About the College
Our Home
Students with a passion for hospitality will find no better place to learn and train in than Hospitality Hall, located in the heart of the UNLV campus, just blocks away from the greatest hospitality industry laboratory in the world—the Las Vegas Strip.
Special “Hospitality” Features
- Modern, eco-friendly design
- Flexible, tech-forward classrooms
- Student-run café
- Function space overlooking the Strip
- One-of-a-kind PGA Golf Management learning center
- State-of-the-art learning kitchen
Our Pledge
As one of the top hospitality programs in the world, it is our pledge to remain vigilant about the future—not just surviving the inevitable changes of the industry but also thriving amidst these changes. This means providing our students with a curriculum that is adaptive, relevant, and holistic in its approach to hospitality education. It also means leveraging our industry connections to bring real-world experiences into the classroom, graduating students who are highly practiced and invested in their careers.
Hospitality College by the Numbers
Our Faculty and Staff
The Harrah College of Hospitality faculty and staff team is wholly committed to student success. Our world-recognized faculty will help you develop your talents while our attentive career services group helps you build your resume. Worried about staying on track? Our award-winning academic advisors will guide you on a path to a degree and a future of opportunity.
A Brief History
Dean Jerry Vallen circa 1967
| 1967 | The Department of Hotel Administration is created within UNLV’s Business School. |
|---|---|
| 1969 | Founding dean Jerry Vallen fights and wins the battle to create a stand-alone College of Hotel Administration while forging an unprecedented alliance with the restaurant and casino industries. |
| 1984 | The Hotel School moves into UNLV’s newly-constructed Beam Hall. |
| 1989 | The college brands itself the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration in honor of industry pioneer and college benefactor William F. Harrah. |
| 1990s | The college’s student population rises, industry partnerships expand worldwide, and the college gains national prominence. |
| 1993 | College faculty members conceive the International Gaming Institute as an educational and research conduit for the expanding gaming industry. |
| 2007 | Hotel/casino mogul Bob Boughner funds the Boughner Career Services Center, which widens internship and job opportunities for students. |
| 2018 | The college moves into the $60 million Hospitality Hall and adopts the name “Harrah College of Hospitality” to reflect the broadening scope of the industry. |
Our Strategy Today
Vision
To pioneer the advancement of global hospitality through innovative education, research, and service.
Mission
- Deliver resources and experiences that empower student, educator, and alumni success.
- Engage in cutting-edge research that advances knowledge and moves industry forward.
- Maintain a curriculum that is responsive to the ever-changing needs of our constituents.
- Be the model of exceptional service to our college, university, and community.
Values
Inclusive, driven, empowering, and adaptive.