Hixson-Lied Success Scholars Newsletter
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Please enjoy our newsletter containing featured articles written by the scholars with
information on recent campus events, interacting with professors, and new technology!
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Las Vegas Strong
By Jensen Radley, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
While people were enjoying a weekend full of their favorite country music and artists, Stephen Paddock was in a room on the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay hotel and wreaked havoc on all of those in attendance. It’s been called the worst mass shooting in modern US history—58 people died and over 500 were injured.
The amount of support provided after the tragic event on Sunday, October 1st was absolutely overwhelming. Blood banks around Las Vegas overflowed with people waiting to donate their blood. With people lining up at 2AM, wait times for all locations quickly became over three hours. Even blood banks in northern Nevada were filled with people wanting to do anything they could to help. First responders and health care providers who weren’t already working volunteered their time to help. Victims, and families of victims, were transported to safety at the Thomas and Mack center where food, clothing, and blankets were collected and handed out. Students volunteered at Thomas and Mack, helping with wound care and emotional support, and at local food banks, packing food into boxes to be taken over.
The GoFundMe started by Steve Sisolak, Clark County Commission Chair, has raised over $11 million. Tattoo parlors offered to donate all the proceeds made from a Nevada or Las Vegas related tattoo, and t-shirts were being made and sold throughout the community. All of these
funds will be donated directly to the victims and the families of those lost.
As for medical care, Dr. McGee at Total Sports Medicine and Orthopedics along with Select Physical Therapy, Jackson Physical Therapy, and Fyzical Therapy clinics, all offered free initial visits and follow-up treatments. These clinics also said that they would continue to treat those in need if their copays were too high.
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UNLV offered many resources to the students. Professors sent out emails with helpful information and direct contact information for the resources provided. Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center had walk in appointments for anyone who was affected, and there were several other counseling and therapy offices around the Las Vegas area that opened their doors to the public—free of charge. Professors and department heads sent out multiple emails with information on where to get help with coping with this tragedy.
There were several vigils held across Las Vegas and the hotels on the Strip went dark on that Monday night at 10:08 PM in remembrance. UNLV also held a Remembrance Ceremony on Thursday, November 2nd to honor those of the UNLV family that were affected.
Las Vegas is strong, and, although we are still dealing with this horrific tragedy, we have come together to not let the evil from that night prevent us from living our lives.
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UNLV Research Week
By
Yana Ryjova
, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
At the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, UNLV Research Week is, in my opinion, the most interesting and exciting event of the fall semester. Held in October of each year, UNLV Research Week highlights campus research, engages students with the innovations and discoveries being made in their community, and showcases various students and faculty who are working on projects. Research week was held this year from October 9
th
to October 13
th
and included poster sessions, workshops, lab tours, and the Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Research Gala.
I was lucky enough to be a part of the madness. I was given an opportunity to present a lightning talk at the Research Week Academy Express, an event that caters to high school students in order to help younger students become aware and excited about undergraduate research.
At this event, speakers discussed many of the opportunities that UNLV has to offer,
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including the Rebel Research and Mentorship Program (RAMP), a mentorship program designed to engage both undergraduate and graduate students in a collaborative research project. Students from Clark High School in Las Vegas also listened to various lightning talks, including my talk about infant speech preferences.
After the express event, students from across campus came together for the Office of Undergraduate Research Research Week Gala. This event showcased undergraduate student posters to show the community that anyone can be involved in the research being done at UNLV. In fact, I presented my own poster, entitled “The Effects of Service-Learning on College Students’ Learning Outcomes: A Linguistic Analysis of Service-Learning Reflections”, at this event.
In addition to the poster session, the gala also featured many campus resources and various tables were dedicated to some of the research labs on campus. Attendees were able to explore the opportunities to join labs, mingle with students and faculty, and gain insight into the diverse and groundbreaking areas of research that UNLV has to offer.
Overall, research week featured more than 50 events, which gave everyone on campus something to look forward to. While I focused my time at the OUR Research Gala, students from various colleges and departments were given chances to learn more about UNLV research and how to become engaged with research on and off campus. Because the event this year was so successful, I, for one, cannot wait to see what is in store for research week next year!
