Featured Image: David A. Ruth, Ph.D. with international students (provided courtesy of Northampton Community College
BETHLEHEM, PA – Community Colleges for International Development (CCID) announced their incoming executive officers that will serve on the board of directors beginning September 2026. President of Northampton Community College (NCC), David A. Ruth, Ph.D. was named as chair-elect for the board.
CCID has 20 board member institutions, including NCC. The board chair is elected annually and serves a term from September 1 to August 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,” says 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 own cultural biases and assumptions, engage with others diplomatically, and collaborate and communicate effectively in diverse teams.
In today’s globalized world, employers are looking for graduates with multi-cultural experiences, and CCID is committed to helping institutions mold internationally inclined students through teaching, travel, attracting and retaining international students, and more. NCC strives to create well-rounded students upon graduation by providing positive learning experiences like these for its students.
About Northampton Community College
With an enduring commitment to the regional communities it serves and a focus on student success, Northampton Community College is an educational institution of extraordinary distinction, earning accolades at the state and national levels for innovative programs, outstanding faculty, and impressive student achievements. It counts among its successful alumni a four-time Pulitzer Prize winner and an Academy Award winning director, as well as a host of CEOs, presidents, and leaders of business and industry. Today, Northampton Community College has locations in Bethlehem, Southside Bethlehem, and Monroe County, serving 30,000 students annually from 53 counties, 42 countries, and 25 states. For more information or to apply, please visit northampton.edu. Follow NCC on LinkedIn, Instagram @NorthamptonCommCollege, TikTok @NorthamptonCC, and Facebook.
