• Students walking down a hallway
  • A view of the Las Vegas strip with the Luxor building lighting up the sky.
  • Two women looking at a laptop
  • Person writing with pencil
  • Woman standing

We foster community collaborations to transform lives and view challenges as opportunities.

The Greenspun College of Urban Affairs develops solutions for progressive and resilient cities. Resilient communities are prepared for their challenges. They value productive urban governments that create effective public policy. Progressive cities embrace social equity and diversity. Finally, the citizens of effective cities exhibit a willingness and desire to work together and to have strong productive inclusive engagement about important community issues. The Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, then, is a 21st-century academic interdisciplinary college designed to develop unique solutions for today’s complex, dynamic, and exciting urban environment.

Community Engagement

College Partnerships

The Greenspun College of Urban Affairs prepares undergraduate and graduate students to lead, collaborate, and innovate through research, a cutting-edge curriculum, and public-private partnerships.

Resiliency Initiative

The Las Vegas City Council approved a resolution at its April 3 meeting to establish a community resiliency initiative with the UNLV Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. The local government-higher education partnership will give the city of Las Vegas and UNLV an opportunity to determine and address the shocks and stresses that could impact the entire community and the capacity of individuals, communities, institutions, businesses, and systems within a city to survive, adapt, and grow.

MGM Resorts Public Policy Institute

The institute's mission is to elevate bipartisan policy solutions that can break through partisan gridlock, forge pathways to the middle class and help deliver a sustainable 21st Century workforce across the United States. Read stories about the institute.

Community Engagement Stories

UNLV Libraries and Greenspun College of Urban Affairs to Host Discussion on Anti-Asian Hate
Television screens showing "We Need to Talk" panelists in a studio
May. 19, 2021
University's "We Need to Talk" virtual discussion series returns May 27.
From Detour to Degree
A man in graduation regalia stands in a classroom
May. 12, 2021
After leaving college to enter the hospitality industry, Clay Hartley took advantage of a program through MGM Resorts International to finally earn his degree.
A Crisis of Comfort
UNLV journalism professor pictured sitting on a rock in Calico Basin with mountains and blue sky in the background
May. 11, 2021
UNLV journalism professor Michael Easter explores how people can experience happier, healthier lives in new book.
From Homeless to Advocate
A woman sits at a table with her mortarboard in front of her.
May. 10, 2021
HOPE Scholar Theresa Butler earns her bachelor's and dives into public policy based on her experience.
Making Waves in Radio
Vanessa McConnell sitting in a radio control booth
Mar. 26, 2021
Nontraditional student Vanessa McConnell forging a path to bring diversity to sports broadcasting.
Call Me, Maybe? UNLV Study Probes How People Connected During the Pandemic
woman surrounded by laptops, ipad, phone, and other tech covers ears in frustration
Mar. 9, 2021
UNLV social media expert Natalie Pennington shares the top 10 takeaways of research on the impact of video chats, email, online gaming, and other communication tech on stress, loneliness, and relationships.
Five Things to Do to Become an Engaged Voter
A bearded man with glasses
Feb. 16, 2021
Public Policy professor Jayce Farmer stresses the importance of looking at how and why your local government is spending taxpayer money.
Launching A Business Amid the Pandemic
brandi planet standing with arms folded
Feb. 5, 2021
Alumna puts communication, law degrees to work while co-founding new firm.
We Need To Talk Series on Systemic Racism Returns Feb. 4
Claytee White seated with "We Need to Talk" on TV screen behind her
Jan. 28, 2021
The series, sponsored by UNLV Libraries and the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, will be live-streamed by UNLV TV.
UNLV Newsmakers 2020: Social Justice
Claytee White sits in a chair and gestures toward a woman sitting to her right
Dec. 30, 2020
A sampling of university experts who sounded off on the year’s monumental movements surrounding race, ethnicity, and gender.
A Force of Influence: Children as YouTube Stars
Two children look at a tablet
Dec. 16, 2020
UNLV expert on emerging media Benjamin Burroughs examines the ethical considerations of child-created content.
MGM-College Opportunity Program Graduates First Master's Degree Students
collage of seven individual shots of women and one shot of the UNLV campus
Dec. 14, 2020
Seven women are the first to complete the Urban Leadership Program thanks to partnership.

Behavioral and Mental Health Support

School of Social Work

Faculty, staff, and students provided counseling services and resources to MGM Resorts International employees impacted by the Oct. 1. Las Vegas shooting. Social work staff was among the several UNLV counselors who provided emotional support around the Las Vegas Valley.

Nevada Partnership for Training

For more than 10 years, the UNLV School of Social Work has collaborated in the Nevada Partnership for Training, a statewide consortium of family service agencies. In Southern Nevada, UNLV partners with Clark County Department of Family Services to deliver skill-based programs for professionals who work with children and families.

Faculty Research

An interdisciplinary team of urban affairs faculty produced a white paper on the state of youth homelessness in Southern Nevada. Faculty presented their findings at a summit sponsored by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Las Vegas Sands and Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth Nov. 2, 2017. The college is partnering with community groups to help the homeless youth.

