Semester recaps are my favorite blog posts to publish on my website. I am halfway through my junior year of college! The Fall 2023 semester was academically and professionally challenging; however, it was rewarding at the same time. I am very blessed to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. This college has given me opportunities and friendships that I am beyond thankful for. Please take a look at the past semester below!
Yellowstone Club
Concierge Position
In August, I completed my seasonal concierge role at Yellowstone Club (YC). YC is the world’s only private golf and ski resort. I am fortunate to have worked at a property this grand. The club members were amiable and all of the employees were very kind to me during my stay in Montana. I completed more than 450 different interactions with club members. I know how to professionally speak and write to guests at a luxury property. I mastered Salesforce and TEI. I am grateful to have these computer software programs under my belt.
It was also a great experience for me to learn what adulthood looks like. I paid my rent, lived with roommates, and went on many solo dates. I went ziplining and whitewater rafting by myself and dined at many restaurants alone. I highly recommend college students who live at home with their parents to complete jobs and internships in other states over the summer months. I matured while in Montana and learned to enjoy my own company. I was not embarrassed to explore Big Sky or Bozeman by myself. Instead, I felt powerful and content with my own self and journey.
Day trips to Yellowstone National Park were so much fun!
UNLV American Marketing Association
President
This year, I took on a big role. After giving my heart and soul to the UNLV American Marketing Association for two years, I officially became the President! Our chapter has accomplished a lot in a short period.
Left Photo: Mariana, Itzel, Haley, and Me!
Middle Photo: Welcome to the Major Tabling Event
Right Photo: Espen, Hoffman, Andres, Mariana, Me, and Itzel
There are nine people total on the executive board. All of the officers are AMAzing individuals and I am proud to call them my team members and friends. It’s true what they say... "Nothing of significance was ever achieved by an individual acting alone." I’ve had a lot of help in my role as president and my team is to thank for all of their hard work. UNLV AMA would not be where it is today without Andres, Hieu, Mariana, Haley, Espen, Hoffman, Malik, and Itzel!
2023-2024 UNLV AMA Executive Board
Me, Hieu, Espen, Mariana, Andres, Itzel, Malik, Haley, Hoffman
Chapter Plan
At the beginning of the school year, we created a chapter plan with our goals for the entire 2023-2024 school year. We hope to fulfill all of the tasks and goals listed. UNLV AMA plans to be a top 10 chapter this year! Take a look at the plan here!
Marketing Week
Haley and Espen are THE dynamic duo! As Vice Presidents of Professional Development, Haley and Espen were tasked with creating a successful Marketing Week. The National AMA Marketing Week competition is a huge deal and UNLV AMA had to participate this year. Take a look at the fun-filled week of events here!
Recruitment Video
Itzel has done a stunning job with our various social media accounts. Look at this recruitment video she made!
2023 Cox Contender Challenge
We won 2nd place overall in the Cox Communications Contender Challenge. Thank you to Hieu, Andres, Martin, Ethan, and Emmanuel for representing UNLV AMA in the competition. We earned $1,000 for our organization! Several members also won MVP awards! Thank you to Andres for organizing and leading the team each day of the competition! Andres is THE best Vice President I could ever ask for!
Manny, Andres, & Me - 2023 Cox Contender Challenge
Martin, Me, Manny, Andres, and Ethan - We all won MVP Awards!
Career Forum Grant
We won $1,000 from the National AMA to use for our Annual Conference on February 3, 2024! We are thrilled to all come together for this exciting event!
