Volume 138 | October 3, 2025 | | |
Business Affairs Bulletin
October 3, 2025
| | The inside scoop on the people and projects that support UNLV | |
- Business Affairs All-Staff Meeting Recap
- Q&A with Sarath Kraus, Cybersecurity Liaison
- Find Balance at Work Through UNLV’s Ergonomics and Wellness Programs for Faculty and Staff
- Department Highlight: Risk Management, Insurance, & Claims
- Call for Veteran and First Gen College Graduate Employees in Business Affairs
- New Hires
- Promotions
- Anniversaries
- Dates to Remember
| | Business Affairs All-Staff Meeting Recap | | |
Hello colleagues,
It was great to see many of you at the Business Affairs all-staff meeting on Sept. 29!
The Student Union Ballroom was filled with energy and enthusiasm as we tried our luck at the BA swag booth, made new Business Affairs buddies, took a pause to meditate, learned life lessons (and some interesting facts!) from flamingos, welcomed new team members, and acknowledged recent retirees and employee appreciation award recipients.
My only regret is that with such a full schedule, I wasn’t able to share a few acknowledgements.
First, we unintentionally forgot to include one of our Business Affairs employee appreciation award recipients for the month of January, Nicholas Carelli from Cashiering and Student Accounts, in our employee appreciation slides. Congratulations, Nicholas, and thank you for all you do to support our students!
Next, I’d like to recognize a few of the projects and initiatives that our teams worked on to prepare to welcome our record-setting class this fall. They include, but are not limited to:
- Closing out fiscal year 2025
- Concluding Nevada’s 2025 legislative session
- Launching major construction projects, including the Early Childhood Education Center
- Executing strategic real estate transactions, including the purchase of the Methodist Church
- Enhancing security on our campuses by installing automatic door locks and new emergency phones, as well as assisting with the campus-wide Wi-Fi upgrade project
- Launching new parking apps to offer additional ways to get around campus
- Managing multiple internal audits, including student fees and athletics
- Developing budget tools and strategies to help coaches and staff more effectively plan and manage their spending needs for the year
If you don’t see your team on this list, please know we recognize your efforts. As President Heavey stated at the recent all hands meeting, every employee contributes to UNLV’s success, and that holds true for every member of Business Affairs.
We also have a very special birthday this year. Rebel Recycling turned 30, and it is 30 and thriving. I hope you had a chance to stop by the Rebel CAP table to chat with Tara Pike about the exciting new programs her team is implementing to make sustainability more accessible. We’ll be celebrating this milestone all year long, so watch for stories and information. Happy birthday, Rebel Recycling!
Last but certainly not least, I’d like to share a few special thank yous to:
- Our guest speakers
- Dr. Kim Nehls, Vice Dean for the UNLV School of Dental Medicine
- Sonja Rogers, Health and Wellness Program Manager
- Lead CARE Ambassadors:
- Chelsea Meggerson
- Michael Bailey
- Jan Lasagna
- Photographer, Philip Dow, Purchasing Analyst
- Sustainability Coordinator Tara Pike
- The planning committee:
- Chantel McDonald, Director of Strategic Projects and Training Development
- Nohealani Benicarlo, Executive Assistant
- Alexandra Nikolich, Chief of Staff
- Heather Ortiz, Director of Communication
- Liz Davis, Communication Specialist
- Jessie Devine, Communication Specialist
- All of you for attending and participating
Have a great rest of the semester!
| | Q&A with Sarath Kraus, Cybersecurity Liaison | | | | |
When it comes to protecting university systems, the responsibility belongs to everyone—not just the cybersecurity experts in OIT. That’s the philosophy behind the cybersecurity liaison program, which connects departments across campus with the cybersecurity team.
In honor of Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we spoke with Director of Systems Change Management Sarath Kraus, who serves as a volunteer liaison in addition to her regular role in Business Affairs, about how the program works and why shared responsibility matters.
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Q: What is the cybersecurity liaison program?
A: The program launched in 2023, and it’s led by OIT’s cybersecurity team. As liaisons, we act as a bridge between our department and the cybersecurity group, sharing updates, resources, and best practices with the faculty and staff in our areas. The idea is that cybersecurity isn’t just OIT’s job. Every UNLV employee has a role in safeguarding our systems and data.
