Volume 92 | November 3, 2023

Business Affairs 2023 team photo

Business Affairs Bulletin

November 3, 2023

The inside scoop on the people and projects that support UNLV

In this issue:



  • First-Generation Celebration Week
  • Honoring Business Affairs Military Veterans
  • Native American Heritage Month
  • October Classified Employee of the Month
  • August Employee Appreciation Recipients
  • Spotlight on Service
  • Employee Assistance Program Resources
  • Business Affairs Halloween Fun
  • Upgrading Your Digital Literacy
  • Dates to Remember

First-Generation Celebration Week

College graduates in their cap and gown showing their diploma for National First-Generation Celebration Week

November 6-10 is National First-Generation Celebration Week where universities around the country acknowledge graduates who are the first in their families to earn a college degree. First-generation individuals have traditionally made up 50% of the enrolled student population at universities nationwide. 


Business Affairs is proud to continue the tradition of celebrating our employees who are first-generation college graduates

Honoring Business Affairs Military Veterans

United States flag background with Thank You Veterans text

Business Affairs honors the men and women who have served in a branch of the United States military. In recognition of Veterans Day on November 11, it is our pleasure to feature some of the brave individuals within our division who are now making a difference at UNLV. We salute you and thank you for your service to our country.

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month text with orange background

November is Native American Heritage Month (NAHM). In 1990, President George H.W. Bush approved a joint resolution to observe the legacy and achievements of America’s First Nations. We honor the many contributions the Indigenous have made to our present culture. “UNLV sits on the unceded land of the Southern Paiutes, descendants of the Tudinu, or Desert People,” according to University Libraries. To learn more about local Native American history and NAHM, visit the University Libraries website.

October Classified Employee of the Month

Congratulations to Lina Sundstrom from Risk Management & Safety (RMS) who received the October Classified Employee of the Month award. The award honors an outstanding classified staff employee who has gone above and beyond normal duties. Thank you, Lina, for everything that you do! 

August Employee Appreciation Recipients

Derrick Monroe August 2023 Employee Appreciation Recipient

Derrick Monroe,

Facilities Management, Custodial


Derrick was nominated for his willingness to step in and do what’s required to get the job done. This includes supporting his colleagues in custodial as well as other facilities areas. He especially demonstrated his commitment to keeping our campus clean during orientation week. This was a hectic time and the university’s only chance to make a first impression on our new students and their families. Derrick was on the ground assisting his team with their duties. His result-oriented approach to leadership exemplifies the culture of CARE we strive for in Business Affairs. Thank you, Derrick, for all you do!

Naseem Benjelloun August 2023 Employee Appreciation Recipient

Naseem Benjelloun, Administration Technology Services


Naseem was nominated for providing exemplary customer support to administration areas throughout their transition from FootPrints to TeamDynamix (TDX). Over the course of this project, he worked with each ticket owner and their team to determine the most efficient way to transition their services. Naseem fielded questions, presented options, provided training, and supported product testing to ensure the process went smoothly. His ability to resolve issues and provide critical information allowed your colleagues to continue business processes seamlessly.

Thank you, Naseem, for all you do!

Spotlight on Service

Photo of UNLV Campus Values for the Spotlight on Service section of the Business Affairs Bulletin

Congratulations to the Parking & Transportation Services (PTS) team! They won three of five awards at the annual Southwest Parking & Transportation Association (SWPTA) conference: 


  • Best Overall Parking Program: UNLV Parking & Transportation Services
  • Emerging Leader of the Year: James Fisher
  • Parking Leader of the Year: Tad McDowell


Thank you, PTS, for all that you do to make parking convenient for faculty, staff, students, and visitors!

Employee Assistance Program Resources

Diabetes Awareness Month


Diabetes Awareness Month is observed in November. UNLV’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) partner ComPsych offers diabetes awareness resources with information on the different types of diabetes, symptoms and causes, managing blood glucose levels, and developing healthy eating and physical activity habits. 


For additional resources, visit ComPsych’s website and register using the organization Web ID: UNLVEAP. EAP resources are available to all UNLV employees and eligible dependents.


Managing Holiday Stress Webinar 


Learn techniques for maintaining balance and keeping stress from overwhelming you this holiday season in a free webinar from ComPsych on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 9 a.m. Register via GoToWebinar.

Business Affairs Halloween Fun

Business Affairs had a boo-tiful Halloween with plenty of bites (to eat) and spooktacular costumes. Thank you to everyone who participated. We hope you had a creepy good time!

Upgrading Your Digital Literacy

Google Workspace has added a modernized emoji selector in the web version of Gmail. Users can now access a complete emoji selection and set emoji skin tone and gender preferences. This update enables users to express themselves more authentically using personalized emoji variations. 


To learn more about inclusive emoji selections, visit the Google Workspace Blog.

Dates to Remember

  • Nov. 6-10: First-Generation Celebration Week 
  • Nov. 7: Election Day 
  • Nov. 10: Veterans Day observed (enjoy your day off!) 
  • Nov. 11: Veterans Day