Highlights
From creating community partnerships and advancing student achievement, to promoting research, scholarship, and creative activity, we work hard to achieve our goal of becoming a top 100 American research university. Check out our highlights to learn our impact.
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Student Art Displayed on Sphere
Two 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ students were selected as winners in the inaugural Sphere XO Student Design Challenge, which invited local students to create art for the Exosphere – the LED exterior of Sphere in Las Vegas. Graduate math student Linjie Ying and architecture student Raul Montez each won a $10,000 education scholarship and the opportunity to have their artwork displayed on the Exosphere throughout the summer. The contest represented a first-of-its-kind community collaboration between Sphere, the CCSD, and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ.
Alzheimer’s Drug Development Pipeline Reported
Professor Jeffrey Cummings’ highly regarded 2024 annual report on the state of clinical trials was featured in a journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. Cummings is co-director for two Alzheimer’s observatories — one for drug development and another for biomarkers — within 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s Department of Brain Health. These are the only observatories of their kind in the world and they collect and disseminate data that keeps policy makers, healthcare systems, and patients in the know and offers hope in the continued push toward a cure.
Robots and Hospitality Research
The William F. Harrah College of Hospitality is partnering with the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ International Gaming Institute, the University of Florida, AXES (axes.ai), and Black Fire Innovation to research robots in the hospitality industry. As automation and robots become more prevalent in the hospitality industry, the research will measure the physiological reaction of customers who interact with robots, with the goal of helping industry leaders make more informed decisions in their technology investments.
Raiders and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Keep Girls in the Game
The Raiders and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ joined forces to organize the Raiders, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, Sport, and Health (RUSH) program, an interactive one-day event designed to introduce 200 sixth- through eighth-grade girls to flag football, inspire their pursuit of sports in high school, and tackle mental health and nutrition concerns. Recognizing the proven benefits of sports participation on women's health, the RUSH program nurtures essential life skills such as teamwork and leadership, promoting a more positive body image and bolstered self-esteem among the participating girls.
Nevada’s First-Ever Rheumatology Fellowship
Recognizing the critical need in the community for specialized healthcare providers, the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine is pioneering the first rheumatology fellowship in Nevada. With some patients waiting six to eight months for an appointment, this fellowship program aims to increase the number of specialists training for rotations in the school’s affiliated hospitals, including the VA Hospital. It’s among the many firsts the school has brought to the community since its inception just 10 years ago.
16 Rebels Named To CSCAA Scholar All-American List
16 student-athletes from the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ men's and women's swimming and diving program were named to their respective College Swim Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Scholar All-America lists. To be selected to the CSCAA Scholar All-America First Team, students must have achieved a grade point average of 3.50 or higher and have participated in their respective NCAA Swimming and Diving Championships.
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Cyber Clinic Receives National Recognition
The 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Cyber Clinic received a notable mention during a congressional hearing and in an Office of the National Cyber Director report. In addition to the federally supported Cyber Clinic, the university’s Cybersecurity Center program has been designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and is a recipient of the CyberCorps® Scholarship for Service (SFS) program led by the National Science Foundation.
Erick Harper Named the Leadership Playbook’s Administrator of the Year
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Director of Athletics Erick Harper has been named The Leadership Playbook’s 2023-24 Administrator of the Year for Public Universities. The award recognizes individuals in leadership positions who strive to develop other leaders, make people and situations better, and provide a positive example for those they influence. Harper, who is in his fourth year as Director of Athletics at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, was also recently appointed to the NCAA Division I Football Oversight Committee.