Meet our student ambassadors

The best way for you to know if Honors is right for you is to connect with us and find out what life in the Honors College is really like. Our student ambassadors can answer any questions you might have about the Honors College.

Marketing, Publicity and Outreach team

Beau Bush, he/him

Headshot of Beau Bush

Originally from Boulder, Colorado, Beau is pursuing a double major in finance and management. He's passionate about outreach and making sure current and prospective students have the tools and resources they need to be successful in the Honors College. In his free time, Beau enjoys mountain biking, skiing, working on cars and listening to music.

Email Beau at cbbush@nevada.unr.edu.

Katherine Gavrilles

Headshot of Katherine GavrillesKatherine is an environmental engineering major from Spanish Springs, Nevada. Throughout her education, Katie has found purpose in representing where she came from. She served as a 2022-2023 National Rural and Small Town Recognition Scholar and a 3x Nevada state CTE representative. As an honors ambassador, Katie hopes to challenge the expectation of what an honors student is and to show prospective students that they belong.

Katie hopes to obtain her sustainability certificate at the University of Nevada, Reno’s Lake Tahoe campus. She plans to work in water treatment engineering to integrate sustainable practices into our existing water infrastructure.

Lalise Gizaw, she/her

Headshot of Lalise GizawLalise Gizaw is from Las Vegas, Nevada. She is pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Mathematics and Computer Science Engineering. Lalise is passionate about assisting students in pursuing their passions while in the Honors College. In her free time, she likes watching TV shows and spending time with her friends and family.

Email Lalise at lgizaw@nevada.unr.edu.

Shayan Hosseini, he/him

Headshot of Shayan HosseiniShayan is majoring in computer science and engineering and plans to pursue an accelerated MBA. He is passionate about helping students get the best college experience and grow in their new home at the Honors College. In his free time, he loves to meet new people, stay active, and play group sports and board games. Most of all, he enjoys listening and talking to people.

Email Shayan at shosseini@unr.edu.

Michael Jimenez

Headshot of Kirin HardingerIn high school, Michael was actively involved as president of the Red Cross chapter and co-founder of the Recycling Club, earning the Red Cross’s Above and Beyond Award for his exceptional dedication and leadership.

“Joining the Honors College felt like a natural step for me. As an honors AP student in high school, I’m always seeking ways to challenge myself and grow both academically and personally.”

Now, he is excited to attend the University of Nevada, Reno because of its diverse range of programs that sparked his interest. Building on his past experiences, he is determined to pursue a career as a physician, physician assistant or anesthesiologist with plans to study abroad in the near future.

Mabel Kim

Headshot of Mabel KimOriginally from San Francisco, California, Mabel is majoring in information systems and minoring in cybersecurity served as the treasurer of the Japanese National Honors Society in high school and ran her own YouTube channel. She was drawn to the University for its strong academic programs and sense of community, particularly within the Honors College. During her free time, she enjoys taking walks in nature, creating digital artwork, playing games, and practicing photography. Mabel aims to expand her knowledge of technology and enhance her professional experiences at the University. As an Honors Ambassador, she wants to use her enthusiasm for the University to share the Honor College's benefits with prospective students.

Karla Martin

Headshot of Karla MartinMy name is Karla Ruby Martin, and I’m a first-year student at the University of Nevada, Reno, originally from Las Vegas. I’m majoring in veterinary science and minoring in biology with an emphasis in cell and molecular biology. I chose the University because it offers programs I’m passionate about and provides a path to further my academics and prepare for veterinary school.

When I received an email about my automatic admission to the Honors College, I didn’t fully understand what it meant. Initially, I thought it would bring more work and stress. However, I decided to challenge myself, and it turned out to be the best decision I could have made. I immediately found a community of people who share my passion for academics and career development.

So far, the Honors College has taught me discipline and how to live a life beyond just grades. It’s opened doors to research opportunities, fellowships, and internships that I plan to explore throughout my college journey. Wanting to connect more deeply with the Honors College, I became an ambassador. I hope to help others find their purpose, build a community of like-minded individuals, and grow their professional profiles.

Being part of the Honors College is helping me discover who I am, share what the program represents, and work toward my dream of becoming a veterinarian.

Nola McGarva

Headshot of Catherine AsbergerFrom Santa Rosa, California, Nola is enrolled in the Honors College, majoring in criminal justice with plans to add a second major in accounting. She chose the University of Nevada, Reno, for its beautiful campus and the welcoming atmosphere created by the Nevada Bound program. Joining the Honors College has been one of her best decisions, as she has met many like-minded individuals eager to further their education through new challenges. Although she is new to the program and her experiences are still limited, she looks forward to collaborating with the outstanding team of Honors Ambassadors and participating in future events.

Quinn Padovan, he/him

Headshot of Quinn PadovanQuinn is from Sparks, Nevada, and pursuing a degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a pre-medical emphasis. He believes the Honors College puts you around like-minded individuals and gives you valuable opportunities. He looks forward to working with students to help them discover the Honors College. In his free time, he likes hanging out with friends, running, hiking and skiing in the Tahoe mountain range.

Email Quinn at qpadovan@nevada.unr.edu.

Alyssa Reichert, she/her

Headshot of Alyssa ReichertFrom right here in Reno, NV, Alyssa is studying Civil Engineering along with a minor in Business Administration. She believes that the Honors College is the place where passionate, creative, and intelligent individuals belong. In her free time, Alyssa loves working out, trying new recipes, being outdoors and spending time with friends. She is always excited to meet new people and get to know them.

Email Alyssa at areichert@nevada.unr.edu.

Ready to apply?

Questions answered? Check. Met some amazing people? Check. Ready to apply? Check.