Q: How do liaisons support cybersecurity efforts?
A: We’re often the first ones to test out new cybersecurity tools before they’re rolled out to campus. For example, in 2024 we helped pilot Okta Verify, which confirms your identity before logging into accounts like Gmail. Our feedback helped shape the training and communication before it went live campus-wide that fall.
Right now, we’re piloting a phishing simulation platform. It sends test emails to our inboxes that look like phishing attempts. If you report it, you get feedback right away. If you click the link, it lets you know it was fraudulent so you can learn from it. I think it’s a really effective reminder of our shared responsibility to stay vigilant.
Q: What motivated you to become a liaison?
A: I’ve always been interested in cybersecurity, so when I saw this volunteer opportunity, I wanted to get involved. It’s given me a better understanding of what the university values when it comes to protecting systems and data.
That importance really hit home for me after the 2023 cyberattacks on MGM and Caesars. Both companies had their systems shut down for weeks. Caesars ended up paying $15 million to the attackers to rid their systems of ransomware, while MGM worked with law enforcement to solve the problem. Could you imagine being the employee who clicked on the wrong link and caused all of that? That’s why I feel so strongly about shared responsibility.
Q: How many liaisons are there in Business Affairs?
A: We currently have six spread across Administrative Services, Facilities, the Controller’s Office, and the VP’s Office. But we’d love to have more. The more people we have sharing information and supporting their teams, the stronger we’ll be. Any full-time employee can sign up through the cybersecurity team’s website.
Q: For cybersecurity non-experts, where is the best place to start to protect university systems?
A: Stay alert to phishing attempts! They remain the most common and dangerous threat to cybersecurity, and they can target anyone.
What is phishing?
During a phishing attack, attackers pose as a trusted source through email, text, or a phone call. They do this to trick you into giving up personal information or clicking a malicious link that can install malware on your device (and then go on to infect entire systems). Attackers often use social engineering tactics to pressure you into acting quickly, using false threats or promises to manipulate emotions and stop you from thinking clearly and critically.
Red flags to watch for:
- Messages that create urgency or fear (“Your account will be suspended unless…”)
- Requests for personal information or passwords (OIT will never ask for your password)
- Links or attachments that you’re not expecting
The bottom line
If you’re not sure, don’t click. Take a step back and think it through, and reach out to the relevant people using a known communication channel. Remember, it’s always better to double-check than to put the entire system at risk.
Interested in becoming a cybersecurity liaison? Visit the OIT Cybersecurity Liaison page to learn more and submit a request to sign up.
| | Find Balance at Work Through UNLV's Ergonomics and Wellness Programs for Faculty and Staff | | Risk Management’s ergonomics program and RebelWELL wellness sessions provide faculty and staff with tools to create safer, healthier workdays. Through personalized workstation assessments and regular opportunities for movement, the programs provide practical ways to reduce strain during the day and support overall wellbeing on campus. Read the full article on the News Center. | | Department Highlight: Risk Management, Insurance, & Claims | | |
When accidents, unexpected damage, or liability issues arise on campus, UNLV’s Risk Management Insurance Claims (RMIC) team will piece everything back together. UNLV Risk Manager Michael Tabije, Administrator Michele Washington, and Coordinator Jelena Gunjevic, form the small but mighty unit that safeguards university resources while guiding departments through the claims process.
The team manages property, auto, and liability claims across the university. From water damage to vehicle accidents, they coordinate repairs, recover losses, and make sure UNLV is financially protected.
“Risk management is more than reacting to a loss, it’s also about prevention and education,” Michael said. “We collaborate with other RMS units to tap their expertise and consult with departments to analyze potential hazards and recommend improvements that reduce risk. That way, UNLV is better protected moving forward.”
One example of that prevention is the team’s expanding ergonomics program. Jelena leads the effort, supported by Michele, who are certified ergonomic assessment specialists. By offering office and equipment assessments, they help employees avoid strain-related injuries. Demand for these assessments has surged, thanks mainly to word-of-mouth referrals between departments.
