Ruhi Tawde '26

Q: What is one thing you would want a prospective student to know about Lehigh?

A: This university has provided me with the support system and community that I truly needed but did not think was attainable. Coming from a competitive high school environment, I knew that toxicity was not a culture I thrived in and I hoped that in college I would have a different experience. Throughout my time at Lehigh, I have never felt as though my peers were competing with me and vice versa. It is incredibly special to be among a community of peers that are driven to succeed themselves while also helping you reach the goals you set for yourself. Whether it is going to meet a professor during office hours as a group, tackling studying for an interview you may have, supporting your dance recital, or the memories you make having fun, you will have support through every step in your college career here at Lehigh. 
 

Q: How has Lehigh prepared you to take on tomorrow’s challenges?

A: Lehigh has prepared me to tackle tomorrow’s challenges in numerous ways. The expectation for students on campus is to strive towards excellence, and give their commitments their undivided attention. We often hear the saying, “jack of all trades, master of none" – on campus we refute this saying, as students are pushed to master anything they set their minds to. The approach to academics at Lehigh has built the groundwork for students to confidently tackle tomorrow’s challenges because it focuses on interdisciplinary learning and the connections professors make between the classroom and the world around them. At Lehigh, I am an engineer who has been exposed to studying psychology, computer science and business. Through hands-on projects and countless experiential learning opportunities, students at Lehigh learn how to adapt their knowledge to any circumstance, with the understanding that although the problems of tomorrow are unknown, we have each built our own toolboxes to tackle them.
 

Q: How has Lehigh shaped who you are — not just as a student, but as a person?

A: Lehigh has shaped me into a better leader and more compassionate friend. I have seen firsthand how this student body shows up for one another in times of both success and need. Through organizations I have been involved in throughout my college experience, I have assumed countless leadership roles. These positions provided me with the platform to find ways to help my community, work alongside offices and students on campus, and tackle real-life problem-solving. I have grown to be calmer in the face of challenges, a stronger communicator and developed new interests. But more importantly, Lehigh has pushed me to be a better friend and support those around me. By surrounding myself with kind and genuine people, I have learned the importance of investing in my relationships and making time for those you care about. 
 

Q: How has the Integrated Business and Engineering Honors Program (IBE) helped you to learn to solve problems across disciplines?

A: At the core of the IBE Program, students are encouraged to push boundaries and problem-solve in innovative ways. This program has provided me with fundamental skills in entrepreneurship, research, data analysis, modeling and presentation. The experience in this program is multi-fold, allowing students to harness their technical engineering expertise to physically build viable solutions to pressing challenges and to use business education to map out the path to market and financial sustainability. During your junior and senior year, students spend 2 semesters working with a local entrepreneur, getting first-hand experience working for a startup company and providing the product with immeasurable value to aid its growth. These two semesters are filled with pivots in strategy, outreach with professionals, and a true taste of the grit needed for entrepreneurial success.

The beauty in this program is that all of our IBE-specific coursework is rooted in collaboration, learning to work with other students and capitalize on diverse strengths. It is very eye-opening to see what can be accomplished when students pursuing different disciplines are grouped together under the guidance of the incredibly experienced faculty. Students in the IBE program learn how to build products that have the potential to change the lives of communities all over the world. 
 

Q: How do you balance academics and all of your extracurriculars? Is it common for students to participate in a wide variety of opportunities at Lehigh?

A: Students at Lehigh are involved with a wide range of extracurricular activities on campus. One of the beauties of this student body is how we take initiative to participate in opportunities to further our academic/professional aspirations, pursue new interests, and just have fun with our peers. Student organizations welcome new members with open arms, and provide a strong sense of belonging for students across the Lehigh community. Time management is definitely an important characteristic that helps me balance my coursework along with campus involvement. Making sure I have a to-do list for each day, and planning 2 weeks ahead when it comes to studying for exams, are just a few ways I stay organized. 
 

Q: Where have you found support and mentorship at Lehigh? How has it shaped your experience?

A: Mentorship on campus comes in a multitude of forms. One quality I greatly appreciate about Lehigh and its community is how willing they are to support students. I have experienced firsthand professors go out of their way to ensure students have all the resources they need. Sometimes this means virtual office hours on a weekend before a big assignment is due or leveraging their own network to help students get employment opportunities. Going into college, I had always heard that the Lehigh Alumni Network was strong, but it was not until I was applying to internships and jobs that I truly felt how powerful it was. I have reached out to countless Lehigh Alumni through LinkedIn or email to get guidance on interviewing or to learn more about their career paths. Despite how hectic their schedules are, I have never been turned down when requesting to connect. Alumni have been a fundamental factor in my internship and full-time job search. Seeing how involved Lehigh grads are with the campus community inspires me to give back in similar ways as I soon embark on my journey as a young alumni. 
 

Q: What is your favorite thing about Lehigh?

A: There is something incredible about walking around campus and being surrounded by beautiful architecture, history, tradition and a campus community that comes to life. My favorite thing about Lehigh is how strong the school spirit is, and how excited students are to participate in activities that are “uniquely Lehigh.” Some of these activities include racing a bed down Packer Avenue, running 4 miles with President Helble, hearing the Marching 97 play the fight song throughout campus, or sledding down a hill on a snowy day. I love how the community (including our police department, faculty, alumni and their families) continues to show up in support of the university and works to preserve its rich history. 
 

Q: If you had to sum up your Lehigh journey so far in three authentic-to-you words, what would they be?

A: Opportunities, Self-discovery, Joy
 

Q: Where is your study spot of choice on campus?

A: My favorite study spots have changed throughout the years, but recently I have found myself embracing my first-year roots and really enjoying studying at Linderman Library. Like many, the building reminds me of “Hogwarts” with its tall ceilings and dark walls. The calmness, quiet, and sense of collective productivity in the reading room always fill me with joy. Every time I walk into Linderman, whether it is to do work or as a stop along the tour route, I reflect on how fortunate I am to be on a campus this beautiful.