Helping the university evolve

More than 100 members of the campus community gathered in Iacocca Hall in late August to discuss concrete ways in which faculty, staff and students can help Lehigh evolve into a more welcoming and inclusive university.

Provost Pat Farrell told those assembled that a mid-July meeting of a similar group resulted in a long list of both accomplishments and ideas for future work.  The goal of this meeting, he said, was to move the process forward, develop ways for more robust engagement and identity the obstacles to progress.

“We may not agree precisely on all the points raised, but we are happy to hear suggestions and to gain some clarity around these issues. Most importantly,” he said, “we want to keep moving forward.”

The group was assembled into conversational groupings, and were each given a question to discuss. Topics included measuring success and progress, creating sustainable change, planning inclusive and engaging events, identifying steps lead administrators can take, and outlining community expectations.

The institutional discussion was organized by Farrell and Vice Provost for Academic Diversity Henry Odi, who also led the July discussion on creating a sense of momentum on campus and clarifying expectations of positive engagement around issues related to diversity.

Odi said that the most recent institutional conversation was “important in allowing the participants to help frame few strategic action steps that will advance inclusive excellence at Lehigh during this coming year. Next steps include better coordination of efforts, implementation and assessment of the few proposed strategic action steps, fostering broader engagement, and broader communication of these efforts.”

Earlier in the day, Odi hosted a breakfast in the University Center that brought together representatives from Lehigh, local faith-based leaders and activists, and K-12 principals. In attendance to help lead the discussion was former Lehigh Office of Multicultural Affairs Director Tyrone Russell, who now serves as coordinator of racial and ethnic justice through the Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley, and as CEO of Lehigh Valley Faces Marketing and Development, LLC, an organization he established.

Attendee Adrienne Washington, assistant vice president of Community Relations for Lehigh, said the meeting illuminated the many-already strong connections between the university and the community.

“Although there are some gaps we can address, it’s clear that many offices can leverage these partnerships to help our students – including international students – and to help connect faculty and staff leaders to non-profits who are engaged in this work,” she said. “Ultimately, we came out of that meeting recognizing that creating an inventory of these productive partnerships is a priority.”