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By Tearra Camacho, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
Homecoming week occurred the third week of October. This homecoming has been special, considering that it is UNLV’s 60
th
Anniversary, and of course we know UNLV students throw the best celebrations in the city. Homecoming Week 2017 was definitely an event for the books. There were so many events going on at different times of the day, allowing students to participate in all the joys UNLV has to offer. There were many students on campus that week gathering around, taking pictures, and enjoying the events.
The Homecoming Carnival was held on October 17th, where there was cotton candy, an electric bull, inflatable slides, and of course, food. The academic walkway near the Student Union was full of decorated Instagram worthy items and truly demonstrated what it means to be a Rebel. Entering the Carnival, top music hits and laughter could be heard. You could see that UNLV was celebrating. The Homecoming Carnival happened at such a great time in the day, allowing students to stop by and relax before midterms. What is a better way to relax than a trip to a carnival?
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The Homecoming Carnival provided a great stress relief for students who were studying for their midterms and was a great way for students to come together to celebrate UNLV’s history.
Students from all different types of organizations came down to enjoy all the fun. Paige Burns, a new pledge in Alpha Xi Delta, really enjoyed this event because she was able to get closer to her sisters and just have a fun time. Her favorite part was witnessing everyone being involved and having smiles on their faces. Overall, UNLV 2017 Homecoming was a memory that I will always remember, especially the carnival. I definitely cannot wait until next year’s Homecoming week.
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By
Lidia Wossen
, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
Celebrating its 10th birthday on October 10th, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC) hosted many events throughout the entire week. The recreation center is home to various facilities for not only students but faculty, alumni, and the Las Vegas community as well.
The fitness center encompasses an indoor jogging track, a pool, activity rooms, various cardio and strengthening equipment, basketball courts, and group fitness classes. The center also offers personal training opportunities and also hosts both individual and team intramural sports.
After an intense workout, you can fuel your body by heading to Einstein Bros. Bagels or I.O. Fuel Smoothies located on the first floor of the center. Wanting to expand your horizons and feel adventurous? The recreation center also offers equipment rentals for outdoor activities such as camping and water sports.
Adjacent to the fitness center, the Student Wellness Center is home to the Student Health Center, Pharmacy, Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and the Rebel Wellness Zone. For the past ten years, UNLV has continuously upheld their mission of promoting healthy lifestyles through diverse opportunities and experiences that stimulate personal growth and a better connection to UNLV itself.
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The celebratory festivities began by kicking off with the 27th Annual Oozeball Mud Volleyball Tournament. Students were able to form teams and compete on the intramural fields. Following the tournament the next week, the SWRC continued the celebration by offering activities throughout the day, such as an outdoor rock wall, a photo booth, swimming workshops, group fitness classes, and free admission into the center for all faculty and staff.
Through visiting the celebration, I was able to observe some tables marketing the SRWC and receive many giveaways. It was exciting to hear how the fitness and wellness center have helped so many people over the past ten years.
One of the additions to the SWRC was the inclusion of many diverse fitness formats to their Rebel X group fitness class schedule. You can find the schedule
here.
The SWRC is continuously looking for ways to ensure that every individual will be inspired to discover meaningful connections and endless possibilities. They hope to do this for many more years to come!
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By Miranda Sanders, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
The transition from high school to college can be difficult for many freshman students. Fortunately, UNLV provides resources such as COLA 100E classes to introduce first-year students to university life. COLA 100E classes are for first-year students who are exploring majors, or for those that may want to learn about different majors before making their decision.
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Many staff members at the Academic Success Center teach these first-year seminar courses and have an important role in planning their curriculum. In the month of August, the ASC was fortunate to add a new member to their team, Dr. Emily Shreve. Her official title is the Associate Director of Academic Transitions. After only being here for two months, Dr. Shreve is absolutely loving UNLV.
Dr. Shreve received her PhD in English from Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. There she often thought about how literature and first year experience intersect, which is perfect for the position she is now in. Her favorite part of her job is getting to work with students. She enjoys talking with them and helping them work through their problems.
As Associate Director of Academic Transitions, Dr. Shreve enjoys a nice balance between teaching and administration with a focus on first year students’ success. She teaches sections of COLA 100E and helps recruit, train, and support other instructors of the class. Dr. Shreve uses qualitative information and surveys from other instructors and students to optimize the course for student success. Currently she is in the process of choosing next year’s common reading.
