The Board of Regents voted 10-3 to appoint Chris Heavey as UNLV’s permanent president under a three-year contract effective Saturday, with a base salary of $627,816 per year. The contract includes annual allowances of $8,000 for transportation, $18,000 for housing, and $5,000 to host guests, and expires on October 31, 2029.
Heavey has served as interim president since April 2025 and has been at UNLV for more than three decades, previously serving as executive vice president and provost. During his interim tenure, UNLV reached record enrollment of nearly 34,000 students and achieved its highest graduation rate in history.
Heavey said after the appointment, 'I’m really excited about the future of the university and working with the community. I’ve always believed that the university exists to elevate the community through education and direct engagement, and that work is you know underway as we speak. We’ve got great momentum, and I’m looking forward to seeing it continue.' Regent Pete Goicoechea was one of three votes against the appointment, citing concerns about the compensation package matching former President Keith Whitfield’s salary.
Michael Kagan, chair of the UNLV Faculty Senate, told regents that staff overwhelmingly favored Heavey’s appointment and urged the board to appoint him rather than pursue a national search, stating the university needs 'stable leadership.' Heavey’s appointment was also endorsed by several student groups.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal, FOX5 Vegas
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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