Each biennium, UNLV students engage in the legislative process in a variety of ways, including participating in policy development and the bill draft process, advocating for UNLV’s legislative agenda, and serving as legislative interns and externs to assist lawmakers with various duties such as tracking bills, conducting research, and meeting with constituents. The experience takes the classroom to the community, empowering students to have real-world impact on some of Nevada’s most critical issues. The opportunity is open to all UNLV majors, though most participants are political science and law majors.
Each week during the legislative session, we are introducing you to one of the many UNLV students engaging in the legislative process during the Session. Below, you will find each of these Student Spotlights.
Week Fourteen Student Spotlight
Name: Isabelle Corbett
Length of Time in Nevada: Born and Raised in Las Vegas, Nevada
Major: Major in Criminal Justice, Minor in Political Science, December 2024
Your Title: Legislative Assistant for Senator Neal
How long have you served in this role?
I came up to Carson City in January, before the session began on February 3rd, and will stay until the last day of session on June 2nd, also known as Sine Die
Describe the work you do at the Legislature.
As a Personal Assistant to Senator Dina Neal at the Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau, I manage a variety of responsibilities essential to the senator’s day-to-day operations. These include answering and directing constituent calls, coordinating meetings, managing her schedule, preparing necessary documentation for hearings and conferences, and assisting in drafting correspondence and official communications. I also ensure confidentiality and prioritize tasks to meet the fast-paced demands of legislative sessions.
Why is your work important to you?
This work is important to me because it allows me to contribute to something larger than myself. Supporting a legislator means helping to shape policies that affect real people and communities. I take pride in making sure things run smoothly behind the scenes so that our office can be responsive, efficient, and accessible to the public.
What do you find personally rewarding about your work?
I find it deeply rewarding to know that I play a role in helping constituents feel heard. Whether it’s directing a call to the right resource or helping prepare for a legislative meeting, my work supports the Senator’s efforts to serve the community effectively.
How do you define a "successful Legislative Session?"
Operationally, it means that schedules are managed efficiently, communications are handled with care, and every team member is aligned in their support of the legislative process.
During your time working in the Legislature, is there a specific moment that inspired you?
The moment that most inspired me was when I gave students from the UNLV Honors College a tour of the Nevada Legislative building, as well as a tour of the Capital Building where the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Secretary of State work. This moment, particularly, inspired me because I was able to connect with young students who are the most affluential to today’s society. I believe that since I was able to connect with them, they were more interested in learning about the buildings and what goes on in Nevada’s Capitol during Legislative Sessions. This great experience has only furthered my future aspirations of attending Law school and helping the constituents of Nevada.
During your time working in the Legislature, is there a specific bill that inspired you?
A bill that has inspired me to think differently about what goes into my body, specifically plastic particles, is SB173, sponsored by Senator Neal. This bill deals with PFAS and sets requirements and exceptions on the sale and distribution of certain plastic products. I was already conscious about my health, only using glass food-ware products rather than the typical plastic, but now that I have been immersed with this bill and read multiple articles about plastic, I have a deeper understanding of other harmful substances. This bill also touches on Heat Mitigation which I relate closely to growing up on the east side of Las Vegas where it typically is a few degrees warmer than it is in other parts of town. This bill requires heat islands in redevelopment areas to increase, improve, or enhance landscaping in existing neighborhoods which will provide shade and reduce heat island effects.
How did your time at UNLV prepare you for the work you are doing today?
UNLV gave me a strong academic foundation in criminal justice and political science, which has helped me understand the policy landscape and legislative process. My involvement in student clubs also built my confidence, communication skills, and professionalism. The university emphasized civic engagement and leadership, which directly prepared me for my role in the Legislature
From your perspective, why is it important for UNLV to engage with legislative sessions and legislators?
It’s important because the university represents a large and diverse population whose voices should be reflected in public policy. Engagement allows for the exchange of research, data, and lived experiences that can improve legislative outcomes. It also provides students with real-world learning opportunities and pathways to get involved in public service.
What advice would you give to other UNLV students who want to pursue a career working with legislators?
Don’t be afraid to start small—internships, volunteering, or even just attending public meetings can go a long way. Be curious, ask questions, and always stay professional. Building strong communication and organizational skills is key. Most importantly, remember that public service is about people.
Anything else you would like to add?
It has been an incredible experience that has not only expanded my skills, but also deepened my commitment to serving the public. I’m grateful for the opportunity and look forward to continuing to grow in this field.
