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Bucks County Community College Names New Dean of STEM School
College officials have announced that Lisa Burgess will be the new dean of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Bucks County Community College officials announced that Lisa Burgess will join the College’s vibrant community of scholars to lead the School of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics as the Dean of STEM, effective July 1, 2025. Burgess, a community college graduate herself, has more than 25 years of higher education experience as an educator and administrative leader.
Burgess has extensive experience in STEM pedagogy and program assessment, curriculum development, faculty training and development, student success initiatives, strategic leadership, and grant management. She served in numerous capacities at Broward College as a professor of biological and physical sciences and coordinator for faculty professional development and currently serves as the Assistant Director for the Center for Teaching & Learning at Boston University. Burgess also brings a strong background in collaborating with industry partners and four-year institutions to develop clear academic and career pathways for STEM students.
An accomplished lecturer, Burgess has presented on numerous topics including co-presenting with University of Rhode Island faculty on generative AI in higher education in 2024; syllabus design for using AI in the classroom at Boston University in 2023; academic integrity in online science courses at the Entomological Society of America Annual Conference in 2021; and co-authored “Everyday Biology: #WhatsThePoint” in 2018 to showcase how the lessons taught in the lab can be used in our everyday lives.
Dr. Patrick M. Jones, President & CEO of Bucks County Community College, said, “Burgess possesses the enterprising spirit, business acumen, and dedication to quality STEM education to lead our School of STEM into a new era. She has the experience and skills to identify new opportunities for existing and new programs, secure resources through grants and philanthropy, and build strong partnerships with universities, institutes, research centers, and industry within our regional STEM ecosystem.”
In her role as Dean of the STEM School, Burgess will build on the College’s strong reputation in student transfer to R1 and R2 research universities and its location in a region rich with biotechnology, life sciences, pharmaceutical, and technology research centers and corporations.
The School of STEM is a dynamic community of more than 100 faculty scholars and professional staff members dedicated to high standards, academic achievement, and student success. The School offers Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science degrees in 14 disciplines including chemistry, biology, environmental science, neuroscience, cybersecurity, computer science, data and information science, engineering, mathematics, and biotechnology, as well as certificates and workforce and youth programs. The School has outstanding facilities, which include the 43,000 sq. ft. Science Center provisioned with 15 labs including specialized spaces for anatomy and physiology, environmental science, microbiology, chemistry, organic chemistry, electrical engineering, computer science, and mechanical engineering. The Science Center also features both a general purpose and cell and tissue culture lab for biotechnology.
“I am excited to join Bucks County Community College’s School of STEM,” said Burgess. “It is my honor to have been selected to lead such a dynamic and innovative team of educators and staff. Bucks is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of STEM education and workforce development in Bucks County.” Burgess added, “As a community college alumni, I know the challenges many students face when building their future. Community college is an integral pathway to change and growth for the community. I look forward to working alongside faculty, staff, and students to foster innovation, expand opportunities, and build powerful and collaborative relationships within local industry, which support our region's future leaders in STEM.”
Burgess earned the Master of Science degree in biotechnology from John Hopkins University, the Master of Science degree in pharmaceutical sciences from the University of Florida, and the baccalaureate degree in biological sciences from Florida Atlantic University. She is a community college graduate who earned an associate degree in biological sciences from Broward College, part of the Florida College System.
Truman Junior Named Bucks County High School Poet of the Year
Nilüfer Bektas, a junior at Harry S. Truman High School in Bristol Township, has been named the 2025 Bucks County High School Poet of the Year, officials at Bucks County Community College announced.
Bektas rose to the top of more than 120 entries from all over the county, according to Professor Ethel Rackin, director of the Bucks County Poet Laureate Program, which includes the annual High School Poet of the Year contest. Bektas received a $300 prize for her winning poems.
Rackin said the judges noted that all entries were strong for the 38th year for the program. Each student submitted three poems, which were judged by current Bucks County Poet Laureate Lake Angela and last year’s poet laureate Tara Tamburello.
The judges also named three runners-up in the contest. They are Evie Lee, a senior at Solebury School, first runner-up; Jack DeBoyace, a junior at Central Bucks East, second runner-up; and Addison Carr, a junior at Central Bucks West, third runner-up. More than a dozen finalists were also recognized by the judges.
A reading and celebration will take place from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 17, in room 142 of Tyler Hall on the college’s Newtown campus. The event will feature winners, finalists, and judges.
Bucks County Community College is located at 275 Swamp Rd., Newtown, Pa., 18940, where there is ample free parking. For a campus map and directions, visit the Newtown Campus web page.
