Natalie Brown
Director, International Student Services
Truckee Meadows Community College

Natalie Brown has been working in higher education for over 15 years and particularly enjoys working with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures. She serves as the director of the international student services at Truckee Meadows Community College in Reno, Nevada. In addition to international student services, she oversees the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center for the College. She obtained her undergraduate and master’s degree in Spanish from the University of Nevada, Reno and her PhD in educational leadership and policy from the University of Utah.

Amanda Stibick
Recruiting & Outreach Program Manager
College of Southern Nevada

Having lived and worked in Germany, Amanda Stibick got her start in international education more than 12 years ago. Beginning her journey on the study abroad side, Amanda worked for USAC in Germany, then for a non-profit organization in New York before moving to the inbound international side in higher education. She currently serves as recruiting and outreach program manager in the International Center at College of Southern Nevada. Amanda obtained her bachelor’s degree in German and master’s degree in educational psychology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Mary Sasso
Director, International Center
College of Southern Nevada

Mary Sasso is currently employed by the College of Southern Nevada as the International Center director and PDSO. She is in charge of all aspects of international student marketing and recruitment, admissions and application process, foreign credential review, admissions standards and eligibility, orientation and retention programs, academic advising and immigration services, pathway program development, assessment, financial and strategic enrollment decisions. As a twenty year member of NAFSA, She has served in a variety of positions in Regions XII and Region X including chair stream positions, conference planner and mentor coordinator.

Adilia Ross
Adviser, International Students & Scholars
University of Nevada, Reno

Michelle Villanueva
Admissions Coordinator
Intensive English Language Center
University of Nevada, Reno

Michelle Villanueva is admissions coordinator at the Intensive English Language Center on the UNR Campus. She has worked with students in Northern and Southern Nevada in various capacities since returning to school to get her master’s degree in 2012. Before that time, her work experience was in the field of law, and she enjoys using legal analysis and creative thinking to help students develop imaginative solutions to their issues. She earned her JD from the University of Wyoming and her MFA in creative writing from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Tara Connolly
International Academic Advising Coordinator
Truckee Meadows Community College

Tara Connolly is the international student academic advising and orientation coordinator working with TMCC’s international student population from recruitment and pre-arrival through to graduation and transfer. She began working in the field of academic advisement over 15 years ago but shifted her primary focus to working with international students in 2012 and has enjoyed every moment of it. Once a month, she and her students may be found discussing cultural traditions and sharing experiences over a meal at one of Reno’s many locally-owned international cuisine restaurants. Tara graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2008 with a bachelor of general studies and a master of arts in educational leadership in 2010. She recently returned to school to pursue a master of education in learning and technology at Western Governors University.

Susan Valencia
Intensive English Language Center
University of Nevada, Reno

Luis Ortega
Counselor, School of Business, Hospitality and Public Services
College of Southern Nevada

Lizbeth Arias
Senior Education Abroad Adviser
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Lizbeth Arias is the senior education abroad adviser at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she also completed her MA in comparative politics. Arias completed her BA in political science with concentrations in philosophy and Chinese language in 2013, partially through studies in Liverpool, England and Chengdu, China. Arias began working in UNLV’s International Programs Office in 2012 and truly loves working with such an eclectic and dynamic study abroad population.

Patrick O'Rourke
International Scholar Adviser
University of Nevada, Reno