• 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.

Three students in a dorm.

In response to increasing housing costs, UNLV is collaborating with tech startup Boxabl to assess interest in the company’s prefabricated, mass-produced studio houses as a potential solution for students. Boxabl's flagship model, the Casita, is currently available for public viewing along the Alumni Walk near the Student Recreation and Wellness Center. The university is also exploring the possibility of utilizing 2,000 acres of UNLV land in North Las Vegas to establish a community of Casita units and provide students with more residential options.

A woman reads a book to a girl in a library.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Augustus F. Hawkins Center for Excellence awarded $2,977,816 million to the Nevada Forward (NV|Forward) Apprenticeship Program within the College of Education. The apprenticeship program — the first registered apprenticeship for teachers in the western U.S — connects community members with innovative, fast-track pathways to higher education, workforce training, and continued professional development with the goal of expanding Nevada's teacher workforce and addressing the teacher shortage. 

A closeup of a UNLV jersey.

UNLV Athletics announced that it will extend its contract with the Mountain West Conference for six years – with additional financial incentives – through June 30, 2032. The university will also have the flexibility to explore future membership in an autonomous “Power Four” conference without penalty should a future opportunity become available. UNLV, as a charter member of the Mountain West, will continue to host the conference's men's and women's basketball tournaments at the Thomas & Mack Center throughout the duration of the existing and new contract.

A birds-eye view of Lied Library with students walking on the sidewalk.

According to U.S. News & World Report, UNLV continues to be one of the most diverse universities for undergraduates in the nation. In the latest rankings released in September, UNLV is tied for fifth place, reflecting our commitment to promoting an academically enriching and supportive culture that allows all members of our community to thrive and succeed in higher education.

A view of the campus at night, with streetlights illuminating the UNLV pole banners.

Every spring and fall, UNLV's longstanding Lighting & Safety initiative brings together representatives from Risk Management & Safety, Facilities Management, Planning & Construction, Parking & Transportation Services, Faculty Senate, Police Services, and the student population to help UNLV maintain a safe and secure environment for everyone. The initiative aims to ensure that the campus is well-lit and accessible, especially during evening hours. During the 2023 Shadow Lane campus walk, 17 issues were identified, with 15 already addressed; meanwhile, the Maryland campus walk revealed 90 issues, of which 68 have been resolved so far.

A student in a lab with a radioactive flask.

The Nuclear Security Science and Technology Consortium (NSSTC) was awarded a five-year, $5,000,000 renewal grant from the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) through the Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program to continue developing the next generation of world-class STEM professionals. This initiative aims to meet the national security demands of today and the future, while strengthening key science, technology, and engineering capabilities to support the NNSA’s vital mission of protecting the American people by maintaining a safe, secure, and effective nuclear weapons stockpile. The NSSTC provides students with practical experience and training through research projects and experiential learning.

Cars on the street along Maryland Parkway.

A new program designed by the UNLV Tourist Safety Institute is helping Nevada Highway State Patrol employees focus on their social and emotional wellness. Law enforcement officers are learning skills in mindfulness, emotional regulation, attention control, and maintaining effective interpersonal relationships. The goal is to help them improve their health, operational performance, and abilities to manage challenging situations as first responders. In addition to serving nearly 3 million residents, agencies address the safety needs of the 40.8 million visitors who come to Las Vegas annually. 

Diagnostic health care equipment.

UNLV has been awarded a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to study the effects of radiation exposure on breast cancer risk in occupational and medical settings. Breast cancer, which accounts for 30% of new cancer diagnoses each year, is the second-most common cancer among women. The study, a collaboration between the Department of Health Physics and Diagnostic Sciences and Computer Science, will continue to advance health care solutions and cancer research.