38th Annual Bucks County High School Poet of the Year: Final Standings 2025
Winner: Nilüfer Bektas, Harry S. Truman High School, 11th Grade Poems: “An Unspoken Eulogy,” “Heat Lightning,” and “Liberty”
1st Runner-up: Evie Lee, Solebury School, 12th Grade Poems: “losing daylight,” “ahn yin,” and “February”
2nd Runner-up: Jack DeBoyace, Central Bucks High School East, 11th GradePoems: “Of,” “They Said,” and “Punctum”
3rd Runner-up: Addison Carr, Central Bucks High School West, 11th Grade Poems: “Eelgrass,” “Anxiety is a Deer,” and “Dead Deer”
Finalists
Jennifer Alpert, Council Rock High School South, 12th
Steven Belder, Council Rock High School South, 12th
Avery Devlin, Council Rock High School South, 12th
Maisarah Aminah Dombrowski, Pennsbury High School, 10th
Sophia Evola, Central Bucks High School South, 10th
Anastasiya Golub, Council Rock High School South, 12th
Jaelyn Graham, Council Rock High School South, 12th
Patrick Hansell, Council Rock High School South, 12th
Evelyn Kerr, Central Bucks High School West, 9th
Jill Melson, Central Bucks High School West, 11th
Josiah Miller, Calvary Christian Academy, 11th
Brynn Minko, Council Rock High School South, 12th
Michael Shalevich, Council Rock High School South, 12th
Cooper Sherwood, Council Rock High School South, 12th
Sarah Ustenko, Council Rock High School South, 12th
Kalena Viera, William Tennent High School, 11th
About Bucks County Community College
Founded in 1964, Bucks County Community College is a two-year, public institution offering more than 90 programs of study that lead to either an associate degree or certificate, as well as many workforce training programs on campus, on site, or online. Successful graduates directly launch a career or transfer to four-year colleges and universities to complete a bachelor’s degree, depending on the major. Classes are offered on campus in Newtown, Bristol, and Perkasie, and worldwide through Bucks Online. To learn more, visit bucks.edu.
Popular Podcast “The ArtShow” Comes to Life in New Exhibition at Bucks
Bucks County Community College invites the public to “The ArtShow,” a multimedia exhibition at the Hicks Art Center featuring 37 artists based in the Philadelphia area. On view from Friday, May 16 through Saturday, July 19, the exhibition features artists who have been guests on independent curator and artist Craig Stover’s video podcast ArtShow.
It will be the first time Stover has presented these guest artists’ works together in a public, group exhibition, according to Clifford Eberly, Exhibitions Associate at the Bucks County Community College. ArtShow highlights the best artists working in Philadelphia and gives viewers a chance to learn about new artists, how they work, and what inspires their creativity.
Stover noted that he began the weekly video podcast at the start of the pandemic five years ago, when he had to shut down the art center and galleries he was running.
“In order to keep our artists and constituents engaged, I started interviewing artists over Zoom so people could still learn about new artists from home. I loved doing it so much that I continued making new episodes on my own,” recalled Stover. “More than just making interviews, I realized that what I was doing was making a time-capsule of artists working today. I believe that it's not only a great way for artists to promote themselves, but I think that in the future, these episodes will only become more interesting and valuable."
Artists have high praise for the impact the show has had.
“Craig Stover’s ArtShow is such a boon for the Philadelphia Arts community,” said Simone Spicer, who is among more than three dozen artists whose work is featured in the exhibition. “In our time where so many dedicated visual artists are struggling to be noticed and appreciated, ArtShow grants us the opportunity to be showcased at large and to connect with each other.”
This unique exhibition includes the following artists:
Francis Beaty
Henry Bermudez
Jill Bonovitz
Thomas Brady
Leora Brecher
Arden Bendler Browning
Diane Burko
Jerome China
Won Choi
Matthew Colaizzo
Gerald Cyrus
Ward Davenny
Steven Donegan
Jon Eckel
Mikel Elam
Paul Timothy Gierschick II
Melissa M. Haims
Lisa Haun
Darla Jackson
Jon Manteau
Tim McFarlane
Jedediah Morfit
Stuart Netsky
Stuart Rome
Rachel Romano
Rebecca Rutstein
Samantha Simpson
Larry Spaid
Simone Spicer
Gerri Spilka
Robert Straight
Kate Stewart
Craig Stover
Ron Tarver
Robin Tedesco
Amanda Tinker
Ben Weaver
Stover is widely known in the Philly arts scene as an artist, teacher, curator and art administrator. He has exhibited his works in numerous galleries, including the Pentimenti Gallery, Cerulean Arts, and the Williams Gallery. Over the past decade, he has served as the Executive Director for Allens Lane Art Center, where he has overseen its summer art camp, produced 60+ productions in the Allens Lane Theater, curated over 100 exhibitions in the Alber Galleries, and developed a wide variety of classes in the visual and performing arts, including the well-known Vision Thru Art program, which provides sculpture classes for blind artists.
