Regents Appoint Chris Heavey as Permanent UNLV President
The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents officially named the longtime administrator to lead the university.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in People
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The Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents has appointed Dr. Chris Heavey as the permanent president of UNLV. Heavey, who previously served as the executive vice president and provost, had been serving as interim president since April 2025.
Why it matters
The appointment provides stable leadership for the university following the resignation of former president Keith Whitfield in March 2025. Heavey is tasked with maintaining the university status as a Carnegie R1 research institution.
During Heavey’s interim tenure, UNLV achieved a record enrollment of nearly 34,000 students and reported research expenditures of approximately $134 million. The university also maintained a near-record student retention rate.
The players
Chris Heavey
He is the newly appointed permanent president of UNLV who previously served as the university executive vice president and provost for over five years.
Keith Whitfield
He is the former president of UNLV who resigned from his position in March 2025.
Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents
This is the governing body responsible for overseeing the public higher education institutions in Nevada including UNLV.
The details
The Board of Regents approved the appointment under a policy allowing interim presidents to be considered for permanent roles after one year of service. During his interim period, the university successfully completed its second consecutive seven-year accreditation review without any required improvements.
Timeline
March 2025: Keith Whitfield resigned as university president.
April 2025: Chris Heavey assumed the role of interim president.
October 2026: Heavey was officially appointed as permanent president.
Market Landscape
This appointment follows the Nevada System of Higher Education's interim-to-permanent appointment policy, which provides a defined pathway for institutional leadership transitions. It stabilizes the administrative structure of the university as it continues to compete for top-tier research funding and student enrollment.
The transition to a permanent president signals administrative stability for current students and faculty members. Residents and stakeholders can expect continued emphasis on maintaining the university R1 research status and high student retention rates.
The takeaway
Heavey inherits a university that has seen significant growth in enrollment and research funding over the last 18 months. Future institutional success will likely hinge on his ability to sustain these metrics without the interim label.
Further reading
For more on local leadership changes, visit the Las Vegas People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSNV.
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