Faces of the Pack

Grads of the Pack: Dana Cooper

Graduating senior Dana Cooper finds her path through service, family and perseverance

Faces of the Pack: Zoee Castro

First-generation future physician emphasizes the importance of mental health and perseverance

Faces of the Pack: Fatima Gonzalez Lopez and Jaqueline Barba Gomez

Pre-nursing students develop skills and confidence through Simulation Microcredential

Faces of the Pack: Cameron Shonnard

A future physician’s path to patient-centered care

Emma Lawson reflects on working with the University Police Department-Northern Command through the Pack Internship Grant Program

Lawson will graduate in May with a degree in communication studies from the College of Liberal Arts

Megan Webb: bridging liberal arts and STEM through resourcefulness and curiosity

Learn how alumna Megan Webb turned her college internship into a career

Faces of The Pack: Abdulmalik Lawal

Overcoming challenges and fears have propelled this journalism graduate student to achieve more than he ever imagined possible

Faces of the Pack: Bailey Ivory

UNR Med Class of 2026 graduate reflects on the community that shaped her journey — and the one she’ll now serve as a pediatrician in Reno

Grads of the Pack: Thomas Darnell and Camilla Downs

From shared library story times to shared graduation day; explore a mother and her child’s journey to earning their degrees together

Faces of the Pack: Anayeli Mendoza

First-generation business student Anayeli Mendoza is preparing for a future in law through her experiences at the University of Nevada, Reno

Grads of the Pack: Rafig Hasanov, from Azerbaijan to Nevada

Philosophy student finds his place, and next step, at the University of Nevada, Reno

From Brazil to Nevada: Research shows how tobacco messaging shapes public perception

Ph.D. candidate Luciana Borges studies how corporate messaging can influence perceived risk, with implications for global and U.S. public health policy

A.B.L.E. Women's Club

Building leaders, serving the community and strengthening sisterhood across the Pack

Engineering student advocates for safer bicycling at national summit

Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance sends Malayla Harding to DC after selecting her as its first Goodenow Fellow

Jessica Gonzalez and Angela Wang – John and Rochelle Gray Scholarship recipients

The first-generation students receive the John and Rochelle Gray Scholarship, highlighting their resilience on the path to becoming medical professionals

Faces of the Pack: Ericka Estacio

Originally from the Philippines, Estacio shares her journey coming to the University of Nevada, Reno and what is it like to study in the Department of English in the College of Liberal Arts

Find Your Pack: Lauren Moses

How this business-minded finance major invests in her future through networking and opportunities at the University of Nevada, Reno

Ask a NASA engineer: How does NASA protect astronauts from fires in space?

Mechanical engineering graduate Manuel Retana explains how he’s helping keep astronauts safe on Artemis II

Faces of the Pack: Extension’s 4-H volunteer Joe Nenzel makes a difference

Learn how Joe Nenzel takes his U.S. Marine Corps experience to Nevada ranges to mentor 4-H youth, and how others can make a life-changing impact, too

Experiences of the Pack: Lizzy Riley and Kye Nolan

Married nursing students expand their perspective on care through a global experience in Belize

Grads of the Pack: Hannah Ahern and Tommy Garcia

Orvis School of Nursing students advocate for the future of healthcare in Washington, D.C.

Faces of the Pack: Tyler Harte

How personal loss led a third-year resident to a fellowship in hospice and palliative care

Engineering Ph.D. student aims to monitor nuclear waste canisters from the inside

Lamia Belhassani receives Roy G. Post Foundation Scholarship, presents research at Waste Management Symposia

Faces of the Pack: Taylor Thomas

How a passion for teaching and community led one Reno local into family medicine

Chemical physics graduate student selected for prestigious DOE fellowship

Noah Huerta studies quantum chemistry

Faces of the Pack: Izabella Hedjazi on AI, ethics, education

'You can like it or dislike it. But it shouldn’t stop you from learning about something already changing the world.'

Women in agriculture

Women of the Pack are advancing plant science through research, teaching and outreach

Experiences of the pack: Vania Carter-Strauss, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC

From the clinic to the capital: The unexpected joys of advocacy

Medical student discovers rare kidney condition during an ultrasound class

How a kidney condition sparked one student’s passion for urology

Meet Nevada’s nominees for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship

The University of Nevada, Reno nominates five exceptional undergraduates for the prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship

Susanna Vaughan reflects on theatre, teaching and directing 'Bat Boy: The Musical' for the Department of Theatre and Dance within the College of Liberal Arts

Vaughan encourages the community to experience the production this March

Find Your Pack Deandre Presswood

Meet the path-forging snow hydrologist who is finding his family of scientists and making his own tracks here at Nevada

Meet the University’s 2026 Truman Scholarship nominees

The University of Nevada, Reno nominates Miriam Dayton and Gabriella Detrick for the 2026 Truman Scholarship

