Faculty/Staff Directory
Donald Snyder
Dean
William F Harrah College of Hotel Administration
Beam Hall Room 499
Mail Code: 6013
Phone: 702-895-3308
Fax: 702-895-4109
Donald Snyder, Dean of the UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration, brings tremendous
real-world expertise to his leadership roles at the university - and in particular, to his efforts to develop Las Vegas’ status as the “intellectual capital of the global gaming industry”. After retiring as CEO of Boyd Gaming, Dean Snyder joined UNLV to head up the hotel program in 2010.
Although his career accomplishments are too numerous to list here, Dean Snyder has played a lead role in launching famous Las Vegas landmarks, such as the Fremont Street Experience, the National Center for Responsible Gaming, and the Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Now he is leading a new era in gaming management education at UNLV.
Bo Bernhard, Ph. D.
Executive Director
International Gaming Institute
Associate Professor, William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration
Stan Fulton Building Room 345
Mail Code: 6037
Phone: 702-895-2935
Fax: 702-895-1135
As a 5th generation Nevadan, Dr. Bo Bernhard proudly calls Las Vegas his home, but his career has taken him to 6 continents and more than 40 gaming jurisdictions. He began his research career at Harvard University, with an undergraduate thesis on the community impacts of the gaming and tourism industries in Nevada. He then earned his Ph.D. at UNLV and soon extended his analysis to global perspectives.
While at UNLV, Bo has developed an award-winning body of gaming research. In 2010, he was named executive editor of the UNLV Gaming Research Journal and a Lincy Fellow at UNLV’s Brookings Mountain West.
His work on gambling, society, and Las Vegas has been prominently featured on CNN, HLN, The Discovery Channel, the BBC, and The History Channel.
Cheryl Olson
Director, Management and Executive Education
International Gaming Institute
Stan Fulton Building Room 337
Mail Code: 6037
Phone: (702) 895-3248
Cheryl Olson has more than 14 years’ experience of planning and designing gaming education programs, including those for an international audience, which led her to travel to Europe and South America. Cheryl enjoys experiencing different cultures and this has helped her to develop an understanding of the international markets she serves.
Cheryl is responsible for developing and marketing gaming industry courses, alongside managing seminars and conferences, including the International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking. She is also nearing completion of her MBA.
Nakia Jackson-Hale
Director of Programs
International Gaming Institute
Stan Fulton Building 341
Mail Code: 6037
Phone: 702-895-2604
Fax: 702-895-1135
nakia.jackson-hale@unlv.edu
Nakia Jackson-Hale has served as the Director of Programs since 2005, which involves running daily operations, managing budgets, strategy, seminars and regulator training, as well as working with clients to design and implement customized programs.
Nakia brings valuable experience from her previous career at Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, as well as four years managing facilities and events here at the International Gaming Institute. She has a particular interest in expanding offerings in the Australian, South American and South African markets.
