Head Start executive administrator to retire after 46 years of service
Sep. 19—WILKES-BARRE — In announcing her decision on Thursday to retire as executive director of Luzerne County Head Start after 46 years, Lynn Biga said they have been "the best years of my life."
Biga said the most significant part of her time at LCHS has been the relationships built — from the staff and families, to the Board of Directors, parent Policy Council and community partners.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to work alongside such talented individuals as we brought success to our organization as a strong and resilient team that cares deeply about the children and families we serve," Biga said. "I am so passionate about this work and thankful for the opportunity to do it every day."
Upon Biga's departure, LCHS Assistant Executive Director Beth White will move into the role of executive director.
White, of Factoryville, has been in her position at LCHS for nine years. She brings more than 20 years of experience in early childhood education to her new role, with 15 being in a Head Start program.
Biga formally made the announcement at an LCHS Board of Directors meeting on Thursday. Afterward, the board voted to rename the agency's Beekman Street Center in Wilkes-Barre after Biga in honor of her outstanding service.
Her last day at the agency will be Oct. 25, 2024.
Carrying out the Head Start mission has been Biga's life's work.
The Kingston resident began her career at LCHS as a Head Start teacher in 1978 after graduating from Penn State University. She became the agency's education coordinator soon after, and by 1989, its executive director.
She has remained a steadfast leader ever since, spending her career building relationships within the community, while helping the agency create a relevant service model to meet the emerging needs of children and their families.
Biga's 35 years as executive director have been characterized by her continuous efforts to move LCHS forward to better serve the community's most vulnerable population.
In 1994, Biga led the agency through the purchase of the Beekman Street Center, making LCHS the first program in Region 3 to acquire its own building. Today, it is the largest LCHS site and home to 14 pre-school classrooms, an Early Head Start location and administrative offices.
Under Biga's leadership, in 1999 LCHS received funding to expand its reach with a new Early Head Start program and serve 32 expecting parents, infants and toddlers in a home visiting setting.
Since then, the EHS program has grown significantly. Recently, LCHS received a competitive federal grant to expand EHS services by 50 children from birth to age 3, bringing the total to 232 between five locations.
Other expansions have allowed LCHS to serve additional children and families throughout Biga's tenure. Most notably, in 2005, LCHS was among the first in Pennsylvania to be awarded state funding for pre-school services.
That same year, LCHS was selected as one of the "40 Outstanding Head Start Grantees" in the country.
Biga is a 2023 graduate of Leadership Northeast's Executive Leadership program and a 2008 graduate of the John E. Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA — Johnson & Johnson Management Fellows Program.
She serves on the Pennsylvania Head Start Association Board of Directors and is a member of the National Head Start Association. She previously served on the SHINE Advisory Board.
Since 2001, Biga and her family have sponsored the George R. Evans Memorial Scholarship through the annual LCHS Alumni Scholarship Program, helping former Head Start students achieve their dreams of going to college. In 2023, Biga received the LCHS Bold Leadership Award for her contributions to the agency.
She was also the recipient of the 2018 Kids Hero Award from Dinners for Kids, the 2011 Reverend Jule Ayers Outstanding Spiritual Welfare Award and the 2010 Leadership Wilkes-Barre Community Leadership Award.
Biga said she's leaving LCHS in capable hands and looking forward to seeing the direction White takes in the future, especially as the agency celebrates 60 years in 2025.
"While I may be stepping away from my role, I am not saying goodbye completely," Biga said. "I will support and mentor Beth White as she transitions into my role and, most importantly, be a lifelong advocate of LCHS. I am excited for what lies ahead, and I am grateful for the career that has been afforded to me, bringing me to this moment."
LCHS Board of Directors President Stacey Kile thanked Biga for her years of service to the agency.
"Under Lynn's exceptional leadership, our mission and vision of providing early education and creating a supportive and nurturing learning environment where children can grow, thrive and reach their full potential have not only been realized but have flourished beyond our expectations," Kile said. "We are deeply grateful for her unwavering dedication and the profound impact she has made on our Head Start children, families, staff and community. Her commitment has ensured that we address the most critical needs of our children. As she embarks on her well-deserved retirement, we will miss her greatly and wish her all the best. Thanks to Lynn and the rest of our Head Start team, we are well-positioned to continue our mission of assisting children and families for many years to come."
Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter
