Business Affairs Bulletin

The inside scoop on the people and projects that support UNLV

In This Issue.....

• Business Affairs Team Curates Memorable WACUBO Experience
• Open Enrollment for Employee Benefits Happening Now
• Meet Heather Stinett, Business Affairs HR Business Partner
• Congratulations to the Spring 2026 Business Affairs Graduates
• May is Mental Health Awareness Month
• April New Hires
• April Promotions
• May Anniversaries
• Dates to Remember

Business Affairs Team Curates Memorable WACUBO Experience

More than 750 business officers from colleges and universities across the western region gathered in Las Vegas, May 3–6, for the 2026 Western Association of College and University Business Officers (WACUBO) Annual Conference. Hosted at Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa, the conference embraced the theme “Winning Strategies” through dynamic professional development sessions focused on organizational resilience, leadership, human resources, and financial strategy. Attendees also experienced the energy and hospitality of Las Vegas through thoughtfully curated networking events.

The conference marked the culmination of more than a year of planning by the 2026 host committee, led by co-chairs Lori Church and Alex Nikolich. Team members from Business Affairs and departments across the university collaborated to design and execute memorable experiences that highlighted the spirit of Las Vegas and the strengths of UNLV. From event logistics and vendor coordination to entertainment and attendee engagement, the committee played a key role in creating a welcoming and impactful conference experience. A special thank you to the following Business Affairs Host Committee members and volunteers:



• Chantel McDonald
• Chelsea Meggerson
• Elora Paik
• Heather Ortiz
• Hugo Calderon Cortes
• Joe Sunbury
• Kathy Schreiber
• Kery Chong
• Liz Davis
• Matthew Diggins
• Nathan Frieders
• Nohealani Benicarlo
• Patricia Slayton
• Philip Dow
• Sarath Kraus
• Tara Pike

Conference volunteers were also recognized with a Kentucky Derby-themed appreciation event that celebrated the many individuals who supported the conference behind the scenes. Attendees created hats and cheered on their favorite horses. Golden Tempo took the win, and three lucky participants received Business Affairs swag bags.

The conference officially kicked off with an opening reception at the iconic Mob Museum. The event was made even more memorable thanks to the efforts of the Purchasing and Contracts team, who successfully negotiated a $10 per-person discount with the event caterer—a UNLV supplier partnership. Those savings allowed the committee to enhance the guest experience by bringing in an Elvis impersonator who serenaded attendees and posed for photos throughout the evening.

Interim President Chris Heavey welcomed guests and emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation, and leadership across higher education.The event also featured performances by the UNLV School of Music’s Fiore String Quartet and Rebelde Mariachi Band, whose Cinco de Mayo performance energized attendees and highlighted the university’s talented student musicians. Additional conference highlights included a private gathering at a Las Vegas Aviators game and a closing late night celebration where attendees danced the night away.

Through months of planning and collaboration, the host committee and volunteers delivered a conference experience that reflected UNLV’s commitment to hospitality, partnership, and excellence. See below for some photo highlights. 

Open Enrollment for Employee Benefits Happening Now

Meet Heather Stinnett, Business Affairs HR Business Partner

Heather Stinnett is a third-generation Las Vegan who grew up alongside the city and the university she now serves. Her family’s history with UNLV goes back decades—her mother graduated with one of the nursing program’s first cohorts, back when the university was still called Nevada Southern.

Heather attended UNLV herself, originally pursuing pre-med before life took her in a different direction. “I left UNLV with only one class to go and kind of fell into retail management,” she says. The work was steady, the pay was good, but it wasn’t necessarily fulfilling. A few years later, she returned to UNLV to finish her degree.

After graduating with a psychology degree, Heather became the first and only HR employee for a local HVAC company that had operated in Las Vegas for more than 40 years. Eventually, though, she felt she had reached a plateau. When she came across an opening for a junior HR business partner at UNLV, it immediately stood out to her. “It sounded like a great fit,” she says. “And it absolutely was.”

Now nearly five years into her role, Heather works as a liaison between Business Affairs employees and central Human Resources. “The best way I can describe it is that we are the bridge between Business Affairs and central HR and its processes and silos,” she explains. “If you email HR, it goes to a lot of different people. In the business partner role, we help connect over 500 people in Business Affairs to the right resources and help them navigate processes that can be difficult to understand.”

