Leadership Susquehanna Valley, a community leadership and impact program now in its 32nd year, has transitioned its operations from the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce to the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit.

Founded by a coalition of community leaders, the program has guided more than 750 professionals from over 100 organizations through immersive, field-based learning in healthcare, agriculture, government, education and other sectors. Rooted in cross-sector collaboration, Leadership Susquehanna Valley empowers participants to explore issues that spark their passion and to take action to improve life across the region.

CSIU’s reach in education, workforce development, mental health, business and innovation, and community engagement makes it an ideal fit for the program’s mission of cultivating informed, connected and empowered leaders.

Katherine Vastine, CARES leadership coordinator at CSIU and a 2008 Leadership Susquehanna Valley graduate, will serve as the program’s new executive director. Vastine brings experience in workforce engagement, having led initiatives and multi-million-dollar grants focused on career readiness, healthcare pipelines, adult education and youth workforce development.

Bob Garrett, president and CEO of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce and one of the program’s founding members, said he welcomed the transition.

“News that the operations contract for Leadership Susquehanna Valley has transitioned from the Chamber to the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit is very welcome,” Garrett said. “As one of the four founders of this incredible program, I believe this move is both wise and forward looking, giving Leadership Susquehanna Valley tremendous potential for growth and expanded impact. This kind of regional cooperation is exactly what will ensure that our best days lie just ahead.”

The transition signals a renewed dedication to collaborative regional leadership. Under CSIU’s umbrella, Vastine’s guidance and a dedicated board of directors led by President Aaron Barner, a member of the class of 2020, the program is positioned to deepen its impact across the Susquehanna Valley.

“On behalf of the Leadership Susquehanna Valley board of directors, we extend our sincere gratitude to the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce for more than 30 years of dedicated administration and unwavering support of the program,” Barner said. “As we look to the future, we are excited to embark on a new chapter with CSIU. CSIU’s mission and vision align seamlessly with the goals of Leadership Susquehanna Valley, and we are confident that their resources, expertise and extensive network will not only sustain, but enhance the program. We look forward to building strong connections and deepening relationships as we continue to grow leaders who strengthen our communities and shape the future of the Susquehanna Valley.”

More information, including how to apply, program descriptions, sponsorship opportunities and ways to partner with Leadership Susquehanna Valley, is available at www.leadershipsv.org.

The Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit will officially open the NEST Clinic (Nurturing Environments for Support and Treatment), its newly licensed psychiatric outpatient clinic, on Sept. 15. The clinic was established to address the growing behavioral health needs of children, youth and families across the region. Services will include trauma-informed, evidence-based therapy, diagnostic evaluations and limited psychiatric care, with an initial focus on students in CSIU member school districts.

The NEST Clinic reflects CSIU’s commitment to the community by providing care that is both clinically rigorous and compassionate. By embedding access to mental health support within schools and neighborhoods, CSIU seeks to reduce barriers to care and ensure equitable access for families.

An open house for CSIU staff will be held Sept. 9 from noon to 1 p.m. Board members are invited to attend and learn more about the clinic’s services and impact.

July was filled with activity as CSIU’s Migrant Education Program (MEP) team delivered summer services and supported students across the region.

This summer is particularly noteworthy in that, despite a federal funding freeze causing many programs across the country to suspend services, CSIU continued to offer summer programming by utilizing carry-over funds to ensure migrant students and families received critical support.

Dr. Hack recently attended the 2025 Convening of the International Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (ICAD) at Oxford University, where he participated in a panel advocating for the development of registered teacher apprenticeships, with an emphasis on creating curriculum and delivery models that effectively support the needs of working professionals.

The gathering brought together leaders in education, labor, and workforce development to share models integrating academic learning with on-the-job training, highlighting both the relevance of our local efforts and the value of contributing to the international dialogue on the future of apprenticeship pathways.