Our Strategic Vision

The fundamental role in Student Affairs is to support and enhance the University's educational mission. At the core of all we do is a commitment to promote student success in and outside the classroom.

The living and learning environment should inspire, challenge and support students to achieve their full potential as individuals, as members of the Lehigh community and as citizens of a larger society.

We foster a comprehensive approach to students' intellectual and personal development by integrating formal studies with residential life, a vibrant array of student organizations and activities, leadership development, the arts and athletics.

The quality of our programs, facilities and services should compare favorably to those of the finest colleges and universities in the country. Lehigh should be known as a university that produces leaders who are held in high regard for their character as well as their achievements.

Our strategic vision is directly aligned with the University Strategic Plan, which includes a key component of promoting student success. This is accomplished through the provision of a best-in-class experience and the holistic implementation of core competencies throughout a student's living and learning experience at Lehigh.

These competencies lay the critical foundation for a distinctive student life and learning experience:

• Intellectual Development: Students learn to understand others who differ from them in life experiences, outlook and opinions, and learn to adopt intellectual values that promote the discovery and application of knowledge.
• Individual Identity Development: Students learn to explore and understand their personal values, beliefs and sense of self.
• Interpersonal development, equity, community and global engagement: Students learn the skills they need to build relationships, become leaders and engage with others on campus, in the community and in the world beyond.

Student Affairs Strategic Planning Goals

Goal 1: Integrate academic and student life

The division of Student Affairs is first and foremost, a partner with faculty in the education of our students. All our efforts are focused on the intentional integration of the learning opportunities both in and outside the classroom, and in the ongoing improvement in the caliber of the student experience.

Principal components include: Academic Support, New Student Orientation, Formal Instruction, the Center for Academic Success and Faculty Consultation.

Goal 2: Provide opportunities for students to develop essential life skills as outlined in the core competencies model

An important goal of campus involvement is to prepare students to be positive examples of leadership excellence and social consciousness in a complex and ever-changing world. Opportunities to develop essential skills can be found throughout the Student Affairs division.

Principal components include: Leadership, First Year Experience, Student Conduct, Educational Programming, the Dean of Students Office, University Counseling and Psychological Services, the Health and Wellness Center and the ROTC program.

Goal 3: Foster an inclusive, equitable environment

Lehigh is committed to sustaining an inclusive living and learning community where differences are celebrated, each member of the campus is valued and where an atmosphere of civility and respect is a fundamental expectation. We seek to create and sustain a campus environment that is welcoming and supportive of all members of the campus community.

Principal components include: The Women's Center, the Office of Multicultural Affairs, LGTBQIA Services and University Counseling and Psychological Services.

Goal 4: Cultivate an empowered and engaged campus community

Student life at Lehigh is designed to be an engaging, vital, inspiring and rewarding aspect of the university experience. Beginning with their first experiences on campus as new students, and concluding with graduation, students undergoing this transformative experience are offered the chance to explore, evolve and excel.

Principal components include: Residence Life, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, the Community Service Office, Student Activities, the Student Life Series, and nearly 150 Clubs and Organizations.

Goal 5: Promote a healthy, safe campus community

There is no more important priority than the health and safety of our students. We are continuously improving our ability to foster a safe, secure and healthy environment for our students. We also remain committed to the time-honored culture of respect and acceptance - respect for self, respect for others. This philosophy is a foundational principle in all of the offices dedicated to maintaining a safe and healthy community.

Principal components include: The Lehigh University Police Department (crime prevention and response), University Counseling and Psychological Services, the Health and Wellness Center, Dean of Students Office and Alcohol Education/Prevention.