LAS VEGAS – The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents this week appointed Dr. Keith Whitfield to serve as UNLV’s president, effective Aug. 24. Whitfield is the university’s first Black president in the institution’s 63-year history.
Whitfield’s 4-year contract provides him with a $500,000 per year base salary, along with an $8,000 per year car allowance, $18,000 per year housing allowance, and $5,000 per year host account.
He arrives at UNLV just as major budget cuts are impacting campuses throughout the NSHE system.
“Dr. Whitfield is a highly respected educator, researcher, and administrator,” said NSHE Chancellor Thom Reilly. “His experience boosting student success at Wayne State University will serve UNLV well. And his knowledge and understanding of leading a diverse student population – Wayne State University’s student population mirrors UNLV in terms of diversity – affords him the familiarity to tackle UNLV’s unique challenges head on.”
Whitfield is leaving a position as provost and senior vice president of academic affairs and a professor of psychology at Wayne State University in Detroit. Prior to his time at Wayne State University, Whitfield was vice provost for academic affairs at Duke University and held numerous appointments.
NSHE said in a statement that Dr. Whitfield was one of four finalists who interviewed with UNLV students, faculty, employees, and community members since Monday. The ad hoc UNLV President Search Committee, made up of 29 members, including members of the Board of Regents, UNLV faculty, classified staff, students, and community stakeholders, recommended Dr. Whitfield for the job on Wednesday.
The search committee used in-person interviews and live-stream technology to ensure an inclusive and transparent search process, while conducting the search in consideration for the health and well-being of all those involved.
