At the end of each semester, the University of Nevada, Reno and the Nevada Alumni Association recognize one undergraduate student from each school or college who fits the Senior Scholar program criteria. The scholars are given a framed certificate and a Senior Scholar pin to honor their achievements. Below, you can learn more about each individual who has embodied The Wolf Pack Way with their dedication to their studies and significant accomplishments through Q&A interviews.

Hayley Tina Williams

College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources

Forest Ecology & Management and Environmental Science, specialization in Ecological Restoration and Conservation, GPA: 4.00

Mentor: Sarah Bisbing, M.S., Ph.D.

Why did you choose to attend the University of Nevada, Reno?

I grew up in Reno, so being able to attend an R1 research university while staying close to family was an easy decision. The surrounding area is incredibly beautiful and offers so many opportunities to get outside and explore nature. 

How did you decide on your major?

I have always had a deep and profound love for nature. Spending time outdoors is an enriching experience, and I hope to protect these natural spaces for future generations. Studying environmental science and forestry has given me the tools to make this positive impact.

What is your favorite college memory?

Some of my favorite college memories have been going on camping and climbing trips with friends. These experiences have allowed me to connect with like-minded people and truly build a community I am proud of. I know that these friendships and memories will last a lifetime. 

Why did you select your mentor?

I have chosen Dr. Bisbing as my mentor because her passion for forestry is inspiring. Working for her this past summer exposed me to innovative management ideas and allowed me to learn so much. She is truly the kindest person and her care for her students is evident in everything she does.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan on pursuing a graduate degree in the field of forestry. I hope to conduct my own research and use it to make an impact in natural resource management. In the meantime, I will continue to share my love of nature and spend as much time as I can outdoors.

Nicholas Katsaros

College of Engineering

Computer Science and Engineering, Cybersecurity & Math minors, GPA: 4.00

Mentor: Bill Doherty '80, '87 MBA, '00 Ph.D.

Why did you choose to attend the University of Nevada, Reno?

I chose to attend Nevada because I believe it is the best school in the state. I didn’t believe it would be financially practical to leave Nevada, and I regard the University as an excellent institution.

How did you decide on your major?

Ever since my first programming class in high school, I have always loved computer science. I have tried introductory classes in other fields (namely physics and mechanical engineering), but nothing was as much fun for me as computer science. It was an easy choice for me.

What is your favorite college memory?

In freshman year, I met a lot of people who lived in the LLC (Living Learning Community) dorm. I would be there several times a week to watch movies, play video games and meet new people. Most people I still hang out with are people I met there. 

Why did you select your mentor?

I chose Dr. Bill Doherty as my mentor because he has had the biggest impact on my professional success. His classes are very hands-on and helpful towards real-world jobs. His Mobile Security class (CS453) contains a lot of material I have used in a professional setting.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I will immediately continue into the University’s M.S. cybersecurity program. I intend to also be a part-time software engineer for the duration of the program.

Oihana Camino Villanueva

College of Liberal Arts

Anthropology & Spanish, Basque Studies minor, GPA: 4.00

Mentor: Sandra Ott, M.A., D.Phil. 

Why did you choose to attend the University of Nevada, Reno?

Having been born and raised in Reno and attended an amazing local high school (go Lancers!), I was granted the opportunity to come to the University through the support of multiple scholarships. If it weren’t for the University’s and the community’s aid, I probably would not have been able to afford to go to school.

How did you decide on your major?

In my freshman year, a professor pulled me aside between classes to say I’d be “stupid” not to declare a major in Spanish. (“¡Eso es de cajón!”). In the end, he was right. The next semester, in Dr. Ott’s course, I discovered I also loved and wanted to pursue anthropology. 

What is your favorite college memory?

One moment that comes to mind was before I moved out of my freshman dorm, where I lived with five of my favorite people. Our only “common area” was the space by the bathroom sinks. On one of our last nights together, we ordered pizza and sat on the tile floor, sharing our final meal as roommates.

Why did you select your mentor?

It was how Dr. Ott spoke about her fieldwork that inspired me to pursue anthropology in the first place, and ever since, she has been incredibly supportive. Now, she is helping me prepare for grad school. I can't thank her enough for the role she’s played in my academic journey.

What are your plans after graduation?

Hopefully, I’ll enter a graduate program in sociocultural anthropology not too far in the future. I want to learn how to conduct ethnography that helps us understand our country’s social divides and then go on to teach. Until then, I plan to work in the school district as a bilingual classroom aide.

Niko Mastick

College of Science

Atmospheric Science & Mathematics, Social Justice Minor, GPA: 4.00

Mentor: Vera Samburova, M.S., Ph.D.

Why did you choose to attend the University of Nevada, Reno?

I grew up in Reno, so attending the University was a natural choice. I also knew that it was a place where I would be encouraged to explore classes outside my major and apply what I learned to do meaningful research.

How did you decide on your major?

Going into college, I couldn’t decide whether I wanted to do physics or environmental science, so I decided to try and split the difference with atmospheric science. My math major and social justice minor were good complements for my other interests in statistics and environmental justice.

What is your favorite college memory?

This fall, I was a mentor for NevadaFIT. It was incredibly rewarding to watch my students go from high schoolers to prepared college students in such a short time frame.

Why did you select your mentor?

