vice president kamala harris watches u.n.l.v. student administer COVID vaccine to another local college student

UNLV Newsmakers 2021: March

A collection of news stories highlighting health, recovery, and celebration at UNLV.

Vice President Kamala Harris watches UNLV fourth-year medical student Lauren Hollifield (seated at left) administer a Moderna vaccine to Mailani Thompson (seated at right), a first-year nursing student at the College of Southern Nevada, at the UNLV Student Union on March 15, 2021 (Josh Hawkins/UNLV Photo Services).

 

For many, March marks the first day of spring – new life, growth, and an end to a solemn winter. This year’s spring has also offered fresh signs of hope to the Las Vegas community, as efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic have led to declining cases in Nevada and nationwide.

UNLV continued to offer vaccinations for first responders, educators, and the general public. University faculty and staff - and even Vice President Kamala Harris – weighed in on the cause. Local businesses began to show signs of regrowth, in line with UNLV experts’ predictions about a soon-to-be booming, post-pandemic economy. And after a year of virtual graduations, UNLV announced in-person commencement ceremonies this May for 2020 and 2021 college graduates. 

After a year of turmoil and struggle, UNLV welcomes spring with grace, recovery, and opportunity. All this and more in the latest edition of UNLV Newsmakers.

Be Gone, COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccinations continued to roll out in March nationwide, with more than 100 million people receiving inoculations. UNLV continued to host a vaccine distribution site for the community, serving more than 2,000 people a day. Below is a list of news stories highlighting UNLV experts and students who played a significant role in keeping the public apprised of the latest developments.

UNLV Announces In-Person Graduation

Excitement about the improving COVID situation hit close to home, too. In March, UNLV president Keith E. Whitfield announced that preparations were underway for in-person commencement ceremonies this spring. Both 2020 and spring 2021 graduates will have the chance to walk and receive their diplomas with friends and family in mid-May.

“Graduation is the culmination of a student’s educational journey and is a significant milestone in their UNLV career,” Whitfield said. “We need to make every effort to provide an experience our graduates so richly deserve.”

Return to In-Person Classes

As increased vaccination rates enabled K-12 school districts to consider reopening their doors for in-person learning, some people were overjoyed while others feared that their institutions opened too early.

UNLV joined the discussion as administrators announced that in-person classes will resume in the fall. As UNLV prepares for a safe return, university experts tapped into the importance of in-person education, the external influences guiding reopening plans, and tips on how to return to class safely.

“Blooming” Business: Projected Economic Recovery

Rise and shine, Las Vegas! The year-long pandemic seems to be nearing an end. As vaccinations continue to roll out, UNLV experts predict a spike in tourism and economic recovery for the hospitality industry. From hotel grand openings to the struggle of nonprofits operating during the pandemic to celebrations of historic gambling, UNLV experts offered the following economic predictions for  Southern Nevada. 

