UNLV College of Education Alumni

🎉 We’re celebrating the latest UNLV College of Education Rebels to earn a doctoral degree!

Congratulations are in store for Dr. Haeeun Lee who has earned their Ph.D. in School Psychology this past summer. 🎓

Haeeun’s favorite UNLV memory? Her dissertation defense, of course! “I was incredibly fortunate to have a supportive committee that guided me through every stage of the process with kindness, encouragement, and thoughtful feedback. They not only helped me complete my dissertation, but also inspired me to continue pursuing the area I am most passionate about. The entire dissertation journey taught me so much, and my defense was the moment when all of that hard work came together. It was one of the most fulfilling and memorable days of my time at UNLV.” ❤️🩶

How did Haeeun get into the field? She shared, “My interest in psychology began when friends often told me that I was a good listener. Over time, I realized that I wanted to do more than simply listen—I wanted to develop the skills to meaningfully support others. That curiosity led me to therapy and eventually to the broader field of psychology. 👂🏽

“I was especially drawn to school psychology because of its unique and multifaceted role. School psychologists have the opportunity to work with children and adolescents while also collaborating with families, teachers, and other professionals. That combination of direct support, advocacy, and collaboration reflects the heart of what motivates me and continues to strengthen my passion for the field.” 💗

Haeeun also shared two unique pastimes: “Two of my favorite pastimes are building miniature book nooks and going to U-pick farms. I enjoy visiting local farms with my family to pick different kinds of berries, which we often share with friends and relatives. 🍓🫐 When I need some quiet time to recharge, I like working on book nooks. I love the creativity and attention to detail they require, and as a bonus, they make charming night-lights.” 📔

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❗Deadline: This Friday!

📢 Are you a UNLV College of Education Alumni and interested in giving back to your alma mater? Or, are you a recent graduate interested in being matched with a mentor?

📝 Priority deadline for the next Alumni Mentorship Program cohort is this Friday, August 21.

ℹ️unlv.edu/education/alumni

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🎉 We’re celebrating the latest UNLV College of Education Rebels to earn a doctoral degree!

Let’s congratulate Dr. Travis Wilstead who recently earned his Ph.D. in Teacher Education! This is his second degree from UNLV, having previously earned a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership in 2006. 🎓🎓 He’s pictured with his wife Jessica.

Travis shared that his favorite UNLV moment was passing his dissertation defense. “After years of work, it was meaningful to share the study, answer questions from my committee, and realize I had reached that milestone.” ❤️🩶

His “why?” “I became an educator because I believe schools can change the direction of a child’s life. What keeps me motivated is the opportunity to support teachers, build strong school communities, and help students feel known, challenged, and encouraged.” 🍎🍏

When not working, you’ll most likely find Travis spending time with his family. He said, “I recently became a grandpa, which has been one of the best new roles in my life.” 🚼

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We’re celebrating wherever they are!

Who will be this semester’s Wonderful Washoe Rebel?! Nominations are open for any alum that works or lives in the Washoe County area! Let’s honor our awesome alumni who do so much for the community! Self-nominations are accepted.

Nominations are due Sept 30. Visit https://forms.gle/fGqfXV7QvEy7N9B37 for more details.



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✨Alumni in Action Spotlight✨
This month we’re highlighting Dr. Ted Weisman! Ted earned his Ph.D. in Teacher Education from UNLV College of Education in 2022. He serves as the Digital Teaching Manager for UNLV Online and has also taught for the College of Education. 🎓

Despite working for UNLV Online, you may find Ted all around campus. He says, “One of my favorite things to do is walk outside on main campus in the evenings. I live close to campus so I drive up here at least 3 times a week and walk when the sun sets. 😎 I also love walking at the Student Wellness Recreation Center. There is a track on the 4th floor and it has one of the best views of the strip! 🌆 I also enjoy the new outdoor space at the Student Union connected to Scarlet and Sage.”

