Governor Brian Sandoval: A Blast From the Past and Into the Future

by Jade Baptista

It’s a breezeless Thursday afternoon and the sun is beginning to set as Governor Brian Sandoval stands in the shade on the intermural fields of the University of Nevada, Reno. After a recent trip from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he’s visiting his alma mater for the unveiling of the Wolf Pack statue.

The university, he says, holds a special meaning to him because his mother and brother graduated from the university and now his daughter is a freshman looking to become a teacher.

The governor attended Bishop Manogue Catholic High School and then moved on to the University of Nevada, Reno. There, he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1986. He later earned a law degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, before returning to Nevada.

Gov. Sandoval was elected to office on Nov. 2, 2010. Before that, in 2002, he was elected attorney general of the state. He also served as Nevada’s first Hispanic United States District Judge in 2005.

Throughout the years, Gov. Sandoval has served in multiple roles, including the vice-chair of both the Jobs for America’s Graduates and the NGA Education and Workforce Committee. Aside from being a member of both the National and Western Governor’s Association, he is also the Chair of the Education Commissions of the States.

When the governor isn’t working on affairs of the state, he enjoys spending time with his family; Kathleen, his wife, and three children. He is especially excited for his daughter to be attending UNR this year.

Since his enrollment at UNR, many things have changed, but he says he couldn’t be more excited.

“There’s been amazing construction here and I’m just really proud of the growth that’s happened here,” Sandoval says.

Gov. Sandoval recently visited the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. UNLV is partnering with carmaker Tesla on a $1 million project. But, Sandoval explains, Tesla also has a close relationship with UNR.

“They already held a job fair here. They’re going to hire UNR students. That’s something that’s very important to me that we have local students work at the Tesla factory, and I’m sure there will be other opportunities for collaboration and research,” he says.

The governor says that he is, “very proud of the university,” and seems supportive of the direction it is heading but hopes the university can reach even higher.

“I love what’s happening here with all the construction and opportunities for the students. What I would like to see happen is us become an elite university. We’re a great university but I’d like to get to that elite status bring in the best… faculty that is out there and continue to build here,” Sandoval says.