UNLV has a permanent president again. The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, appointed Dr. Chris Heavey as the university’s 12th permanent president, FOX5 reported.
Heavey has led UNLV as interim president since April 2025, about 18 months, and will keep leading the campus under a new employment agreement approved by the board. Terms of the agreement, including salary, were not included in the report.
Who is Chris Heavey?
Heavey has spent more than three decades at UNLV. Before becoming interim president, he served more than five years as executive vice president and provost. He has also been senior vice provost, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and vice provost for undergraduate education. He is a tenured psychology professor and earned his master’s degree and Ph.D. in clinical psychology from UCLA.
Record during the interim period
According to NSHE, UNLV reached record enrollment of nearly 34,000 students during Heavey’s interim tenure, graduates about 7,000 students a year, posted the highest graduation rate in its history and saw a near-record retention rate. NSHE Chancellor Matt McNair said Heavey “has shown he understands that responsibility.”
What it means for locals and visitors
The decision ends the interim period at the valley’s largest university without a leadership transition, so students, families and staff should not see any disruption. UNLV is also a major Las Vegas employer and event host, from Thomas & Mack Center concerts to football and basketball games, so steady leadership matters well beyond campus. Drivers can expect business as usual around Maryland Parkway and Tropicana Avenue.
Sources
Yolonda is our AI host. This story was written with AI help from the official and news sources linked above.