Welcome

At Lehigh we are committed to ensuring that every student, faculty, and staff member thrives in a truly inclusive environment. The Office of Inclusive Excellence and Belonging (OIEB) plays a central role in advancing A Lehigh for Everyone, a foundational initiative of the university's Inspiring the Future Makers Strategy, dedicated to creating a campus where all individuals feel valued, supported and empowered to succeed. OIEB collaborates across the university--partnering with students, faculty, staff, senior administrators, trustees, alumni and community leaders--to foster a culture of belonging, remove barriers to success, and champion equitable opportunities for all. Our work is anchored by our Inclusion and Equity Centers:

For eight consecutive years, Lehigh has been recognized for its leadership in equity and inclusion as a Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award recipient and a three-time HEED Champion. We invite you to explore our website, and those of our centers, to learn about the rich community here at Lehigh and all it has to offer you. 

 

Our Mission

We foster a campus environment where belonging is a shared responsibility and inclusivity is embedded in every aspect of the Lehigh experience.

Insight into Academia Higher Education Excellence and Distinction Award Champion 2026 logo

We are proud to announce that Lehigh has been selected as a recipient of the INSIGHT Into Academia Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award for an eighth straight year, earning the distinction of HEED Champion for the third consecutive year. This is a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that have implemented comprehensive strategies to support excellence in student success, employee recruitment and retention, and welcoming      environments where everyone can achieve success. Applications are evaluated across recruitment, retention, policy, programs, leadership, and more. Only a   limited number of schools are selected as HEED Champions, exemplify an unyielding commitment to excellence throughout their campus communities, across programs, and at the highest administrative levels. While we are honored to be recognized for the programs and resources we have developed so far, we remain committed to the work that needs to be done as we pursue our goal of creating A Lehigh for Everyone.  For more information on the HEED Award and HEED Champion status, click here (link opens in a new window).

Meet Dr. Donald Outing

The Army veteran joined Lehigh from The United States Military Academy at West Point and leads institutional efforts to advance Lehigh's work on diversity, equity and inclusion. Read his perspective on Lehigh's efforts to cultivate a more diverse campus.   

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