2015-2016 Board of Officers Candidates
President
Pamela Long
VP Activities
Mike Angelo Co
VP Communications
Treasurer
Secretary
Kelly DiThomas
Carlos Ayala
Kenneth Martinez
Noe Otani
Zen Huynh
Daphnne Balizan
Kimberly Scarlette
Phoenix Ubalde
Nicole Ishii
Candace Haworth
Karina Marshall
Dawn Matusz
President
Pamela Long
Hello! My name is Pam Long and I am returning to UNLV as a senior this upcoming fall! I
am incredibly excited to be completing the nutrition program at UNLV. Being a part of SNDA for
the past few years have been a tremendous personal growth opportunity and I would love to
share my excitement for nutrition to other SNDA students. Getting students involved in our
organization would be a main priority if I am elected as SNDA President. Being president I
would do my best to incorporate everything I have learned from the past to other students. My
time as VP of Communications (2013-14) was a fantastic way to meet other students and to find
out what their concerns are about this journey . Having other students who can give advice and
guidance is what I love!!!
Thank you for taking me in consideration for your SNDA President!
I hope that you all have an amazing 2015-2016 school year!
University of Nevada, Las Vegas ◦ Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences ◦
4505 S. Maryland Parkway ◦ Box 453026 ◦
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026
Noe Otani
Dear Fellow SNDA Members!
My name is Noe Otani and I am running for SNDA President for the 2015-2016 term.
Just a brief background on myself: I was born and raised on the island of Oahu, Hawaii and
decided to pursue my higher education at UNLV in 2009. Growing up in a family business that
exposed me to produce and agriculture helped me understand the value of food at a very young
age. I was also diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes at the age of 12, a battle I was not prepared for.
I struggled to control my sugar, eating habits, and weight for many years, but it was through this
struggle that I found my passion for the nutritional sciences. A couple of years ago I finally
decided to take control of my health by exercising and maintaining a diet that worked for me.
With my background in produce and my newfound love of running, I have managed to not only
get my diabetes in check but put it into remission. Being in control of my health feels so
amazing that now all I want to do is share my experience and knowledge with others so that
they too can find inspiration!
If appointed President, my fun-loving personality and passion for nutrition will lead the
SNDA on an unforgettable journey. I am sure that my leadership skills will help us defeat any
battle, my confidence and determination will guide us to greater opportunities, and my love for
my colleagues and community will help the SNDA become a place of excellence.
I kindly ask you to vote for me and if elected I promise we will have an exciting and
eventful year in the SNDA!
University of Nevada, Las Vegas ◦ Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences ◦
4505 S. Maryland Parkway ◦ Box 453026 ◦
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026
Phoenix Ubalde
Hey guys! My Name is Phoenix Ubalde and I am running for UNLV SNDA President. I
am currently a super, super senior, who switched into nutrition after four years of sociology. I
have always wanted to help people, and moving into nutrition has helped me narrow down my
goals. After college, I want to find opportunities to educate teens with behavioral and mental
problems on how fitness and nutrition can alter moods and bring about positive change.
Ultimately, however, I hope experience in the health care field will prepare me for work
addressing food insecurity around the world.
If you have ever met me, you may have noticed that I am a little bit shy and reserved at
first; but I have actually had a few leadership experiences on campus, which include:

Petitioning to bring service fraternity, Alpha Phi Omega, to UNLV-and representing the
organization at National Collegiate Leadership Conference

Designing UNLV Orientation and Parent Programs as part of a UNLV Senior Orientation
Leader team

Training Orientation Leaders at National Orientation Directors Association Regional
Conference

New student registration and advising for the College of Liberal Arts and College of
Health Sciences

