Who We Are

The Council for Equity and Community was founded from Lehigh University’s renewed commitment to actively promote an inclusive community of campus diversity that is receptive to all differences such as age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, and veteran status.

A representative and empowered group consisting of faculty, staff, and undergraduate and graduate students, the CEC has been charged with preparing for and sustaining the next generation of diversity and equity initiatives on campus. Our goal is to create an environment where we all learn, work, and live together, transcending racial, cultural, and other boundaries. Our success in these efforts will lead us to a stronger community and a richer educational experience for all.

Seeking to make the Lehigh University community a true reflection of social diversity, we have assessed our campus climate many times over the years and developed recommendations for change. The CEC is a standing body to help implement and sustain these university-wide goals and initiatives, assess our progress, and report to the campus community about how Lehigh is doing.

Most recently, the CEC recommended to Lehigh President Alice P. Gast that the group be restructured in order for it to more effectively sustain and advance the institutionalization of diversity and inclusion through integration, broader engagement, and connectivity across the University.

Read the CEC's restructuring recommendation >>

During the transition, MJ Bishop, Associate Professor, Teaching, Learning and Technology and Lori McClaind, Assistant Dean of Students will continue to serve as co-chairs with Dr. Henry Odi facilitating the leadership of the new CEC.

Council Members

To be determined (see restructuring recommendation).

Funding Opportunities

While the CEC is in the process of restructuring, the program funding initiative is on temporary hiatus. Please check back again later in the Spring 2012 semester for additional details.