Centers for Engagement - New England College
Need Help?
Admissions
Apply Now
Need Help?
Launch Experience
Degree Programs
Find a Program
Need Help?
Launch Experience
Life at NEC
Apply Now
Need Help?
Launch Experience
About
Apply Now
Need Help?
Launch Experience
Promoting Engaged Citizenship

Centers for Engagement

New England College’s centers for engagement—the Center for Community Engagement and Leadership and the Center for Civic Engagement—encourage students to become thoughtful and engaged leaders. In addition, we provide a community engagement and volunteering program so you can find a variety of ways to roll up your sleeves and pitch in.

On This Page

Request More Information

Clicking the button above constitutes your express written consent to be called, texted, and/or emailed by New England College at the number/email address you provided, regarding furthering your education. You understand that these calls may be generated using automated technology.

Center for Civic Engagement

NEC’s Center for Civic Engagement (CCE) was created in 2002 by political science and history faculty who saw an opportunity to enhance NEC’s influence and outreach to students and the community. With widespread support and a generous grant from the Christian A. Johnson Fund, the CCE focuses on broadening and deepening traditional civic engagement in several areas.

Directors, Center for Civic Engagement
Colleen McElveen
Assistant Professor, Communications
cmcelveen@nec.edu

Dr. Nathan R. Shrader
Associate Professor, Politics
nshrader@nec.edu

  • College Convention

    Every four years, the Center for Civic Engagement hosts a student College Convention to coincide with the first-in-the-nation presidential primary in our home state of New Hampshire. College, university, and high school students from across the country fill New Hampshire’s largest convention center for one week of political conventioneering—visits from presidential candidates, interviews with campaign staff, focus groups with members of the media, and up-close-and-personal access to leading political experts in the country.

    Learn more and register for College Convention 2024.

    Logo for College Convention 2024

  • Town Hall Series

    The Center for Civic Engagement leverages New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation primary status by organizing and hosting U.S. presidential candidates, campaign leaders, and election officials. Students, staff, faculty, community members, and national media are given unique access to top political players.

  • Speaker Series

    Prominent speakers from a variety of fields and areas of public interest are invited to campus to present ideas and talk with members of the community. NEC has hosted widely known individuals like media mogul Ted Turner, financial news icon Myron Kandel, and U.S. administrator Patricia Ireland to name just a few. The Center for Civic Engagement also hosts high-profile and spirited debates, such as the New Hampshire Gubernatorial and Congressional primary and general election races.

  • CiviCorps

    Comprised of student volunteers embodying the spirit of Ut Prosim (“that I may serve”), CiviCorps members play an active role in organizing and supporting the Center’s civic engagement activities. Whether it be orchestrating local volunteer projects for the community, managing day-to-day activities of College Convention, or introducing presidential candidates, CiviCorps is another opportunity for hands-on, experiential learning.

Center for Community Engagement and Leadership

The Center for Community Engagement and Leadership (CCEL) focuses on promoting and encouraging engaged and experiential learning by providing opportunities and serving as a resource for students, faculty, and community members to work together in and out of the classroom.

A major initiative of the CCEL is the work done by the Center for Civic Engagement and Project Pericles. The CCEL also works closely with the College’s Office of Career and Life Planning, the Office of Student Engagement, and First-Year Programs. In addition, the CCEL works with individual faculty planning Study Away and service learning trips.

Project Pericles

Project Pericles is a national organization committed to civic and social engagement based on knowledge of the principles and history of American democracy. As one of the 10 founding Colleges, NEC is proud to be associated with this project and with the founder, Eugene Lang. Today, there are 30 Periclean colleges and universities. NEC’s Pericles program has two essential aspects: a theoretical, knowledge-based aspect and a civic engagement aspect, in which students become personally involved in civic and socially responsible service.

For more information, email ccel@nec.edu.

Director, Project Pericles
Dr. Jessica Morris
Associate Professor, Education

Launch Experience

Your Future Starts at NEC

APPLY TO NEC VIEW A VIRTUAL TOUR