Holding the positions of secretary, philanthropy chair, and rush-class president for
Kappa Delta Chi, sorority incorporated.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas ◦ Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences ◦
4505 S. Maryland Parkway ◦ Box 453026 ◦
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026
Why I am running for SNDA President…
1. To see SNDA become a platform from which our members can develop their
skills/desired skills.
This means that I want to get to know our members and work with them

on finding how they can get the most opportunity out of being a part of our
organization.
2. To see member involvement grow.
I believe that it is a privilege to be a part of our organization, and I want to

see members earning that privilege by contributing to at least one major event
each semester.
3. To help SNDA continue building its network within the community and the university.
I believe that we study nutrition not only for our betterment-but for the

betterment of those around us. Therefore, I believe that SNDA must strive to be a
continuous resource to others.
4. To maintain and expand on the legacy of our current board.
Our current board did such an amazing job this year-building events that

will be sustainable in the future, and I think that it will be the responsibility of the
new board to continue with this approach throughout the upcoming academic
year.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas ◦ Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences ◦
4505 S. Maryland Parkway ◦ Box 453026 ◦
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026
VP Activities
Mike Angelo Co
Hi guys I’m Mike Angelo Co and I’m running for VP of activities. I have my concentration
in Sports Nutrition and am minoring in Biology. My main goal in life is to become an optometrist,
but I also want to get a degree in nutrition. I consider myself goal driven, I started college when I
was a junior in high school, and graduated high school with 64 credits. At first I was a Preprofessional biology major, until I started to become more active and changed my eating habits.
I went from being 260lbs to 180lb from just eating healthy and exercising.
It has been my experience that being active and participating in clubs not only improves
study habits, but it also makes stories that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. That is what
my goal is, if I get elected as VP of Activities, I want to make SNDA known throughout UNLV as
the association that practices what they preach, the group that holds amazing healthy
educational events that get you up on your feet. I want to plan fundraising events, like healthy
bake sales, with protein deserts and other healthy option, while also informing the students at
UNLV about nutrition. I also hope to start planning events that would hopefully bond this
amazing group of people into an amazing family. I want to create projects, which will not only
make our association look good, but also bond our group together. I want to create projects like
making booths around campus or just posters about healthy food options. I also what to make
little events for the people of this club, like creating study groups for midterms and finals and
hiking outings. I believe that I would make a great VP of Activities, and I hope you all would
consider me for this position.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas ◦ Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences ◦
4505 S. Maryland Parkway ◦ Box 453026 ◦
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026
VP Communications
Kelly DiThomas
Hello! My name is Kelly DiThomas and I am running for the position of VP of
Communications. I will be entering my senior year in the fall semester, and am extremely
excited to see what this next year holds! Nutrition is something I stumbled upon after a lifetime
of being unhealthy. I soon changed my ways and found that once I increased my physical
activity and ate a proper diet, I no longer felt lethargic or exhausted during every day simple
activities. It has definitely become a lifestyle change for me and I could not imagine it being any
other way. I believe so much in the power of Nutrition and healing and will continue to stay on
this journey as I share it with others.
I think I would be an excellent candidate for this position because I am super organized,
love being involved and I am completely open to any and all feedback or info that anyone would
like to bring to the table. I love being creative and sharing information with others, especially
through social media like Facebook. I constantly find myself sharing information regarding
nutrition on my own Facebook page. I only hope to grow from here, and continue the amazing
trend that the current board members have upheld. An amazing future awaits us all and I hope
to take an initial step forward to a new adventure.
Zen Huynh
Hello, my name is Zen! I am a second career student who will be a senior in the Fall
2015. My extensive background in managing Corporate Marketing communications and training
for MGM Resorts International makes me an ideal candidate for the SNDA's VP of
Communications role.
If elected, I will implement a strategic communications plan to provide SNDA members
with resources to help them succeed in navigating through their student life within the Nutrition
