The inside scoop on the people and projects that support UNLV

In this issue:

• Message from SVP Jean Vock
• Employee Profile: Phil Louis
• Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Employee Assistance Program Resources
• Human Resources Professional Development Opportunities
• Parking and Transportation Services Wins Gingerbread Garage Contest
• October/November Employee Appreciation Recipients
• Spotlight on Service
• Upgrading Your Digital Literacy
• 2022 Holiday Party Photos
• New Hires
• January Work Anniversaries
• Dates to Remember

Message from SVP Jean Vock

Hello colleagues,

I hope you had a restful holiday season and the new year is off to a great start. There is much to look forward to as we begin 2023 and prepare for the spring semester. The university is focused on enhancing our campus culture and recently announced some exciting initiatives that align with this focus. 

• In December, the campus values were announced. Our values are the cultural cornerstones that shape our identity, guide our decisions and actions, and demonstrate our Rebel spirit. We will discuss this in more detail at the Business Affairs all-staff meeting on January 30. 
• Earlier this month, Human Resources launched Rebel Applause, an online tool we can all use to send notes of thanks to one another for living these values. Rebel Applause gives us an easy and fun way to demonstrate the “A” in our CARE standards. When you acknowledge a colleague, you shine a light on the incredible work that takes place and often goes unseen. When we all make acknowledgment a part of our routines, we contribute to a culture of recognition and spread the Rebel spirit. 
• Last but not least, the City of Las Vegas’ Corporate Challenge is back and will take place March 2 - May 13. The event gives UNLV employees and their families the chance to participate in friendly sporting or gaming competitions with employees from businesses throughout the community. It’s a great way to promote team building, achieve your wellness goals, and show your Rebel pride. 

I encourage you to join us for our all-staff meeting if you are able. We will gather in the Student Union to celebrate the start of the semester and welcome some special guests including Campus Ombuds Dr. David Schwartz who will lead us in an interactive activity focused on accountability. We will also recognize our 2022 Business Affairs monthly employee appreciation recipients and announce the 2022 Business Affairs employee of the year. I look forward to seeing you there!

Sincerely,

Employee Profile: Phil Louis

UNLV is a place that inspires. It’s an institution diverse in people and culture. And for Phil Louis, Mail Services supervisor, it’s a place of community that has allowed him to build fulfilling relationships and experience camaraderie amongst his colleagues that has kept him here for 15 years.

“I chose to work at UNLV because I was looking for something more meaningful at the time. Something with sustainability and stability,” he said. “I enjoy the community here. I love seeing and interacting with people. I really enjoy it.”

Born in Anaheim, California, Phil spent some time in Riverside, California before moving to Las Vegas 27 years ago. A lover of different music genres (especially electronic dance music) and scary movies, his laid-back demeanor and easygoing, respectful approach to his work is what makes him an amazing person to work with and for.

“As long as things are getting done, I trust my employees to do good work because I’ve built a rapport with them and I want the workplace to be a happy and safe space for all,” he said.

Phil’s supervisory duties encompass ensuring that the daily operations of the outgoing mail for all UNLV campuses runs smoothly and that his mighty team of four functions efficiently. While sometimes things can get hectic, Phil remains calm, cool, collected, and focused on delivering top-tier customer service.

“I always feel lucky and blessed to be in the position I’m in to be able to help the community and I really enjoy the community aspect of how we do things here,” he said.

For this indie pop and The Walking Dead fan, UNLV is more than just a place that gives him a paycheck. It is an ongoing opportunity for him and his team to provide important services that give him a sense of purpose. It is also a place that has become more of a family to Phil, with people who show they care for and value each other in big ways.  

When Phil is not providing excellent service on campus, he enjoys reading, taking his chihuahua and dachshund (chiweenie) mix dog for walks at the park, playing mobile games, puzzling, and watching his favorite anime, TENcHI Muyo. 

Phil’s time at UNLV continues to be a highlight in his life. He cherishes the sense of accomplishment his job instills in him and always encourages people to broaden their horizons.

Celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968) was a minister, activist, and one of the most influential leaders of the American Civil Rights Movement. Dr. King rose to prominence in the 1950s after successfully leading the Montgomery bus boycott of 1955. The boycott was sparked when future Civil Rights icon Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat to a white bus patron. After a years-long boycott, the Browder v Gayle ruling would end segregation on Montgomery city buses. Over the next decade, Dr. King would organize many marches, sit-ins, rallies, and peaceful protests to promote social change and the end of Jim Crow laws throughout the south. 

Although he faced unlawful imprisonment and acts of violence perpetrated against him and his family during his campaign for equality, Dr. King remained loyal to his strategy of nonviolent opposition to racism. On April 4, 1968, Dr. King was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee while standing on the balcony of a hotel with other Civil Rights leaders. His death sparked nationwide rioting which led to President Lyndon Johnson declaring a national day of mourning on April 7 and the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 on April 11. After years of campaigning for a federal holiday, President Ronald Reagan signed Martin Luther King Jr. Day into law in 1983. Today, Dr. King’s legacy stands as a shining example of perseverance in the face of adversity and a reminder that all human beings were created equal.