“Ergonomics has grown because once one person has a positive experience, their whole team wants an assessment,” Jelena said. “It’s a reward to help people feel more comfortable at work while reducing future injury risks for the university.”
Michele oversees event insurance, making sure vendors and external groups hosting activities on campus carry the proper coverage. She plans to present on the topic at professional conferences and continues to raise awareness across campus. “Our goal is to ensure the university is protected while supporting the events that make UNLV vibrant,” she said.
The team also investigates unusual or large-scale claims. One memorable case occurred when a basketball hit a fire sprinkler at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, causing flooding that closed the courts. In addition to the property damage, the incident led to lost rental revenue and prompted process improvements to help prevent similar issues in the future.
Departments often find themselves surprised that UNLV files insurance claims at all and that the RMIC team works closely with the Nevada Attorney General’s office, the NSHE system office, and UNLV General Counsel on third-party liability cases.
The team emphasizes they’re available to consult on potential issues early, before they become major problems or a major claim. “If you think there might be a concern, that’s the time to call us,” Michael said. “We’re not here to say no. Our office would like to know, so we can address potential issues and ensure all stakeholders are safe.”
From floods to fender benders, RMIC plays a vital role in protecting UNLV’s financial stability and helping departments recover quickly. Or, as the team likes to put it, they’re the puzzle piece that helps make the university whole again after a loss.
If you see them around campus, don’t hesitate to say hello, they’ll tell you there’s never a dull moment in risk management.
| | Call for Veteran and First Gen College Graduate Employees in Business Affairs | |
Veterans
We value the sacrifices our veteran employees have made for our country through their military service. In honor of Veterans Day, Business Affairs is proud to recognize and celebrate employees who are veterans.
If you are a veteran, please complete the Veterans Qualtrics form by Oct. 17.
First Generation College Graduates
UNLV celebrates first-generation college students and faculty during First-Generation Celebration Week, November 3 - 7. Someone is considered first-generation if neither of their parents completed a four (4) year college or university degree. Business Affairs is proud to recognize and celebrate our employees who are first-generation college graduates.
If you are a first-generation graduate, please complete the First Generation Qualtrics form by Oct. 17.
If you are both a veteran and a first gen graduate, please fill out both forms.
Have questions? Please email Jessie Devine.
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- Derek Castrellon, Parking & Transportation Services
- Tyler Murray, Risk Management & Safety
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- Annakaren Sanchez, Facilities Management
- Jacob Loughry, Risk Management & Safety
- Jeffrey Berkbigler, Delivery Services
- Tyler Jensen, Facilities Management
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- Rhoda Washington, 1 year
- Zachary Ruiz, 1 year
- Cesar Perez, 1 year
- Gavin Morley, 1 year
- Martha Foleni, 1 year
- Sophia Isabel Patenia, 1 year
- Mia Verduzco, 1 year
- Russell Griffin, 1 year
- Deanna Calderon, 1 year
- Andrea Reyes, 1 year
- Evan Volk, 1 year
- Ryan Tilleth, 2 years
- Michael Silverfoote, 2 years
- Andrea Villafana, 2 years
- Micaela Carrillo, 2 years
- Bryan Curtis, 2 years
- Cristina Barron, 3 years
- Adam Howard, 3 years
- Sergio Gamez, 3 years
- Denise Kagebein, 4 years
- Christine Luu, 4 years
- Ian Watters, 6 years
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- Ronald Ligon, 7 years
- Richard Carter, 7 years
- Duane Kyles, 7 years
- Marvin Rodriguez, 7 years
- Damon Ford, 8 years
- Robert Bordeaux, 8 years
- Louis Gonzales, 8 years
- Chelsea Meggerson, 9 years
- Fabian Mendez, 10 years
- Larry Sierra, 10 years
- Steffanie Helms, 10 years
- Jeremy Bart-Plange, 10 years
- Angel Chacon, 11 years
- Jonathan Myers, 15 years
- James Kearney, 16 years
- Armando Campos, 16 years
- Gilda Holliday, 19 years
- Elora Paik, 19 years
- Kenneth Hughes, 22 years
- Antonia Contreras, 22 years
- Justin Brown, 25 years
- Tara Pike, 31 years
| | - Oct. 13 - Indigenous Peoples' Day
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