Mission

The Graduate College supports graduate and professional students and graduate faculty to advance research and discovery and transform our communities through education, impact, and engagement. We are guided by a responsibility to support graduate programs and their students holistically - investing in their educational, economic, cultural, professional, and overall well being. As an integral part of UNLV’s mission as a research intensive public access institution, the Graduate College is dedicated to empowering future generations of leaders, scholars, and innovators to address complex global challenges and create positive change in the world.

Goals

The Graduate College goals are dynamic and subject to regular review and revision to ensure continued progress toward fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive graduate education environment.

  • Increase access and education attainment.
    • Expand outreach and support efforts to students from historically underserved communities in higher education to increase diversity in graduate student enrollment.
    • Enhance partnerships with other minority-serving institutions to develop doctoral pathway programs and facilitate transitions into graduate programs.
    • Provide professional development opportunities for success in a wide variety of post-graduate career pathways, including academia.
  • Promote retention, progression, persistence, and completion.
    • Provide comprehensive support services tailored to the needs of diverse graduate students, including mentoring, academic support, and wraparound services for students made vulnerable to financial, food, and/or housing insecurity.
    • Establish programs that address the unique challenges faced by graduate student populations from all backgrounds, including those who are first generation college, justice impacted, and/or from communities of color typically underserved in higher education.
    • Monitor retention and graduation rates and implement interventions to address any disparities.
  • Foster inclusive environments for learning, research, and creative activity.
    • Work with academic colleges to train faculty and staff in inclusive teaching and mentoring practices and cultural competency to foster welcoming and supportive scholarly environments.
    • Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-cultural dialogue among students and faculty.
  • Cultivate a culture of equity and inclusion.
    • Establish and adhere to policies and procedures that promote equity and inclusion in all aspects of operations.
    • Foster a sense of belonging and community among student, faculty, and staff populations through campus-wide initiatives and events. â—‹ Conduct regular climate assessments to identify areas for improvement and track progress towards diversity and inclusion goals.
  • Evaluate and report progress.
    • Develop metrics and benchmarks to assess progress towards unit goals.
    • Regularly collect and analyze data on student demographics, campus climate, and retention, progression, and completion metrics to inform decision-making and accountability.
    • Communicate transparently with stakeholders, within and outside of the university, about the Graduate College’s initiatives, achievements, and areas for improvement.

Related Links

Striving for excellence is a collaborative effort. The Graduate College works closely with the Graduate Council, graduate faculty, the GPSA and graduate students, and graduate programs, to maintain and enhance excellence in individual disciplines and to achieve our shared mission, goals, and objectives.