Enriching Academic Experiences
Each year, LVAIC institutions host a diverse array of events, conferences, and symposia that enrich the academic and cultural landscape of the community. From interdisciplinary symposiums exploring the latest advancements in science and technology to thought-provoking conferences addressing social justice and sustainability, LVAIC institutions offer a platform for collaboration, innovation, and knowledge-sharing among scholars, students, and experts from various fields. With their commitment to excellence in education, these events serve as catalysts for intellectual growth, fostering dialogue and inspiring positive change in the local and global communities.
Please visit our Resource Center for information on past conferences & symposia.
Educational Conferences
Each year, LVAIC supports a number of annual conferences and symposia that are collaborative in nature and innovative in their approach to delivering student learning.
LVAIC sponsors training every year for the professional development of academic department chairs.
Please contact us for upcoming events.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness month and LVAIC is sponsoring a Cyber Security Awareness Month event series.
Please contact us for upcoming events.
In the past, this was a one-day workshop on the integration of digital tools into course design and pedagogy for all LVAIC faculty. The conference included Lightning Round presentations where LVAIC faculty showcased the use of a specific tool in one of their courses and thematic “Test Kitchen” sessions where presenters provided more information on strategies for effective integration of tools to support student learning outcomes and course goals.
Please contact us for upcoming events.
The LVAIC Information Literacy Symposium is the primary event of the LVAIC Information Literacy Learning Community. This learning community creates professional development opportunities for LVAIC faculty, librarians, and staff to collaboratively address information literacy needs and challenges across all LVAIC institutions. This community brings together individuals and institutions to share our common– as well as our unique–ideas, challenges, and opportunities to better leverage our expertise toward improving student learning across LVAIC campuses.
The Annual Information Literacy Conference is held each spring.
Please contact us for upcoming events.
The Lehigh Valley Ecology and Evolution Symposium (LVEES) is an annual one-day meeting that brings together students and faculty from the six LVAIC schools, and beyond, to share research on ecological and evolutionary questions. The day features oral and poster research presentations by students and faculty, and also includes an invited keynote presentation.
The first LVEES was held in 2004 at Cedar Crest College and has continued yearly since then, rotating among the different LVAIC schools.
The meeting is an excellent opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to gain experience discussing their research in front of a knowledgeable but friendly audience. It also serves to strengthen connections among evolution and ecology faculty at the participating institutions.
Please contact us for upcoming events.
The Lehigh Valley Molecular and Cell Biology Society (LVMCBS) was established in 2016 with the main goal being to promote open communication and facilitate collaboration between faculty and undergraduate students interested in molecular life sciences at regional colleges and universities in Eastern Pennsylvania, primarily in the Lehigh Valley.
To bring this community together, the LVMCBS hosts an annual symposium event that usually includes student poster presentations of research, a few student oral presentations, a banquet to promote networking, and a Keynote speech by a prominent scientist in the field of Cellular or Molecular Biology. This symposium promotes student-driven research by providing a forum outside of their home institutions for students to disseminate their data or research plan while simultaneously learning how others approach scientific problems.
This opportunity for faculty and students from LVAIC schools and other local institutions facilitates cross-talk and networking opportunities that can not only increase student learning and professional development but potentially foster collaborations between researchers at different colleges and universities.
LVMCBS is usually held in the spring – please check back.
In 2009, the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) approved a petition to develop a chapter in the Lehigh Valley. The Society for Neuroscience is the largest professional organization committed to the discipline of neuroscience worldwide. The Lehigh Valley SfN Chapter is composed of primarily neuroscience faculty, undergraduates, graduate students, clinicians and interested public. This local chapter is dedicated to fostering a sense of social responsibility and leadership abilities in all Lehigh Valley SfN Chapter undergraduate members as they engage in scholarship and educating the public about the brain and benefits of neuroscience research through Brain Awareness Outreach programs. Our chapter is unique in that we focus our resources in supporting the work of undergraduates. The founding neuroscientists of this chapter are faculty currently working at Moravian University, Cedar Crest College, Muhlenberg College, Lafayette College and Lehigh University.
