President of Northampton Community College (NCC), David A. Ruth, Ph.D. was named chair-elect for the board of directors of the Community Colleges for International Development (CCID).

CCID has 20 board member institutions, including NCC. The board chair is elected annually and serves from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31. Dr. Ruth will serve a term as chair-elect, preparing for a future term as chair. He will provide leadership and expertise in his new role adding to the governance of the organization.

“I have been serving as a member of the board of directors since 2022, and I’m honored to have been elected to serve as chair-elect.

“International education is so important to enable our students to understand different cultures, values, languages, and ways of life,” said Dr. Ruth.

Founded in 1976, CCID’s mission statement is to “engage and empower an international association of community, technical and vocational institutions to incorporate international perspectives and experiences into their curricula and campus culture in order to develop globally competent students, faculty, and staff.”

International education encourages students to think critically about their cultural biases and assumptions, engage with others diplomatically and collaborate and communicate effectively in diverse teams, according to the CCID.

In today’s globalized world, employers are looking for graduates with multi-cultural experiences, stated the NCC press release. CCID is committed to helping institutions mold internationally-inclined students through teaching, travel and attracting and retaining international students.

NCC strives to create well-rounded students upon graduation by providing positive learning experiences like these for its students.

Northampton Community College, with locations in Bethlehem, south side Bethlehem and Monroe County, serves 30,000 students annually from 53 counties, 42 countries, and 25 states.

Information or to apply to NCC: northampton.edu