Lehigh Valley leaders share life lessons with LCTI students at LCCC

Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. President & CEO Don Cunningham snaps a selfie with LCTI instructor Cyndee Barkley and students during Project Leadership at Lehigh Carbon Community College.

Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. President & CEO Don Cunningham snaps a selfie with LCTI instructor Cyndee Barkley and students during Project Leadership at Lehigh Carbon Community College.

SCHNECKSVILLE, Pa. | Lehigh Career & Technical Institute and Lehigh Carbon Community College teamed up on Friday to host the inaugural Project Leadership Conference.

Spearheaded by Marketing & Business Education instructor Cyndee Barkley, the conference featured Lehigh Valley leaders and educators who encouraged LCTI students to strive for excellence and, of course, take on leadership roles.

More than 200 students from four LCTI programs — Advertising Design/Commercial Art, Marketing & Business Communication, Supply Chain Management & Logistics Technology and Web Design/Web Programming — attended the conference held in LCCC’s Lisa Scheller-Wayne Woodman Community Services Center. The event was split into two sessions so that full-day, as well as half-day morning and afternoon students could attend.

Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board Executive Director Nancy Dischinat and Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corp. President & CEO Don Cunningham served as the keynote speakers in the morning and afternoon, respectively. Thomas Meyer, LCCC vice president for academic services and student development, welcomed LCTI students to campus at the beginning of each session.

Cunningham said leaders should welcome opportunities to learn new things and embrace change. “One important piece of advice about being a leader — always be curious. Read often. Take time to think.”

He also urged students to live with the three Es — energy, enthusiasm and empathy — and to let a moral compass guide their actions. “Do the right thing and you’ll be all right,” said Cunningham, passing on advice he received while serving as Betlehem mayor.

Following the keynote address, students participated in workshops led by Stephen Walker, an entrepreneurship education specialist at LCCC’s Business Enterprise Center, Pennsylvania DECA Executive Director Jerry DiGiovanni and Phil Osborne, owner and founder of Digital Feast. Walker shared his knowledge about branding and social media marketing, DiGiovanni taught students how to dress and speak well and Osborne discussed launching his own business and why it’s important to do what you love.

LCCC Director of Career Development Christina Moyer, Lakeisha Thorpe, an assistant dean in Moravian College’s Comenius Center, and Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Marlyn Kissner also led workshops. Moyer warned students about the power and peril of social media, Thorpe challenged students to find value in their differences and celebrate diversity and Kissner explained why soft skills is essential for success in the workplace and beyond.

Project Leadership: Schedule of Events/Presenters

Learn more aboutAdvertising Design/Commercial Art, Marketing & Business Communication, Supply Chain Management & Logistics Technology and Web Design/Web Programming programs.

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