For the first time in 50 years, Lehigh University is opening a new college — the College of Health.
"When I heard Lehigh was opening up this brand new college, that's when I decided I wanted to come to Lehigh," said Spencer Waterbury ‘24.
PBS39's Brittany Sweeney visited a population health class taught by Fathima Wakeel, associate professor, and Sean Daley, professor of practice, to learn more about the College of Health and to discuss with students why they chose the new college.
"I wanted to take a chance on the college because it's new,” said Jacelyn Hannah ‘24. “What are the odds that there's a new school in the field that I want to go into opening up at my dream school?"
There are currently 60 students enrolled in the college's first semester, with an additional 20 earning a certificate.
"The opening was a monumental step forward in the history of the university as it is the first new college in 50 years," said the college's Inaugural Dean Whitney P. Witt. “We are the first university in the world to offer undergraduate, graduate and executive programs in population health science with a focus on health, innovation, and technology."
Witt discussed opening a health college in the midst of a pandemic, mentioning the importance of data science and leveraging this education.
"Health crises like COVID-19 are precisely what our faculty do research on and what our students are learning about," said Witt.
Construction on the Health, Science and Technology building, the home of the College of Health, is underway off Webster Street in south Bethlehem and will open in fall 2021. Currently, classes are being offered virtually.
The college recently received a $5 million gift from Ellen and Vincent Forlenza ’75 to assist in recruiting top talent for the school.
The full story can be viewed online at the PBS39 website.
Additional College of Health news:
- $5 Million Gift Helps Launch College of Health
- At a Time of Global Health Crisis, Lehigh Opens an Innovative College of Health
- Breaking Ground on the Health, Science & Technology Building
