The inside scoop on the people and projects that support UNLV

In this issue:

• Celebrating Black History Month
• November Employee Appreciation Recipients
• Spotlight on Service
• Employee Assistance Program Resources
• Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training
• Updating Your Digital Literacy
• New Hires
• Promotions
• Anniversaries
• Dates to Remember

Celebrating Black History Month

Black History Month is celebrated in February. Created by Carter G. Woodson in 1926 and originally called Negro History Week, the observance was expanded to the entire month in 1976 under President Gerald Ford’s administration. The monthly observance seizes “the opportunity to honor the far too often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history,” according to President Ford.  

Black History Month shines a light on the triumphs of Black people, honoring those who have made some of the greatest contributions to technology, politics, healthcare, science, and entertainment (among many other fields). From Matthew Henson and Admiral Robert Peary reaching the North Pole in 1909, making them the first men of any race, ethnicity, or nationality to accomplish the feat, to inventing everyday items, including the clothes dryer (George Sampson), automatic vehicle gear shift (Richard Spikes), lawn sprinklers (Joseph Lessler), potato chips (George Crumb), and security cameras/systems (Marie Van Brittan Brown), Black people’s innovations continue to positively impact the world.

Visit the UNLV Involvement Center webpage to see a list of Black History Month events open to all students, faculty, and staff. For additional Black History Month resources, visit UNLV Libraries’ Black History Month Resource Guide.

November Employee Appreciation Recipients

Nohealani Benicarlo, Administrative Assistant III,

Vice President’s Office

Nohealani was nominated for the amazing work she’s done since joining the CFO/vice president’s office. Recently, she was asked to take on additional responsibilities which she’s embraced. Her ability to adapt quickly to these new challenges while maintaining her regular duties has been nothing short of remarkable. Thank you, Nohealani, for all that you do!

Ken Hughes, Construction Project Coordinator II,

Facilities Management

Ken was nominated for going above and beyond in his collaborations with the Real Estate team. The department contacted him several times to review bids from outside contractors for required improvements to UNLV-owned satellite properties. His detail-oriented approach and willingness to offer expertise in reviewing these bids positively impacted the projects and his colleagues. Each time he provided excellent recommendations and advice. Thank you, Ken, for all that you do!

Spotlight on Service

In October 2023, we distributed our annual Business Affairs customer service survey. The responses included a number of accolades for our hard-working Business Affairs teams. Here are some words of appreciation for the Planning & Construction team:

“They are very knowledgeable and have a perfect understanding of UNLV's core values.”

“The team is highly collaborative and strives to make campus improvements on every project.”

“Everyone I've dealt with has been very responsive and appears to go out of their way to help, even when it may not be their responsibility.”

Employee Assistance Program Resources

Trauma Group Counseling Sessions

UNLV’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider ComPsych will host group counseling sessions this month for all employees affected by the traumatic event on campus on Dec. 6. 

Led by a professional therapist, these free, one-hour sessions offer employees the opportunity to talk openly with colleagues about their experiences, challenges, thoughts, and feelings. This can help with short and long-term effects and promote resilience and recovery.

Sessions will take place at Lied Library on the dates and times below. Register in advance as seating is limited to 25 people per session. Please only register for one session.

• Date and time: Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. Register
• Date and time: Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. Register
• Date and time: Feb. 26 at 10 a.m. Register
• Date and time: Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. Register

Virtual Webinars

ComPsych will host 60-minute virtual webinars focused on topics related to recovering from a traumatic event. Please register in advance. There is no participation limit. 

Managing Worry and Anxiety

• Date and time: Feb. 13 at noon Register

Tools to Handle Stress

• Date and time: Feb. 22 at 9 a.m. Register

Suicide Awareness and Prevention Training

LivingWorks, a leader in suicide prevention training, will be hosting free in-person safeTALK and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) for all faculty and staff.

safeTALK 

This four-hour training teaches fundamental skills needed to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide. Participants will learn about the TALK steps—Tell, Ask, Listen, KeepSafe—which help those from all walks of life be alert to situations where suicidal thoughts may be present.

Training will take place in the Campus Services Building (CSB) room 129 on the dates and times below. Register in advance as seating is limited.

• Date and time: Feb. 23 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Register
• Date and time: March 7 from 8 a.m. - noon Register
• Date and time: March 19 from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Register

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) 

This two-day, interactive training teaches participants how to use an evidence-based model to intervene and help prevent the immediate risk of suicide.

Training will take place at the Campus Services Building (CSB) in room 212G on the dates and times below. Register in advance as seating is limited. Participants must be able to attend both days. Please do not register if you are unable to attend both days.

• Date and time: Feb. 29 & March 1 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Register

Upgrading Your Digital Literacy

Meeting hosts and co-hosts can now pin up to three specific tiles for all meeting participants in Google Meet. This new feature can be used to help keep the meeting focused on key presentations and speakers. This is especially helpful for large meeting scenarios like webinars where hosts need to focus everyone on particular content.

To learn more about pinning multiple tiles, visit the Google Workspace Blog.

New Hires

• Bruce Maru-Willets, Facilities Management
• Damoreyah Holmes, Facilities Management
• Jade Yadao-Valdez, Facilities Management
• Kai Yeung, Risk Management & Safety
• Kenneth Gonthier, Risk Management & Safety
• Manuel Sauceda, Facilities Management
• Monty Leggett, Facilities Management
• Tiffany O'Connor, Risk Management & Safety

Promotions

• Ashlyn Au Hoy, Risk Management & Safety
• Francisco Zavala, Facilities Management
• Jayd Sorenson, Parking and Transportation Services
• Jennifer Cozzolino, Cashiering and Student Accounts
• Kinesha Davis, Facilities Management
• Rose Cummings, Cashiering and Student Accounts
• Sherri Newcomb, Financial Planning, Budget & Analysis
• Tyler Kawada, Risk Management & Safety

Anniversaries

Congratulations to the Business Affairs employees celebrating work anniversaries in February! 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

• Feb. 11: Las Vegas hosts Super Bowl LVIII
• Feb. 14: Valentine’s Day
• Feb. 19: President’s Day, enjoy your day off!