The greatest advice that Dr. Shreve has for first year students is to communicate. The ASC offers so many resources to help the transition process, but those cannot be properly utilized if students do not communicate their needs. With qualified, caring, and enthusiastic people such as Dr. Shreve teaching COLA 100E classes, freshman students are in good hands.
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How to Address Professors
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By Jannie Nigoza, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
As a student, you sometimes worry about reaching out to professors. It can be daunting to approach them, but it’s better to establish a relationship with them early on. Thanks to the Academic Success Center’s Coaching Spot and insight from a UNLV student, I have all the tips and tricks on how to speak professionally to your professors and why it’s important to network with them.
If you are looking to contact your professor, you should first refer to the syllabus to determine how they want to be contacted. You should also know what your professor likes to be called before contacting them, such as Dr., Mr., Mrs., Ms., etc. You can consider the following ways: email, phone, or in person. If you are writing an email, you should use your RebelMail account and make sure you have a descriptive subject line, including your name, class information, and section number. You should also have an appropriate greeting and signature, which could be as simple as “Hello Professor X” and ending with “Best” or “Sincerely.”
It is also important to read over your email for any grammar and spelling mistakes and thank your professor at the end of your email. Offering facts and solutions is helpful as well. For example, if you aren’t able to turn in an essay on a given day, then you should offer a day and time when you can.
Do your best to respond timely to emails. As for phone calls or leaving voicemails, you should introduce yourself by stating your name, the class you are in, and the reason for your call. If you would like to meet in person, you can always set an appointment according to your professor’s office hours, which should also be located in the syllabus. Regardless of how you contact your professor, you should be aware of when to use formal language and informal language-speaking to a professor versus talking with your friend.
Knowing the 5 W’s may help as well. You should think about who you are talking to, what you are writing or saying, when you are writing or saying something,
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why you are writing or saying something, and which language style you are using.
Lastly, you should offer feedback to help improve the class through evaluations. This is your time to reflect and be honest. Your evaluation will be sent anonymously and won’t even be seen until after grades are posted, so don’t worry about it influencing your grade.
In order to appropriately address professors, you want to network with them early on. You shouldn’t wait until you have a problem to contact your professor. Building relationships by introducing yourself at the start of the year and making that connection as soon as you can leads to many benefits.
One example is Brenna Spector, a student at UNLV, who can attest to the benefits of building relationships with professors. As a film student, knowing professors has gotten her jobs working on set and opportunities that she’d never thought she would have. She states,“having good professor relationships has been one of the most important and essential aspects of my college career.” Students of all majors can benefit from this because professors can offer advice about your interests or even help you find internships and job opportunities. All you have to do is make an appointment and ask questions related to the class, an assignment, or their field.
Without those connections with her professors, Brenna wouldn’t be where she is today. I tell her story because I hope it will encourage you to make that connection with your professor. Only good can come from reaching out, and you never know the opportunities that they can provide for you.
While it may be uncomfortable to communicate with professors, acting in a respectful and professional manner should make it easier. Professors are there to help, and all you have to do is reach out.
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By Carly Kidwell, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
Every year, it appears that the world becomes a scarier place. College students can often feel unsafe or vulnerable while on campus. At the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV), Police Services have been working hard to develop an app to bring students, professors, and even campus guests some peace of mind and safety throughout their experience here.
Police Services launched the RebelSAFE application, which is dedicated to improving campus safety. It is available on IOS devices and can also be found in the Google Play store. If you are reading this and have not yet downloaded the RebelSAFE app, stop, drop, and download.
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It could very well be a life or death matter. An essential feature of the RebelSAFE app is instant safety notifications to provide UNLV students and instructors with lifesaving information of campus crises and emergencies sent directly to one’s cell phone. The app holds many other important and useful features as well.
Not only does the RebelSAFE app send immediate notifications to users’ phones, it also provides a direct and easy to use link to UNLV Police Services. On the homepage of the app, there is a link to directly call UNLV Police dispatch, or instead, one can opt to live chat with dispatch through the app for emergencies. There are also some very useful preventative safety measures the app provides.
Being on campus alone at night can be scary, but the escort services and friend walk options on the RebelSAFE app provide some relief. The escort service provided allows safety at just the touch of a screen. Safety escorts can meet you at your location and walk with you until you safely arrive at your destination. The friend walk service gives a sense of security as friends can watch your location as you walk across campus, from the comfort of their home. Finally, a feature that could give UNLV Police Services a heads up in many scary situations is the tip feature. Any kind of suspicious activity or nonemergency potential crises can be reported to UNLV Police Services with the RebelSAFE app.
