University must play larger role in Las Vegas, says UNLV presidential candidate

By Brian Nordli

Friday, Nov. 14, 2014 | 4:12 p.m.

For one hour today, John Valery White stepped out of his role as UNLV’s executive vice president and provost and spoke to the audience as a UNLV president candidate.

White started his forum stressing that becoming a Tier One school — attaining a Carnegie Research 'very high' status — would provide the research and workforce Las Vegas needs.

He emphasized a need for the university to play a larger role in Las Vegas. He spoke about expanding research to meet the needs of the community, diversifying its sources of funding and improving student services.

“We have to embrace Las Vegas,” White said. “Share their deficits and gaps, and then fill those gaps as a mechanism for creating high level research and education programs.”

About 20 people showed up to the public forum. The majority were UNLV faculty. A few were members of the community. White was the last candidate to hold his public forum, an opportunity for the community to size up candidates.

The other candidates are University of Arizona Eller College of Management Dean Len Jessup and Georgia Regents University President Dr. Ricardo Azziz. Both conducted their campus and public forums earlier in the week.

Before taking over as vice provost, White served as dean of UNLV’s Boyd School of Law. White said that experience gives him an intimate understanding of the hurdles facing Las Vegas.

The public’s questions focused around the medical school, funding, improving student services and retaining students until graduation.

White said that UNLV needs to do more to attract students and funding for them. The university only spends about $17,000 per student, compared to the $24,000 other schools labeled Carnegie Research High tend to spend.

He suggested UNLV target donors for specific items, like seeking out a medical facility to donate to the medical school. He also said UNLV needs to re-brand itself to become a university students want to attend.

Colin Seale, who is a lawyer in Las Vegas and a graduate of UNLV’s Boyd School of Law, felt White’s experience working in Las Vegas made him the leader the school needs. He thought White’s goal to change UNLV’s focus to serving the community was important.

Meanwhile, Jose Solorio, who is chair of higher education for the Latino Leadership council, left impressed with White but thinks UNLV needs a president who has experience running a school.

“I believe he’s highly intelligent and has good ideas,” Solorio said. “At this point he is qualified, but the university needs someone who can open wallets and minds...and have shown they’ve done so as a president.”

The UNLV President Search Committee will select its choice for UNLV’s next president during a meeting on Nov. 17, or at a follow-up meeting on Nov. 18, if necessary.