Dear UNLV Community:

As we start the new fiscal year and continue to power UNLV forward, I wanted to reach out to you in my new capacity as acting president. I also would like to recognize Executive Vice President and Provost Diane Chase for her leadership and efforts during this transition. Thank you, Diane! 

While I’ve had the pleasure of working with many incredible people across campus over the last two decades, there are some of you who may not know me. For those of you who don’t, you’ll find my focus is always on what’s best for our university, our dedicated faculty and staff, and our amazing students, many of whom pursue higher education goals against considerable odds. What we accomplish together is truly inspiring!    

I fell for this institution more than 20 years ago when I joined UNLV as an assistant professor of psychology in 1997. I have had the privilege to serve in several roles, including dean of the Honors College, senior adviser to the president, and associate director of clinical training for the Psychology Department.

In every role, I have found that our shared commitment to UNLV is rooted in a passion to create meaningful and transformative experiences for our students. Together, we work hard to prepare them for highly successful and socially impactful lives which, in turn, transforms our community, our country, and our world. What is more life affirming work than that!

We have much to be proud of, and much work ahead as we aim ever higher. In the coming weeks and months, I look forward to engaging with various stakeholders on campus and in the community to discuss our needs, ongoing initiatives, and fresh new ideas.  

We know our community looks to us as its educational, cultural, and research hub, and to excel in that purpose we must stay focused and continually push forward and aim high. UNLV is a thriving, urban research university in the most enterprising city in the world, and there’s nothing we can’t achieve when we work together. Thank you for all you do each day to support our students and propel this university to ever greater heights. 

Warm regards,

Marta Meana, Ph.D.
Acting President