Volume 154 | May 29, 2026 | |
Business Affairs Bulletin
May 29, 2026
| | The inside scoop on the people and projects that support UNLV | |
- Chris Viton Returns to UNLV with a Long View on Leadership
- Meet Daisy Cabanillas, Senior Compliance Analyst
- March Employee Appreciation Recipient: Brian Maley, Facilities Management
- Spotlight on Service
- Business Affairs Bites - Try Sakana Sushi
- Recognize a Colleague for Their Great Work
- Risk Management & Safety to Offer CPR and Defensive Driving Classes
- Down Payment Assistance Informational Session
- Dates to Remember
| | Chris Viton Returns to UNLV with a Long View on Leadership | | Photo credit: Josh Hawkins | |
Chris Viton has spent nearly 20 years connected to UNLV in one way or another. Returning now as Vice President of Business Affairs and CFO, his goal is to leave the university better than he found it. Read the whole story on the UNLV News Center.
| | Meet Daisy Cabanillas, Senior Compliance Analyst | | |
Daisy Cabanillas knows that hearing the word “audit” can make people nervous. Some picture a process designed to catch mistakes or point fingers. She sees it differently.
“It’s more about process improvement and how things can work better moving forward,” she said. “We’re here to add value.”
That mindset shapes Cabanillas’ work as a senior compliance analyst in Quality Assurance and Financial Compliance, a role she began in February after more than 16 years of internal audit experience in hospitality, gaming, and higher education, including eight years with Nevada System of Higher Education.
Her work often happens behind the scenes, conducting financial reviews, assessing internal controls, analyzing data, and helping departments identify opportunities to strengthen processes and reduce risk while supporting financial compliance across campus.
No two days look the same, which is exactly what she likes about it. “I sit with people, ask questions, listen, and try to understand what their day-to-day looks like,” she said. “Then we figure out if there are gaps and how we can make things work better.”
For Cabanillas, building trust is just as important as reviewing numbers. She prefers face-to-face meetings whenever possible, saying they help put people at ease and create stronger relationships.
That people-centered approach has roots in her own story. Born in San Bernardino, California, Cabanillas moved to Las Vegas when she was nine and grew up in a household where education was seen as a path to opportunity.
“My mom would always tell me that education would open doors,” she said. “My parents instilled hard work, commitment, and perseverance in me.”
A first-generation college graduate, math was always her favorite subject. “I knew I liked numbers. It's what I was good at and gravitated towards,” she said. That interest eventually led her to accounting, though it wasn’t a clear roadmap at first.
It was an auditing elective at UNLV that helped her see a future in the profession. She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting from UNLV in 2010 and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in higher education.
Returning to UNLV as an employee has been a full-circle moment. “I enjoy my job more because I feel like I’m giving back to where I originally started,” she said.
| | Photo credit: Daisy Cabanillas | | |
Outside of work, much of her free time revolves around family, often cheering on her children at soccer, gymnastics, and dance activities. She also enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with family. And if music starts playing, don’t expect her to stay seated for long. A former salsa performance team member, Cabanillas says dancing is still one of her favorite ways to unwind.
“Music brings me energy, happiness, and connection,” she said. “I’m definitely not afraid to be the first one on the dance floor.” If you see Daisy around campus, chances are she’s bringing the same joy and energy she finds on the dance floor to the workday.
| | March Employee Appreciation Recipient: Brian Maley, Facilities Management | | |
Brian was nominated for his dedication, initiative, and passion for his work.
He embraced a newly created role leading a small project crew, taking on responsibilities ranging from landscape redesigns to pressure washing and pesticide application with enthusiasm and excellence.
His advocacy for plants and pollinators led to a partnership with Desert Love, the non-profit arm of Cactus Joe's nursery, to source native plants for campus. Thanks to his efforts, the organization is now growing native plants from seed specifically for UNLV.
Brian also recently earned his Certified Arborist certification while working full time and pursuing a degree in landscape architecture, demonstrating his commitment to professional growth.
Thank you, Brian, for your dedication to our campus!
| Photo credit: Garrett Hedges | |
Kristen Halstead and Casey Sierra from Facilities Management collaborated to improve the main entrance to the Student Services Complex. Together, they developed a scope of work that included painting the entryway with the steel trusses, the turret, and the building letters in accordance with the specifications provided by Planning and Construction.
