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Supporting, facilitating, and promoting engagement
between the university and its many communities
September, 2026
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Call to Action - Federal Appropriations
The Division of Research and the Office of Government and Community Engagement are pleased to announce the Call for Pre-Proposals for the FY2028 Federal Appropriations process.
Faculty interested in submitting a FY2028 Federal Appropriations pre-proposal must first complete the Interest and Webinar Registration Form and attend one of the two Van Scoyoc Associates webinars on September 22, 2026, 12:00PM - 1:00PM OR September 24, 2026, 9:00AM-10:00AM. Both webinar sessions provide identical content and will offer guidance on the federal appropriations process, congressional priorities, and strategies for developing a competitive request.
Following the webinar, eligible participants will receive instructions for accessing the Phase I Pre-Proposal competition in InfoReady and submitting their pre-proposal. Pre-proposals will be due October 6, 2026.
Please contact Research Faculty Fellows Tiffiany Howard or Dustin Hines with any questions.
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Coming this Fall: Rebel Advocacy Training
The 84th Session of the Nevada Legislature will convene on Monday, February 1. The Office of Government and Community Engagement is looking forward to partnering with many of you in an effort to advocate for legislation important to UNLV, and to ensure our resources and participation are leveraged for the benefit of all Nevadans during this year's Session.
In preparation for this year's Session, Government and Community Engagement will, once again, be offering Rebel Advocacy Training to assist the university community with their efforts to engage in the legislative Session.
In the coming weeks, the dates, times, and locations of trainings will be announced, and registration will open. If you would like to attend a Rebel Advocacy Training, please be on the lookout for this announcement, and be sure to register right away, as space is limited and training sessions reach capacity quickly.
Additionally, please remember the Government and Community Engagement website contains a variety of information and resources to assist you during this year's Session. And, the office will publish its weekly Legislative Session e-News once the Session begins to help keep our university community informed.
In the interim, if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Government and Community Engagement.
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US Congressional App Challenge 2026 at UNLV
On August 7th, Southern Nevada middle and high school students visited UNLV’s Maryland campus to participate in the 2026 Congressional App Challenge. This important initiative inspires middle and high school students, including students from diverse and underserved communities, to explore computer science, coding, and STEM opportunities.
The event at UNLV was the largest Congressional App Challenge to-date in 2026, with 80 registered participants and a weight-list. Many municipal and state elected officials were on hand to support student participants, and Fox 5 Local Las Vegas was also in attendance to interview students, parents, and program facilitators about the experience.
UNLV was honored to be selected as one of only a handful of colleges and universities serving as a host site for this year’s competition, following a nomination spearheaded by Congresswomen Dina Titus and Susie Lee, and Congressman Steven Horsford.
| | Congresswoman Titus provided opening remarks to students and parents/guardians. | | Congressman Horsford provided remarks to student participants in the "build" room. | | Congresswoman Lee visited with student participants in the "build" room. | | |
Record Growth and Big Future Plans: President Heavey Sits Down with the Las Vegas Sun
UNLV Interim President Chris Heavey recently sat down with the Las Vegas Sun’s Grace Da Rocha for a conversation about UNLV’s ongoing record enrollment, enhancements that will enable UNLV to better serve its students and the community, the children’s hospital, and more.
Read more about their conversation on the Las Vegas Sun’s website.
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Senator Rosen Hosts Sports Roundtable at UNLV
On August 26th, The Honorable Jacky Rosen, US Senator, facilitated a sports-focused workforce development discussion at UNLV. The purpose was to strengthen career pathways that exist between the Las Vegas professional sports community and related UNLV degree programs.
The discussion explored the impact sporting events have on the Las Vegas economy, related workforce needs to support professional sports, and opportunities to leverage existing and develop new strategic partnerships and programs to meet these needs.
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Governor’s Dinner and Silent Auction for UNLV Athletics
The Inaugural Governor's Dinner and Silent Auction for UNLV Athletics took place on August 31st, bringing together donors, corporate partners, community leaders, alumni, and supporters to celebrate the impact of UNLV Athletics while investing in the success of more than 500 student-athletes.
