National Merit® Finalist Pursues Her Goals

For freshman Erica Bobak, an education in Las Vegas seems like a natural choice. A native Las Vegan, Bobak has her sights on making an impact in her community as she pursues her bachelor’s degree in hotel administration as a member of the Honors College.

“Growing up in Las Vegas, I think I’ve come to appreciate the strip and everything about Las Vegas as home,” says Bobak. She’s planning to attend law school after she graduates, and hopes to pursue corporate law and work for the hotel industry.

Bobak, a National Merit® Finalist, will have some assistance pursuing these goals as the recipient of the MGM MIRAGE Academic Excellence Scholarship. The scholarship will cover the full cost of her four-year attendance at UNLV.

“We are proud to support UNLV’s efforts to attract the best and brightest students, and Erica Bobak certainly fits these prerequisites” said Merlinda Gallegos, vice president of corporate philanthropy with MGM MIRAGE. “We know that education is important in Nevada and believe students like Erica will continue to enhance the university and our community.”

Grateful for the opportunity to stay close to home, Bobak is happy about pursuing her degree in hotel administration at one of the top programs in the country and values the resources the Honors College provides for her.

Bobak says she’s excited about the idea of a senior thesis, and believes the experience will be valuable to her as an undergraduate. She also notes that the faculty in the Honors College have been very supportive and says her favorite class her first semester was English 101, which is structured like a writing workshop.

“I’ve never had a class where the teacher cares so much. She really encourages us to get better,” says Bobak. “I’m finding that a lot of the faculty is like that; they want the students to succeed.”

“It’s a blessing to have these opportunities and the financial stress removed,” says Bobak. “I’m so thankful that I have such a wonderful opportunity.”