The awards include those that have been determined by the Mountain West and Western Athletic Conferences, Student-Athlete Academic Services, and SAAC. The final and highest honor given annually at the SAG Awards is the Mehdi Bouras Scholar-Athlete of the Year Award, honoring the late Mehdi Bouras. Mehdi was one of the most decorated players in UNLV tennis history from 2008-2011. Mehdi was a two-time ITA Scholar-Athlete, three-time Academic All-Mountain West honoree, the 2009 UNLV Scholar-Athlete of the Year, the 2009 Mountain West Conference Freshman of the Year, and the 2011 Conference Player of the Year. Mehdi graduated with a B.S. in Business Management and was named to the Dean’s Honor List six times.
SAAS also wants to recognize Academic Support Specialist, Alex Petrolia, for all of her hard work in helping to organize this event. As you can imagine, SAAS is excited to be able to celebrate our student-athletes in person once again.
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Welcome New ASC Staff
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Scott Hinkle has joined the Advising Unit as an Academic Advisor
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Danté Walter has joined the Dean’s Office as the Marketing & Communications Specialist
Publications
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Dr. Anne White, Sr. Director of Data, Assessment, Retention, and Diversity, had her Coffee Talk proposal, Finding Gold in Your Data Mine (And What To Do With It), accepted for the National Symposium on Student Retention (NSSR) Conference on October 24-27, 2022, in San Diego.
Student Recognition
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In a press release, “Trio Named to NFF Hampshire Honor Society” on 4/13/2022 from UNLV Athletics (UNLVRebels.com) announced that Charles Williams, Vic Viramontes, and Aaron Lewis were named to the 2022 National Football Foundation (NFF) Hampshire Honor Society. These student-athletes were honored for maintaining a +3.2 grade point average throughout their academic career and meeting all mandated progress toward degree requirements. Other qualifications for membership in the honor society included being a student-athlete who was a starter or made significant contributions to the sport in their last year of eligibility.
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The April 5th ceremony recognized ASC faculty, staff, and student awards, as well as students who have received scholarships and placed on the Dean's Honors List. |
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Congratulations to our ASC Students! |
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Altogether, an amazing 995 students were recognized!
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Exploring & Major Pathways Students Making the Dean's Honors List
- 555 students (Spring & Fall 2021 combined)
Exploring & Major Pathways Students Earning a Scholarship
- 395 students (Spring 2021 & Fall 2021 combined)
Student-Athletes Making the Dean's Honors List
- 292 student-athletes (Spring & Fall 2021 combined)
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Congratulations to our ASC Award Winners! |
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Parker Yates, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Employee
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Katherine Ballou, Outstanding Graduate Student Employee
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Xiao Xi (Coco) Zhao, ASC Student Award
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Jannie Nigoza, ASC Student Award
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Dr. Jenifer Utz, ASC Faculty Award
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Cheyenne Cuizon, ASC Service Award
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Jennifer Villalobos, ASC Student-Centered Award
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Elizabeth Johnson, ASC Collaboration Award
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Kevin Sebastian, ASC Collegiality Award
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The Military and Veteran Services Center is a valuable Campus Community Partner to the ASC by keeping us updated on changes regarding eligibility requirements, policies, and deadlines. Ross Bryant and your staff, thank you for being such great partners!
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Matthew Sypert
UNLV Freshman
Theatre Studies Major
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Why did you choose to come to UNLV?
I was born and raised in Las Vegas, which had the most impact on my decision. I never planned on going out of state for school just because of tuition costs. I looked at other colleges in Nevada as well, but my brother, a senior here at UNLV, gave great reviews, so I decided to take a tour and fell in love with the campus. There is so much to do. It is a very diverse campus and has just good vibes and energy. I am also involved with different clubs on campus, and I like to attend other social events and gatherings. Plus, I enjoy my professors, classes, and especially the library. That is my favorite place to study.
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What is your major and year? What drew you to select this major?
I am currently a freshman majoring in Theatre Studies but would like to go into Theatre Acting. I originally planned to go into Accounting and Finance. However, my advisor at the time, Ms. Jennifer [Czajkowski], helped me explore other majors that would align with my personal goals and interest outside of school. Aside from school, I am a part of a modeling agency, so logically, I thought theatre and modeling went hand in hand with my long-term career goals.