Foundation Outstanding Letter of Appointment Instructional Faculty Award and Exceptional Letter of Appointment Instructional Faculty College/School Awards for fall 2025

One individual named Outstanding LOA and eight others were named Exceptional LOAs this semester

Experiences of the pack: Gabriella Poulsen

Undergraduate student Gabriella Poulsen recounts her time studying in Japan through the University's USAC program with the College of Liberal Arts' support

Faces of the Pack: Orion Liggett

Learn how a journey across 40 states brought Ph.D. student Orion Liggett to the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Nevada, Reno

Faces of the Pack: Simone Jacot

From rural roots to global reach: a student’s path to medicine – Simone Jacot reflects on how University programs have supported her journey toward medical school

Find Your Pack – Mikayla Pagh

From Illinois to Nevada, Mikayla Pagh reflects on her journey as a student-athlete, sorority member, CFRC employee and graduate student — and how each role helped her find her Pack

Searching for understanding through elephants

Undergraduate researcher, Avery Nicholas, evaluates how anthropology and ecology work together to provide solutions for Human-Elephant Conflict

Faces of the Pack: Lauryn Massic’s journey in public health sciences

From fellowship training to doctoral research at the Nevada State Public Health Laboratory

Find Your Pack – Gabe

How this musician, photographer, filmmaker and storyteller overcame imposter syndrome and found their Pack

Faces of The Pack: Tasheena Egan

From opportunity to impact: How student leader Tasheena Egan empowers others to embrace their identity through the Native LEAD Program

A call to serve, in uniform and in medicine

UNR Med students share how their experiences in the armed forces inspire their mission to care for others

Find Your Pack – Ryan Costa

How a former Marine found his Pack through Veterans Services and a love of the outdoors

From nuclear power on aircraft carriers to college student: How retired Navy veteran Niccole Callahan transitioned into college life

The University's Veteran Student Services Center helps create a sense of belonging and community

Grads of the Pack: Cassie Eckroth

NevadaTeach student surfs past obstacles to inspire the next generation

Find your Pack – Alexia Carver

How this metallurgical engineering student found her place at the University of Nevada, Reno

Culture to culture: Striving and thriving in undergraduate research

First-generation student Audrie Escover researches parental development differences through childhood after reflecting on her own experiences across cultures

Find your Pack – Carson Petersen

Petersen gives a first-hand account of how his dreams have taken off through the Aerospace Engineering Club

From Ghana to Nevada: Ph.D. student’s childhood connection with University dean sparks global conservation research

Faculty mentorship, support and friendship at the University of Nevada, Reno have been key to Akwasi Opoku’s success as an international student

From Fernley to Space: Fayth Burnett is shaping her future and making a difference

First-generation aerospace engineering student finds inspiration through experiences at the University’s Fleischmann Planetarium

Faces of The Pack: Riata Palmer

Powwow Princess Riata Palmer uses her crown as a platform for advocacy and cultural representation

Find Your Pack – Leah Vengley

A heart for healing, a passion for horses

Encouraging the next generation of lawyers at the University of Nevada, Reno

President of the Latino Pre-Law Association, Melina Duarte, shares her 'why' behind leading and studying criminal justice

Faces of the Pack: Fabian Gomez

'I want to inspire people with disabilities to pursue their dreams'

Food is more than just a meal: One researcher’s journey from the Andes to Nevada

My global travels have taught me that honoring food traditions helps us stay connected to our heritage

Graduate student honors late professor through healthcare communication internship

Mary Kate Atiglo worked as the Dr. Todd Felts Healthcare Marketing and Communications Intern at Northern Nevada HOPES

Finding a community through Upward Bound: Incoming freshman Jason Mendoza’s path to higher education

How one opportunity created a sense of belonging and community

Balloon Race Scholarship recipients awarded for 2025

Three undergraduate students and two graduate students received this year's Scholarship

From patient to provider

William Lara’s path to becoming a physician assistant inspired by overcoming language, distance and access barriers in rural Nevada

Faces of the Pack: Dave Laurence White, Jr.

Doctoral student receives congressional recognition for disability advocacy

Driven to make a difference

Tiffany Scheller's journey in community health and education, from addressing rural disparities as a dietitian to making an impact as a physician assistant student, mother and future leader

From rural roots to statewide impact

Adam Serfoss’ journey in health care and advocacy, from witnessing health disparities in rural Nevada to making change as a physician assistant student, veteran and future educator

Rooted in Nevada, driven by compassion

Madison Schuster’s journey from childhood patient to physician assistant, dedicated to rural emergency care and mentoring the next generation

Mother. Veteran. Future PA. Lauren Bell’s journey to medicine

From the military to medicine: How veteran Lauren Bell found new purpose in healing others