Dr. Ann D. Bieber, LCCC president, has been appointed by PA Governor Josh Shapiro to the new State Board of Higher Education, part of the reforms the governor signed into law as part of the 2024-25 budget.

Dr. Bieber has served as president of LCCC since July 2014 and contributes to the community as a member of numerous boards and organizations, including the Workforce Board Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, KidsPeace, Manufacturers Resource Center, Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone Development Authority and Century Promise.

The new state board brings together leaders from higher education, the business community, labor, students, legislators, and members of the Shapiro Administration to craft a strategic plan for higher education, coordinate between higher education institutions and sectors, make higher education more accessible and affordable for students, and ensure the Commonwealth’s higher education institutions are training students with the skills and credentials needed to fill critical workforce shortages and power the economy for generations to come. Additionally, the board will create a new Outcomes-Based Funding Council that will deliver recommendations for how best to fund state-related universities and provide a range of supports to institutions experiencing fiscal instability.

“Every Pennsylvanian deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed — and that’s exactly what the new State Board of Higher Education will help deliver,” said Gov. Shapiro. “The new board builds on my blueprint for higher education and brings together a diverse set of leaders and stakeholders to develop statewide and regional solutions to the challenges we face – tackling workforce shortages head on and improving access and affordability for students.”

The governor’s appointees to the State Board of Higher Education are:

Cynthia Shapira (chair), chairwoman of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education’s Board of Governor
Dr. Brenda Allen (vice chair), President of Lincoln University
Dr. Ann Bieber, President of Lehigh Carbon Community College
Sean Eden, student at Pennsylvania State University
Richard Englert, Interim President of Temple University
Kara Laskowski, professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Shippensburg University and a member of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties (APSCUF)
Kenneth Long, President of East Stroudsburg University
Dr. Cheryl McConnell, President of Saint Joseph’s University
Pedro Rivera, President of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
Andrea Shirk, President and CEO of Rock Lititz
Michael Wade Smith, Senior Vice President and Chief of Staff of Penn State University
Michael Warfel, Vice President of Governmental Affairs at Highmark, Inc.
Kevin Washo, Chief of Staff to the Chancellor at the University of Pittsburgh
Bobbie Jo Zapor, Library Assistant at Indiana University and President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 763

The General Assembly has also made four appointments to the State Board of Higher Education:

Senator Jay Costa
Senator Wayne Langerholc
Representative Peter Schweyer
Representative Jesse Topper

“I am honored to be appointed by the governor to represent community colleges,” said Dr. Bieber. “This board will ensure that higher education options for Pennsylvanians remain viable and robust. The fact that community colleges have a seat at the table reflects the value placed on community college education by Gov. Shapiro.”

Supported by LCCC, this Employee Resource Group provides an affinity space for sharing the unique experiences of neurodiverse faculty and staff. Neurodiversity recognizes those whose brains work or process in ways divergent from the status quo, which brings different strengths and challenges to the workplace and everyday life. This includes people with ASD, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette’s, or any other similar condition, whether diagnosed or self-identified.

If you are someone who identifies as neurodivergent, join this group to explore the challenges as well as the assets a neurodiverse community brings to campus while navigating within a neurotypical environment. This space will also explore practices that support neurodiversity in the workplace. To join our September meeting at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 27, please contact Eric Werley at ewerley@lccc.edu and/or Thomas Simko at tsimko@lccc.edu for the Zoom meeting link.

The Strategic Innovation Grant is designed to encourage faculty and staff innovation to enhance the lives of our students and college community and improve educational delivery. Consideration will be given to progressive, inventive, creative ideas that transform curriculum, college activities, student life, partnerships, and/or support services. Funding is typically available for projects requiring less than $35,000. The amount awarded may differ from the requested amount, but will not exceed the amount budgeted annually by the college. Click here or more information including the criteria, deadlines, and the application.

Xanadu, our student-run literary magazine, is now accepting submissions for its upcoming issue. The magazine welcomes poetry, short stories, essays, visual art, and photography from all students, regardless of major or experience level. Xanadu is LCCC’s creative outlet and we want to showcase all the talent our college community has to offer. Students should email their submissions to xanadu@lccc.edu.

The college community is invited to attend candidate presentations for the Dean of Academic Services – School of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Inclusion. The second candidate will be on campus Tuesday, Sept. 17. The presentation will be held beginning at 3 p.m. in the Community Services Center, Room 207 A/B; if you would like to attend remotely, a link for the Zoom session and feedback form is listed below:

Candidate: Dr. John Gillette

Zoom Link

Feedback Form