Sciences program, as well as understand future career path options. This and many other ideas
I have to engage SNDA members will be accomplished by enhancing the current SNDA
website, executing social media campaigns, and launching an SNDA official e-newsletter.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas ◦ Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences ◦
4505 S. Maryland Parkway ◦ Box 453026 ◦
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026
The current SNDA governing team has done such an amazing job, especially in elevating
volunteer opportunities and activities. In this next phase, I would like to help take their
accomplishments to another level by keeping the student body even more engaged with the
program and the community.
Nicole Ishii
Hi everyone in SNDA! My name is Nicole Ishii and I am interested in being your next VP
of Communications. I am originally from Hawaii, but I have lived in Las Vegas for the past six
years. I graduated high school out here in Las Vegas, and I have been at UNLV for my entire
college career. I got interested in Nutrition by having several family members get ill and I
realized that if they were knowledgeable in nutrition, some of the illnesses could have been
prevented. I am going to be a senior in the Nutrition department this upcoming fall and I am
excited to get more involved with SNDA.
I want to gain more knowledge about the field of nutrition and I think involvement in
SNDA is a great way to do so! At my current job in retail, I spend the time building a relationship
with my customers establishing rapport and communicating with them to see how I can help
fulfill their needs. I want to spend my senior year communicating with everyone in SNDA,
keeping all of you updated on events, volunteer opportunities and meetings as your VP of
Communications. I am constantly on Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites so I
know how those sites work and that many people are checking their timelines so it is a good
way to send out information.
Thank you for reading my bio and vote for me, Nicole Ishii for your next SNDA VP of
Communications. 
Karina Marshall
Hi everyone! My name is Karina Marshall and I'm a senior next year at UNLV. I chose to
study nutrition and dietetics after I had a life-changing weight loss that made me realize how
important your eating habits are to your health. My passion for preventative health care
motivates me to pursue this career, and I believe that staying involved in school and helping the
University of Nevada, Las Vegas ◦ Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences ◦
4505 S. Maryland Parkway ◦ Box 453026 ◦
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026
community is the best way to get my foot in the door. I feel as though I'm suited for the position
of VP of Communications because informing SNDA and the public is what will make us
stronger, both as an organization, and as a community. Updating the members of SNDA on
current and upcoming events would be a great honor, and I know that my ambitious drive will
suit me well for this role. Thank you so much for considering me for this position. Good luck to
all of the candidates!
Dawn Matusz
Hello Fellow Dietitians in Training! My name is Dawn Matusz and I am running for VP of
Communications. I am going into Senior Year, and am excited that this long journey is nearing
the cherry-on-the-topness of its end. I am a non-traditional student and had to work full-time for
the first four years of college. For just over the past year, however, I have had the pleasure of
working only part-time, and have enjoyed getting much more involved on campus, including
SNDA! Outside of SNDA, I am one of the Senators for Health Sciences in CSUN, and have also
recently become a member of Alpha Phi Omega, where I have fallen head over heals in love
with service. Chances are, as a member of the SNDA Board, I would push for us to be involved
as a group in many more service projects, as well. We all need those volunteer hours! I am
running for VP of Communications because it seems to be the best fit for my experiences: I’ve
been in administration in the past with about 6 years of experience, including managing the flow
of communications in a church where I gained mad-crazy-bulletin-board-maintenance skills. :) I
am also pretty proficient with social media! I’ve been told that I am a hard worker, a
compassionate leader, and a pretty nice person, all three of which are necessary for effective
communication. Therefore, I would appreciate your vote for the position of VP of
Communications! Thank you! Either way, I look forward to working with you all next year!
University of Nevada, Las Vegas ◦ Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences ◦
4505 S. Maryland Parkway ◦ Box 453026 ◦
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026
Treasurer
Carlos Ayala
Treasurer
Hey my fellow nutrition colleagues! So why am I running for treasurer you ask? Well,
because I live off a simple philosophy that goes " veni, vidi, vici" by Julius Caesar. That is what I
plan to do when you elect me as your treasurer. I have always been trusted and responsible
and I have demonstrated that within the classroom and with my peers (hopefully). Few years