The event took place at Torch Landing inside Allegiant Stadium, and included a reception, followed by dinner and a program featuring remarks from university and athletics leadership, a keynote speaker, and Governor Joe Lombardo as the evening's special guest. A silent auction took place before the event concluded.
Proceeds from the evening will support scholarships, academic services, athletic performance, career development, and student-athlete wellness, helping Rebels succeed both on the field and in the classroom.
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General Election Voting at UNLV
Through a partnership with the Clark County Elections Department, the university will support the 2026 Election by serving as a voting site again for the community. UNLV will host 2026 General Election voters for both early and day-of voting.
Early Voting
Where: Lied Library
When: October 19 - 23, and October 26 - 29
Election Day Voting
Where: Student Union Ballroom
When: November 3
If you have questions, please contact Leonardo Benavides in the Office of Government and Community Engagement.
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The Nevada Legislature Interim Committees
The 20-month period between the Nevada Legislature’s biennial sessions is referred to as the "interim." During this time, interim committees created by the Legislature work on issues that arise between sessions. Learn more on the Interim Committees website.
| | Rebels in Action - Government | | |
6/4/26 – Nevada Assemblywoman Erica Mosca visited UNLV to tour the Food Pantry, and learn more about programs and services UNLV has developed, many in partnership with Three Square, for both the university and community in order to address food insecurity. Students and staff appreciated the opportunity to share details about the programs and the positive impacts they are having.
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6/17/26 – UNLV presented an update to the Las Vegas City Council on plans for UNLV @ Civic Plaza. The project will bring a permanent UNLV presence to downtown Las Vegas, creating a hub for education, workforce development, business innovation, and community collaboration while preparing tomorrow's workforce. (The Board of Regents provided final approval at the Sept. 4th meeting.)
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7/31/26 – UNLV supported the Nevada Treasury Back-to-School Fair at Rancho High School to connect K-12 students with school supplies and resources needed to start the 2026/2027 school year off right. This was one of more than a dozen back-to-school fairs UNLV supported this year.
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Public Purpose Grant Program
2027 Recipients Announced
Please join us in congratulating the inaugural recipients of the President’s Public Purpose Grant Program!
The President's Public Purpose Grant Program supports efforts of UNLV faculty, staff, and students who wish to establish and/or to enhance mutually beneficial and reciprocal partnerships that align with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s definition of academic community engagement and the university’s Top Tier 2.0 Community Partnership objectives.
The program is a reflection of UNLV’s commitment to institutionalizing and sustaining academic community engagement and partnerships university-wide. The program offers 36 funding opportunities, across 10 grant categories, totaling $140,000 annually.
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UNLV Community Engagement Awards
2026 Recipients Announced
UNLV's Office of Government and Community Engagement is pleased to recognize this year's recipients of the UNLV 2026 Community Engagement Awards.
These annual, university-wide awards recognize students, staff, and faculty for their exceptional Carnegie-defined academic community engagement in the areas of 1) service-learning, 2) community-based research, 3) faculty/staff community outreach activity, and 4) student service.
The work being done by 2026 Community Engagement Award recipients leverages UNLV's strengths to develop strong academic partnerships that are mutually beneficial, promote the value of the university, and enrich intellectual and cultural vitality for those who call Nevada home!
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Volunteers Needed - College Football Playoff National Championship Game
Las Vegas is hosting the College Football Playoff National Championship for the first time in 2027!
The College Football Playoff National Championship is the national title game culminating from the NCAA’s 12-team College Football Playoff. Each season, the national championship is hosted in a different city on “Championship Monday.” In 2027, the Championship game will be played on January 25 at Allegiant Stadium.
Volunteers are needed to welcome college football fans from across the country and showcase the energy, hospitality, and world-class experience that only Las Vegas can deliver.
Volunteer registration for the 2027 College Football Playoff National Championship is now officially open. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable moment in the Sports and Entertainment Capital of the World. Register to volunteer today!
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Save-the-Date: President’s Holiday Village 2026
Each year, UNLV and community partners facilitate the President’s Holiday Village, a community-wide event providing holiday cheer and resources to those residing in underserved households throughout Southern Nevada with an emphasis on youth, ages 18 years and younger.