Collegiate Case Competition
The Collegiate Case Competition is the biggest event of the year for UNLV AMA. This competition is a HUGE time commitment. I have been on the UNLV AMA Case Team since my freshman year of college. It takes a lot of dedication, perseverance, and grit. We had 12 highly intelligent members on the team this year. Gavin was my right-hand man during the entire process and I cannot thank him enough for his commitment to this case. We turned in our case during December and I could not be prouder of our entry. Considering the hard circumstances happening to UNLV at the time, our AMA team remained strong and powered on to finish the case. I am unable to share our competition submission at this time. We are waiting to hear the results. Please take a look at the kind words from our UNLV AMA advisor that was sent originally as an email:
"I want to congratulate all our 2023 AMA case team members. You were able to persevere through the most difficult time in UNLV’s history. On Monday, December 4th, we spent all night in Beam Hall working on the case to make sure we had a solid draft that we could spend a week polishing. As a team, we finished on Tuesday morning. Then on Wednesday at 11:40 am our lives all changed. Getting the case completed seemed trivial. But over the next weekend, we finished the case and turned it in. You demonstrated extreme resilience and perseverance. This is the most impressive UNLV AMA accomplishment in the 25 years I have been associated with the organization. I want to congratulate every student who worked on this case. I could not be prouder of any set of students I have worked with in the past 36 years at UNLV. Congratulations again. We are UNLVStrong." - Jack Schibrowsky
2023 UNLV AMA All-Nighter - I promise I got work done!
Volunteering
UNLV AMA has a magnificent VP of Community Impact. Malik owns a non-profit called Changing the Narrative. We have been able to participate in many service-oriented events with his non-profit, making a difference within the Las Vegas community. From volunteering at Project 150 to Toys for Tots, UNLV AMA is elevating impact and inspiring change!
Manny, Ethan, Me, Malik, and Espen at Project 150
Consulting Team
Hieu has been remarkable in his role as VP of Consulting. He has put together a dedicated team to help companies in Las Vegas with their marketing efforts. He has also created a sponsorship packet that we plan to use in 2024. We hope to have more partnerships in 2024! Take a look at our website to see his work as well as all of the AMAzing things our officers are doing for UNLV AMA: https://www.unlvama.org/consulting
AMA is my pride and joy. It's an honor to be the president of this organization!
UNLV Books, Beverages, and Bites (BBB)
Marketing Director
BBB was founded in early 2023 and as the Director of Marketing, I have taken the initiative to raise awareness of the club. I have crafted a thorough marketing plan, learned creative writing and graphic design, and contributed insightful ideas to BBB's two capstone projects (a first-ever hospitality student journal and exhibition). Within the course of nearly two semesters, our club has reached over 325 followers on Instagram, nearly 100 members on the UNLV Involvement Center, and planned 30 events that attracted hundreds of students on campus. From insightful workshops about my strengths to discussing LinkedIn tips and tricks, BBB has taught me a lot! I'm excited about what this next semester will bring! The best part of being a leader in this organization is teaming up with Hieu. He is a true friend, supporter, and role model in my life. I believe everyone needs a Hieu!
Tabling for BBB with Hieu!
BBB Gatherings and Workshops
UNLV Honors Student Council
Vice President
After serving as the HSC Secretary for the 2022-2023 school year, I am now the HSC Vice President for the 2023-2024 school year! The HSC team has planned a lot of events! We hosted a popsicle party before UNLV Premier, a coffee house night, and HSC Friendsgiving. Thank you to Allister for being a great President and Katrina for being an awesome Secretary! We are a small but mighty team! We couldn't do it all without our exceptional advisors Daniel and Kristina!
HSC Friends - Lucky, Allister, and Ferris!
YouChef, LLC
Co-Founder & CEO
Allister, Ferris, Rick, and I are continuing to work on our company called YouChef. We are officially an LLC! I am a co-founder of a business at 21 years old which is still insane for me to process. We won second place in the 2023 President's Innovation Challenge. We met a great app developer to help start our venture! Allister is my co-founder and such a wonderful friend to me! We hope to have more good news in 2024!
Vlad - Our App Developer!
Women in Leadership Conference
Undergraduate Attendee
Ariana and I were invited to attend the 2023 Women in Leadership Conference at MGM! The event consisted of two days of inspirational keynote speakers and workshops designed to help us maximize our potential as well as the ability to network with women from every industry imaginable. The speakers were phenomenal, offering invaluable insights into leadership, empowerment, and breaking barriers. This conference reinforced the importance of supporting and uplifting one another. Together, we can shatter glass ceilings, achieve our goals, and create a more inclusive and equitable world.
Ariana and I at the conference!
