Director Selected To Lead Middle Bucks Institute of Technology

WARMINSTER, PA —The Middle Bucks Institute of Technology is getting a new director.

Mark Covelle has been selected as administrative director and is expected to be formally named at an Oct. 3 meeting, MBIT's executive council announced Tuesday.

Covelle had served as director of academics and special programs at the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute located in Schnecksville, Lehigh County.

His appointment follows a national executive search. The council will meet to approve a contract appointing Covelle at a 5:30 p.m. meeting on Oct. 3.

Executive Council President Flemming Godiksen, who also serves as the Centennial School Board vice president, said Covelle brings a wealth of knowledge and experience:

Dr. Covelle is bringing a fresh face to MBIT and comes with much enthusiasm, to lead our Career and Technical school. Visibility, along with a commitment to building connections to students, staff, and community are key markers that Dr. Covelle plans to bring to MBIT. His goal is to make MBIT a nationally recognized Career and Technical School, while handling the growth of participating students from the four sending school districts.

MBIT has been operating with Thomas Seidenberger as interim director. A search for an assistant director is also underway after the departure of Stacy Pakula.

Covelle has spent the last 19 years in public education as both a teacher and administrator. He holds a doctorate from Drexel University in educational leadership and management and master’s degrees from both Lehigh University and Wilkes University.

"I am honored and thrilled to serve as the next administrative director of MBIT," he said. "The Executive Council, administrative team, faculty, and staff share a great passion for MBIT, and I am excited to work with such a dedicated team. MBIT has a proud history of providing students with an excellent career and technical education and I look forward to working with the entire MBIT community as we pursue our mission of 'Preparing tomorrow's workforce today.'"

A Community Meet and Greet has also been scheduled:

• DATE: Monday, October 3, 2022
• TIME: 6:30 p.m. (directly following the MBIT Executive Council meeting)
• PLACE: The cafeteria of MBIT located at 2740 York Rd., Jamison, PA 18929

The event will include Covelle making introductory remarks followed by a question and answer period facilitated by Mark Hoffman, executive director of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit.

MBIT staff, students, and family/guardians are invited to submit up to two questions for consideration through the following survey: https://Go.BucksIU.org/MBIT.

Submitted questions will be organized by theme with similar topics consolidated to allow for Covelle to address the maximum number of areas of interest.

The executive council began its search last spring, engaging the Bucks IU to serve as its search consultant. The Bucks IU conducted a community survey from May 16 to June 3 to identify the community’s opinions and priorities.

A total of one hundred and seventy-four parents, guardians, students, MBIT staff, sending district employees, local business owners, and other community members responded to the survey, offering feedback on the ideal characteristics and attributes of the future administrative director.

"I am very excited to welcome Dr. Covelle to MBIT," said Charles Lentz, executive council superintendent of record. "His background and experience will be instrumental in charting the future for MBIT and creating innovative programs which will allow our students to be future ready."

MBIT, which is located on York Road in Jamison, is supported by the Centennial, Central Bucks, Council Rock, and New Hope-Solebury school districts.