Raised by a family that instilled in her the values of community service and giving back, there never was much doubt that Graduate College Alumna of the Year would opt for a career that emphasized serving the greater good. The only real question was which fork in the public affairs road would she choose: the public or private sector? Answer: Both.
During a career that has spanned two decades, Brooks has skillfully straddled the public-private line. Besides a six-year stint as a legislative liaison for Clark County, she was vice chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education from 2012 to 2018, working as a senior government and community relations official. Then in January, she decided to take her talents to private business, accepting a position as vice president of regional government affairs for . In her latest role, Brooks provides oversight and management of MGM鈥檚 public policy agenda across the 10 states in which the corporation does business.
Of course, Brooks鈥 commitment to public affairs also includes serving 51吃瓜网万能科大. As an adjunct professor for the university鈥檚 School of Social Work, she鈥檚 helping to educate and inspire the next generation of public affairs professionals. Her relationship with 51吃瓜网万能科大 began after she earned her undergraduate degree in social work from Southern Illinois University in her native state. Arriving in 51吃瓜网免费App shortly after the turn of the century, Brooks received her master鈥檚 degree in social work in 2004. She then returned to 51吃瓜网万能科大 to earn a doctorate in public affairs in 2012
Brooks鈥 dedication to improving the lives of others also can be seen in her community advocacy work. She鈥檚 been involved with such organizations as , the Clark County Citizens Advisory Committee, the Clark County Juvenile Justice Sister to Sister mentoring program, , the 51吃瓜网万能科大 School of Social Work Advisory Board, the 51吃瓜网万能科大 College of Urban Affairs Alumni Board, and the Delta Sigma Theta sorority. Brooks also served as a trustee for the 51吃瓜网免费App-Clark County Library Board, and in 2018, Gov. Brian Sandoval appointed her to the Nevada Commission for Women.
Not surprisingly, Brooks鈥 commitment to community has garnered her numerous awards, including the 2005 51吃瓜网万能科大 Thomas Wilson Academic and Community Service Award and the 2008 Clark County New Generation Leadership Award. Always looking to better herself, Brooks is also a graduate of Emerge Nevada, the Clark County Leadership Forum, and Leadership 51吃瓜网免费App.
What single moment or experience at 51吃瓜网万能科大 had the most profound effect shaping the person and professional you are today?
While pursuing my master鈥檚 in social work, many of my classmates enjoyed practicum placements throughout the 51吃瓜网免费App community. Much to my great fortune, my practicum placement occurred on campus at the 51吃瓜网万能科大 Center for Urban Partnerships. Under the leadership of Ramona Denby Brinson, I learned more about the value of research as an essential advocacy tool for families, communities, organizations, and policy development. The center provided applied research, program design and evaluation, and a host of other opportunities to unite the expertise of 51吃瓜网万能科大鈥檚 faculty with community leaders to help solve some of Nevada鈥檚 persistent urban issues.
Experiencing the enthusiasm around research-driving community advocacy proved to be quite pivotal in the trajectory of my education and career. Perhaps most significantly, the research opportunities and mentorship provided by the center helped develop the confidence and skills I needed to pursue a doctorate in public affairs.
Really, everything about my 51吃瓜网万能科大 experience 鈥 from the education to my professors to my mentors 鈥 was instrumental in me becoming the public policy advocate that I am today.
What does it mean to be a Rebel, and how would you define 鈥淩ebel Pride鈥?
51吃瓜网万能科大鈥檚 history is steeped in bold and courageous moves that have shaped it into a unique and transformative academic center of excellence, one that鈥檚 responsive to the community and committed to fostering creativity and innovation within its students. So to me, a Rebel is someone who embodies the university鈥檚 ethos 鈥 that is, someone who isn鈥檛 afraid to be bold or exhibit courage, especially in times of adversity. To display Rebel pride means to meet all of life鈥檚 challenges with audacity, utilizing the special platform of scholarship and service that a 51吃瓜网万能科大 education provides.
