Sagebrushers

In this episode of Sagebrushers, University of Nevada, Reno, President Brian Sandoval speaks with Dr. Charlie Yingling, dean of the Orvis School of Nursing, and Dr. Shannon Richard, associate dean for undergraduate studies. Yingling and Richard provide insight into the strategies the Orvis School of Nursing is using to address Nevada’s nursing shortage and prepare students to serve rural communities. A first-generation college graduate, Yingling earned his Bachelor of Science in nursing at Loyola University Chicago, followed by a master’s degree as a family nurse practitioner and a Doctor of Nursing Practice at the University of Illinois Chicago. Richard earned her Bachelor of Science in nursing and Master of Science in nursing from the University of Nevada, Reno and her doctorate in nursing from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Both have extensive experience in nursing education and workforce development. Sandoval, Yingling and Richard explore the unique challenges of Nevada’s nursing shortage, the expansion of the nursing program at the University’s Lake Tahoe location, accelerated pathways for second-career nurses, and initiatives that support student success, clinical readiness and community engagement.

In this episode, University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval and Pearson explore how tobacco companies target vulnerable populations, the ongoing challenges in regulating tobacco and cannabis products in the US and how her research informs public policy aimed at improving health outcomes.

In this episode of Sagebrushers, President Sandoval chatswith Yani Dickens, director of University Counseling Services, about mental health resources for students, reducing barriers to access and combating stigmas around mental health.

University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval speaks with Director of Dual Credit Initiatives Joe Nannini. Nannini provides leadership and support to all stakeholders connected to the University's dual-credit efforts, including the University of Nevada, Reno Collegiate Academy. Nannini is a proud University alumnus. His experience in K-12 education as a teacher and a school administrator, combined with his work teaching and leading clinical experiences for the College of Education and Human Development, gives him a unique perspective on both the K-12 and higher education sides of the dual-credit equation. During the episode, Sandoval and Nannini discuss how high school students in Nevada can take college-level classes through the Collegiate Academy program. They also explore the rigor of the courses, the support high school teachers receive from the University while teaching and the ways in which the program helps to improve the college-going rate in Nevada.

University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval hosts Associate Professor of Management Dan Jones, Ph.D. Jones’ research primarily focuses on how toxic personality traits predict unethical behavior across different environments, and he has spent years developing the construct of emophilia, the dispositional tendency to fall in love easily and often. During the episode, Sandoval and Jones discuss the value of teaching social and personality psychology to business students and what the dark triad of personality traits consists of. They also explore Jones’ 2024 TEDx Reno Talk, “How to recognize a master manipulator.” In addition, the conversation covers Jones’ research on emophilia and how emophiliacs navigate relationships, break-ups, online dating and more.

In this episode of Sagebrushers, University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval speaks with Dr. Geoffrey Blewitt. Blewitt is one of the lead scientists credited with making GPS accurate within a millimeter, resulting in discoveries related to the earth’s shape, dark matter tsunamis, mega earthquakes and more. Blewitt earned his Ph.D. in physics from Caltech (California Institute of Technology) then joined the faculty of the University of Newcastle in the U.K., becoming a professor of space geodesy in 1994. He joined the University of Nevada, Reno in the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology in 1999, becoming a professor of geosciences. During the episode, Sandoval and Blewitt discuss the science of geodesy as well as the many ways in which GPS benefits humans’ daily lives. They also chat about Blewitt’s research with atomic clocks and dark matter and explore what Blewitt’s recent election to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors a scientist can receive, means to him.

In this episode of Sagebrushers, University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval hosts Assistant Vice President and Chief of Police Eric James. The University Police Department-Northern Command serves the University by leading an extraordinary group of police officers, support staff and partnerships. James started as a police officer at the University in 2003 after serving in the United States Marines Corps for 12 years. His work focuses on supporting workplace safety, sexual assault prevention, education about the dangers of underage drinking, self-defense training and more. As chief of police, James empowers his officers to support the Wolf Pack through proactive community involvement and protection. During the episode, Sandoval discusses with James what the department does, how it serves the campus, including innovative safety measures, and how it partners with other campus units, such as the School of Medicine and School of Social Work, to provide educational opportunities to students.

In this episode of Sagebrushers, University President Brian Sandoval chats with Vice Provost of Online Learning Carley Ries about the newly launched Nevada Online. The office focuses on providing fully online undergraduate degrees, certificates and graduate degrees. Sandoval and Ries discuss recently added programs, including bachelor’s degrees in interdisciplinary studies, communications and sociology. They also explore the new partnership with Guild Education and plans for the office to expand offerings for adult learners around the country.

