News: Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement

Mariella Bueno in black pants and jacket and red Rebels tshirt sits on a campus bench
People |

From City Hall to campus: UNLV's new director of advocacy champions policies to empower students and communities.

The "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas" sign.
Campus News |

Welcome to the fabulous history of the Entertainment Capital of the World.

UNLV alumna and returning student Faria Tavacoli
People |

Faria Tavacoli is the first Nevada student to be selected for the Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service.

Aaron stands in hallway wearing white jacket
People |

Aaron Andersen and the Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences collaborate to address need for medical physicists.

Amelia Davis holds holiday cards she designed in front of UNLV letters sculpture
Campus News |

UNLV alumna and Foundation graphic designer Amelia Davis embraces her fourth annual holiday card with creativity and gratitude.

Sofia Yeremian, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV Class of 2028 student
People |

A medical student reflects on how a trip to Armenia reminded her why she chose medicine and UNLV to pursue her dream.

Eric Chiang sits in front of Lee Business School building
People |

The economics professor reflects on Dec. 6, the scholarship that changed his path, and why he's investing in future generations of Rebels.

White male with receding hairline wearing a dark blazer with a UNLV hankerchief in the pocket poses outdoors with this hands crossed in front of him with golf course in the immediate background and the Las Vegas Strip skyline in the distant background
People |

After a career in the beer industry, Silver State Award winner Aldo Madrigrano and his wife, Dawn, left Wisconsin for Las Vegas and immediately began investing in their new community. Priority No. 1: UNLV.

Older white man with receding brown hair wearing tan pants, a gray UNLV polo shirt and eyeglasses sits on an exercise bike in the UNLV Exercise Physiology lab
People |

When the dream of being a pro athlete failed to materialize, James Navalta followed in his father’s academic footsteps. Now, the kinesiology professor is the 2025 Outstanding Faculty Award winner.

Older white man with receding gray hair wearing a black pinstripe suit, white collared shirt, red tie and gold watch on his left wrist poses with his hands crossed in front of him with small lake, waterfall, large boulders and palm trees in the background
People |

David Ross credits UNLV for helping him fulfill his boyhood dream of reaching the pinnacle of the casino management business. Which is why the 2025 Fred C. Albrecht Outstanding Alumnus is always there whenever his alma mater needs him.

White woman with long brown hair wearing a dark jacket with Class of 2008 emblem and white, black, and red shorts and red shoes poses while sitting on grass with her back against the wheel of a red cannon outside the UNLV football complex
People |

Whether uplifting small businesses, supporting her alma mater, or championing student success as a Nevada regent, this year’s Achievement in Service Award recipient is happy to lend a helping hand.

Latin woman in a black top with gold buttons smiles as she leans against the front-desk counter at Communities in Schools Nevada
People |

Two decades after discovering a passion for teaching that she didn’t know she had, two-time grad Debbie Palacios is the College of Education Alumna of the Year.