Presidential Perspectives: 60 Years of Empowering Learners to Achieve Dreams
60 years ago, in cadence with a statewide movement to expand access to affordable education, workforce training, and transfer opportunities to four-year institutions, Lehigh Carbon Community College opened its doors to a world of opportunities for hundreds of thousands of students—and counting—close to home.
And when you factor in the multiplier effect of ideas sparked, goals realized, and futures charted since 1966, it’s beyond inspiring—because LCCC’s living mission to empower learners is best measured by dreams achieved.
Just ask sitting president Dr. Ann Bieber about her most special memory, and she’ll tell you about a single dad who 110% embodies the spirit of LCCC’s motto: Start Here. Go Anywhere.
The student said he dreamed of becoming a lawyer. He knew it would be a challenge. He knew it would entail night school. But most importantly, he knew LCCC would be there to support his passion and his path forward.
Years later, he emailed Dr. Bieber from his new law office to tell her he had just passed the bar exam.
“He said in the email that he wanted to thank LCCC for giving him the courage to believe he could achieve,” says Bieber. “For me, that email is a living, breathing testament to LCCC’s legacy. It’s a banner that declares: A dream is never too big to start.”
A Foundation Focused on Possibilities
Dr. John Berrier, LCCC’s first president and namesake of Berrier Hall, was instrumental in founding Pennsylvania’s first community college in Harrisburg in 1964 before moving to the Lehigh Valley to help plan LCCC. In the early years of community colleges, enrollment numbers were counted by the hundreds. A foundation focused on possibilities and investments to support a diversity of community needs would see LCCC evolve and grow in the way of programs and partnerships, as well as accessibility—via bricks and mortar and technologies. Across six decades and five presidents, there was a singular vision: maximize each student’s potential.
Adapting, Expanding, and Remaining Ever Relevant
Dr. Robert Barthlow was proud to build upon Berrier’s strong foundation. Barthlow, too, had community college roots. He held leadership positions with community colleges in Illinois and Michigan before working alongside Berrier in 1971.
Barthlow grew academic programs from 14 to 73, introducing nursing, early childhood education, aviation, robotics, auto technology, and more.
His tenure also included decentralizing the institution’s leadership structure; adding foreign language offerings, summer enrichment programs for children, and training partnerships with local companies; and creating the Committee on Multiculturalism.
Barthlow’s leadership helped more students, including working adults and those retraining during economic downturns, access affordable education close to home.
He says, “Since 1966, LCCC has supported the people and the economy in the Lehigh Valley, and it’s adapted to the changing needs of the community to stay current.”
Six decades later, Barthlow is more assured than ever that the local decision by local leaders to establish a local college was indeed a wise one.
A Culture of Curiosity, Collaboration, and Leadership
Authenticity, curiosity, and approachability are longstanding hallmarks for LCCC’s leaders. Dr. James Davis emphasized these qualities because he believed trust and listening were essential for collaborative team management, staff development, and succession planning. Many of Davis’ staff went on to become presidents and leaders in education and industry.
By first creating community and opportunities within, Davis felt LCCC could, in turn, create greater opportunities for others. He took immense pride in involving his executive staff with service organizations to better situate LCCC to support local needs.
He helped secure the Donley Building in Allentown, expanding the college’s presence downtown, and he supported the development of other campuses.
At 87, he is very proud to have his contributions remembered as part of LCCC’s legacy.
His message for future leaders: “Be yourself, remember where you came from, and always listen—especially to the things you don’t agree with.”
An Amazing Return on Investment—for Students and the Community
The late Don Snyder, LCCC’s fourth president, was a passionate community college advocate who got his start at LCCC. In 1971, he completed an associate degree in business administration and ultimately leveraged it for a 20-year career as a state representative for the 134th District before returning to LCCC to lead the institution.
Snyder spoke often about community college being a critical pathway for any person eager to develop skills, realize talents, and experience their full potential. For some, this meant taking advantage of one the many seamless transfer opportunities Snyder spearheaded to help more students earn a four-year degree at a state or private college or university. For others, it meant opportunities through workforce development programs in advanced manufacturing, emerging technologies, health care, green energy, and more.
Snyder believed LCCC had a responsibility to train tomorrow’s workforce today and that its ability to quickly situate the right programs, partners, and curriculum made it a vital contributor to a vibrant economy.
The Future Is Calling: LCCC Will Model the Way
Bieber, LCCC’s first female president, embraces this belief, too. She began her career with LCCC in 1981, holding numerous leadership roles including dean of continuing education and senior vice president of administrative services.
She is a champion for workforce programs and industry partnerships. She sees LCCC being a model of adaptability and innovation for the foreseeable future, remaining ahead of the curve when it comes to the initiatives and technologies this rapidly changing world demands.
“We are more focused and committed than ever to ensuring our students are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow,” says Bieber. “Their dreams are our dreams. So we’ll evolve together, challenge old ways of thinking, and lead the way in workforce development. And, we’ll continue to celebrate every success story that ever starts here, at LCCC.”
Fast Facts & Career Highlights
Dr. John Berrier: 1966-82
Involved in founding the state’s first community college in Harrisburg in 1964; served as LCCC’s founding president.
Dr. Robert Barthlow: 1982-92
Expanded to campuses in Allentown, Jim Thorpe, ABE Airport (now LVIA); developed aviation science programs in 1989 to train aerospace managers, flight attendants, and professional pilots.
Dr. James Davis: 1992-2000
Solidified LCCC as a community partner and regional resource; involved the executive team in community service organizations; oversaw the Donley Building project that later made the college more accessible to students in downtown Allentown.
Donald Snyder: 2000-13
Opened the state-of-the-art John and Dorothy Morgan Center for Higher Education in Schuylkill County in 2003; secured first-of-its-kind scholarships from the Morgan Foundation to support free college education for Tamaqua Area High School graduates; implemented a distance learning program; transformed the former intermediate unit into the Rothrock Library and Learning Center in 2008.
Dr. Ann Bieber: 2014-Present
Partnered with Amazon as one of four advanced manufacturing training providers in the United States; positioned LCCC as a national leader in workforce development; implemented success coaching for a whole-student approach to improve retention and graduation rates; launched the early college program to help high schoolers earn their associate degree before graduating from high school.
