Each year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) identifies a theme for Black History Month. This year, the theme is African Americans and labor, which encompasses all the ways in which “Black people have historically and currently experienced labor.” Throughout the month, we will highlight aspects of this theme. This week, we are focusing on the “African Americans in Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley Banner Project,” which is on display in the Northampton County Courthouse Rotunda until Feb. 28.

The banner project features nine unique stories, including African American workers in the Lehigh Valley and the employment discrimination they faced prior to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which inspired the development of many community organizations. The project also highlights key individuals such as Esther May Lee, who has been an outspoken force in Bethlehem for more than fifty years.

Learn more about Esther M. Lee here.

Visit the Banner Project:
Northampton County Courthouse (Rotunda)
669 Washington Street
Easton, PA 18042.

Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 LCCC Spirit Committee Souper Bowl Cook-off!

First Place: Tomato Basil (Facilities) – $100 Amazon Gift Card
Second Place: Meatball Soup (Admissions) – $75 Amazon Gift Card
Third Place: Curry Soup (Daulton Huffman) – $50 Amazon Gift Card
Best Theme: Peanut Soup (Foundation) – $25 Amazon Gift Card

Thank you to all who participated in the cook-off, and thank you to all who attended!

LCCC will host a Portfolio Transfer Event for students in the Arts, Communication, and Design programs on Tuesday, Feb. 18, from 1-3 p.m. in the Student Union. Representatives from various colleges and universities will be available to answer questions about student portfolios and the transfer process from LCCC to four-year institutions. They will provide insights into portfolio requirements, offer advice on improving portfolios, and discuss opportunities for students pursuing art programs at four-year schools.

Students should bring a digital (laptop/tablet) or physical copy of their portfolio for review by the college and university representatives.

View the event flyer here.

Join the LCCC Spirit Committee for virtual bingo on Wednesday, Feb. 12, from 12 – 1 p.m. Register here for one of the 25 open spots. For more information, contact Tina Dowling-Hackett at tdowlinghackett@photographywaltz.com or Ginny Hertzog at vhertzog@photographywaltz.com.

Pennsylvania Community Colleges and the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) are advancing transfer partnership reforms that will make college more accessible and more affordable for Pennsylvania college students. With the support of Governor Josh Shapiro and a bipartisan coalition of state legislators, Act 69 of 2024 guarantees junior status for community college graduates at PASSHE institutions. The new transfer partnership was signed by presidents representing a strong regional effort in eastern Pennsylvania that encompasses Lehigh Carbon Community College, Northampton Community College and Luzerne County Community College, in partnership with Kutztown University, East Stroudsburg University and Commonwealth University.

Each community college is working with their PASSHE regional transfer partner to determine initiatives that help students access the most efficient, most affordable pathway to a college degree. The innovative transfer partnership will guarantee junior status to all community college graduates attending a PASSHE school and make more scholarship opportunities for students to help reduce the cost of earning a college degree in Pennsylvania.

Looking to their geographic strengths, the partnership pathways focus will be Lehigh Carbon Community College to Kutztown University, Northampton County Community College to East Stroudsburg University, and Luzerne County Community College to Commonwealth University.

For the full press release, click here.

LCCC will host an information session this spring for students interested in pursuing a career in education. A virtual session is set for 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb 20.

The information session will highlight the college’s Education programs and will be led by Education faculty and members of the admissions team. The session will also highlight transfer opportunities and career paths associated with the program.

The full press release can be viewed on the website.

The Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children (PennAEYC) has selected Sonya Geisinger, a second-year Early Childhood Education AAS student at LCCC, as the Student Honoree of the 2025 VOICE for Children Award. This highly competitive, statewide recognition honors early care and education professionals who go above and beyond in grassroots advocacy and public policy efforts.

In addition to being a tireless advocate for family childcare programs, workforce sustainability, and equitable access to high-quality early learning, Sonya is a dedicated and exemplary student. Sonya is currently one of nearly 40 associate degree students who receive fully funded tuition through the PASSHE PDO grant for early childhood educators. While managing her role as the owner/operator and sole educator of Sonya Sue Geisinger’s Daycare, she is also completing her Director’s Credential coursework at the same time as her associate degree and maintains an outstanding level of academic excellence, professionalism and leadership. Her work ethic, participation and commitment are highly respected by both her peers and faculty in the Teacher Education Department, and she is equally adored by the children and families she serves.

Sonya will be formally honored at the VOICE for Children Award Banquet in Hershey, PA, on April 4, where LCCC Teacher Education Department Coordinator and Instructor Megan Strella will present her award.

Please join us in celebrating Sonya’s incredible achievements and this well-deserved honor!

Educational Support Services and Disability Support Services would like to remind everyone of the wide range of educational support services available to students at LCCC. Our goal is to provide students with the resources they need to thrive, both academically and personally, throughout their college journey. Encouraging students to take full advantage of these services can have a significant impact on their overall academic success and well-being. To make this process easier, we offer short class visits where we can briefly present the various support services available to them.

If you’re interested in having us visit your class to share this information, please reach out to us at educationalsupportservices@photographywaltz.com or 610-799-1156 to schedule a convenient time.

Thank you for helping us ensure that all students have the resources they need to succeed!

There are only a few tickets left for the LCCC Alumni Night at the Phantoms on Feb. 16 at the PPL Center. The Phantoms will take on the Wilkes-Barre Scranton Penguins. Game starts at 3:05 p.m. Secure your ticket here.