WEEK TEN UPDATE
Week Ten was one for the books! In addition to the first big deadline of the session, the halls of the Nevada Legislature were filled with Rebel Red as UNLV Advocacy Day on Wednesday, April 9th brought a contingent of over 50 Rebels from Southern Nevada to showcase their UNLV Pride. Comprised of UNLV Leadership, Foundation, Alumni and Community Leaders, the Rebel contingent met with Governor Lombardo and Legislative Leadership to discuss priorities and expectations for the remainder of the session. Key alumni whose work is critical at the legislature, also addressed...(more)
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UNLV Day at the Legislature
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Carson City was painted red on April 9 as more than 50 UNLV students, alumni, staff, and deans gathered at the Nevada Legislative Building to celebrate UNLV Day. The biennial tradition, which began in 2019, remains a cornerstone event for UNLV advocacy, highlighting the university’s legislative priorities and recognizing alumni contributions to public service.
The daylong event, held from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., provided an opportunity to engage with Nevada’s elected officials, including 20 UNLV alumni legislators and more than 100 UNLV alumni lobbyists actively shaping state policy. The event concluded with a reception from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., welcoming more than 80 guests to strengthen ties between UNLV and its supporters.
“UNLV Day is a powerful reminder of our university’s influence in Nevada’s legislative process,” said Dr. Constance Brooks, UNLV Vice President of Government & Community Engagement. “By bringing together students, alumni, and elected officials, we are advocating for UNLV’s priorities while celebrating the incredible impact of our alumni in shaping the state’s future.”
UNLV Day is more than a gathering—it is a testament to the university’s commitment to advocacy and engagement. This year, the university highlighted key legislative priorities, including campus and public safety, health and wellness initiatives, graduate medical education, and capital projects.
“Today I was proud to advocate for UNLV and share examples of the many ways we’re helping our students reach their goals, serving our community and state, and making meaningful contributions to research and workforce development that will help our regional economy thrive.
I also was inspired to see so many of our students, faculty, and graduates support our cause today, including the large number of UNLV alumni who are helping to lead our state government – from state legislators to support staff, legal professionals, and, of course, our Governor. They represent the perseverance, drive, and innovative spirit of UNLV, and I’m grateful for their leadership,” said Chris Heavey, UNLV Officer in Charge.
Attendees honored UNLV alumni serving in elected office, promoted the university’s contributions to Nevada, and built relationships to support ongoing advocacy efforts. The event also emphasized the impact of the UNLV Alumni Association, encouraging continued engagement through philanthropy, networking, and alumni-led initiatives.
As one of UNLV’s largest advocacy events, UNLV Day in Carson City serves as a platform to celebrate Rebel pride, strengthen partnerships, and reinforce the university’s role in driving positive change throughout Nevada. With strong support from alumni, students, and community leaders, UNLV continues to champion its mission and legislative priorities—ensuring a bright future for the university and the communities it serves. Go Rebels!
| | Meeting with Governor Lombardo | | 4/7/25 – SB403 (Support), Senate Committee on Education, Grace Michaelson, second-year law student at the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law and legislative extern with Ferrari Reeder Public Affair, testified in support of SB403 on behalf of Transfr, a workforce development platform, and emphasized the importance of the bill’s goal of aligning education with professional preparation and training. | | | 4/7/25 – SB403 (Support), Senate Committee on Education, Dr. Kenneth Varner, Associate Dean of the UNLV College of Education, testified on behalf of UNLV in support of SB403, detailing the University’ embrace of creating more flexible and adaptable pathways to a professional future for Nevada Students, and emphasizing the criticality of investing in instructor development and retention that the bill addresses. | | | 4/8/25 – SB434 (Support), Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, Drianna Dimatulac, second-year law student at UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law and legislative extern with Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, testified in support of SB434 on behalf of The Immigrant Home Foundation, emphasizing the importance of funding healthcare providers and healthcare programs that deliver coverage to Nevada’s most vulnerable populations. | | | 4/8/25 – SB434 (Support), Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, Russell Rowe, Managing Principal of Rowe Law Group and UNLV alumna, testified in support of SB434 on behalf of the UNLV Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine, expressing the University’s strong support for strengthening and broadening healthcare coverage in Nevada. | | | 4/9/25 – SB429 (Support), Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor, Leonardo Benavides, UNLV Director of State Government Affairs, testified on behalf of UNLV in support of SB429, a bill aiming to broaden Nevada’s Social Worker services, highlighting the University’s integral role in training social workers and supporting the underserved areas in which social work can provide the greatest impact. | | | 4/9/25 – SB429 (Opposition), Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor, Angelina Tuenge, Master of Social Work student at UNLV, testified in opposition to SB429, cautioning that the bill removes administrative decision-making from field office staff and potentially limits the availability of practicum sites, and additionally expressed concern regarding the bill’s inexact compensation provisions. | | | 4/9/25 – SB429 (Opposition), Senate Committee on Commerce and Labor, Marde Closson, Director of Field Education of the UNLV School of Social Work, testified in opposition to SB429, expressing concerns about the finite funding including in the bill and its inability to address the many nuances of field social work education, including experiential work in a wide variety of practice environments and contexts. | | | 4/10/25 – SB334, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Dr. Tyler D. Parry, Associate Professor of African American and African Diaspora Studies, presented SB334, sharing expertise and historical context on issues including perpetuation of systemic racism in postbellum America and “convict-leasing” prison labor programs, and the consequent economic and social obstacles faced by African Americans and other persons affected by exploitative societal and criminal justice constructs. | | | 4/10/25 – SB334, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Harrison Epstein, second-year law student at UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law and Legislative Extern with the Clark County Public Defender’s Office, testified in support of SB334, emphasizing the striking disparity between compensation for private employees and for incarcerated workers, and highlighting how addressing the exploitation of prison labor allows for better justice, health, and community outcomes. | | | 4/10/25 – AB532 (Presentation), Assembly Committee on Education, Patricia Charlton, Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), presented AB532, a bill aiming to broaden access to education in Nevada by allowing fee waivers for certain students of the state’s higher education institutions. | | | 4/10/25 – AB532 (Presentation), Assembly Committee on Education, Renée Davis, Associate Vice Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), presented AB532, emphasizing the positive educational outcomes and positive impacts on student experience realized from improving the fee waiver program. | | | 4/10/25 – SB220 (Support), Senate Committee on Revenue and Economic Development, UNLV College of Fine Arts Associate Dean Warren Cobb testified in support of SB220, noting the bill’s potential impacts on Nevada’s higher education institutions and ability to retain students post-graduation. | | | 4/10/25 – SB220 (Support), Senate Committee on Revenue and Economic Development, Dean of the UNLV College of Fine Arts Nancy Uscher testified in support of SB220, a bill that would provide investments in film and entertainment industry infrastructures in Nevada, and emphasized the economic and workforce development opportunities for Nevadans, as well as the transformation of arts education that would be spurred by the bill. | | | |
STUDENT INTERN & EXTERN SPOTLIGHT
Elijah Wion, Jr.
Each biennium, UNLV students engage in the legislative process in a variety of ways, including participating in policy development and the bill draft process, advocating for UNLV’s legislative agenda, and serving as legislative...(more)
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UNLV ALUMNI IN THE LEGISLATURE SPOTLIGHT
The Honorable Reuben D'Silva
The Honorable Reuben D’Silva is a Nevada State Assemblymember representing District 28 and a UNLV alumnus. Assemblymember D’Silva’s service in the Legislature began in 2023, and includes serving as Vice...(more)
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THE WEEK AHEAD
April 14 - 18, 2025
4/14/25 - 8:00am, Joint Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance - Nevada Knowledge Account Budget Closing
4/15/25 - 8:00am, Joint Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance Subcommittees on K-12/Higher Education/CIP - Teach Nevada Scholarship Budget Closing
4/16/25 - Health Equity Day at the Legislature
4/16/25 - Equality "Lobby" Day at the Legislature
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SAVE THE DATE
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April 28 – Deaf Day at the Legislature
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April 28 – Clark County Black Student Union Day
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May 5 – Cinco de Mayo Day at the Legislature
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May 12 – ACLU Day at the Legislature
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May 14 – PBS Day at the Legislature
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May 19 – AANHPI Heritage Day at the Legislature
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May 20 – Nurses Day at the Legislature
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