Dear Members of the Lehigh Community,
Two years ago, we launched Inspiring the Future Makers, a bold, ten-year strategy to reimagine what Lehigh can achieve. Today, we are pleased to share the Year Two Progress Report, which outlines both our impact and the momentum we’re building.
This year’s progress reflects the power of a collective effort that brought significant accomplishments across every initiative of the strategy. Despite an increasingly uncertain and competitive federal funding landscape, Lehigh expanded its research enterprise and secured R1 research university status affirming our growing visibility and national relevance. Across the strategy’s other pillars—education, community, and infrastructure—we launched interdisciplinary programs, strengthened local partnerships, expanded experiential learning and reimagined spaces like Mountaintop and the Clayton University Center to better serve our students and faculty.
Looking ahead to Year Three, we will deepen our focus on AI, expand master’s and certificate programs, develop an industry research consortium model and continue driving student success and belonging. These efforts will be guided by data, purpose and a campuswide commitment to progress and innovation.
We also heard and are responding to feedback from Year Two around the continuing need for clear communication, pathways for corporate partnerships and a more unified and inclusive approach to implementing change. Progress will not come from one office or one leader alone. It will require broad ownership and action.
As you review this year’s progress, we invite you to reflect not only on what’s been achieved but also on the role you’ll play in what’s next. Because at Lehigh, the future is not made for us. It’s made by all of us.
Thank you for your continued commitment and partnership as we look to sustain success in Year Three.
Nathan Urban
Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
Mark Erickson
Interim Vice President for Strategic Planning and Initiatives
