Former Nevada state education chief Steve Canavero has been appointed director of the Region 13 Comprehensive Center (R13CC), the center announced today. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education as part of the Comprehensive Center Network, R13CC provides capacity-building technical assistance, content expertise, and other services to the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), New Mexico, and Oklahoma. 

Canavero succeeds R13CC director Marie Mancuso, a 17-year veteran at WestEd. Mancuso, who retired from the position in June, will continue to serve the organization in the capacity of senior advisor. WestEd is a nonpartisan, nonprofit agency that provides a range of services—research and evaluation, professional learning, technical assistance, and policy guidance—for education and other communities.  

“It has been an honor and a privilege to work with such committed staff in state and local education agencies in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and the Bureau of Indian Education,” said Mancuso. “Steve brings a key combination of vision and deep tactical skill needed to help agencies coherently execute across complicated funding streams, policy initiatives, and day-to-day implementation,” said Mancuso. “I know that R13CC staff and the agencies we serve are in good hands.” 

Governor Brian Sandoval twice appointed Canavero to lead reforms for his home state of Nevada, during which time Canavero received Comprehensive Center support from Nevada’s partner comprehensive center.  

“I have tremendous respect for the work of SEAs [state education agencies],” said Canavero. “And I know first-hand what having meaningful support feels like on the other side. [The Comprehensive Center staff] were there for me to execute my vision.” 

Following his tenure as state education chief, Canavero served as a content area lead at WestEd for six years, providing technical assistance, strategy development, and implementation support for K–12 systems, including roles advising the Region 15 Comprehensive Center.  

“It is an honor to join a well-orchestrated, highly productive, and capable team,” said Canavero. “Marie’s capable leadership is evident in every aspect of the Center’s work and I look forward to advancing the work she led for many years.”   

Canavero, who is based in Reno, earned his PhD from the University of Nevada at Reno. 

The Region 13 Comprehensive Center works with state education agencies and their regional and local constituents in New Mexico, Oklahoma, and the Bureau of Indian Education to improve outcomes for all children and better serve communities through capacity-building technical assistance.  For more information, visit https://www.wested.org/project/region-13-comprehensive-center/. 

The contents of this release were developed by the Region 13 Comprehensive Center. The Region 13 Comprehensive Center is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.  However, the contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government.