In the 20th year of Lehigh’s unique United Nations partnership, students traveled to New York City on April 25 for a rare, behind-the-scenes look at global diplomacy, philanthropy and security. The trip featured conversations with high-profile leaders, including former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, Ford Foundation President Darren Walker and Acting U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Dorothy Shea.
Lehigh Students Gain Insider Perspectives on Global Affairs During UN Partnership Trip
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Students meet with Jeh Johnson, former U.S. secretary of homeland security; Darren Walker, president of the Ford Foundation and Ambassador Dorothy Shea during one of the year’s final programs led by Ambassador Richard Verma ’90.
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Photography by
Hailey Warner ’27
Posted on
May 02, 2025
The visit was made possible through the efforts of Ambassador Rich Verma, Lehigh President’s Distinguished Fellow, who played a pivotal role in coordinating the day’s events and personally led the delegation. The itinerary offered students an extraordinary opportunity to engage directly with some of the most influential figures shaping national and international policy today.
The day began at the Ford Foundation headquarters in New York City, where students took part in a wide-ranging discussion with Johnson. Topics included national security, civic responsibility and Johnson’s own path from law to public service. The conversation was followed by a fireside chat with Walker, who shared insights on the role of philanthropy in advancing justice, along with reflections on his personal and professional journey.
Afterward, students went to the U.S. Mission to the United Nations for a meeting with Ambassador Shea, who offered a real-time glimpse into the workings of diplomacy at the U.N. and addressed the importance of international collaboration in addressing global challenges.
Throughout the day, students — representing a range of majors, class years and career interests — had the opportunity to ask questions, learn directly from leaders, and experience the intersections of diplomacy, governance and social change.
Claire Eckroat ’28, an international relations and environmental studies double major, noted that the U.N. program is what influenced her to choose to attend Lehigh. “Today’s trip was extremely impactful for me as an undergraduate student who aspires to work on the global stage in the future,” she said. “Getting to hear from some of the nation’s top leaders who are or have worked on groundbreaking policies and initiatives is something that you can’t get at other institutions … Lehigh’s partnership with the U.N. has opened so many doors for me in just my first year and introduced me to career pathways I didn’t even know were possible.”
Sydney Ellis ’27, a political science major and Africana Studies minor said: “...The experience was truly motivating. Hearing from Darren Walker, Jeh Johnson, and Ambassador Dorothy Shea highlighted how leadership, law, and public service can intersect. Each speaker was thoughtful and engaging, and I was especially inspired by how Darren Walker is using the Ford Foundation to advance social justice and support lasting change.”
The UN is Our Classroom
“We call the United Nations our extended Lehigh classroom,” said Bill Hunter, director of fellowship advising and U.N. programs. “Lehigh is one of the most involved universities in the world when it comes to sustained, direct engagement with the U.N. system.”
That involvement is both deep and distinctive. In 2008, Lehigh became the first university to formally request that the U.N. grant students official credentials to serve on behalf of accredited NGOs — an appeal that has since expanded access for undergraduate and graduate students seeking to engage with global issues firsthand.
To date, more than 200 Lehigh students have served as U.N. Youth Representatives, delivering programs, speaking on global platforms and participating in official U.N. activities. These experiences provide undergraduates with an unparalleled opportunity to step onto the world stage while still in college.
Many students involved in the program go on to apply for prestigious fellowships and pursue careers in diplomacy, international development, journalism and public policy. The program is designed not only to broaden academic learning but to open doors to professional pathways that start with real-world exposure.
Today, student journalists will attend the U.N. Secretary-General’s press conference as part of a specialized event focused on journalism and global communication, an experience that reflects the program’s ongoing commitment to immersive, interdisciplinary learning.
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Photography by
Hailey Warner ’27
Posted on
May 02, 2025
