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Hixson-Lied Success Scholars Newsletter
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Please enjoy our newsletter containing featured articles by the scholars with information for campus volunteer events, health services available to students and tips on preparing for graduate exams.
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By De’Liza Dulatre-Galimidi, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
It’s 7:00 AM; students begin to line up at sign-in tables on a chilly, early Friday morning in the Pida Plaza. Equipped with bagels and warm coffee in hand, they wait patiently to check in for their non-profit site. Once a semester, over two hundred students are given the opportunity to spend a Friday volunteering in the Las Vegas community. UNLVolunteers in the Office of Student Engagement and Diversity works hard to provide the campus community with the opportunity to give back, but with a twist. They add a social justice reflection component to the event.
UNLVolunteers, along with the Center for Social Justice, promotes that service and social justice go hand in hand, and both are equally important for addressing short-term and long-term solutions to the issues our community faces. The organization believes that facilitating discussions and opening dialogue about these complex issues allows students to feel more connected to their community and ultimately, creates a way for students to participate in meaningful service.
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Students are given the opportunity to serve at any of the partnering sites. Opportunity Village, The Public Education Foundation, and The Shade Tree are just some of the non-profits that students, faculty and staff will serve at the bi-annual event. This year, over 144 participants volunteered at 12 non-profits. Some students worked in the community gardens in elementary schools; others were at The Shade Tree in the pet food pantry. For many, this has been their fourth time participating in the event.
“It’s not just about bettering yourself but bettering the community around you,” says Sidney Betancourt, intern for UNLVolunteers.
If students were unable to participate for this semester’s Service Day, they will have another opportunity in the Fall. In the meantime, they can engage in the one of the many volunteer programs held throughout the semester. One event in particular is DASH. It is held during the last two Fridays of every month in the Student Union. DASH (Delivery and Serving Hope) has students make and deliver peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for folks experiencing homelessness at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission. Other programming events that students can engage in can be found in the UNLVolunteers weekly newsletter and their social media accounts.
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University of Nevada, Las Vegas Research
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By Sophia Quinton, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
UNLV is abundant in research opportunities for undergraduate students looking to join in any type of research. Departments all across campus have faculty conducting research that are looking for students to work with them. The university offers these programs to promote the importance of research. Most STEM departments have faculty conducting research. Several liberal arts departments offer research including psychology, sociology, and anthropology. Undergraduate research offers lifetime skills to any student looking to join the workforce. It gives students great work experience and helps them build their CV or resume. It also creates an opportunity to work closely with faculty members to discover what is the latest news in the research field.
The research needs to be of interest to the student looking into a particular faculty member’s research. The student should investigate in the department they plan on studying. From there, research needs to be done on the faculty members in the department about their fields of research. This will give the student an idea about what they might be working on. Information about the faculty member can be of use in the interview as well. If a student is taking a class, another option is to look into what their current professor is working on. This allows the student to break common ground with a professor where you performed well in the class. Another option is to attend the events that are centered on research to see what the campus offers. It is important to stay up to date with events.
After a faculty member’s research has become of interest, it is best to contact them by going to their office hours or emailing them. Bring a course schedule, CV/resume, and be prepared to explain why this research opportunity is a match. It is best to act like this is a job interview, so dress accordingly. Be enthusiastic about joining the program and be prepared to work hours. In the end, working in a research program is a fulfilling and rewarding opportunity. It can bring publications and trips where the research is presented.
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UNLV holds The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). The program takes place over the summer and “cultivates and supports research partnerships and invites undergraduates to work as the junior colleagues of faculty in each phase of standard research activity” (UROP Website, 2017). This hands-on experience allows people to choose from various departments.
The grant that is being offered are the National Institute of Health Idea Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (NIH INBRE UROP) is for those that want to do research bioinformatics, genomics, proteomics, and molecular modeling. Another is the National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (NSF EPSCOR UROP), which is for undergraduates in any field doing research. These students go on to do nationally competitive proposals with NSF. Others include NSF REU Mechanisms of Evolution Site Grant for research on evolution. NSF REU supplement students is for research in any field. Radiochemistry offers another program. Information about applying can be found at
https://www.unlv.edu/sciences/urop
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Other institutes offer various summer research internships as well, and they constitute many different programs. One just has to know what they want to research and be able to search for opportunities. Most of these can offer housing and sometimes, travel reimbursements too.
When I was a freshman, I found my research attending the CSUN Undergraduate Research Fair October 2015. This fair is offered every year in the fall where fellow undergraduates present their research in hopes of recruiting people to the lab. Those attending are from the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, psychology, anthropology, and sociology departments. I found the Han Lab at this fair. That was when I got the contact information for Dr. Han and emailed her that evening. I had a formal interview and was accepted into the lab. I have been working there since.
Therefore, don’t be afraid to go after what you want.
