NSHE Mentoring Institute 2024 (MI2024): Building STEM Education, Research and Workforce Through Mentorship at Nevada Institutions of Higher Learning

Council on Undergraduate Research

Winny Dong 

Professor and Director of Projects & Research, College of Engineering, Cal Poly Pomona

Winny Dong , chemical and materials engineering professor, has taken on a variety of roles during her tenure at Cal Poly Pomona. She is highly regarded for her knowledge, care for students and commitment to reduce the achievement gap for first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students. To this end, she has secured $13.2 million for scholarships and programs.

Dong has led and founded several programs at Cal Poly Pomona that encourage student research, provide academic support and ease the path to graduate studies. The programs include the Office of Undergraduate Research, Achieve Scholars Program, Office of Projects and Research for the College of Engineering, Engineering Scholars Program and the McNair Scholars Program.

UNLV Teaching & Learning Commons

Elizabeth Barrie

Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning Innovation, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Beth Barrie is the Vice Provost for Teaching & Learning Innovation. She oversees the ongoing enhancement of UNLV’s pedagogical innovation in face-to-face, blended, and online instruction. She is responsible for developing a university-wide strategy for designing and delivering high-quality online courses, credentials, and degrees to both traditional and life-long learners at UNLV. She supports a talented staff of instructional designers, technologists, artists, and computer programmers as they provide professional development and creative services to faculty. Her research interests include the public understanding of science, informal education, and community engagement. She came to UNLV in 2008 from the Eppley Institute at Indiana University, where she was the project manager on the development of a competency-based online training platform for the U.S. National Park Service. Beth holds a B.A. in Communication, an M.S. in Outdoor Recreation & Resource Management, and a Ph.D. in Leisure Behavior.

Haroon (Stephen) Sahotra

Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Haroon Sahotra is a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is also serving as the Faculty Director of the Teaching and Learning Commons. Sahotra is involved in interdisciplinary research of climate change impact and hydrology with specific emphasis on applications of remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS) and specific focus on safeguarding and improving urban quality of life. He has been involved in several federal- and state-sponsored research projects involving research and applications of geospatial data. In these projects, he has worked with the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Forest Service, City of Las Vegas, Nevada Division of Forestry, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, and Nevada Department of Transportation.

He has participated in various competitive research grants, including National Science Foundation (NSF) grants titled “The Solar Energy-Water-Environment Nexus in Nevada”, and “Collaborative Research: The Western Consortium for Watershed Analysis, Visualization, and Exploration.” Currently, he is lead PI of a $2.5 million NSF project titled “Enhancing Critical Transitions in Undergraduate Civil Engineering Education.” He is also UNLV lead CoPI of a $20 million NSF project titled “Harnessing the Data Revolution for Fire Science.” Sahotra’s ongoing research interests include applications of remote sensing and GIS technologies to wildfires; water resource mapping; and natural and urban climate study.

Julie Cohen

Assistant Director, Teaching and Learning Commons, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Matthew Aguirre

Director of Graduate Student Services, University of Nevada, Reno

Matt is the Director of Graduate Student Services, who works closely with the Dean of the Graduate School and the Director Postdoctoral Affairs, Graduate Recruitment and Diversity Initiatives to maintain and grow the offering of graduate student services to ensure the recruitment and retention of graduate students to the University. This includes co-organizing the Graduate Professional Development Workshop Series, Three-Minute Thesis Competition and assisting in graduate student recruitment. As Senior Advisor to the Graduate Student Association, Matt is responsible for the training of the GSA Council and Executive Board, fiscal advisement of the GSA accounts and oversees all GSA programs and events. 

Alyssa Crittenden

Vice Provost for Graduate Education; Dean of the Graduate College; Professor of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Dr. Alyssa Crittenden is the Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Dean of the Graduate College, and a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The university, and the Graduate College, are deeply committed to creating an environment where all students can thrive. UNLV is a large public university that holds the Carnegie R1 ranking for research and is a designated Minority Serving Institution (MSI), Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (ANNAPISI). Dr. Crittenden is currently the PI for a Sloan Centers for Systemic Change grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation and an NSF subaward from the national Council of Graduate Schools (CGS), Broadening Participation in STEM Graduate Degrees and the U.S. STEM Workforce.

Jairon Castellanos-Boteo

TMCC Senior Coordinator, Truckee Meadows Community College

Jairon Castellanos-Boteo, originally from Guatemala, is a dedicated professional with extensive experience in education and social work. He holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), where he also completed his undergraduate studies. Jairon has contributed significantly to the community through his roles at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), UNR, and the Washoe County School District.

Julie Ellsworth Baker

Dean of the Division of Life Sciences, Allied Health, and Public Safety (LAP), Truckee Meadows Community College

Julie Ellsworth Baker, PhD., earned her B.S. from the University of Michigan and her doctorate from UNR in Ecology, Evolution & Conservation Biology. She started her career as a tenure-track faculty member in the Biology Department at Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC). She chose a career in teaching to share her passion for biology with students and believes in the life-changing capacity of higher education. In recent years, she has transitioned into leadership roles and is currently the Dean of Life Sciences, Allied Health & Public Safety at TMCC. This Division includes a wide range of courses, certificates and degrees related to biology, nutrition, healthcare & safety. Julie has coordinated efforts with TMCC programs, including Success First Summer Bridge, and has collaborated with institutions across the state of Nevada on grant-funded initiatives to pipeline low-income and first-generation students into STEM education, undergraduate research, and life science career pathways.

