Future makers are people who are inspired to think deeply and create grounded, pragmatic solutions through research and scholarship, says Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ’82.
Our new strategic plan, Inspiring the Future Makers, provides a visionary direction for students, faculty, staff, and alumni over the next decade and reaffirms Lehigh’s commitment to be an institution where all can thrive.
We will make it new, make a difference and make it together, because the future is ours for the making.
The plan’s key initiatives, detailed below, define specific projects and actions that support these three goals and determine where Lehigh will make investments in the Rossin College and throughout the entire university.
KEY INITIATIVES
➔ REDEFINE A DEEPLY INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATION
All Lehigh students will be able to participate in boldly interdisciplinary programs and access the educational opportunities available across the university. They will embrace their intellectual curiosity, explore diverse academic programs, and develop both the timely and timeless skills needed for long-term professional and personal success. We will expand inter-college programs for undergraduates. We will transform PhD education to be student-centered and provide specific training relevant to the full range of PhD career pathways.
"Today’s most pressing issues require solutions that defy traditional boundaries and bring together academic disciplines. Students taught to incorporate different modes of addressing and surmounting challenges into an integrated whole—these are Renaissance thinkers for the modern world."
— Susan Perry, Professor of Practice and Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs
➔ INVEST IN STRATEGIC INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH
Critical problems require a holistic approach to problem-solving. Lehigh will make key investments in faculty hires, facilities renovation and construction, and support for the development of large grant proposals. We will build an interdisciplinary structure that supports high-paced, highreward research. We aim to double our research output within 10 years.
"Lehigh is poised to rapidly expand the reach and impact of innovative work conducted across our university’s dynamic research community by focusing our efforts on key areas such as health, sustainability, and related socioeconomic impact, with insight provided by such technologies as data science and machine learning."
— John Coulter, Professor and Senior Associate Dean for Research and Operations
➔ LEAD IN EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION
Lehigh will apply learning science and “Universal Design for Inquiry” (UDI) to innovate the classroom experience, maximize learning, and personalize education for each student. To institutionalize innovation in academic programs, we will develop an incubator where faculty and staff can focus on creation of the most innovative new programs and approaches to student learning and thriving, in an environment where they are supported and inspired.
"Since Lehigh’s founding, our institution has been known for producing opportunities for active learning that enable deep intellectual connections to form in the minds of students. Novel, data-driven ways of supporting, enhancing, and growing this mindset will find eager partnership and participation across our faculty.
— Kristen Jellison, Professor and Associate Dean for Faculty Development
➔ TRANSFORM MOUNTAINTOP CAMPUS
Lehigh will fully activate the 740-acre Mountaintop campus and transform it into a vital destination and resource for the Lehigh community and beyond. We will use Mountaintop as a location for big and messy work. We will explore the creation of a graduate student and postdoc village, spaces for corporate partnerships, inviting outdoor areas, and retail and community event space.
"Mountaintop’s history is steeped in cutting-edge research— and so is its future. Modern facilities will anchor a vibrant campus that revolves around living, learning, and making. Breakthroughs in areas such as sustainable energy, resilient infrastructure, robotics, and artificial intelligence will happen here."
— Stephen P. DeWeerth, Professor and Dean
➔ ENHANCE THE SHARED BETHLEHEM EXPERIENCE
Lehigh will expand our partnerships and community engagements throughout Bethlehem’s South Side and the Asa Packer campus, enriching the community and expanding our impact. We will create opportunities for the community to come together and have shared experiences on and off our campus.
"Through our successful CHOICES camps and many faculty-led outreach projects that take place across our college, we are developing an expanding set of programs and modules to spread the joy of STEM to our local community and the greater Lehigh Valley region."
— Chayah Wilbers, Outreach Program Manager
➔ CULTIVATE A LIFELONG LEHIGH
Lehigh will expand our graduate and professional offerings to be part of the lifelong learning experience. Lehigh will provide learning opportunities for alumni and for others who are seeking to gain new skills and credentials, and advance in their profession and life.
"Lehigh’s legacy of academic excellence shines through at all levels as students pursue their passions and elevate their careers. Our approach emphasizes collaborative study and personal connectivity, building meaningful and lasting relationships within our close-knit alumni community."
— David Stiles, Director of Development
Main image: Marcus Smith '25; Inset photos: Christa Neu