The ArtShow exhibition will be on view from Friday, May 16 through Saturday, July 19 throughout the Hicks Art Center, located on the College’s Newtown campus. The public is invited to an opening reception on May 16 and a closing reception on July 17, each from 5 – 8 p.m.
A special Cocktails with the Curator exhibition walkthrough will take place Friday, May 16 at 4 p.m. with Stover and Hicks Art Center Gallery Exhibitions Associate Clifford Eberly. Cocktails with the Curator is a free event. However, guests must be 21 years of age and register by emailing gallery@bucks.edu as space is limited.
The ArtShow exhibition is hosted by the College’s School of Arts and Communication, which offers eight associate degree majors and two certificate programs. Bucks County Community College is an accredited institutional member of both the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the National Association of Schools of Music.
All events are free and open to the public. The campus is located at 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, Pa., 18940, where there is ample free parking. For a campus map and directions, visit the Newtown Campus page. Learn more on the Hicks Art Gallery Center and follow @bcccartscomm on Instagram.
BCCC Receives $400K to Build Healthcare Pipeline Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Officials at Bucks County Community College are proud to announce that the College has been awarded $400,000 through the PA Department of Labor and Industry to develop and implement a new Healthcare Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
Bucks will partner with Drexel University, District 1199C, Bucks County Workforce and Economic Development Board, regional hospitals, and local medical practices to create a career-aligned registered pre-apprenticeship program. Bucks will provide free training and job placement services for two inaugural cohorts, graduating 24 pre-apprentices over the next year and a half. Graduates of the 12-week pre-apprenticeship program will receive recognized certifications in EKG tech, certified phlebotomy technician, CPR for healthcare providers, mental health first aid for fire/EMS, and child abuse recognition and reporting training, as well as a college certificate of completion and a pre-apprenticeship certificate.
“We have received overwhelming support from the healthcare industry for this pre-apprenticeship program,” said Bucks President & CEO Patrick M. Jones. “Given the success of our pre-apprenticeships in other sectors, we are thrilled to be able to offer the education and training necessary for area residents to launch their allied health careers with jobs that are in high demand and pay family-sustaining wages.”
The PA Department of Labor and Industry grant will afford Bucks’ Center for Workforce Development the opportunity to venture further into the healthcare sector and build upon the success Bucks has had in building pre-apprenticeships in manufacturing and the building trades. The state funding will enable the College to have a greater reach in the Southeastern Pennsylvania region resulting in providing increased enrollment and pathways to high-paying jobs and apprenticeships that are in high demand.
The free 12-week career training programs will likely begin in early 2026 and be held Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. in the College’s Center for Advanced Technologies (CAT) on the Epstein Campus at Lower Bucks in Bristol. The CAT is a brand-new, state-of-the-art facility offering job seekers access to high-quality career training programs. Students will also have the opportunity to work with Drexel University, District 1199C, regional hospitals, employers, and apprenticeship programs in the industry.
For more information about this program, contact Associate Vice President for Workforce Development Susan Herring at 267-685-4827 or susan.herring@bucks.edu.
Bucks County Community College Announces Two New Deans
College officials have announced that Carolina Blatt, Ph.D. has been hired as Dean of Arts and Communication and Jacqueline Burger has been named the Dean of Learning Resources and Bucks Online Dean of Arts and Communication
Building on Bucks County Community College’s long history of leadership in the arts, Carolina Blatt, Ph.D. will join the College as the next Dean of Arts and Communication on June 2, 2025.
Blatt is an arts administrator, art educator, and scholar who seeks to catalyze the arts within and beyond the classroom. She currently serves as a Program Coordinator and Instructor of Art Education at Rowan University’s College of Communication & Creative Arts. Prior to Rowan, she taught the Interdisciplinary Seminar on Aesthetics, Creativity, and Narrative to Creative Arts Therapy doctoral students at Drexel University. Blatt was previously the Director and Professor of Art & Design Education at The University of the Arts, Program Coordinator and Associate Professor of Art Education at The College of New Jersey, and an Associate Professor of Visual & Performing Arts at Georgia Gwinnett College.
Blatt is a noted lecturer and presenter. Her research has been published in scholarly journals including Arts Education Policy Review, The Journal of Learning Through the Arts, and International Journal of Education & the Arts. In addition to numerous awards and grants, she received the Higher Education Award from the Art Educators of New Jersey in 2021 and is a member of the National Art Educators Association’s 2022 cohort of School for Arts Leaders.
