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.  

Precious Rideout, '08 Criminal Justice, is a 2023 Grist 50 honoree. She is the director of community engagement at the Institute for Market Transformation in Washington, D.C. Each of the 50 people featured on the Grist 50 list, presented in partnership with the Clinton Global Initiative, has found a unique way to apply their strengths, creativity, and time to tackling our era’s biggest problem. They’re driving change in policy, fashion, tech, and our food systems. They’re creating climate-informed comedy and music. They’re accelerating the clean energy transition.   

Brooke Snelling, '10 BA Journalism and Media Studies, works for MassMedia Marketing, Advertising and PR — a digital-first media and public relations agency in Las Vegas — and was recently promoted to vice president of Client Engagement & Success. In her new role, Snelling leads the Client Success and Engagement team and serves as the head of accounts at MassMedia, where she and her team are charged with driving creative, advertising and marketing strategies agency wide. Snelling will lead strategic planning, oversee campaign implementation, and, along with her team, drive performance and deliver results for her clients. She is also responsible for cultivating talent and driving professional development and growth across the team.

Whitney Short, '09 BA Communication Studies and '15 JD, and Amanda Stevens, '15 JD, have teamed up to start Short & Stevens Law, LLC, a law firm practicing in the areas of estate planning, probate, business law, and real estate law. Both have multiple degrees from UNLV and spend many volunteer hours helping the Las Vegas Valley community. They are excited for their new adventure and cannot wait to see what the future holds. 

Ryan Gallacher, '06 BS Communications and Media Studies, is an agency general agent with American National Insurance Company. Over the past 15 years, he has built a thriving business with a strong emphasis on protecting his clients and fostering the success of his agents. He was recently interviewed by FoundersMag, where he was asked to give advice about building lasting relationships.  Gallacher has been married to his wife, Courtney, for 18 years. Their greatest joy is raising their three wonderful children. Gallacher has always enjoyed sports. He likes to play them, watch them, and now coach or cheer on his kids any chance he gets.

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.