UNLV's International Gaming Institute appoints Eliza Wiggins as Community Programs Manager

Eliza Wiggins has recently joined the International Gaming Institute (IGI) of the University of Las Vegas, Nevada (UNLV) as Community Programs Manager.

Her role will be focused on recruiting under-resourced students in Las Vegas for two IGI programs: Young Executive Scholars Hospitality & Tourism Program (YES), which shows high school students the possibilities of upper-level career opportunities in the gaming industry; and Battle Born Heroes Innovate (BBHI), which exposes middle school students to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) careers.

YES is a five-week online UNLV summer course where students, guided by their online coursework, are challenged with a team project to imagine and design their vision for a new integrated resort. "We received 30 applications from students representing 11 Title 1 schools and through this course and project, these students will gain insight into the UNLV college experience, and develop new skills to excel in the classroom today and the workplace tomorrow," Wiggins said ahead of the program start on June 6. "This year the students will go on three field trips: a backstage tour at KÁ by Cirque du Soleil, a visit to The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace, and a first-hand look at the spa and fitness facilities at Wynn."

Wiggins also explained that BBHI introduces under-resourced middle school students to Southern Nevada’s STEAM careers, demystifies success in these fields, and provides an outlet for them to engage with role models and community leaders. Under-resourced youth participate in interactive online monthly workshops and hands-on activities led by local STEAM experts from UNLV and Nevada-based companies and organizations, she added, and learning focuses on game design and development, innovation, entrepreneurship, and STEAM. 

Wiggins was born and raised in Washington, D.C., and received a BA in Sociology —with a focus on gender and racial inequities in society— from the University of Maryland, College Park. After graduation, she moved to San Diego and spent the last 15 years working for the University of California San Diego, where she led alumni, donor, and community engagement strategy for their Advancement team. Just prior to coming to IGI, she served as the Director of Events and Community Relations for UC San Diego's new civic engagement project in downtown San Diego.