Each spring, one of the founding colleges of the Lehigh Valley Society for Neuroscience Chapter hosts our undergraduate research conference. This event celebrates the scholarly work of our undergraduates and their faculty mentors in the disciplines of neuroscience, psychology and philosophy of mind. On April 25, 2021 the conference was hosted virtually by the LVSfN-affiliated colleges in the Lehigh Valley of PA. (Information from Moravian University)
No Events Scheduled at This Time
Please check back in the Spring
Please contact us for upcoming events.
Welcome new faculty and staff! In interest of continually connecting members of the LVAIC community, LVAIC hosts this annual event to inform new faculty and staff of LVAIC opportunities, as well as connect and engage them with their peers on their own and other LVAIC campuses.
Please contact us for upcoming events.
These resources are provided for all faculty with temporary appointments in LVAIC (e.g. adjuncts, instructors, lecturers, visiting assistant professors, clinical instructors) to support teaching efforts, sustain scholarship, and advance academic job search efforts.
Please contact us for upcoming events.
The Nursing Research Collaborative of the Lehigh Valley (NRCLV) is an alliance of the Nursing Departments of Cedar Crest College, DeSales University, and Moravian University. The NRCLV is committed to creating and sustaining a local nursing culture that encourages and supports the spirit of scientific inquiry, nursing research, and the application of evidence-based nursing practice through mutually shared efforts and goals.
Please contact us for upcoming events.
Please contact us for upcoming events.
The LVAIC Student Affairs Development Series will provide an opportunity for the student affairs staff from across the LVAIC community to come together to explore topics pertinent to their work and to network with their peers.
The goals of the student affairs development series will be to:
• Explore topics and challenges impacting student affairs professionals
• Generate best practice recommendations for the LVAIC community
• Foster collaborative relationships with student affairs staff from across LVAIC campuses
Please contact us for upcoming events.
Past Conferences
Academics for Veterans, or A’s for Vets, was an alliance formed by The Lehigh Valley Military Affairs Council, comprising Institutions of Higher Learning in the Lehigh Valley, with the aim of better supporting veterans in their pursuit of education and support. The partner schools included Cedar Crest College (School of Adult and Graduate Education), DeSales University, East Stroudsburg University, Kutztown University, Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC), Lehigh Career & Technical Institute (LCTI), Lincoln Technical Institute, McCann Schools of Business, Moravian College, Muhlenberg College, New Horizons Computer Learning Centers, Northampton Community College, and Penn State University. The mission was to unite these institutions and collaborate to train, educate, and support discharged military veterans and their qualifying dependents, enabling them to achieve their professional and personal educational goals. The vision was that all veterans attending these schools would gain meaningful employment and/or accomplish their academic aspirations, preferably in the Greater Lehigh Valley area.
No events are scheduled at this time.
In the past, this one-day conference sponsored by LVAIC continued to explore issues related to the adult learner, the fastest growing population in colleges today. Topics ranged from blogging to the needs adult LGBTQ learners. Previous attendees have represented many institutions of higher education including community colleges, two-year colleges, and private and public colleges and universities.
No events are scheduled at this time.
In the past, the goals of the symposium were to:
1. Raise awareness among key consortium personnel of our institutional obligations under federal disability law, including: • “to take steps necessary to ensure that no individual with a disability is excluded, denied services, segregated or otherwise treated differently than other individuals because of the absence of auxiliary aids and services” (Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990) • to ensure that “No otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance . . .” (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973). • to ensure that all telecommunications equipment and service providers contracted with the institution make their products and services accessible to people with disabilities, (Section 255 of the Federal Communications Act, 1998). • to furnish appropriate auxiliary aids and services to ensure effective communication with individuals with disabilities, (Section 255 of the Federal Communications Act, 1998). • to “remove architectural barriers in existing facilities, including communication barriers that are structural in nature, where such removal is readily achievable,(Section 255 of the Federal Communications Act, 1998). • Offer alternative methods to make goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages when barrier removal is not readily achievable, (ADA Title III Regulation 28 CFR Part 36, 1990).
