NCEA is a voluntary association of educators and institutions. The Association's organizational structure changed from a departmental arrangement to a functional arrangement. Previously, member institutions held association membership through one of the constitutive departments. In 2016 the organization was restructured eliminating the seminary and religious education departments, focusing instead on the three pillars of Lead. Learn, Proclaim. Lead is the development of leadership skills of members. Learn is the seminar and conference approach to enhancing learning of members. Proclaim is the Organization's position to being a national voice for Catholic Education in the US.