The program started with a simple question, “Where do students go on UNLV’s campus if they are struggling with issues of homelessness?” Many offices helped to support these students in need, but there was no coordinated effort.
The UNLV HOPE Scholars Program was established in 2016 as a partnership between the Clark County School District Title I HOPE Program, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth (NPHY) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Division of Student Affairs. In 2018, the UNLV Hope Scholars Program moved to the Office of Service Learning and Leadership (SLL) and a full-time staff member was hired in addition to two other staff members within the office with dedicated time in their position to support the program.
Program Successes and Achievements
- First student successfully graduated from UNLV (May 2020). We anticipate three more students graduating this spring and fall (May and December 2021).
- HOPE Scholars are 50% more likely to graduate in four years than the average UNLV student, because of the additional support services and mentorship provided.
- Since 2018, when a full-time staff member was hired to oversee the HOPE Scholars program, students are on track to graduate in four years at a rate nearly three times higher than the average UNLV student.
- HOPE Scholar grades during the fall 2020 semester, at the peak of the pandemic with all of the associated challenges with distance learning, rose for HOPE Scholars such that they have achieved their highest ever cumulative GPA of 3.09.
Help Support HOPE Scholars
Please help us assist the next generation of homeless youth attend UNLV and achieve the dream of a college education.
