Community colleges were busy this year, with both Lehigh Carbon and Northampton moving into new facilities. Lehigh Carbon Community College named the fifth president in its history in 2014.

Lehigh Carbon Community College unveiled its new Carbon campus, located in the west wing of the Jim Thorpe Area High School, at the start of the spring 2014 semester.The new location provided more flexible space and opportunities for additional classes that the former site, located in the shopping center on Locust Street in Nesquehoning, couldn't provide.The site features six smart classrooms during the day, Wi-Fi Internet access, a fully furnished student lounge, computer lab, and off-street parking. After hours, Jim Thorpe High School classrooms turn into LCCC classrooms, where students can take labs and additional classes; as well as shared library space.There are two partitions that create the boundary between the schools, and so far, there have not been any issues with students crossing the boundaries when they weren't supposed to.The new campus was realized through a partnership between the college and Jim Thorpe School District.LCCC presidentAnn D. Bieber was selected as the new president of Lehigh Carbon Community College.She took over the position, which became vacant after the retirement of Donald W. Snyder in 2013, on July 1.The search for a new president began in December with an appointment of members of the presidential search committee. At the time, Bieber was the interim president of the college.As president, she focuses on observing the college's academic guidance, managing its $35 million budget, managing outreach to stakeholders and leaders and sustaining a positive environment for both students and staff.NCC Monroe"NCC Monroe," a branch campus of Northampton Community College, opened in time for classes in September.The three buildings include classrooms and laboratories that feature state-of-the-art educational technology, a library with futuristic lighting, a bookstore, a food court, art studios and an art gallery, a full-size gymnasium, a fitness center, a homey child care center, room for meetings and continuing education classes, and study space.Funding for the $72 million project came from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, individual and corporate donations, gaming revenues, the Northampton Community College Foundation, the Pennsylvania Department of Community Development, and Monroe County.The campus is located in the center of Monroe County on Route 715, close to Route 80 and Route 611.