Unlike many children who are drawn to baseball, football or basketball, Kyle Helms started playing golf as a youngster in New Jersey. "Of course, you're no good at it when you first start," says Helms. "But if you keep playing, you become addicted to it!" That addiction is something he never outgrew, and when a friend moved to Las Vegas to enroll in the Professional Golf Management (PGM) program at UNLV, he told Helms he should check it out too. Little did he know that in a few short years, he would be the program's student president.

"I told him, ‘No way—I can't go to school in Las Vegas,'" recalls Helms. "From what I knew, Las Vegas was all about having fun, and I didn't think I could concentrate there. I found out later that I sure was wrong."

During his senior year of high school, Helms had reason to visit Las Vegas when he played in a golf tournament. "I met up with my friend, who showed me the UNLV campus and all the great things that were going on with the PGM program. The facilities and resources were just unreal, and the warmer weather was another good reason to get out of New Jersey."

He came back from his trip and told his parents that he had decided where he wanted to go to college. "They were supportive, and I'm so glad. The experiences that I have had here are incredible."

Favorite courses have included Professor Jim Busser's budgeting class, which Helms says "is really going to help me in the future." He especially enjoyed Professor Cynny Caruthers' course, RLS 220, which focuses on leisure services for individuals with disabilities. "That class really opened my eyes to the entire world," says Helms. "It was a great interactive experience, and I learned that you can help anybody learn to do anything."

Now Helms is looking forward to completing an internship at one of the country's top 12 golf courses, the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md. "I will complete a six-month internship there and will have the opportunity to lead junior clinics and camps and to help out in the golf shop," states Helms. His future plans include returning to UNLV for graduate school and either becoming a pro golfer or working in some capacity with a PGM program.

Written by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida '00 MA
Photo by Geri Kodey '85
Reprinted from Premier magazine, Spring 2007 issue

He's come a long way from a teenager making pizzas in his hometown of Kalamazoo, Mich. While many people don't discover their true calling until later in life, student Nate Arkush got started early in the food and beverage industry. His first job led him into the exciting, fast-paced world of dining, and for Arkush, it just keeps getting better.

"I learned early on that I really enjoyed the constant stimulation and high energy of this industry," says Arkush. "I started working at a gourmet Italian restaurant when I was 16 years old, and the two brothers who own it really took me under their wings. They saw that I had an interest in the industry, and both became really important mentors to me. I was fortunate enough to work virtually all positions in the dining room, bar, and even the kitchen through an apprenticeship with the executive chef."

After graduating from high school, he looked into culinary training schools and, upon a suggestion, looked into a new program in Austin, Texas. "My aunt is a counselor for Austin Community College (ACC), and they happened to be starting a culinary curriculum there. It turned out to be a great program and experience for me." While a student at ACC, Arkush got a job at the Barton Creek Resort and Spa as a beverage coordinator. "I applied for a position in the dining room but ended up working in the beverage department. I helped manage the liquor room and coordinated inventory to all of the beverage outlets throughout the resort while learning about the hierarchy and operations of larger hospitality properties. When I finished my degree at ACC, I knew that I wanted to continue my education in this area."

One of his ACC instructors was a 1995 Harrah Hotel College graduate and suggested he look into UNLV. "Bryan Gardner is the director of human resources for the Four Seasons in Austin and thought that UNLV would be a good program for me as he felt that it offers students a very well rounded education," recalls Arkush. "I began researching the Harrah Hotel College and was immediately impressed. It became very apparent that the diversity and opportunity for hands-on experience in the world's most successful hotels, restaurants, and conventions set this program apart from virtually all other hospitality programs out there."

In addition to his studies at UNLV, Arkush, who will graduate in 2007, serves as the operations manager for the World Tea Expo, the world's largest trade show and conference dedicated to the specialty tea industry. In this position, he manages the overall execution of the annual event, including contract negotiation, managing event vendors and on-site staff, and developing and managing operational budgets. "Working this job while attending UNLV has been great for me," states Arkush. "The company is extremely supportive of my education as it has really helped me focus and made me a better asset to the company. I've been very impressed with the classes and have never seen a faculty with the energy level, experience, and know-how that my professors have. They really care about the success and professional growth of the students!"

Written by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida '00 M.A.
Photography by Geri Kodey ‘85
Reprinted from Premier magazine, Fall 2006

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For most people, a hotel lobby is just a place to store baggage or have a cocktail, but for Omari Deron-Head, it is the place that inspired his career. A fascination with hotel lobbies drew Deron-Head into his current career path. Now a junior in the Harrah Hotel College, he is well on his way to realizing his aspirations — and he seems to know it. "Sleepers get nothing but dreams," Deron Head explains.

