Since our first classes were held on campus in 1957, UNLV has transformed itself from a small branch college into a thriving Carnegie R-I, Very High Research institution -- one of only 130 in the nation to earn this designation. Along the way, our urban university has become an indispensable resource in one of the country's fastest-growing and most enterprising cities. UNLV has placed in the top 10 most diverse institutions for the past six years and continues to show our commitment to serving our wonderfully diverse population.