UNLV EMBA Alumni Newsletter: Summer 2020

THE BRIEF

News from the UNLV
Executive MBA Program

Summer 2020

In This Issue

Student Spotlight

A Family Affair: An Interview with Cohort 18's Susanne and David Shultis

Though Executive MBA cohort members come from diverse personal and professional backgrounds, they are known to form friendships and business relationships that last well beyond their time at UNLV.

Susanne and David Shultis did not arrive to Cohort 18 as strangers, but their shared experience is proving that couples that study together, succeed together.

"Having him in the program with me makes it so much easier," Susanne says of her husband. "Going through the ups, downs, and stresses together is a huge help, because sometimes it's hard for a spouse to understand why you're so committed to school."

A Chance to Realize a Dream

Susanne and David both come from business backgrounds, the former starting in gaming and restaurant management before joining a private investment firm; and the latter having spent 20 years working in Information Technology. Together, they own an IT consulting firm that services businesses throughout the Las Vegas valley, and Susanne has a separate photography business.

With IT becoming a more competitive field, not to mention one of the fastest growing occupations in the United States, David sought out the EMBA program as a means of solidifying his business and management credentials.

"I always ran into a wall, I always felt like people didn't take the knowledge base as seriously as I thought," he explains. "I wanted to be more management oriented as I interfaced with CEO's, so I thought I would finally succumb to my 10 year desire to get an MBA."

"I really have to give the credit to David, who felt the drive to do it," Susanne adds. "More knowledge is power and it makes things easier when you know all the ins and outs of a business."

Read More

Cohort 18 is comprised of a diverse group of students from various academic, cultural, and geographic backgrounds. You can learn more about their past achievements and their future goals at the EMBA website.

Alumni Update

The Classroom Is His Comfort Zone:

Catching Up With Cohort 5's Dr. Allen Marino

When Dr. Allen Marino entered the Executive MBA program in the summer of 2006, he was already a full-time practicing physician with degrees in cybernetics and computer science to bolster his doctoral credentials from the University of Pennsylvania.

Many professionals would have stopped there, having acquired enough education to support many career lifetimes. For Dr. Marino, however, the classroom is his comfort zone.

"I wanted to learn lessons from other people outside of my world," says the Cohort 5 graduate. "Several of my colleagues tried to go into healthcare-specific MBA programs, but I believe you need to take advantage of every opportunity to experience something outside of your area of expertise."

A Stepping Stone to Greater Opportunity

The business knowledge he would gain from the Executive MBA, Dr. Marino explains, would allow him to transition from clinical to administrative work - a stepping stone that would lead to executive and leadership roles with some of Las Vegas' most recognized hospitals.

Read More

Faculty Feature

Steady Leadership for Every Type of Learning: An Interview with Visiting Instructor Peggy McNulty, Ph.D. and Adjunct Professor, the Honorable Judge Frank Sullivan

If you're going to make a midyear pivot from in-person to online learning, you want instructors like Dr. Peggy McNulty and Clark County District Court Judge Frank Sullivan in your corner. Not only do these veteran educators have experience in the online classroom, they are able to articulate the connection between current events and the future of business. Their unique perspective and steady leadership allow Cohort 18 to succeed, even in today's unconventional circumstances.

EMBA Notes

Cohort 18 International Seminar Postponed

As a result of current travel restrictions due to COVID-19, the Cohort 18 International Seminar has been postponed until Spring 2021. The students have been given the option to hold off on graduation until after the May International Seminar, or they can elect to write a professional paper to graduate this December as originally scheduled.

All Cohort 18 students, including those who elected to graduate this December, and all EMBA alumni will be invited to participate in the International Seminar. More information will be available at the beginning of the new year.

Cohort 7 Alumna Among Vegas INC 2020 Women Inspiring Nevada Honorees

Not only is Nikkole Liesse a Cohort 7 alumna, she is also the EMBA Executive Director. In her role she helps business leaders achieve their education and personal goal of obtaining their EMBA degree. She utilizes her business and marketing skills to help executives grow professionally and is a leader of leaders. For these reasons and more, Nikkole was recently selected as a Vegas INC 2020 Women Inspriring Nevada honoree. We are proud to have Nikkole at the helm of the UNLV EMBA program. Congratulations Nikkole!

Cohort 17 Alum Pivots to the Role of Business Owner

Cohort 17 alum, James Taylor recently made a pivot to the role of business owner. This past March he transitioned from the position of supervisor at Jensen Hughes to Principal at ACS Group. ACS Group is a fire protection and code consulting engineering firm headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Of his time in the EMBA program Taylor says, "The program is paying huge dividends for the new company already."

Cohort 15 Alumna Wins Title of Mrs. Nevada American 2020

Dianna Klein of Cohort 15 is a self proclaimed Wife, Mother, USAF Veteran, Airline Pilot, and Forever Tomboy. She can now add beauty pageant winner to her resume. She recently won the title of Mrs. Nevada American 2020. One of the benefits of her title is the opportunity to shine light upon areas of our community that need a voice and hand up. She is also looking forward to highlighting as many small businesses across Nevada that she can during her year-long tenure.

Earlier this year Dianna was also selected as a Vegas INC 40 Under 40 honoree. Congratulations on all of your accomplishments, Dianna!

On The Move

Jaymes Bell	Cohort 18	Associate General Manager	Fashion Show
Courtney Lee	Cohort 18	General Counsel	Nevada State Board of Pharmacy
Allen Marino	Cohort 5	Manager, Medical Director	Ingenio Rx at Anthem, Inc
Paul Pippin	Cohort 6	Operation Manager	Amazon
Carli Sansone	Cohort 18	Attorney	Sansone Law
Greta Seidman	Cohort 18	Director of Public Affairs	XpressWest Trains
Bret Wilstead	Cohort 14	Sr. Director of National Accounts	FleetPride