What is LUSSI?
The Lehigh University Student Scholars Institute (LUSSI) is a program that cultivates a sense of community, belonging, and empowerment among first-year students who are first generation and/or from limited-income backgrounds. The program fosters holistic student success by building a supportive community and providing access to academic, social, and professional development resources.
Program Description
LUSSI is designed to support students throughout their four years at Lehigh, with a specific emphasis on the first-year experience. The introductory yearlong programming engages dedicated administrators, staff, faculty and students, who work to reduce the barriers to success for all our students within the F1RST+ community. Incoming first year student participants are provided with the opportunity to develop community through social and educational experiences, allowing them to take full advantage of life at Lehigh. LUSSI seeks to inspire and support our students to become confident, intelligent and successful leaders on our campus and beyond. Students in the LUSSI program learn to appreciate and celebrate all aspects of who they are and see the world through a lens of richness and wholesomeness.
LUSSI Families
As part of efforts to increase the sense of belonging, inclusion and connectedness between the Lehigh community and F1RST+ students, selected individuals will have the opportunity to interact with approximately 100 other F1RST+ students. Students will also be able to develop a more connected circle of support within what we call our LUSSI families. “LUSSI Families” are smaller groups of approxmately 16-25 students, with each Family having two student guides who will serve as a direct contact throughout the first academic year. Additionally, each LUSSI Family will have the support of a faculty and staff mentor.
Cost
The LUSSI program has no monetary cost. Selected students will be required to make a commitment to engage in various programming opportunities throughout the year that we believe will help students make the most of their time at Lehigh.
LUSSI students are committed to partake in the following:
Bi-weekly group meetings over the course of the entire academic year with student guides, including a monthly LUSSI Family meeting with the faculty and staff mentors.
Participation in customized 5x10 programs
Opportunity to participate in the Passport to Success program. LUSSI participants will be given priority status for admission into this program
Opportunity to seek financial support from the High Impact Experience Opportunity Fellowship (HIEOF)
Additional programming offered throughout the year addressing each of the core focus areas
Special social programming for all LUSSI students (including sophomores, juniors and seniors)