Heather says no two days are ever the same, which is one of the things she enjoys most about working in HR. A typical morning can quickly shift as unexpected questions and situations land in her inbox. “I love the challenge and the problem solving,” she says. “You can end up learning something completely new every day.”

That desire to help people is what originally drew Heather toward medicine, and it’s still what drives her now. “Sometimes managers come to us dealing with really challenging circumstances,” she says. “If I can help take some of that confusion or stress off their plate and guide them to the right answer, that’s fulfilling to me.”

She also credits much of her positive experience at UNLV to her teammate and supervisor, Karlie. “We’re very yin and yang,” Heather says. “Our strengths complement each other. She’s incredibly supportive and empowering.”

Outside of work, Heather prefers to stay unplugged. She describes herself as “a desert rat” and would rather spend time in the desert than scrolling social media or watching television. She enjoys off-roading, rockhounding, dirt biking, and exploring Northern Nevada with her family.

One of Heather’s favorite places in Nevada is Ely, which she calls underrated. She lights up talking about the drive there and all the stops along the way—from Great Basin National Park and Garnet Hill to scenic trails, museums, and hidden swimming holes. “There’s so much to do in this state,” she says. “I love it here.”

She’s also a serious car enthusiast who has rebuilt and restored classic vehicles, including a 1978 Corvette and a 1968 Camaro. “Most people who see me in the hallway probably wouldn’t guess I can work on cars and motorcycles,” she says, laughing.

If you see Heather around Business Affairs, say hello and give her your best hiking trail or rockhounding recommendation!

Congratulations to the Spring 2026 Business Affairs Graduates

• Shavonne Gramkow, Delivery Services
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice 
• Lusayla Romancik, Risk Management and Safety 
• Bachelor of Science in Public Health 
•  Tam Tran, Facilities Management
• Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences
• Elijah Edquilang, Facilities Management
• Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Our mental health affects how we work, rest, connect, and move through the day. This Mental Health Awareness Month, take a moment to check in with yourself. Notice where you may need more support, and don’t be afraid to ask for it. Support can look different depending on the person and the moment. It may mean talking with a counselor, taking a real break, setting clearer boundaries, reconnecting with important people, addressing stress before it turns into burnout, or something else that works for you.

Additionally, UNLV faculty and staff can access mental health resources through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), RebelWELL programming, and employee health benefits. Immediate support is available through confidential, 24/7 hotlines.

April New Hires

• Anthony Collazo, Facilities Management
• Gregory Schmid, Facilities Management
• Anthony Avalos, Facilities Management
• Maya Rivera, Facilities Management
• Dylan Britez, Facilities Management
• Savannah Chambers, Facilities Management
• Trevaun Hughes, Facilities Management
• Kyle Silver, Delivery Services
• Noel Green, Parking and Transportation Services

April Promotions

• Hiilani Montgomery, Facilities Management
• Jordan Noles, Facilities Management
• Pedro Diaz Roa, Facilities Management
• John Rees IV, Facilities Management
• Heather Stinnett, Human Resources
• Karina Felizardo, Financial Services

May Anniversaries

• Tyler Jensen, 1 year
• Joe Murray, 1 year
• Aaron Mack, 1 year
• Hayat Salih, 1 year
• Brian Gillilan, 1 year
• Kapri Tate, 1 year
• Nerys Lee, 1 year
• Monica Ng, 2 years
• Jamar Shaw, 2 years
• Dan Bollard, 2 years
• Glenn Diaz, 3 years
• De'Osha Hall, 3 years
• Yvette Rouse, 3 years
• Oscar Gonzalez, 3 years
• Chantel McDonald, 4 years

• Patricia Slayton, 4 years
• Brian Heimerl, 4 years
• Daina Mwangi, 5 years
• Lamont Fitzgerald, 7 years
• Christopher Zabala, 7 years
• JuanCarlos Zaldivar, 7 years
• Donald Johnson, 7 years
• Aurora Mendoza, 7 years
• Trevin Stone, 11 years
• Thomas Cassoutt, 12 years 
• Justin Garrison, 13 years
• Mari Soto-Valdez, 13 years
• Larron Reed, 19 years
• Brian Townsend, 20 years
• Jan Lasagna, 21 years

Dates to Remember

• May 25 - Memorial Day - Enjoy your day off!