Dark clouds loomed over the canyon as a bus full of UNLV international students arrived at the Grand Canyon Skywalk last semester. For many of them, this was their first time seeing the iconic national park and traveling beyond Las Vegas. It threatened to rain all day and almost ended the trip early. But, just as the group was getting ready to leave, it rained heavily for a few minutes, then suddenly stopped, and the sun shone through the clouds. A double rainbow appeared over the canyon, bright against the wet red sandstone.
For Anne White, senior director of International Student & Scholar Success Programs within UNLV Global, the moment was meaningful to her.
“It was spectacular,” White says. “Not everyone gets to experience something like that.”
It is moments like these that reflect the broader mission of the Office of International Student & Scholar Success Programs: to ensure international students and scholars not only arrive at UNLV safely, but thrive academically, socially, and personally from their first interaction with campus through graduation.
Welcoming Begins Before Arrival
From the moment international students consider enrolling at UNLV to the day they graduate, the office works hard to make sure they feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed.
“The work begins before students even arrive in Las Vegas,” White says.
The team partners with the Office of Admissions and Recruitment to organize online welcome sessions for students before they arrive. They introduce students to services like the Global Ambassador Program and reach out to make sure students have housing and transportation from the airport arranged. For those who need assistance, the office provides Uber vouchers so students can safely travel from the airport to their new homes without having to navigate a new city alone.
“It keeps students from having to worry about transportation in a new city,” White says. “That first experience matters.”
Building Community Week by Week
When students arrive on campus, they participate in welcome events that help them learn about campus life, immigration policies, and available support services. From there, the office hosts weekly activities each semester to help students feel connected and grow personally.
Some key events include Sports Tuesday, Mid-Week Dinners, Global Thursday, and Friday Success Series Workshops that will cover important topics, including time management, culture shock, and navigating the U.S. health insurance system, which has been the most popular session, co-hosted by healthcare experts from Student Affairs.
Students receive “event passports,” and those who attend at least eight events and complete their passport will earn a spot on a guided hiking trip, thanks to the support of the Outdoor Adventures unit from Student Affairs.
“We'll go to places like Valley of Fire, Red Rock, and Mount Charleston, local areas, because a lot of our students don't have transportation,” says White. “It's a great opportunity for them to get off campus and out and about.”
Removing Barriers to Success
International students often face special challenges when they arrive. They may experience culture shock, homesickness, housing concerns, food access challenges, transportation barriers, and the complexity of navigating immigration regulations.
“As best as possible, we try to do programming around those kinds of issues,” White says.
Workshops on culture shock help students understand why they are feeling the way they are and offer ways to cope. At the beginning of each semester, White takes students to the Social Security office and local stores so they can buy essentials they couldn’t bring from home. The team also works with Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS), the Food Pantry, Basic Needs, and the Care Team to support students facing financial, academic, or personal challenges.
White often meets with students one-on-one who are experiencing financial difficulties, health issues, or any other issues going on in their lives. With 15 years of experience at UNLV, including 13 years in the Academic Success Center, White uses her strong connections on campus to help students find jobs.
“It’s just amazing how something so simple can make a huge impact in their lives,” White says.
She has built a partnership with the Henderson Social Security Administration office to make it easier for students and scholars to get Social Security numbers for graduate assistantships or internships. This helps cut back on what is usually long wait times of several months for appointments.
“These are the kinds of barriers we try to remove,” White says. “Making sure that their basic needs are met, so that they can be successful in their classes.”
A Campuswide Commitment
The Office of International Student & Scholar Success Programs works closely with different departments on campus, including Student Affairs, Housing & Residential Life, Career Services & Workforce Development, Financial Aid & Scholarships, the Provost’s Office, and the President’s Office.
During times of immigration uncertainty, university leaders acted quickly to support students.
“The Provost and the President’s office, as well as Financial Aid & Scholarships and Student Affairs, have supported us unbelievably by providing resources for any emergencies,” White says. “They have provided resources for emergency travel, help with housing changes, and financial assistance.”
The Women’s Council also stepped in to organize food drives and provide gift cards during winter breaks when campus dining options are limited.
“We cannot do this work alone,” White says. “The support across campus, we appreciate so very much.”
“You Belong Here” Events
In response to immigration policy changes, the office launched “You Belong Here” events to inform international students and scholars about immigration updates and to offer opportunities for social engagement and community support in times of uncertainty.
One special moment happened during Rebel Ready Week, when incoming first-year students wrote encouraging messages on heart-shaped cards for international students. These notes showed support and understanding and were given to the students at a welcome lunch. For students who couldn't travel home during the summer due to visa issues, these messages meant a lot.
“It was the newest students welcoming the newest international students,” White says. “It was beautiful.”
Looking Toward a Global Future
White sees a big opportunity for growth in the coming years. She wants to expand programs for international faculty and staff, create an ambassador initiative for faculty and staff, and re-engage the RebelSafe temporary host families to support short-term housing needs.
She also wants to connect international students with domestic students who are studying abroad or learning new languages. This would create peer networks that would benefit both groups.
Looking ahead, White aims to build a strong global alumni network, ensuring those connections continue long after students leave UNLV.
“Eventually, many of our students will return to their home countries or work around the world,” White says. “We want them to be UNLV global ambassadors wherever they go.”
Courage, Compassion, and Community
For White, the most inspiring part of her work is the students' bravery.
“They are incredibly brave,” she says. “Leaving your home country to live somewhere new for three or four years takes persistence and courage.”
When asked what message she would want UNLV faculty, staff, and students to take away about the work of her office, “Ask students how they’re doing,” White says. “It makes a big difference.”
UNLV Global and its Office of International Student & Scholar Success Programs focus on more than just scheduling events. Its goal is to make higher education easier for its students, build connections, and help every student succeed at UNLV and beyond.
