Joyce Woodhouse, '83 M.Ed. Secondary Instruction and Curriculum and '87 M.Ed. Educational Leadership, was a staunch advocate for education, beloved for her leadership, passion, and vision. The former Nevada state senator and “double Rebel” passed away on May 8, 2026, at the age of 82.
“Joyce was an incredible leader for Nevada and our community throughout her long career at CCSD and in the state legislature,” UNLV Interim President Chris Heavey said. “She was a close friend to many and a proud Rebel to her very last day, often seen cheering on the Runnin’ Rebels as a decades-long season ticket holder. We will all miss her tremendously.”
Woodhouse earned two master’s degrees from UNLV’s College of Education, where she founded the Nevada Institute for Teacher Education Preparation (NITEP). In 2024, she was inducted into the college’s inaugural Hall of Fame class. A champion for education in the state senate, she also helped secure funding for UNLV’s Advanced Engineering Building.
College of Education Dean Danica Hays and staff mourned her loss, while praising her legacy. “Senator Woodhouse devoted her life to expanding opportunities for students and strengthening public education. Her leadership and service left an enduring impact on countless students, educators, and families. We were proud to induct her as one of the first members of the college’s Hall of Fame.”
“Very few people had the impact on education in Nevada as Senator Woodhouse,” said Constance Brooks Johnson, vice president for UNLV Government and Community Engagement. “She practiced what she preached, whether in the classroom or in the Nevada State Senate. Above all, she was an inspiration for many in the community and always such a joy to work with."
Woodhouse was born in 1944 in Montana and grew up on a Hereford cattle ranch as the eldest of five daughters. After earning a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Carroll College in Helena, Montana, she became an elementary school teacher, principal, and program administrator.
“I came here in 1966 to teach, and I stayed here,” Woodhouse told the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2016. She worked in the Clark County School District for more than 40 years.
At UNLV, she earned master’s degrees in curriculum & instruction and educational leadership. She served in the Nevada State Senate as a Democrat from 2006 to 2010 and from 2012 to 2020, representing parts of Henderson and filling the roles of Chief Majority Whip and Co-Minority Whip.
She liked to read, golf, and volunteer, according to her Senate bio. Her love of service earned her numerous awards from diverse organizations, including the American Cancer Society, Safe Communities Partnership, Nevada Public Education Foundation, and Nevada State Education Association, which she served as president.
Woodhouse was preceded in death by her husband, Al Wittenberg, who passed away in 2013.
Public condolences from prominent Nevadans poured out, as news of her passing spread.
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley, ’72 BA Political Science, posted a touching tribute to her fellow UNLV alumna. “Senator Joyce Woodhouse was a champion of education in our community, and she will be greatly missed. I feel fortunate to have called this wonderful woman a friend, and our children are all better off for her hard work on their behalf.”
Woodhouse was a kind and strong mentor and leader whose heart remained in the classroom, said Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, ’10 JD, in a statement. “She knew that every budget line was more than a number; it was a promise to a child, a senior, or a working family.”
“People turned to her when a bill was stalled or when things felt uncertain. Her door was always open, and her advice was practical, thoughtful, and rooted in her deep love for Nevada.”
