LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – The University of Nevada, Las Vegas said one of the professors killed by a gunman in a campus shooting more than a year ago was named in a new investigation into Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in higher education.
A spokesperson for UNLV said Patricia Navarro Velez was one of three professors being investigated by the Department of Education as part of President Donald Trump’s efforts to remove DEI programs from educational institutions and within government agencies.
Navarro Velez was one of three professors killed in a shooting on UNLV’s campus on Dec. 6, 2023.
The other two professors part of the investigation are no longer with UNLV, the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said the professors were involved in the PhD Project, which is an organization that aims in recruiting “a broader talent pipeline” into doctoral programs, according to it’s website.
“For over 30 years, The PhD Project has helped change the future workforce by providing students a model of achievement and businesses a powerful way to enrich the talent pipeline,” the website said. “With our partners, we support the development of business PhDs from increasing the number of brilliant educators from all communities.”
In an online story memorializing Navarro Velez, UNLV said she was inspired by getting her PhD to mentor others.
“She was a pioneer who worked her way through three universities into a challenging job at one of the largest public accounting firms in the world and who later chose to return to the classroom as a professor to share her passion for accounting and information systems while encouraging and mentoring students who were beginning their own journeys and professional adventures,” Jason Smith, UNLV Accounting chair, told the school.
Others said Navarro Velez championed diversity in the field of accounting as part of her role at UNLV.
UNLV said it couldn’t comment further due to ongoing investigation.
FULL STATEMENT BY UNLV:
UNLV is aware of the federal investigation. Three former UNLV professors were participants in the mentoring program known as the PHD Project.
Two of them are no longer with UNLV. The third person was Patricia Navarro Velez, a beloved professor who was tragically killed on our campus by a gunman on Dec. 6, 2023.
In accordance with the Nevada System of Higher Education policy, UNLV is committed to and will provide equality of educational and employment opportunity for all persons regardless of race, sex, age, color, national origin, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender, genetic information, pregnancy, or veteran status.
We cannot comment further due to the ongoing investigation.
FOX5 has reached out to the PhD Project for a response. Officials provided this statement:
For the last 30 years, The PhD Project has worked to expand the pool of workplace talent by developing business school faculty who inspire, mentor, and support tomorrow’s leaders.
Our vision is to create a broader talent pipeline of current and future business leaders who are committed to excellence and to each other, through networking, mentorship, and unique events. This year, we have opened our membership application to anyone who shares that vision.
The PhD Project was founded with the goal of providing more role models in the front of business classrooms, which remains our goal today
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