2. Identify, coordinate, and advance ongoing institutional efforts in the area of digital accessibility including websites, digital publications, emails, announcements, and course materials.
3. Explore the establishment of a Consortium- Wide Digital Accessibility Working Group or community of practice modeled after the Five Colleges Consortium (consisting Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, UMass Amherst)
No events are scheduled at this time.
Students, faculty, staff from all LVAIC institutions and members of the public were invited to participate in the inaugural LVAIC Africa Day Symposium.
No events are scheduled at this time.
The goal of the conference was to assist students from diverse backgrounds in thriving academically and socially through the exploration and expression of themes related to intersectionality and identity development.
No events are scheduled at this time.
The events in this series seek to improve business processes across the LVAIC community through purchasing, accounting, finance, administrative support, and more. As a series, LVAIC hosts multiple events around this program each year.
No events are scheduled at this time. Please contact us below for additional information.
The conference comprised sustainability-themed presentations, interactive workshops, poster sessions, and exhibitor forums, all of which supported the theme of resilient sustainability efforts on a college campus.
No events are scheduled at this time.
In the past, Career Development Professionals from neighboring campuses collaborated on professional development workshops and conferences, involving participation from administrative support staff to directors. These events were planned and executed by the Career Development staff group, which constituted the LVAIC Career Development community of practice.
No events are scheduled at this time.
In an effort to better inform the Lehigh Valley higher education community of the importance of participating in the 2020 U.S. Census, LVAIC offered an educational presentation and workshop. This program informed faculty and staff while promoting collaboration around the best means by which to engage students in this important process.
No events are scheduled at this time.
Just as the brain controls every function of the body, a concussion affects every aspect of a college student’s life. It takes a team approach to support students recovering from a concussion. In the past, the discussion covered immediate recognition and care for a concussion, as well as how the campus academic community can provide proper services and support for the student. Attendees had the opportunity to interact with others to problem-solve and share ideas on how their campus community can best care for and support the concussed college student.
No events are scheduled at this time.
In the past, this was a one-day workshop on the integration of digital tools into course design and pedagogy for all LVAIC faculty. The conference included Lightning Round presentations where LVAIC faculty showcased the use of a specific tool in one of their courses and thematic “Test Kitchen” sessions where presenters provided more information on strategies for effective integration of tools to support student learning outcomes and course goals.
No events are scheduled at this time.
To commemorate 50 years of collaboration, the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC) launched a year-long learning series for our campuses, Facing Higher Education’s Future. As a community, we explored key topics relating to the shifting landscape of higher education. This program combined speaker events, study groups, and workshops to promote understanding of the impact of this changing environment. Navigating these opportunities together prepared us for active participation in meeting these challenges on our campuses.
In the past, this conference featured sessions of contributed talks, which were roughly divided between Differential and Complex Geometry, Algebraic Topology, and Geometric Topology.
No events are scheduled at this time.
In the past, the symposium provided an opportunity for international students to showcase their work and engage in meaningful conversations with faculty, staff, and fellow students. These discussions allowed participants to broaden their perspectives and gain insight into different worldviews. International students presented their unique viewpoints while also learning about how others perceive the world. This facilitated the establishment of relationships with diverse individuals. Additionally, the symposium enabled students to explore the campuses in the Lehigh Valley region and develop a deeper understanding of their community.
No events are scheduled at this time.
In the past, the conference had a primary focus on “Finding Your Voice” and was co-sponsored by the LBGT/Gender and Sexuality programs of Lafayette College, Muhlenberg College, Moravian College, and Northampton Community College. Throughout the day-long event, students, faculty, staff, and community members from the Lehigh Valley region gathered to engage in discussions, cultivate strategies, enhance skills, and share personal stories to foster a culture of learning. The conference aimed to raise awareness about the profound influence of finding one’s own voice and actively listening to the voices of others.
