MSI Task Force
From its earliest days as a small branch college to its current position as a major research institution, the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has long regarded diversity as one of its hallmarks. Located in a region that is inherently rich in multicultural diversity, UNLV makes every effort to reflect that diversity within its student body, its faculty, and its staff.
A key part of UNLV’s educational mission is to deliver a superior academic experience to students from all walks of life. UNLV prides itself on being an institution of opportunity where those who are traditionally underrepresented in higher education can receive the support they need to achieve their educational and professional goals.
The MSI Task Force, led by the university’s Executive Vice President and Provost, was established in Fall 2019. This group is a coalition of UNLV stakeholders dedicated to advancing student success initiatives for campus students of color, including promoting educational equity and eliminating the achievement gap.
2023-24 MSI Initiatives Survey
Near the end of the 2023-24 academic year, UNLV’s Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Task Force will roll out the MSI Initiatives Survey. This instrument is intended to collect a uniform set of data regarding the many UNLV initiatives that are specifically designed and/or intended to assist students, faculty, staff, alumni, and/or community residents who are members of one or more special populations or identity groups (e.g., racial and ethnic minorities, low-income individuals, LGBTQ+ persons, etc.). Questions about the survey can be directed to msidata@unlv.edu.
About the Initiative
Mission
The MSI Task Force provides institutional leadership and support for establishing UNLV as a leading MSI. Its work includes designing and maintaining institutional support systems to promote educational success for students of color and other underrepresented students in higher education.
The task force includes representatives from various administrative and academic units across the campus and is responsible for organizing a variety of programs and initiatives to support students and faculty of color as well as others underrepresented in higher education.
Members
The members of the MSI Task Force comprise a broad coalition of UNLV community members dedicated to promoting student success for students of color:
Subcommittees
A number of different subcommittees work in parallel to advance the goals and priorities of the MSI Task Force.
Learn More
To learn more about diversity and student success initiatives on the UNLV campus, please visit the following sites:
- Minority-Serving Institution
- MSI Week
- Office of Diversity Initiatives
- Office of Student Diversity Programs
- Office of Undergraduate Education
- The Intersection: Academic Multicultural Resource Center
- STEM Multicultural Program
- The Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach (CAEO)
Data on student and faculty diversity at UNLV are available through the Office of Decision Support.
Contact
The MSI Task Force is an effort jointly led by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, the Division of Student Affairs, and the Division of Diversity Initiatives. If you have any questions or would like to get involved with the work of the Task Force, please contact:
Chris Heavey, Officer in Charge, Executive Vice President and Provost (Chair)
Phone: 702-895-3301
Email: chris.heavey@unlv.edu
Jose Melendrez, Interim Vice President for Diversity Initiatives/
Chief Diversity Officer (Co-Chair)
Phone: 702-895-5604
Email: jose.melendrez@unlv.edu
Keith Rogers, Vice President for Student Affairs (Co-Chair)
Phone: 702-895-3656
Email: keith.rogers@unlv.edu
Tondra De, Chief of Staff
Phone: 702-895-0730
Email: tondra.de@unlv.edu