Kyle Ethelbah

Director – College Programs, UNLV William W. Sullivan Center for Academic Enrichment & Outreach

Kyle Ethelbah is the Director of College Programs at the University of Nevada Las Vegas and oversees the Student Support Services (SSS), McNair Scholars, and AANAPISI (Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions) academic support programs. Additionally, Kyle oversees the Rebel Rebound Project, a program that supports justice impacted students at UNLV. All programs in his purview support income eligible, first generation, differently abled and underrepresented students with academic support services to be successful at UNLV.  

David Gillum

Associate Vice President, Compliance and Research Administration, University of Nevada, Reno

David Gillum is the associate vice president of compliance and research administration at the University of Nevada, Reno. He oversees campus compliance and supports a successful and growing research enterprise, while ensuring an effective and robust safety culture. David is responsible for providing leadership to the Animal Resources, Environmental Health & Safety, Research Integrity and Sponsored Projects teams at the University.

Juan Gomez

MOC Coordinator, Men of Color Mentorship Program, Truckee Meadows Community College

Juan Gomez, from Yerington, Nevada, is a passionate advocate for student success and community support. A graduate of Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) and the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), Juan has used his educational background to foster positive growth in the academic community. At TMCC, he has played a pivotal role in guiding and mentoring students, helping them navigate both academic and personal challenges.

Huston Green

Retention, Progression, Completion Coordinator, Graduate College, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Huston Green is the Retention, Progression & Completion (RPC) Coordinator for the BRIDGE program and online programs in the Graduate College at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. In this role, she tracks student success, facilitates workshops, and provides resources to help students thrive throughout their academic journeys. Huston is a Las Vegas native. She is a first-generation college graduate with a deep passion for student success, inclusivity, using data to drive outcomes in higher education. Huston earned her BA in English (2009) and has spent the past nine years working at UNLV and is currently pursuing an MS in Information Technology Management. Her commitment to fostering a supportive educational environment makes her a vital advocate for student growth.

Tanya Kelley

Director, Undergraduate Research, University of Nevada Reno

Tanya Kelley is the director for Undergraduate Research at the University of Nevada Reno. She oversees the administration of research awards to undergraduates conducting research in every discipline offered on campus. In addition, she serves as the campus PI for the NSF UROP. Dr. Kelley received her doctorate in 2016 from Arizona State University where she studied university innovation programs and online engagement platforms. Kelley completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Michigan School of Information studying civic technology in governmental settings. 

Adine Stormoen

Program/Project Manager, Nevada INBRE (NIH) and EPACT RED (NSF), Truckee Meadows Community College

Adine Stormoen received AA and AS degrees from Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC), and B.S. (Biology), B.A. (Spanish), and M.A. (Foreign Language and Literature), degrees all from the University of Nevada, Reno. She began her career in academia as a science tutor while studying at TMCC. Over the years, she held various positions at TMCC, including part-time instruction in biology and other areas, tutoring coordinator, and assistant director for the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program. She is currently part of the statewide admin core for Nevada INBRE, and serves as the project/program manager for two grants at TMCC: Nevada INBRE (NIH) and EPACT RED (NSF). In addition, she works as a part-time instructor with the VUB program, serves as the STEM Co-Coordinator and Math Tutoring Coordinator for the Summer Bridge program, and oversees NV-INBRE supported undergraduate researchers at TMCC.

Andrew Tobey 

Program Founder and Coordinator – NV INBRE Tribal Academy of Health & Science, University of Nevada, Reno 

Andrew Tobey is a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, was raised on the tribal reservation, and is the son of tribal elder, Randolph Tobey, son of the late Wilfred Tobey. After his education at the University of Nevada, Reno, Andrew began his internship at the National Institutes of Health. During his time at NIH he worked as an Associate Investigator with a research focus on improvements to metastatic-thyroid cancer treatments. Upon returning to the Reno/Sparks area, Andrew was tasked by the NV INBRE to research and develop pathways to improve educational outcomes for tribal communities in Nevada. The result of this effort is the Tribal Academy program which is currently expanding to provide support to tribal students for every major at UNR and is developing into a multi-institutional program at TMCC and UNLV in 2025. 

Tracy Johnson

Director of Retention, Progression, Completion, Graduate College, University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Tracy Johnson is the Director of Retention, Progression, and Completion (RPC) at the Graduate College of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She brings over 20 years of experience in higher education, including 16 years in undergraduate academic advising and nearly five years dedicated to supporting graduate student retention. In her current role, she oversees her team’s engagement with more than 5,000 active graduate and professional students across over 175 programs. Tracy plays a vital role in enhancing support for continuing students, particularly those from underserved backgrounds, including first-generation, justice-impacted, minoritized, and adult learners. She spearheads initiatives aimed at improving retention and success rates, is responsible for the development of the Building Resilient & Inclusive Discoveries to the Graduate Education (BRIDGE) program, oversees graduation qualifications, and monitors progress toward RPC goals.