A University without borders
Key initiatives and engagement
University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine
Established in 1969, The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine was the Silver State’s first medical school. Over the years, 1,693 medical doctors have graduated and gone on to serve our state, nation and world. One-third of graduates are currently practicing in Nevada, providing access to healthcare for Nevada’s citizens.
In total, more than 3,400 physicians (MDs and UNR Med GME program physicians) have been trained in both undergraduate and graduate medical education programs, enhancing a healthy Nevada for everyone. In 2021, the medical school, the NSHE Board of Regents and Renown Health finalized a 50-year affiliation to build “A Healthy Nevada” and advance the state’s health care through world-class medical education, clinical research and patient care.
The agreement establishes Nevada’s first integrated health care system where institutions’ clinical practice, teaching and clinical research programs will be combined into one seamless operation. The aim is to improve Nevadans’ access to care, create new clinical training programs, increase student class sizes and expand research, clinical trials and health care-related employment opportunities.
University of Nevada, Reno Collegiate Academies
The University has created Collegiate Academies at several Nevada high schools, offering those students the opportunity to complete a year or more of college courses—at a discount—while still enrolled in high school. By doing so, students can graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno in three years. The University of Nevada, Reno Collegiate Academies are now active in Centennial High School and Cheyenne High School in Las Vegas.
By creating these dual-enrollment opportunities, high school students can get a sense for what college classes and teaching methods are really like, and by "sampling" the academic offerings of the University of Nevada, Reno, students may ultimately feel more comfortable enrolling here and completing their bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree programs as part of the Wolf Pack Family.
The Digital Wolf Pack Initiative
The University of Nevada, Reno partnered with Apple® to create the Digital Wolf Pack Initiative, a program that provides a common learning platform and equal access to technology and digital tools for new, degree-seeking students and faculty. In 2021, more than 3,000 new freshmen received an iPad, keyboard and stylus at no cost to them. The University funded the Digital Wolf Pack Initiative from its investment portfolio.
University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe
Sierra Nevada University gift creates University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe
In July 2021, the Board of Trustees of Sierra Nevada University and NSHE Board of Regents approved a gift agreement allowing Sierra Nevada University to become a part of the University of Nevada, Reno, which will be known as the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe. When programs and operations have merged, the University will welcome a diverse group of students, faculty and staff to the shores of Lake Tahoe in Fall 2022.
The Wolf Pack Way
In 2021, a major pedestrian path through campus was lined with light-pole banners featuring outstanding graduates doing great work all over the world.
The path, dubbed The Wolf Pack Way, features an inaugural “class” of 75 alumni, and the University plans to add more as the path extends roughly a mile from the main University entrance all the way to Mackay Stadium on the north end of campus.
Deans from each of the University’s 13 colleges and schools were asked to choose 10 graduates they felt were inspirational and had gone on to accomplish great things after graduation. The first 75 to be featured were chosen by Provost Jeff Thompson from these early submissions. The banners will be changed out every few years as new “classes” of alumni make their marks on the world.
At its essence, The Wolf Pack Way is a nod to the University’s original land-grant mission of providing access to education and knowledge, and sharing the benefits of it with Nevada’s citizens, the nation and the world. The Wolf Pack Way also speaks to a culture of caring embodied by our students, faculty, staff and alumni as they make positive contributions to their communities throughout the world, in the spirit of service beyond self.
In 2022, the University worked with the City of Reno to rename Center Street to University Way from the Truckee River to the University’s south entrance. This change will strengthen the University's connection to downtown Reno and make a fitting start to The Wolf Pack Way. Hundreds of students and other members of the Wolf Pack community walk this path every day headed all over campus. The hope is that the name will catch on at the University and Pack members will aspire to have their own smiling, successful faces be featured on a banner.