Preparing for 50 Years of Collaboration, LVAIC Examines Past, Plans for Future

August 30, 2018, @ 10:45 AM

The Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges was founded in 1969 by the presidents of Cedar Crest College, DeSales University, Lafayette College, Lehigh University, Moravian College, and Muhlenberg College. Since that time, LVAIC has grown, expanded, and developed its presence and offerings in the Lehigh Valley to make its members stronger and more distinctive through the efforts of collaboration. As LVAIC enters its 50th year of sustained teamwork among the private institutions in the Lehigh Valley, it also looks back on the successes and lessons from its tenure.

LVAIC’s major programs and initiatives have progressed and evolved greatly over the years. As a commemorative showcase to these efforts, here are some of the major milestones for the consortium:

• 1969: Founded
• 1970: Shared Library Services
• 1971: Cross Registration
• 1972: Purchasing Partners
• 1975: Dance Consortium
• 1980: Lehigh Valley Counselors Tour
• 1981: Summer Language Program
• 1984: Women’s Studies Coalition
• 1987: Consortial Professors Exchange Program
• 1990: Funded Programs/Micro Grants
• 1996: Digital Literacy Initiative
• 1999: C.A.P.E.
• 2000: Teagle Collaborative Ventures Program
• 2001: Lehigh Valley Collegiate Career Expo
• 2006: Lehigh Valley Research Consortium
• 2006: Adult Learner’s Conference
• 2009: Health Insurance Consortium
• 2009: Wall Street West Project (LVRC)
• 2009: Shared Broadband Project
• 2010: Sustainability Program
• 2010: Digital Tools
• 2011: Shared Languages Videocast
• 2012: Leadership Skills Academy
• 2012: Shared E-brary
• 2013: Student Affairs Professional Development Series
• 2014: Teagle Hybrid Learning Grant
• 2014: Diversity Conference
• 2015: Retirement Seminar Series
• 2015: Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
• 2016: Collaborative Minor
• 2017: Higher Education Leaders Institute
• 2017: Cyber Security/IT Learning Series
• 2018: Thought Leadership Conference
• 2018: Management Certificate Program

All of these programs have aided the consortium in impacting campus goals and initiatives to further the mission and vision of LVAIC. With more programs and initiatives being added each year, LVAIC’s overall imprint has grown over the last 50 years. Looking ahead to 2019, this trend is likely to continue. As the changing landscape of higher education lies ahead for all members of the LVAIC community, collaboration and sharing resources to maximize opportunities will surely set the Lehigh Valley apart from its peers.