Brett Hughett, '03 B.S. Hotel Administration, founded Carbon Valley Solar and joined the Solar Energy Partners network of independent specialists to service primarily northern Colorado homeowners with transitioning to solar. This career transition has allowed him to combine his passions for hospitality, real estate, entrepreneurship, and serving others, while helping homeowners realize the amazing benefits and abundant savings associated with going solar. Although based in Colorado, Hughett is happy to help UNLV alumni in any state learn more about whether solar makes sense for them and their home.

Thomas Cook, '85 BS Hotel Administration, lives in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is the first vice president of investments at Stifel Nicolaus. He's proud of his grandchildren, who refer to him as "Guppie."

Lisa Griffith Story, ’84 BA Communication Studies, co-authored with Carl Laurin the book, Pardon Me, Father, the mostly-true story about a con man turned holy man who used his military skills, Cold War experiences, and Catholic altar boy memories to mine for diamonds (legally) in Sierra Leone in the 1980s and smuggle them out (illegally) dressed as a priest. The authors were brought together by an adventurous man, Walt Reca, who was Story’s uncle and Laurin’s Michigan Parachute Team buddy. Pardon Me, Father is available on Amazon.com in eBook and paperback and BarnesandNoble.com in paperback.

Bonnie Taylor, '03 BA Criminal Justice and '06 MA Public Administration, works at Talent Resources, a leading full-service marketing, and creative strategy agency. The company has named Taylor partner and chief communications and strategy officer in recognition of her outstanding achievements. A former TR client on the agency side for Dunkin’, Taylor joined Talent Resources in 2020 and created the agency’s highly successful communications team, which comprises industry veterans in key locations across the country. Taylor is responsible for bringing in high-profile clients such as The Athlete’s Foot, Jordan’s Skinny Mixes, Ohza, and was instrumental in the Ben Affleck and Dunkin’ collaboration. In her new role, Taylor will continue to lead the development and execution of communications and strategic initiatives across Talent Resources’ diverse portfolio of clients including the UK expansion. Her extensive experience in public relations and marketing has been an invaluable asset in growing all divisions while elevating Talent Resources’ overall profile. Taylor currently resides outside of Boston with her husband and two sons.

Jason B. Cooper, '97 MA Anthropology, is a professional archaeologist working with the Washington State Department of Transportation. He is the cultural resources lead for WSDOT's Northwest Region based in Seattle. He was recently re-elected as president of the Association for Washington Archaeology, a non-profit organization committed to the protection of archaeological and historic resources in the state of Washington. Cooper recently co-authored an archaeological monograph, Hunters of the Mid-Holocene Forest: Old Cordilleran Cultural Sites at Granite Falls, Washington, that examined the archaeological evidence recovered from two precontact sites that were being impacted by highway construction. He is married to wife, Karin, and is father of Marlene, 21, and Caleb, 18, and lives in Seattle.  

Lisa Levy, '00 BA Interdisciplinary Studies and '04 MA Special Education, has spent 20 years as a special education teacher at two local high schools. She's worked in the Clark County School District for over 35 years. Levy loves traveling and watching NASCAR.

Maria Donnalin Maliwat, '98 Hospitality, is proud to announce her son, Brandon Bugay, '22 BS Nursing, passed his NCLEX exam and is joining his siblings to be a registered nurse.

Jackie Hwang, '03 Communication Studies, is on the radio every afternoon from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. on HOT 97.5. She's been on-air for the past 20 years.

Chase Palliser, '22 BA Anthropology and BA Art History, is living in Rome, Italy, obtaining a master's degree in art history. Palliser plans to study in Rome for two years and then hopefully transition to a job there.

Yvette Michelle Tippetts, '01 BS in Secondary Education Social Studies and '03 MS in Educational Administration, has been with the Clark County School District since August of 2001 as a teacher, counselor, dean of students, assistant principal, elementary school principal, and in her current role as the proud principal of Silvestri JHS. She has mentored many aspiring administrators and has a passion for education and the community of Las Vegas.  Yvette is married to Jimmy Tippetts who also works in CCSD. Both Yvette and Jimmy were born and raised in Las Vegas. They have five children. Yvette loves to attend UNLV athletic events and show support for UNLV. She loves baseball and watching her boys play ball. She is passionate about traveling and experiencing other cultures and trying different foods.

Galit Ventura-Rozen, '95 BS Business Management, is the broker/owner of Commercial Professionals, Inc.; the co-founder of Everyday Woman TV; owner of J&G Sellers; a professional speaker; and author.

Christopher Pratt, '98 BS Recreation and Leisure Service Management, has been dislocated, but like many people since the pandemic after being furloughed from his catering and sales job. Pratt was fortunate enough to have such experiences as being Will Smith's personal bartender at his non-alcoholic 50th birthday during his jump at the Grand Canyon. Right now he's switching back to the education career path and looking forward to returning to Nevada. Pratt enjoys anything that has to do with the outdoors and water, including relaxation time and playing ball with my dog.