Jessica Stops, a 2000 UNLV communication studies graduate, has been named the 2026 Patrick T. Smith Achievement in Service honoree, recognizing her commitment to philanthropy and community leadership.
Stops serves as vice president of tribal brand marketing and strategic initiatives for the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, a role in which she guides the tribe's philanthropy and charitable giving campaigns. According to the university, the tribe distributes more than $35 million annually across more than 400 community partnerships.
"Service was modeled for me before I had the language to describe it," Stops said. "My father worked in higher education with a focus on access and opportunity, and my mother has dedicated her life to helping others as a psychologist. From both of them, I learned that professional success carries responsibility."
The charitable funds are aimed at improving education and healthcare services, strengthening cultural preservation, and propelling community and economic development. The impacts stretch beyond the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, reaching communities throughout California, Nevada, and tribal lands nationwide.
Stops, a citizen of the Crow Nation, played a critical role in the tribe's historic name reclamation from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation. She led communications, marketing, and branding efforts throughout the process.
"As a citizen of the Crow Nation, I understand that tribal identity, culture, and sovereignty are not abstract ideas — they are lived experiences," Stops said. "In my role with the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, I have the privilege of helping steward the tribe's story, protect its identity, and support the communities and partners connected to its values."
Stops' connection to UNLV extends beyond her degree. In 2020, the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation announced a $9 million gift to the university to develop tribal-related education initiatives within the Harrah College of Hospitality and the Boyd School of Law. Since then, dozens of UNLV students have pursued careers in tribal gaming operations.
In 2019, UNLV launched the Native American Alumni Club. Stops became an active member in 2021 and helped connect the organization with corporate sponsors for its annual Powwow for the Planet event. Her efforts led to the creation of the first Native American Alumni Club scholarship, which is now endowed and will make awards beginning next year.
Stops is not the only Rebel graduate in her family. Her father, Arlie Stops Jr., completed his doctorate at UNLV in 2004 after the family relocated from Las Cruces, New Mexico, to Las Vegas in the mid-1990s. Her sister, Celina Stops, earned her juris doctor from the Boyd School of Law this spring.
"I chose UNLV because it felt both familiar and full of possibility," Stops said. "Eventually, UNLV became not just a part of our family's story but part of a larger story of access, opportunity, and public service in Southern Nevada."
Regarding her advice to current UNLV students, Stops emphasized the importance of staying connected to the university and community after graduation. "Giving back does not have to begin with a title, a large donation, or a formal program," she said. "It can begin by mentoring someone, volunteering your time, opening a door, sharing what you have learned, or simply showing up when your community needs you."