CARSON CITY, Nev. - Nevada State Board of Education (Board) Vice President Mark Newburn is leaving the board after a decade of distinguished service. Newburn is known as a fierce advocate of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and Computer Science education. Board Member Newburn championed the modernization of the State's K-12 education system including improving STEM education, adding computer science as a core academic subject, and developing higher rigor high school diploma requirements.

"It has been both an honor and a pleasure to work with Mark Newburn, he is a big part of why Nevada is a leader in computer science education," said Jhone Ebert, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "Our Nevada community owes him a great debt as our students graduate in this highly technical world with the future-ready skills they need."

Newburn helped author Nevada's groundbreaking 2017 Senate Bill 200 and 2019 Senate Bill 313. The bills require all Nevada students to receive computer science education and all high schools to offer computer science and put emphasis on recruiting girls, children of color, and children with disabilities. He was a key author of the State's Strategic STEM Education Plan and served as Nevada's representative to the White House's Federal STEM Summit.

"Vice President Newburn's impact on students in our great state will be felt for generations to come," said State Board of Education President, Felicia Ortiz. "Thanks to his passion and commitment our students are graduating with the skills they need to thrive in our technology-driven world."

Nevada's graduation rate grew from 63% to 82% since Newburn was initially elected. Even with the impressive improvement in student outcomes, Newburn has pushed to get Nevada's students more college and career ready. He served as chair of the State Board's High School Graduation Requirements Subcommittee, where he was instrumental in the development of the new College and Career Ready Diploma (CCR).  

As a longtime education advocate, Newburn serves on several educational boards:

• Chair of the UNLV Computer Science Department Industry Advisory Board
• Northwest Career and Technical Academy Engineering Advisory Board
• UNLV Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering Advisory Board
• President of UNLV's College of Engineering Alumni Chapter

Founder of Vizics Inc, Newburn has over 30 years of experience in the computer field and has worked with some of the top technology companies in America. During his time in the high-tech field, Newburn learned the important role STEM education plays in job creation and the economy.

Newburn grew up in Las Vegas, graduating from Rancho High School and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where he was one of the first students in computer science. Newburn has served on the Board since he was elected to represent District 4 in 2012. He was then appointed in 2020. In his ten years on the Board, Newburn has not missed a single meeting.

State Board of Education meetings can be attended virtually or in person. Visit the Nevada Department of Education website to access meeting materials and information to attend.  

Attachments:

• Nevada State Board of Education

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About the Nevada Department of Education

The Nevada Department of Education (NDE) leads and collaborates with Nevada's 17 school districts and the State Public Charter School Authority to advance educational equity Statewide. With offices in Carson City and Las Vegas, NDE oversees all pre-K-12 education in the State, working to achieve its mission to improve student achievement and educator effectiveness by ensuring opportunities, facilitating learning, and promoting excellence. Under the leadership of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction, NDE impacts the achievement of nearly half a million children and 30,000 educators. Learn more at https://doe.nv.gov/ and join us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.