Let's Talk UNLV

She Vets It, is an online community connecting women veterans, military spouses, and dependents. The platform provides a space for individuals to share their experiences and build community through insightful interviews.

She Vets It guests discuss a variety of topics, including mental health, career transitions, and navigating the VA system. Their mission is to empower and inspire women veterans and military spouses to live fulfilling lives post-service.

She Vets It also strives to bridge the gap between veteran organizations and the resources they offer. Their expert guests provide information on entrepreneurship, mental health, career transitions, education, and accessing benefits.

The She Vets It podcast serves as a valuable resource, offering women veterans the knowledge and support they need to make informed decisions about their post-service lives. Tune in to hear inspiring stories and expert advice and join them in their mission to empower women veterans.

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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.

Mr. Ethelbah has 24 years of professional higher education experience starting his career in admissions, academic advising, and financial aid, then ultimately moving into TRIO Programs where he has spent the last 21 years. He has overseen several outreach and success programs for underrepresented students in higher education, and has served on state, regional and national boards that support these students. Kyle is a proud alumnus of the TRIO Upward Bound and TRIO Student Support Services programs and is a member of the White Mountain Apache Tribe of Arizona. He received a Bachelor’s degree (BA) in Cultural and Linguistic Anthropology from the University of Arizona and a Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) – Health Promotion emphasis from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a graduate Certificate in American Indian Health (CAIH) from the Bloomberg School of Public Health at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. He is currently in the Doctor of Education of Organizational Change and Leadership Program at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California.

Featuring special guest Colette LaBouff, the Executive Director of Black Mountain Institute, Let's Talk's latest episode focuses on the gift of story and how writers at UNLV can get support from BMI to pursue their passion. 

About Black Mountain Institute: 

Justin Atkins joined the United States Marine Corps on September 11, 2001, after witnessing the terror attacks that took place that day. Justin’s career in the Marine Corps would span 12 years and take him to four different continents. Justin received training as an Infantry Rifleman and as a Marine Security Guard after completing Boot Camp at Parris Island, South Carolina.

Justin was medically retired due to complications from his wounds received on his first deployment to Iraq. While on active duty, Justin completed his associate degree in general studies through the American Military University and was a highly decorated combat veteran.

Justin completed his bachelor's degree in Kinesiological Science through the University of Nevada Las Vegas and served as a Senator, Senate President pro tempore, and Attorney General while part of the undergraduate student body. Justin helped expand access to mental health services at UNLV in response to the October 1 shootings and made several trips to Carson City to advocate for increased funding for UNLV.

Justin completed a Master of Public Health degree from Baylor University and is now an MD candidate at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV. Justin is an accomplished researcher, a father of four, and a loving husband. He plans to complete a residency in Family Medicine here in Las Vegas and to continue serving the veteran community as a Primary Care Practitioner for the Veterans Administration.

This episode has real talk conversation on Breast Cancer Awareness with hosts Dr. Tanya Crabb and Ailishia Vaughn. 

Dr. Marinela Maskuti is a public health and health policy practitioner. She has completed a Master of Public Health and Doctor of Public Policy. Currently, she serves as the Mental Health Wellness Officer for Nevada System of Higher Education, System Administration office in Las Vegas where she manages training for mental health and supervised a system-wide survey assessment for access barriers to mental health resources and services. Prior to working for NSHE, Dr. Maskuti served as the Wellness Educator for the Student Wellness Center at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During her time at UNLV, Marinela coordinated training courses for peer health education and managed wellness promotion, student engagement, and health education presentations with a focus on mental health and wellness. In addition to UNLV, Marinela also worked for the Southern Nevada Health District, where she administered public health educational presentations and materials specific to COVID-19 for medical providers and patient communities of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and health backgrounds. Prior to relocating to Las Vegas and working for SNHD, Marinela resided in Philadelphia where she worked for the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, where she supervised survivorship cancer resources for patients and organized medical provider training programs for proton radiation therapy.

Ash Quin

Ash Xander Quinn serves as the Program Coordinator for the Hope Resources Program at UNLV - a basic needs initiative within the office of Service Learning and Leadership. As a UNLV alum who obtained their Bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Social Work, Ash has served in various roles across campus such as a Resident Assistant in Housing, staff in the Student Diversity office, and a member of the student LGBTQ+ group Spectrum. Ash now serves as Spectrum's Faculty Advisor and is on the Executive Leadership Team for QUNLV, the LGBTQ+ Faculty/Staff Alliance. Ash is a representative for QUNLV on the President's Advisory Council and in conjunction with his basic needs support, he regularly works with students in the LGBTQ+ community to provide support and advocacy. 

Mikayla Hooper is the Education & Outreach Coordinator at the UNLV Jean Nidetch Care Center and an advocate for social justice. Mikayla is a first-generation graduate from UNLV, where she received her Bachelors in Human Services. Mikayla discovered her passion in advocacy and anti-violence work in 2019, after becoming a CARE Advocate at the CARE Center. Mikayla inspires to bring awareness around anti-violence and healing to the community overall. Mikayla hopes to one day provide comprehensive sex education through an intersectional lens and create nonjudgmental and compassionate spaces to learn and communicate about sex.

Tarah Tackett is the Care Advocate Coordinator at the UNLV Jean Nidetch Care Center and a social justice advocate. Tarah is a first-generation graduate from UNLV, where she received her Bachelors in Psychology with a minor in Family Studies. Tarah discovered her devotion for anti-violence and healing-centered work in 2019, after becoming a volunteer advocate at the CARE center. She hopes to connect the community opportunities for healing and reclaiming power.

Join us as we have real life conversations about all making space, reconnecting with ourselves, and intentional self-care. Today we are joined by our Production Assistant Wesley Knight.

Join us as we meet with Dr. Nancy J. Uscher is Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Presidential Professor of music to discuss how the Fine Arts transforms and illuminates individuals and communities.

 Dr. Nancy J. Uscher is Dean of the College of Fine Arts and presidential professor of music. She oversees seven departments and schools, eight curated gallery spaces, including the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art; six theater venues, and the UNLV Performing Arts Center.

Prior to joining UNLV in 2016, Dr. Uscher was president of Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle for five years. Before that, she was provost for seven years–and for six months co-acting president–of the California Institute of the Arts, where she also was on the music faculty. Dr. Uscher previously spent 12 years at the University of New Mexico as professor of music, and, at various times, associate provost, department chair and center director. She also taught in the women studies program.

A concert violist, Dr. Uscher earned her bachelor’s degree in music at the Eastman School of Music of the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY, her master’s degree in music at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and her Ph.D. from New York University. She also holds a certificate of advanced study and A.R.C.M. from the Royal College of Music in London and also studied at The Juilliard School in New York City.

Dr. Uscher had an international career as a violist that spanned more than two decades, including six years as co-principal violist of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra and performances on six continents. She has recorded works of Mendelssohn, Shostakovich and Hindemith for the Stereophile and Musical Heritage Society labels. In addition to guest teaching and coaching in more than 20 countries, Dr. Uscher has authored two books and more than a score of articles, mainly for music publications. She is a past board member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design, and past vice chair and board member of the American Composers Forum.