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Week Thirteen Student Spotlight
Name: Madeline Krieger
Hometown: Reno, Nevada
Major: Political Science
Role in Session: Legislative Intern
What excites you most about the legislative session?
The Nevada legislative session is condensed into 120 days— a timeframe packed with policy research, proposal, and debate. I’m excited to work in a fast-paced environment alongside state leaders whose decisions will have long-term impacts on the lives of Nevadans.
What do you hope to learn?
With over a thousand bills proposed for each session, I’m looking forward to learning how state legislators prioritize issues. Researching these proposals and monitoring bill progress will allow me to learn firsthand how our leaders allocate their time and resources.
Which legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
I’m excited to observe SB134’s progress throughout this session. SB134, which allocates funding for a medical debt relief program, was proposed by Senate majority leader Nicole Cannizzaro on January 30th. The proposed funding would be extended to nonprofit organizations that would provide grants to local governments. SB134 would support financially at-risk Nevadans struggling with medical debt.
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Week Twelve Student Spotlight
Name: Taylor Volk
Hometown: Born in San Luis Obispo, California, but I consider Nevada home.
Major: Political Science
Role in Session: Legislative Intern for the Nevada Assembly
What excites you most about the legislative session?
I'm particularly excited about working with lawmakers and interest groups to understand different perspectives, which ultimately shape policy decisions.
What do you hope to learn?
I hope to gain hands-on experience in tracking bills and developing a deeper understanding in policy analysis. Additionally, I aim to refine my communication skills when engaging with policy makers, ultimately building a stronger foundation for a future career in public health policy.
Which legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
I find Senate Bill 140 (SB140) a compelling proposal as it helps address and ensures critical care for those who have autism or suspected autism. In providing proper care, it establishes fair treatment and can help reduce the risk of further legal trouble.
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Week Eleven Student Spotlight
Name: Cindy Mora
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Major: Political Science
What excites you most about the legislative session?
What excites me the most about the legislative session is to experience and learn how the process works. I feel like there is so much to learn and experience I’m looking forward to. I’m also excited about making connections that would help further my career.
What do you hope to learn?
I don’t know much about how the process exactly works, but I’m most excited to learn to see all the complex process that needs to take place for something to pass.
Which legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
The legislative proposal I’m looking forward to the most is the education bill that would establish teacher raises and universal pre-K. This is something I’m most interested in since the budget deficit that happened with CCSD recently and it would be intriguing how the legislative would tackle this from a financial standpoint.
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Week Ten Student Spotlight
Name: Elijah Wion Jr
Hometown: Las Vegas
Major: Economics
Role in Session: Student Intern to Minority Floor Leader Gregory Hafen
What excites you most about the legislative session?
I am most excited to see bipartisanship in action. This session is marked by a historic funding budget. Both Democrats and Republicans would need to work together to properly allocate funding. Compromises would need to be made and party lines would need to be crossed. I am eager to witness this.
What do you hope to learn?
I hope to learn more about the legislative process and see how individuals in legislators make compromises to pass bills. I have been told that the Nevada legislature is not as divided among party lines like the federal government. If this is true, I want to witness it for myself and be a part of the bipartisanship.
Which legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
I find the proposed bill AB44 to be most interesting. This bill aims to ban price gouging in Nevada. We saw during Covid that a lot of merchants tried to take advantage of the limited supply of resources by charging outrageous prices for goods. This hurt a lot of Nevadans. This bill as introduced by the Attorney General will help prevent such unfair business practices.
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Week Nine Student Spotlight
Name: Jordyn Griffin
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Major: from UNR, my undergraduate degrees were in Journalism and International Relations with minors in Spanish Linguistics and Economic Policy. From Boyd at UNLV, I am graduating in May with my juris doctorate degree.
Role in Session: Legislative extern with Rowe Law Group
What excites you most about the legislative session?
I’m passionate about understanding how the creation and modification of laws can address the challenges people face in our state. I find it especially meaningful to learn about issues (both large and small) that affect our communities, and how lawyers and legislators work to create meaningful change through policy and advocacy.
What do you hope to learn?
I hope to gain a new perspective on life, something I believe working in the legislative environment has already given to me. Through my externship and time with Rowe Law, I aim to gain a well-rounded experience that I can carry with me throughout my personal and professional journey.
