Michael Higdon, ’97 MA Communication Studies, ’01 JD, is an associate professor of law and the director of legal writing at the University of Tennessee College of Law in Knoxville. He teaches constitutional law, family law, legal writing, and sexuality, gender and the law.

Karmen Smith, ’95 Master of Social Work, has been a child and family intervention specialist with Clark County Family Services for 20 years. She also is the founder of NSITEFUL, a spiritual enlightenment company that uses social media to spread the wisdom of the universe that “you are the one” to change your life and the world. A spiritual teacher and an ordained minister, she has written a book, The ‘I AM’ Solution: Five Practices to Ignite Your Inner Hero, which will be published later this year. She lives in Henderson.

Richard Derrick, ’88 BS Business Administration, ’02 Master of Public Administration, is the chief financial officer for the city of Henderson. He leads the city’s financial management services to the public, state agencies, bondholders, grantors, auditors, elected officials, and city departments. Under his leadership, Henderson has maintained one of the highest bond ratings of any city in the state. He has worked for the city since 1999, in a variety of positions, including manager of budget and strategic management, assistant to the city manager, assistant finance director, and finance director. His hobbies include spending time with family, hiking, camping, skiing, kayaking, backpacking, fishing, volleyball, and travel. He and his wife, Bettyann Davis Derrick, ’88 BS Business Administration, ’95 Master of Education, have been married 30 years. They have three children, Leanna Derrick Mackelprang, ’11 BS Elementary Education; Loreal Derrick Hemenway, ’14 BS Elementary Education; and Richie Derrick, who is a junior in UNLV’s Lee Business School.

Leon Symanski, ’87 BS Business Administration, ’94 Master of Public Administration, ’01 JD, is an attorney at Craig P. Kenney & Associates. Before attending law school, he worked 10 years in the hotel/casino industry. During his undergraduate years, he played for the Runnin’ Rebels. His hobbies include golf, reading, and thoroughbred horses. He is married to Lisa Gentile Symanski, ’87 BA Communication Studies. They live in Henderson.

Barbara Phillips, ’81 BA Communication Studies, is retired, but politically active in Clean Energy Project, an energy conservation organization, and in volunteering for 2016 Democratic candidates. Previously, she worked for the public television station KLVX. She plans to take a Danube Christmas market cruise. She and her husband, Ronald Phillips, ’73 BS Management, have spent 10 years traveling around the county in recreational vehicles. Her hobbies include art and creative floral projects.