Paul Novack

Paul Novack, '95 BS Education, is a building and construction teacher for Central Technical Training Academy.

Tim Rainey

Tim Rainey, '04 BA Communication Studies, was tapped by iHeartMedia to be the new program director of heritage Top 40 KKRZ (Z100) and Rhythmic KXJM (Jam'n 107.5)/Portland. Rainey previously was the senior director of content marketing for the Southern California News Group. His most recent programming gig was Audacy Top 40 KUDL (106.5 The End)/Sacramento from 2015 until early 2021. His previous major programming stops include former CBS Radio Top 40 WDZH (98.7 AMP Radio)/Detroit and former Radio One Top 40 WNOU/Indianapolis.

Ronald L Smith

Ronald L. Smith, '98 MA Ethics and Policy Studies, is an executive with experience in international and domestic business, security affairs, military training, and diplomatic negotiations. A retired career Naval Officer, his previous positions include commanding officer; and director of the Logistics Readiness Center for Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Atlantic Fleet for Operation Sea Signal. He was responsible for the rescue, housing, feeding, health care and security for more than 50,000 Cuban and Haitian migrants at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. At the conclusion of the operation, Smith identified and redirected $14.3 million of a $400 million budget to US Atlantic Fleet projects. He interviewed and took part in the vetting process with the White House liaison and the Secretary of Defense’s chief of staff for selection as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for African Affairs.  Smith was a candidate for the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2020. He was the only non-incumbent GOP candidate endorsed by the State Employees Association of North Carolina. He was appointed by the Speaker of the N.C. House of Representatives to the Judicial Standards Commission. Since August 2021, Smith has been working with Rescue From Chaos/Operation 620 and serves on the Global Friends of Afghanistan Advisory Committee. He is married to Joan M. Smith. They have three children: Ronald L. Smith, Jr.; Mark Smith, and Amy Smith.

April Stewart

April Stewart, '95 BA Communications and '05 M.Ed. Health Education, was appointed by Governor Joe Lombardo in May 2023 to serve as a Commissioner with Nevada Volunteers. Nevada Volunteers serves as Nevada’s primary resource for volunteer and national service efforts. As a pivotal link in a nationwide network of State Commissions since 1994, they utilize federal funding to oversee AmeriCorps State Programs across Nevada. The goals include fostering connections, cultivating resources, and amplifying the significance of service in the state. Each year, they recognize nonprofit volunteers with our Stars of Nevada event program.  Stewart has been a community volunteer for over 25 years in Las Vegas. Her organization involvement includes serving in leadership positions with local chapters of Clark County Medical Society Alliance, Daughters of the American Revolution, P.E.O. International, National Charity League of Las Vegas, UnLV School of Public Health Alumni Board, Junior League of Las Vegas, American Lung Association Nevada Las Vegas, and Southern Nevada Alumni Chapter Kappa Kappa Gamma. Stewart was also a parent volunteer at Faith Lutheran High School with the annual Crusader Knight dinner, the Conservatory of the Arts annual dinner, and World Vision.  Stewart enjoys reading and has been chair of the Clark County Medical Society Book Club for the past five years. She enjoys traveling to Southern California and Europe. Stewart and her husband are Las Vegas Golden Knights fans as well as USC Trojan Football fans. Their home is located in the historic area of Scotch 80’s and was included on the Nevada Preservation Historic Tour in spring 2024. 

Sheri Beyer

Sheri Beyer, '07 M.Ed. Higher Education Leadership, successfully defended her dissertation titled, "Muslim international students' perception of Islamophobia during their immigration journey to the U.S." The study explored the experiences of Muslim international students who arrived in the U.S. under former President Trump's Executive Orders restricting admission of citizens from specific countries. 

Denis Rudd

Denis Rudd, '74 BA Education, MBA, and M.Ed., is a university professor.

Bradley Werhun

Bradley Werhun, '14 BS Geology, is a log truck driver. He's a member of the UNLV boxing club.

Chet Minetto

Chet Minetto, '89 BS Business, is a retired firefighter for Reno, Nevada.

Briana Philippi

Briana Philippi, '18 BA Journalism and Media Studies, was promoted to PR and social media manager at GYC Vegas, a local boutique public relations agency in January 2023. In January 2024, she earned a Pinnacle Award in events and observances for the campaign she developed for the Las Vegas Natural History Museum's annual Las Vegas Science & Technology Festival. In addition, she earned an award for the behind-the-scenes research work she did for GYC Vegas' press release for The Little Vegas Chapel's Star Wars Day ceremony packages. For that, she received the Pinnacle Award for news release/press kit and was named Best of Show for tactics. The Pinnacle Awards recognize the best public relations programs, tools, and professionals in Southern Nevada, Northwest Arizona, and Southern Utah.  

Marion Smith Jr.

Marion Smith Jr., '02 BS Education, serves as the assistant state superintendent of Instructional Programs and Services for the Maryland State Department of Education. In this role, he provides leadership, research-based expertise, and strategic oversight for all programs, projects, and initiatives related to instructional programs and services across the state of Maryland. Prior to MSDE, Smith was the chief academic officer/deputy superintendent of academics for St. Louis Public Schools. He was the first Black administrator and first Black superintendent of schools for Summit School District in Summit County, Colorado. Additionally, Smith held leadership roles within Puget Sound Educational Service District in Washington state; TechSmart Inc.; Kent School District; Seattle Public Schools; Scholar Academies in Pennsylvania; and Clark County School District in Nevada. He began his career as a secondary English language arts teacher Las Vegas. He is the co-author of the Racial Equity Adaptive Leadership Framework; the co-designer and co-facilitator of the "Coaching and Leading for Racial Equity" series; and founder and owner of Educate to Liberate Consulting.  

Lydia Villoria-Thoulag

Lydia Villoria-Thoulag, '13 BS Kinesiology, had a baby in September 2023. She lives in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Mia Renee Henry

Mia Renee Henry, '13 BS Kinesiology, is a three-time Emmy nominee and native Southern Californian. Henry developed a love for storytelling through literature, film, and video games. She is expanding her experience producing documentaries through news segments, short documentaries, and feature-length documentaries. Henry's objective is to continue spotlighting BIPOC stories, women’s stories, and the stories of people in marginalized communities through feature documentaries. Her hobbies include playing the bass guitar and flute, video games, and martial arts.