Close up of the "Rebels Forever" logo on UNLV undergraduate gown.

Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement News

The Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement strives to build meaningful relationships with UNLV alumni and steward private investment in the university. We do this by supporting the mission and vision of the UNLV Foundation and the UNLV Alumni Association, two 501(c)3 organizations.

Current Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement News

closeup of hand touching herbs growing in hydroponic system
Campus News |

UNLV, UNR Extension collaboration cultivates an early interest in science and engineering.

laptop with UNLV-branded notebook on table
Business and Community |

Foundation’s generous $735,000 donation will offset tuition for first cohort of new UNLV bachelor’s degree in insurance and risk management, which will launch this fall.

group of students in red shirts inside Nevada legislature
Campus News |

Students stepped out of the classroom and into the heart of lawmaking at Nevada’s 83rd Legislative Session.

man in red nursing scrubs
Business and Community |

The two-time UNLV graduate is funding a scholarship to help others join the ranks of nursing.

Yasmeen wearing red graduate robe while in wheelchair
People |

Neilsen Scholar heads for law school to help others pursue justice.

Lisa Kelleher being honored at celebration
People |

After decades supporting female athletes and women's sports, the assistant professor has one last gift to bestow.

Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement In The News

KSNV-TV: News 3

UNLV welcomes more than 5,000 students, staff, faculty, and alumni for Rebel Homecoming Week. The university calls it the Happiest Homecoming on Earth as people gathered in the Student Union Courtyard & Plaza.

Hospitality Net

The UNLV William F. Harrah College of Hospitality announces a $1 million philanthropic gift from Marco Benvenuti to establish the Marco Benvenuti Excellence Endowment. The gift represents the culmination of years of support from the local entrepreneur and 2002 graduate.

U.S. News & World Report

Before closing out the fall semester, many schools observe different holidays through unique and time-honored traditions.

Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges

How does a new foundation CEO ensure long-term success? The first 100 days in office are critical to a successful tenure and depend on the CEO establishing candid, trusting relationships with the institution president, the foundation board, and internal and external stakeholders. Success also depends on the new CEO’s ability to understand the entire gamut of the position’s responsibilities, the corresponding gaps in their experience and expertise, and the means to address limitations.

Sports Handle

'Pioneering' grant announced one day before ESPN BET sportsbook launch

Vegas Inc

Cindy Rivelli is a seasoned fundraiser and manager who found her calling while studying and working abroad. After graduating from the University of Oregon, she taught English in Lille, France, before moving on to pursue her master’s degree in international relations at King’s College London. While there, Rivelli stumbled into fundraising after taking a job at UNICEF UK.

Recent Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Accomplishments

Kim McGrath, director of Board and Volunteer Relations, was nominated and elected to the Alumni Board of Directors at Webster University. In this role she will gain practical skills and engage in best practices with a diverse group of fellow alumni in Missouri and across the country.  
Jessica Impallaria, M.Ed. '08 (Liberal Arts) received an Outstanding Service Award from CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Las Vegas and the Eighth Judicial District Court during the 10th annual volunteer appreciation luncheon held April 26, 2025. Jessica was recognized for her compassionate advocacy for children in foster care and the…
Joshua Chévere Cohen (Black Mountain Institute) was selected by the English Department as their 2025 College of Liberal Arts Distinguished Department Alumni. The 2025 Distinguished Department Alumni Cohort was recognized at the College of Liberal Arts Honors Convocation and presented with "COLA Keys to Success."
Isabelle Graham (Economics; Brookings Mountain West; The Lincy Institute) and Zachary Billot (Political Science ’24) will represent Nevada and California respectively at the 2025 Western Governors' Leadership Institute (WGLI) Annual Meeting. The WGLI is a prestigious program developed by the Western Governors' Association to…
Dr. Graham McGinnis (Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences) and his former doctoral student Dr. Michael Dial (Ohio State University), along with other members of the Exercise Physiology and Integrated Chronobiology Lab published an article titled, "Social jetlag alters markers of exercise-induced mitochondrial adaptations in the heart," in the…
Barbara Lewis, Chris Cochran, Erika Marquez, Neeraj Bhandari, Jennifer Pharr, Soumya Upadhyay (all School of Public Health), and  Stowe Shoemaker (Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement), co-authored an article, "Use of Hospital Patient and Family Advisory Councils: A Scoping Study," in the Journal of Patient Experience.