Dr. Ivette Guzmán-Zavala, professor of Spanish, and Giovanni “Gio” Negron-Garcia, associate director of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, were honored among the 2022 POWER 100 Who’s Who in Latino Pennsylvania. “This list of Latinas and Latinos represents diverse individuals making valuable contributions to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania… among the state’s most accomplished men and women in virtually every industry and profession.”

Dr. Guzmán-Zavala was recognized in the Education/Research/Academia category, while Negron-Garcia was acknowledged in the Emerging Leaders/10 Under 40 category. They and their fellow state leaders were honored during a live televised ceremony from the historic Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown on Sept. 30, that kicked off a convention to launch the PA Latino Convention. Dr. Guzmán-Zavala and Negron-Garcia also were invited speakers for the weekend convention. Negron-Garcia, who also serves as the Youth Leadership Coordinator for the PA Latino Convention, gave a State of Youth Address and facilitated a workshop on helping young men become effective community leaders.

The Black Student Union and members of the Celebration LVC Taskforce hosted a 2021 Kwanzaa celebration at the Suzanne H. Arnold Art Gallery in the Zimmerman Recital Hall in early December. Dr. Nate Gadsden, a minister, motivational speaker, and life coach, gave a resounding historical overview of the context for Kwanzaa, which African American scholar Maulana Karenga created in the 1960s. LVC President James MacLaren welcomed the guests to the celebration before Chris Luzon ’25 performed When We Were Young by Adele. 

Johña Wetzel ’24, Jolly Abouseif ’24, Yonaira Velazquez Seguinot ’24, Taylor Mazanek ’24, Margaret Mailey ’24, Ethan Tirado ’22, and Raynae Bosley ’22—led the lighting of the candles to recognize the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Shellann Worthen ’22, Asma Badaway ’25, and Darrell Duri ’22 shared self-narratives on what they bring to the LVC community. Bosley then delivered a final musical performance. Wetzel, Kayla Spiller ’22, and several other students helped plan and run the event.

During the celebration, the inaugural Nguzu Saba Award was introduced to recognize individuals who embodies all seven principles of Kwanzaa. Evelyn Colón, advancement coordinator, and Dr. Terrence Alladin, assistant professor of criminal justice, are this year’s staff and faculty recipients. The award will be presented annually during the Kwanzaa celebration based on student votes.

Jim Felty, director of counseling services, was quoted in the recent Chronicle of Higher Education article “Building Students’ Resilience.” Felty notes in the article that LVC’s Counseling Center is fully staffed, “but to manage, we are adjusting our engagement and therapeutic models to encourage more time between appointments, focus on peer supports, and offer briefer interventions.”

Wendy Moyer-Drabick, MBA, adjunct instructor in business administration, was awarded the 2021 Entrepreneurial Excellence Award by the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance. It is the eighth year that she has received the award in part due to her success running Moyer-Drabick & Associates Ltd., a full-service accounting and IT consulting business she founded in 2002

The College’s P.R.I.D.E. (Pursuing Respect, Inclusion, and Diversity for Everyone) Network celebrated their recent efforts to improve the College’s Campus Pride Index score. The group, which began as a social group for LGBTQ+ and allied faculty and staff, worked over the past year to evaluate and improve components of campus related to LGBTQ+ and ally programs. LVC’s Campus Pride Index score increased from a 3-star to a 4-star rating. Members of the network are Dr. Laura Eldred, interim associate provost of undergraduate education; Dr. Barbara Prince, assistant professor of sociology; Dr. Holly Wendt, interim chair of humanities, associate professor of English, and director of creative writing; Dr. Tonya Miller, assistant professor of physical therapy; and Tyler Cox, associate director of intercultural affairs and inclusion and deputy Title IX coordinator.

President James MacLaren and Arianna Genna ’22, political science and social justice & civic engagement, were highlighted in a recent op-ed by Joyce Davis H’17, PennLive opinion editor. Davis interviewed President MacLaren and Genna for “We can thank Pennsylvania’s responsible college students for not spreading COVID-19.”

Jill Savini, the registered nurse who oversees the Shroyer Health Center, was recognized as a 2021 Health Care Hero by the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal (CPBJ). Savini was honored as a Nurse Hero with colleagues from Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and others by the CPBY who annually “recognizes excellence, promotes innovation, and honors the efforts of individuals and organizations making significant positive impacts on the quality of health care.

Dr. Garcia Armero Discusses Mindfulness with ABC TV27

Beth Julian ’09, assistant dean of student success and retention, and Sarah Bartz ’08, director of academic success, shared their commitment to mentorship and how LVC faculty and staff closely mentor students to ensure their academic and personal success. The pair were interviewed by Reporter Amy Kehm for WHTM ABC TV 27’s Good Day PA in August as part of their Back to School series.

E.J. Smith ’90, associate director of admission and recruitment, and Cole Godfrey ’17, M’19, assistant director of admission, were interviewed by Reporter Amy Kehm for WHTM ABC TV 27’s Good Day PA in November. The duo discussed their podcast, “The Admission Guys: Helping You Navigate Your College Search Process.” The show, which just aired its 12th episode, can be found on most podcast apps and services.

Brynn Mason, director of the Breen Center for Graduate Success, was appointed to a three-year term on the Lebanon Valley Chamber of Commerce’s board of directors. She completed a partial term previously. Trevor Williams ’07 also was named first vice chair.