Faculty & Staff

Our students’ first-year at Lehigh is a critical time of change and exploration. We have named the first-year experience “evoLUtion” for its definition being the gradual process in which something changes into a different, more complex or better form.

        To best help students adjust, we have created opportunities which extend beyond Orientation and address social and academic transitional issues that they are likely to face during their first year at the university.

        We believe that students should direct their learning experiences while in college. In order to assist in that process we focus on exposing students to five learning outcomes:

• Creative curiosity
• Identity Development
• Collaborative Connections
• Inclusive Leadership
• Professional Growth and Success

The Office of the First-Year experience can provide resources to faculty and staff so you can better understand the student experience or engage with students through various learning opportunities sponsored by our office. 

The two most common ways that faculty or staff engage with first-year students are by being an evoLUtion Seminar facilitator or a Summer Reading Discussion Leader.

The Office of the First-Year Experience (OFYE) is looking for enthusiastic and engaging faculty and staff who are interested in shaping the lives of first-year students by participating in one or both of the following program opportunities:

evoLUtion Seminar Facilitator: Lead our 8-week seminar experience and work with a small group of 20 first-year students and an upper-class Orientation Leader.  A detailed outline and training for the seminar will be provided. 

The goals of the evoLUtion Seminar are to:

• Provide an introduction to the university, its mission, structure and culture
• Introduce students to academic and residential expectations and resources
• Assist students in developing information literacy skills
• Provide students with an introductory opportunity to explore their individual identity and learn about the diverse nature of the Lehigh, South Bethlehem, and global communities
• Enhance students' ability to work in groups/teams
• Further expose students to the importance of writing and critical thinking skills in the first year
• Guide students in the development of personal and academic goals for their college experience

If you are interested in becoming an evoLUtion Seminar facilitator the application process begins in February and the deadline to apply is usually the end of March.

Facilitators must attend various trainings and receive a stipend for their time.

Summer Reading Discussion Leader

The goal of the Summer Reading program is to engage students in an intellectual experience with their peers before they come to campus! Each year a committee of faculty, staff and students select a book that will engage the entire University community. Faculty and Staff are invited to lead discussions about the book during Orientation.

This year’s selection is the Madonnas of Echo Park by Brando Skyhorse.

If you are interested in serving as a Discussion Leader please complete this form. All discussions will take place on Sunday, August 25 from 3:00-4:30pm. Discussion Leaders will be provided with a discussion guide and will be partnered with an Orientation Leader.

To apply for either the evoLUtion Seminar Facilitator or Summer Reading Discussion Leader, please complete the interest form. We will notify the selected facilitators in June. If you have any questions please contact Allsion Ragon, 610-758-1300.

 2012 FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE ASSESMENT is available online.