Student Testimonials

Todd has a love of education but also strives to make his personal and professional life better by learning things he did not otherwise know. Even though his emphasis in UNLV’s Continuing Education is from a business point of view, Todd’s introduction to the classes was through personal enrichment. With his wife, he enrolled in a wine tasting class as well as a French language class. That’s when he heard about the Human Resource Management Certificate and the Organizational Leadership program. He has since completed both certificates, but for a successful person like Todd the work is not done. He will soon start the Lean Six Sigma program in hopes of finding ways to help his company attain optimal efficiency. Todd truly is the lifelong learner.

There is a point in everyone’s life where they reconsider their career path. Dan Beatty’s story shows that, with hard work and vision, it’s possible to re-chart your life’s course. Six years ago, Dan managed a sporting goods store while also clocking in at a fast food restaurant to make ends meet. But he realized he was not on track to the future he wanted. His search for new career possibilities brought him to UNLV. Memories of running around his grandfather’s dental office inspired him to consider the medical field. With that in mind, he researched options that eventually led him to UNLV Continuing Education’s Medical Assistant program. After he completed his classroom and simulation training, Dan embraced his externship where he continued to take advantage of every opportunity to learn new skills. Certificate in hand, Dan sifted through his employment options. Taking advantage of the UNLV Alumni connection, he opted to join with Dr. Ravi Ramanathan of Family Doctors of Green Valley as his first job in the medical field. Over the last five years Dan worked hard to rise through the ranks, going from medical assistant, to assistant manager, to clinical manager, to his current position as a practice manager. His long term goals include becoming a senior practice manager where he would run multiple doctors’ offices to eventually becoming a hospital administrator. All his current success goes back to Dan’s decision to reconsider his future six years ago. He took the path less traveled to find a future full of opportunities and promise. Learn more about the Medical Assistant program.

“This program has just been such a great opportunity for me and I recommend it and suggest it for anyone in the nonprofit sector.” -Aries Cyrus-Sims, UNLV Nonprofit Certificate Aries Cyrus-Sims has a passion for helping people. Growing up in Lansing, Michigan she was always seeking out volunteer opportunities and found great support from her philanthropic-focused family. She strove to make an impact on the lives of individuals. But how could she turn that passion into a career? In 2007 Aries moved to Las Vegas to support her local pastor and his wife as they opened a sister church. Helping people was still her focus, but she also had to support herself with careers in the retail and hospitality industries. It was not until a friend recommended she get her foot in the door with a nonprofit company that Aries began to combine her passion with her career goals. She realized she needed to learn more about the business side of the nonprofit industry. Aries researched her best options and in doing so she attended an introductory course at UNLV Continuing Education called An Introduction to the Nonprofit Sector. She quickly realized the comprehensive nonprofit certificate would open all sorts of new doors for her. She signed up for the classes and never looked back. It took Aries about a year to complete the certificate program. Almost a year into her new journey, Aries is able to meld her passion with her career. She is supporting community members as they help themselves and each other. Learn more about the Nonprofit program.

My (college) diploma is stored in a book somewhere. My framed paralegal certificate is proudly hanging on my wall.” -Nicholle Pendergraft, 2017 UNLV Paralegal Graduate Nicholle Pendergraft had a successful career as a makeup artist and hair stylist with some of the best shows to ever grace the Las Vegas Strip. It was a dream job, but with each new show in Las Vegas came the closure of the previous one. For a single mother, such job uncertainty was not optimal. So Nicholle made the decision to go back to school and embark on a new career. Although she had earned a Bachelor of Arts twenty years prior, Nicholle was nervous to get back into the classroom. She overcame her fears, worked hard to get financial assistance, and finished UNLV’s Paralegal program in 15 weeks. Once her papers and exams were done, Nicholle kept in contact with all her classmates, networked with law firms, and worked to perfect her resume and interview skills. Through her perseverance, Clear Counsel Law Group offered her an entry level position as a receptionist. Within two weeks she was promoted to a new dream job as a litigation legal assistant. Nicholle points to a key mantra from paralegal instructors Matthew Pfau and Zachariah Parry for her rising success: “Arrive early, stay late, and work hard.” Learn more about the Paralegal program.