Dear Colleagues,
Next week, UNLV will welcome a record number of students for the start of the fall semester as we eclipse 33,000 in total enrollment for the first time in our university’s history.
It’s an achievement that speaks volumes. During a period of uncertainty and flat or declining enrollments for higher education nationally, more students than ever are choosing UNLV because they believe a degree from our institution will improve their lives and the lives of their families. Our continued growth is a testament to the passion and dedication of our faculty and staff who see themselves in our mission and work every day to make UNLV better. Thank you for everything you do.
NWCCU Accreditation Renewed
Last month, I had the privilege of representing UNLV at a meeting of the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), where our institutional accreditation was formally reaffirmed for another seven years. There was buzz in the room about UNLV, as for the second consecutive seven-year evaluation cycle our university received multiple commendations and not a single recommendation.
This is an extremely rare accomplishment and a reflection of a campus community working diligently to improve student success outcomes and strengthen our entire academic enterprise. We’ll continue to proactively evaluate all of our programs and activities in the spirit of continuous improvement, but we should all be very proud of this achievement.
Fall Semester Growth
You may have heard me say that UNLV is Southern Nevada’s anchor institution, and that’s in part because we have the unique ability to operate at a scale necessary to meet today’s workforce needs and anticipate future opportunities.
It is in that spirit that we’re launching four new undergraduate degree programs this fall. This includes Nevada’s first bachelor’s degree in insurance and risk management and a bachelor’s in cybersecurity to complement a hybrid master’s program that began earlier this year and is already earning national recognition. We’re also offering new bachelor’s degrees in audio production and engineering technology, and enrollment continues to rise in nursing, education, and engineering programs.
This fall’s record class extends a three-year enrollment growth streak for UNLV and includes nearly 6,700 first-year and transfer students. Overall we are welcoming more than 8,000 new students this fall.
Campus Safety and Security
Creating the safest possible environment for UNLV students, employees, and visitors is an ongoing priority, and we’ll begin the fall semester with enhanced security personnel and infrastructure.
Legislators allocated $11 million to NSHE for security and safety improvements during the recently completed Nevada Legislative Session, a portion of which has been directed to UNLV. This is in addition to the $5 million committed by UNLV since January to implement physical security upgrades, fill needed University Police Department (UPD) officer and support staff positions, and promote engagement in safety awareness and training programs.
Automatic classroom locking buttons have been installed in 220 classrooms, and the first phase of a project to add enhanced wall-mounted phones to classrooms should be completed in the coming weeks. We also anticipate upgrades and additions to video surveillance systems to be in place by the end of September.
Under the leadership of Chief Arnold Vasquez, UPD has hired 13 police officers since January, and seven more have recently completed the police academy. UPD has also implemented a new Community Service Officer program this summer. These seven recently hired officers, in distinct light blue uniforms, are already patrolling the campus and will elevate the department’s visible presence on our Maryland Parkway campus.
We are One UNLV
As we prepare for the semester and a new academic year, UNLV is in the best position of any public higher education institution in Nevada. I truly believe there is no better place to work, learn, and discover than right here at UNLV.
For more than three decades, I’ve seen what’s possible when everyone on campus is working together as One UNLV. I’ve seen the creativity and ingenuity of our academic and research communities working together to achieve R1 status earlier than anyone expected. I’ve experienced countless examples of faculty, staff, and students stepping up to help one another in times of need. And I’ve witnessed the power that higher education, and in particular UNLV, has to change lives, address challenges, and build community.
I invite you to join me on Sept. 9 at 8:30 a.m. for the fall semester All Hands meeting in the Student Union Ballroom. There we will share ideas, discuss our progress, and hear perspectives about how we can all move forward together as One UNLV. I also encourage you to take some time this fall to attend an athletics or cultural event and celebrate our exceptional student athletes, artists, and performers.
And tomorrow following UNLV Creates, stop by the annual Welcome Day BBQ on the Academic Mall for food, refreshments, and an opportunity to connect or reconnect with colleagues across campus. Both events are open to the campus community.
We have so much to be proud of at UNLV, and I hope you start the fall semester next week energized and engaged in your work to support our incoming and returning students and advance the mission of this great university.
Warm Wishes,
Chris Heavey
Interim UNLV President