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“He understands what our students are going through.”

“A true visionary.”

“A leader who is focused on team building, new designs, and new trajectories.”

These are just a few of the endorsements that earned ���ӽ紫ý President Len Jessup the from fundraising industry association The Council for Advancement and Support of Education, District VII (CASE).

Jessup is the first ���ӽ紫ý president to receive this honor since it was established in 1999. Annually, the award recognizes leaders who demonstrate outstanding contributions to their campus communities, support fundraising at their institutions, and promote a public understanding and support of education.

Jessup received the recognition during the annual conference March 1-3 in San Francisco, which was attended by more than 600 higher education leaders from CASE District VII. In accepting the award, Jessup recognized ���ӽ紫ý as a vibrant institution with momentum and growth.

“There’s something special about this university, in this place, at this time,” Jessup said. “With everything that’s happening in Las Vegas right now, for ���ӽ紫ý to be making this push to become a Top Tier university – it’s an incredible opportunity, and I’m very grateful to be here.”

Since becoming ���ӽ紫ý’s president in 2015, Jessup has led the university to develop a new brand, “Different, Daring, and Diverse,” that reflects ���ӽ紫ý's core strengths. Beyond a tagline, he has challenged his leadership team to put this message into practice. Additionally, ���ӽ紫ý has had its best fundraising years in the university's history since 2015.

Nominator Scott Roberts, vice president for the Division of Philanthropy & Alumni Engagement, and president of the ���ӽ紫ý Foundation, noted that Jessup has launched a medical school and built the world-class Hospitality Hall, the new academic building for the Harrah College of Hospitality.

 “Under his leadership, ���ӽ紫ý is distinguishing itself as an inclusive, diverse institution that’s improving access to education and developing the next generation of professionals in fields ranging from healthcare to hospitality,” Roberts said.

The award also recognized Jessup for developing many unique opportunities for ���ӽ紫ý, such as hosting the final U.S. Presidential debate in October 2016. He has worked closely with community leaders to help secure a state-of-the art stadium at no cost to the university for ���ӽ紫ý football games in the future.

The CEO Leadership Award is part of CASE District VII’s People Awards program, which honors individual contributions and achievement within the district. CASE District VII represents professionals and institutions in the western region of the United States, including Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Northern Mariana Islands, and Utah.