The inside scoop on the people and projects that support UNLV

In this issue:



• New Year Crossword Puzzle
• Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
• Employee Highlight - Matthew Diggins
• Save the Date: Business Affairs All-Staff Meeting
• Don’t Just Be Well, Be RebelWELL
• Spotlight on Service
• New Hires
• Promotions
• Anniversaries
• Dates to Remember

New Year Crossword Puzzle

Kick off the New Year with some brain exercises using a crossword puzzle created by Business Affairs' very own, Mike Ellison.

Need some hints? Get help from the "Assist" menu in the upper right corner of the puzzle.

Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) Day, observed on the third Monday of Jan., honors the life and legacy of the civil rights leader who championed nonviolent protest and fought for racial equality. King’s leadership during the 1950s and 1960s, including his iconic "I Have a Dream" speech, inspired monumental change in the United States.

Following King’s assassination in 1968, efforts to establish a national holiday in his honor began. It wasn’t until 1983 that President Ronald Reagan signed legislation creating the holiday, with the first official observance in 1986. By 2000, every state had recognized MLK Day.

Today, MLK Day is more than just a day off; it’s a day of service and reflection. It encourages individuals to volunteer and engage in community action, while also reflecting on King’s vision of justice, equality, peace, and dream of a more just society.

Employee Highlight - Matthew Diggins

By day, Matthew Diggins is an assistant controller at UNLV, where he oversees auditing, accounts payable, and year-end contracts. He works closely with the Purchasing and Contracts team and the Office of Sponsored Programs to ensure processes are accurate, efficient, and seamless. 

When the workday ends, Matthew dives into his favorite role: being a dad. He loves spending time with his wife, Rebecca, and their two kids, Emilia (7) and Theo (4). From playing tennis and biking to exploring new destinations, the Diggins family is all about making memories. Their recent family vacation to San Diego included a visit to the zoo and a fun-filled day at Legoland. 

Matthew’s UNLV journey began in 2017 in the accounting department. After a few years, he stepped away to work at Caesars, where he earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license. In 2022, he returned to UNLV as a senior accountant and was promoted to assistant controller in 2024.

Having grown up in Las Vegas, Matthew takes full advantage of the city’s sunny weather to enjoy outdoor activities. When he’s not out biking or cheering on his favorite teams – the Raiders, Golden Knights, and FC Bayern Munich – Matthew taps into his artistic side. He enjoys sketching comic-style illustrations. His creative talents even extend to music; in high school, he was part of the choir and proudly sang his senior song. 

If you see Matthew around campus, don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation—you’re just as likely to hear about his latest project as you are about his family’s outdoor adventures or his creative hobbies.

Save the Date: Business Affairs All-Staff Meeting

Save the date for the next Business Affairs All-Staff Meeting on Feb. 3!

This meeting is a chance to hear directly from our Vice President of Business Affairs Casey Wyman, as he discusses key updates, goals for the new year, and other exciting developments within the division. The meeting will also feature presentations from UNLV colleagues and light refreshments.

Your presence is essential as we kick off another successful year together. Be informed, stay engaged, and join us as we look ahead to what’s next for Business Affairs and UNLV.

Watch for the calendar invite in your inbox.

Don’t Just Be Well, Be...

The New Year is here and now is the perfect time to set fresh goals for a healthier and more balanced life. Whether you're looking to improve your physical fitness, mental health, or overall well-being, taking small steps toward wellness can profoundly impact your year ahead.

One useful way to stay motivated and informed is by subscribing to Human Resources’ RebelWELL newsletter. RebelWELL offers a wealth of resources to help faculty and staff prioritize their health and happiness. 

The RebelWELL newsletter is your go-to source for:

• Fitness tips and events
• Mental health resources
• Nutrition guidance
• Community building

Sign-up today!

Spotlight on Service

In Oct. 2024, we distributed our annual Business Affairs customer service survey. Many of our campus colleagues replied to the survey with notes of praise for our hard-working teams. See below for some highlights for the Cashiering and Student Accounts team. 

“Love the team in Cashiering! They're awesome.”

“The cashiers are always very helpful and courteous. Rose and Jennifer are quick to respond to department deposit inquiries or student billing questions.”

“Very responsive to student needs and I was able to get my needs taken care of with Cashiering & Student Accounts.”

New Hires

• Jazmine Perkins, Facilities Management 
• Jeremy Sandoval, Facilities Management

Promotions

• Jeff LaGesse, Parking and Transportation Services

Anniversaries

Congratulations to the Business Affairs employees celebrating work anniversaries in January! Years of service have been determined using the UNLV hire date - first employment date without any breaks in service here at UNLV regardless of job type or full-time status.

If you notice an error in your listing, contact Heather Ortiz.

• Damoreyah Holmes, 1 year
• Jade Yadao-Valdez, 1 year
• Manuel Sauceda, 1 year
• Kai Yeung, 1 year
• Bruce Maru-Willets, 1 year
• Monty Leggett, 1 year
• Lesi Williams, 2 years
• Lindsay Kerber, 2 years
• Kennedy Alila, 2 years
• Kenneth Faron, 3 years
• Jemil Galang, 3 years
• Hugo Calderon Cortes, 3 years
• Brandi LaGesse, 3 years
• Brandon McKinley, 3 years
• Tim Bronander, 3 years
• Scott Miller, 4 years
• La Tonya Atkinslang, 5 years
• Michael Hicks, 6 years
• Michael Kwiecien, 6 year

• Amy Carito, 7 years
• Jason Halgas, 8 years
• Elfie Catalan-Lezama, 9 years
• Elizabeth Deveraux, 9 years
• Darby Britt, 9 years
• Erik Loera, 9 years
• Ana Lopez, 10 years
• Nathan Frieders, 10 years
• Kathy Schreiber, 12 years
• Michael Bailey, 12 years
• Daniel Davis, 12 years
• Zhanlei Yao, 14 years
• Michelle Ommen, 17 years
• Paul Castillo, 17 years
• Rebecca Paulson, 17 years
• Doug Mclean, 18 years
• Michael West, 19 years
• Sharrie Mayden, 25 years

Dates to Remember

• Jan. 20 - MLK Day
• Jan. 21 - Spring semester begins