This app provides a mutually beneficial relationship for UNLV Police Services and for Rebels alike. It can be downloaded for free, by simply searching “rebel safe” in the application store or Google Play store. With each person that downloads the RebelSAFE app, the UNLV community becomes that much safer. You never know when an emergency notification can save your life.
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Who Needs A RebelCard? I Do!
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By Sarah Mirjavadi, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
One of the most useful items a student at UNLV can have is a RebelCard. Why? First, the RebelCard is used for identification. Whether it’s for exams or for visiting offices such as financial aid, the registrar, and cashiering, the RebelCard is essential for accessing all these resources. Second, you can put money on your card, also known as RebelCash, and use it to purchase things on campus. Lastly, having a RebelCard can give you discounts at certain locations off campus!
Where do you get a RebelCard?
To get a RebelCard, you must visit the RebelCard office in the Student Union, Room 118. Their office hours during the Fall and Spring semester are below:
Monday: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m
Every third Saturday of the month: 10 a.m to 2 p.m first timers get a free RebelCard! After that it is $20 to purchase a new one if lost and $10 to replace a damaged one. If you lose your card, you can see if someone returned it at the RebelCard office, the Student Recreation and Wellness Center (SRWC), Lied Library, and the Public Safety Building before buying a new one.
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So, how can you add money to your RebelCard?
There are three ways to do this:
- Go to the RebelCard Office.
2. Use a credit/debit card
online
. This option does however require a minimum deposit of $10 and includes a $1 service fee.
3. There are RebelCash Deposit Machines (RDM) located in the Lied Library, Student Recreation and Wellness Center, the Student Union, Tonopah Hall Lobby, Dayton Complex, and Wiener Rogers Law Library. These machines only accept cash.
And where exactly can the RebelCard be used?
RebelCard can be used at all libraries for checking out resources, print jobs, and photocopying. The computer labs located around campus and the bookstore also use RebelCard. Food locations on campus such as Wilson Dining Commons, the Pod, everything in the Student Union, Coffee Bean, Einstein’s Bagels, Subway by the William D. Carlson Education building (CEB), Power Blend Smoothies, and even vending machines take RebelCard! Chipotle, Bowlology and Coffee Bean located on Maryland Parkway also accept RebelCard as a payment source. Finally, your RebelCard can be used at the SRWC for gym access, checking out workout equipment, and reserving massage chairs.
Presenting your RebelCard can also give you discounts to a ton of places. If students and faculty present their RebelCard at the Blue Man Group Box Office, they can get discounted tickets. Other discounted places include Raising Cane's, Paymon’s Mediterranean Café and Lounge, Stephano’s, Luxor Bodies and Titanic exhibitions, and more! For more places with discounts, click
here
.
One final thing about the RebelCard is that you can open a U.S. Bank Student checking account. Your RebelCard will be not only a campus ID, but also an ATM/Debit card! Overall, a RebelCard is a must have item with all its cool perks.
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Ms. Christina M. Hixson graduated from high school in Clarinda, Iowa and moved to Omaha, Nebraska to attend business school. She later went to work for Mr. Ernst F. Lied , a car dealership owner in Omaha and in 1960 she joined Mr. Lied in Las Vegas, Nevada as his assistant. After Mr. Lied’s death in 1980, Ms. Hixson became the sole trustee of the Lied Foundation Trust and turned the Lied Foundation Trust into one of the largest foundations in the state of Nevada at that time. Ms. Hixson has a special understanding of young people who, like her, came from a challenging family background and are willing to work hard.
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Mr. Ernst F. Lied was born in Columbus, Ohio and attended the University of Kansas for two years, where he played on the golf team. He ultimately graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1927. Mr. Lied became a Buick dealer in Omaha, Nebraska and later his dealership was ranked third in the country for the number of cars sold. Mr. Lied established his charitable foundation in 1972, and upon his death in 1980 at age 74 nearly his entire estate funded the Lied Foundation Trust. Lied Foundation Trust has enhanced the capabilities of many schools and enriched the quality of many lives!
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*All photos used are original, can be found on unlv.edu, UNLV social media or have references indicated
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