Dear Members of the Lehigh Community,
I’m pleased to share leadership updates in the areas of student affairs and finance and administration that will support Lehigh’s continued progress and next chapter. Further information regarding the General Counsel search will be communicated later this spring.
Chris Cook has been named Lehigh’s Vice President for Finance and Administration. In this role, she will oversee Lehigh’s financial and administrative functions, helping to ensure we remain well-positioned to advance our strategic goals. As Vice President for Strategic Planning and Initiatives, she has brought strategic leadership to Lehigh’s Inspiring the Future Makers Strategy, offering valuable insight into aligning resources with institutional priorities. Before joining Lehigh, Chris served as Vice Provost for Strategic Initiatives and Resource Planning in the Office of the Provost at Dartmouth College, and as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer for Dartmouth's School of Engineering. Mark Erickson will continue in his role as Interim Vice President for Strategic Planning and Initiatives, where his leadership remains critical to our vision and implementation of the Lehigh Strategy. You can read more about Chris’s selection on the Lehigh website.
Katherine Lavinder has been selected as Lehigh’s Vice President for Student Affairs. A long-standing member of the Lehigh community, Katherine has dedicated nearly 15 years to supporting our students and enhancing campus life, first joining Lehigh as Associate Dean of Students in 2011, later becoming Dean of Students in 2017, and being promoted to Assistant Vice President in 2023. We are fortunate to benefit from her continued thoughtful leadership as we deepen our commitment to student success. You can read more about her selection in the news story on the Lehigh website.
Chris and Katherine served as interim leaders in their new roles, and it’s inspiring to see these positions fulfilled by individuals who know Lehigh well and are deeply invested in its future. They will play an essential role in guiding Lehigh through the next phase of our work. With their leadership and expertise, we will build on the momentum of the Lehigh Strategy and continue strengthening and positioning Lehigh for long-term success.
Joseph J. Helble ’82
President
