University Invited to Join Coalition of Urban Serving Universities The Coalition of Urban Serving Universities is a network of public urban research universities representing every region of the United States of America.

July 28, 2025
Morrill Hall sits on the south end of the University of Nevada, Reno quad, a large lawn area surrounded by trees and a walking path.

University Invited to Join Coalition of Urban Serving Universities

The Coalition of Urban Serving Universities is a network of public urban research universities representing every region of the United States of America.

July 28, 2025

Dear Wolf Pack Family,

I am proud to announce that the University of Nevada, Reno has been invited to join the Coalition of Urban Serving Universities (USU). USU is a network of public urban research universities representing every region of the United States of America. The coalition was created in partnership with the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities (APLU) and is intended to drive workforce and career development, student success, campus-community partnerships and economic and community health. The Coalition’s membership numbers 40 universities across 27 states.

To qualify for the USU, an institution must be a public urban research university located in a metropolitan area with a population of at least 100,000, enroll at least 10 doctoral students per year, conduct a minimum of $10 million in annual research, and demonstrate a strong commitment to its urban community.

There are numerous benefits associated with membership in USU, including:

  • The opportunity to participate in grant-funded projects totaling more than $3.5 million to marshal resources, funding and technical assistance for member institutions to further drive innovation and equity in higher education nationwide. This includes federal investments in university success as well as designing and implementing a faculty community of practice to enhance the student learning experience;
  • Access for our faculty and staff to professional networking and programming, including resources focused on the opportunities and challenges of urban-serving research universities;
  • Access to the Urban Adult Learner Institute (UALI) for professional development portfolio. UALI is a virtual, modular institute and certification opportunity that builds awareness, disseminates best practices and gathers national momentum in support of undergraduate adult learners;
  • Advocacy of the urban serving sector in policy, scholarly and best practice environments;
  • Participation in the development of a strategic plan that sets USU priorities, guides activities and ensures success for years to come.  

The University’s membership in USU brings us into collaboration with other leading organizations to build upon our commitment to advance the health, sustainability and economic vitality of our state. Partnering with member campuses positions our institution to jointly lead an urban higher education agenda for the nation’s top public universities.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the faculty, staff and students who have enabled us to reach this new milestone. Thanks to your commitment to excellence, we continue to further our institutional purpose and reach new heights in our impressive 151-year history.

Find out more about USU.

Go Pack!

Sincere regards,

Brian Sandoval
President

July 28, 2025