In honor of Dr. King’s legacy, we invite you to join the discussion We Need to Talk About the CROWN Act on January 18. This event is part of the series "We Need To Talk: Conversations on Racism for a More Resilient Las Vegas” and will be hosted by Claytee White, director of the UNLV Oral History Research Center.

Employee Assistance Program Resources

Bringing in a new year is like getting a fresh new start in life. What better way to start off 2023 than by making some healthy lifestyle changes? 

UNLV’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) partner ComPsych offers resources, ranging from gluten-free diet tips to maximizing your workout plan. Visit ComPsych’s website and register using the organization's Web ID: UNLVEAP to gain access to these resources. 

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

Human Resources Professional Development Opportunities

Human Resources is pleased to announce its professional development schedule for early spring. 

Seminars are free and open to UNLV employees. Each seminar will be a combination of presentations, discussions, and active learning to create an engaging environment. 

All seminars will take place in person to allow employees an opportunity to connect face-to-face with colleagues across campus.

Building a Performance Management Culture

• Setting Expectations and Providing Feedback
• Listening Thoughtfully: A Skills-Building Workshop
• Using Coaching & Delegation to Optimize Performance

Upskill with UNLV Leaders

• Setting Achievable Goals that Work for You
• Building Your Personal Brand
• The Business of Relationships: Cultivating and Nurturing Your Network

Visit the REBELearn announcements section for more information or to register.

Parking and Transportation Services Wins Gingerbread Garage Contest

October/November Employee Appreciation Recipients

Elora Paik (October)

Financial Services

Elora was nominated for her excellent customer service and project management skills. While working on a project, she regularly makes suggestions to simplify processes and procedures. Elora’s use of checklists, flowcharts, road maps, and other visuals empowers her team to complete their tasks with efficiency and confidence. Thank you, Elora, for all you do. Your work exemplifies the C.A.R.E. standards.

Jemil Galang (November)

Facilities Management

Jemil was nominated for his excellent project management skills and innovative approach to improving the work conditions in the landscape and grounds shop. Before his arrival, there was an excess of equipment in the shop not working properly. He took the initiative to create an inspection process, identify issues, and bring every piece of equipment up to standards. Then he implemented a preventative maintenance schedule that reduces downtime and emergency repairs. Thank you, Jemil, for bringing the C.A.R.E. standards to a new level in your shop.

Darren Paulson (November)

Telecommunications

Darren was nominated for his commitment to furthering UNLV’s Top Tier 2.0 goals, dedication to customer service, and supportive leadership style. He’s led multiple initiatives to enhance our existing telecommunications infrastructure and implement new technology across all of UNLV’s campuses. These efforts help to provide a modern, adaptable learning and working environment for our faculty, staff, and students. He encourages his technicians to participate in professional development and supports them during service recovery. Thank you, Darren, for making the C.A.R.E. standards a part of your team’s culture.

Spotlight on Service 

Upgrading Your Digital Literacy

2022 Holiday Party Photos

New Hires

• Andrew Sundberg, Facilities Management
• Francisco Padilla Chacon, Facilities Management
• Jerry Kim, Facilities Management
• John Levasseur, Facilities Management
• Jorge Guevara, Facilities Management

Anniversaries

Congratulations to the Business Affairs employees celebrating work anniversaries in January! 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 at heather.ortiz@unlv.edu.

• Sharrie Mayden, 23 years
• Michael West, 17 years
• Douglas McLean, 16 years
• Michelle Ommen, 15 years
• Rebecca Paulson, 15 years
• Robert McInerney, 15 years
• Zhanlei Yao, 12 years
• Daniel Davis, 10 years
• Kathy Schreiber, 10 years
• Michael Bailey, 10 years
• Ana Lopez, 8 years
• Nathan Frieders, 8 years
• Darby Britt, 7 years
• Elfega Catalan-Lezama, 7 years
• Elizabeth Deveraux, 7 years
• Erik Loera, 7 years
• Jason Halgas, 6 years

• KuuipoKahealani Nihipali, 6 years
• Amy Carito, 5 years
• Michael Hicks, 4 years 
• Michael Kwiecien, 4 years
• Belia Guzman, 3 years
• LaTonya Atkinslang, 3 years
• Howard Miller, 2 years
• Sang Yi, 2 years
• Brandi LaGesse, 1 year
• Brandon McKinley, 1 year
• Hugo Calderon Cortes, 1 year
• Jemil Galang, 1 year
• Jordan Scherf, 1 year
• Kenneth Faron, 1 year
• Timothy Bronander, 1 year
• Yesenia Alcantar-Sledge, 1 year

Dates to Remember

• January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Enjoy your day off!)
• January 17: Spring semester begins
• January 22: Lunar New Year