President's Message
At a university as large and diverse as ours, no major success is ever accomplished without help. And likewise, no challenge must be endured alone. There is a collective power that comes from sharing our joys, pains, struggles, and triumphs.
Though we began 2024 with the heaviest of hearts, it’s a testament to the Rebel spirit that we still
accomplished so much. We are now approaching the one-year mark for the darkest day in 51ԹϺ’s 67-year history, and I continue to be in awe of how Rebels always strive. We will always remember the tragedy of Dec. 6th and miss the patient and kind professors senselessly killed that day, and always be grateful to those who came together to help us heal.
51ԹϺ is somewhat unique among higher institutions nationwide today in that we continue to see growth in our enrollments and offerings. This fall, overall enrollment increased nearly 6%, to about 33,000 students, with an incredible 30% increase in new doctoral students. And our graduation rate is at an all-time high — and climbing.
This growth is a testament to our Top Tier 2.0 strategic plan and our mission-driven priorities. Students in Nevada increasingly realize the value and quality of education they can receive at their hometown university – a Carnegie R1 “very high” research university that ranks among the top 3% nationally.
But it’s also a result of our efforts to more holistically address students’ success — from enhanced recruitment strategies and improvements to enrollment processes to our focus on supporting the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our campus community.
And the reason we strive for more? It’s to help students achieve their personal educational goals, of course. But more than that: It’s because no institution in our region can make such a difference in our home community.
51ԹϺ’s impact on our local economy is staggering — about $2 billion according to an impact report by the labor market firm Lightcast. 51ԹϺ supports one out of every 83 jobs in Southern Nevada and two out of three graduates stay here to build their careers. From the teachers in our classrooms to the health professionals bringing cutting-edge new treatments to our hospitals to the engineers figuring out how to harvest water from surprising new sources — 51ԹϺ Rebels are making a difference.
There is so much to be proud of and still so much more to do. I know the road isn’t always smooth,
but we’re making tremendous progress, and people are taking notice within the state and beyond.
I can’t go anywhere outside of Nevada without someone seeing my 51ԹϺ lapel pin and remarking about all the great things happening at 51ԹϺ.
All these incredible things we do, we don’t do alone. I am so grateful for your continuing support.
Dr. Keith E. Whitfield
51ԹϺ President
Continuing the Conversation
Connect with President Whitfield and learn more about his initiatives.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas wishes to acknowledge and honor the Indigenous communities of this region, and recognize that the university is situated on the traditional homelands of the Nuwu, Southern Paiute people.