Red Roof Inn SHE Leads Forum
Scholarship Recipient
I had the pleasure of attending the Red Roof Inn SHE Leads Forum at the Fairmont Dallas. SHE is a 360-degree program to continue to Support, Help, and Elevate women. The conference was focused on three of SHE’s key pillars: ownership, personal branding, and wellness. Leaders and executives at the conference shared their experiences to continue fostering change in the hospitality industry. I was one of seven students from across the nation selected to attend. Four of the students who received a SHE Leads Forum scholarship were undergraduate students. Minh and I had a blast! We enjoyed listening to all the guest speakers and meeting incredible women in hospitality from around the country. We are not heroes. Women are SHEroes! “SHE” makes a difference. SHE is a powerhouse. SHE is a leader.
SHEroes!
Pentel of America
Student Ambassador
I have served as the UNLV Pentel Student Ambassador this school year! I've been able to promote the Pentel stationery brand and give out many pens and pencils! This opportunity has been a great way for me to learn about marketing and public relations!
Pentel Art Supplies
UNLV Foundation Dinner
Student Attendee
Former Dean Shoemaker invited Alex and me to attend the UNLV Foundation Dinner. It was an amazing event! We were able to network with movers and shakers in Las Vegas and enjoy a fantastic 3-course meal! We listened to a keynote delivered by Kevin O'Leary and we connected with faculty at UNLV.
Alex and I at the UNLV Foundation Dinner with Dr. Shoemaker!
Rebel Royalty | Homecoming
Miss Scarlet 2023
I was crowned 2023 UNLV Homecoming Royalty! Olivia is Miss Grey and I am Miss Scarlet! The Rebel Events Board and Homecoming Team worked tirelessly to make this week a success! If you voted for me, thank you!
Miss Scarlet and Miss Grey 2023
Breaking Bankruptcy Competition
Student Judge
It was an honor to serve as a judge at the 2023 Breaking Bankruptcy Case Competition Finale! Two graduate teams and three undergraduate teams delivered their final presentations. I am typically seen competing in case competitions. It was a surreal experience to be a judge instead of a competitor this time around.
Competition Judge!
TEDxUNLV 2024
Speaker
I am proud to announce that I will be a speaker at TEDxUNLV on January 27, 2024. Only 24 proposals were accepted out of 158 proposals submitted. Check out my speech at UNLV! Here is the link to the event with more information: https://www.ted.com/tedx/events/55190
Drawing
The event that took place on December 6, 2023, was horrendous and a shock. I was in my home when the shooter was on campus. I feared for my friends and professors who were at UNLV. It was a frightening day and I know that it will be an adjustment going back to campus when the Spring 2024 semester begins. I made this piece of artwork to showcase my love for UNLV and the Lee Business School. We are #UNLVStrong!
Our Business School. Our University. Our Home.
Turning 21!
Best Birthday Ever!
I turned 21 years old on New Year's Eve! I had an amazing birthday and I'm thrilled for all of the adventures to come!
Comments
Here are a few beautiful comments I have received from professors and connections this semester!
"They say that you can tell a lot about a person by the way people talk about them when they are not in the room. You should know that when I was in town for Homecoming, Olivia and every one of her friends enlightened me about who you are. In every conversation where you were mentioned, the most prominent expressions were about how intelligent and kind you are. And beyond "nice"... "Kind" and "thoughtful". I heard this repeatedly throughout the week. "Super smart... I mean REALLY smart..." is just one of the comments I heard. I thought you should know what kind of an impact you make on those around you, and what they say about you knowing you will never know." - LinkedIn Connection
"So I read this as I finished reading your other assignment. And just as I expected, you have outdone yourself again. I enjoyed your work. I wonder if you have ever written academic research? Or are looking to do that in the future, your work is really interesting and I believe you will put forth very fruitful research work. Keep it up and thank you for your amazing work." - Marketing Professor
"I hope you realize that you are a shining star in our program. Congrats on all you have achieved thus far on your college adventure. What ever the future has in store for you, you will embrace it with your entrepreneurial spirit." - Hospitality Professor
Friendships
Shoutout to all the wonderful people who have supported me and truly have my back. I appreciate all of you and thank you for all of the memories! If you are not in these pictures, please know I am thankful for our friendship and we need to take more photos together!
I closed out the semester with a 4.0 GPA and completed 22 credits. It was a hard semester and one I will never forget. Stay joyful in 2024!
With joy,
Christen
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