Ted never wears the same pair of shoes two days in a row? 👞 Or that he won “prettiest eyes” in high school? 👀

features that work at UNLV. Drop us a note if you know someone we should highlight. ❤️🩶

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alumni, check your inboxes! 📩 The latest alumni e-newsletter dropped earlier this week! Lots of awesome alumni spotlights and upcoming events. ❤️🩶

See here for a digital copy: https://mailchi.mp/71a86b5407f5/eduaction-april-19885101

Didn’t receive “EduAction,” the UNLV College of Education Alumni newsletter? Sign up at unlv.edu/education/alumni for the next edition.

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📢 Are you a UNLV College of Education Alumni and interested in giving back to your alma mater?

Attend an info session and apply by the next cohort deadline.

===Next info session via Zoom===
📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026 @ 4-5 PM
Drop into an info session to learn more about the program.

📝 Priority deadline for the next cohort is Friday, August 21.

ℹ️ unlv.edu/education/alumni

👋🏽 New this year: alumni within five years of graduation seeking additional support can sign up as a mentee!

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To earn multiple college degrees shows perseverance and determination. To earn them at one university is remarkable. And yet, to earn them from the same college within that university is even more unique! 🦄

In this month’s ✨ Three Degrees from COE ✨ spotlight, we’re spotlighting 3x UNLV College of Education alum, Victor H. Sanchez! His degrees:
🎓 2003 B.S.Ed. Special Education
🎓 2006 M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction
🎓 2012 M.Ed. Educational Leadership

And, he’s not done learning! Victor is currently pursuing his doctorate with UNLV College of Education in Educational Technology. “Graduate education opens doors that you may not even know exist. It’s not just about earning another diploma—it’s about pushing yourself, learning new ways to solve problems, and preparing to make a bigger impact.” 📈

Victor is a long-time educator, teaching for Clark County School District, CSN, and UNLV. His courses include Spanish, English as a Second Language and other education-related areas. “Seeing my former high school students walk into my college classes years later is a powerful reminder of why I do this work. It sticks out because it shows the long-term impact of education—when you inspire students early on, you may cross paths again and see how far they’ve gone.” 🍎

Victor reflects, “My “Why” is rooted in my own journey. I came to this country as an ESL learner, not knowing a word of English, and through education I built a life and career I’m proud of. What motivates me every day is showing my students—many of whom face challenges like I once did—that the American dream is still alive. Education works. Opportunities are out there, and with hard work and persistence, they can achieve more than they ever imagined.” 🌟

Know another triple COE alum? We want to highlight them! DM us for more details.

Interested in leveling up? Visit unlv.edu/education to learn about all of our undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates.

UNLV Alumni

📢 Alumni! Bringing you open jobs every first Monday of the month. Check them out in case you’re looking for your next chapter in your career journey.

💼 Additional resources: UNLV Career Services

Disclaimer: This post is for communication purposes only. We make no representations or guarantees regarding the opportunities listed and are not responsible for safety, wages, working conditions, or other aspects of the employment. It is the responsibility of the individual to thoroughly research the organization and take the necessary precautions when applying, interviewing, and accepting any position.

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"When I told her I was Hopi, she immediately knew about my tribe, and she had worked with Hopi schools," Elena recalled. "I was shocked that she knew where my family was from." That interaction reassured Elena that was a place she belonged.

Read more about Elena Nourrie's ('17 M.Ed. Higher Education) journey into advocacy and co-founding So’oh-Shinálí Sister Project

unlv.edu/announcement/college-education/how-elena-nourrie-supporting-las-indigenous-communities

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How Elena Nourrie is Supporting LA’s Indigenous Communities What did you do during the pandemic? Many of us switched to remote learning and work, and others found new hobbies and made TikTok videos. We tried to stay engaged and connected with others, but also experienced isolation and loneliness. Amidst the uncertainty, Elena Nourrie, ‘17 M.Ed. Higher Educ...