Kass Moore
Director of Career & Life Design
Kass is a double alum of UNLV, holding both a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s of Education. With a passion for empowering individuals to design fulfilling lives and careers, Kass currently serves as the Director of Career + Life Design at UNLV, guiding students and community members in discovering their strengths, interests, and true potential.
Kass’ dedication extends beyond the university walls. For over 2.5 years, they gained valuable experience helping job seekers at MAANG companies (Amazon, Google, Meta) through a tech startup, providing expert career coaching and operational leadership, and igniting success stories. Their commitment to social impact is also evident in their previous work with nonprofits, supporting individuals in achieving certifications in IT/Cybersecurity, medical coding and billing, phlebotomy, and other blue-collar professionals to achieve their goals. Kass has also worked with local Las Vegas organizations, such as the Just One Project, providing career and professional development training and support.
Driven by a desire to uplift others, Kass volunteers as a crisis counselor with the Trevor Project, extending emotional support and community to LGBTQ+ youth in need. Recognizing the importance of community, they actively support small businesses and cheer on Las Vegas’s pride and joy – UNLV athletics and the Las Vegas Aces.
In Kass’ life, there’s a beautiful synergy between passion and purpose. As the Director of Career + Life Design, they empower individuals to chart their own course, build meaningful careers, and create lives that resonate with their deepest aspirations.
Lyndsi Pace
Associate Director of Data, Assessment & Planning
Lyndsi Pace oversees operations, data, assessment, and Handshake support for UNLV Career Services and Workforce Development. She is a Las Vegas native, and she is passionate about career development and UNLV student success.
Before transitioning to higher education, Lyndsi worked in nonprofits arts management for 10 years and retail management for two years before that. She has a bachelors in Entrepreneurship from Brigham Young University and a masters in Arts Administration from Boston University.
In her free time, Lyndsi volunteers with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Southern Nevada by teaching classes and facilitating support groups.
If you need any help with your Handshake account, please reach out at lyndsi.pace@unlv.edu.
Dr. Chris Hughes
Career & Life Design Specialist
Dr. Chris Hughes serves as a Career and Life Design Specialist with UNLV Career Services.
He is an expert in career related subjects like resumes, cover letters, interviews, job and
internship searching, and career exploration and loves to talk to people about their career dreams.
He has worked with many diverse students and groups including: students with disabilities,
LGBTQ+, first generation, minority students, veterans, and international students.
Originally from Southern California, he moved to Las Vegas in order to study at UNLV where
he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. After working in Risk Management for a
few years, he decided to continue his education and moved to Pennsylvania where he got his
Master’s degree in Counselor Education with an emphasis in Career Counseling at Penn State.
He decided to continue his education at Penn State and completed his PhD in Counselor
Education and Supervision before moving back to Las Vegas and returning to UNLV.
Cérya Cruz
Career & Life Design Specialist
Cérya Cruz is a Career and Life Design Specialist at UNLV. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Science (Sociology) from the University of Hawaiʻi—West Oʻahu and brings eight years of experience in academic coaching and peer mentoring in higher education. Over the years, Cérya has supported college students from diverse backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities, varying socioeconomic statuses, and cultural identities, many of whom are first-generation students.
Passionate about helping others, Cérya enjoys assisting students in uncovering their abilities and interests to define their goals. She is dedicated to providing personalized guidance and is excited to support you and your career endeavors!
Caitlin Hawekotte
Online Career & Internship Coordinator
Caitlin is an Online Career & Internship Coordinator with UNLV Career Services & Workforce Development. With over 10 years of experience in coaching students and professionals from diverse backgrounds, she finds great joy in facilitating students’ self-discovery process as they clarify their goals and how to achieve them.
She specializes in career coaching UNLV’s online students, though she is available to meet with on-campus students as well. She also focuses on coordinating internship opportunities and managing the online communication about the career-focused tools and resources available to UNLV students and alumni.
Caitlin earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and a master’s degree in Leadership Development from Chapman University. While she pursued her master’s degree, she also worked at Chapman University’s Career Development Center for two years, helping students choose their majors, explore potential career paths, and apply to jobs, internships, and graduate programs.
In addition to coaching, Caitlin has also spent a combined 10 years working in a variety of industries, such as marketing, publishing, entertainment, aviation, and hospitality. She has had so much fun learning and growing along her career path and can’t wait to help the students and alumni of UNLV do the same.
Hector Buenrostro-Mendoza
Career & Life Design Specialist
Hector Buenrostro-Mendoza is a Career & Life Design Specialist with Career Services & Workforce Development at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). He is a first-generation alumnus. Hector was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. He graduated from Nevada State University with a degree in Psychology (BA) with a minor in Education/Instruction.
Hector has always had a passion for helping individuals and supporting communities such as the LGBTQIA2S+ and Latino communities. More recently, he discovered a passion for career readiness. Hector enjoys assisting individuals to discover their strengths, boost their confidence, and achieve their professional goals. Whether it is polishing a resume, preparing for interviews, or defining goals, Hector is here to support and guide every step of the way.
In his spare time, he enjoys photography, the outdoors, traveling, trying new restaurants, watching films, attending concerts, and spending time with family and friends.
Kijai Salimu
Administrative Assistant III
Mikayla Harris
Mikayla Harris is a Las Vegas native who has spent her entire life in the city. She earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from UNLV and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Passionate about helping others, Mikayla is eager to learn about students’ career goals and support them on their journeys.
Darren Noble
Director for Alumni Career Engagement
Darren Noble serves as the Director for Alumni Career Engagement at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) within the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement. In this role, Noble is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing a comprehensive, inclusive, and culturally responsive alumni career engagement program for all UNLV alumni.
As an expert in Gen Z and Millennial engagement, Noble brings extensive experience in executive leadership, business development, higher education, career development, student affairs, and marketing/community relations. His diverse professional background spans corporate, nonprofit, and public service/government sectors.
Previously, Noble was the Executive Director of the SouthWest Metro Chamber of Commerce, serving the SouthWest Metro Region of the Twin Cities (Minneapolis/St. Paul), Minnesota.
Noble’s career also includes roles at Crown College, Upper Iowa University, the State of Oregon/Department of Human Services, George Fox University, Borders Group, Inc., Oregon State University, and the Boys & Girls Club of America.
In 2014, Noble joined the Board of Directors of the Rotary Club of Waconia-West Carver, where he served in various capacities until 2019, including past president (2018-19), president (2017-18), president-elect (2016-17), and public relations/technology chair (2014-17 & 2018-19).
From 2020 to 2023, Noble also served on the Board of Directors of the Waconia Choir Boosters Club at Waconia High School, Waconia, MN, where he was a parent volunteer from 2013 to 2023.
Noble holds a master’s degree from Oregon State University and a bachelor’s degree from Boise State University.
