Let's Talk UNLV

This episode featured a discussion on the Barbershop Talk initiative, which aims to engage men of color in higher education. The program, initiated by Imani Patterson, has expanded to a monthly series involving Nevada State University, College of Southern Nevada, and the City of Las Vegas. The initiative includes free haircuts, food, and discussions on topics like cultural capital. Kendall Sanders...

Stephanie Cooper, Executive Director of Student Support and Advocacy at UNLV, discusses the creation of her office, which aims to provide a centralized resource for students facing crises or insecurities. Cooper, who has been at UNLV for 18 years, emphasizes the importance of compassion and collaboration in her role. She highlights common student issues like food and housing insecurities and the s...

Dr. Sammie Scales interviews Peter Gatto, Director for Housing and Residential Life at UNLV. Gatto details his 16-year career in student affairs, highlighting his recent positions at Lamar University and FIU. His vision for UNLV involves expanding housing capacity to 5,000 beds and constructing a new first-year residence hall within 3-5 years. Plans include implementing themed communities as livin...

Dr. Jake Thompson, Associate Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education at UNLV, discussed the university's new microcredentials program. Microcredentials are bite-sized, skill-specific credentials that can be for or not for credit. Examples include podcasting, DNA analysis, and hospitality management. These credentials are designed to enhance students' employability by certifying specific skills. T...

Dr. Chris Heavey, the new interim president of UNLV, discussed his background, including his PhD from UCLA and his return to Las Vegas in 1992. He emphasized AI's impact on higher education, advocating for a "brace AI" approach to empower students. Heavey highlighted UNLV's priorities: student success, efficient resource management, and community support. He mentioned the need for a new business b...

In the "Let's Talk UNLV" podcast episode from May 11, 2025, hosts Dr. Sammie Scales and guests Makaylen and Kyle Broyard discuss the benefits of living on campus versus commuting. Michael, the Housing Operations Coordinator, highlights the convenience, support services, and community aspects of on-campus living, including theme floors for diverse student groups. Kyle, the Housing Assignments Coord...

The UNLV cultural celebrations for student success are set to begin on May 6 with the Lavender Celebration for LGBT graduating students, followed by the Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern Celebration on May 8 and the Latinx Celebration on May 11. The African Heritage Celebration will be held on May 16, coinciding with the post-baccalaureate graduation. Each event allows up to five guests per st...

Srishti Avesti, a graduate assistant at UNLV's Wellness Center, discussed the university's comprehensive wellness programs. She highlighted the wellness wheel, which includes eight dimensions: occupational, spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, social, financial, and environmental wellness. UNLV offers various resources, such as the Student Health Center, Counseling and Psychological Servi...

Monesia Hobbs, co-chair of the African Heritage Affinity Graduation Celebration at UNLV, discussed the significance of the event, which honors students with African heritage. The celebration, now in its 38th year, has evolved from an awards ceremony to a graduation event, emphasizing cultural elements like African drumming and elements of the Black Church. Hobbs highlighted the importance of recog...

Lisamarie Tomassetti, Program Coordinator for Residential Education at UNLV, discussed the benefits of on-campus living, including convenience, access to resources, and community engagement. She highlighted the "Rebel Ready Week" for new students, free programming funded by housing fees, and the role of RAs in fostering student success. Theme floors, such as engineering and fine arts, enhance acad...

Jose Melendrez, Interim Vice President for Diversity Initiatives at UNLV, discussed his journey from a UNLV political science graduate to his current role, emphasizing his 18-year tenure and contributions to diversity initiatives. He highlighted UNLV's diverse student body, the growth of minority enrollment, and the institution's designations as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Asian American an...

Coach Cooper, the Director of Football and Player Development at UNLV, shared his journey from East Texas to becoming a successful football player and coach. He emphasized the importance of accountability, availability, and durability in player development. Cooper highlighted UNLV's recent successes, including winning more games in the past 24 months than in the previous 50 years and achieving the...

