Yahaira Mendez serves as the Special Assistant to the Vice President of the Office of Government and Community Engagement. She has been employed at UNLV for ten years, starting as a student worker in the College of Fine Arts before joining the College of Engineering’s Multicultural Program where she supported UNLV’s efforts to increase the recruitment and academic success of underrepresented students in STEM and health sciences majors.

After graduating from UNLV in 2017, with a B.S. in Public Administration, Mendez joined the Office of Government Affairs, now the Office of Government and Community Engagement. Through her work, she provides executive-level support for the office, conducts research, stewards constituents, and represents the office at events and meetings.  

In her free time, Mendez enjoys hiking the many trails in Southern Nevada, and is an avid long-distance runner.