Each biennium, UNLV students engage in the legislative process in a variety of ways, including participating in policy development and the bill draft process, advocating for UNLV’s legislative agenda, and serving as legislative interns and externs to assist lawmakers with various duties such as tracking bills, conducting research, and meeting with constituents. The experience takes the classroom to the community, empowering students to have real-world impact on some of Nevada’s most critical issues. The opportunity is open to all UNLV majors, though most participants are political science and law majors.

Each week during the legislative session, we introduce you to one of the many UNLV students engaging in the legislative process during the Session. This week, we are highlighting a recent 2023 graduate who accomplished many things as a UNLV student, including helping the Nevada Senate during the 2021 Legislative Session to pass bills related to substance abuse.

Kelsey Elizabeth Matthews - B.A. in Social Work (Honors)

In a city built on the odds, Kelsey Elizabeth Matthews built herself on defying them. She came to Las Vegas from Connecticut on her own at age 18, and is now a first-generation college graduate sporting a 4.0 GPA and a degree in Social Work. Kelsey has dedicated herself to public service by helping those struggling with addiction. She’s already a certified mental health professional, was crowned the first-ever Miss Nevada Volunteer, and is graduating Summa Cum Laude as a member of the Honors College.

Kelsey was among just 58 college students nationwide named a 2022 Harry S. Truman scholar for her academic achievement and leadership. The four-time pageant titleholder has a personal connection to her work — she lost her mother at a young age to the opioid crisis — and Kelsey has used her platform to bring awareness to drug abuse treatment and prevention. She has worked at advocacy groups such as H.O.P.E. Counseling Services, Vegas Stronger, and CARE Coalition, and has been involved with the Nevada Senate to pass legislation on bills related to substance abuse.

Kelsey also became a licensed volunteer for the Clark County Department of Family Services and Child Haven. As an ordained chaplain with Messages of Faith Ministry, she also serves as a spiritual first responder with the Las Vegas Metro Police Department. In addition, Kelsey is a state committee member for the Nevada Recovery Advocacy Project, sits on the board for H.O.P.E. Compassionate Healthcare, and is a national ambassador for Shatterproof: Stronger than Addiction.

After graduation, Kelsey plans to enter the workforce to continue serving the Las Vegas community while continuing her studies with the Chaplaincy Nevada Academy of Religious Studies.