University again recognized as a top research university

December 16, 2021

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

I am pleased to inform you that today our University received the great news that we are again recognized as one of the top research universities in the nation by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education and reached the prestigious Carnegie “R1” or “Very High Research” classification.

Today’s notification, which includes the equally welcome news that UNLV is also included in the “Very High Research,” or “R1,” classification as well, is part of the latest Carnegie Classification’s update cycle for 2021 and is considered preliminary. Following a six-week review period, the classification will be announced as official sometime in late January 2022.

I cannot praise the work and dedication of our faculty, staff and students enough in the achievement of this latest University milestone.

Since we received the news in December 2018 that for the first time we were among the “Very High Research,” or “R1” Carnegie universities, we have made “Carnegie R1” part of our daily and institutional expectation, so much so that it is now a foundational underpinning of all of our teaching and research initiatives, and defines the transformational and innovative work that is accomplished on our campus. The people of our University have taken “R1” to heart as a point of pride and, equally important, as a way to envision even greater success in the future.

Today’s news reflects the success of our faculty, staff and students and their passion for their fields of endeavor. It is all of your work, each and every day, that makes our classification as an R1 university of the highest quality possible. That this has been accomplished in the midst of a pandemic speaks to the special nature of the people who are at the core of everything we strive to accomplish.

Thank you again for all the exceptional work that you are doing.

Carnegie R1, just as it did in December 2018 when we heard it for the first time, has a wonderful ring to it.

Happy holidays.

Go Pack!

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President