The NSHE 2021 Men’s Leadership Summit
SATURDAY, April 24
Registration: 8:00 – 9:00
9:00am – 3:30pm Pacific Time, VIA ZOOM
Build confidence, strength and resilience by learning from some of Nevada’s most inspiring leaders. This interactive and empowering day includes breakout sessions, forums and advice for men interested in uncovering their leadership potential.
Registration and Attendance
The 2021 Men’s Leadership Summit is a free virtual web conference. Sign up is easy, just use the button below to fill out an interest form. Once registration is open, a link will be sent to your email to register for the full event.
Keynote Speakers
Mr. Ernesto Mejia
Cool Speak
Dr. Myrton W. Running Wolf
University of Nevada, Reno
Mr. Edgar Flores
Assemblyman, State of Nevada
President Bart Patterson
Nevada State College
Confirmed Speakers
Chancellor Melody Rose
Nevada System of Higher Education
NSHE Board Chair Dr. Mark Doubrava
Nevada System of Higher Education
Regent Patrick Boylan
Nevada System of Higher Education
President Brian Sandoval
University of Nevada, Reno
Dr. Victor Saenz, UT Texas
Project Males
Dr. Frank Harris
San Diego State University
Dr. Edith Fernandez
Nevada State College
Assistant Chief of Police Eric James
University of Nevada Reno
Mr. Caleb Cage
State of Nevada
Regent Dr. Jason Geddes
Nevada System of Higher Education
Regent Dr. Patrick Carter
Nevada System of Higher Education
Regent Donald McMichael
Nevada System of Higher Education
President Dr. Keith Whitfield
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Dr. Emmet Campos, UT Texas
Project Males
Mr. Frank Woodbeck
College of Southern Nevada
Dr. Constancio Arnaldo
University of Nevada Las Vegas
Deputy Chief Oliver Miller
Reno Police Department
Mr. Lucas Vine
United States Navy SEAL
Regent Byron Brooks
Nevada System of Higher Education
Regent Joseph Arrascada
Nevada System of Higher Education
President Dr. Kumud Acharya
Desert Research Institute
Dr. Jorge Burmicky, UT Texas
Project Males
Morlon Greenwood
NFL Alumni, Las Vegas Chapter
Dr. Fred A. Bonner, Prairieview A&M
Executive Director of MACH-III Center
Dr. Ramiro Bautista
Nevada State College
Commissioner William O’Neil McCurdy II
Las Vegas County
Dr. Jesus Jara
Clark County School District
2021 Men’s Leadership Summit Planning Committee
Regent Amy Carvalho
Nevada System of Higher Education
President Vincent Solis
Western Nevada College
Mr. Brian Akins
College of Southern Nevada
Dr. Ramiro Bautista
Nevada State College
Dr. Edith Fernandez
Nevada State College
Dr. Tyler Heu
College of Southern Nevada
Mr. Miguel Martinez
Truckee Meadows Community College
Dr. Victor Saenz
The University of Texas at Austin
Regent Laura Perkins
Nevada System of Higher Education
President Federico Zaragoza
College of Southern Nevada
Dr. Cynthia Alcantar
University of Nevada, Reno
Dr. Emmet Campos
The University of Texas at Austin
Mr. Colton Jones
College of Southern Nevada
Ms. Ayesha Kidd
College of Southern Nevada
Mr. Francis McCabe
Nevada System of Higher Education
Mr. Ryan Swain
Western Nevada College
Mr. Lawrence Weekly
College of Southern Nevada
Regent Cathy McAdoo
Nevada System of Higher Education
Mr. Nate McKinnon
Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges
Ms. Yevonne Allen
Truckee Meadows Community College
Mr. Jeff Downs
Western Nevada College
Dr. Frank Harris
San Diego State University
Dr. Jose Miguel Pulido Leon
University of Nevada, Reno
Ms. Heather Rikalo
Western Nevada College
Dr. Pao Vue
Nevada State College
Student Panel Bios
Vincent Nava’s Bio
Vincent Nava is the current Press Assistant to the Governor’s Office to the State of Nevada. Where he assists Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak’s Office in relaying pertinent information to
the rest of the State.
He was most recently the Program Coordinator for the Office of Community Engagement & Diversity Initiatives at Nevada State College.
Among other initiatives, he chaired the Motivated. Male. Movement Subcommittee of the Diversity and Inclusion Task Force, or “M3” for short.
The M3’s Subcommittees’ efforts focused on empowering men of color students at Nevada State College by helping them build community, provide an outlet for expression, and aid them in the
connections they would carry within the college and the external community.
Vincent earned his master’s degree in Public Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Student Bios
| Jarrette Werk | Reporter and photojournalist Jarrette Werk (A’aniiih & Nakoda) (Aah aah nee & nuh koda) is senior in the Reynolds School of Journalism at UNR. He currently serves as an associate producer at Nevada Public Radio’s Native Nevada Podcast and a contributing reporter for the Desert Companion. A member of the Native American Journalists Association since 2017, a 2018-19 Generation Indigenous Movement Builders Fellow, co-creating “Reclaiming Our Narrative” project, which spotlights young Indigneous leaders from around the world. His work aims at providing an in-depth look at Indigenous communities and helping to shape a narrative often set by persons outside of those communities. His work has been published in Indian Country Today, FNX, International Journalist Network, the Center for Native American Youth at The Aspen Institute, the Associated Press, among other Nevada Based publications. |
| Jovany Carranza | Jovany Carranza-Gonzalez enrolled in Truckee Meadows Community College, majoring in Computer Information Technology CyberSecurity. And is a mentor for the Men of Color program at TMCC. |
| Jose Ramirez | I am a representative at Western Nevada College, the major that I currently working towards is secondary education, and I am currently in the Latino leadership academy at WNC and working their as a coach, |
| Jaylen Whitfield | Jaylen Whitfield is a sophomore at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas studying to receive a Bachelors in Anthropology and a minor in Philosophy. Jaylen is a member of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council and the Honors College at UNLV. After completing his degree plan Jaylen plans on attending either law school to become an attorney or go on the Graduate school to work towards a doctorate. Jaylen is a Las Vegas native who has always dreamed of exploring the world and eventually creating his own non-profit organization for children of color who wish to go into higher education. Jaylen wants to work towards a world where any child is free to continue their education if they wish to. |
| Juan Gomez | I am a first generation student studying at the University of Nevada Reno. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Community Health Sciences-Public Health Track. I have also graduated from Truckee Meadows Community College with an Associate’s in the same field. |
| Jorge Soto | Jorge Soto is sophomore at Nevada State studying Psychology with a minor in Deaf Studies. Jorge is a DACA recipient and a TheDream.US Scholar. Although Jorge has been through many hardships, he continues to have a passion to help his community, to be there for others and will complete his degree in 2023. He was born in Mexico City and grew-up in Las Vegas, Nevada. From being homeless to attending higher education, Jorge has a desire to reach a higher standard and prove to himself that he has the talent and skills to realize his dreams. |
| Carl-Jon Chun | I am a senior at Nevada State College (NSC) and will graduate this semester with a BA in Psychology and a minor is Sociology. I want to attend graduate school, find ways to serve the community around me, and continue a journey of lifelong learning. I am a husband, puppy-papa, and firm believer in Ohana (family) and the power to “live and give Aloha” (love and fellowship). |
| Zachary Johnigan | My name is Zachary Johnigan and I attend the College of Southern Nevada. I am currently majoring in Computer and Information Technology. I am a senator on my college student government, Associated Students at the College of Southern Nevada (ASCSN). I like to study coding, Arabic and Hebrew. I hope to one day build an app that can help many people. |
| Edward Sanchez | I am taking classes at Great Basin College in Winnemucca Nevada. Im taking the electrical course in order to become an electrical and instrumentation technician. I earned the MTC scholarship so I am currently an intern at Phoenix Gold mine in Battle mountain. |
| Zach Stamp | Zach Stamp is a Marine Corps veteran and Emergency Medical Technician currently working in New York City. He is a sophomore at Great Basin College Majoring in Social Science and is also a senator on the Student Government Association. His life goal is to get his Masters and PHD in Clinical Psychology to help other veterans like himself deal with PTSD and drug addiction. |