University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) has been gifted $9m by the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians this week in a move to position the university as the nation’s leading source for education and innovation related to tribal gaming operations and law. 

The donation is the largest out-of-state philanthropic gift that the California-based band has bestowed on an educational or healthcare institution. It will support course development and an endowed chair at the William F Harrah College of Hospitality as well as provide curricular, faculty, and program support at the William S Boyd School of Law. 

The historic agreement will infuse the unique elements of tribal gaming into UNLV’s hospitality and gaming program, and add a tribal gaming emphasis to the nation’s only master’s degree program in gaming law.

Tribal Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena (pictured above) stated: “In the tribe’s history, tribal government gaming is the only tool that has worked to meet our economic development objectives. Yet, the full potential of tribal gaming cannot be achieved if we do not also place emphasis on developing Native people to manage our economic developments, including gaming. 

“Therefore, we are making this investment in the partnership with UNLV to educate and prepare our children, grandchildren and future generations to help chart our path to a sustainable future.”

A $6m portion of the gift will establish the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians Endowed Chair in Tribal Gaming at the UNLV College of Hospitality. It will also enhance the college curriculum by incorporating tribal gaming into existing gaming courses, creating new on-campus and online degree-track courses in tribal gaming, and developing a set of online certificate courses for community members and Native Americans.

“As tribal gaming continues to expand throughout the nation, it is critical for our college to be able to educate both current and future professionals on the operational nuances of tribal gaming,” said Stowe Shoemaker, dean of the UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality. “This gift not only helps us develop greater expertise in tribal gaming operations, it allows us to make this unique educational opportunity accessible to everyone.”

The program, which will emphasize partnerships with other schools and tribes nationwide, will also host an annual, week-long executive education seminar for tribal gaming professionals. The college plans to have faculty in place this fall, with the full tribal gaming program rollout anticipated by Fall 2023.

At the UNLV Boyd School of Law, $3m of the gift will support a professor-in-residence, a visiting professor, and a program administrator who will create opportunities for interdisciplinary dialogue and research on governance, regulation, and economic development issues.

Funds will also be channeled into a scholarship for a LL.M. student in gaming, with preference given to tribal citizens and indigenous student applicants. The Law School will also develop online courses on tribal governance and gaming regulation, expand its Tribal Law Practicum for students, and conduct an annual workshop or symposium on emerging topics and issues of interest to Native American gaming.