Katherine Lavinder Named Lehigh’s New Vice President for Student Affairs

Katherine Lavinder has been named Lehigh’s new vice president for student affairs, building on more than a decade of dedicated leadership within Lehigh’s student life community. Lavinder first joined Lehigh as associate dean of students in 2011, became dean of students in 2017 following a national search and was promoted to assistant vice president in 2023. In her new role, she will continue to lead efforts that enhance student engagement, well-being, and campus experience.

Lavinder has led the Dean of Students Office through a period of profound transformation, including guiding the team through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, contemporizing the student affairs model to better meet the needs of today’s students and strengthening Lehigh’s support systems across wellness, engagement and belonging.

Known for her thoughtful leadership and deep commitment to students, Lavinder has advocated for a holistic approach to the student experience centered on well-being, meaningful engagement, and individualized support. She has championed efforts to foster a greater sense of belonging on campus by building capacity for student involvement through the creation of the Office of Student Involvement, using assessment tools and direct student interaction to develop responsive programs and services, and aligning and connecting the student experience through Lehigh’s bLUeprint curricular approach.

Lavinder also believes that a strong student experience starts with a strong staff experience. Under her leadership, Lehigh’s Student Affairs team has been recognized for three consecutive years as one of the Most Promising Places to Work in Student Affairs, a national distinction that underscores the team’s culture of professional development, inclusivity and collaboration, and reflects her belief that a thriving workplace culture is key to delivering exceptional student services.

“Some of the most talented people working in the field of Student Affairs are right here on our campus,” she said.

In her new role, Lavinder will continue shaping how Lehigh supports students holistically—ensuring programs, services, and campus culture remain aligned with Lehigh’s mission and are responsive to the moment. Her work reflects a deep commitment to creating an environment where every student can feel seen, supported and valued.

“Katherine has played a vital role in shaping the student experience at Lehigh over the past decade, and her leadership has been marked by empathy, innovation and a deep commitment to student well-being,” said President Joseph J. Helble ’82. “She understands the evolving needs of today’s students and has built an environment where they feel supported, challenged and connected. I’m grateful for all that she has done—and will continue to do—to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive at Lehigh.”

Lavinder’s background includes prior leadership roles at Radford University, and she holds degrees from James Madison University and the University of Georgia, as well as a doctorate from Northeastern University. Her tenure at Lehigh reflects a consistent focus on student advocacy, cross-campus collaboration and evolving the student experience in ways that reflect the complexity and aspirations of our community.

Lehigh University human resources supported the vice president for student affairs search, with a committee chaired by Vice President for Equity and Community Donald Outing. The search committee included: Kathleen Hutnik, associate deputy provost, graduate education; Dugeidy Ortiz, director of special projects and assistant to the vice president for student affairs; Chris Mulvihill, associate dean, student affairs; Naomi Rothman, professor of management; Lyndon Dominique, associate professor of English; Robert Flowers, dean, College of Arts and Sciences; Kevin Dotel ’25, undergraduate student representative; and Theresa Schinkowitch, graduate student representative. Tess Gillespie, executive secretary for the Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging, provided administrative and logistics support for the search.