Different Paths, Shared Impact: The Leadership Journeys of Arianne Roberts and Manseob Sin

Lehigh Carbon Community College offers a wide range of leadership opportunities for students, including involvement in diverse clubs and creating activities that enrich campus life. Students like Arianne Roberts, former president of Pride Club, and Manseob Sin, former president of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, exemplify student leadership by representing and celebrating the diverse culture of LCCC through organizations. 

Arianne Roberts: Cultivating Community and Safe Spaces

Roberts was originally a student who wanted to return to school without committing to a four-year college, while still having the opportunity to further her education. 

“I came and talked to an advisor. I was impressed by what the advisor said, so that actually became a motivation—I actually wanted to come here,” says Roberts. “That kind of pushed me over the edge and made me come back to school.”

Roberts was the Pride Club president and has a goal of transferring to Cedar Crest College. LCCC prepared her by developing key academic and leadership skills. “It was really easy to go from my shyness to participating in class—this was unexpected.” 

As the Pride Club President, Roberts had the opportunity to lead students in showcasing their true personalities without feeling judged. 

“It has been one of the more rewarding things that I have done. Students in that club are just so amazing and some of the most supportive, intelligent, enthusiastic people that I have had the opportunity to work with,” says Roberts. Roberts shared her goal of providing a safe space for LGBTQ+ students and the environment she had helped create. And, she shared the goal of helping others find the same community here at LCCC. 

“[Students] are so supportive of each other. They have forged relationships in the pride club that have carried outside of the room,” says Roberts. “All they really needed was the spark to make that happen.” 

Roberts plans to attend Cedar Crest College for the fall 2026 semester to further her education. 

Manseob Sin: Shattering Misconceptions and Reaching the Ivy League

Sin was previously a student at a large state school but found it difficult to connect there. After hearing about his wife’s experience in the honors program at Lehigh Carbon Community College, Sin felt inspired to take a different path. 

“My wife actually is an alum here. She ended up getting a full tuition scholarship— that really sparked and inspired my aspirations to come back to school,” says Sin. “My experience [at a state school] wasn’t that great… it was really hard to make connections with professors.” 

As a student at LCCC, Sin found a much more supportive and engaging academic environment, with strong connections with faculty and high-quality education. 

“I think there’s this really big misconception about community college,” says Sin. “But every single one of my professors here has been amazing… the quality of education and the support that I’ve gotten have been incredible.” 

Sin served as the president of Phi Theta Kappa (PTK), where he challenged himself to step into a leadership role and become more involved on campus.

“In high school, I didn’t really get involved. So I wanted to challenge myself and try something new,” says Sin. 

Sin also shared how getting involved on campus helped him find a sense of belonging, especially as a non-traditional student. 

“It was kind of tough to get my footing. But through being involved in a bunch of clubs, I was able to meet a lot of great people and make a lot of amazing friendships,” says Sin. “I’d say after about a semester is when I felt I belonged.” 

As PTK president, he developed valuable skills in time management, collaboration, and support for fellow students, while also helping shift perceptions of community colleges. 

Looking ahead, Sin credits LCCC with preparing him for future academic opportunities and expanding what he thought was possible. “I think it affirmed my ability to learn, adapt, and prepared me for the next step in my education,” says Sin. “The wealth of opportunities is vast. There are a lot of opportunities here.” 

Sin has been accepted into Brown University, Cornell University, and Lehigh University for the fall 2026 semester.

The experiences of Arianne Roberts and Manseob Sin demonstrate that Lehigh Carbon Community College is far more than a stepping stone; it is a launchpad. By getting involved in leadership, joining campus activities, and being part of a supportive academic community, both students finally felt like they truly belonged.

At LCCC, students can find as many opportunities as they are willing to pursue. The college supports students in expressing who they are and encourages them to break through old expectations to discover new possibilities. Roberts and Sin show that community college is not a second choice; it is the smart choice. It is a place where shy students can become leaders, where students who feel alone can make connections, and where goals can be reached. Their stories inspire both current and future students to use available resources, get involved in leadership, question the status quo, and reach their full potential.