Students work computers at Black Fire Innovation

UNLV Newsmakers 2020: January

A collection of news stories capturing the excitement and accomplishments of UNLV at the start of a new decade.

January signifies fresh starts, setting new goals, and dreaming of ways to make the new year better than the last. If January is any indication of what the rest of the year has in store for UNLV, 2020 will be marked as a year of Rebels making it happen.

From the opening of Black Fire Innovation — the centerpiece of the brand new UNLV Tech Park — to the university earning a second Carnegie Foundation distinction, UNLV has surely started the new year off with resounding momentum.  

A Community-Engaged University

On Jan. 31, UNLV earned the Carnegie Classification for Community Engagement, the highest standard of recognition for community engagement efforts at higher education institutions. UNLV was among only 119 institutions that received the honor in the 2020 cycle. The classification highlights the university’s engagement practices that contribute to the local community while also benefiting UNLV and its students. 

School of Medicine Welcomes New Dean

The new year brought a new face to UNLV’s School of Medicine. Dr. Marc J. Kahn was appointed the school’s new dean on Jan. 8 following a national search for the position. Kahn will begin his new role on April 1, taking over for Interim Dean Dr. John Fildes, inaugural chair of the UNLV School of Medicine Department of Surgery and world-renowned trauma surgeon. Kahn is currently a hematologist, medical oncologist, professor, and senior administrator at Tulane University School of Medicine. 

Grand Opening of Black Fire Innovation

UNLV once again has taken a major leap forward in research and innovation. The first innovation building of the UNLV Harry Reid Research & Technology Park debuted on Jan. 23, and a host of federal, state, and local officials joined together to formally mark its completion. Black Fire Innovation brings together UNLV and Caesars Entertainment to advance current trends in hospitality and gaming technology in a dynamic 43,00 square-foot space. 

Student Success

UNLV would not be where it is today without the determination, energy, and success of its students. From athletics to academic accomplishments, UNLV students show each day what it means to be a Rebel.

We are the Champions, Again

UNLV Cheer and the Rebel Girls & Company dance team are no strangers to being winners. Both UNLV Cheer and the UNLV Rebel Girls & Company took home national championship titles in the same weekend, making UNLV Cheer back-to-back national championships and the Rebel Girls & Company national champions for the third year in a row! 

Film commercial airs in theaters nationwide

In May 2019, UNLV film students competed in the Coca-Cola Regal Films Contest, going up against schools such as SCAD, New York University, and The New School in New York. The students were given $15,000 to shoot a branded spot with a RED camera for a chance to win screen time at all Regal theaters. Along with winning the Social Media Campaign Award, the students’ commercial won air time at Regal Cinemas all across the U.S.

Political Commentary

As the 2020 presidential election fast approaches, UNLV’s political experts are on hand to offer insight on a wide range of topics — everything from the Nevada caucus and the state’s electorate, to campaigns and Nevada’s history. 

  • Political science professor David Fott weighed in on today’s use of presidential caucuses in PBS NewsHour
  • David Damore, chair of UNLV’s political science department, explains the effect of the state’s voting process reforms to The Nevada Independent
  • Ruben Garcia, co-director of UNLV’s Workplace Law Program, spoke to Fox News about Nevada’s Culinary Workers Union
  • Buzzfeed News quoted Michael Kagan, director of the UNLV Immigration Clinic, about presidential candidate Joe Biden’s view on immigration.

General Expert Roundup

  • Austin Horng-En Wang, an assistant professor of political science, offered insight to numerous outlets in January about the election in Taiwan.
  • Communication Studies professor Natalie Pennington commented to NBC News about how online communities have been grieving together following news of Kobe Bryant’s passing. 
  • The New York Times quoted College of Education Title IX researcher Nancy Lough about the rewards for female hockey players in the new NHL All-Star skills competition. 
  • UNLV economist Stephen Brown weighed in on why the price of gas rises fast, yet comes down slowly in a Los Angeles Times article.
  • Deirdre Clemente, associate director of the Public History Program, spoke to Fox News about never-before-seen Titanic artifacts, which are on display for the first time in Las Vegas.
  • The Los Angeles Times spoke to psychology professor Joel Snyder and gaming historian Dave Schwartz about the Las Vegas Strip’s use of LED lights.
  • Jefferson Kinney, founding chair of the Brain Health department, gave his expertise to the Associated Press regarding traumatic brain injuries.

Topics:

newsmakers

Campus Units:

Department of Brain Health,  Lee Business School,  Department of Communication Studies,  Department of Economics,  College of Education,  Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Higher Education,  Department of Film,  College of Fine Arts,  Department of History,  School of Integrated Health Sciences,  College of Liberal Arts,  Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV,  Department of Political Science,  Department of Psychology,  Greenspun College of Urban Affairs,  Intercollegiate Athletics,  Office of Community Engagement,  Office of Economic Development,  Office of Executive Vice President and Provost,  Office of the President,  Division of Research

Related Experts:

Deirdre Clemente ,  David Damore ,  David Fott ,  Ruben Garcia ,  Michael Kagan ,  Jefferson Kinney ,  Nancy Lough ,  Zachary R. Miles ,  David G. Schwartz ,  Joel S. Snyder ,  Austin Horng-En Wang

You Might Also Like

Who’s That Girl?
colorful mural featuring elements of Las Vegas
| March 3, 2026

Mural and leadership course pay homage to women who have elevated the hospitality industry while acknowledging the challenges that remain.

More about Campus News