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Supporting, facilitating, and promoting engagement
between the university and its many communities
Fall, 2025
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A PROCLAMATION BY GOVERNOR JOE LOMBARDO
TO CONVENE A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE NEVADA LEGISLATURE
WHEREAS, Section 9 of Article V of the Constitution of the State of Nevada provides that, "the Governor may, on extraordinary occasions, convene the Legislature by Proclamation and shall state to both houses, when organized, the business for which they have been specially convened"; and
WHEREAS, at a special session convened pursuant to Section 9 of Article V of the Constitution of the State of Nevada, "the Legislature shall not introduce, consider or pass any bills except those related to the business for which the Legislature has been specially convened and those necessary to provide for the expenses of the session"; and
WHEREAS, an extraordinary occasion now exists which requires immediate action by the Legislature.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOE LOMBARDO, GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution of the State of Nevada, do hereby convene the Legislature into a Special Session to consider…(more)
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And, with this Proclamation from Governor Lombardo, the 36th (2025) Special Session of the Nevada Legislature got underway this morning, (view the Governor’s agenda here).
UNLV’s Director of State Government Affairs and Community Engagement, Leo Benavides, will lead the university’s efforts in Carson City to advocate on behalf of UNLV. As of now, UNLV is closely monitoring the following bills:
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SB4 - Funding for the State Medical Lab and General Obligations Bonds for the UNR Life Sciences Building
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SB5 - Statewide Health Care Access and Recruitment Program
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AB1 – Cybersecurity Security Operations Center and Cybersecurity Talent Pipeline Program
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AB5 - Nevada Studios Infrastructure Jobs and Workforce Training Act
Rebels can stay up-to-date with activity and outcomes of the Special Session via the Nevada Legislature’s website.
| | UNLV Day at the City of North Las Vegas | | |
November 5th was UNLV Day at the City of North Las Vegas City Hall. The day included a Rebel Resource Fair to connect city employees and residents with programs and services at UNLV and a reception hosted by City of North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown and City Council members.
Later in the day, UNLV President Chris Heavey made a presentation at the City Council meeting which highlighted the many ways UNLV’s education, research, and programs are helping the city thrive.
Following his presentation, the City Council presented President Heavey with a Proclamation recognizing all that UNLV makes possible for individuals and organizations in the City of North Las Vegas.
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Annual Step Up for Kids & Clark County Youth Mayor Election
Each year, Step Up for Kids brings together people to show widespread support for investments in children and families. Participants include child advocates, politicians, parents, and kids. Events held across the country raise awareness among voters and political candidates regarding the issues American children face, such as access to early care and learning, after-school programs, poverty, child abuse and neglect, and health care.
On Saturday, October 11, 2025, UNLV’s Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy (NICRP), in partnership with Commissioner William McCurdy II and with support from many community partners, hosted the 18th Annual Step Up for Kids event.
As part of the event programming, NICRP hosted the Clark County Youth Mayor Election, which engages children in the electoral process. Fourth and Fifth graders in Clark County were given the opportunity to apply. Finalists Colette Bucher, Elijah Kruse, Emily Reed, Mariska Stewart, Rene Guevara, and Sophia Schafer created campaigns about an issue they were passionate about, displayed their campaign materials at the event, discussed their issues with attendees, and gave a one- to two-minute speech on their campaign issues.
Since this election was for kids and by kids, only youth 17 years and under could vote for their favorite candidate. The kids in attendance were able to register to vote, enter a voting booth, and cast their ballot. Congratulations to Sophia Schafer for winning the election! And, thank you to all of the candidates and their families!
| | Rebels in Action - Government | | |
11/1/25 – UNLV’s Office of Government and Community Engagement, Athletics, and School of Public Health partnered with Three Square to host an emergency food distribution event outside the Thomas & Mack Center. The event aimed to assist those impacted by the loss of SNAP benefits and served more than 1,000 Southern Nevada households.
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11/3/25 – Governor Joe Lombardo, a two-time UNLV alum, was welcomed by UNLV’s Osher Lifelong Learning Soapbox event where he shared updates on key priorities for Nevadans. Governor Lombardo, a two-time UNLV alum, was also presented with a “thank you” and Lady Rebels jersey in appreciation for his support of student athletes during Nevada’s 83rd Legislative Session.
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11/13/25 - AB5 (Support) – UNLV President Chris Heavey testified in support of AB5, the Nevada Studios Infrastructure Jobs and Workforce Training Act, emphasizing the opportunities the bill provides for college students in Nevada, as well as the economic benefits the bill provides.
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11/13/25 - AB5 (Support) – Nancy Usher, Dean of UNLV’s College of Fine Arts, testified in support of AB5, emphasizing the benefits afforded to higher education and the economy in Nevada.
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11/13/25 - SB5 (Support) – Leo Benavides testified in support of SB5, a bill that would create a statewide health care access and recruitment program, and emphasized the positive impact the bill would have on healthcare for Nevadans.
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11/13/25 - AB1 (Support) – Kivanc Oner, UNLV Vice President for Digital Transformation and Chief Information Officer, testified in support of AB1, a bill to create a cybersecurity security operations center and cybersecurity talent pipeline program.
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11/13/25 – UNLV’s Director of Federal Government Affairs Jason Wasden, represented UNLV at the City of Henderson’s State of the City Address presented by Mayor Michelle Romero, who shared the City’s priorities, including safety, health, sustainability, education, economic vitality, and high-quality service to the public.
