Congratulations to Marissa McClish ‘05 M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction who was named the Fall 2024 Wonderful Washoe Rebel! Marissa serves as the Professional Growth Systems Coordinator at Washoe County School District. She has been instrumental in opening teacher pathways in Northern Nevada, including the Nevada Forward Apprenticeship Program through UNLV’s College of Education. Marissa’s…

The College of Education proudly announces the Wonderful Washoe Rebel, an alum recognition program. We want to recognize the outstanding College of Education alums who live and/or work in Washoe County. Educators, administrators, counselors, human service professionals, higher education staff, and anyone with a UNLV College of Education degree! Do you know a Rebel who has gone above and beyond…

Name: Kirk Huber Degrees: Class of 2018 M.Ed. Special Education, Class of 2021 M.Ed. English Language Learning Current Role: Educator with Clark County School District Why did you choose UNLV? What led you to pursue a degree in education? I decided to move to Las Vegas for some sun after dealing with the harsh winters in my hometown of Chicago. My first job back was a substitute teacher…

Name: Kristen Bjork Degrees: Class of 2009 M.S. Education Psychology, Class of 2014 Ph.D. School Psychology Current Role: School Psychologist at the Osceola County School District in Florida Why did you choose UNLV? What led you to pursue your degree in education? Born and raised in Florida, I decided to move to Las Vegas after graduating from the University of Florida. I started in the Ed.S…

Name: Marion Smith Jr. Degree: Class of 2002 B.S. Secondary Education, English Literature Current Role: Assistant State Superintendent for the Office of Instructional Programs & Services at the Maryland State Department of Education  Why did you choose UNLV? What led you to pursue your degree in education? I’m originally from Las Vegas. Throughout my childhood, I was always supported…

Name: Lani Hinkes Degrees: Class of 2015 B.S. Early Childhood Education, Class of 2019 M.Ed. Special Education Current Role: Elementary School Teacher at Clark County School District Why did you choose UNLV? What led you to pursue your degree in education? I was born and raised in Las Vegas, so UNLV was always the plan for me. Plus, I wanted to graduate from a four-year school. Studying…

Like many high school students, Native Nevadan Jozee Dean wanted nothing more than to escape her hometown to experience college life elsewhere. But after countless recruitment visits to other cities, the budding soccer player realized there is truly no place like Las Vegas. Coupled with the convenience of being close to her family, Jozee ultimately chose to study at UNLV.  Now, as a proud…

Name: Tovah Gordon Degree: Class of 2023 M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction Current Role: Field Coordinator and Research Analyst at the University of Nevada, Reno Why did you choose UNLV? What led you to pursue your degree in higher education? While I did my undergrad in Washington, I always wanted to explore the education programs at UNLV. I moved back to Las Vegas due to COVID-19, a…

In honor of her dedication to the field of mental health counseling and her outstanding contributions to her community, Diana Pedraza Harrison, ‘20 B.A. Psychology, ‘22 M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, was the clear choice for the Counselor Education Program’s inaugural Alum of the Year award. With multiple nominations from colleagues like Nicole Espinosa, Diana is an “exemplar of…

We are thrilled to announce Michelle Zochowski-Tullio as the recipient of the 2024 School Psychology Alum of the Year award. Michelle's outstanding contributions to the field of psychology, her unwavering dedication to education and the UNLV community make her an exemplary choice for this honor. Michelle is a Rebel through and through. She completed her double major B.A. in psychology and…

Name: Leonardo Macias Degree: Class of 2022 BS Human Services Current Role: Family Service Specialist - State of Nevada, Division of Welfare and Supportive Services Why did you choose UNLV? What led you to pursue a degree in Human Services? I’m a Las Vegas native and a first-generation college student. I attended college because I wanted to show my siblings that going and graduating was…