Announcements
Scheduled Donley Network Maintenance 9/25 – 9/26
Development Day on Tuesday, October 13!
Designed for all college employees, the event will begin with morning refreshments, followed by an introduction and overview of Middle States Education, a guest speaker presentation, and interactive Spirit Committee activities.
In-person attendance is required for all faculty and staff during Development Day, as the college will be closed for the morning session, and a Zoom option will not be available. Main campus will be opening at 11:30 a.m. at the conclusion of the event and other sites will be opening at 12:30 p.m. There are no daytime or evening classes scheduled this day.
Employees unable to attend during the morning session must submit a leave request (to use accrued personal/vacation time) to their supervisor or dean.
- October 13, 2026 | CSC Ballroom, Schnecksville campus
- 8:00 – 8:30 a.m.: Morning Refreshments
- 8:30 – 9:10 a.m.: Dr. Bieber Introduction and Middle States Education
- 9:20 – 10:20 a.m.: Speaker, Dana Evans Amberge, Paskill
- 10:30 – 11:15 a.m.: Spirit Committee Interactive Activities
For any dietary restrictions, please send a message to events@lccc.edu with your restrictions and refer to “Development Day October 13, 2026.”
Join us for a morning dedicated to learning, collaboration, and celebrating our LCCC community in preparation for the October 20 MSCHE Team Chair Preliminary Visit of Dr. Brenden Rickards. Learn more about Dr. Rickards here.
For questions, please email MSCHE@lccc.edu.
Fall Transfer Fair
Don’t miss the Fall Transfer Fair on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the CSC Building, Main Campus.
This event is open to students, alumni, and the public. Meet with representatives from a variety of colleges and universities who will be available to answer your questions and provide information about transferring to a four-year institution.
Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to take the next step, the Transfer Fair is a valuable opportunity to plan for your future!
Stay “In the Know” about Middle States!
Stay “In the Know” about Middle States!
Do you know the Seven Standards of Excellence at LCCC? Every week, check out College Voice to learn a new Standard and stay In the Know!
Standard V: Educational Effectiveness Assessment
Overview: Requires systematic and continuous evaluation of student learning outcomes at both institutional and program levels. Assessment data must be consistently analyzed and leveraged to drive continuous improvement in curriculum, pedagogy, and educational quality.
Unauthorized Items
Guest Speaker Dr. Khori Newlander presents “Bigfoot, Ancient Aliens, and Other Fantasies: Why Critical Thinking (Still) Matters”
Please join LCCC’s Honors Scholars on Wednesday, October 7, in the Community Services Center rooms 203-205 from 2:20 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. for a presentation by Dr. Khori Newlander, Professor of Anthropological Archaeology at Kutztown University. This presentation is open to the entire campus.
Presentation Abstract: Did aliens visit the Earth in the past, bringing civilization to our “primitive” ancestors? Or do we owe civilization to survivors from the lost city of Atlantis? Does Bigfoot or the Loch Ness monster really exist? Did dinosaurs and people live at the same time? Questions dealing with the mysteries of the past and present have long been answered by offering fantastic explanations—explanations that invoke the occult, paranormal, mystical, and miraculous. For their part, professional scientists typically regard such fantastic explanations as pseudoscience (“fake science”). Yet pseudoscience has enjoyed renewed interest from an increasingly science-averse audience. Dr. Newlander will explore some examples from cryptozoology and pseudoarchaeology to sharpen our critical thinking skills and see how scientists come to evidence-based understandings of the world.
Dr. Khori Newlander earned a B.A. in Archaeology from Hamilton College, Clinton, NY, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of Michigan, Ann Abor, MI. Trained as a North Americanist, Dr. Newlander’s earlier research focused on Paleoindian sites in eastern Nevada. At Kutztown University, Dr. Newlander and his students are presently engaged in archaeological research on historic and precontact sites in eastern Pennsylvania. In his spare time, Dr. Newlander keeps his eyes peeled for Bigfoot.
Help Us Serve You Better- Take the Annual Internal Services Effectiveness Survey
Put Your Middle States Knowledge to The Test
Every week, you will be given a question related to LCCC’s Mission, Vision, and/or Value statements to prepare you for our upcoming Middle States visit.
Answer at least one question correctly, and you will be entered into a drawing for a gift card prize! Winners will be randomly selected at Development Day on 10/13.
Note: You must be present at Development Day to receive a prize.
To answer this week’s question, please see the following Google Form.
Save Lives with Miller-Keystone!
Join the Office of College Relations and Student Life and the Miller-Keystone Blood Center for our annual fall blood drive on Monday, Sept. 28, from 8:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Student Union. Save lives by using this link to schedule a blood donation appointment (required). Use the sponsor code #0325 to schedule your appointment.
All donors must present a valid ID with:
- First and Last Name
- Photo and/or Signature
Before you donate, remember to drink plenty of fluids and eat within 2-3 hours of donation.
To learn more about the Miller-Keystone Blood Center, visit GIVEaPINT.org or call 800-B-A-DONOR. For questions about the blood drive, email studentlife@lccc.edu.
LASSI Scores Predict Student Performance
Our Fall 2025 LASSI (Learning and Study Strategies Inventory) data show that student scores were significantly related to end-of-spring GPA. More than just measuring skills, it’s possible that completing the LASSI and its follow-up activities may serve as an effective intervention to boost course performance overall.
In a fall sample of 256 students across 20 course sections, 8 out of 10 LASSI categories were uniquely statistically significantly when correlated with GPA:
- Attitude
- Concentration
- Information Processing
- Motivation
- Selecting Main Ideas
- Test-Taking Strategies
- Time Management
- Use of Academic Resources
When analyzing all categories combined, Motivation and Test-Taking Strategies emerged as the strongest predictors of term GPA—making them prime targets for future interventions.
Check back next week for more LASSI scores analysis. Questions or need specific data? Contact Michael Spinks and Katy DeLong at thelassi@lccc.edu.
Monochromatic Day: The Color Takeover!
One color, maximum spirit! Departments across campus went all-in for Monochromatic Spirit Day. Take a look at the sea of vibrant department pride captured by the Spirit Committee!
Spirit & Wellness
Spirit Committee Upcoming Events
Reminders
Spring 2027 & Summer 2027 Course Schedules Posted to Website
LCCC Statement of Institutional Principles
LCCC Development Day Trivia is Coming!
Have you heard about trivia coming to the LCCC? Put your knowledge to the test at LCCC Development Day on Tuesday, 10/13!
We’re looking for 20 brave contestants to face off for bragging rights and awesome prizes. Every single player walks away with a prize, but only one will take home the $50.00 Amazon Gift Card grand prize!
Sign up today and claim your spot! Please sign up by September 25.
Stay “In the Know” about Middle States!
Do you know the Seven Standards of Excellence at LCCC?
Standard I: Mission and Goals
The institution’s mission clearly defines its overarching purpose, the student population it serves, and its primary educational goals within the context of higher education. It ensures that all academic programs, services, and strategic initiatives align with and advance this core mission.
Standard II: Ethics and Integrity
Overview: Demonstrates the institution’s commitment to ethical conduct, transparency, operational integrity, and fair treatment across all aspects of governance and academic affairs. It encompasses compliance with legal regulations, academic freedom, non-discrimination policies, and clear, honest communication with all constituents.
Standard III: Design and Delivery of the Student Learning Experience
Overview: Focuses on providing coherent, rigorous, and high-quality academic curricula across all degree levels and delivery formats. It ensures that learning experiences are facilitated by qualified faculty, supported by adequate instructional resources, and designed to foster meaningful educational outcomes.
Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience
Overview: Covers co-curricular services and support systems designed to facilitate student success from recruitment through graduation. This includes comprehensive admissions processes, academic advising, financial aid, counseling, career services, and extra-curricular programming tailored to a diverse student body.
October 10, 2026 is World Mental Health Day!
Student Employee of the Month: Luca & Sydney September 2026
The Office of Career Development is thrilled to celebrate both Luca Carlino and Sydney Raguckas as our Student Employees of the Month! Together, this extraordinary pair forms what the Science Division affectionately calls our “Dream Team”—keeping our busy laboratories running smoothly, safely, and efficiently every single day.