Behavioral and Mental Health Support Stories

Healing from Post-Pandemic Trauma 
A woman places a hand on a man's shoulder
Jul. 1, 2021
UNLV School of Social Work expert on moving forward after a year of lockdowns and stress.
Veteran Leadership
A man looks at a pocket watch
Oct. 20, 2020
Former Marine and College of Urban Affairs Alumnus of the Year has fought to get help for Nevada's veterans seeking educational opportunities.
The Interview: Katherine Marcal
a photo of katherine marcal standing with arms folded
Feb. 24, 2020
Las Vegas was a surprise home for Katherine Marcal. Now she’s working to ensure individuals experiencing homelessness have a pathway to a new life.
The Interview: Nicholas Barr
Nicholas Barr poses on UNLV's campus, his work focuses on homeless young adults and military service members.
Oct. 14, 2019
Mindful of the needs of homeless youth, the social work professor has created a program to help.
Addressing the Complexity of Addiction
two white pills, one red caplet
Apr. 16, 2019
A new book by social work professor An-Pyng Sun walks readers through the roots of addiction and treatment.
Creating a Roadmap for Helping Homeless Youth
backpack and sleeping bag next to wall with "Nevada: Highest Rate of Homeless Youth in the Nation" spray painted on it
Nov. 28, 2018
Clark County is second in the nation in under-25 homelessness. Researchers at UNLV have come up with recommendations to help stem the tide.
Seen and Heard
two women standing next to empty road
Sep. 20, 2018
Researchers work with underage sex trafficking victims to identify new ways to assist exploited children and prevent others from entering the abuse cycle.
Fielding New Experiences
Allison Slaughter seated at a desk.
Feb. 8, 2018
UNLV practicum helps social work students find the right fit and connect to future jobs.
Tackling Homeless Youth Issue Through Collaboration
hands holding cardboard cutout of house
Nov. 9, 2017
College of Urban Affairs partners with community groups to stop Southern Nevada crisis.
Coping Through Crisis
woman holding sign saying "grief counselor"
Oct. 9, 2017
University counseling experts step up to offer emotional support after the mass shooting in Las Vegas.
Living Well in the Las Vegas Valley
Michael Easter
Feb. 16, 2017
Michael Easter, former editor of Men’s Health, is the host of a new healthy living show on KUNV radio.
'I Found My Calling'
Margie Toves
May. 11, 2016
Margie Toves is among the first graduates from a program to produce social workers specializing in children’s mental health.

Safe and Resilient Communities

At this time, in Las Vegas, we need solutions to create safe and resilient cities that welcome and keep residents and tourists safe. We need to be prepared for terrorism and the realities of the 21st century. We need to be able to be able to work with law enforcement, public and private organizations, and the entire community to become more resilient. We need solutions for the media to inform citizens and to create shared meaning throughout Las Vegas. Our students and faculty are creating unique solutions in each of these areas.

Safe and Resilient Communities Stories

U.S. News: Boyd Law Rises in Rankings, Criminal Justice and Nuclear Engineering Crack Top 30
students walking outdoors on UNLV campus with signage in foreground
Mar. 29, 2021
U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of top graduate and professional schools ranks 26 UNLV programs within nation’s top 100.
Domestic Abuse and COVID-19
silhouette of man and woman arguing
Jun. 16, 2020
UNLV criminal justice professor Gillian Pinchevsky on the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on victims of intimate partner abuse and how society can help protect them in the future.
Reform, Defund or Abolish the Police?
Protest signs read "Defund Police" and "Abolish Police"
Jun. 10, 2020
As more municipalities weigh the future of their police departments, UNLV professors explain what these movements mean and how they would work.
I’m black. I’m a peacebuilder. I want your help.
black person and white person holding hands at protest
Jun. 5, 2020
UNLV alumna Jessica Walters Murrey offers advice to those seeking to be allies in social change.
Fading to Black: As Hit Netflix Series Ends, UNLV Professor Explores How Conditions Have Changed for Incarcerated Women
A portrait of UNLV associate professor Emily Salisbury standing in front of the Florence McClure Women's Correctional Center.
Jun. 24, 2019
‘Orange is the New Black’ has mirrored real-life circumstances of women offenders since its debut in 2013.
At the Forefront: MGM Resorts Public Policy Institute at UNLV Tackles the Future of Work
Chuck Todd, host of NBC's Meet the Press, moderates a discussion at the Bellagio in Las Vegas between former U.S. Sen. Harry Reid and former Speaker of the House John Boehner.
Apr. 25, 2019
Inaugural symposium highlights need for collaboration across academia, business, and government to secure a prosperous American workforce.
Greenspun College of Urban Affairs, City of Las Vegas Partner to Develop Community Resilience Initiative
Greenspun Building
Apr. 3, 2019
City resilience framework will focus on health and wellness, economy and society, infrastructure and environment, and leadership and strategy.
The Responsibility of Listening
woman presenting at conference
Oct. 15, 2018
Criminal justice professor Gillian Pinchevsky on how you can empower yourself to empower survivors of interpersonal violence.
Surveying on Surveillance
two people with clipboard talking a man
Sep. 26, 2018
Criminal justice students gather public opinion on law enforcement use of drones and body-worn cameras before and after the Oct. 1 shooting.
Of Boys and Men
boy holding hand up in stop sign
Sep. 21, 2018
When toxic masculinity is part of a culture, male survivors of childhood abuse may turn to crime as a way to reclaim their masculinity.
Changing the Way Courts Treat Youths Exploited by Trafficking
portrait of woman
Apr. 18, 2018
Alexis Kennedy wins 2018 Community-Based Research Award for a study that includes the views of survivors.
Watching The Watchdogs
Melissa Rorie at a gaming table.
Feb. 26, 2018
Criminal justice professor Melissa Rorie digs into the relationship between Nevada's casinos and its gaming regulators.