The UNLV School of Nursing received a $2.3 million federal appropriation that prepares nursing professionals for the challenges of modern health care. The funding supports a collaborative initiative with the Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering and University Medical Center (UMC) to develop innovative educational technologies, including a new nursing research data center and advanced digital simulation environments for clinical training. Through the partnership, UNLV faculty and UMC nurses will work together to incorporate real-world clinical challenges into undergraduate and graduate nursing education. The project will also integrate augmented and virtual reality technologies, allowing students to practice clinical skills on virtual avatars in a safe, risk-free setting. In addition to expanding hands-on learning opportunities for nursing students, the initiative will create interdisciplinary experiences for computer science students applying computational methods to real-world health care challenges.

UNLV Golf celebrated a standout year as both the men’s and women’s programs captured Mountain West Conference championships. The women’s golf team secured its second consecutive Mountain West championship, marking the program’s ninth league title overall and the sixth under head coach Amy Bush-Herzer. The repeat victory also marked the women’s program’s first back-to-back conference championships since winning three straight titles from 2016-18. The men’s team claimed the 2026 conference title — the program’s sixth overall and first under head coach Jean-Paul Hebert — while junior Zach Little earned the individual conference championship, giving UNLV its first sweep of both the team and individual titles since 2018.

The Department of Film has been renamed the UNLV School of Cinematic Arts. The new name reflects a comprehensive, future-focused vision that covers the full range of creative and technical disciplines involved in the study and production of moving images. The milestone marks an important step forward for the nationally ranked program as it continues to grow its reputation and impact. While its core mission and academic programs remain unchanged, the School of Cinematic Arts will further elevate its profile while supporting the success of current and future students.

UNLV’s Harrah College of Hospitality has once again been named the top U.S. program in hospitality and leisure management by the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. The college has held this distinction since QS began ranking universities by subject in 2022. The global ranking system, evaluates institutions worldwide using key metrics such as academic reputation, research activity, faculty qualifications, and student experience. This year, the college is ranked number six in the world — and the only U.S. university to appear in the global top 15.

UNLV has launched a partnership with Fort Lewis College (FLC) to help Indigenous scholars transition into graduate programs in the sciences, engineering, technology, gaming, and hospitality. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to expanding educational opportunity, strengthening persistence, and investing in the next generation of scholars and leaders. FLC graduates will be guided toward structured pathways into graduate programs at UNLV, supported by dedicated advising, early research opportunities, and coordinated mentorship. Together, the institutions will bridge their top-tier academics for students from a broad range of backgrounds, including rural students, first-generation college students, and students from Tribal communities.

Nearly 5,000 Lee Business School students are preparing to make an immediate impact in Nevada and beyond — yet the school’s growth has outpaced its physical space. UNLV is raising support for a new Lee Business School building through the Building Business Together campaign. The new academic home for the Lee Business School will be a four-story facility designed to bring students, faculty, and industry partners together more effectively. Located located prominently along Maryland Parkway, the new building will position Lee Business School at the center of both campus life and the region’s broader business community to strengthen the workforce, expand industry partnerships, and support Southern Nevada's growing economy.

UNLV has established the Nevada Institute of Cybersecurity, which will consolidate UNLV’s educational, research, and community outreach efforts. The Institute brings together expertise from multiple disciplines to increase the university’s reach and provide more opportunities for academic partnerships and private company collaborations. UNLV has been recognized as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education since 2019, a prestigious designation managed by the National Security Agency. By building on this excellence and uniting research, workforce development, and community education, the Institute protects state interests while fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness and preparedness.

A university-record 33 programs placed within the top 100 in their disciplines for the U.S. News and World Report Best Graduate Schools 2026 rankings. For the second consecutive year, the William S. Boyd School of Law’s legal writing program held the nation’s top spot, contributing to 15 top-100 rankings for school. Beyond the law school, a number of UNLV programs made notable gains in the rankings this cycle. The School of Nursing’s master’s programs continued their recent ascent, placing 34; the College of Education’s graduate programs continued a record rise in 2025 with another bump, coming in at 64; and the Physical Therapy program again ranked within the nation’s top 50, jumping six places this year to rank 40.