As Rebels, we are united by the belief that we can do anything we put our minds to and there’s no limit to how we “make it happen.” That’s the Rebel spirit.

Deeply rooted in that spirit are our core values — the principles that drive our decisions and actions. We see these values come alive throughout campus every day. Staff work day and night to keep our campuses clean and safe, while also ensuring the university continues to operate efficiently and smoothly. First-generation students blaze paths on their way to becoming the first in their family to attend college and earn a degree. Faculty motivate our students in the classroom, and researchers break boundaries from Nevada, to Mars, and beyond.

As the university continues to grow and thrive, it’s important that we have a shared understanding of these values and how we use them to guide our interactions with one another. 

Four sets of inter-related values are part of our Top Tier 2.0 strategic plan:

• Access & Equity
• Excellence & Integrity
• Compassion & Inclusion
• Collaboration & Stewardship

At the beginning of the academic year, a task force composed of administrative and academic faculty, classified staff, and students began developing statements that describe what these values look like in action. They sought feedback from a diverse selection of campus groups before finalizing the statements, which are now available on the Top Tier 2.0 webpage.

We encourage you to familiarize yourself with these values and take notice of the ways in which we demonstrate them. In 2023, we will launch an employee recognition software program called Rebel Applause that will allow faculty and staff to acknowledge one another for living our values. We look forward to sharing more information about that program soon.

There are also a number of awards already available to faculty, staff, and students. Be sure to nominate one another for demonstrating our values and achieving excellence.

Thank you for all you do — You make it happen!

Sincerely,

Keith E. Whitfield  
President 

Chris L. Heavy  
Executive Vice President & Provost 

Ericka Smith 
Vice President of Human Resources and Chief People Officer