As we plan for the year ahead, key projects were identified by our initiative leads, incorporating valuable input from the Lehigh community to drive progress across critical areas.
Below is a high-level review of the deliverables and projects anticipated or already underway for AY 2024-2025:
- Create a shared services office to support research and centers.
- Name two new university research centers.
- Increase research activity by 15% in the year ahead.
- Reimagine the first-year engineering curriculum in RCEAS, leveraging Lehigh User Designed Inquiry principles with a focus on technology for all.
- Finalize the development of an exploratory first semester for new students.
- Implement new initiatives for Summer 2025 (e.g., the Summer Science Program).
- Launch Aerospace Engineering MS Program.
- Improve the process of HR position evaluation, hiring, and early onboarding.
- Make Data Lake available by May 2025.
- Develop and publish a community and economic impact report.
- Offer How Lehigh Works in Fall 2024 to an inaugural pilot cohort of faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students.
- Finalize analysis of plans for housing on Mountaintop and make a “go/no-go” decision.
- Identify three areas with high potential for online graduate program growth and begin program development.
- Increase the number of applicants to MS/certificate programs by 10%.
- Unify communications platforms (Phone, Zoom, Voicemail).
- Launch Black Cultural Center in UMOJA House.
- Increase collaboration with the Faculty Senate and related committees to broaden faculty engagement.
- Provide more transparency into strategic investments, planned costs and anticipated projects.
- Enhance the utilization and dissemination of quantitative and qualitative data campus-wide to drive strategic initiatives.
- Explore and assess how a sense of belonging impacts retention and graduation rates.
The Lehigh community should be proud of the accomplishments of the first year of the strategy’s implementation. Much has been accomplished, and much still lies ahead. Lehigh is at an inflection point that will shape our university for years to come. The key to our success will be continued focus, prioritization of investments and broad engagement by all key stakeholders. The future is truly ours for the making.