CCBC Congratulates President Chris Reber – A Pennsylvania Business Central “Top 100 Person” in Central Pennsylvania

Monaca, PA – Dr. Chris Reber, president of Community College of Beaver County (CCBC), was recently selected by Pennsylvania Business Central as one of the top 100 people in business and economic development for outstanding leadership of their organizations and communities.

Nominees are selected annually from 23 counties in Central Pennsylvania, including Beaver, Bedford, Blair, Bradford, Cambria, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Northumberland, Snyder, Somerset, Susquehanna, Tioga, Union, Washington and Westmoreland counties.

Pennsylvania Business Central solicits nominations from readers and consults with chambers of commerce to gather a pool of potential candidates for the Top 100 list of honorees. The newspaper’s editorial board ultimately selects the final 100.

“The aspects that truly lead our editorial board to select a certain candidate include the dedication to helping Central Pennsylvania grow through good employment practices, communication with the public, and community service,” said Spencer Myers, editor, Pennsylvania Business Central.

Each selectee was asked to name a mistake made in the past and the lesson learned from it. Additionally, to see how they apply their professional expertise to the communities they serve, selectees were asked to describe the hidden potential of their county and how they will help to realize it.

Below is Dr. Reber’s profile, as it appears on the Top 100 People list.

 Community College of Beaver County

Dr. Christopher M. Reber has devoted his entire 37-year career to higher education. He is currently president of the Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) in Monaca, Pa., where he has led new initiatives in support of a student-focused learning environment, enrollment management, partnership opportunities and a culture of planning, assessment and improvement. Reber, like the rest of the region, is focused on ensuring that the community realizes the potential of the coming Shell plant.

“With the advent of Shell Chemicals decision to proceed with the construction and operation of a $7 billion ethane cracker plant in Monaca, the community has recognized that all of our region’s leadership, talents and assets must be fully aligned and promoted in order to realize the potential for unprecedented outcomes in economic development and quality of life,” Reber said. “Education and workforce development are integral to realizing our region’s vision for a renaissance of opportunity.”

Reber’s career also includes 18 years at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, where he served on the senior management team in Penn State Erie’s equivalent of two vice presidencies: chief development, university relations and alumni relations officer during a successful $50 million capital campaign; and chief student affairs officer during a period of significant college growth.

Reber holds a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College, a master’s degree from Bowling Green State University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. He also holds a post- graduate certificate from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education. Reber lives in Ellwood City, Pa., with his partner, Kerry Stetler.

He is the father of two children: Jonathan, age 20, and Katherine, age 18.