Nicole Garcia-Contreras

Nicole Garcia-Contreras is a first-generation Mexican American student pursuing a degree in Communication Studies at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. With a deep passion for advocacy, philanthropy, and fundraising. She is the Founder and Ambassador of the UNLV Harvard Latina Empowerment and Development Chapter, an initiative that encourages Latina students at UNLV to pursue graduate education, build mentorship networks, and attend the prestigious Harvard LEAD Conference in Cambridge, Massachusetts.In addition, Nicole serves as the Program Coordinator for the Latino Youth Leadership Conference, a nonprofit organization that motivates Latinx high school students to pursue higher education by connecting them with essential resources, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities. Nicole also serves as a Youth Advisory Board Member for the Born This Way Foundation, where she advocates for youth mental health on a global scale. Nicole is deeply passionate about mental health, especially for those who grew up in immigrant households or are first-generation students navigating the world on their own. She recognizes the fears and challenges that can come with feeling alone while balancing different cultural expectations. Nicole understands how isolating it can feel to carry responsibilities while also trying to find your place in spaces where your culture may not always be understood. Through her advocacy, she hopes to normalize conversations about mental health among Latino youth while also encouraging families to better understand that mental health is real and important. Nicole is committed to helping bridge the gap between generations by creating spaces where young people feel supported and where families can learn to approach mental health with empathy and understanding.