Lehigh Valley Research Consortium: Latest Projects and News
November 6, 2019, @ 4:34 PM
The Lehigh Valley Research Consortium (LVRC) combines the expertise of researchers from institutions of higher education and community partners in the Lehigh Valley to examine various issues (e.g., political, economic, social, health and environmental) and solutions in a regional context. Through its efforts, the LVRC functions as a community-based information resource for Lehigh Valley governments, non-profits, and citizens concerned with the overall quality of life in the region.
This level of collaborative spirit makes the LVRC unique among consortia. Faculty, working across disciplines and campuses, create community-focused reports to help inform policy decisions. This research provides the opportunity to engage students in applied research projects both inside and outside of the classroom.
As of November 2019, LVRC’s latest projects include:
| Partner Organization | Project | Faculty (* denotes new faculty researcher) | Student Research Assistance | Status |
| New Bethany Ministries | Choice Pantries and Wellness Outcomes Literature Review | Hollie Gibbons (Cedar Crest)* | Yes | Completed October 2019 |
| Pinebrook Family Answers | Second Chance Reentry Evaluation | Scott Hoke (Cedar Crest) Kerrie Baker (Cedar Crest) | No | Ongoing |
| United Way | Healthy Aging Survey | Lanethea Mathews-Schultz (Muhlenberg) | No | Ongoing |
| City of Easton/Greater Easton Development Partnership | Festival Survey | Joaquin Gomez-Minambres (Lafayette)* Caleb Gallemore (Lafayette)* | Yes | Ongoing |
| ArtsQuest* | Arts and Quality of Life Literature Review | Lindsey Nagy (Muhlenberg) | Yes | Ongoing |
| Bethlehem Area School District | Health Advisory Board Consultation | Dietlinde Heilmayer (Moravian)* | No | Pipeline |
| Community Services for Children | Early Learning Resource Center Needs Assessment | Scott Hoke (Cedar Crest) Kerrie Baker (Cedar Crest) Stefanie Sinno (Muhlenberg)* | No | Pipeline |
In order to learn more about the LVRC or get involved in an upcoming research project, contact your campus’s denoted executive committee member(s). Members of the LVRC Executive Committee (alphabetical order) :
Members of the LVRC Executive Committee (alphabetical order)
Brian Alnutt, Ph.D.
Professor of History
Northampton Community College
Michelle Bolger, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
DeSales University
Michele Moser Deegan, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science
Interim Dean of Students
Muhlenberg College
Christine Carpino, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Political Science
LVRC Director
Cedar Crest College
Hollie Gibbons, M.P.H.
Assistant Professor of Health Sciences
Cedar Crest College
Katherine Grasso, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Communication
DeSales University
Ranajoy Ray-Chaudhuri, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance
Muhlenberg College
Eike Reichardt, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Social Sciences
Lehigh Carbon Community College
Robert Root, Ph.D.
Professor of Mathematics
Lafayette College
Christopher Ruebeck, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics
Lafayette College
Chelsea Toth, DSW
Assistant Professor of Social Work
Cedar Crest College
Sabrina Terrizzi, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Economics and Business
Moravian College
Debra Wetcher-Hendricks, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
Moravian College