A Chicago native, Deron-Head moved to Las Vegas to pursue a bachelor's degree with a major in hotel administration and a minor in human resources. After graduation in May 2007, Deron- Head plans on continuing his education. He'll likely return to his hometown to attend graduate studies at Northwestern University or instead might remain in Las Vegas to attend the William S. Boyd School of Law. Either way, he plans on enrolling in a dual-degree program in business and law. Two master's degrees should not be too much of a problem for this student, as he is no stranger to hard work. Before beginning his current job as a front desk agent at the Bellagio, Deron-Head worked in the UNLV kitchen scrubbing sink drains. Though not shy to admit his less than glamorous first job, he is particularly happy with his current opportunities.

Deron-Head came to UNLV not just for its curriculum but also for the level of diversity found on campus, a cause that he has worked to advance. He is the chapter president of both the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality (NSMH) and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on campus. He also serves as president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Deron-Head is currently a senator for the hotel college.

As the faculty advisor to NSMH, David Corsun, Ph.D., knows Deron-Head's hard work firsthand. Corsun, a faculty member in the Department of Hotel Management, explains that he is incredibly active both academically and with the university community, noting that Deron-Head is always working not just for himself but also for the betterment of fellow students. Corsun goes on to say that Deron- Head's experience and success thus far are "a testimony to his growth as a person since he got to campus."

In addition to all of his on campus activities and his job, Deron-Head makes time to be a motivational speaker for programs and workshops aimed at integrating high school juniors and seniors into higher education. His work with the College Summit program includes coaching first-generation college students through the college admittance and financial aid process.

Written by Miles Dickson '06
Reprinted from Premier magazine, Spring 2006

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Over the years, Las Vegas has become more and more of a destination for meetings and conventions. Now master's student Elisa Hobbs, who has always enjoyed coordinating events, gets to do it in one of the most exciting cities in the world. After graduating with a bachelor's degree from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles in 2001, she went to work for San Diego's Event Network as an office manager. After coordinating events and meetings for three years, she decided  that she wanted to prepare herself for a job more focused on event and convention planning.

"My mom suggested I look into UNLV, as she had recently moved to Las Vegas," said Hobbs. "I began looking into programs and came to the conclusion that the Harrah Hotel College's program would give me more practical, hands-on experience than some others I was researching."

Upon her arrival at UNLV, she happened to meet Patti Shock, department chairperson, Tourism and Convention Administration, who asked her about her background and her future plans. "I told her that I really wanted to focus on meetings and tourism and she asked me if I wanted a job," recalls Hobbs. "I was caught off-guard and when I asked her to explain further, she explained that she was looking to hire someone to coordinate the annual International Hospitality and Convention Summit that is held at UNLV. Once I learned a little more about it, I was sold…it would be a great way to gain more experience and assured me that I was making the right decision about which field I wanted to go into."

Needless to say, with Hobbs' experience and business acumen, nearly 100 attendees showed up and the conference went seamlessly. "Having Professors Patti Shock and Curtis Love take me under their wing and show me what the convention industry is all about really helped me. I had opportunities to network and subsequently, get a job at Wynn Resort." Hobbs is currently working as a convention services coordinator at Wynn Resort and will graduate in May 2006.

Written by Robyn Campbell-Ouchida '00 M.A.
Photography by Geri Kodey '85
Reprinted from Premier magazine, Fall 2005

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Tourism and hospitality are just a way of life for Jill Hamasaki.

Hamasaki, a native Hawaiian, grew up on Oahu Island, the most popular tourist spot in Hawaii. She lived in a culture where everyone is treated like family and feels her career choice is just an extension of her personality.

When it came to choosing a university, Hamasaki was naturally attracted to UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration. After all, the university is centered in the heart of the world's greatest laboratory for hospitality and tourism.

"I thought I would stick out like a kid with a brand new backpack," says the 25-year-old University of Hawaii transfer student. Hamasaki, who was conscious of her age and ethnicity, says after being at UNLV for a while, "anxiety went away, and I realized the people here are just like me."

If Hamasaki was a little apprehensive in the beginning, it sure doesn't show now, especially when you look at all she's accomplished so far. She is currently the president of the Professional Convention Management Association student chapter, director of public relations for the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, intern with Wynn Resorts, and the events manager for UNLVino, an annual wine-tasting event.

"One of the most valuable skills I've learned at UNLV is how to network. I've made connections that have turned into friendships and found mentors who have guided me through my college career."

Now that she's close to finishing her degree, Hamasaki says she doesn't want to graduate yet. "I haven't been able to take all the classes in the Hotel program"—a comment that's a little crazy to some of us but one that most clearly articulates her love for the program and the experiences she's had at UNLV.

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