The Council for Equity & Community

The Council for Equity and Community (CEC) is an independent advisory board to the Vice President for Equity and Community (VPEC).

The group is comprised of Lehigh staff, faculty and student volunteer representatives who are committed to collaboratively developing creative solutions that support the institution’s goals of inclusion and belonging. The CEC does this by cultivating and supporting communities of belonging on Lehigh’s campus, and by upholding The Principles of Our Equitable Community.

Our Goals

The CEC’s work is guided by Lehigh’s commitment to inclusion and belonging and the “A Lehigh for Everyone” initiative—by:

Ensure transparency and accountability by facilitating regular communication and inviting unit-specific groups that foster inclusivity and belonging to CEC meetings; offer strategic advice to the VPEC; share resources that promote diverse perspectives and foster open dialogue, and communicate the success of Lehigh’s inclusion and belonging efforts to the campus and beyond.

Inventory inclusion and belonging initiatives across campus; consult with VPEC and unit-specific groups on initiatives; encourage sharing of diverse perspectives, especially from underrepresented groups, and participate in campus and off-campus awareness and educational activities.

Facilitate community feedback mechanisms; promote inclusion and belonging  projects, assessments and policies; advocate for diverse campus representation and visibility of underrepresented voices, and recognize colleagues committed to these efforts.

Learn more about the CEC’s work >

Inclusive Excellence & Belonging in Action

Resources & Toolkit

Compiled to highlight inclusion and belonging initiatives across campus, the toolkit is a collection of personal, interpersonal, institutional, academic and cultural resources for Lehigh’s students, faculty, staff and alumni.
Browse the Inclusive Excellence & Belonging Equity Toolkit >

Make a Gift to Support Inclusion and Belonging Initiatives on Campus

One of the best ways to ensure this work continues on Lehigh’s campus is by making an investment in the initiatives and people who lead the efforts each day. Join us in support of building communities of belonging at Lehigh.
Visit the Giving page for more information >

Attend an Event

Support the campus programming that builds community connections, fosters cultural learning and highlights opportunities for advocacy work.
See all Inclusive Excellence and Belonging events >

History of the CEC

The CEC was formed in 2008 by President Alice Gast. It was comprised of staff, faculty and students and charged with advancing diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campus. After six years of leading these efforts and advocacy on campus, a restructured CEC recommended the creation of an office and staff dedicated to this crucial work. 

When John Simon assumed the presidency in 2015, one of his first actions was to create a position on campus to lead these institutional efforts. In early 2017, Donald Outing became Lehigh’s first vice president for equity and community. The CEC continues to work in tandem with Outing on creating A Lehigh for Everyone, and in alignment with President Joseph J. Helble’s vision for Lehigh’s institutional commitment to this work.

Contact Us

Get in touch with us by emailing CEC@lehigh.edu if you’re looking for more ways to engage with the CEC and our work.

Email the CEC >

Follow CEC on Instagram >