Chad Bruckner

A Little About Me... Born in Philadelphia and raised in Montgomery County, PA, I come from a long line of servicemen. I enlisted in the U.S. Army at 17 and served for eight years in the Infantry with overseas deployments to the Middle East. Forged in those challenging environments, I developed a lifelong commitment to leadership, resilience, and authentic service. Following my military service, I spent 13 years as a police officer in Lansdale, PA—serving as a Patrolman, Detective, and Undercover Officer while earning two college degrees. In 2021, I stepped away to explore entrepreneurship, leading two small businesses and authoring a book. While that season was rewarding, it ultimately reaffirmed where my true passion lies: authentic, hands-on community service. Returning to law enforcement—and now serving here at Lehigh—brings my career full circle. Over the past few years, I’ve also traveled the country speaking on leadership, personal wellness, and the human experience, sharing lessons learned from both success and adversity to help others thrive. 

 

Life Beyond the Uniform... My wife, Kristen—a proud Lehigh alumna—and I were married right here at Packer Chapel, so this campus has always held a special place in our hearts. Together, we’re raising three active kids, and when I’m off-duty, you’ll usually find me coaching my boys in sports, cheering on my daughter at her dance competitions, or playing with our dog, Bella. I’m a passionate advocate for holistic well-being—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual—and I strive to show up every day ready to listen, connect, and meet people where they are. 

 

Why I’m Proud to Be at Lehigh... After a long and rewarding career keeping communities safe from crime, my goal now is to be a steady, positive beacon of light and mentor for the next generation of Americans. I’m focused on coaching, supporting, and selflessly serving others on our vibrant, forward-thinking campus every single day.