Michael Reed, Christina Steinbacher-Reed honored by BSA

The Susquehanna Council, Boy Scouts of America presented its 2023 Distinguished Citizen Award to Michael J. Reed, president of Pennsylvania College of Technology, and his wife, Christina Steinbacher-Reed, executive director of BLaST Intermediate Unit 17.

The Distinguished Citizen honor annually recognizes local leaders who have made a substantial impact in the community. The honor was presented Nov. 28 in the Thompson Professional Development Center on the Penn College campus.

“It is so fitting that the 2023 awardees for the Distinguished Citizens Awards by the Boy Scouts of America are Mike Reed and Christina Steinbacher-Reed,” said Frank G. Pellegrino, Susquehanna Council, BSA volunteer/supporter and master of ceremonies for the ceremony. “It would be hard to imagine this award not recognizing the two of them, as they are so in unison in thoughts and actions. This award goes out to those individuals that exemplify in their daily lives the ideals of the Scouts’ Law and Oath: Always doing your best for God, country and family, and always helping your fellow man. They live each day doing the right thing – sharing, caring and living a life by example that one would want to model – and assisting and mentoring those around them so that they can live this life, as well.”

“Over the years, they have helped so many young student learners, individuals and worthwhile organizations to have truly made a difference not only within our community, but throughout this world,” added Pellegrino, a past Distinguished Citizen recipient himself. “We are most grateful for all that they have done and continue to do for so many.”

The children of Reed and Steinbacher-Reed – daughter, Cali, and son, Gavin – along with Reed’s predecessor as Penn College president, Davie Jane Gilmour, who received the same award in 2004, participated in the presentation to the couple at the event, as did Pellegrino and Susquehanna Council President Robert Weaver.

A native of Glenshaw, Reed became the eighth president of Pennsylvania College of Technology in July 2022.

Previously at the college, he was vice president for academic affairs and provost; vice president for academic operations and associate provost; dean of the former School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications; and assistant dean of liberal arts and sciences.

Before coming to Penn College, Reed served as head principal at Williamsport Area High School and as principal at the SciTech Campus of Harrisburg High School. He also was principal of the former William Penn Alternative School. Prior to that, he was a school counselor in the Upper Dauphin Area School District and a teacher and counselor for Abraxas Youth & Family Services, Marienville.

Reed holds a Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership from Drexel University, a Master of Education in Counseling and Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. He also earned a Post-Master’s Certificate in School Administration from Penn State.

Reed’s past and present community affiliations include Academic Advisory Board member for the PA Interscholastic Esports Associates; the Salvation Army of Williamsport, Advisory Board; and the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

As BLaST IU 17’s executive director, Steinbacher-Reed works with more than 300 staff members to serve more than 2,600 students and support 19 school districts with over 31,000 students. Created by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1971, BLaST Intermediate Unit 17 is an educational service agency serving Bradford, Lycoming, Sullivan and Tioga counties.

With more than 25 years in education, Steinbacher-Reed has served as a teacher, coach and administrator in diverse settings across Pennsylvania. She is certified in Cognitive Coaching and has an extensive background in coaching teachers, school leaders and instructional coaches. She has served on the Executive Board of Learning Forward PA.

Steinbacher-Reed earned her master’s degree in science education from Lebanon Valley College and continued her postgraduate work at Temple University, with a focus on school leadership. She completed her doctoral work though Drexel University’s School of Education.

She is the recipient of two Fulbright Awards, which provided her with the opportunity to examine the educational practices of Japan, Malaysia and Singapore.

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email the Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.