What role has the ASC played in your success at UNLV?
The ASC has played a significant role in my success. Going into college, I didn’t know much about it and all the available resources. When I came to campus, I came in as an Exploring Major and got an academic success advisor. Off the bat, I knew I would like my advisor Ms. Jennifer. I remember our first meeting. I spoke to her about my goals and interests. I kind of thought, "Do I want to tell her that school is not my first goal or passion because what I want to do is outside of school?" I shared it with her and she was completely supportive. She gave me a lot of good advice and we discussed what majors would align with modeling. That in itself was good for me because I felt like I had an advisor who I could trust and who didn’t care about just my academic success but everything outside of it as well. I also had a class with the ASC. It was great because it helped students find their calling in school and just in life and the professor was very open to what students like to do. She was so supportive in pushing us to follow our passions. So yes, the ASC has played a significant role.
What tips do you have for incoming freshmen?
My first tip is to go into college with a growth mindset—a mindset of wanting to learn and not just focusing on your performance or grades. When you only focus on grades, it creates stress in the learning aspect. I would also recommend being ahead and just managing your time. I’m sure it depends on your schedule, but do your assignments whenever there is an opportunity to complete them. Don’t procrastinate. As the semester gets busier, you want to have enough time to do those more challenging assignments. That is what helps me through each semester. It also helps with stress management and burnout because when you don’t procrastinate, you have more time and flexibility to go out and have fun and unwind.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In a perfect scenario, I will be graduating with my Bachelor’s and following my dreams of being a model. Whether I’m still in the state or out of state, I want to be in a stable career position. I see myself acting as well and just thriving in the entertainment world. I want to be living a life I want to live professionally and spiritually. To be in a place where I feel like I am much more present and living for the moment. I would love to work in New York. Still, Vegas is my home, so maybe allowing New York to be my ground zero. Because I’m there, I’m getting to travel and be exposed to more. Still, any city like Vegas, New York, or Los Angeles would be perfect for modeling because there are so many opportunities in each one.
What is your favorite thing to do on campus?
I love going to the Student Union, grabbing Panda Express, and eating with friends. That space to me is very warm and welcoming. There are so many students you can connect with there and I love being in an atmosphere where many people are around. Outside of hanging with friends and eating there, I also go there to study and attend club events. I would say it is a popular spot on campus.
What are your plans for the summer?
The summer vibe for me is traveling and modeling. I want to go to New York. I went once back in 2020 and I loved it. It’s my dream city, especially for modeling. My biggest goal is to learn how to play an instrument, mainly a guitar. My friend and I also will be starting our podcast officially. We got the idea from watching two of our favorite social media influencers Rickey Thompson and Denzel Dion’s “We Said What We Said" podcast. We started listening to the podcast and saw how fun it could be which inspired us to do one. Plus, we love to talk. We already have filmed our pilot and in this episode we just discussed our journeys and how far we’ve come with following our passions. Our second episode will be more about the fashion trend pre-COVID versus now and how things have evolved over the years in fashion.
How do you spend your weekends?
On weekends, I am involved with a local nonprofit organization called the Inspiring Children Foundation. I interned with them in 2020 and loved them. They are mental health and wellness-oriented, so I feel they helped with my growth as a person. Since then, I have loved to be involved with their events. Every Saturday, they have what they call “Super Saturday” where we will take the children and do an event at the office like card games and watching movies or go out in the city and do something like the trampoline park or roller skating. That’s my favorite thing, but I also hang out with friends when I am not volunteering.
What is something on your personal bucket list?
I am a daredevil, so I definitely want to go sky diving. I don’t have a timeline to get it done. It could be today, tomorrow, or years from now. I will do it whenever the opportunity presents itself. I love anything that gives you a thrill, so you will see me doing roller coasters, zip-lining, anything in those categories.
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Gabriela Zuniga
Math Bridge Specialist
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What led you to work at UNLV?