Imani Patterson, Senior Assistant Director for Student Diversity Programs at UNLV, discussed the upcoming Black Mini Con, a new event inspired by the Queer Mini Con and featuring various lectures on Black history and culture. The event, scheduled for February 25, 2025, from 10 AM to 2 PM, will cover topics like Black joy, the mis-education of Black America, and community organizing. Patterson emph...

Kyle Fairweather, president of UNLV's Collegiate 100 and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, shared his journey from Houston to UNLV, where he pursues an International Business major with a Japanese concentration. Kyle discussed his military background as a combat medic and his transition to UNLV. He highlighted the Collegiate 100's focus on professional development, networking, and mentorship, including...

Dr. Nicole Hudson, Executive Director of Workforce Education at UNLV, discussed her non-traditional educational journey and career progression, including her roles in opening campuses and teaching online. She highlighted her current role in bridging academia and industry, focusing on workforce development and employer partnerships. Hudson emphasized the importance of internships, paid opportunitie...

Justin Griffin, Director of Development for the Lee Business School at UNLV, shared his journey from Tallahassee, Florida, to his current role. He discussed his background in football, education, and sports management, and his mentorship experiences. Griffin highlighted the importance of building relationships with alumni and donors, and detailed the fundraising process, including cold calls and a...

Imani Patterson, Senior Assistant Director for Student Diversity Programs at UNLV, discussed upcoming events for Black History Month and Welcome Weeks. Key events include meet and greets for various groups, such as African American, LGBTQ+, Latinx, and Native American students, with faculty and staff present to provide mentorship and resources. Patterson emphasized the importance of networking and...

Dr. Sammie Scales interviews three officers from UNLV's Police Department (UPD). They discuss their backgrounds and roles, emphasizing community engagement and safety measures. Key points include the importance of the Rebel Safe App for emergency notifications, the presence of over 100 emergency phones, and the use of surveillance cameras. The officers highlight their efforts in community outreach...

Lisa Marie Tomassetti, the Program Educator for Residential Education at UNLV, discussed her journey from a transfer student to her current role, highlighting her involvement in Res Life and higher education. She detailed the responsibilities of a Residential Life Coordinator (RLC), including managing buildings, supervising RAs, and handling conduct issues. Tomassetti emphasized the importance of...

Ash Quinn, coordinator for UNLV's Basic Needs Program, discussed their journey from a UNLV undergraduate to their current role, highlighting their work in housing and student diversity programs. They detailed the "Take What You Need" program, which distributes 18,000 items monthly, serving over 200 students. Quinn emphasized the importance of breaking stigmas around seeking help and shared that th...

Dr. Chris Heavey, UNLV's Executive Vice President and Provost, discussed his 32-year tenure at the university, emphasizing his role as the chief academic officer. He highlighted initiatives to support student success, such as monitoring engagement, providing personalized support, and creating a new chatbot for student inquiries. He also mentioned the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion...

Kyle Broyard, the Housing Assignment Coordinator at UNLV, shared his journey from graduating high school at 17 to his current role. He discussed managing room assignments for 1,800 students, emphasizing the use of the Housing Director tool for accurate billing and student preferences. Broyard highlighted the importance of DEI in roommate matching and the COVID-19 protocols for isolating infected s...

AJ Angulo, a Career and Life Design Specialist at UNLV, discussed his career journey from psychology to career coaching, emphasizing the importance of career readiness for students. He detailed the services offered by UNLV's career coaching, including resume assistance, mock interviews, and job search strategies. Angulo highlighted the significance of understanding company mission statements and j...

Phillip Haynes III, Director of Student Athlete Development at UNLV, shared his journey from playing football at UNLV to working in student athlete development. He highlighted the Empower Her program funded by the Diana Bennett family foundation, aimed at women student athletes and allies. Haynes emphasized the importance of balancing academics, athletics, and personal development, and discussed c...

Isabel Herrera-Pedro, from UNLV's Student Diversity Programs, discussed her educational journey from Clark High School to Utah Tech University, where she pursued a Criminal Justice undergraduate degree and is currently working on a Public Administration master's. She highlighted her role in DEI initiatives, including organizing events like the Hispanic Heritage Month kickoff and the upcoming "Lote...