Stephanie Yang is studying potential cures for C. diff infections.

Faculty/Staff Stories

UNLV is home to more than 3,000 faculty and staff who are focused on student achievement, teaching, research, and service.

a woman pushing a stroller with a young child as another child run alongside them

Through UNLV-UNR Extension collaboration, Kara Radzak hopes to better inform new mothers about proper exercise before and after childbirth.

Catherine Cardwell, dean of University Libraries at UNR, and Jarret Keene during award ceremony

Jarret Keene on the prestigious honor, Las Vegas as a genre, and becoming a ‘pop scholar.’

Emylia Terry

With a decade of experience in community health and policy, Emylia Terry brings her commitment to health equity back to UNLV as an assistant professor.

Messenger RNA

UNLV research team develops mRNA cocktail to intravenously and directly reach the pancreas, allowing for potentially revolutionary treatment options; lead researcher Chandra Bhattacharya becomes university's first to earn national award. 

Cordero Roche wearing a UNLV polo shirt

Integrated Health Sciences graduate Cordero Roche returns to educate the next generation of sports scientists.

person sits with an elderly patient on bench

Data provided by UNLV researchers helped secure FDA approval for a new blood test to detect Alzheimer’s disease.

Kenneth Varner in red shirt and arms crossed while standing outside

Kenny Varner, the 2025 Faculty/Staff Community Outreach Award winner, tackles the state's critical teacher shortage through the Nevada Forward Initiative.

Satish Bhatnagar wearing graduation robes and holding ceremonial mallet

UNLV math sciences professor Satish Bhatnagar will be honored for his half-century of contributions to the university during the annual Faculty Length of Service Program. 

Alan Feldman of the International Gaming Institute speaks with someone not shown while standing outside

From promoting megaresorts to championing responsible gaming practices, Alan Feldman has made his mark in an industry he never planned to enter. Now his contributions are immortalized with a national Hall of Fame induction.

Alumni Stories

UNLV is proud to have more than 140,000 alumni working and contributing to their communities in 50 states and more than 75 countries worldwide.

Jessica Maloy in front of High Desert Prison sign

Education alumna Jessica Maloy teaches in a tech-free environment, where incarcerated students are preparing for life beyond prison.

Two female bobsled competitors wearing blue Team USA skin suits and helmets wave to the camera

A series of fortuitous events helped former UNLV sprinters Kaysha Love and Azaria Hill fulfill their Olympic dreams.

Gina Bongiovi working on a laptop

Gina Bongiovi draws on her own experience as an entrepreneur to help business owners navigate complex legal decisions.

black-and-white archival photo of film projector

Berenice Chávez and Tamiya Nadine worked on the critically acclaimed films with ‘Come See Me in the Good Light’ and ‘The Singers’.

woman posing outside holding up a legal document and pointing to it

Lee Business School alumna Caren Yap brings the value of collective responsibility to her work in national labor rights advocacy.

members of project bayou

This is the first time an alumni team has been invited to return to campus to produce a proof-of-concept for their debut feature film.

Taylor Garson in Wing lab using research equipment

New Ph.D. graduate Taylor Gerson credits faculty for putting her on the path toward graduate research.

Joseph Simmons, Jr. during UNLV Commencement hooding ceremony

Joseph Simmons Jr. leads the way as UNLV’s first Black male Ph.D. in special education. 

UNLV alumna and returning student Faria Tavacoli

Faria Tavacoli is the first Nevada student to be selected for the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service.