I worked with K-12 for about five years and have had the opportunity to positively impact the lives of hundreds of students during that time. While there, I gained a lot of knowledge, experience, and insight into the inequalities and obstacles those students face. I was ready to create a more extensive umbrella from K-12, where I once could help 100 kids at a time, to a university level, where I could help a much larger population of students and have a bigger impact in that way. I obtained my master’s degree here and while connecting with the diverse staff, professors, and students, I always felt included, and I knew if I worked here, I would have a space to be a voice for students.
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Your job title is "Math Bridge Specialist." What does your job entail?
My job, in particular, is made up of many parts. Primarily I work on improving the curriculum inside of our program. It is my job to make sure our curriculum is fair for our students and that it’s genuinely bridging the gaps in a way where they can be successful in following their path. The goal is to create these campus modules so that students do not feel math anxiety when trying to start. Another portion of my role is to ensure the program can maximize our resources for students. I work very hard to make sure that we are coordinating with campus partners and other people at the ASC so that students who come into the Math Bridge program have as many resources as possible to be successful. Lastly, I train our Math Bridge staff and ensure our academic advisors are there at the end of the program to know what math to enroll students in.
Who is encouraged to enroll in the Math Bridge Program?
The Math Bridge program is for any student who needs to bridge some math gaps to succeed at UNLV. It targets incoming freshmen, but our program is open to any students who need it. Most of our students are first-generation or low-income and come out of Clark County School District (CCSD). It is for those students who aren’t able to place in the math required for their degree. We also assist non-traditional and transfer students coming into a four-year institution for the first time who need a refresher or extra support in math.
How often will students meet with you once Math Bridge starts?
I will meet with students daily. We also have math bridge facilitators tutoring and holding office hours. I typically go into those spaces and make sure everything is running smoothly. One of my goals is to check in with them daily and step in if I need to. I will also hold office hours this summer to ensure I am available to all students. I plan to not just work in the background but also be there for students and meet their needs when necessary.
What are you most excited about for this year's Math Bridge?
This is my first year in this role, but I’m really excited about the progress we’ve made within the Math Bridge program just this year. When I first started, I looked at all the previous data and considered ways to maximize our resources. Ko Yang and I have worked tirelessly to collaborate with campus partners and bring different resources into our program. We actually have an event on Fridays called Student Success Presentations. We’ve met and collaborated with some campus partners who will host resource fairs for our students to make sure they know all the resources available to them on campus.
What piece of advice would you give students in the Math Bridge Program?
My advice would be to take advantage of the program. When I went into my undergraduate degree, I needed that support to step into the university as a whole. As somebody who didn’t come from a place where people went to college, I didn’t really know what to expect. My culture just doesn’t look for help. I didn’t know where or how to get resources, and I didn’t know what was available to help me succeed. For students who come into this program, I will make sure they understand how lucky they are to be at a university willing to acknowledge the deficits and put in resources to give them a space to be successful. I want them to take advantage of the opportunities they have, not just Math Bridge, because there are all of these things to support them. I would also emphasize that it’s not a negative thing to need extra support.
What is a common misconception about the Math Bridge Program that you would like to clarify?
People often think the Math Bridge Program costs extra money or tuition. Our program is entirely free to students admitted to UNLV, which I believe is another massive win for equity for students. However, this is because the bridge programs that students need often cost money, and the students who need them can’t afford them.
What do you like to do for fun?
It’s just my puppy and me. I usually go to the park and read a book while she runs around. I have way too many books that I haven’t read yet. I also like to go to the gym and cook. Food is close to me because of my culture. Whenever my house smells like what my mom used to make, it reminds me of home and makes me feel a little closer to them.
What is your motto in life?
My motto is to remember your why. One of my graduate school professors said that to us in one of her lectures. It has always rung strongly for me because of the profession and the space I chose to go into. Often, the work in education is rough, fighting for equity and equality and getting rid of institutionalized obstacles and the lack of privilege that many of our students have. It can get draining to keep pushing for these programs and knowledge that we shouldn’t have to be fighting for. It’s also exhausting to be in a space where you don’t see people like you. It goes back to imposter syndrome and feeling like you don’t belong or that you are only here to check a box for a space. It can feel like you are out of place. It’s a real thing that many people don’t talk about. I always try to remember why I’m doing what I do. At the end of the day, it’s not about me. It’s about making sure that I work hard enough, so the next generation doesn't feel that way. To me, that will always push me forward.
