Throughout the 82nd Session of the Nevada Legislative Session, higher education was the focus of many discussions among Governor Joe Lombardo, Nevada legislators, and other stakeholders. In this final edition of UNLV and the 82^nd Legislative Session e-News, we want to take a minute to express our sincere gratitude to those who helped advocate for the priorities important to UNLV and higher education in the State of Nevada.

UNLV maintained an ongoing presence in Carson City throughout the Session through the Office of Government and Community Engagement. Our successes during the Session were the direct result of the support UNLV received from faculty, staff, and students who testified and served as subject-matter experts, and who engaged with state leaders and legislators to advocate for UNLV’s interests.

Likewise, the support provided by our alumni, friends, and community partners who stepped-up to participate in our efforts was also a huge benefit to the university. We are grateful to all of you for your support, your time, and your sincere advocacy! 

We also continue to be thankful to the Governor and all 63 legislators for their support of budget priorities most important to our campus, our communities, and our State. Investing in higher education is essential to Nevada’s success today and to its future prosperity, and we worked hard this Session to highlight the many ways in which UNLV is moving our state forward.

And, speaking of legislators, we would like to extend a very special “thank you” to our Rebel legislators who know first-hand the impact that higher education, and specifically UNLV, has on the well-being of all Nevadans:

• Assemblywoman Venicia Considine (Class of '97, '02, '08)
• Assemblyman Ruben D'Silva (Class of '10)
• Assemblywoman Cecelia González (Class of '15, '19)
• Assemblyman Gregory T. Hafen, II (Class of '05)
• Assemblywoman Melissa Hardy (Class of '10)
• Assemblywoman Sandra Jauregui (Class of '20)
• Assemblywoman Elaine Marzola (Class of '06)
• Assemblywoman Erica Mosca (Class of '10)
• Assemblywoman Clara (Claire) Thomas (Class of '02, '08, '10)
• Assemblywoman Selena Torres (Class of '19)
• Assemblyman Howard Watts (Class of '11)
• Assemblyman Thaddeus (Toby) Yurek (Class of '08)
• Senator Nicole J. Cannizzaro (Class of '10)
• Senator Fabian Donate (Class of '18)
• Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop (Class of  '73, '86)
• Senator Edgar Flores (Class of '08, '12)
• Senator Scott Hammond (Class of '95, '97)
• Senator Dallas Harris (Class of '08, '09)
• Senator Rochelle Nguyen (Class of '02)
• Senator James Ohrenschall (Class of '03, '09)

A huge “thank you” to all who contributed to the successful outcomes which will impact not only UNLV, but our entire state and beyond. Please know, our advocacy efforts will not end with the conclusion of the 82nd Session; we look forward to continuing our work with the Governor, legislators, other lawmakers, and our many communities to further advance higher education initiatives because…Rebels Make It Happen!