President Len Jessup on Sept. 14 announced UNLV’s inaugural Top Tier Award recipients during his State of the University Address: Alisha Kerlin, interim director of the Barrick Museum of Art; Jefferson Kinney, associate professor of psychology; and Kwang Kim, Southwest Gas professor of energy and matter.  

Kerlin leads museum interdisciplinary programs, scholarship, and community outreach. Kinney focuses on collaborative research in behavioral neuroscience with students and the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center. Kwang pioneers research in active materials and energy systems, along with his leadership on various Top Tier subcommittees.

Their accomplishments highlight UNLV’s capacity for academic excellence, creative activity and research befitting a Top Tier institution. Their efforts have meaningful community impact, and demonstrate a spirit of collaboration and community partnership. Each of these individuals present an outstanding example of commitment to UNLV’s Top Tier mission and we are proud to have them as members of the UNLV campus community.