Empowering the Next Generation of Civic Leaders through Award-Winning Civics & History Education

Group of people standing behind a desk with the Nevada state seal. They are in a formal office setting, with two American flags on either side. One person in the center holds a document.

Our Vision

Creating an informed, empathetic, and involved society.

Our Mission

We open the door to democracy by supporting teachers, empowering students, and engaging the community for a more educated Nevada. 

Our Values

We believe in service above self.
We practice and promote integrity and civility.
We champion student-centered experiences.
We are nonpartisan.

The Nevada Center for Civic Engagement advances history and civics education across the state by empowering education with essential skills

Two pens on a partially written page with text overlay "writing."
Blurry library background with the word "research" overlaid.
Three people thinking, text "critical thinking" overlay
Two people having a conversation, wearing aprons, with the word "communication" overlaying the image.
Silhouette of a person with a raised fist against a sunrise backdrop, with the word 'confidence' overlaid.
Two people in conversation; one listening attentively while the other speaks, with the words "active listening" overlaid.
Blurred image of people with one person raising hand, text overlay reads 'taking initiative.'
Group of people gardening, blurred image, with text 'informed action' overlayed.
Hands joined together in a circle with the word "collaboration" overlaid.
Person working on a laptop with the text 'self directed learning' overlaid.
Jar of colorful paintbrushes with "creativity" text overlay.
Blurry image of a teacher with young children in a classroom setting

“A shared passion for civic education and what Lincoln called, “the perpetuation of our political institutions” brought us together as teachers and Nevadans. It didn’t matter whether our politics aligned because we shared something more significant. We were mutually committed to the democratic experiment and were inspired by watching the next generation of Americans learn how to become engaged citizens and leaders. ”

— David S. Tanenhaus
Rogers Professor of History and Law

William S. Boyd School of Law
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

We gratefully acknowledge the individuals who helped lay the foundation for NVCCE.

  • A smiling woman with blonde hair wearing a black top, standing outdoors with a blurred mountainous landscape in the background.

    Angela Orr

  • Middle-aged man in a suit with a blue tie and gray background.

    Marc Picker

  • Man in a blue shirt and striped tie sitting indoors with plants in the background.

    Dr. Fred Lokken

  • A middle-aged man wearing a dark sweater over a white shirt is smiling at the camera. Behind him are decorative plates on a wall.

    Shane Piccinni

  • Man sitting in a library with bookshelves, wearing glasses and a patterned shirt, smiling at a laptop.

    Dr. Michael Green

  • Smiling older woman in blue jacket in a library with colorful decorations and bookshelves

    Joyce Woodhouse

  • Smiling man in a suit and glasses outdoors.

    Dr. David Tanenhaus

  • A man in a suit and tie smiling with bookshelves in the background.

    Daniel Wong

  • A man standing outdoors in front of leafless trees, wearing a gray long-sleeve shirt and glasses.

    Will Hull

  • Smiling person wearing glasses in front of a freight train

    Anthony Miller

  • Woman wearing glasses and a purple shirt sitting in front of a tiled wall; she is smiling.

    Kathleen Dickinson

  • A judge in a black robe standing in a courtroom, with the American flag in the background.

    Justice Elissa Cadish

  • Person wearing glasses and a red shirt, smiling with a neutral background.

    Dr. Sondra Cosgrove

  • Elderly man in suit with glasses and light hair, smiling against a blue background.

    Lynn Stewart

About NVCCE

The Nevada Center for Civic Engagement (NVCCE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting civic knowledge, constitutional literacy, and community engagement across Nevada. Our mission is to empower students, support educators, and strengthen democracy through inquiry-based, community-connected learning.

NVCCE is the state’s home for powerful programs like We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution, Project Community: Public Policy, and National History Day in Nevada. These nationally recognized initiatives help students develop essential skills in research, analysis, and civil discourse—preparing them to become informed and active participants in our democracy.

Each year, we serve educators and students in urban, rural, and tribal communities through professional development, curriculum resources, and authentic civic learning experiences. From simulated congressional hearings to student-led public policy presentations, our programs center student voice and choice, foster critical thinking, and connect classrooms to real-world issues.

Founded in 2016 by a group of dedicated civic leaders, NVCCE was created in response to the loss of federal funding for civic education. With support from educators, attorneys, judges, and public officials, the organization became a fully independent nonprofit in 2017. That same year, it expanded its reach statewide and began building a strong online presence. NVCCE’s virtual events and trainings proved essential during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to increase access and equity across Nevada.

In 2019, the Nevada Legislature unanimously passed SB193, establishing stable state funding for We the People and recognizing the critical role civic education plays in preparing students for responsible citizenship. Today, NVCCE proudly administers a growing portfolio of programs that engage more than 700,000 students across 17 school districts—reflecting Nevada’s majority-minority, multilingual, and geographically diverse population.

Our work is grounded in the belief that civics is not just a subject, but a lifelong practice. By investing in high-quality, inclusive civic education, NVCCE helps ensure every student has the opportunity to understand their rights, exercise their voice, and help build a stronger, more unified Nevada.