Luca Carlino has been a Lab Tech in the Science Labs for nearly a year, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him! From preparing physical labs to classroom cleaning, restocking, and arranging supplies for chemistry, biology, physics, anatomy, microbiology, genetics, and ecology. In troubleshooting equipment and handling hazardous wastes, Luca takes every challenge in stride. Whether he’s making thousands of sterile microbiology media, preparing precise solutions, maintaining safety protocols, or caring for our live organisms, his enthusiasm, upbeat attitude, and sharp attention to detail make him a true linchpin in our department.
Sydney Raguckas works side-by-side with Luca to complete this dynamic duo. Sydney brings the same dedication, reliability, and precision to the division, ensuring that complex lab setups are executed flawlessly and that faculty have everything they need for successful classes. Her strong work ethic, positive energy, and commitment to student success make her an indispensable part of our daily operations.
Working in the science labs can be demanding and unpredictable, but faculty and staff know they can rely on Sydney and Luca in any situation. Thank you, Sydney and Luca, for your hard work, care, and outstanding support!
Nominate a Student Employee!
Do you know a student worker who goes above and beyond? Whether they work directly in your department or are simply someone you’ve noticed working hard around campus, we want to hear about them! Help us recognize their dedication by submitting a nomination here: Nominate a Student Employee of the Month.
Reporting an incident in StART
LASSI Lessons: How Assessment Completion Predicted Student Success
We are starting this term’s lessons by highlighting the ongoing impact of the Learning and Study Skills Inventory (LASSI) project. Recent analysis shows a strong, consistent connection between LASSI participation and higher student GPAs across multiple semesters:
* Spring 2025 (141 students): Students who completed the LASSI achieved a statistically significant higher average GPA (3.07) compared to those who did not (2.50).
* Fall 2025 (356 students): This positive pattern continued, with LASSI completers earning an average GPA of 3.20 versus 2.78 for non-completers.
While completing assignments naturally correlates with academic success, our data analysis also revealed that higher overall LASSI assessment scores directly align with higher GPAs.
Stay tuned next week, when we look deeper into how specific LASSI subscores correlated with student performance. In the meantime, if you have questions
KEYS Program
Keystone Education Yields Success (KEYS) Program
The KEYS program is a grant-funded program meant to assist students in continuing to pursue their education by breaking down barriers. Referrals to the program are accepted on a rolling basis for students meeting the following criteria:
- Current LCCC students registered or indicating an intention to register for courses.
- A minimum 2.0 GPA (exceptions for incoming freshman who have not yet earned a GPA)
- SNAP, TANF, or Family Works recipients
The KEYS program offers assistance through a variety of means, including but not limited to:
- Walmart, Target, WEPA printing, and LCCC Bookstore gift cards
- Transportation funding, such as mileage reimbursement, Speedway Gas gift cards, and bus passes
- Referrals for clothing for educational and employment purposes (including LCCC scrubs)
- Loaner laptops and graphing calculators
- Funding for required educational fees such as clearances, CastleBranch, NCLEX/TEAS testing, CPR training, etc.
- Tuition assistance (TANF only)
- Assistance with LCCC and external referrals and resources
Students interested in learning more about the program or interested in applying can visit the KEYS page. Students can also email the general KEYS email at keys@lccc.edu or contact Rachel Casanova, the KEYS Administrator/Student Facilitator, at rcasanova@lccc.edu, 610-799-1744, or by stopping by SSC 121.
The Second Life of Freddie Nole Documentary Talk
Join us on Monday, October 12th, at 2:30 p.m. in AC 107/108 as we welcome Freddie Nole, star of the multiple-award-winning documentary “The Second Life of Freddie Nole.” Freddie spent nearly 50 years in prison, and since his release, “meets newly released men at the prison gates—offering transportation, support, and a path toward a second chance.” Freddie does this incredible work right here in Pennsylvania!
RSVP here for an afternoon of great conversation and insights from an advocate who is being the change he wants to see in the world. Light refreshments will be served.
Check Out the Grants Blast!
Hearing Panel Recruitment
Nanotechnology at LCCC
A presentation by Penn State Center for Nanotechnology, on Monday, October 5th at 2:30 pm, Technology Center, Room TC 102. All welcome. For more information, please contact nveskovic@lccc.edu.
Student Swap Shop a Success
Thank you to our entire LCCC community for being such generous donors for our first ever Student Swap Shop!
We had rave reviews from our students and are looking forward to holding another pop-up event soon. Thank you again for all that you do for our students!
