The Lehigh University School Study Council (LUSSC) is a consortium of school districts, schools, charter schools and intermediate units which maintain a strong commitment to participating in professional development experiences. We know this focus allows school administrators to better meet the needs of their districts and students.
Membership meetings and the luncheon following each program provide opportunities for informal dialog with the program speaker, fellow administrators and university faculty. Because programs are typically held on the Mountaintop Campus at Lehigh University, members enjoy access to one of the most scenic meeting places in the Lehigh Valley.
LUSSC has a partnership exclusively with school districts represented on the council to select students in our region for participation in the Lehigh University Summer Engineering Institute.
Contact
Email : inlussc@lehigh.edu
Executive Director: Dr. Brian Osborne
Assistant Director/Graduate Assistant: Dylan Young
Program Coordinator: Cindi Deutsch
Mailing Address:
Lehigh University School Study Council (LUSSC)
College of Education
Iacocca Hall
111 Research Drive
Bethlehem, PA 18015
School Study Council Programming
Leading for the Public Good
The Study Council historically presents programs focused on issues that superintendents and other central office administrators address daily. Over the years, our presenters have included both national and regional educational leaders at the forefront of current issues of interest to superintendents.
Our 2026-2027 theme will be, Leading for the Public Good.
2026-2027 Program Dates
If you are interested in attending our monthly program, please contact the coordinators at inlussc@lehigh.edu.
All 9 AM - 12:30 PM unless otherwise noted with both breakfast and lunch provided.
PA Department of Education approved Act 45 provider.
| October 7, 2026: | Regional Futures: Economic Development, Workforce, Don Cunningham Karianne Gelinas |
| November 18, 2026: | Politics and Possibilities: Pennsylvania Education at a Crossroads PASA, PSEA, PASBO, PA Principals Association, Pennsylvania Ed Voters A statewide perspective from education leadership, teacher, school business, principal, and public education advocacy organizations |
| December 9, 2026: | Beyond Compliance: Children, Freedom, and Justice in Schools Dr. Carla Shalaby, University of Michigan University of Michigan researcher on teaching and teacher education and |
| February 10, 2027: | Research to Practice: Lehigh University Insights for School and District Leaders Dr. Robin Hojnoski, Dean A bridge between College of Education research, faculty expertise, and the questions facing practicing educational leaders |
| March 10, 2027: | Media Literacy, Digital Well-Being, and Student Voice Megan Kiefer Founder of Take Two Film Academy and Take Two Media Initiative, focused on media literacy, digital well-being, tech use, and youth voice |
| April 7, 2027: | Leading Now: Trust, Relationships, and the Superintendency in Politically Complex Times Caitlin Sullivan CEO and Co-Founder of Leading Now, supporting superintendents as they navigate the political and relational dimensions of district leadership |
| May 12, 2027 | Federal Education Update: Policy, Funding, and Advocacy for District Leaders Noelle Ellerson Ng Chief Advocacy and Governance Officer at AASA, leading federal advocacy, policy, governance, and analysis for school system leaders |
Member Districts/Organizations
- Allentown School District
- Bethlehem Area School District
- Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School
- Catasauqua Area School District
- Cathy Keegan (retired superintendent)
- Centennial School
- Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit #21
- Colonial Intermediate Unit #20
- East Penn School District
- Easton School District
- Lee Fredericks (retired superintendent)
- Lehigh Career and Technical Institute
- Lehigh Valley Academy Regional Charter School
- Nazareth Area School District
- Northampton Area School District
- Northern Lehigh School District
- Northwestern Lehigh School District
- Palisades School District
- Palmerton Area School District
- Parkland School District
- Pen Argyl Area School District
- Quakertown Community School District
- Randy Ziegenfuss (retired superintendent)
- Salisbury Township School District
- Southern Lehigh School District
- Thomas Seidenberger (retired superintendent)
- Upper Perkiomen School District
- Whitehall-Coplay School District
Advisory Committee
- Kristen Campbell
Superintendent of East Penn School District - Angela Friebolin
Superintendent of Palmerton Area School District - Linn Fuini-Hetten
Superintendent of Salisbury Township School District - Joseph Kovalchik
Superintendent of Northampton Area School District - Matthew Link
Superintendent of Northern Lehigh School District - Mark Madson
Superintendent of Parkland School District - Bridget O'Connell
Superintendent of Palisades School District - Tracy Piazza
Superintendent of Easton Area School District - Jack Silva
Superintendent of Bethlehem Area School District - Brian Osborne
Executive Director - Dylan Young
Assistant Director/Graduate Assistant
LUSSC Awards
Each year the Lehigh University School Study Council chooses two members to receive the prestigious awards listed below.
Cooperative Leadership Award
The National School Development Council
To recognize outstanding leadership within the NSDC member study councils or on their behalf, including exemplary efforts to establish cooperative relationships with other educational agencies or school study councils in the course of creating educational programs for the nation's schools.
- Dr. Matthew Link (2025)
- Kristen Campbell (2023)
- Tracy Piazza (2022)
- Kathleen Evison (2021)
- Tracy Smith (2020)
- Joseph Kovalchik (2019)
- Rich Sniscak (2018)
- Leah Christman (2017)
- Mary Anne Wright (2016)
- Mark Klein (2015)
- Sandra Fellin (2014)
- Thomas Seidenberger (2013)
- Joe Liberati (2012)
- Louise Donohue (2011)
- Charlie Amuso (2010)
- Beverly Martin (2009)
- William Haberl (2008)
- Lawrence Mussoline (2007)
- Lee Fredericks (2006)
Excellence in Educational Leadership Award
University Council for Educational Administration
An annual recognition for practicing school administrators who have made significant contributions to the improvement of administrator preparation
- Julie Fogt (2021)
- Scott Cole (2020)
- Christina Lutz-Doemling (2019)
- G. Kennedy Greene (2018)
- Joseph Roy (2017)
- Michael George (2016)
- Samuel Varano (2015)
- Raymond Boccuti (2014)
- Joseph Roy (2013)
- Bridget O’Connell (2012)
- Jack Silva (2011)
- Rachel Holler (2010)
- Debra Miller (2009)
- Louise Donohue (2008)
- Clyde Hornberger (2007)