International Education Week

Tuesday, Nov. 19

Time: Noon–1 p.m.

International Coffee Hour - India

Presenter: Nishant Rangamani

Location: RDMT 114

Description: Join us for a unique session by Nishant Rangamani from the Math Department as he shares about his recent travels to India where he’s originally from.

Thursday, Nov. 21

Time: 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

International Education Week Celebration Event

Location: Student Center, Dandini Campus

Description: Come join us for TMCC’s annual celebration of International Education Week, a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education featuring: on and off-campus resources at our Tabling Event, Music and Dance Performances, Art Activities, a keynote speaker, free ethnic food and refreshments, and more! With Keynote Speaker Danell Wilson-Perlman and Emcee Jason Pinto-Maldonado. Students: get 3 stamps on your “IEW passport” for a free lunch. Visit each of the resource or activity tables to get a stamp.

Schedule:

11 a.m.–Noon

• Tabling Event: On and Off-Campus Resources
• Activity Tables:
  • Custom luggage tags
  • Henna table - choose from 4-5 designs for your Henna tattoo
  • French food culture - taste some cheeses and play “pin the wine glass”
  • Paper Airplane target practice
  • Flag decorating (replicate or create your own flag)
  • Lei making
  • Photo booth
  • Doodle board - a table set up with drawing materials for participants to doodle symbols or images representing different countries on the board
  • Make buttons with TMCC’s I-Club - write your name in various languages and make them into buttons
• Live Performances:
  • 11:30 a.m. - Saki Suto, dancer performing original choreography
  • 11:40 a.m. - Prisha Malhotra performing a song in Hindi: Titli, by Chinmayi and Gopi Sundar
  • 11:50 a.m. - Rin Ariyama and Luminescent performing a hip-hop dance

12:10–12:30 p.m.

• Keynote Address:
  • Speaker: Danell Wilson-Perlman, Co-owner of Reno-Tahoe Limousine, and CEO of African Skies Travel Connection LLC
  • Title: The Journey Beyond Home: How We Embrace Living in a New Country

12:45 p.m.

• Dance performances by the Reno Chinese Dance Club:
  • See the Jiangnan Rain Again
  • Drawing About You
  • Good Person, and Sweet Dreams

1–2 p.m.

• Tabling Event Continues

These events are sponsored by Reno Tahoe Limousine and TMCC's Foundation and Grants Office.

Food and Beverages provided by India Kabab and Curry, Josef's Vienna Cafe, and TMCC Cafe Verde.

About Our Presenters

Rajan Eapen, JD: Rajan Eapen has been the Assistant Director for Employment-Based Services at the University of California, Berkeley since March 2020 and works on immigration cases on behalf of the university. Prior to that he was the International Scholar Advisor at the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont and the Responsible Officer for the J-1 program at the university. He has practiced immigration law in both firm and in-house settings. Rajan attended law school at The American University and is a member of the Vermont and D.C. Bars as well as a member of NAFSA and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).

Joseph Elias, JD: Joseph Elias is the Director of Faculty/Staff Visa Services at the University of Southern California. Mr. Elias has over 20 years of US immigration experience advising on non-immigrant and immigrant visa options including the private practice of immigration law. He is a member of NAFSA and the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Mr. Elias has presented regionally with NAFSA, AILA and Immigration Law Weekly (ILW) in addition to conducting webinars and training seminars for Human Resources and stakeholders on immigration issues.

Nishant Rangamani: Nishant Rangamani is a tenure-track instructor in the Mathematics Department and a member of the International Faculty Committee. He was born in India and moved to the U.S. in the late nineties. Nishant has earned a BA in Economics and a PhD in Mathematics.

Danell Wilson-Perlman, Keynote Speaker: Danell Wilson-Perlman is the Co-owner of Reno Tahoe Limousine and Reno Tahoe Transportation, and CEO of African Skies Travel Connection LLC. A native South African, Danell grew up immersed in the local tourism industry leading to a life-long passion. She graduated from Cape Peninsula University in Cape Town with a degree in Tourism & Travel Management. She also has channeled that passion into her Amplify Journeys program which takes women entrepreneurs on a 12-day cultural/wisdom exchange experience to Southern Africa. Unfortunately, this program was retired after the pandemic, but Danell plans to revive this program in 2025, hoping to add more countries. In her free time, she loves to cook with friends and family, take long walks, e-biking, travel and plan for the next adventure.

Saki Suto, Dancer/Choreographer: Saki Suto is a TMCC International Student from Japan. At 21, Saki moved to the United States and studied under Sheila Barker at the world-famous Broadway Dance Center in New York City, where she began teaching jazz dance classes, which led her to choose the path of becoming a dance instructor. She moved to San Francisco in 2005 and worked as a choreographer, dancer, and teacher. Saki has been featured on Japanese television, in San Francisco short films, and in local newspapers. She had a big pause from dancing due to her serious hip injury; she is blessed to be back dancing again after surgery.

Prisha Malhotra, Singer: Prisha Malhotra is a TMCC International Student from Toronto, Canada who is pursuing a degree in Engineering. She has always had a passion for music. Growing up, she competed against others in band (playing the clarinet), glee, and acappella, performing both in Hindi and English. She is eager to share her culture by performing a short song in her language.

Rin Ariyama, Dancer/Choreographer and Luminescent: Rin Ariyama is a TMCC International Student from Japan. Reno/Sparks’ Luminescent Dance Team’s purpose is to inspire through music and dance. The group is going to perform a hip-hop dance to "Moriage" from Tokyo Young Vision, a Japanese musical band.

Reno Chinese Dance Club: The Reno Chinese Dance Club was established in 2013. Initially focused on ballroom dances, it gradually changed to the practice of Chinese folk dances. Most of the club members use their leisure time, gathering together, to learn and practice various styles of Chinese folk dances. They have performed several programs in local community events.