Lehigh’s College of Education (COE) strives to effect change for those affected by social injustice and inequity. Our students, faculty and staff lead the charge in bringing opportunity to diverse communities, both locally and across the globe.
Diversity is an essential piece of the educational experience within the COE. A diverse learning environment helps members of our community to challenge stereotypes and develop complex critical thinking skills, better prepares them to become active citizens and leaders, and equips them to live as members of an international community. We embrace our responsibility to create a welcoming environment for all members of the community, including underrepresented faculty, staff and students; persons with disabilities; persons of disadvantaged socioeconomic status and international students. To accomplish this, we actively work toward levels of diversity that reflect the country’s diversity.
Multicultural Resource Center
Through the Multicultural Resource Center, the COE works to develop awareness and consensus around concepts of equity and diversity by:
- Hosting world cafes, panels and debates around issues and research related to diversity and social justice
- Supporting cross-institutional exchanges with other universities and through foundation efforts
- Seeking out and developing funding sources for social justice and diversity efforts
- Seeking federal research funding to conduct studies and disseminate results of best practices in diversity and social justice
Freedom of Expression Statement
Lehigh University's College of Education aims to promote constructive discourse around issues that shape educational practices nationally and internationally. University and college leadership does not endorse nor assume responsibility or liability for opinions and views expressed by its students or employees. We respect the right of students, faculty and staff to share their views and any shared content therein does not signal an endorsement or collective agreement by the College of Education or its affiliates.
Diversity in Our Community
We strive to increase the diversity of faculty, staff and students by:
- Determining the current level of international, gender, ethnic, socioeconomic (SES) and sexual orientation diversity in our faculty, staff and students
- Setting goals based on the current level of diversity matched to national norms in an incremental manner
- Strengthening the recruitment and retention efforts of diverse faculty, staff and students
- Recruiting students with a commitment to empirical research in the areas of diversity and multiculturalism
We promote values and respect of multiple perspectives by:
- Creating national and trans-national partnerships through grants and foundations
- Creating mentoring opportunities across the Lehigh campus community
- Conducting ongoing assessments of faculty, staff, and student values and respect for multiple perspectives
- Creating statements expressing our commitment to the value and consideration of diverse perspectives in COE activities
Lehigh University is devoted to creating a rich educational experience and is committed to creating an environment where we all learn, work and live together, transcending racial, cultural and other boundaries. Students flourish in an academic environment where they can and do learn from their life experiences as well as from the diverse backgrounds and opinions of those around them.