National History Day^®: Building Long-Term Partnerships for Educational Impact

National History Day (NHD), a nonprofit organization committed to advancing the teaching and learning of history, is excited to partner with Richard Josey of Collective Journeys to foster a lasting and impactful collaboration that supports the next generation of learners and critical thinkers. Our shared mission goes beyond the academic competition—it’s about creating long-term connections that benefit students, educators, and communities.

We invite you to join us on Wednesday, November 13 at 6:00 pm ET for an interactive session where we’ll discuss how NHD’s program engages students in grades 6-12 to explore history through in-depth research and present their findings in a competitive setting. These students dive deeply into self-chosen topics, building essential skills in critical thinking, research, and communication. Competitions are held annually throughout the spring in the U.S. and beyond, showcasing the students’ hard work and creativity, as highlighted in this recent piece on CBS Sunday Morning.

While NHD’s opportunities for collaboration aim to cultivate a long-term relationship with individuals and organizations committed to shaping future leaders, our immediate need is for volunteer judges to support NHD contests at the local, statewide, and national level. Judges play a pivotal role in providing feedback to students, helping them hone their skills and encouraging their academic growth.

NHD judges come from diverse backgrounds—educators, historians, librarians, museum professionals, attorneys, business leaders, and more. However, to truly reflect the diversity of our students, we are committed to ensuring our judges represent a variety of races, genders, and ethnicities. By joining us as a judge, you’ll help us create an inclusive and supportive environment where all students can thrive.

This opportunity is not just about volunteering for a single event; it’s about building a partnership that makes a lasting impact. Your involvement will help foster a love of lifelong learning in the next generation of historians and leaders while establishing a strong, mutually beneficial relationship with Collective Journeys and National History Day. Whether you’re new to judging or have participated before, your unique perspective and commitment are invaluable to us.

Join us on November 13th to learn more about how you can contribute to this exciting and rewarding endeavor and help us create a future where young learners and their communities benefit from these vital educational experiences.

Registration information