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Federal & State Government Updates
UNLV’s Office of Government and Community Engagement monitors Federal activity, assesses its impact, and advocates for the needs of the UNLV community on an ongoing basis. Information related to UNLV’s current and past Federal Appropriation Requests can be found on the links below.
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Participants Needed: Clinical Trial Examining Effects of a Mediterranean Dietary Pattern with White Potato on Cardiometabolic Health in Adults with Pre-Diabetes
Are you pre-diabetic (aged 45-80 years) and a non-frequent potato consumer, (less than two servings of baked potato with skin in a week)? Are you interested in controlling your glucose levels, cardiovascular health, and dietary quality? Consider participating in a related research study facilitated by UNLV’s Department of Kinesiology and Nutrition Sciences. Learn more and/or complete the pre-screening survey here.
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UNLV Community Engagement Awards – Apply or Nominate Today
The UNLV 2026 Community Engagement Awards are now open! These awards recognize exceptional community engagement activity that aligns with one or more of the university’s Top Tier 2.0 Community Partnership objectives. UNLV students, staff, and faculty who wish to nominate someone or who wish to apply on their own behalf must submit their applications by February 1, 2026. To learn more or apply, visit the UNLV Community Engagement Awards portal.
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Volunteers Needed - President's Holiday Village 2025
The Holiday Season is upon us and with it comes a wonderful opportunity for our campus and community to provide holiday cheer to those less fortunate in our community! In what has become a campus tradition over the past nine years, UNLV, United Movement Organized Kindness, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, and many community resource providers will join together to host the annual President’s Holiday Village, on December 13, 2025, in Lot R on UNLV’s Maryland campus. We are still in need of volunteers to greet and direct event attendees, staff registration and information tables, facilitate games and other event-related activities, and to help set-up, maintain, and clean-up the event. Learn more or register to be an event volunteer here.
| | Rebels in Action - Community | | 11/1/25 – In conjunction with Native American Heritage Day at UNLV Football’s game against New Mexico, attendees enjoyed the Fort Mojave Tribal Ban’s half-time performance at Allegiant stadium. | | | 11/3/25 – Workforce Connections Executive Director Jamie Cruz hosted UNLV President Chris Heavy for a conversation about how UNLV is leading the charge to align higher education with Southern Nevada’s workforce needs. | | | |
11/8/25 – UNLV hosted Hope Means Nevada for an event focused on teen suicide prevention and training volunteers to reach out to those showing signs of need.
| | | 11/9/25 to 11/11/25 – President Heavey attended the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) annual meeting in Philadelphia where he exchanged ideas and explored shared challenges with leaders from public research universities nationwide. | | | 11/12/25 – UNLV President Chris Heavey attended the Silver State Equality Awards to celebrate community heroes who are building a more compassionate and inclusive world, including UNLV’s Jan Jones Blackhurst, who was recognized for her leadership across many sectors in our community, guiding us toward a better world. | | |
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Mariella Bueno
Mariella Bueno, ’20 BA Communication Studies, brings a light spirit to serious work. As the UNLV Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement's director of advocacy, she obsessively tracks policy, lawmaking, and politics, but relishes bad TV. She is a strong community advocate and fierce competitor on the soccer field. She's a long-distance runner with a quick smile and an easy laugh...(more)
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Anni Drury
Ask anyone at Lee Business School about scholarships, and they’ll mention Anni Drury — and probably her famously color-coded spreadsheets. But behind all those rows and formulas is someone who cares deeply about students and helps turn financial uncertainty into the opportunity to keep moving toward their goals. For more than 20 years, Drury has been a steady and reliable force behind the scenes as…(more)
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COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP SPOTLIGHT
Sphere Entertainment Company
Through a partnership with Sphere Entertainment Company, UNLV students have the opportunity to design artwork inspired by the infinite possibilities for Pi for Sphere's Exosphere — the world's largest LED screen...(more)
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Beyond the Uniform: Veterans Apply Service Values
The transition from active duty to civilian life brings reflection and reinvention. UNLV's more than 2,350 enrolled military-affiliated students can find both academic and wellness resources that will empower them to rediscover both purpose and community as they take on their next mission — the classroom. Resources like the Military & Veteran…(more)
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UNLV Leads the Way on Lead Prevention
When the Nevada Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program started inspecting homes to identify sources of lead exposure in homes across Las Vegas, they experienced a rude awakening. Although they successfully found sources of lead within homes, the families living there often lacked the financial resources to remove or mitigate those risks...(more)
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UNLV Newsmakers 2025: October
With the hoots, howls, and Hershey bars of spooky season now out of our systems, it’s time once again to run through some of the sweetest stories coming from UNLV. How did skeletons become associated with Halloween? Is eating a gluten-free diet truly healthier? Could soaking our dishes in the sink overnight get us sick? What impacts…(more)
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Rebel Recovery Program
Since the December 6th tragedy, the Rebel community continues to experience kindness, support, and encouragement from so many. We would like to express our sincere appreciation and gratitude for all those who have helped and inspired us as we continue our recovery process. Don’t forget to check-in for the latest updates as we continue to progress on our Rebel Recovery Program. Please visit the UNLV Strong website to learn more.
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Invitation to Support Our Work
Great universities and great communities go together, and this is certainly true for UNLV and Nevada. The needs in our communities are many and there is so much more we can do together. But, we cannot do it without you. We invite you to support our work by making a donation. Visit the website, enter the amount of your donation, and then select “Community Engagement” from the drop-down menu under the “General Campus Funds” option. Thank you for your consideration!
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