HPU CELEBRATES HISTORIC OPENING OF ITS LAS VEGAS CAMPUS

HPU celebrated the grand opening of its Las Vegas campus on February 18, marking a pivotal milestone in the University’s 60-year history. This expansion heralds the first-ever campus established on the U.S. mainland by a Hawai‘i-based university. The campus is a cornerstone of the University’s strategic vision to grow its national presence and meet the critical workforce demands in the healthcare industry, furthering HPU’s mission to promote its core values of aloha, pono, and kuleana across the country.  

“Today marks a defining moment for Hawaiʻi Pacific University. We are honored to welcome students from across the country to our newly established Las Vegas campus," said HPU President John Gotanda. “HPU’s enrollment and academic successes over the past decade have defied national trends, enabling us to expand with industry-specific health sciences programs in Las Vegas that directly address critical workforce needs. These programs equip students with the skills to thrive in a range of healthcare sectors, reinforcing HPU’s commitment to preparing graduates for meaningful careers that will shape the future in ways yet to be imagined.”

Nevada representatives from the offices of U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, U.S. Rep. Susie Lee, Gov. Joe Lombardo, and Lt. Gov. Stavros Anthony attended the event. Sen. Rosen, Sen. Cortez Masto, and U.S. Rep Lee presented congressional certificates of recognition, and Gov. Lombardo and Lt. Governor Anthony issued a proclamation recognizing HPU’s new Las Vegas campus.  

The event began with a traditional Hawaiian blessing. Gotanda, HPU Dean of the Graduate College of Health Sciences Tricia Catalino, HPU trustees, alumni, faculty, staff, students, and University leadership joined Las Vegas dignitaries to celebrate the significance of the achievement.   

The Las Vegas campus features intentionally designed facilities to support the University’s Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) programs. Among its features are an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) suite, equipped with a kitchen, living room, and bathroom, designed to provide real-world training for OTD students. In addition, advanced lab spaces tailored to the needs of the DPT program foster interprofessional education and collaboration, ensuring that students are prepared to meet the growing healthcare challenges in the future. 

“HPU’s expansion to Las Vegas is a natural extension of our mission to prepare a diverse workforce of tomorrow’s health science leaders through innovative, efficient, and accessible education,” said Catalino. “Our Doctor of Occupational Therapy and Doctor of Physical Therapy programs are designed to integrate academic excellence with hands-on, evidence-informed learning, ensuring our graduates are equipped to provide collaborative and culturally responsive care. We are thrilled to welcome students to our Las Vegas campus, where they will gain the knowledge, skills, and real-world experience needed to make a lasting impact in their communities and the broader healthcare landscape.”

Intentionally designed facilities foster interprofessional education and collaboration, ensuring DPT and OTD students are well prepared to meet the growing healthcare challenges. With Nevada facing a growing demand for healthcare professionals, particularly in rehabilitation services, HPU’s expansion to Las Vegas will help address workforce shortages by training highly skilled occupational and physical therapists. HPU’s new campus will help strengthen the region’s healthcare pipeline, equipping graduates with the expertise needed to serve diverse patient populations in Nevada and across the country.

The OTD program welcomed its first cohort in 2024, and in January 2025 the inaugural cohort of DPT students began their studies. Both programs offer a hybrid learning format, allowing students to engage in online coursework while benefiting from hands-on, immersive lab experiences at the Las Vegas campus.

For Trina Esperante, a student in HPU’s Las Vegas OTD program, the past six months have been transformative. “My time at HPU has been nothing short of amazing. HPU’s curriculum is masterfully designed to introduce the fundamentals and gradually build upon this foundation. As someone with little to no clinical experience in the healthcare field prior to the program, I appreciate how they’ve allowed me to not only adapt to healthcare but also to thrive in the occupational therapy field.  The hybrid setting has made learning much easier, especially as a first-time mom. I am forever grateful for this program, as it allows me to pursue my dreams of becoming an occupational therapist while still being with my family.” 

Kimberly Santos shared her experience so far in the Las Vegas DPT program. “I chose HPU for its strong academics, hybrid flexibility, and personalized support. Studying from home while traveling to Las Vegas for lab immersions provides the perfect balance of convenience and hands-on learning,” Santos said. “During my first term at Hawai‘i Pacific University, I had an incredible experience thanks to the amazing professors and staff. Their attentiveness and genuine willingness to help made a significant impact on my learning journey. Whether it was through engaging lectures, insightful discussions, or their constant support, they created a welcoming and enriching academic environment. I truly appreciate their dedication and the positive atmosphere they fostered, making my first term both inspiring and rewarding.”

Located at 6175 W Sunset Road in Southwestern Las Vegas, the HPU campus is 20 minutes from Harry Reid International Airport and offers a secure, convenient setting with ample parking and easy access to nearby retail, hotels, and dining. Dedicated HPU faculty and staff are on-site to support students throughout their academic journey.  

To learn more about the Las Vegas OTD program click here, and to learn more about the Las Vegas DPT program, click here.