Dr. Patrick M. Jones, President & CEO of Bucks County Community College said, “Dr. Blatt’s community-centric approach to arts and place-making, entrepreneurial spirit, and ability to inspire people artistically and with a vision for an arts-enriched future will help our students experience the world in authentic and organic ways that are not predetermined or prescribed.” Jones added, “I have no doubt that Dr. Blatt will help to build relationships and joint ventures with arts organizations, working artists, communities, and business leaders in order to advance the arts in the region.”
With a dynamic community of more than 50 artists and scholars on faculty, the College’s School of Arts and Communication is a hub and nexus of the regional arts ecosystem. Accredited by both the National Association of Schools of Art & Design and the National Association of Schools of Music, the School offers Associate of Arts, Associate of Fine Arts, and Associate of Music degrees in 10 disciplines including art, dance, music, multimedia, theater arts, and communication, as well as certificates and community and youth programs.
"The School of Arts and Communication at Bucks is a local treasure. I am thrilled to steward its legacy of artistic and cultural vibrancy in the community and beyond."
Blatt earned her doctorate in Art Education from the University of Georgia, her Master of Arts in Art History from the Savannah College of Art and Design, and a Bachelor of Art in The History & Social Foundations of Art from Juniata College.
Dean of Learning Resources and Bucks Online
After an extensive search, College officials have also announced that Jacqueline Burger will assume the role of Dean of Learning Resources and Bucks Online effective July 1, 2025.
The Department of Learning Resources is home to the Academic Success Center, Bucks Online, Center for Personal & Professional Development, Libraries, and the Media Lab which features state-of-the-art virtual and augmented reality and 3-D printing resources. The Department also supports the College’s open educational resources (OER) which have saved Bucks students more than $1 million in the 2023-2024 academic year. Bucks Online offers 33 fully online programs, and support to all students and faculty in a variety of technologies including the College’s learning management system.
Burger, who possesses a strong entrepreneurial disposition, will play a crucial role in not only fostering innovation within an academic setting and collaboration within the College, but also cultivating relationships with universities, institutes, research centers, and corporations across the region in an era of rapid technological change.
Burger has been serving as the College’s Interim Dean of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics since June 2024. She previously served as Associate Professor, Learning Technologies Liaison for 15 years, also at Bucks County Community College. She also has taught online computer science courses to first-year and guest students as well as a hybrid college orientation seminar to first-year students since 2014.
“Dean Burger has repeatedly demonstrated her capacity for driving innovation during her service at the College and has been nationally active as an educational innovator,” said President & CEO Patrick M. Jones. “Her creative thinking, intellectual curiosity, and systematic approach to problem solving will help the College navigate a rapidly changing technology landscape, evolving needs of learners, and changing modalities of literacy. With her leadership, the College will be at the forefront of educational innovation that supports student success.”
"I am excited to continue serving Bucks County Community College in a new capacity, bringing 15 years of experience to the role of Dean of Learning Resources and Bucks Online. I look forward to collaborating with an exceptional team dedicated to advancing our mission and enriching the student experience."
Burger has presented at the Middle States Commission for Higher Education Annual Conference, the Northeast Regional Computing Program Conference, and EDUCAUSE’s ELI Annual Conference, a premier event for higher education teaching and learning professionals covering a range of topics including efficient institutional self-appraisal, strategic partnership and leadership team models, and creative faculty collaborations for information and digital media literacy programs.
Burger earned a Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design from University of Wisconsin-Stout, a Master of Science degree in Library and Information Science from Drexel University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Dickinson College.
Two BCCC Students Named to All-PA Academic Team
Jessica Waterstradt of Quakertown and Adrian Tyrk of Morrisville, both class of 2025, were selected for their academic achievement and service to the community Two Bucks County Community College students have been named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team by the Pennsylvania Association for Community Colleges. Jessica Waterstradt, a social science major from Quakertown, and Adrian Tyrk, a chemistry major from Morrisville, were congratulated by Dr. Patrick M. Jones, President & CEO of the College. The members of the Class of 2025 were selected for their high academic achievements – each has a GPA of 3.5 or higher – and their service to the College and the community. The recognition includes a two-year tuition waiver at any one of the 10 universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.
Jessica Waterstradt is congratulated by Dr. Patrick M. Jones, President & CEO of Bucks County Community College, after she was named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges. The Quakertown resident, who is graduating in May with an associate degree in social science, plans to transfer to Kutztown University and hopes to eventually work with a nonprofit or in politics in order to achieve her lifelong dream of helping others.
Adrian Tyrk is congratulated by Dr. Patrick M. Jones, President & CEO of Bucks County Community College, after he was named to the All-Pennsylvania Academic Team by the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges. The Morrisville resident, who is graduating in May with an associate degree in chemistry, plans to transfer to an Ivy League university to study biochemistry and molecular biology.
