Supporting, facilitating, and promoting engagement

between the university and its many communities

May 12, 2023

UNLV and the 82nd Legislative Session

WEEK FOURTEEN UPDATE

While Rebels continued to engage in the legislative process in Carson City during the fourteenth week of the 82nd Session of the Nevada Legislature, they were also busy on campus preparing for more than 3,500 students to officially become UNLV graduates on May 12th and 13th! On the legislative front, the week ended...(more)

REBELS IN ACTION

Chris Heavey (UNLV Executive VP & Provost) and Jeff Thompson (UNR Executive VP & Provost) met with alumna Senator Marilyn Dondero Loop to advocate for higher education priorities

Chris Heavey (UNLV Executive VP & Provost) and Jeff Thompson (UNR Executive VP & Provost) met with Senator Julie Pazina to advocate for higher education priorities

Chris Heavey (UNLV Executive VP & Provost) and Jeff Thompson (UNR Executive VP & Provost) met with Assemblywoman Shea Backus to advocate for higher education priorities

Chris Heavey (UNLV Executive VP & Provost) and Jeff Thompson (UNR Executive VP & Provost) met with alumna Senator Dallas Harris to advocate for higher education priorities

Chris Heavey (UNLV Executive VP & Provost) and Jeff Thompson (UNR Executive VP & Provost) met with Senate Majority Leader staff, alumna and former Senator Joyce Woodhouse to advocate for higher education priorities

Dr. Sara Hunt (UNLV Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine) and Valerie Haskin (Rural Regional Behavioral Health Coordinator) virtually met with Assemblyman C.H. Miller to discuss AB37 (Authorizes the establishment of the Behavioral Health Workforce Development Center of Nevada)

Dr. Sara Hunt (UNLV Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine) and Valerie Haskin (Rural Regional Behavioral Health Coordinator) virtually met with Assemblywoman Heidi Kasama to discuss AB37 (Authorizes the establishment of the Behavioral Health Workforce Development Center of Nevada)

Dr. Sara Hunt (UNLV Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine) and Valerie Haskin (Rural Regional Behavioral Health Coordinator) virtually met with Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe Moreno to discuss AB37 (Authorizes the establishment of the Behavioral Health Workforce Development Center of Nevada)

Dr. Sara Hunt (UNLV Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine) and Valerie Haskin (Rural Regional Behavioral Health Coordinator) virtually met with Assemblywoman Sarah Peters to discuss AB37 (Authorizes the establishment of the Behavioral Health Workforce Development Center of Nevada)

Keith Rogers (Interim VP for Student Affairs) and Aileen Zhong (Starship Director of Government Affairs) co-presented SB422 (Revises provisions relating to public safety)

Dr. Sara Hunt (UNLV Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine) and Valerie Haskin (Rural Regional Behavioral Health Coordinator) virtually met with Assemblywoman Jill Dickman to discuss AB37 (Authorizes the establishment of the Behavioral Health Workforce Development Center of Nevada)

Dr. Constance Brooks (Interim VP of Government & Community Engagement) testified in support of SB273 (Changes the name of the Nevada State College to the Nevada State University)

Kenneth Varner (UNLV Associate Dean for Academic Programs & Initiatives) testified in support of SB 291 (Makes various changes relating to education)

Dr. Marc Kahn (Dean of the UNLV Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine) testified in support of SB350 (Revises provisions relating to graduate medical education)

Taylor Duffy (UNLV Government & Community Engagement Legislative Extern) and Dr. Constance Brooks (Interim VP of Government & Community Engagement) pictured at Taylor’s graduation ceremony

EXTRA! EXTRA! UNLV’s 2023 SPRING COMMENCEMENT

This week, we want to take a moment to recognize who we are advocating for during the 82^nd Session of the Nevada Legislature and why by celebrating the unique stories of students graduating from UNLV this week.

Through these stories, we hope you will be inspired by their accomplishments, proud of the role UNLV has played in their educational journey, and excited about the impact they are sure to have on our communities, our State, and our world. These Rebels are ready to make IT happen!

Over 3,500 students will officially become UNLV graduates on May 12-13, 2023, as they cross the Thomas & Mack Center stage during the university’s spring commencement.

The Class of 2023 hails from 39 states/U.S. territories and 50 countries. Many are the first in their family to graduate from college, 86% are Nevada residents, and the majority – 66% – are from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

This year’s class ranges in age from 18 to 76. Since 1964, UNLV has awarded more than 169,000 degrees...(more)

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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Yoana Ontiveros

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 interns and externs to...(more)

THE WEEK AHEAD

May 15 - 19, 2023

The Government and Community Engagement team will continue to engage with elected officials during week fifteen of the 82^nd Session of the Nevada Legislature. Below, please find bills, legislative activities, and special events (subject to change) of particular...(more)

Action! Hollywood May Come to Las Vegas

CARSON CITY (Las Vegas Review-Journal) — A bill to make nearly $200 million in film tax credits available every year for the next 20 years was introduced in Carson City Thursday, part of a bid to get Hollywood studios to relocate to Nevada. Senate Bill 496, named the Nevada Film Studio Infrastructure Act, will be considered next...(more)

From the Bedside to the Boardroom as an Advocate for Nurses and Patients

When Lisa Marie Pacheco jingle-dances across the stage to become the first Native American to graduate from UNLV with a doctorate in public policy, she will wear Rebel-red Converse All Stars painted with “Dr. Pacheco” and a geometric pattern often found on her Laguna tribe’s pottery. At commencement, Lisa Marie...(more)

Lombardo-Backed Proposal Would Give Higher Ed System $26 Million to Fund Employee Raises

(The Nevada Independent) — Budget documents submitted to lawmakers last week show a new proposal from Gov. Joe Lombardo’s finance office to boost the percentage of historic increases to higher education employee pay covered by state funds, lowering the amount of money that will need to be...(more)