In addition to a toy distribution zone and resource fair, the event provides a festive holiday atmosphere, including bounce houses, face painting, balloon art, music, holiday characters, photos with Santa Claus, pet therapy yard, activities, and light refreshments.
UNLV students, staff, faculty, and alumni are needed to support this event by serving as volunteers, or by hosting a resource and/or activity table during the event. In the coming weeks, you will receive an email with registration information.
Save the date now and join us for this annual UNLV holiday tradition:
WHO: UNLV Students, Alumni, Staff, Faculty
WHAT: President’s Holiday Village 2026
WHERE: Lot R, UNLV Maryland Campus
WHEN: December 12, 2026
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Save-the-Date: Community Engagement Expo 2027
Each academic year, the Office of Government and Community Engagement hosts the Community Engagement Expo to highlight the types of community engagement activities UNLV students, staff, and faculty are engaged in, while also building interdisciplinary networks, inspiring more partnerships, and creating awareness about UNLV resources designed to support academic community engagement.
Plans are underway for UNLV’s next Community Engagement Expo which includes multiple days of “themed” programming - Service-Learning workshops, Community-Based Research workshops, a Poster Session, and a university Resource Fair.
Save the date now, and plan to join us:
WHO: UNLV Students, Staff, and Faculty
WHAT: UNLV Community Engagement Expo 2027
WHERE: UNLV Maryland Campus
WHEN: April 12 – April 15, 2027
| | Rebels in Action - Community | | 6/13/26 – UNLV was on hand to support Spread the Word Nevada’s "Readers in Training" Resource Fair joining several community organizations to support youth and families. From free books and face painting to superhero visits, it was a fantastic day for all. | | | 7/30/26 – Southern Nevada community organizations and individuals joined forces for Pack the Mack, a community-wide event hosted by Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department’s Office of Community Engagement at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center. Backpacks, school supplies, haircuts, dental screenings and more were provided to thousands of K-12 students to prepare them for success with their 2026/2027 school year. | | |
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Lorri Jackson
For this proud Las Vegas native, UNLV has never been just a campus. It has been a constant thread in her personal and professional journey. A 1995 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing, Lorri Jackson shows that education, when paired with ambition and community, can create lasting impact. From balancing...(more)
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EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT
Nekesta Shelton
Nekesta Shelton serves as the Special Assistant to the Vice President for Government and Community Engagement at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. With more than two decades of experience in higher education, workforce development, community engagement, and program administration, she…(more)
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COMMUNITY PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
Family 2 Family Connection
For more than a decade, UNLV has partnered with Family 2 Family Connection to support learning outcomes for Southern Nevada’s youngest learners. Through this partnership, UNLV students, staff, and faculty have opportunities to learn, and to also extend what they are learning, beyond the boundaries of the university. Founded in 1998, Family 2 Family Connection serves families with children from birth to age five through science-based, early childhood education focused on both the child and the caregiver, modeling the concept of family engagement, where…(more)
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Expanding Access to Care Through the UNLV Community Clinic
With the common goal of improving access to care for uninsured and underserved members of the community, the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV launched the UNLV Community Clinic (UCC) in collaboration with Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada (VMSN), which provides clinic space and ongoing support. The UCC is...(more)
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From Waitlist to Welcome: Marlow Early Childhood Education Campus
Eighty local families are about to receive some long-awaited news. UNLV/CSUN Preschool Director Chelsie Shurtleff is calling, and she’s ready to inform them that they're off the preschool admissions waitlist. After months — or often even years — of waiting for a spot to open, UNLV’s expansion of the Marlow Early Childhood Education Campus is complete and...(more)
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Tracing the Colorado River: Honors Students Take Water Policy on the Road
On a chilly March morning beneath red canyon walls, UNLV Honors College students in the Western Water Policy course rolled up their pant legs and stepped into the subject they had studied all semester: the Colorado River. The stop at Lees Ferry was meant to be brief, a chance to see a noteworthy bend of the river. Instead, the whole class was soon ankle-deep...(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 to help solve some of our most pressing challenges. But, we cannot do it without you. We invite you to support our work by visiting the website, clicking the “UNLV Fund” option, and then selecting “Community Engagement” from the options listed. Thank you for your consideration!
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