General Expert Roundup

  • KSNV-TV: News 3, KTNV-TV: ABC 13 (twice), and Yahoo! covered Match Day, a ceremony held for the inaugural graduating class of UNLV Medicine students to unveil where they will serve out their residencies.
  • Las Vegas Weekly, The Hindu, KTNV-TV: ABC 13, and Yahoo! talked with communication studies Natalie Pennington about the consequences of pandemic isolation. She also discussed how friendships in video games and phone calls combat loneliness on Time, The Washington Post, KVVU-TV: FOX 5, and Deseret News.
  • Astrophysicist Jason Steffen predicted an asteroid's projected region of impact on earth on KVVU-TV: FOX 5.
  • Amanda Haboush-Deloye, interim executive director for the Nevada Institute for Children's Research and Policy, explained how families are emotionally impacted by the pandemic on KOLO: ABC 8 News Now, and also reflected on the child care industry in the Nevada Current.
  • Astronomy interviewed astrophysics professor Stephen Lepp about the first chemical bond that created the universe.
  • UNLV Immigration Clinic director Michael Kagan analyzed the U.S. temporary residency opportunity for Venezuelans on AP.
  • Samantha Coogan, director of the Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics, talked to Las Vegas Weekly about “gut instinct” and digestive health.
  • Psychology professor Stephen D. Benning discussed tensions between gun legislation reforms and recent mass shootings on KNPR.
  • Healthline asked Couple and Family Therapy professor Brandon Eddy for tips on talking about family planning with a partner.
  • David Orentlicher, director of the UNLV Health Law Program, talked to Time Magazine about the legal risks involved with physician-assisted death.
  • History professor A.B. Wilkinson and art graduate assistant Fawn Douglas showcased the Nuwu Arts and Activism Studio on KNPR.
  • Couple and Family Therapy professor Katherine M. Hertlein offered advice on digital dating and relationships in Cosmopolitan.
  • The Las Vegas Review-Journal talked to psychologist Stephen D. Benning about pandemic fatigue.
  • International Gaming Institute director of research Brett Abarbanel talked about the future of Esports on Vegas PBS.
  • Rebel Recycling program manager Tara Pike identified the crisis in Nevada recycling in interviews with the Las Vegas Review-Journal and El Tiempo.
  • Sociology professor Barbara G. Brents explained to the AP why sex workers feel uncomfortable in reporting crimes to the police. Vox interviewed her about how the Cancel Porn movement can become a target of misdirected anxieties.
  • Economist Ian McDonough analyzed Nevada food insecurity in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  • Real Simple interviewed psychology professor Lianne Barnes on compassion fatigue during the year-long pandemic.
  • William Sousa, director of the Center for Crime and Justice Policy, reflected on the new FBI mandate in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  • Planetary geochemist Christopher Adcock explained to The Verge how Mars may hold water underground.
  • KNPR talked about the relationship between child poverty and new child tax credits with law professor Francine J. Lipman.

Topics:

coronavirus,  newsmakers

Campus Units:

Department of Art,  Lee Business School,  Department of Communication Studies,  Department of Counselor Education, School Psychology, and Human Services,  Department of Criminal Justice,  Department of Economics,  College of Education,  Department of Educational Psychology, Leadership, and Higher Education,  College of Fine Arts,  Department of History,  Honors College,  William F. Harrah College of Hospitality,  School of Integrated Health Sciences,  Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences,  William S. Boyd School of Law,  College of Liberal Arts,  Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV,  Department of Physics and Astronomy,  Department of Political Science,  Department of Psychology,  School of Public Health,  School of Public Policy and Leadership,  College of Sciences,  Department of Sociology,  Greenspun College of Urban Affairs,  Division of Research,  Office of Economic Development,  Nevada Institute for Children's Research and Policy,  Center for Crime and Justice Policy,  Center for Health Disparities Research,  International Center for Gaming Regulation,  International Gaming Institute

Related Experts:

Brett Abarbanel ,  Amanda Belarmino ,  Stephen D. Benning ,  Bo Bernhard ,  Barbara G. Brents ,  Samantha Coogan ,  Brandon Eddy ,  Mehmet Erdem ,  Michael Green ,  Amanda Haboush-Deloye ,  Michael Kagan ,  Dr. Marc J. Kahn ,  Anjala S. Krishen ,  Brian Labus ,  Katherine Lee ,  Francine J. Lipman ,  Bradley Marianno ,  Ian McDonough ,  Kenneth Miller ,  Stephen Miller ,  David Orentlicher ,  Rebecca Rice ,  David G. Schwartz ,  William Sousa ,  Jason Steffen ,  Melva Thompson-Robinson ,  David Glenn Weismiller ,  Jessica K. A. Word

You Might Also Like

The Clock's Keepers
man in cherry picker adjusts hands of clock tower
Campus News | February 12, 2026

With each change of hands, the UNLV Clock Tower risks being forgotten — but new routines by Facilities Management are keeping it finely tuned.

Finding Their ‘Center’ Through Service
woman in blue jacket leads group of student volunteers at water conservation center in north las vegas valley
Campus News | February 11, 2026

Student-volunteers connect with nature and community during Service Day at UNLV's Center for Urban Water Conservation.

More about Campus News