Face the State: Blake Pang, United Way and Michael Mitchell, Nevada Dept. of Education

September 6, 2026 - 11:38

Blake Pang, President and CEO of United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra, and Michael Mitchell, Education Programs Director for the Nevada Department of Education, recently sat down to talk about the intersection of community resources and public schooling. The conversation covered how local organizations and state agencies are working together to address challenges facing students and families across the region.

Pang highlighted the role of United Way in providing basic needs support, such as food access, housing stability, and after-school programs. He noted that many students cannot focus on learning if their home environment is unstable, and that partnerships with schools are essential for identifying families who need help early. Mitchell echoed that point, explaining how the state education department is increasingly looking beyond test scores to consider the whole child, including mental health and social supports.

Both leaders agreed that collaboration between nonprofit groups and government bodies is not always smooth, but it is necessary. Mitchell pointed to recent efforts to align state funding with community-based initiatives, while Pang emphasized the importance of listening to local voices rather than imposing top-down solutions. They also touched on workforce development, with Mitchell noting that career readiness must begin well before high school graduation.

The discussion ended on a forward-looking note. Pang and Mitchell both expressed optimism about the growing awareness of these issues among elected officials and the public. They stressed that lasting change will require sustained commitment, not just short-term grants or pilot programs. For families in northern Nevada, the message was clear: help exists, but it works best when schools, charities, and state leaders pull in the same direction.