The Executive Council of the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology (MBIT) met to approve a contract appointing Dr. Mark Covelle as the administrative director at a regularly scheduled meeting Oct. 3.

Covelle joins the MBIT staff from his most recent position as director of academics and special programs at the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute in Schnecksville, Lehigh County.

Covelle has spent the past 19 years in public education as both 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.

The Bucks Intermediate Unit, on behalf of the executive council, conducted a community survey to identify the community’s opinions and priorities for the administrative director. Nineteen qualified candidates applied for the position.

The executive council thoroughly reviewed applications selecting nine on the first round of interviews eventually narrowing it down to six and then three.

“Our MBIT Executive Council has been working diligently these last several months to choose just the right person as the next Administrative Director of MBIT,” said Fleming Godiksen, chair of the council.

“I want to welcome you to this Meet and Greet featuring our newly appointed Administrative Director Dr. Mark Covelle,” said Dr. Charles Lentz, superintendent of New Hope Solebury School District.

Students Isabella Risich, Samantha Rosinski, both students in Multimedia Technology, Jenna Berkun Medical & Health Professions, Gabriella Mirachi, Electrical Technology and Cailyn LaRosa, Sports Therapy and Exercise Management offered comments speaking on what they enjoyed most about their chosen fields of study.

Dr. Mark Hoffman executive director of the Bucks County Intermediate Unit, continued as moderator of the Meet and Greet with a question and answer program onstage with Covelle.

“I am honored and thrilled to serve as the next administrative director of MBIT,” said Covelle. “The executive council administrative team, faculty and staff share 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.”

Covelle said, “I’m drawn to the excellent programs and phenomenal staff and hope to do great things here.” He feels communication is critically important and promises to identify need for growth and change.

“There will be no unilateral changes,” he said. “It is our school.

It is a gem of a school.”

The MBIT Multimedia Technology students, under the direction of their instructor, James Davey, videotaped the entire program. A link to view the event is on the MBIT website, MBIT.com.

The Culinary Arts and Sciences students provided the evening’s refreshments.