No events are scheduled at this time.
In the past, the Student Mathematics Conference primarily focused on presentations delivered by undergraduate students. The conference was sponsored by the Moravian College Chapter of Pi Mu Epsilon, with support from USG and the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges.
No events are scheduled at this time.
The Moravian Writers’ Conference offered opportunities to engage with accomplished faculty, including established and emerging writers and publishing professionals, through workshops, craft talks, readings, and various activities, with a focus on community, craft, and inspiration.
The Social Research Social Justice Conference served as a platform for students within the Lehigh Valley to share innovative and outstanding research that addressed the complex challenges of social justice in contemporary and historical contexts. SRSJ played a vital role in facilitating meaningful discussions among students from various campuses, fostering critical conversations surrounding the social justice issues that held significant importance for them. The conference encouraged collaborative exploration among students, faculty, and community members, emphasizing the role of academic research and creative work in advancing the development of fairer and more compassionate societies.
No events are scheduled at this time.
In the past, the Lehigh Valley Research Consortium published the State of the Lehigh Valley: Community Trends at a Glance, a report that showcased consortial faculty research on the quality of life in the Lehigh Valley region. The report was released at an annual event, which provided a venue for local business and community leaders to gather, listen to findings, and discuss opportunities for collaborative action.
No events are scheduled at this time.
No events are scheduled at this time.
The emerging Community of Practice of Multilingual Students Language and Culture Support was delighted to extend an invitation to the First Annual LVAIC TESOL Conference. This full-day conference brought together writing instructors, research librarians, and TESOL professionals from both the Lehigh Valley and beyond. Presenters from various educational institutions in the Lehigh Valley, including K-12, higher education, and adult literacy institutions, discussed the implementation of translanguaging as a practice in multilingual classrooms. Translanguaging was defined as the process through which multilingual students integrated all their linguistic resources in communication. By embracing translanguaging, the conference emphasized the recognition and support of the numerous advantages derived from the multicultural experiences of students, rather than viewing it as a compensatory strategy (Vogel & Garcia, 2017).
There are no events scheduled at this time.
The LVAIC institutions seized a collaborative opportunity in the past to facilitate meaningful conversations on their campuses, within the Lehigh Valley, and across the broader region. These conversations aimed to foster understanding regarding the significance of higher education and the influence of the evolving environment on campuses and the community.
The conference outcomes enabled participants to:
1. Gain a comprehensive understanding of the key internal and external challenges confronting higher education.
2. Advocate for and actively engage their campus and LVAIC colleagues in this vital discussion, thereby fostering increased dialogue and mutual comprehension.
3. Take part in campus-specific and collaborative opportunities and initiatives designed to address these challenges within the campus and local community.
No events are scheduled at this time.
In this interactive workshop, participants had the unique opportunity to witness a faculty search committee as they evaluated a list of candidates under consideration for a final interview. CITE employed an innovative approach that blended video, live actors, and facilitated discussion to delve into the implicit biases present in this crucial aspect of the faculty hiring process.
No events are scheduled at this time.
Psychology students gave 20 paper and 13 poster presentations on topics in social, developmental, educational, health, cognitive, and gender psychology. The Psychology keynote speaker was Dr. Catherine Bagwell, an established researcher in developmental psychology/psychopathology from Colgate University, who addressed the importance peer relations and friendships in childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood.
No events are scheduled at this time.
In the quest for a truthful reflection on the meaning of the recent U.S. wars, many local inhabitants had long struggled to find a community-level platform. An invitation was extended to local scholars, veterans, activists, and students in the Lehigh Valley to join as partners and interlocutors in a shared process of learning and healing.
No events are scheduled at this time.
The Women’s Studies Conference served as an annual event providing a platform for female undergraduate students to exhibit their remarkable achievements. Students from LVAIC, as well as neighboring colleges and universities, were invited to present high-quality academic papers, research projects, videos, artwork, photography, poetry, dances, and various other forms of expression.
No events are scheduled at this time.
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