Which legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
The one that is sticking out in my mind at the moment (because I wrote a bill summary about it this week) is AB 503, which makes possession of copper wire illegal. The intent of the bill is to stop the theft of copper wire in Nevada, which can mess with internet, and power in communities if thieves take the wire out of the ground. Currently, for someone to be charged with theft of the copper wire, the theft must be seen in action, which is difficult. If AB503 passes, then the mere possession of copper wire can be enough cause to charge someone of a crime (if they do not have a valid reason for possessing the copper wire). I find it interesting how law makers create bills to stop problems in our communities, and the multiple different sides they must consider for a bill to become a law.
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Week Eight Student Spotlight
Name: Sydney Mitchell
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Major: Political Science
Role in Session: Intern for Nevada State Senator Julie Pazina
What excites you most about the legislative session?
I am most excited to help write reports, listen to meetings, and maybe even help draft bills. The ability to have hands-on experience with politics during my undergrad is an opportunity I cannot wait to experience!
What do you hope to learn?
I hope to learn more about the structure of Nevada Legislature and also how lobbyists interact with everyone throughout the whole process. I am a bit unfamiliar with the lobbyist-legislator relationship, and I hope I can understand it more after the 83rd Legislative Session.
Which legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
I find the proposal of increasing the budget for pay raises for teachers to be most interesting as my father has been a high school English teacher for thirty years now, and he has shown me how important teachers are to society. I have heard stories from my father and other teachers about how hard it is to live on solely a teacher salary. If educators experience pay raises, it would be a delight and an important improvement to Nevada.
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Week Seven Student Spotlight
Name: Harrison Epstein
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Major: Law Student
Role in Session: Intern for the Clark County Public Defender’s Office
What excites you most about the session?
I’m most excited to get a behind-the-scenes look at the legislative process. I’ve watched legislatures as a journalist and as a voter so I’m looking forward to this new perspective.
What do you hope to learn?
I don’t know “one” thing I hope to learn, I hope to learn as much as possible and absorb everything I can throughout the session.
Which legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
There isn’t exactly “one” proposal I find most interesting. However, the breadth of changes to the criminal justice system and criminal codes that legislators and other officials have mentioned will garner a lot of my attention.
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Week Six Student Spotlight
Name: Grace Michaelson
Hometown: Las Vegas, NV
Major: 2L at William S. Boyd School of Law
Role in Session: Legislative Extern for Ferrari Reeder Public Affairs
What excites you most about the legislative session?
I am excited to get a behind-the-scenes experience with the Nevada legislature! So many things that impact our state are decided during these sessions, but very few people have the opportunity to experience it first-hand. I'm just looking forward to soaking it all in.
What do you hope to learn?
I'm working with a private lobbying firm, so I'm looking forward to learning more about our clients and how their interests overlap with the State's.
Which legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
This morning, our team was laughing about a bill that has been proposed to help get more eggs imported into the State of Nevada, since costs are so high right now. It's the little things that most people don't even think about!
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Week Five Student Spotlight
Name: Yoana Ontiveros Rodriguez
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Major: Currently a 2L Law Student; Previously a Political Science with Minor in Gender and Sexualities Studies at UNLV
Role in Session: Legislative Extern
What excites you most about the legislative session?
As I enter my second Nevada Legislative Session, I am most excited about continuing to deepen my understanding of the legislative process and seeing firsthand how policies take shape from bill drafts to final votes. Each session presents a unique opportunity to learn from lawmakers, advocates, and stakeholders, and I look forward to engaging in discussions that impact our communities. Additionally, I am eager to see how new legislative dynamics play out and how bipartisan collaboration can help move meaningful policies forward.
What do you hope to learn?
My background is in non-profit and government work. However, this legislative session will be my first time working on the private sector. I hope to learn the difference between working for the State and for a private firm.
Which legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
With a background in nonprofit and government work, this legislative session will be my first experience working in the private sector, which presents a valuable learning opportunity. I hope to gain insight into the differences in approach, strategy, and advocacy between working for the State versus working for a private firm. Understanding how the private sector engages with policymakers and contributes to shaping legislation will be a key focus for me. Additionally, I want to further develop my ability to navigate complex policy discussions and build strong relationships across different sectors.
What excites you most about the legislative session?
