UNR: Indigenous students experience life on campus through Native LEAD program, July 6-10, 2025

Indigenous students experience life on campus through Native LEAD program, July 6-10, 2025 The week-long, immersive experience is free for Native American high school students who are interested in attending college

RENO, Nev. — The University of Nevada, Reno is once again hosting Native American high school students from across the state who are interested in attending college to live and learn on campus for one week with the Native Lead, Empower, Achieve, Dream (LEAD) program, taking place July 6-10, 2025. Led by the Native Nations Center, part of the Nevada Tech Hub at the Office of Indigenous Relations, this no-cost, immersive program is designed to help Indigenous students explore higher education opportunities and set them up for success after enrollment. Media are invited to attend select events throughout the week and talk to participants about how this program is helping them make decisions about higher education.

WHO: The University of Nevada, Reno, Office of Indigenous Relations, in collaboration with Nevada Tech Hub

WHAT: Native Nations Center Lead, Empower, Achieve, Dream (LEAD) Program

WHEN: Sunday, July 6 through Thursday, July 10

• Media Availability:
  • Monday, July 7, from 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m., College of Engineering HREL 109/110
    Students will participate in a hands-on engineering activity.
  • Wednesday, July 9, from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., the University of Nevada, Reno Quad
    Students will participate in hand games and activities on the Quad.

WHERE: University of Nevada, Reno campus

WHY: According to Postsecondary National Policy Institute, Native American students accounted for just .07% of enrollment in higher education institutions nationally in 2022, and only 25.8% of Native Americans aged 18-24 were enrolled in higher education institutions. The Native Nations Center aims to provide an opportunity for students who are interested in attending college what it is like and provide resources for success should they enroll.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Media planning to cover this event should contact Amy Demuth at ademuth@unr.edu or Megan Downs at mdowns@unr.edu.

Interviews with participants and University staff are available.

– @unevadareno –

About the University of Nevada, Reno

The University of Nevada, Reno is a public research university that is committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. As a Nevada land-grant university founded in 1874, the University serves 21,000 students. The University is a comprehensive, doctoral university, classified as an R1 institution with very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Additionally, it has attained the prestigious “Carnegie Engaged” classification, reflecting its student and institutional impact on civic engagement and service, fostered by extensive community and statewide collaborations. More than $800 million in advanced labs, residence halls and facilities has been invested on campus since 2009. It is home to the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and Wolf Pack Athletics, maintains a statewide outreach mission and presence through programs such as the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Small Business Development Center, Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and is part of the Nevada System of Higher Education. Through a commitment to world-improving research, student success and outreach benefiting the communities and businesses of Nevada, the University has impact across the state and around the world. For more information, visit www.unr.edu.

About Nevada Tech Hub

Nevada Tech Hub is a consortium of governmental, industry, educational, and nonprofit organizations all aligning toward a common goal: to leverage Nevada’s rich natural resources and develop a full-spectrum lithium economy within the state. The Nevada Tech Hub is one of 31 Tech Hub designees nationally. The program invests in regional partnerships to grow critical industries, strengthen national security, and create high-quality jobs. Nevada Tech Hub is focused on building a complete “Lithium Loop”—a closed-loop lithium economy that includes extraction, processing, battery manufacturing, and recycling. The Nevada Tech Hub is working to make Nevada a global leader in critical minerals and electric vehicle materials. By using the state’s natural resources, supporting innovation, and bringing people and organizations together, the effort supports both national strength and a sustainable future. For more information, visit www.unr.edu/tech-hub.