• Students sitting at computers participating in e-sports
  • Archaeology students working at Valley of Fire
  • Student working in a research lab

Highlights

From creating community partnerships and advancing student achievement, to promoting research, scholarship, and creative activity, we work hard to achieve our goal of becoming a top 100 American research university. Check out our highlights to learn our impact.

A group of hikers hiking across Nevada.

The UNLV Honors College offers a unique summer field trip throughout the state to immerse students in issues that are both wide-ranging and interconnected. The goal is to build knowledge of the Silver State beyond Las Vegas so these future leaders better understand the industries and environments — from urban to rural, from industry to ranching — that make Nevada exceptional.

man working with microscope

UNLV radiochemists earned nearly $3 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to support efforts to assess the role of higher education in meeting future nuclear workforce needs. UNLV stands out as one of the few universities in the U.S. with a radiochemistry program, further solidifying its position as a leading research institution in the field that is actively developing a skilled workforce for the future.

Smoke free & vape free banners around campus.

UNLV is officially tobacco-free and prohibits all forms of smoking, tobacco use, and unregulated nicotine products. This step demonstrates UNLV’s commitment to a healthier and more sustainable environment while reducing exposure to secondhand smoke. 

image of graduation cap during commencement ceremony

In collaboration with 19 of the nation’s top research institutions, UNLV has established the Alliance of Hispanic Serving Research Universities. The Alliance plans to boost Hispanic doctoral student enrollment and faculty numbers at member institutions by 2030. By prioritizing equity and inclusivity, this pioneering initiative will create a lasting impact within graduate-level academia.

Teachers in a room with children on laptops.

The Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach earned $7.6 million in grants to assist low-income and/or first-generation students in 18 CCSD schools. This funding helps UNLV provide a comprehensive range of services to Las Vegas families, including academic advising, college planning, career exploration, and tutoring, as well as special programs targeting veterans and adult learners.

X-Ray image of two hands with joint areas highlighted in red.

Thanks to a generous contribution from the Engelstad Foundation, the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV is establishing a dedicated Division of Rheumatology. This significant donation will be utilized to recruit and train rheumatologists, addressing the critical shortage of specialists in Southern Nevada. This transformative division will further the medical school's mission and improve access and quality of healthcare in the region.

Person wearing personal protective equipment holding their hands up and forming the letters L and V to represent Las Vegas

We’re feeling better already. The state’s investment in the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV is paying dividends. Its team of faculty, doctors, and students were instrumental in:

  • administering COVID testing and vaccines
  • providing patient care at 14 specialty clinics
  • delivering more than 5,000 babies
  • performing 52,000 surgeries
  • receiving more than 180,000 hospital visits

UNLV’s Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine is doing its part to heal the local economy by generating an estimated 8,000 new jobs and creating an impact of $1.2 billion by 2030.

Two women looking over a microscope.

UNLV is among only 120 universities across the nation with R1 status for “very high research” activity as designated by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. As a member of this elite category, UNLV stands as the first institution in Nevada to earn this status.