UNLV Career Services and Workforce Development Team

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

Monesia “Mo” Hobbs brings a wealth of experience in education, business, hospitality, and public relations to the Assistant Director of Employer Engagement role. A lifelong learner with a fearless approach to any professional challenge, Monesia has been climbing the ladder since she was a teen, always securing a seat at the table, whether she was planning a national music and arts conference, or working in the publicity department for organizations such as Fox Sports, MTV, Hidden Beach Recordings, and others. 

Education has always been an important part of  Mo’s life. She has a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, a master’s degree in Communication Management and in winter of 2025, she completed an Executive MBA here at UNLV. But working in higher education was not on her radar until a few years ago when she found herself at a crossroads in her career path. For many years, Mo balanced being a business owner (managing a creative strategies firm that produced events and pr campaigns) with hospitality management. She helped steer the careers of many musicians and learned that she had a knack for empowering others and for becoming an expert of anything she’s a part of. 

Mo moved from Long Beach, CA to Las Vegas in 2021 and in January 2023, found herself in a sharp pivot when she joined UNLV’s Center for Academic Outreach and Enrichment as a TRIO SSS Coordinator. There she quickly saw the needs of the department, in addition to understanding the needs of the students she was serving. There was work to be done and Mo took on this endeavor like a passion project, building awareness about the program and reaching out to students who could utilize the services of the TRIO program, which serves first generation college students. 

With the help of her team, Mo updated the external messaging, increased the number of events that were offered to the students and created meaningful collaborations with various campus departments and community organizations. Since starting at UNLV, she has been named the co-chair and president for the graduation ceremony for students of African heritage, was awarded Administrative Faculty of the Month and received a Rookie Rockstar award from the Office of Student Affairs. 

Fiercely passionate about equity, access and creating environments that prepare our students to go to work, Mo sees her role as the Assistant Director of Employer Engagement as an opportunity to close the gap between industry needs and student readiness through deeper employer collaboration. 

When she is not being a multihyphenate, Mo is at home cooking, out exploring new hiking trails or checking out a live show.