2025 IEP Designee – University of Nevada, Reno

Becoming and committing to a Land-Grant 2.0 institution

The University of Nevada, Reno: Expanding access and opportunity for higher education

A parade with a drumline. Fireworks sparkling behind a cheering crowd. Balloon arches and celebratory cake – all the makings of a historic birthday party!

On Oct. 12, 2024, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), a Carnegie R1 institution, celebrated 150 years as Nevada’s original land-grant university. The sesquicentennial featured interactive exhibits, activities and entertainment – a milestone that reaffirmed UNR’s role as a place of ideas, creativity and innovation.

Just months later, UNR achieved another major milestone: being awarded the Innovation and Economic Prosperity (IEP) designation by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) – national recognition that had long been in the works.

“During my tenure as President, my goal has been to raise visibility and awareness of the strategic priorities for the state’s original land-grant institution,” University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval said in a State of the University address. “My vision is for the University to be a ‘Land Grant 2.0’ – one that expands access, embraces technology and prepares students to thrive in the ever-changing world of the 21st century.”

For UNR, Land Grant 2.0 represents a forward-looking evolution, reimagined to meet today’s challenges and opportunities.

When UNR began its IEP candidacy journey, President Sandoval and Vice President for Research and Innovation Mridul Gautam led the charge to ensure broad campus and community participation.

From there, the work began. Committee members from every major unit across campus collaborated to collect surveys, interviews and data from faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders – all helping demonstrate UNR’s economic engagement and partnerships across the state.

Three key strengths emerged:

• A commitment to the Land Grant 2.0 mission
• Strong economic development partnerships and outcomes
• A robust and inclusive innovation ecosystem

In addition, the self-study process helped inform the creation of UNR’s official definition of economic engagement:

Economic engagement at the University of Nevada, Reno is our commitment to catalyzing purposeful growth, offering research and education to nurture the potential of individuals and communities. Through initiatives that center skillful talent and workforce development, real-value innovation, and technology-driven discovery and problem solving, we actively work toward enriching the economic capacity of our state and society, ensuring a sustained and positive financial impact. As stewards of positive change within higher education, we collaborate with communities to create opportunities for their economic advancement through high-quality education, the application of cutting-edge public-impact research, and the strategic execution of meaningful outreach programs.

“The University’s strategic commitment to economic development is firm,” Gautam said. “The IEP designation reflects our long-term dedication to strengthening Nevada’s economy and improving the quality of life for all Nevadans.”

UNR’s Land Grant 2.0 vision brings new relevance to its founding purpose by helping build talent pipelines in areas that matter most to our state, including healthcare, agriculture, technology and natural resources.

Extension and outreach programs play a vital role to the 17 counties it serves, while initiatives like the First-Generation Student Center, Upward Bound and summer programs at the Innevation Center in downtown Reno are helping students and families connect to higher education through applied learning and mentorship.

In healthcare, programs such as the Nevada Health Service Corps and Project ECHO Nevada are improving rural health access and linking providers to specialty expertise statewide.

Through the Collegiate Academies program, high school students can earn concurrent college credit, offering a head start toward postsecondary success.

The Nevada Center for Applied Research (NCAR) provides faculty expertise, technical assistance and advanced lab facilities to startup companies and industry. NCAR also houses Nevada Autonomous, which oversees one of just seven FAA-designated test sites for unmanned autonomous systems (UAS) – advancing both civil and defense innovation. Looking ahead, UNR plans to launch a Technical Entrepreneurship Program to help prepare the next generation of startup leaders.

As Doug Erwin, longtime partner at the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada, puts it: “The University is embodying the philosophy of working at the speed of business – which, in talking with many national colleagues, is rare.”

Indeed, UNR’s Land Grant 2.0 commitment is evident in the wide range of academic, research and industry-aligned programs now in motion. From advanced technology and clean energy research to rural health and K-12 robotics.

“Being added to the impressive ranks of IEP designees highlights the meaningful progress our faculty, students, staff and partners have achieved together,” Gautam said. “This designation recognizes the impact we’ve made – and the strong foundation we’ve built for the future.”

As UNR looks ahead, its commitment remains clear: to reimagine what it means to be a land-grant institution – one that is connected, innovative and working to fuel a more resilient and prosperous Nevada.

Author:

Natalie Fry, Research Communications Director, Research & Innovation

Co-Authors/Contributors:

Mridul Gautam, Vice President for Research and Innovation
Asta Ratliff, Operations and Projects Director for the University’s Research & Innovation division and IEP Application Chair
Louis Magriel, Research Compliance Program Coordinator

All images are courtesy of the University of Nevada, Reno