National Education for Women’s Leadership Nevada is Inspiring Future Leaders

It is the kind of hot June day when most college students are basking in the glories of backpacking trips and short-stint jobs. UNLV’s campus is lively with summer-session classes, and a group of 25 young women might go unnoticed. However, they won’t let you. They are Nevada’s emerging leaders, a cross-section of undergraduate women from across the state, part of an intimate six-day National Education for Women (NEW) Leadership Nevada residential institute.

During the program, the students meet with interesting and active women who are leaders in our communities; in grass roots organizations; in business and education; and in local, state, and federal government. In 2004, NEW faculty included former U.S. Representative Barbara Vucanovich; NHSE Regents Thalia Dondero and Jill Derby; retired Nevada Supreme Court Justice Miriam Shearing; and Kara Kelly, president of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

Many undergraduate students participate in volunteer community service projects during their college years, and the NEW Leadership Nevada helps draw an indelible line between volunteer activities and actual participation in public life. This one-week program empowers college students to take on community leadership roles through interactive workshops, panel discussions, small group projects, and skill-building opportunities. 

NEW Leadership Nevada is part of an award-winning program started at Rutgers University, Center for American Women and Politics, in 1991. The curriculum, which is partially supported by Annual Fund dollars, began at UNLV in June 2003 and is the only Southwest site for the program.