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

A red mortarboard decorated with flowers and the message "My dream blossomed"
Campus News |

Plus: Watch the Spring 2026 Commencement recap video.

Melanie and Lusayla Romancik
People |

Common professors, life lessons, and support shaped one family's experience at UNLV.

The top of a UNLV graduation cap overlooking a crowd of graduation students at Commencement.
People |

The newest Rebel grads reflect on their time at UNLV and share what the future holds.

Joyce Woodhouse in light blue blazer
People |

Joyce Woodhouse leaves Nevada better for children and families.

James Sarmiento wearing UNLV commencement robe in front of Rebels Make It Happen sign
People |

How mentorship and industry connections helped UNLV student James Sarmiento turn years of uncertainty into professional success.

Clarisse Andrada out on a nature trail
Campus News |

Through a public health class project tied to the Neon to Nature app, students are updating outdoor route information across the valley.

Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement In The News

KLAS-TV: 8 News Now

Silver State Schools Credit Union is strengthening its connection to higher education with a new partnership with the UNLV Alumni Association.

KSNV-TV: News 3

UNLV's Alumni Association is holding its annual Scholarship Golf Tournament to help current students stay in school. The funds raised through the tournament support the Fred C. Albrecht Alumni Scholarship, which assists deserving UNLV students with the cost of their education.

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.

Recent Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement Accomplishments

Monika Karney, alumna Taylor Gerson, and Helen Wing (Life Sciences) published a paper in Nucleic Acids Research (Oxford University Press). Gerson completed her Ph.D. in December and is a post-doc at Scripps Research, San Diego, Calif. Karney is a self-funded MS student who works as a lab manager on Wing's team. 
Sara Rosenkranz (Kinesiology & Nutrition Sciences), Donya Shahamati (Kinesiology & Nutrition Sciences Alumna), and Richard Rosenkranz (Kinesiology & Nutrition Sciences), along with colleagues from Kansas State University, recently published The feasibility and acceptability of height-adjustable stand-up desks in a self-contained…
Barbara Lewis, Erika Marquez, Chris Cochran, Neeraj Bhandari, Soumya Upadhyay (all Public Health), and Stowe Shoemaker (Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement), co-authored an article, "Hospital Patient and Family Advisory Council Accelerators and Barriers: A Qualitative Study," published in the Journal of Patient Experience.
Professor Karen Harry and Liam Frink’s (both Anthropology) collaborative Alaskan pottery study was recently highlighted on the Decoder Ring podcast (segment from 22:30–35:30). The episode grew out of publicity from The New York Times-bestselling author Sam Kean’s book Dinner with King Tut, which profiled their work alongside that of anthropology…
Darren Noble (Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement) recently attended the 20th Annual Alumni Career Services Network (ACSN) Conference in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The event brought together professionals from 150 institutions and organizations committed to alumni career services support. Centered on the theme "Elevate. Empower. Engage.," the…
The College of Education is pleased to share that several faculty/staff-alumni were recognized for contributions to their field and program, and named as 2025 Alum of the Year. Recipients included: Maria Aladjova '19 M.S. Counselor Education Jennifer Guyer '05 Ed.S. School Psychology Kim Nehls '07 Ph.D. Higher Education Ignacio Prado '12 M.…