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 ten founding Colleges, our College derives an enormous benefit from the association with these institutions and with the founder, Eugene Lang. The other Periclean schools include: Allegheny College , Bethune-Cookman College, Elon University, Hampshire College, Malcalester College, Pace University, Pitzer College, Swarthmore College, and Ursinus College.

NEC's Periclean program has two essential aspects — a theoretical, knowledge-based aspect, in which students examine the philosophical, historical, political and social underpinnings that foster and sustain the principles of our democratic form of government; and a civic engagement aspect, in which students become personally involved in civically and socially responsible service. Both concepts are evident in the history of NEC and our style of education, as stated in our mission: “ We provide an education that develops responsible academic and social commitments responsiveness to ethical and humane concerns” offering “opportunities to achieve these goals through service learning, internships and international opportunities.”

Encouraging Civic and Social Responsibility through Service
In the fall of 2002, the Project Pericles Center was established and began to fulfill three major goals: 1) to coordinate activities for civic engagement, social responsibility and service learning throughout the College; 2) to develop connections between the College and the local, state, national and international communities to provide opportunities for civic engagement and service learning; 3) to integrate concepts of civic and social responsibility into the curriculum and co-curriculum.