At this stage in the legislative process, it is still too early to determine which specific proposals will be the most compelling, as many bill draft requests have not yet been made publicly available. However, I am particularly interested in following legislation related to healthcare access, ensuring protections for vulnerable communities—especially the immigrant community—and safeguarding reproductive rights. These are critical issues that directly impact the well-being of individuals and families across Nevada, and I look forward to analyzing how proposed legislation addresses these concerns. As the session progresses and more details emerge, I hope to actively engage in discussions surrounding these important policy areas.
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Week Four Student Spotlight
Name: Drianna Dimatulac
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Major: Current Law, 2022 Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice
Role in Session: Legislative Extern at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
What excites you most about the legislative session?
As a Las Vegas native, I’m excited to experience all that Carson City and Northern Nevada have to offer. It’s inspiring to see Nevadans from all over the state come together for 120 days to work toward the same goal—serving the people of our state. I’m most excited to make new connections and learn from everyone I can.
What do you hope to learn?
I hope to gain a comprehensive understanding of how the state government operates, especially the intricate process of policy making and advocacy at the state level. I’m also eager to build a solid foundation on the important issues facing Nevadans, from education to healthcare to crime to the economy.
Which legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
I’m particularly interested in how the Governor plans to address housing issues, especially regarding new attainable housing projects and reforms to the eviction process. Housing affordability is a crucial issue for Nevadans, and I’m eager to see the proposed solutions and how they take shape during the session.
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Week Three Student Spotlight
Name: Dionne Stanfill
Hometown: Spring Creek, Nevada in Elko County
Major: Law
Role in Session: Extern with the General Counsel for Governor Lombardo
What excites you most about the legislative session?
It's hard to choose what I am most excited about. I am excited to be surrounded by passionate Nevadans, to be in the best city in the world, and to appreciate the history that is in Carson City and to witness the history to be made this session!
What do you hope to learn?
I hope to broaden my horizons into people's values and visions of what improving Nevada looks like across every corner of the state.
Which legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
I am most interested to learn about any proposals that involve higher education, public safety, or agriculture because those are topics that I feel connected to given my background.
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Week Two Student Spotlight
Name: Leticia A. Delgado
Hometown: Las Vegas, Nevada
Major: Healthcare Administration with Double-Minor in Spanish and Brooking’s Public Policy
Role in Session: Senate HHS Legislative Intern
What excites you most about the legislative session?
Given that I am interning with the Senate HHS Committee, I am thrilled to see the policy changes that trickle down into the textbooks I’ve studied over the past three years in the Healthcare Administration program. I am particularly curious about how Nevada’s health policy operates within an ecosystem influenced by national debates on universal healthcare and ongoing research developments.
What do you hope to learn?
I want to enhance my skills as a writer to craft clear, concise, and persuasive policy documents that drive meaningful change. By doing so, I aim to prepare myself for a career at the intersection of theory and practice in real-time policymaking. Ultimately, I would love to contribute to health policy research that informs evidence-based solutions and improves public health outcomes.
Which legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
I find proposals related to expanding naloxone access particularly compelling because of their potential to save lives and combat the opioid crisis. Increasing accessibility on college campuses and within underserved communities can make a tangible difference in public health outcomes. This issue aligns closely with my own advocacy work, and I’m eager to see how the legislative process addresses barriers to implementation, such as funding and community outreach.
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Week One Student Spotlight
Name: Jacob M. Ginsburg
Hometown: Oakland, CA
Major: Law
Role: Legislative Extern with the UNLV Office of Government and Community Engagement
What excites you most about the legislative session?
I am extremely excited for the opportunity to be involved in Nevada’s consideration of policy and legislative decision-making process. Moreover, in my role with the Office of Government and Community Engagement, I am excited to support advocacy efforts for UNLV – I believe the success and evolution of the university is integral to the future of the local, state, and regional communities, and it is a privilege to contribute to my school’s representation during the upcoming legislative session.
What do you hope to learn?
I hope to learn much more about the formal structure and procedures that Nevada has established to administer its legislative branch, as well as the traditional customs and practices of our state legislature in action. I believe that learning about these components and their interaction will provide invaluable insight into how to most effectively support the legislative objectives I believe are most important.
What legislative proposal do you find most interesting and why?
Being a staunch supporter for investment in education, I will naturally be following SB135, an appropriation bill sponsored by Nevada Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro that would provide additional funding to Nevada’s schools. Relatedly, I will be tracking SB133, an appropriation bill sponsored by Nevada Senate President pro Tempore Marilyn Dondero Loop that would direct funding aimed towards improving civic engagement and civic education.
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