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This fellowship could not have been made possible without the generous donation from an anonymous alumni donor following the vision of Soaring Together Scholar Courtney Baker ’27,
Soar With Us Fellowship Program worked toward creating a Lehigh for Everyone, as part of the Lehigh Strategy. Fellows developed inclusive leadership skills, advocacy skills that created data-driven changes, and networking skills with Lehigh alumnae and alumni.
The professional staff of the Gender, Leadership, and Empowerment Center selected 5 Fellows through a competitive application process with more than 60 applicants. The Fellows participated in an expedited skills and content educational cycle in the Fall semester. They started with a retreat in early October, followed by weekly meetings as a group. Using data, Fellows saw gaps and created plans in the latter part of the fall semester. When the fellows returned in spring, they were able to start executing their action plans, meet regularly with GLE staff, and wrap up the year with a presentation report.
Meet our inaugural fellows!
Tawheeda Huq '27
Efua Yankey '28
Ashley Witkowski '28
Jack Hetz '29
Rachael Burcker '27
Check out their work!
FAQs
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Students learn inclusive leadership content and transferable skills. They will use these skills and teach others, using a “train-the-trainer” approach.
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Students will use existing Lehigh data to understand trends and changes based upon gender across campus. They will use the data to inform interventions and projects designed to create a Lehigh for Everyone.
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Students will teach peers about everyday sexism or behaviors that may exclude some historically underrepresented peoples from achieving their goals, particularly within the student club and organization setting, honing their advocacy skills.
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Students will attend sessions where alums are present in order to ask questions about gender-related experiences alums have encountered after graduation. Experiences aren’t designed to call-out individuals, companies, or organizations. Rather, Fellows will create spaces for people to share what worked and what could be stronger. Alums will also be able to share positive contributions they have made to making organizations welcoming to all.
- Fellows receive a $1500 annual stipend ($750 per semester)
- Fellows will participate in October 4 training retreat
- Fellows commit to working approximately 4 hours per week from October 3, 2025-May 1, 2026
- Fellows commit to attending all weekly training and planning meetings
- foundational training in gender equity concepts
- foundational and accelerated training in advocacy and activism
- connections to Lehigh alumni networks
- foundational and ongoing content and skills necessary to become inclusive leaders
- mentoring