ago, my father opened up a soccer shop and we had it operating for several years and I was
appointed to be in charge of the money all the time whether it was in the cashier or other
financial transactions and recording the transactions as well. To be a treasurer there needs to
be trust and responsibility and I have earned that working in the soccer shop with my parents
and hopefully with you guys as my fellow peers as well. I can also subtract, add, divide and
multiply fairly well. Not only is having the qualities of a treasurer important, but it is also
important that an individual can work as a team and the SNDA officers is all about teamwork,
compliance, and also suggesting ideas. My contribution to the position of a treasurer doesn't
stop at just treasury, but it goes beyond that and you can count on me helping in other matters
when needed. Vote for me and I promise for a better nation and an excellent treasurer!
Daphnne Balizan
My name is Daphnne Balizan and I am running for the position of Treasurer for the
UNLV SNDA 2015-2016 term. I am a senior in the Nutrition Program and minoring in
Psychology. I want to become a Registered Dietitian with a specialization in diabetes (CDE). I
have always been enthusiastic about exercise and nutrition and can’t wait to contribute to
University of Nevada, Las Vegas ◦ Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences ◦
4505 S. Maryland Parkway ◦ Box 453026 ◦
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026
helping people have a better quality of life. I think that I am a good choice for Treasurer because
I am honest, reliable, and a hard worker. I hope to have the opportunity to serve and represent
the Nutrition Department and students as Treasurer for the UNLV SNDA.
Candace Haworth
I would be perfect for this position because I'm honest, open, and I aced all my math
classes. If there's anyone you can trust not to screw up large sums of money, it’s the mathlete.
When I worked for GNC, I would deliver deposits containing over $5,000 to the bank, instead of
running away with the money and never being heard from again. I really want to join the SNDA
committee mostly because I want to be more involved with this group in their effort toward
reaching out to the community. Lastly, I make amazing pancakes! I hope you'll consider me for
this position and opportunity.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas ◦ Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences ◦
4505 S. Maryland Parkway ◦ Box 453026 ◦
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026
Secretary
Kenneth Martinez
Hey everyone, I’m Kenneth Martinez and I am running for SNDA secretary 2015-2016.
Just to give you guys a little background of who I am; I was born and raised in Las Vegas (
specifically the east side REPRESENT!!!!) and my favorite movie is Mean Girls, YOU GO
GLEN COCO! A few words to describe me would be dependable, energetic, and a lot to love. I
have many ideas jogged up in my head. A couple of ideas that I would like to see come to life,
other than wearing pink on Wednesdays, would be more get-togethers and interaction between
club members just so that we get to know each other outside of SNDA volunteer opportunities. I
would like to make our SNDA a more tight knit community and achieve greater heights together.
I will be the glue that will hold our differences together, I will be the ears to listen, I will be the
voice to speak when something is needed, but most importantly I will be the secretary that
SNDA needs to make our goals become reality in the 2015-2016 school year.
~Future Pokémon Master, Kenneth Martinez
Kimberly Scarlette
Hello there! My name is Kimberly Scarlette. I would like to be the SNDA’s Secretary for
the 2015-2016 year. I’m a full-time student in my second year. In the future, I would like to work
specifically with patients with eating disorders. I have been a part of the SNDA since my
freshman year and I would love to help the organization continue to grow. Due to my current
status as a sophomore, I will be able to serve the SNDA for the next two years, which means I
can help start new projects and see them through. I believe I will do well as the secretary
because I already have some experience with communication and keeping events organized. I
usually keep everyone connected when doing group projects and write out response e-mails for
my mother’s business. As for my ideas for next year, I would like to find ways to get freshman
and sophomores involved. I think a part of their hesitation may be from the pressure of being a
complete “health nut”. As a freshman, I felt a bit out of place because I didn’t know how to
University of Nevada, Las Vegas ◦ Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences ◦
4505 S. Maryland Parkway ◦ Box 453026 ◦
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026
prepare food, balance meals or workout on a daily basis. We could advertise the cooking demos
on campus more, offer tips and tricks so they can start incorporating what they learn in class at
home, and maybe give advice on finding exercises they like. They would be learning about the
application of their major as well as building relationships with our members.
University of Nevada, Las Vegas ◦ Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences ◦
4505 S. Maryland Parkway ◦ Box 453026 ◦
Las Vegas, NV 89154-3026