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ASC Spring & Summer 2022 Services
The ASC building is open during the following hours of operation:
Monday - Friday
8 AM - 5 PM
All Academic Success Center services are available on the ASC website.
Representatives are available to answer questions at
702-895-3177 during normal business hours.
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Pre-Fall First-Year Seminar
COLA 100E
Want to get a head start at UNLV?
Join the ASC for the pre-fall first-year seminar, August 1st - 26th. This course introduces students to university life and the University Undergraduate Learning Outcomes (UULOs) by exploring the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed as an undergraduate.
Why should you?
- To form a supportive network
- To master success skills
- To build a foundation for academic success
- To complete your first-year seminar requirement in 4 weeks vs. 16 weeks
Sections Available:
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COLA 100E 1037 (Online) Monday through Friday 8am - 10am
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COLA 100E 1038 (In-Person) Monday through Friday 8am - 10am
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COLA 100E 1039 (In-Person) Monday through Friday 10am - 12pm
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COLA 100E 1040 (Online) Monday through Friday 1pm - 3pm
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Preparing for Finals...
You've made it! All your classes are soon behind you and you are now facing final exams or papers. Here are a few tips to help you approach this final week of the semester.
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Study Early & Often - Don't wait until the night before an exam or a paper is due to start preparing. A planned and measured approach to studying or writing, over time, will help prepare you more adequately for finals week than a cram session.
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Join (or Form) a Study Group - It's not too late to join or create a study group. Talk to fellow students in your classes and see if they have a study group or if they are interested in studying together. Even though we are all mostly remote, you can still study as a group using Google Meet or Zoom. Several of the UNLV Libraries are also open during Study and Finals Weeks, but keep in mind you will still need to practice social distancing and wear masks (also, don't forget your RebelCard for entrance).
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Study Your Notes & Quiz Yourself - Use the resources and information that has been given to you in class throughout the semester to prepare for finals. Even make it fun by creating flashcards or online quizzes. There's nothing better than taking a practice quiz to show what you know --- and what you still need to study!
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Fun Tip: Chew Gum - Several research studies have been conducted that indicate a correlation between chewing gum and exam performance (Smith, 2009; Onyper, Carr, Farrar, & Floyd, 2011; Ginns, Kim, & Zervos, 2018). The timing of the gum-chewing varies among the research, whether while studying, before the test, or during the test, but there seems to be some consensus that chewing gum may be a legitimate exam prep tip.
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Intentional Self-Care - This tip may look familiar because it has been in several of our newsletters this semester, and that's because self-care is important. Eating healthy foods, exercising, and getting enough sleep cannot be discounted. Your body and mind will take care of what it needs most, so if it's not getting the right food or rest, it will likely make it difficult for you to study, focus, and retain the information you need for finals. Following a healthy plan for your mind and body through finals week (and beyond) will give you a jump start on your academics.
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Be sure to follow the ASC on Social Media for additional tips! |
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ASC Dean's Award Scholarship Now Open!
Submit applications by 5/31/2022.
The ASC provides the Dean's Award Scholarship for students in the Exploring major and Major Pathways program.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Be a continuing UNLV student with less than 60 earned credits.
- Have a minimum UNLV cumulative GPA of 2.00 at the end of the spring 2022 semester.
- Be enrolled in a minimum of 12 credits (full-time) for Fall 2022.
- Submit an application and a 500-750 word essay to the following prompt:
"Describe an impactful college experience you have had that has helped you clarify your major and/or career goals. Examples include a class you've taken, an instructor and/or advisor you connected with and your involvement in student organizations. What campus resources would you like to use in the future to expand your academic success?"
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Check With Your Colleges for Scholarship Opportunities!
Spring is the time when many applications for college scholarships become available. Be sure to visit your College's website as well as the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website for additional scholarship opportunities.
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