Lehigh students are consistently finding ways to explore and expand their interests in sustainability beyond the campus. Over the course of this semester, students from across disciplines have attended conferences focused on sustainability topics, where they have been given the opportunity to network with top innovators in their respective fields and develop professional skills by presenting their own research experiences. The opportunity for students to listen and engage with leading field experts about their innovative ideas and programs is integral for learning beyond the classroom.
Christopher Miller, a sophomore accounting major, attended the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Conference in Pittsburgh at the end of October. Around 2,000 students, faculty, and staff gathered at the 2018 AASHE Conference to share ideas on policies, research, collaborations, and transformative actions that advance sustainability in higher education. Miller was not only able to network with like-minded professionals and peers from across the nation, but he was also able to share Lehigh’s own contributions to sustainability advancements by presenting on the Sustainable Living Program at the conference. “I bolstered my public speaking and communication skills. I also had the opportunity to learn about various career fields in the world of sustainability,” Miller explained.
With a multitude of opportunities available to students at Lehigh, Miller’s experience at the AASHE Conference was one that translates to other conferences attended by students this semester. Allie Gleich, a junior economics major, attended and presented at the Institute of Electric and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Global Humanitarian Technology Conference. Humanitarian technologists and electrical engineers from across the world gathered to identify and address the most outstanding technological needs in underdeveloped and developed countries. Gleich was able to share her research on Cambodian commercial mushroom benefits, which she says helped improve her public speaking skills when engaging with experts in the field. Her experiences with innovative professionals also opened her eyes to other initiatives that are currently being tackled around the globe. “I was able to network with a lot of experts in the humanitarian technology field and about their research and mission,” she says. “[I also] listened to extremely interesting keynote speakers and attended smaller sessions on disaster mitigation, capacity building, and other presentation on technology supporting developing countries.”
For years, Lehigh has been expanding its ability to give students these opportunities for professional development and learning beyond the classroom. In 2004, LU gained Non-Governmental Organization status with the United Nations, giving university students access to the largest intergovernmental organization. Bill Hunter, Director of Fellowship Advising and UN Programs at LU, explained that students who participate in the UN organization through the Youth Representative Program have the unique ability to attend official meetings at the UN Headquarters in New York, NY. This allows students to meet with ambassadors and world leaders and develop insights on global issues. Since gaining NGO status, 12 ambassadors--most recently from Iran and Russia--have met with Lehigh to discuss future relationships and collaboration.
With its vast pool of resources and opportunities, Lehigh is helping students become the sustainable leaders and innovators of the 21st century. What’s standing between you and these amazing experiences? For more information on how to get involved with these programs and conferences, check out the Lehigh Sustainability website.