In 2009, UNLV and the Brookings Institution established Brookings Mountain West, a unique partnership that draws on the expertise of Brookings Scholars and UNLV faculty to address policy, infrastructure, and quality of life challenges facing the Mountain West states of Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah. Originating from Brookings Metro’s work assisting metropolitan regions like Las Vegas (developed in robust, inclusive, and sustainable ways), Brookings Mountain West has played a leading role in shaping economic development and diversification efforts in Southern Nevada and beyond. Since its inception, the initiative has evolved to include the Brookings Public Policy minor and projects such as Las Vegas and the Middle Class and the Data Hub.
About Dr. Robert E. Lang, Our Founding Executive Director
Dr. Robert E. Lang (May 28, 1959 - June 21, 2021) served as the founding executive director of The Lincy Institute and Brookings Mountain West from 2010 until his passing in June 2021. During his tenure at UNLV, Dr. Lang worked to build a more inclusive, diverse, and resilient economy in Southern Nevada. Among the projects that he championed and helped bring to fruition are the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, Allegiant Stadium, and Interstate 11. He also knew how exceptional UNLV is and was devoted to elevating the university’s research profile, including its classification as a Carnegie “R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity” institution. In recognition of Dr. Lang’s contributions to the university and the state of Nevada, he was named the inaugural Lincy Endowed Chair in Urban Affairs in 2019.
Before coming to UNLV, Dr. Lang held academic, research, and leadership positions at a number of institutions. While pursuing his doctorate in urban sociology and planning, Dr. Lang was the director of urban and metropolitan research at the Fannie Mae Foundation where he was editor of the journal Housing Policy Debate. After earning his Ph.D. from Rutgers University, Dr. Lang was director of urban affairs and planning at the Metropolitan Institute at Virginia Tech. Concurrently, he was a resident senior fellow in the Washington, D.C.-based Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program. Among his many solo and co authored publications are Edgeless Cities: Exploring the Elusive Metropolis, Boomburbs: The Rise of America’s Accidental Cities, Megapolitan America, and Blue Metros, Red States: The Shifting Urban Rural Divide in America’s Swing States.
Dr. Lang's Time at UNLV
Dr. Lang’s profound love for urban policy led him to teach undergraduate and graduate courses on topics such as urban studies, affairs, and planning. At UNLV, he helped to launch the Brookings Public Policy minor. A well-regarded professor in the masters and doctoral program in the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, Dr. Lang was granted emeritus status in the School of Public Policy & Leadership at UNLV.
Remembering Dr. Lang
Dr. Lang served UNLV, Southern Nevada, and the state of Nevada with distinction and dedication. We invite you to learn more about Dr. Lang’s impact through our celebration of life video and the news articles below. Please also consider donating to the Robert E. Lang Memorial Fellowship established in 2022 to honor Dr. Lang’s contributions to the advancement of urban and suburban public policy.
Timeline
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The Data Hub at The Lincy Institute and Brookings Mountain West reaches 200 fact sheet publications.
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Brookings Mountain West receives a grant for workforce and economic development research from GOWINN.
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The first recipient of the Robert E. Lang Memorial Fellowship is announced.
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Richard Reeves lecture on "Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What To Do About It" is held.
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Robert E. Lang, Ph.D. - A Celebration of Life event is held.
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The economic report, "Nevada Economic Development and Public Policy 2022-2026: A Sustainable Future for All Nevadans" is published.
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U.S. Senator Cortez Masto recognizes authors of "The State of Mental Health in the Mountain West" fact sheet.
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The Data Hub at The Lincy Institute and Brookings Mountain West reaches 100 fact sheet publications.
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The SRI economic report, "Nevada's Plan for Recovery and Resilience" is published.
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Blue Metros, Red States: The Shifting Urban-Rural Divide in America's Swing States, a book authored by Brookings Mountain West faculty, is published.
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The Data Hub at The Lincy Institute and Brookings Mountain West is created.
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Brookings Mountain West is recognized by the UNLV University Libraries as the non-academic department with the most materials in Digital Scolarship@UNLV.
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The Nevada Health & Bioscience Corp. is established.
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"’The Great Debate’ - Brookings v. UNLV Debate Team” event is held.
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Dr. Robert Lang gives plenary talk "Southern Nevada Agenda 2030: Five Goals for Advancing Greater Las Vegas" at Las Vegas Preview.
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UNLV reaches Carnegie R1 Status.
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“Las Vegas and the Middle Class” launch event is held.
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"The Changing Role of America's Military: A Debate" event is held.
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MGM Resorts and the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) establish the College Opportunity Program (COP).
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“The School of Medicine is granted accreditation from ACGME as an institutional sponsor of graduate medical education (GME).
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Dr. Robert Lang gives plenary talk "The Metropolitan Revolution Comes to Greater Las Vegas" at Las Vegas Preview.
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America's New Swing Region: Changing Politics and Demographics in the Mountain West, a book authored by Brookings Mountain West faculty, is published.
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The Brookings Public Policy minor is launched at UNLV.
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The economic report, "Unify, Regionalize, Diversify: An Economic Development Agenda for Nevada" is published.
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The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) is created.
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Nevada 2.0 Conference event is held.
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Metropolitan Las Vegas: Challenges and Opportunities event is held with Nevada Vision Stakeholder Group.
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Brookings Mountain West is founded.