At the State of the College forum in January, Dean Scott Aquila and members of the Steering Committee presented an overview of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) accreditation process. A timeline of the process can be viewed here.

There are seven key stages to this process. We are currently in the second stage, which consists of the creation of a Self-Study Design (SSD) that has been submitted to MSCHE for review. The Steering Committee will receive feedback on the SSD in April during a campus visit by Dr. Ryan Hartnett, MSCHE VP for Institutional Field Relations. The Steering Committee will then incorporate the feedback into the SSD and resubmit for review. Once the Self-Study Design has been approved by MSCHE, it will be made available on the website.

Questions and feedback regarding the accreditation process can be directed  at any point in the process to msche@lccc.edu.

Updates on the accreditation process will be provided as the Steering Committee and Working Groups move through all stages.

Calling all faculty members! Do you want to connect with your students and help them develop a lifelong love of learning? Join our counselor, Tabatha Fuller, MFT, for a workshop on effective communication in the classroom on Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 10 – 11 a.m. in the Student Union SGA meeting room (lower level). Tabatha will explore the featured topics of classroom management and de-escalation communication techniques in this informative workshop. Sign up here for Classroom Decorum and De-escalation.

The 2025 ePortfolio Showcase and Awards event is scheduled for Friday, March 28, at noon, in the Community Services Center.

Career Development is seeking faculty, staff, and administration as volunteers to serve as ePortfolio coaches. We currently have more than 38 students participating. We would be honored if you would consider taking on the role of coach. As a coach, you will be reviewing ePortfolios that will be in the showcase. Coaches will offer suggestions for improvements, and serve as a consultant on student presentations.

Career Development’s goal is to connect students with coaches to boost our student’s skills and confidence to showcase their ePortfolios. If you are interested in being an ePortfolio Showcase coach please complete the Coaching Interest Form. All Coaching Interest Forms are due by Feb. 28, by 5 p.m. Any questions please email eportfolio@lccc.edu.

Career Development is proud to announce that Shenandoah (Shen) DeNardo has been selected as our Student Employee of the Month for February. Shen’s exceptional dedication, collaborative spirit, and outstanding contributions have made her an invaluable member of the team.

Throughout her time with us, Shen has consistently demonstrated a strong work ethic and a proactive approach to her tasks. She has taken on the responsibility of creating multiple PowerPoint presentations, which have significantly enhanced the process for new students navigating the portal and registering for classes. Her attention to detail and ability to present complex information in a clear, easy-to-understand manner have been vital in helping new students get acclimated to college systems.

Beyond her technical skills, Shen’s ability to collaborate effectively with her peers sets her apart. She is always willing to lend a helping hand and works well within a team to ensure that projects are completed successfully. Shen’s eagerness to learn and her commitment to improving processes show her true dedication to helping others succeed.

Shen’s contributions have extended beyond the classroom, with her being instrumental in creating resources that help students navigate the college systems, particularly in the transfer process. Her communication skills are second to none, and she has consistently gone above and beyond to assist her fellow students. Her proactive approach and desire to make a positive impact on others make her an excellent candidate for the position of Transfer Advisor Student Worker. Shen’s hard work and commitment to supporting students are greatly appreciated, and we are proud to have her as part of the team. Congratulations, Shen, on this well-deserved recognition as Student Employee for February 2025!

The college’s chapter of Phi Theta Kappa has been named a 2024 REACH Chapter, allowing LCCC graduates who are members of PTK to wear graduation stoles that signify and celebrate this completion milestone. The REACH award recognizes chapters that excel in membership development. This program was created at LCCC’s chapter because we strongly believe in the mission of Phi Theta Kappa and want as many students as possible to receive the benefits of membership, including scholarships and increased opportunities for engagement with peers and faculty on campus, which lead to higher rates of degree completion.

The LCCC chapter has also earned Five Star Chapter designation for 2024, the fourth consecutive year that our chapter has received this distinction. The Five Star Chapter Plan is a dynamic program that guides Phi Theta Kappa chapters and is designed to enhance chapter engagement and success. The plan includes five levels of achievement, each with specific activities and goals that help chapters build a stronger presence on campus, development of a comprehensive Honors in Action research project, develop leadership skills and create impactful service projects.

Additional Professional Development funding is available this fiscal year for travel. The fiscal year ends June 30, 2025, so travel would need to be completed before that date.

Please be reminded that the maximum allotted amount is $1,500 for those attending a conference and $1,750 for those presenting at a conference.

Usually, the time period for getting proposals in for review is 90 days, but we are waving that timeframe and would like to encourage everyone who wants to travel to apply.

If you have any questions, please contact Beth Marquardt at (610) 799-1896.

The Foundation is seeking raffle baskets or raffle basket donations for our upcoming Spring Cash Bingo event on Saturday, April 26. We are looking for a variety of donations from completed, themed baskets to products and items that can be packaged together. The baskets will be displayed and raffled at the bingo event. Feel free to donate your items/basket as an individual or as a department.

If interested, please reach out to Emmalee and Rick at Foundation@lccc.edu no later than Wednesday, March 21. We appreciate your support.

Career Development is excited about our upcoming job fairs being held in:

Schnecksville on April 10, in the Community Services Center in the CSC ballroom from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tamaqua/Morgan Center on March 11, in the Lobby 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Allentown/Donley Center on March 13, on the Lower Level 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Job fairs are great opportunities for our students to network with professionals, research employers, and career paths, and practice skills they’ve been learning in your classrooms.

Registrations for our Morgan and Donley Center are at full capacity (which includes a waiting list), and we are anticipating registration of over 85 employers for Schnecksville. All sites will have a diverse mix of employers to meet the needs of our programs.

Career Development would greatly appreciate it if you would encourage students to attend. We would also be happy to visit your classes briefly to promote the Job Fair. If you have a 5 to 10-minute (max) opening at the beginning or end of your class please complete this form to schedule a job fair presentation.

Presentations in Allentown will be held between Feb. 24 through March 7.
Presentations in Schnecksville will be held between March 24 through April 7.

LCCC is excited to announce a Transfer Fair this semester for students, alumni, and the public will be held on Wednesday, March 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Community Services Center. This event will feature representatives from a variety of colleges and universities who will be available to answer questions about transferring from LCCC to a four-year institution.

The flyer for the event can be viewed and downloaded here.

In partnership with the YWCA Perfect Fit for Women, the Career Development Center is hosting a professional clothing drive from Monday, Feb. 10 to Friday, Feb. 28.

• Clean (no rips, tears, or holes) Professional Clothing
• Handbags
• Jewelry
• Shoes
• Scrubs

The YWCA Allentown’s Perfect Fit is in need of:

• Black Pants
• Clothing in Sizes 16-24
• Sneakers and Flat Shoes
• Accessories

Remember, all clients utilizing theses donations are for attire they will be wearing to dress for success! Donations can be dropped off inside the Career Development Center in SSC 004 from Feb. 10 through Feb. 28, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Donations from the Morgan Center and Donley Center are welcomed. Please email Kescha Bell-Ross at kbellross@lccc.edu for details or questions.