2025 Progress on Culture & Engagement

Cultivating a robust "One Lehigh" culture of sustainability across our campus remains a priority for the university. By actively engaging our community to embrace diverse perspectives and champion environmental stewardship, we are successfully weaving sustainable practices into the very fabric of our institution, ensuring Lehigh leads by example in every facet of university life.

Building a sustainable campus requires the active participation of our entire community. As of this year, around 23% of employees are in offices certified in our Sustainable Office Program, and 18% of our staff participated in professional development focused on sustainability. Our community-facing efforts remain strong, highlighted by the over 31.8k attendees who supported local businesses at the Bethlehem Farmers Market.

Communications

Update: In 2021, the Office of Sustainability established comprehensive resources for professional certifications and development opportunities. These materials are now maintained and accessible via the Careers in Sustainability webpage, providing students with up-to-date access to professional associations and credentialing resources. While the publication of an "Impact and Accomplishments" pamphlet is currently on hold, the digital resource library continues to support student professional growth.

Update: Sustainability at Lehigh (including key processes, statistics, and stories) was included in the 2020 and 2021 annual reports. 

Inclusive Excellence and Belonging

Update: We continue to make progress on this goal in conjunction with A Lehigh for Everyone foundational initiative of the Lehigh Strategy and the 21-26 DI&E Strategic Plan. Progress measures can be found here https://data.lehigh.edu/strategic-plan-dashboard (click on Make It Together)

Next Steps: We are doing a comprehensive review of all programs in our area to determine impacts on student retention, and we are working closely with Admissions to refine recruitment strategies to maximize applications for incoming classes. We continue to work closely with HR and the Provost's Office on faculty & staff recruitment and retention efforts.

Update: We continue to make progress on this goal through work on the A Lehigh for Everyone foundational initiative of the Lehigh Strategy and the 21-26 DI&E Strategic Plan.  Progress measures can be found here: https://data.lehigh.edu/strategic-plan-dashboard (Make It Together)

Next Steps: We are working closely with all areas of the University, including Senior Cabinet and the Finance & Administration division, to ensure that programs and offices devoted to these goals are appropriately resourced to maintain and further services as required by the campus population.

Update: We continue to make progress on this goal in conjunction with the A Lehigh for Everyone foundational inititiave of the Lehigh Strategy and the 21-26 DI&E Strategic Plan.  Progress measures can be found here: https://data.lehigh.edu/strategic-plan-dashboard (Make It Together)

Next Steps: We will continue to work closely with HR and the Provost's Office on recruitment efforts for faculty & staff, and continue to refine offerings from FSCN, FSPN, Lehigh Women's Network, and Lehigh Parents & Caregivers Network to offer support for faculty and staff on campus to ensure a sense of belonging and community.

Update: We continue to make progress on this goal in conjunction with the A Lehigh for Everyone foundational initiative of the Lehigh Strategy and the 21-26 DI&E Strategic Plan.  Progress Measures can be found here: https://data.lehigh.edu/strategic-plan-dashboard (Make It Together)

Next Steps: We will continue to collaborate closely with the Office of Admissions to refine recruitment strategies to develop the broadest application pools possible each year.  OIEB Staff participate in multiple recruitment strategies such as Send-Offs, interested student panels, and collaborations with partner K-12 institutions for campus visits.

Campus Involvement

Update: As of Spring 2025, there are 29 offices that have been certified or recertified within 3 years (since 2022). Around 23% of employees are currently certified. Counting all offices that have been certified (including those that have not recertified after 3 years), around 25% of employees have been in the program. 

Update: The program was paused for a year-long assessment to evaluate its feasibility and identify opportunities for improvement.

Update: Since the 2022 creation of the BFM Sustainability Plan and Guide, the market has successfully implemented vendor contract clauses discouraging single-use plastics and revived the community reusable bag swap. Building on these operational shifts, the 2023 season prioritized social equity by expanding representation among women and BIPOC vendors and musicians. As of 2025, the market continues to refine these sustainability and inclusion efforts through ongoing policy and program updates.

Update: This initiative is currently on hold following leadership changes in the Office of Sustainability. An initial conversation started with Lafayette College's Sustainability Outreach and Engagement Manager in summer 2023. 

Next Steps: Progress will resume once the new leadership has had the opportunity to review and align the project with current departmental priorities.

Update: Between 2020 and 2023, Lehigh successfully integrated sustainability training into the First-Year Orientation Course Site, ensuring all incoming students received foundational environmental education. To support this, the Office of Sustainability provided recorded, up-to-date training for Orientation Leaders (OLs) and partnered with the Office of First-Year Experience to audit orientation waste streams and programming. 

Next Steps: Following these initial expansions, the training modules are scheduled for a comprehensive review in the coming year to refresh content and identify further integration opportunities.

Update: The Lehigh Athletics Sustainability Plan was finalized in February 2022 and is now in the implementation phase.

Next Steps: Continue to engage with Athletics to expand implementation. 

Update: Many learning opportunities are available and are regularly re-evaluated for content effectiveness and relevance. 18% of staff participated in sustainability professional development and training from July 1, 2024, to June 20, 2025. During this time, many Cornerstones of Community programs were undergoing evaluation as the committee was looking to restructure training offerings. Since July 21, 2021, 63% of staff have participated in sustainability professional development.

Next Steps: The Cornerstones of Community Committee is continuing to evaluate current and potential programs related to DIEAB initiatives. Continued collaborations with internal and local Learning Partners are providing new professional learning opportunities.

Update: Lehigh has significantly expanded professional development accessibility through a strengthened partnership with LVAIC, resulting in more frequent offerings of "Crucial Conversations" and annual participation in the Higher Ed Leadership Institute. Key institutional advancements include:

  • Certification & Leadership: Launched new CE@L Professional Development Certificate Tracks and celebrated the completion of the Lehigh Leadership Academy.
  • Specialized Programming: Increased sessions for National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) and expanded Lehigh Benefits programming to improve employee awareness.
  • Strategic Realignment: Currently evaluating and restructuring the Cornerstones of Community curriculum to better serve evolving staff needs.

Next Steps: Continue to work with the NDEAM committee and HR Benefits to bring more programs for DEIAB and benefits programming to employees.