UNR Lake Tahoe Campus Embraces Community and Cultural Outreach

UNR Lake Tahoe Campus: Bridging Community and Education

Amidst the serene beauty of Incline Village, the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Lake Tahoe campus is undergoing a transformation aimed at fostering community engagement and educational opportunities. Elizabeth Thibodeau, the director of strategic programming and operations, has highlighted the university’s efforts to make the campus a welcoming space for the local population.

Thibodeau, who has spent nearly 20 years in Incline Village, notes that many long-time residents have little interaction with the campus. “It’s interesting, this campus hasn’t always been utilized by everybody, and it always surprised me, people that have lived here for a really long time that never came on campus,” she remarked during a recent sunny afternoon.

Juliet Ojeda

Noticiero Móvil

The exterior of the Prim Library at the University of Nevada, Reno Lake Tahoe campus in Incline Village.

The transition from Sierra Nevada College to UNR in 2022 has brought a variety of public and academic programs to the campus, including public lectures and initiatives like Upward Bound. “This was their third year that they came here,” Thibodeau mentioned, referencing the first-generation college prep program, which is currently at risk of facing federal budget cuts.

Despite these efforts, engaging the 20.4% Latino population in the area remains challenging. “We want to make sure we’re hitting our local population,” Thibodeau emphasizes, as the campus continues to adjust to being part of UNR.

Paul Bancroft, executive director of Sierra Community House, echoes the importance of community outreach. His organization, which assists immigrant and working-class communities, sees potential in partnerships with institutions like UNR. “Campuses have to be safe, inviting, culturally relevant spaces for families to want to come and engage and be a part of it,” Bancroft asserts.

Sierra Community House is a non-profit that provides various resources to people along the lake, including Latinos at their location in Incline Village.

Bancroft also points to the economic benefits of the university’s presence. “If local students are able to attend classes there [at the UNR Lake Tahoe campus] and still live at home, they’re more likely to be able to go,” he says, noting the flexibility it offers those who need to balance work and education.

However, awareness of the campus’s transition remains a challenge. “I wonder how many people are aware of the change from it being Sierra Nevada College to now being a UNR campus and what that means,” Bancroft comments. He suggests that UNR could enhance its presence and community impact by emphasizing local engagement and economic ties.

Both Thibodeau and Bancroft agree on the need for consistent outreach and partnerships to realize the campus’s potential. Thibodeau envisions an inclusive future for the campus, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and community connection. “We have such a rich culture, and we’re on Washoe land … I want to make sure that we’re providing the resources to bring people here, instead of just saying it,” she affirms.

Noticiero Móvil, a bilingual multimedia outlet run by the Reynolds School of Journalism, published this story on Sept. 15, 2025.