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












“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.
-
Angela Orr
-
Marc Picker
-
Dr. Fred Lokken
-
Shane Piccinni
-
Dr. Michael Green
-
Joyce Woodhouse
-
Dr. David Tanenhaus
-
Daniel Wong
-
Will Hull
-
Anthony Miller
-
Kathleen Dickinson
-
Justice Elissa Cadish
-
Dr. Sondra Cosgrove
-
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.