News: Greenspun College of Urban Affairs
![Brittnie Watkins](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/D70855_018.jpg?itok=BwJQxHUu)
Brittnie Watkins excels at keeping multiple balls in the air as she earns four UNLV degrees, mothers two, and fulfills a state Supreme Court clerkship.
![commencement ceremony](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/nc_D70651_073.jpg?itok=LJ-1V1Dy)
UNLV has a commencement tradition for the president to honor a few exceptional students who embody the academic, research, and community impact of the graduating class.
![Margie Toves](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/nc_D70802_07.jpg?itok=-zu73c1e)
Margie Toves is among the first graduates from a program to produce social workers specializing in children’s mental health.
![Ricki Y. Barlow](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/Barlow_D70757_03.jpg?itok=mj8WJdfY)
Ricki Y. Barlow, Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Alumnus of the Year
![Nikki Davis](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/Davis_D70760_08.jpg?itok=3iPsNgOt)
Journalism student Nikki Davis was selected by an advertising organization as one of the 50 Most Promising Multicultural Students of 2016.
![teenage male, sitting in a dark hallway, holds his head in his hands](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/despair.jpg?itok=UZ5igncp)
Vulnerable youth have a friend in Ramona Denby-Brinson, the 2015 Harry Reid Silver State Research Award winner.
![Bernajane Palisoc works in UNLV's neuropsychology lab with professor Daniel Allen](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/Bernajane%20Palisoc.jpg?itok=P-a3BN1j)
The new Office of Undergraduate Research helps students engage in and celebrate their research and creative activity.
![Jon Castagnino](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/nc_D70650_05.jpg?itok=Qfz0fDXr)
Alumnus and new Greenspun School of Journalism instructor reflects on his fight with cancer, passion for journalism, and the inspiration he finds in students.
![An artist’s rendering of UNLV’s entry in the 2017 Solar Decathalon.](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/releases/main-images/nc_SECTION.jpg?itok=nEq_ON6K)
Students to build sustainable, “age-in-place” home with consumer appeal for U.S. Department of Energy contest; UNLV team finished second overall in 2013.
![brookings mountain west sign](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/nc_D67659_20.jpg?itok=XgDyQn9P)
The think tank will continue its work of quality, independent research at UNLV on issues facing the Intermountain West region.
![Richard M. Nixon and John F. Kennedy](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/Nixon_JFK_Debate.jpg?itok=KQzk2_i6)
Communication studies professor Jacob Thompson on campaign history and how UNLV's selection as a debate site will leave a lasting mark on campus. Plus: Details on community watch events.
![Aeriel Halstead speaks at a podium](/sites/default/files/styles/768_width/public/articles/main-images/010-undergrad%20speaker.jpg?itok=HhtTYJYP)
Standout student Aeriel Halstead's message to her fellow new graduates is simple: Take a minute to appreciate all that you've accomplished.