Alissa Gardner is the director of the Grad Academy at the UNLV Graduate College. It's a role that, she says, provides opportunities for graduate and professional students to embrace their potential, build community connections, and reach their goals during their educational journey.

Gardner, a first-generation university graduate, earned her B.S. in applied economics with a management minor from the University of Minnesota. While pursuing her M.Ed., she coordinated programs and events for students, faculty, and community members through the University of Minnesota Earl E. Bakken Center for Spirituality & Healing. She then moved to Nevada and continued her career.

Before UNLV, Gardner's career path included managing and leading programs and events for researchers, volunteers, and learners of all ages.

She worked primarily for government and nonprofit organizations that focus on natural and cultural resource conservation research and education. She orchestrated professional development opportunities and managed early career field researchers.

Now, Gardner oversees professional development for all of UNLV’s graduate and professional students. "Everything is connected," she said.

What inspired you to get into your field?

I was ultimately inspired to move to academia because, at my core, I believe that education leads to greater awareness and relatedness among people. When combined with action, it is the root of positive change in our world. I wanted to work in an environment that blooms with curiosity and impactful research.

I remain inspired because I get to see this through my job nearly every day — graduate students are catalysts for change and will no doubt make a profound impact on our futures.

Is this what you thought you’d do when you grew up?

As a kid, my dreams changed weekly, if not daily. I think I waffled between wanting to be a mermaid and a princess most of the time. In high school when I started looking to apply for college, I wanted to be a geologist. I loved Earth science, and I wanted to study things like rock and sediment layers, tectonic plates, and volcanoes.

I still love being outdoors, and I still contemplate the natural history of my surroundings while hiking and exploring. We have such interesting landscapes in Southern Nevada, and I think that’s part of the reason I wound up here. While much of my career has been in education and professional training, I could not have predicted this particular path, but I am very grateful for it. I continue to put one foot in front of the other, strive to work and learn with purpose, and lean into my current goal of creating and supporting meaningful development opportunities for students.

What is the last big project that you completed and how did you celebrate/decompress afterward?

The last big project I worked on was the Rebel Grad Slam 3 Minute Thesis Competition (3 MT)  in fall 2024, where students competed for $14,000 in scholarship funds. This project is special to me because we were able to celebrate students' research and learn about the impacts they are making in their fields. I will be attending the Western Association of Graduation Schools (WAGS) 3 MT competition to see our winner April Contreras compete to represent UNLV.

I decompressed by spending some time with my Aunt Catherine, my role model and one of my biggest inspirations. She visited me for the first time since I moved to Las Vegas 11 years ago. There is no one I’d rather celebrate a career milestone with more than my Aunt Catherine — who I’m named after and care deeply about.

We had the opportunity to do Vegas things like visiting the Red Rock Canyon, the Spring Mountains, the Arts District, and our favorite local spots like Handel’s Ice Cream and Burgundy Cafe.

Have you ever taken a personality test? 

Definitely — personality tests, leadership tests, animal characteristics, etc. — I think these are really interesting. I usually am identified as someone who thinks big picture but likes task lists; an introvert who is destined to work in service, teaching, or helping people in some way.

I think there is always room for interpretation in these tests, but they give you a good idea of how you come across, which strengths may be obvious, and where you may need to develop.

What trait do you most like about yourself? What would you change?

The trait I like best about myself is my openness and adventurous spirit. I am very intentional about being open to learning and trying new things. I am always interested in remaining curious and adventurous! I also have a very special place in my heart for animals and nature, and I love that side of me.

I think one thing that I would change is just my current level of humor in life. I feel like I have gotten a bit too serious. Granted there are many external situations adding to that, but I’d like to get back to laughing more each day.

Like most people, I also deal with imposter syndrome, but how can we know what we’re capable of unless we put ourselves out there and give it a go? I may not feel like I belong in every room, but I’m bold enough to walk through the door and see what I can learn.

Tell me about an “a-ha” moment in your career.

About 15 years ago, in a moment, I realized that I could be a leader.

My background closely relates to environmental science and education, and after undergrad, I spent some time serving on a trail crew for the Montana Conservation Corps. We were unloading gear and wrapping up the week, and my supervisor (the supervisor of the field office) invited me to have a 1:1 meeting with him.

We sat in our crew truck, where many meetings take place on conservation crews. He asked me if I would consider staying on as a crew leader for the next season. I remember being taken aback — why me? He said that my crew leads recommended me, that they felt that my hard work and positive attitude had set the tone for the crew all season.

I had never seen myself as a leader, hadn’t realized that I’d inadvertently been having that influence on the crew, so it really surprised me. And while I didn’t stay on, because I was applying to grad school at the time and needed more flexible work, I can still recall that conversation so well. It made me realize that not all leaders are alike — you don’t have to have the loudest voice in the room — and even someone like me could be a leader.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

That I am travel savvy. I love to travel; I have been to more than 20 countries. I love to hike and have summited multiple mountains — mountains are one of the main reasons I love Nevada so much.

I am an utter bleeding heart for animals, in love with our two cats, and most likely to say hi to dogs first on walks in the neighborhood. I am also a first generation graduate which gives me a special passion for the variety of student groups that we serve.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I would tell my younger self to define her values and let those guide your decisions in life. The sooner I did that, the clearer direction I’ve found, and while I’m a perpetual work in progress, I think I could have avoided a lot of second guessing and people pleasing if I had laid out my values to guide me earlier.

What was your greatest day on campus? And your toughest?

One of my favorite days on campus was the day I hosted a celebration dinner for Grad Rebel Ambassadors last year. It was the first group of Grad Rebel Ambassadors that I had led for a full academic year, and just like this year’s cohort, it was a truly inspiring group of students. It was a joy to celebrate with them, observe the connections they had formed with each other, encourage their professional development, and recognize them for their contributions to the Grad College.

The toughest day I’ve experienced on campus, like so many of us, was Dec. 6, 2023. We had a Grad Academy fun trivia night planned that evening, and I was excitedly chatting about it with one of our graduate assistants. When we heard the alerts and later got the news, everything changed, for that day and many days to come.

You just won Megabucks and want to give back to UNLV. What would you support and why?

Right away, I would support more housing for graduate students and international students.

When I learned how to lead classes and programs, I was taught that you start with making sure that needs from Maslow’s Hierarchy are met. I think better affordable housing opportunities would help address this basic need, ease stress, and support student achievement.

Next, I would start a Master of Library Science and a museum studies program because I find these fields fascinating. Maybe I’d go back to school for another degree, or two!

What’s your guilty pleasure?

Coffee, chocolate, and PBS Masterpiece shows. But I don’t feel guilty about it. As long as you are keeping yourself in check and not hurting anyone, there is no need for guilt in enjoying yourself.