Taking Dr. Samburova’s air pollution and atmospheric chemistry classes and then doing research on post-fire soil with her had a huge impact on me as a student and as a scientist. She has challenged me to be better and pushed me towards a career in air quality management.

What are your plans after graduation?

I am currently applying for international master's programs that will start next fall. After that, I want to work in environmental management and protection. In the short term, during my semester break, I hope to travel and spend as much time outside as possible!

Salem Robert Neufeld

Honors College

Chemistry, GPA: 3.992

Mentor: Jody Lykes ’12 M.A., ’19 Ph.D.

Why did you choose to attend the University of Nevada, Reno?

I chose to attend the University because of the community-driven Honors College. I was drawn to the compassionate and holistic approach that the College has, and the opportunities the University provided me to serve my local community.

How did you decide on your major?

In high school, I was fascinated by the sciences. I chose chemistry because I had an amazing experience with my AP Chemistry class. I loved the connections that were drawn between the material I was learning and the real-world applications of the subject.

What is your favorite college memory?

My favorite college memory is studying for difficult classes on the Knowledge Center’s whiteboards. The chemistry majors in my courses would group up and spend hours working through difficult problems together. It was an amazing (yet difficult) group bonding experience.

Why did you select your mentor?

Dr. Jody Lykes provided me with an excellent opportunity in The Honors College, which was to stop being shy and meet people! Because of his support, I was inspired to join a research group, gain marketing experience and experience new things in my undergraduate career.

What are your plans after graduation?

I want to attend the medical school at the University. I resonate with the community-driven focus present in the mission statement. Practicing medicine and helping those in the northern Nevada community is my number one goal and graduating from this institution puts me one step closer.

Madelyn L. Jones

Orvis School of Nursing

Nursing, GPA: 3.98

Mentor: Jasen Brooks ’20 MSN

Why did you choose to attend the University of Nevada, Reno?

I chose to attend the University because the nursing program offers outstanding opportunities for hands-on learning and growth, consistently demonstrates high NCLEX pass rates and provides a warm, inclusive and supportive environment that made me feel welcome from the very beginning.

How did you decide on your major?

I chose to pursue nursing because of my passion for science and compassion for others. I’ve always been attentive to the well-being of friends and family, and as someone who takes pride in being determined, empathetic and compassionate, nursing perfectly aligns with who I am and what I value most.

What is your favorite college memory?

One of my favorite college memories is being able to volunteer for community events such as the Northern Nevada Pride Festival. In this environment, I feel like I can have fun, connect with others, share experiences and promote health and inclusivity while giving back to the community.

Why did you select your mentor?

I chose Professor Brooks as my mentor because he has been a huge support for me even before I was accepted into Orvis. As someone more introverted with creative hobbies that are familiar to very few people, he has supported me academically and empowered me to embrace my true self beyond academics.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to spend time with my family and reconnect with my close friends. After that, I intend to begin my nursing career, gain meaningful experience in the field and pursue an advanced degree to become a nurse practitioner.

Lily Wright

Reynolds School of Journalism

Journalism, PSC (Foreign Affairs) Minor, GPA: 3.906

Mentor: Nico Colombant, Masters, International Relations

Why did you choose to attend the University of Nevada, Reno?

I chose to attend the University after I toured the campus and the Reynolds School of Journalism during my senior year of high school in the Fall. I loved the campus and felt that the RSJ had a lot of amazing opportunities for journalism students.

How did you decide on your major?

During the pandemic, I watched the news every night with my parents and felt a lot of admiration towards the journalists reporting in such difficult circumstances. That experience made me decide that I wanted to be a journalist. I've always had a passion for writing and I've always been a very opinionated person.

What is your favorite college memory?

My favorite college memory is going to Costa Rica with the journalism school in March. We stayed in cabins in the rainforest while working on an article and mini documentary with my friends.

Why did you select your mentor?

Nico was the first professor who took an interest in my career academically and professionally. He was always encouraging, nominated me for my Savitt award and tremendously improved my writing. Even after taking his classes, I would reach out to him for advice and he always gave it.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to continue my freelance journalism work and travel. I will also be interning at the L.A. Times this summer. 

Makayla Wilson

School of Public Health

Kinesiology, GPA: 3.957

Mentor: Jennifer Hollander '02 M.S., '07 Ph.D.

Why did you choose to attend the University of Nevada, Reno?

I chose to attend the University because of its proximity to Tahoe for snowboarding and lake activities, the abundance of outdoor activities nearby and the strong school spirit.

How did you decide on your major?

I was a recreational and competitive dancer for 13 years. I also enjoy a variety of hobbies such as snowboarding, hiking, wakeboarding and pilates. From a young age, I have enjoyed physical activity, and this led me to study the ways in how the body moves. 

What is your favorite college memory?

My favorite college memories are the football tailgates – getting dressed up with friends and dancing to loud music in a truck bed. It was such a fun experience and so unique.

Why did you select your mentor?

I selected Dr. Hollander as my mentor because of her organized and enthusiastic approach to anatomy. The skill and energy with which she teaches led to my success in Anatomy 224. I continue to use the knowledge I obtained in her class to excel in my upper-division kinesiology courses.

What are your plans after graduation?

After graduation, I plan to take a gap year to explore career paths in the healthcare and medical field.