The Greer Scholars Program, launched in 2013, provides funding and a support network for Black and Hispanic students pursuing engineering studies at Lehigh. Through the program, initiated through the philanthropic efforts of Dr. Carl ’62 and Pat Greer, close to 90% of the nearly 60 Greer Scholars have remained in engineering.
The Rapidly Accelerated Research Experience (RARE) program is a focused pre-admission-to-graduation STEM immersion program that provides opportunities to students from backgrounds underrepresented in STEM fields to equip them with scientific and leadership skills. The program, which is supported by a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, incorporates an innovative curriculum across STEM fields, a strong sense of identity as part of a community of scholars, addressing cultural issues that can contribute to low success and retention rates, and an understanding of the commitment required to excel in STEM.
Lehigh Women Engineers PreLUsion is a three-day program for first-year students that takes place just before students begin classes in the fall. Participants learn about opportunities for Lehigh engineers; meet peers, faculty and staff who will help in the transition to college; gain hands-on lab experience; learn about campus resources, clubs and social activities; visit departments and research centers; and are introduced to college-level academics.
“We know that many STEM programs are not always recognized for their success, dedication and mentorship for underrepresented students,” said Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM. We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”
The award was announced Aug. 15, 2020. Lehigh will be featured, along with other recipients, in the September 2020 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The magazine is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education and is known for its annual INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award that recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. Lehigh received the HEED Award in 2019.
Underrepresented professionals who work in STEM fields enjoy significant opportunities to engage in new discoveries and innovations on a global scale, Pearlstine said. “To advance diversity, promote equality and build a stronger U.S. workforce, we at INSIGHT recognize the importance of increasing the number of people from underrepresented groups entering STEM professions. Colleges and universities have the opportunity to accomplish this through innovative programs and initiatives for current and future students.
“This award is being presented as a tribute to people and programs that encourage and inspire a new generation of young people to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and math. (Lehigh’s) award-winning program continues to make a significant difference through mentoring and teaching, research and other efforts worthy of this national recognition.”
