Brian Sandoval is president of the University of Nevada, Reno. He is the first person of Hispanic origin as well as the first alumnus to serve as president in University history. Since his appointment as the 17th president of the University in 2020, President Sandoval has launched a number of key initiatives stressing a long-term collaborative commitment to meet the ever-changing needs of Nevada. As he has raised visibility and awareness of the strategic priorities for the state’s original land-grant institution, Sandoval has stressed student accessibility, diversity and success; faculty and staff achievement and excellence; and innovation, partnership and impactful engagement through the University’s research and outreach efforts.
From 2011-2019, he served as Nevada’s first Hispanic Governor. During his tenure, he was deeply involved in issues of economic development, water policy, state parks and recreation, public lands, veterans
’ issues, health care and in modernizing Nevada’s public education system.
Sandoval then became the president of global gaming development for MGM Resorts International, a member of the board of directors for Coeur Mining, and a Distinguished Fellow of Law and Leadership at UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law.
Prior to becoming governor, Sandoval was appointed United States District Judge for the District of Nevada by President George W. Bush. He also was elected Nevada’s Attorney General, was a member and chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission, and served two terms, 1994-1998, as an assemblyman in the Nevada State Legislature.
He has also served on several state boards and commissions, including the Nevada Boards of Pardons, Prisons, Transportation, and Examiners, the Council for the Prevention of Domestic Violence, and was Nevada’s at-large member of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board.
Sandoval is a 1986 graduate of the University, with a degree in English. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Ohio State University Moritz School of Law in 1989.
As a Senior Fellow, Governor Sandoval has played a key role in CCLP’s election security program.
Contact Sandoval at commlead@usc.edu.