1. We're Defying College Trends — Like Rebels

UNLV surpassed its own record-breaking achievements again this fall, reaching a new enrollment milestone even as universities nationwide face declining enrollments. What’s more is that:

Total enrollment reached 32,911 students this fall, up nearly 6% over the previous year and the highest in UNLV’s 67-year history

• Degree-seeking undergraduate enrollment is 24,623, a 2.1% year-over-year increase
• Graduate enrollment is 4,510 students, an 11.7% increase
• More than 80% of undergrads are taking a full-time course load, an increase of roughly 5% over last fall
• First-year retention is up to 79.2%, more than a percent increase over last fall
• At 50.4%, the university reached a new high in the six-year graduation rate
• More than 50% of all UNLV undergraduates will be the first in their family to earn a four-year degree
• Nearly 88% of students are Nevada residents

As a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI), UNLV continues to lead in diversity.

The number of students identifying with one or more minority categories has surged to 22,882, or about 70% of the student body. This is led by 34% of students who identify themselves as Hispanic, a figure that continues to increase every year.

“Diversity enhances the educational experience by more fully reflecting the world we live in. Our community at UNLV is as diverse as the world itself,” said Chris L. Heavey, executive vice president and provost. “This diversity creates a living, learning laboratory where students can develop the skills needed to succeed in a global, interconnected society.” Read the full story.

— Jennifer Hurtado

2. Wigging Out in North Las Vegas

Haith Johnson had been in the beauty industry for 40 years when she and her husband received the opportunity of a lifetime: an offer from Walmart to franchise their salon concept inside one of the mega retailer’s stores.

The only catch? The couple had to move their business from Detroit to Las Vegas. They jumped at the chance. “It was an incredible opportunity,” she said. “Ninety days later, we had packed everything up and moved.”

Le’Host Hair & Wigs began the process of opening a storefront inside the Walmart on Craig Road in North Las Vegas, but they knew they needed a little help.

“Being here in North Las Vegas, it was a new space. I know hair, I know wigs, and I know extensions, but I don’t know this space,” said Johnson. “But I also knew it was possible if I got training and wisdom from those who came before me.”

That’s where the North Las Vegas Small Business Connector comes in — a one-stop shop for small business owners located in North Las Vegas City Hall. It was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of the Treasury for its unique model.

The Connector is a partnership between the City of North Las Vegas, UNLV’s Nevada Small Business Development Center (SBDC), EmployNV Business Hub, and Access Community Capital.

Once clients are licensed and have a solid business plan in place with the help of the SBDC, they’re referred to the Connector’s other partners. EmployNV helps with talent and provides funding for on-the-job training, while Access Community Capital offers loans with low interest rates.

“There are so many resources out there. Most business owners don’t even know where to start, they don’t know what door to go through,” said Zachary Miles, senior associate vice president for economic development at UNLV, which oversees the SBDC. “The Small Business Connector provides that door.”

By opening the office in North Las Vegas City Hall, the university is extending its reach to a new community of entrepreneurs.

“The impetus for UNLV was that we wanted to be a stronger community partner,” Miles said, noting that SBDC hopes to establish more offices to make the services available without undue travel. “Great communities are built around great universities, but only because they work together. Yes, we teach students, we do research, and we have sporting teams, but here’s what else we are we doing to leverage our resources for the greater community.” Read the full story.

— Carolyn Kressler

3. Supporting Emotional Wellness in First Responders

A new program designed by the UNLV Tourist Safety Institute is helping Nevada Highway 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 program builds the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs’ resiliency curriculum to help first responders improve their health, operational performance, and abilities to manage challenging situations as first responders.

George Togliatti, director of the Nevada Department of Public Safety, said the partnership was both practical and perfectly timed. His department started a wellness and resiliency program last year for employees.

“[Our officers] are in an interesting profession, and it is a challenging profession where they are exposed to tragedy and trauma and negative things in life,” Togliatti said. “UNLV brings all kinds of expertise and passion — people with fire in the belly to help people.”

Leading the UNLV Tourist Safety Institute is an interdisciplinary team of faculty in social work, public policy, criminal justice, communication studies, and journalism. Read the full story.

—Afsha Bawany

4. A Partner for Health Care Expansion

The future home of Southern Nevada’s first standalone children’s hospital? UNLV’s Harry Reid Research and Technology Park in Southwest Las Vegas.

Intermountain Health announced its selection of the site during an October event, noting that the new hospital is intended to reduce the strain on families who have had to travel for comprehensive, subspeciality care for their children. Design of the hospital, clinical activity development, and workforce planning are under way.

UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield noted that building a strong medical infrastructure in a rapidly growing community requires strong partnerships.

“More than a decade ago, the community and state rallied behind a vision for a school of medicine at UNLV as a way to help meet the evolving health care needs of our region,” Whitfield said. “The Kerkorian School of Medicine is now celebrating 10 years, and its reach and impact grow every day. This project by Intermountain Health will do the same.”

He acknowledged the many contributions from University Medical Center, HCA, Valley Health System, and Dignity Health, in addition to the donors and community leaders.

Gov. Joe Lombardo and County Commissioner Michael Naft also spoke in favor of the project and its location on a UNLV campus.

The Harry Reid Research & Technology Park recently was named the region’s “most catalytic place” by the Urban Land Institute Nevada. The park serves as a high-tech home for collaboration between the university and private industry. Read the full story.

—Tony Allen

5. The Cranes Come Home

In the days after the Dec. 6 campus shooting, students Kylee Brahma and Chris Kyle Aguilar, and a group of their friends felt compelled to do something to honor Naoko Takemaru, their Japanese professor, who was one of the victims killed in the tragedy.

Brahma suggested senbazuru, the Japanese tradition of folding 1,000 origami cranes to symbolize hope, healing, and peace.

The idea blossomed and so, too, did their ambitions. They set a new goal of 4,000 cranes so they could also honor professors Patricia Navarro Velez and Jerry Cha-Jan Chang, who were killed, and Daraboth “Bot” Rith, who was seriously injured. 

They envisioned spelling out the UNLV letters in vibrant red, surrounded by colors and patterns to reflect the diversity of the UNLV campus.

Aguilar continued to shepherd the project after he graduated in May with a bachelor’s in psychology and while working full time for Proud Moments, a clinic for autistic children. More than 200 people participated in crane-folding sessions in Las Vegas’ Chinatown, the Discovery Children’s Museum, and the Honors College. Those who could not attend sent in their cranes, with contributions coming from as far as Japan.

“I’m not an artist, but I am an organizer,” Aguilar said. “I actually used all those skills from group projects [as a UNLV student] to keep this going. I feel very grateful to have been able to contribute in this way.”