STEM Center of Excellence

Overview

The STEM Center of Excellence at Nevada Partners is a $2 million initiative focused on preparing Black and Brown youth in West Las Vegas for high-demand careers in technology, innovation, and digital media. As part of the Future of Work pillar, the Center serves as a transformative learning environment, delivering hands-on programs in esports, drone soccer, content creation, and civic engineering.

Origin Story

Developed in response to the growing digital divide in underserved communities, the STEM Center was built to give students access to tools, training, and mentorship that connect them to the industries of tomorrow. Valentine Communications played a lead strategic role in the early planning and partnership development of the Center, helping to shape the long-term vision of a community-first innovation hub rooted in equity, creativity, and economic mobility.

Execution Highlights

Valentine Strategies guided the foundational development of the STEM Center through early-stage strategy, stakeholder alignment, and the creation of culturally responsive frameworks that positioned the space as more than just an after-school program. Our work included:

• Crafting the core narrative and mission alignment of the Center

• Structuring program pillars around tech equity, youth agency, and community advancement

• Facilitating cross-sector partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and tech leaders

• Supporting curriculum development that reflected real-world application and local relevance

• Producing content and storytelling tools to strengthen funding opportunities and public engagement

Every move was designed to ensure the STEM Center could scale, adapt, and remain rooted in the needs of West Las Vegas.

Outcome

• 200+ students engaged in hands-on programs since launch

• Featured on local media and recognized for innovative approaches to tech access

• Generated curriculum for multiple 12-week pathways (e.g., civic engineering, drone tech, esports)

• Used as a model for cross-sector partnerships between nonprofits, local schools, and tech leaders

• Contributed to broader revitalization efforts tied to Nevada Partners’ Promise Neighborhood strategy