In an effort to chart the university’s path for the next decade, Lehigh plans to update and review its strategic plan, last published in 2009. Provost Nathan Urban will lead the process, which will formally launch by summer, and will work closely with the strategic planning team.
Christine “Chris” Cook, who has joined Lehigh as vice president of strategic planning and initiatives, will work with Urban and the team to direct all aspects of the process, including facilitating input and engagement from across the university and reviewing Lehigh’s progress since the last plan. Before joining Lehigh, Cook served as vice provost for strategic initiatives and resource planning at Dartmouth College. Patricia Mann in the Office of the Provost is transitioning from her current role to serve as director of administration on the team.
In a message to the Lehigh community, Lehigh President Joseph Helble ’82 said that, since beginning his tenure, he has been meeting formally and informally with as many groups and individuals across the university as he can, including students, faculty, staff and alumni. He said the conversations have affirmed for him a shared sense of pride for Lehigh and the collective desire for the university to continue to improve, grow, strive and evolve.
Lehigh’s last strategic plan articulated priorities that included the establishment of broad research goals, investments in faculty, staff, and the student experience, and an expansion of Lehigh’s partnership with the surrounding community.
“Our strategic planning process this year,” Helble said, “will provide an opportunity to re-examine those goals, assess our progress against them, and chart Lehigh’s path for the coming decade, setting priorities for our educational and research mission and our commitment to supporting a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive community.”