University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval hosts Angie Lenard, Ph.D., and Satish Manandhar, Ph.D., two postdoctoral scholars contributing to impactful research on campus. Around 70 postdoctoral scholars work at the University, playing a valuable role in advancing the research and teaching on campus. Lenard and Manandhar help to lead the University’s Postdoctoral Association (UNR PA), an organization that was formed in 2021 by volunteer postdocs to represent postdocs across campus. The organization offers professional development opportunities, social events and other community building for any postdoctoral scholar at the University. During the episode, Sandoval discusses with Lenard and Manandhar what a postdoc is, why someone would choose to pursue this path after receiving their doctorate and how UNR PA is working to connect with postdocs around campus. They also explore both scholars’ research – Lenard is monitoring chemicals on national wildlife refuges near California agriculture lands and Manandhar is running experiments on one of the largest shake tables in the country to determine how to better build structures atop soil. Thank you to the team at the University Libraries @One Center for producing and editing this episode. Additional contributors included Burak Boyacıoğlu and Loren Pietsch.

In this episode of Sagebrushers, President Sandoval chats with Carina Black, the first Executive Director of the Northern Nevada International Center, which builds bridges of understanding and fosters global engagement through international exchanges, refugee resettlement and language access.

In this commemorative episode of Sagebrushers, we celebrate the University's 150th birthday. Join us as we flip the script and University First Lady and Reynolds School of Journalism Alumna Lauralyn Sandoval interviews her husband, University President Brian Sandoval. Join the dynamic duo as they discuss their first experiences at the University and their hopes for the next 150 years.

In this episode of Sagebrushers, University President Brian Sandoval and Stephanie Gibson, Director of the John and Geraldine Lilley Museum of Art, discuss the University’s free public museum. During the episode, Gibson highlights a recent generous donation, the unique exhibitions on display and the notable artists featured there. She also talks about her efforts to make art accessible to all Nevadans. She focuses on encouraging students of various ages and disciplines to visit and engage with the museum’s collection.

This episode of Sagebrushers covers all things college football with University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval and Coach Jeff Choate, the 28th head coach of the Nevada Football program. Prior to joining the Nevada Football program in December 2023, Choate was co-defensive coordinator for the Texas Longhorns, the head coach for the Montana State Bobcats, and the running back and linebacker coach for the Boise State Broncos. He was also a former linebacker for the Montana Western Bulldogs. His history of rebuilding teams, instilling discipline and leading them to victory makes the Wolf Pack excited for the upcoming football season. Choate and Sandoval discuss the different values Choate looks for in his coaches and players, the team’s plans to engage community members around Northern Nevada, his work to prepare his players for the UNLV game and more.

University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval visits with Executive Director of the First Generation Student Center, Ellen Houston. Houston, who was a first-generation student at the University in the 90s, has focused her career on ensuring that first-generation students build a positive foundation. During the episode, President Sandoval and Houston discuss the Upward Bound Programs, the PAC program and other benefits offered to first-generation students in this episode.

University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval visits with Foundation Professor Peter Goin. Goin, who has worked on the University campus since 1984, is a photographer, author and visual historian. During the episode, Sandoval and Goin explore his work documenting the visual history of Lake Tahoe, the Nevada Test Site and the Black Rock Desert. Goin also shares how photography education has evolved and the impact that smartphones have had on the art form.

In this episode of Sagebrushers, University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval chats with psychology professor Paul Kwon, who studies optimism and resilience. Kwon shares valuable tools on how to cope with some of life’s most difficult dilemmas.

In this episode of Sagebrushers, University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval speaks with School of Public Health Dean Muge Akpinar, who has had a compelling career in global health and now brings that knowledge and experience to the University. Sandoval and Akpinar discuss her journey in public health and the school’s important role in the community as its graduates and faculty impact community well being, policy and implement system change.

In this episode of Sagebrushers, University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval speaks with Associate Professor Thomas White. White researches space by recreating astrophysical conditions in the laboratory, effectively creating mini-planets and stars. During the episode, Sandoval and White discuss working with billion-dollar lasers and new ways to inspire students to ignite their curiosity.

In this episode of Sagebrushers, University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval speaks with the University’s Sustainability Manager Phoebe Judge. In this special Earth Day episode, Sandoval and Judge discuss the University’s strategic goal of "Making Silver and Blue the New Green." They delve into the progress the University is making and examine future strategies that will help to reduce our campus' carbon footprint. Additionally, they talk about the possibilities and growth of the new sustainability certificate that will be offered at the University of Nevada, Reno at Lake Tahoe campus starting in fall 2024.

University of Nevada, Reno President Brian Sandoval welcomes newly appointed Executive Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Melanie Duckworth on this episode of Sagebrushers. Dr. Duckworth has been a member of the university faculty for more than two decades, serving in a number of administrative roles. She has served as an associate dean in the College of Science and interim chair in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences in the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources. During the episode, Sandoval and Duckworth delve into Duckworth’s plans as she takes on the role of senior strategist advising diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility initiatives at the university. They discuss how diversity is a crucial ingredient in ensuring and strengthening the vitality and success of a university campus and the global business landscape. Additionally, they explore the importance of creating spaces and opportunities for open and ongoing dialogue to understand the needs of all campus groups, fostering engagement and ensuring leadership that values the contributions of every team member