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By Mario Verduzco, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
Attending college to earn a degree is a long process that requires strong determination and dedication to the responsibilities that a degree requires. Finding the right resources as well as utilizing them is the first step to overcoming any academic struggles. Seeking help should not be perceived negatively but should be encouraged by peers and staff because every student’s academic experience matters.
Every once in a while we come across a situation or an obstacle that keeps us from moving forward, and when this happens, often times we are too scared to seek help or guidance in overcoming this obstacle. This is especially true amongst college students. Sometimes we come across a very difficult class that we need help with, but we do not seek that help. This happens for many reasons. Sometimes we may not want to go get help because we are afraid to ask for it, or maybe it is because we do not know where to find help. Fortunately, the UNLV Academic Success Center (ASC) provides free tutoring to anyone who needs it.
The ASC has its main tutoring lab inside the Lied library on the second floor. Subjects that offer tutoring include math, biology, chemistry, physics, Spanish, and business.
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Also, the ASC has set up an engineering tutoring lab inside the White Hall Annex (WHA-2), and they offer tutoring in math, physics, computer science, and engineering. All courses with available tutoring can be found on the ASC website under the tutoring section, so any student that needs that little extra help can attend tutoring. Students just need to show their Rebel ID cards at the front desk.
To get a little insight on the tutoring center, I interviewed Byron Gorsuch, a student-athlete tutor for the ASC. I asked him about his favorite part of being a tutor, and he said, “Tutoring helps me keep information from the classes I took a while ago and it gives me the opportunity to help people when they are struggling.” My follow-up question asked if he had any advice for anyone looking for tutoring. He said, “My only advice would be, if you need tutoring, make the effort to go! It is free and it really helps.”
From my own experience, going to get tutoring has really helped me when I was stuck, especially in classes like math and engineering where you could be stuck on a problem for hours missing one little thing. A tutor can give you that one hint you need to solve the problem. Tutoring is a very helpful resource and every student who needs help for even the slightest problem should not hesitate to go to the tutoring lab either in the Lied library or WHA-2.
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Advice to Students Considering Withdrawing
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By Jeanne Soriano, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
College life can be so exciting yet overwhelming at the same time. Sometimes the overwhelming feeling makes it difficult to focus on your responsibilities as a student and can cause thoughts of dropping out or withdrawing from the university. No student should ever feel alone and helpless because UNLV provides a variety of resources and assistance that students can turn to for guidance.
Students who are thinking about withdrawing from the university should first consult with an advisor or academic coach. This is an important step because academic advisors and coaches are there to help guide students to achieve academic success. Academic advisors and coaches can also provide the student with the right guidance and appropriate resources to help them get back on the right track to graduating.
Seeing advisors and coaches before completely withdrawing can potentially change the student’s decision. Any student thinking about withdrawing should seek assistance with an advisor or coach at the Academic Success Center. Students should start by making an appointment first at (702) 895-3177.
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Another important resource a student should consider before fully withdrawing is to meet with a licensed counselor at the Student Health Center on campus. Meeting with a counselor can help the student understand any emotional conflicts or academic struggles they are experiencing. They can assist with a variety of management and coping methods for the student. Counselors are a great resource to turn to for all students.
The Student Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) not only provides appointments with a counselor but also has support group programs students can participate in. CAPS is a program dedicated to any student with any type of situation. Meeting with a counselor is free of charge and students can easily make an appointment with them at (702) 895-3627.
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By Yana Ryjova, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
The transition to college should be an exciting and stimulating time for students. However, this transition is often marked by new stress, new challenges, and potential new emotional struggles. To combat these issues, along with more serious issues such as anxiety or depression, UNLV has a resource for its students. CAPS, the Counseling and Psychological Services at UNLV, is a place where students can go whenever they need a little bit of emotional support and help managing their feelings.
Many college students face very similar problems, such as feelings of loneliness, intense stress, and periodic bouts of anxiety or depression. The clinicians at CAPS are specially trained to help students deal with many of the issues commonly experienced by college students. CAPS is a safe, welcoming, and confidential place where students can get the support they need to stay emotionally healthy and address their challenges. So let’s take a look at more details about CAPS.
How does CAPS work?
Using the Counseling and Psychological Services at UNLV is free for students who have paid their health fee. The health fee is rolled into students’ tuition as long as they are enrolled in 4 or more credits. To use the services, a student should either make an appointment, or visit CAPS during their walk in hours. To schedule an initial intake appointment, just call CAPS at 702-895-3627. At this appointment, a counselor will listen and help decide on the best course of action to address the student’s needs.
Hours of operation: Monday–Thursday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m, Friday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
What types of counseling services are available?
CAPS offers individual counseling, couples counseling, and group counseling sessions. Individual sessions can be one-time, weekly, or bi-weekly, depending on the student’s needs. To participate in couples counseling, only one person needs to be enrolled as a UNLV student.
What type of group counseling is available?
