Derek is a Las Vegas native and completed his undergraduate degree in English and a Masters of Education at UNLV. Derek loves the Las Vegas community and especially the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels basketball team. He started as a graduate assistant in the Wilson Advising Center in 2006 and has been working in academic advising ever since. Joining the Honors College in 2019 is the pinnacle of Derek's professional career so far. 

He enjoys all types of comedy, reading, movies, sports, and believes everyone has a special talent or skill. Anyone who has been in his office has seen his Walt Whitman poster and one of his all-time favorite quotes comes from him. “…The powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse”.