Northern Nevada International Center

NNIC staff members and board member are in Atlanta, Georgia attending the 2026 Clinic Convening!

This gathering brings together professionals, partners, and organizations from across the country to share ideas, strengthen collaboration, and continue building more welcoming and supportive communities.

We’re proud to represent Northern Nevada, connect with leaders in the field, and bring back new knowledge and inspiration to support the communities we serve.

Congratulations to our former NNIC Board President, longtime supporter, home host, and current advisory council member, Claudia Ortega-Lukas, on this incredible achievement! Your dedication, leadership, and commitment to our community continue to inspire us all. We are so proud of you and grateful for the lasting impact you make everywhere you go!!!

A heartfelt congratulations to Claudia Ortega-Lukas for being recognized as a Woman of Achievement by the Nevada Women’s Fund! Her impact on our campus is extraordinary, and she truly embodies The Wolf Pack Way.

Please join us in celebrating Paige, NNIC’s Language Bank Coordinator, on her upcoming graduation and on an exciting new chapter ahead!🎓✨

Over the past three years, Paige has been an important part of the NNIC team, beginning as a Language Bank Associate in December 2023 before stepping into her current role as Language Bank Coordinator in November 2024. Through her dedication, leadership, and passion for communication and community, she has made a lasting impact on both our organization and the people we serve.

This spring, Paige graduates from the University of Nevada, Reno with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing. And this September, she’ll be taking her journey international as she relocates to Milan, Italy to continue her studies at IULM University in Marketing and Consumer Behavior.

We are so proud of all that Paige has accomplished and cannot wait to see all that she achieves next. Congratulations, Paige!!! Your NNIC family is cheering you on every step of the way! 💙

For years, NNIC has proudly partnered with the Food Bank of Northern Nevada, making volunteer service an important part of our international exchange programs.

Through these experiences, international participants not only give back to the local community, but also gain a deeper understanding of the support systems that help strengthen communities across Nevada. The impact of these exchanges often extends far beyond our borders. One inspiring example is a young leader from Algeria who volunteered with the Food Bank during his exchange program and later went on to establish the first food bank in Algeria in 2018, an initiative that has since impacted thousands of lives in his home country.

We are honored to celebrate another meaningful milestone: Last month, NNIC was recognized among the Top 10 volunteer groups supporting the Food Bank, contributing 196 volunteer hours throughout 2025.

🌎 Thank you to every volunteer, participant who continues to make this work possible. Together, we are building stronger communities locally and globally.

Twelve days later, we’re still holding onto the magic of an unforgettable night. ✨

As the photos from the event bring us back to the Gala, we’re reminded of the energy, connection, and shared purpose that filled the room. What we experienced together wasn’t just an event, it was a reflection of community, resilience, and what’s possible when we come together.

To everyone who attended, supported, partnered, and volunteered with us, an earnest thank you. Your presence and generosity continue to fuel this work in meaningful ways.

We’re so excited to finally share these moments with you and relive the evening together. And while we’re still soaking it all in, we’re already looking ahead to what we’ll build next.

Here’s looking foward to an even more impactful celebration next year. 💫