The William S. Boyd School of Law — Nevada's law school — marked its 25th anniversary this fall. With a quarter century of excellence, the school ranks in the top 50 by Above the Law and houses three programs in the top 10 according to U.S. News & World Report.

As costs of living continue to increase, college affordability has never been more important. UNLV has committed to helping students gain clarity on financial aid offers and tuition costs by joining the College Cost Transparency Initiative (CCTI). The CCTI gathers key leaders in higher education — including those working in financial aid and with students — to tackle college cost transparency by producing a set of guiding standards to be used when developing aid offers.

Safety and security for Nevada’s visitors will be the focus of the newly launched Tourist Safety Institute at the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. Research is vital to understanding problems and creating solutions. The Tourist Safety Institute will work with faculty across UNLV, government authorities, and community stakeholders to help stakeholders as they develop strategies for large-scale events and create exciting entertainment opportunities. 

UNLV is addressing the serious and pressing issues surrounding mental health, providing essential tools for support and intervention. Through the NSHE Mental Health Grant, the university was awarded $430,000 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to provide no-cost, virtual and on-campus suicide prevention training opportunities to all UNLV students, faculty, and staff.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

Students can also seek help through Crisis Resources from Student Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and staff can seek help with Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources.

Las Vegas is one of the fastest warming cities in the nation, but UNLV is working to reverse the "heat island" effect. The UNLV-led Las Vegas urban forestry initiative received a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service to educate residents of Clark County about the importance of trees in cities and add thousands of drought-tolerant trees to our community. These trees will create shade and help reduce temperatures.

UNLV is tackling the teacher shortage in the education workforce through the Nevada Forward Initiative. This state apprenticeship program — the first of its kind in the western U.S. — enables paraprofessionals, substitutes, and other school support staff to earn their teaching degrees while maintaining their employment. With about 70% of the students in the program representing historically marginalized groups, these incoming teachers will reflect the state's diverse student populations. 

A team led by the UNLV Department of Brain Health and the Office of Economic Development earned $1.5 million from the National Institute on Aging to launch a student-focused Alzheimer’s innovation incubator. A series of workshops, business collaborations, and healthcare partnerships will grow student involvement in careers that assist Alzheimer’s patients.

The UNLV Disability Resource Center raised $1.9 million in student scholarship assistance to help nearly 3,000 students with disabilities with appropriate advocacy, accommodations, and supportive services. These services ensure access to campus courses and activities and make the dream of higher education accessible to students with disabilities.