To begin the work, Kristen led multiple job walks with contractors to secure the best price and quality. Once the project was underway, Kristen also communicated with the building occupants and put up signs directing visitors to other entrances to minimize disruptions, while Casey oversaw the work itself to make sure our standards were met. At the end of the project, Casey managed quality control and found a few missed spots, and Kristen brought the contractor back out to fix them. Overall, this project greatly improved the appearance of a building that serves the majority of our students. The team has plans to paint the rest of the building in the new fiscal year.
See before and after pictures below!
| | Photo credits: Garrett Hedges and Kristen Halstead | | Business Affairs Bites - Try Sakana Sushi | |
Welcome to Business Affairs Bites, a monthly feature where Business Affairs team members share their favorite dining spots near campus so others can enjoy them too. This month’s recommendation comes from Chantel McDonald, Director of Strategic Projects and Training Development in the Office of the Vice President.
Sakana Sushi • $$ Moderate/Mid-Range - $15 to $30 • Japanese/Sushi
3949 S Maryland Pkwy, Las Vegas, NV 89119
Loves: food, vibe, service, menu variety/dietary options, location
| Photo credit: Sakana Sushi |
Hey, Chantel! What makes Sakana Sushi special?
Sakana offers all-you-can-eat (AYCE) sushi, and the price includes the entire menu, which means there’s incredible variety and the freedom to try something new every visit. I usually start with miso soup and the Hawaiian roll, then branch out and explore whatever catches my interest. It is a great place to bring friends and colleagues for a nice off-campus lunch.
What's the #1 menu item that we HAVE to try?
It’s hard to go wrong with anything on the menu. That said, if I had to pick one must-try item, it would be the affogato for dessert (that’s coffee poured over ice cream). It’s simple, but the perfect way to round out a full meal.
Is there anything else we should know before we go?
Going during early lunch is ideal, as it’s easier to get great seating before the rush and enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere.
Info from the Comm Team
We tried it! We loved the atmosphere inside the restaurant, and we thought the food was awesome. If you go at lunch (between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.), you get AYCE sushi for a lower price. Also, the rolls are all available in full or half size, so you have more opportunities to sample different things!
Have a favorite place to get a bite nearby?
| Recognize a Colleague for Their Great Work | |
As summer begins, take a moment to recognize your colleagues by submitting nominations for the June Business Affairs Employee Appreciation Awards by June 25 at 5 p.m.
Anyone can submit a nomination. The award is $100 for each monthly recipient, and these recipients will be entered into a pool for the $1,000 Employee of the Year award.
To nominate an outstanding colleague, submit a nomination on the Business Affairs Employee Resources webpage.
| | Risk Management & Safety to Offer CPR and Defensive Driving Classes | Photo credit: microgen (edited) | |
Risk Management & Safety (RMS) will offer the following safety courses to UNLV employees:
-
June 3: Defensive Driving • 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. • CSB 223
-
June 9: AHA Heartsaver - CPR/AED • 8:30 a.m. to noon • CSB 223
-
June 17: Defensive Driving • 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in CSB 223
-
July 14: AHA Heartsaver - CPR/AED • 8:30 a.m. to noon • CSB 223
See detailed descriptions and sign up for these classes through CHIMERA. If you haven't used CHIMERA before, follow the prompts to create an account.
| Down Payment Assistance Informational Session | Photo credit: Signature Homes | |
Signature Homes and the Nevada Housing Division have launched a new affordable housing incentive program offering qualified homebuyers up to $55,000 toward the purchase of a new home at Signature Homes’ Paradise Trails community, located near Desert Inn Rd. and Eastern Ave.
The program includes:
- Up to $27,500 in down payment assistance through AB 540
- Up to $27,500 in builder incentives
- Potential for $0 down at closing
- Monthly payments starting as low as $2,066
Faculty, staff, and students interested in the program can attend Signature Homes' virtual informational session on Tuesday, June 9, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. to hear additional details and ask questions. Registration is required.
| |
- June 1 - 30 - Pride Month
- June 5 - Summer Session I ends
- June 8 - Summer Session II begins
| | | | |
