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Despite the continued growing pains of adapting to a virtual world amid the pandemic, 51�Թ������ܿƴ� faculty, staff, and students embraced the challenge, launching programs and offering expertise to help the campus and larger community navigate the changes.

As students and faculty forged on with social distancing and online education measures, 51�Թ������ܿƴ� partnered with major businesses and state funding agencies to establish future growth, security, and support for students. 51�Թ������ܿƴ� again ranked near the top of U.S. News & World Report’s list of the most diverse campuses in the country. And university students and faculty joined forces to host an educational series on addressing and navigating systemic racism, expanded a partnership aimed at COVID-19 contact tracing efforts with an infusion of grant funding, and launched a first-of-its-kind hospitality program that will allow students to explore the burgeoning field of fast-casual dining.

51�Թ������ܿƴ� Among the Most Diverse In The Nation

Once again, 51�Թ������ܿƴ� maintained its ranking as one of the nation’s most diverse universities for undergraduates, according to U.S. News & World Report. 51�Թ������ܿƴ� tied for second overall in the publication’s 2021 Best Colleges report on campus ethnic diversity, defined as schools where students are most likely to encounter others from racial or ethnic groups different from their own.

“51�Թ������ܿƴ�’s diversity serves as a driver for opportunity as it brings multiple perspectives to classroom discussions and activities in research labs, and it impacts how we think about policies that govern our scholarly community,” said new 51�Թ������ܿƴ� President Keith E. Whitfield.

• AP, 51�Թ������App Sun

Taking 51�Թ������ܿƴ� from ‘Great to Better’

As 51�Թ������ܿƴ�’s new president, Keith E. Whitfield is working to take the university from “great to better.” After just one month on the job, President Whitfield spoke to local media about the goals he has for the university, addressing everything from leading 51�Թ������ܿƴ� through the COVID-19 pandemic to what he’ll do to help strengthen community ties and the campus’s continued commitment to diversity.

• 51�Թ������App Sun, 51�Թ������App Review-Journal, KSNV-TV, KLAS-TV: 8 News Now, KNPR 

51�Թ������ܿƴ� and Cox Partner On Discounted Wifi for Students

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant the continued presence of public health safety measures,  including a switch to 80% virtual learning this fall at 51�Թ������ܿƴ�. To help combat accessibility and affordability obstacles, 51�Թ������ܿƴ� has partnered with a local internet provider on the Cox Cares program, a subsidy that provides students with online coursework essential Wifi packages for their classes. 51�Թ������ܿƴ� interim executive vice president and provost spoke to the media to explain the benefits of the program.

• KLAS-TV: 8 News Now, KTNV-TV: ABC 13

Historic Donation Unlocks a New Hospitality Degree

The William F. Harrah College of Hospitality received a $5 million dollar gift from the co-founders of Panda Express to create the nation’s first academic fast-casual dining program. Hospitality college dean Stowe Shoemaker spoke with journalists about how the program will work and the impact that the university hopes to have in creating a pipeline of professionals ready to lead this emerging dining segment.

• KNPR, El Tiempo, QSR, Fast Casual

We Need To Talk: Positive Change on Systemic Racism

51�Թ������ܿƴ� experts took on the topic of systemic racism in a series of online forums launched by 51�Թ������ܿƴ� Libraries and the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs. The first installment of the series featured notable university experts, such as Oral History Research Center director Claytee D. White, history professor A.B. Wilkinson, and assistant director for Student Diversity Kevin Wright discussing issues of race and how to approach the matter with positive change.

• 51�Թ������App Sun, KTNV-TV: ABC 13, KSNV-TV: News 3

Experts Weigh in on Smoke-Free Casinos

Following a monthslong renovation during a mandated pandemic lockdown, Park MGM reopened as the first-ever, non-smoking resort in 51�Թ������App. 51�Թ������ܿƴ� gaming historian David Schwartz and history professor Michael Green offered insights on how the new policy will affect consumer behavior and impact business operations across the industry.

• AP, Yahoo!, 51�Թ������App Sun (twice), Travel Pulse,

General Expert Roundup

• College of Education professor Bradley Marianno explained to USA TODAY, KNPR, and The Takeaway how teachers may feel trapped between online, hybrid, and in-person education.
• Criminal justice professor Tamara D. Herold spoke to the AP and Record-Courier about positive law enforcement and crowd perception during protests.
• Oral History Research Center director Claytee D. White told the 51�Թ������App Review-Journal, and KSNV-TV: News 3 the history of the Moulin Rouge, the first major racially integrated casino, as its marquee signage was relit at the Neon Museum.
• 51�Թ������ܿƴ� debate team director and head coach Jacob Thompson analyzed the first presidential debate between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Biden on Yahoo!, and 51�Թ������App Sun.
• 51�Թ������ܿƴ� political scientist Dan Lee spoke to Governing about third parties.
• Katherine M. Hertlein, professor of couple and family therapy at 51�Թ������ܿƴ�, spoke to NBC Today about how couples can navigate political discord.
• 51�Թ������ܿƴ� law professor David Orentlicher spoke to the Washington Post about how the U.S. Supreme affects the world, and to the Conversation US on how Europe picks top judges with bipartisan approval.
• Tyler D. Parry, assistant professor of African American and African Diaspora studies at 51�Թ������ܿƴ�, spoke to Yahoo News about the normalization of Confederate imagery. 
• Public Health professor Brian Labus explained the dangers of congregating at rallies, holidays, and protests during the pandemic to 51�Թ������App Sun, 51�Թ������App Review-Journal (twice) (three times), MSN, and KTNV-TV: ABC 13. He also spoke with Healthline about safety in schools. 
• 51�Թ������ܿƴ� professor of law Francine Lipman, weighed in on Trump’s tax returns: USA Today and Law360. She also spoke with Marketplace about the status of stimulus checks. 
• Emma Frances Bloomfield, assistant professor of communication studies, spoke to Well + Good about climate change myths.