The Lawrence T. Geraty and Douglas R. Clark Center for Near Eastern Archaeology (CNEA) at La Sierra University engages and collaborates with local and global communities to foster interest in and develop appreciation for the ancient cultures of the Near East. Accordingly, the Center responsibly conserves and displays its artifacts from the Near East in a manner mutually beneficial for both the communities from which the artifacts came and the community in which they now reside.

As part of an academic institution, it provides educational resources and research opportunities for students, scholars, and the public. By promoting awareness of the past, especially the biblical past, the Center constructs a better future for religious and secular communities alike.