Group counseling is available to help address specific problems or issues. Some groups available this semester include a building social confidence group to help
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students improve the quality of social interactions and reduce social anxiety, and a graduate and professional student support group. To view a full list of support groups offered this semester please visit:
https://www.unlv.edu/sites/default/files/page_files/27/counseling-groups-Spring2017.pdf
Who can benefit from the services that CAPS provides?
All students can benefit from the services provided by CAPS! Everyone is affected by emotional problems from time to time, and CAPS can help students deal with them. Whether a student is dealing with a problem such as feelings of homesickness or being overwhelmed with university life, or problems such as depression or drug and alcohol abuse, CAPS can be of service. CAPS does not discriminate against students or the problems that they are dealing with, so if a student is dealing with any level of emotional issues, CAPS is an important and helpful resource. If a student is considering counseling, I would suggest that they at least go for an initial visit to see if this type of support can be useful for them.
Does CAPS offer anything other than counseling?
YES! While the main goal of this resource is to provide counseling and psychological services to students, they also provide information and resources for self-help. On the website for CAPS, one can find a post-election self-care guide, designed to provide self-care options for students who are facing difficult times. Additionally, CAPS has provided a list of both UNLV and community resources that can help students deal with a range of mental health issues. This comprehensive list is meant to give students more options to deal with emotional and psychological problems.
Overall, the Counseling and Psychological Services at UNLV is an important resource that can assist students with their mental health needs. Whether a student is looking for individual counseling or a support group, CAPS is an outlet for all students to turn to when they are facing difficulties or emotional problems. No matter what one is dealing with, CAPS can help students manage their emotions so that they can have a healthy and successful college experience.
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By Robert Vargas, Hixson-Lied Success Scholar
When preparing for graduate school, one will find that many require some form of a standardized exam. Whether it be the MCAT for medical school, LSAT for law school, GRE for graduate school, or other additional exams, it is important to review prior to exam day. Before registering for an exam, it is important to make sure to research all graduate program you are interested in.
Some programs may accept various types of standardized exams, so proper research will allow you to decide which exam is best for your test taking style.
Once you have decided which graduate program to pursue, it is important to register for a test date early. Subscribe to email lists and reminders to see when registration opens to select a date that will allow for adequate preparation. Every exam has a different website for registration and fees vary from around $160 up to $310 for an exam, depending on the exam type.
Once a date is selected, it is highly recommended to set up a structured study schedule. A majority of these examinations will require anywhere from two to six months of persistent studying, so it is important to ensure you will have the time to prepare. Taking a light course load, cutting work hours, or reducing time spent on extracurricular activities are some possible ideas when trying to clear time for exam preparations.
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As for resources, a quick Google search might overwhelm you with the multitude of programs, classes, and options available. For some, paid courses through programs like Kaplan Test Prep may be helpful in ensuring a strict schedule is followed. If finances are an issue, there are plenty of affordable options out there. Testing websites often offer fee assistance programs that can help cover testing materials and registration. Some websites, such as 4tests.com, kaptest.com or mhpracticeplus.com offer free question banks or review materials that can assist you in the process.
The Academic Success Center’s online tutoring, Brainfuse, also provides resources for select standardized exams. In addition, the UNLV library is an excellent resource that can allow you to checkout test preparation materials with your RebelCard. Tutoring on the 2nd floor of the Lied Library can also be beneficial when you are stuck on a concept that a tutor could help clarify.
Other websites such as Khan Academy offer lots of free videos that can help explain concepts or ideas you may want to review. With a proper study schedule and using the proper resources, you should hopefully enter your exam day feeling confident in knowing you are taking the next big step into your future!
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Ms. Christina M. Hixson graduated from high school in Clarinda, Iowa and moved to Omaha, Nebraska to attend business school. She later went to work for Mr. Ernst F. Lied , a car dealership owner in Omaha and in 1960 she joined Mr. Lied in Las Vegas, Nevada as his assistant. After Mr. Lied’s death in 1980, Ms. Hixson became the sole trustee of the Lied Foundation Trust and turned the Lied Foundation Trust into one of the largest foundations in the state of Nevada at that time. Ms. Hixson has a special understanding of young people who, like her, came from a challenging family background and are willing to work hard.
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Mr. Ernst F. Lied was born in Columbus, Ohio and attended the University of Kansas for two years, where he played on the golf team. He ultimately graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1927. Mr. Lied became a Buick dealer in Omaha, Nebraska and later his dealership was ranked third in the country for the number of cars sold. Mr. Lied established his charitable foundation in 1972, and upon his death in 1980 at age 74 nearly his entire estate funded the Lied Foundation Trust. Lied Foundation Trust has enhanced the capabilities of many schools and enriched the quality of many lives!
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*All photos used are original, can be found on unlv.edu, UNLV social media or have references indicated
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UNLV | Academic Success Center | (702) 895-3177| asc@unlv.edu| www.unlv.edu/asc
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