Lights, camera, action! 20 UNLV students and alumni had the chance to share their stories on an episode of The College Tour. Produced by an award-winning team, this series that tells the story of a single college through the lens of its students, giving prospective Rebels a feel for the college experience even when they can't visit in person.
You can watch the full episode of The College Tour now before it starts streaming in May on Amazon Prime and other platforms.
Meet five of the students featured in the series.
Why did you want to be part of The College Tour?
Because I wanted to share my love of UNLV! I love attending here, and I want to be able to share that with as many people as I can.
Advice for fellow students?
My number one piece of advice to students is to take advantage of all the resources that UNLV has to offer. There are so many different ways to get involved on campus and throughout the Las Vegas community.
What are your favorite Vegas activities?
Going around town and trying different cuisines. There are so many different food options, and I want to experience all of them at least once!
What was the filming experience like?
My filming experience was so much fun. All of the people on set were very encouraging and friendly. Even when I made a mistake with the script, they helped me improve and get through it.
Describe UNLV in one word.
Home. With the diverse student population and opportunities, anyone can make UNLV their home.
MBA and MS in Management Information Systems student
Why did you want to be part of The College Tour?
The College Tour gave me a great opportunity to show off the school that I am a part of. Being able to show my experiences with students who might be interested in joining the UNLV community is a reward in and of itself. I also thought being on camera for a TV series would be a really cool activity to take part in, so I gave it a shot.
Advice for fellow students?
My advice for all students is to become engaged with the university community they are a part of. I have met so many wonderful people and made new friends thanks to the events I have attended, the club meetings I have been a part of, and the competitions I have participated in. I encourage everyone to go to community events, clubs, workshops, and get-togethers that all universities have. It is a core piece of the college experience that I wouldn't want anyone to miss out on.
What are your favorite Vegas activities?
Touring the Las Vegas Strip and finding new places to admire. As an international student, I am still amazed by the grandiosity of the buildings, the architecture, the activities, and the points of interest that bring people from all over the world to see. Without a doubt, I am impressed by the sheer number of people who go to the Las Vegas Strip every time I stop by.
What was the filming experience like?
The filming experience was so much fun! My filming location was at the Black Fire Innovation Center, so we met there at the designated time. In no time, I was strapped with the mic on my shirt collar and we started testing the lighting, volume, and all sorts of details for the shot to look good on camera.
With a few redos of my script delivery, we managed to film the whole thing in just over an hour. The College Tour crew were very professional and amazing to work with. They helped me through every step of the process from the script writing to the speech delivery. I jumped in on the opportunity without any previous experience of being on camera, but thanks to the crew's assistance, I didn't feel hesitant or anxious about it at all.
Describe UNLV in one word.
Welcoming.
Watch Alejandro's segment.
Kinesiology major
Why did you want to be part of The College Tour?
I actually didn't know about it until a friend contacted me asking if I would like to be a part of it. I knew this would be a cool opportunity to share my college experience with others who are looking to come to UNLV. I'm very appreciative that I was considered for this role, and was able to tell the world the fun and exciting side to UNLV.
Advice for fellow students?
My advice for students would be to always step out of your comfort zone. Our university has countless opportunities and experiences for everyone, and it's a great way to meet others while creating lifelong memories.
What are your favorite Vegas activities?
Seeing a show on the strip. I've seen the Mad Apple and Micheal Jackson One by Cirque du Soleil along with America's Got Talent Live. There's also many music festivals held at the Thomas & Mack that are super fun to see.
What was the filming experience like?
Memorizing the script was a little difficult, but overall I had a great time! I had the opportunity to bring my teammates with me and explore different parts of campus that I didn't know about. The film crew was very nice which made the segment easier to film.
Describe UNLV in one word.
Convergent.
Vocal performance major
Why did you want to be part of The College Tour?
I have a unique story to tell, and I know that my college experience can help others not only learn about what UNLV has to offer, but it also shines a light on the possibilities that a first-generation college student can engage in.
For those who don't know me, it can be surprising to find out that I began my college journey very uninterested in student life. Now, I am serving the UNLV student body in multiple capacities: Senate president in CSUN Student Government, the president of the Residence Hall Association (RHA), a program assistant for First-Year Experience (FYE) in the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education (VPUE), and on special events, being "Gray" for the Rebel Events Board (REB) Glitter Squad!
I want audiences to know that it's never too late to get involved, make memories, and enjoy college life.
Advice for fellow students?
I've got this answer ready in my back pocket at all times! As an orientation leader for the past two years, I would get this question a lot for student panels.
The mistake that I first made wasn't the fact that I was uninterested in college. While I was the textbook definition of "what NOT to do in college" — leaving home just to go to class and coming right back home — my problem was the fact that I was unhappy with my college experience and I didn't ask for help.
There are so many staff and faculty members that are quite literally paid to help you thrive in college: academic advisors, admissions counselors, peer mentors, teaching and graduate assistants, and of course, your own professors, to name a few!
So don't be afraid. Ask for help! Stay curious. Ask questions, and you'll thank yourself in the future.
What are your favorite Vegas activities?
My favorite Vegas activities range from hiking and backpacking Red Rock Canyon and Mount Charleston to enjoying a good book at a local coffee shop. For my birthday this year, I got roller skates, so lately, my friends have been taking me around campus to help me learn how to roller skate on the weekends!
There is so much to do around Las Vegas, and as a local, I'm still finding more and more about this city and discovering places to go with my friends. Something that I love about Las Vegas is our cultural diversity. I can go down the street and get delicious Filipino food that tastes like my momma's cooking at home, or my friends can show me their favorite restaurant that is only special to Las Vegas.
And the best part? Stores are open late at night, so you can satisfy your hunger any time of day!
What was the filming experience like?
I loved the crew! They are all so friendly and accommodating. I actually had my junior recital the week of filming my part for The College Tour, and the crew made time to film my recital to be featured on the show! We went all over campus with my buddies, and I even introduced my friend, Nour Benjelloun, who was featured in the episode as an (resident assistant) of Stonewall Suites, UNLV's LGBTQIA+ community in the Tonopah North Residential Complex.
Describe UNLV in one word.
Dynamic!
