Scholarship Helps Student Pursue Her Passion
by Brandi Segura

Tiffany Mendez is earning her master’s degree in community mental health counseling and a certificate in addiction studies. As a recipient of the Counselor Education Program Scholarship, she is able to focus on her passion – helping people.

“Tiffany is highly motivated and I have enjoyed teaching her. Counseling isn’t very glamorous, but she has a real commitment to working with people, especially adolescents – an area most people shy away from,” said Larry Ashley, associate professor in residence and undergraduate coordinator in the College of Education.

During her studies at UNLV, Mendez has completed a practicum at U.S. VETS, a facility that helps homeless veterans with housing and basic life skills. While working there, Mendez facilitated weekly stress management groups and conducted individual counseling sessions. She also did an internship at Choices Group, which provides addiction treatment for adults and juvenile offenders through the court system.

“I have two primary areas of interest, which are addictions and working with juveniles. I worked with both of these groups and found the experience very rewarding,” Mendez said. “Under Dr. Ashley’s guidance, I’m also establishing a distance counseling pilot program within the juvenile justice system in Elko.”

In this program Mendez will counsel teens using video conferencing. She will also assist students at Great Basin College in Elko who will provide additional mentoring to the teens. Mendez said she is excited about the opportunity and is eager to see how it will impact the counseling profession.

“I’m the first in my family to go to college. As a single mother I have set a standard for my daughter to get an education. She knows I’m a strong woman and I can only hope that she’ll be the same. Being a Hispanic female can be a challenge, but by educating herself and having a level head, she’ll set the same example for her children as I have for her,” Mendez said.  

Mendez’s ultimate goal is to become a knowledgeable and compassionate counseling professional. She would also like to obtain her doctorate in counseling and become a professor at UNLV.