Supporting, facilitating, and promoting engagement

between the university and its many communities

August, 2023

Federal Engagement

UNLV HOSTS PANEL DISCUSSION WITH

HHS SECRETARY BECERRA

On June 12th, UNLV had the pleasure of hosting The Honorable Xavier Becerra, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, for a panel discussion about Medicaid Redetermination. Chris Heavey, UNLV Executive Director and Provost, provided opening...(more)

UNLV HOSTS MEETING WITH US ARMY ENGINEER RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CENTER

On July 26, 2023, UNLV hosted a meeting with the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) regarding the Rapid Ultra-Lightweight Infrastructure Manufacturing (RULIM) Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations request. The main objective of this program...(more)

UNLV STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT AFFIRMATIVE ACTION RULING

The U.S. Supreme Court’s recent decision to eliminate race-based considerations in the college admission process will not fundamentally impact UNLV’s open-access admissions policy or affect our mission of supporting a culture of equity and inclusion for our students...(more)

FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS UPDATE

Each year, UNLV diligently prepares and submits appropriations requests for federal funding, including community project funding (formerly "earmarks"). With the enactment of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FRA), appropriations bills will soon be marked up in the House and Senate, capping...(more)

APPROPRIATIONS REQUESTS TRAINING

UNLV is partnering with Van Scoyoc Associates (VSA) to implement changes to the process for appropriations requests, including the requirement to provide at least one month's notice for letters of support from the Nevada Delegation and to attend a mandatory training before submitting a request...(more)

FUNDING REQUEST SPOTLIGHT

HYBRID QUANTUM COMPUTING

UNLV has requested $1M to purchase an ultralow temperature cryogenic system, including a dilution refrigerator and accessories for quantum computer constructions. This system will enhance the research and education of quantum information at UNLV, a field that has the potential to revolutionize the way we process information and solve complex...(more)

PRESIDENT WHITFIELD ATTENDS BATTLE BORN BREAKFAST IN D.C.

UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield was honored to join Senator Catherine Cortez Masto and Senator Susie Lee at the June 16th Battle Born Breakfast in Washington, D.C., to advocate for the needs of UNLV and the many communities served by the campus.

ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF COMMERCE VISITS UNLV FOR TECHNOLOGY MEETING

On June 16th, UNLV hosted The Honorable Alan Davidson, U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce, to share the many ways Rebels are leveraging digital learning initiatives and to discuss ways to further support student success through technology.

State Engagement

82ND LEGISLATIVE SESSION WRAP-UP

The 82nd Session of the Nevada Legislature officially adjourned sine die on June 06, 2023, and resulted in 536 pieces of legislation signed into law, and 75 bills ultimately being vetoed by the Governor. During the 82nd legislative session, NSHE and UNLV were at the forefront of numerous policy proposals...(more)

34TH & 35TH SPECIAL SESSIONS WRAP-UP

The 82nd Legislative Session officially ended without the passage of bills related to capital improvement projects or baseball stadium funding. Consequently, the Governor called two Special Sessions – the 34th Special Session and the 35th Special Session. These Special Sessions focused on 1) the capital...(more)

REX'S LAW

BILL SIGNED

Rex’s Law (SB 322) was signed on July 5th by Governor Lombardo and doubles the penalties for reckless driving, from 10 years to 20 years in prison. Dr. Deborah Kuhls, MD, Assistant Dean for Research, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, testified in support of the legislation and was present at the bill’s signing.

GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION BILL SIGNED

The Graduate Medical Education Grant Program (SB 350) was signed into law on July 17th by Governor Lombardo and will provide grants to UNLV to fund the creation, expansion, and retention of accredited programs for physician residency training and postdoctoral fellowships.

WINDSOR PARK RELOCATION BILL SIGNED

A program to relocate people residing in the Windsor Park neighborhood in North Las Vegas (SB 450) was signed into law by Governor Lombardo on June 16th. Senator Dina Neal, who sponsored the bill, hosted a ceremony on June 21st to recognize the remaining 90 homeowners in the neighborhood.

Community Engagement

HELLO MAYOR: MEET UNLV PRESIDENT DR. KEITH WHITFIELD

President Keith E. Whitfield discussed the future of higher education with Las Vegas Mayor Carol Goodman on KCLV-TV 2...(more)

REBELS IN ACTION

UNLV joined the City of North Las Vegas and several community partners, including United Movement Organized Kindness, on July 8^th for the Unplug and Play event to encourage youth to get outside, unplug from their devices, and have fun.

July 17-19, UNLV joined Project Access for several back-to-school events for residents of apartment complexes across the Valley. UNLV connected residents with low- and no-cost resources and supported back-to-school needs of youth.

UNLV attended Whitney Library’s Resource Fair on July 20^th to connect community members with UNLV’s resources, including low- and no-cost medical, dental, mental health, and legal resources, as well as fun and free things to do on campus.

UNLV hosted a resource table at the Bill and Lillie Heinrich YMCA Community Resource Health and Wellness Fair on July 21^st. The event connected YMCA members with UNLV resources.

UNLV, along with several community partners, hosted a table at the Spread the Word Nevada Resource Fair held at the Paradise Community Center on July 21^st, to share information about resources available at UNLV.

UNLV Office of Government and Community Engagement participated in Clark County Commissioner McCurdy’s back-to-school fairs on July 25^th and 27^th. More than 1,000 youth were served at each of these events.

Rebel Spotlight

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

DANELIS ACOSTA ORDUNA

Danelis Acosta Orduna commenced her career with UNLV in the Office of Government and Community Engagement in April 2023, as the Engagement Event Coordinator. She serves as a liaison between UNLV and the community helping to plan, facilitate...(more)

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT

ASSEMBLYMAN HOWARD WATTS

Nevada Assemblyman Howard Watts is known for his dedication to public service. Born and raised in Las Vegas, he graduated with a degree in political science from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Elected to the Nevada Assembly in 2018...(more)

COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

UNITED MOVEMENT ORGANIZED KINDNESS

United Movement Organized Kindness (UMOK) is a local 501(c3) that provides assistance to a network of charities, churches, and schools by supplying them with the tools they need to serve their communities. UMOK operates a distribution center in...(more)

UNLV News

UNLV, PARTNERS LAUNCH SPORTS, ENTERTAINMENT, & INNOVATION CONFERENCE IN LAS VEGAS

UNLV Sports Innovation and Syracuse University’s David B. Falk College of Sport and Human Dynamics, in collaboration with the Las Vegas-based guest experience agency Circle, proudly announce the launch of SEI-Con — a first of its...(more)

CCSD STUDENTS RECEIVE COLLEGE CREDIT THROUGH DUAL AND CONCURRENT ENROLLMENT

Nearly 600 Clark County School District (CCSD) high school seniors graduated in May with college credit and a taste of the college experience giving them a head start on earning their college degree. An opportunity available at an affordable price thanks to UNLV’s...(more)

UNLV TO RECEIVE STATE FUNDING TO STRENGTHEN GRADUATE ASSISTANT PROGRAM

Good news is here for UNLV’s graduate assistants! Beginning in fall 2023, graduate assistant (GA) stipends as well as the total number of doctoral graduate assistantships at UNLV will increase after the Nevada Legislature approved funding during...(more)