Since joining 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ in August 2020, President Whitfield has brought his innovative ideas to 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ. Those ideas are reflected in his many initiatives, which focus on the overall success of our undergraduate and graduate students, economic diversification, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion.

Mental Wellness

Mental wellness has been a priority since President Whitfield joined 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ during the pandemic. The president held a mental health town hall and resource fair in 2023, and continues to foster an environment that provides an opportunity to build connections and find compassionate support to positively impact mental health and well-being.

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Rebel Recovery

President Whitfield, in collaboration with university leaders, has created the campuswide Rebel Recovery Program. Rebel Recovery encompasses special events, wellness services, training opportunities, a committee on campus security and safety, and more.

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Digital President AI

Looking for resources, need someone to talk to, or simply want to engage in a little Rebel fun? Digital President Whitfield serves as a personal connection and FAQ guide to all prospective and current students, as well as their parents.

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STEAM Education

Science, engineering, and technology plays an important role in improving population well-being and addressing numerous current and future challenges. President Whitfield is committed to changing the STEAM journey for many students traditionally underrepresented in these fields, and wants to create a more responsive teaching and learning STEAM context for 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ â€” from building student communities, to faculty accommodation of different learning styles, to curricular tweaks that target structural barriers.

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President’s Innovation Challenge

The President’s Innovation Challenge is a multidisciplinary team competition that encourages social and business entrepreneurship to help solve major problems of our day in Southern Nevada and beyond.

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President's Fellows Program

President Keith E. Whitfield and Executive Vice President and Provost Chris L. Heavey are pleased to launch a new leadership development initiative called the President’s Fellows Program. The program will work in concert with existing leadership and management training initiatives to advance 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s capacity for effective and transformational leadership.

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Institute for Financial Literacy and Wellness

President Whitfield believes financial health is a core component of overall wellness, and that financial literacy should be a core part of the curriculum throughout higher education. 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ has launched a new Institute for Financial Literacy and Wellness, a campus-wide initiative that brings together more than a dozen academic, service, and administrative units and a host of community partners. A cornerstone of the program is delivery of finance courses – open to all majors – that provide students a roadmap for financial independence and success.

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Cannabis Policy Institute at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ

The Cannabis Policy Institute at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ (CPI) will position 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ as a trusted source for cannabis policy and research guidance, education, and community engagement. Established in 2023, the CPI builds upon work already occurring at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ by supporting thoughtful policy discussions related to the most relevant and impactful questions in cannabis policy, law, economics, science, medicine, and business.

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Digital Suggestion Box

President Whitfield and his leadership team are committed to listening to thoughts and feedback from the university community about how we can continuously improve our campuses. Your suggestion today may be the solution for tomorrow.

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