What a Difference a Year Makes

One year in, it's really quite extraordinary the progress that we have made in the implementation of Lehigh's strategic plan. I shared that tangible progress with many of you who were able to attend Reunion Weekend in June and found wide support as Lehigh continues to innovate, broaden its research impact and better prepare students for their futures.

As The Center for Catastrophe Modeling and Resilience gains momentum, we are continuing to work to expand our interdisciplinary research efforts. We plan to invest in two additional university research centers in key focus areas identified in our strategic plan-improving health through assessments and interventions that occur outside of traditional health care settings, and interdisciplinary research to understand conflict and change.

A campus master plan is also underway, with a focus on improving the connectivity among the Asa Packer, Goodman and Mountaintop campus areas. The aim is to reinforce Lehigh as a singular campus, providing a diversity of experiences to its students. As part of that effort, we are working to fully activate Mountaintop's 740 acres-where important research is already underway, including in the Small Cities Lab, with researchers tackling issues such as affordable housing and other matters plaguing small cities, and in the SwarmsLab, with innovative students and faculty designing and testing robot swarms to improve drone capabilities.

In an effort to expand our existing interdisciplinary programs, we also are establishing a new Integrated Business and Health undergraduate degree that will be available to students beginning in Fall 2025. By combining disciplines, the degree will prepare students so that they can contribute immediately to the business side of health and health care following graduation. Working groups also are developing exploratory semesters and doctoral education programs.

In this time of extraordinary change in higher education, Lehigh continues to strategically take steps to increase the value of a Lehigh education. For the second consecutive year, we had a record number of applicants-20,396, an 11% jump from the previous year.

And, we saw exceptional career outcomes. In the Class of 2023, 95% of undergraduates reported being employed or pursuing continuing education, military or volunteer service a year after graduation. Among graduate students in that class, it's 86%.

I will continue to keep you informed of our progress. As I travel and meet with alumni, perhaps you'll join me on a #PacethePrez Run too.

Joseph J. Helble '82
President of Lehigh University