The inside scoop on the people and projects that support UNLV

In this issue:

• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• Department Highlight: Accounting Services
• Spotlight on Service
• Spring 2023 Business Affairs Graduates
• Take Your Child to Work Day Highlights
• Employee Assistance Program Resources
• National Summer Transportation Institute
• Coffee with the CFO
• Upgrading Your Digital Literacy
• New Hires
• Promotions
• Anniversaries
• Dates to Remember

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is the commemorative month when we honor Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage in the United States. This year’s theme, chosen by the FAPAC (Federal Asian Pacific American Council) is Advancing Leaders Through Opportunity. 

During this time, we recognize the contributions and influence of those whose ancestry is rooted in the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, including New Guinea, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, and the Federated States of Micronesia. Signed into law by President Jimmy Carter on October 5, 1978, and designated as a week-long tribute, the month of May was originally chosen to remember the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869, a feat in which APPIs played a major role. 

Today, individuals all around the country celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage in many ways. From community festivals, government-sponsored activities, and educational activities for students of all ages, May is the perfect time to show appreciation for those of Asian and Pacific Islander descent.

UNLV is proud to offer programming, events, and learning opportunities throughout the entire year that highlight all the ways AAPIs enrich our society.

Department Highlight: Accounting Services

Financial Services’ accounting team provides insight into the financial operations of the university. The team is divided into two reporting structures: Accounting and Audit Services and Accounting and Treasury Services.

Managed by Nathan Frieders, the accountants on the Accounting and Audit Services team include Ana Lopez, Hugo Calderon Cortes, Kery Chong, Matt Diggins, and Patricia Slayton. Their main job is to ensure the university’s finances are in order and reported accurately. The financial statements that they handle are used by internal and external department representatives for decision-making. They tell the story of how an organization is performing, utilizes its resources, and can help provide insight into areas of improvement. 

Managed by Kahaunani Hernandez, the accountants on the Accounting and Treasury Services team include Audrey (Qi) Zhang, Bruce Fox, Dana Tasso, Kotoe Wafwa, and Wayne Pochowski. They process and manage banking transactions, safeguard assets, and oversee the operation of university business.

Even though there are two different reporting structures, all accountants are responsible for daily, monthly, and annual reporting, preparing financial statements, handling account reconciliation, and assisting with year-end closing. They also support departments across campus that need help with the accounting and reporting of financial transactions. For instance, a business manager of a department can lean on the team for support with various Workday processes, such as creating a journal entry, which is used to record or adjust the accounting of a financial transaction. Each team is responsible for reviewing financial transactions in Workday, but it is the Accounting and Treasury Services team who approves them. 

As far as current projects, both teams will soon utilize a new process for worktag maintenance requests. Worktags classify transactions for financial, operational, and external reporting. Instead of processing worktags through Excel and email, the teams will now use the ticketing system, TeamDynamix (TDX). The use of worktags through TDX will make it easier for business managers to stay on top of their requests after creating a ticket. They will be able to track each request from beginning to end.

These accountants aren’t just all about finances. When they’re not in the office, they spend time together bonding over baseball, as some of them attended UNLV Night at a recent Aviators game.

Spotlight on Service

“The worktag support team was very helpful to us when creating our very first new worktag since Workday was introduced to campus. The process to create a new worktag is clear, concise, and the team managing requests is timely and very professional in responding to all requests and inquiries. Keep up the good work!”



“General accounting provides a wealth of knowledge and is always willing to assist with our questions and concerns.”

Spring 2023 Business Affairs Graduates

Congratulations to the Business Affairs employees earning degrees this spring!

• Alexandra Mohon
• Risk Management & Safety 
• Bachelor of arts, psychology
• Brittany Borelli
• Work Order Control Unit
• Bachelor of arts, criminal justice 
• Jayd Sorenson
• Parking & Transportation Services
• Bachelor of arts, psychology
• Jeriah Felix
• Risk Management & Safety 
• Bachelor of science, chemistry
• Nour Benjelloun
• Administration Technology Services, Project Management Organization
• Bachelor of arts, philosophy with a concentration in law and justice
• Toni Arcadipane
• Facilities Management
• Doctor of public policy

Take Your Child to Work Day Highlights

UNLV’s annual Take Your Child to Work Day brought hundreds of little smiles and big energy to campus on April 27. Children and parents alike participated in curated events and activities that introduced many to the amazing things happening at our university and gave a glimpse into the countless ways individuals, departments, and units across campus collaborate; a cornerstone within our four sets of campus values. 

President Whitfield admonished attendees in Pida Plaza to keep up the good work! Business Affairs teams that hosted activities include Risk Management & Safety (fire demonstrations), Rebel Recycling (recycling games), and the Community Garden (nature crafts and garden fun). The fun-filled day also featured bounce houses (sponsored by Business Affairs), face painting, creating custom comic books, ice cream making, and so much more. Attendees also enjoyed a sponsored lunch from McDonald's and catering from Capriotti’s. 

Take Your Child to Work Day is a national celebration that gives children in the United States a taste of the working world. UNLV is proud to provide an exceptional experience each year to attendees of all ages.

Check out some photos from the special day below and on the CSB lobby screens!

Employee Assistance Program Resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a good time to assess our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. UNLV’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) partner ComPsych offers mental health awareness resources, ranging from tips on managing stress to connecting the mind and body for healthy living. 

Check out this UNLV Today announcement for more information and to register for this month’s webinar on making good financial choices and setting up good habits for the future. 

EAP resources are available to all UNLV employees and eligible dependents.

National Summer Transportation Institute

The UNLV Multicultural Program for STEM and Health Sciences will host the National Summer Transportation Institute (NSTI), a free summer camp for Nevada high school students from July 9-22. 

The program is designed to create awareness and stimulate interest in high school students to take full advantage of STEM career opportunities with special attention to the transportation industry. Students will be provided housing on campus for the full two weeks and will partake in college preparation and life skills activities, college seminars, UNLV lab tours, field trips, peer mentoring sessions with UNLV students, and exciting group projects.

Interested high school students must review the eligibility requirements and complete the online application by May 15. Contact the Multicultural Program for more information. 

The NSTI will also take part in Teen Driver Safety Day on July 18. Open to all teens in the community, the free daylong event will feature a crash reenactment, presentations, a panel of speakers, and more. Stay tuned for registration information.

Coffee with the CFO

To attend an upcoming Coffee with the CFO event, RSVP by completing the Coffee with the CFO Google form. Please note that space is limited to CSB meeting room capacity (20 attendees) and participation is in-person only. 

Upcoming Dates:

• May 17: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Register by May 10
• June 21: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.
• Register by June 14

Please reach out to Nohealani Benicarlo with any questions.

Upgrading Your Digital Literacy

UNLV will participate in Fix Your Content Day, a global event that honors the 12th annual Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD). Visit the website to learn more and help us reach the goal of at least 80 remediated PDFs and other documents (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) by 5 p.m. on May 18. 

If you have any questions about Fix Your Content Day or need assistance with remediation, please contact Heather Ortiz or Rasheda Abdullah Hairston.

New Hires

• Andrea Gonzalez, Risk Management & Safety
• Anna Irwin, Administration Technology Services
• Antonio Soria Jr., Facilities Management
• Beiminet Mekonnen, Facilities Management
• Carmen Magbual, Risk Management & Safety
• David Sanchez, Facilities Management
• Eman Yonis, Administration Technology Services
• Giuseppe Catalano, Facilities Management
• Jeffrey Berkbigler, Property Control 
• Jeffrey Deconinck, Moving Services
• Karina Felizardo, Cashiering & Student Accounts
• Lina Sundstrom, Risk Management & Safety
• Madison Masching, Parking & Transportation Services
• Ronald Tabick, Facilities Management
• Seth Robinson, Facilities Management
• Shelton Zeon, Facilities Management

Promotions

• Antoinette Graham, Facilities Management
• La'Shay Lang, Facilities Management
• Marvin Rodriguez, Facilities Management
• Michael Tabije, Risk Management & Safety
• Roberto Nunez, Facilities Management
• Sam Ealy, Moving Services
• Sean Denney, Financial Planning, Budget & Analysis
• Simone Rice, Facilities Management
• Steven Valdez, Facilities Management

Anniversaries

Congratulations to the Business Affairs employees celebrating work anniversaries in May! Years of service have been determined using the UNLV hire date - first employment date without any breaks in service here at UNLV regardless of job type or full-time status.

If you notice an error in your listing, contact Heather Ortiz.

Dates to Remember

• May: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• May 5: Cinco de Mayo
• May 12-13: Spring commencement
• May 14: Mother’s Day
• May 15: Summer session I begins
• May 18: Global Accessibility Awareness Day - Fix Your Content Day