Lehigh University truly embraces the concept of “hands-on learning.” Beginning as early as their first year on campus, Mountain Hawks can work on both faculty- and student-led research projects, or even independent projects, sometimes completely funded by the university.
Whether you’re a prospective student interested in environmental engineering or experimental physics or a senior theatrical arts major with a big idea, there is a team at Lehigh looking to give you the chance to get involved in tangible ways and to become a Future Maker.
If you are a first or second-year student sitting in a lecture and something that your professor says strikes you as extremely interesting, tell them; you never know how you may be able to get involved in their research. This advice comes from Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences Kelly Austin, who encourages students to “take a risk” and apply for the significant amount of funding and grants available to them for any kind of research, not just “traditional” research in a lab. There are grants available for theatrical studies or environmental research done by students of any age or cohort.
Once you determine what area of interest you would like to research, the university’s internal funding team can begin to audit your ideas or research to determine the type of funding you qualify for.
In what she referred to as the “hallmark” of the College of Arts and Sciences, Austin said Lehigh’s arsenal of flexible financial resources and availability of facilities for undergraduate students is nearly incomparable and completely “unique.” While you are engrossed in learning and exploring new, unexplained phenomena in a lab, you might discover a previously unknown passion or area of interest!
As a first- or second-year student involved in research, you will be working with a faculty member as your mentor, providing opportunities to connect with faculty and even, down the road, open doors to other opportunities and build the confidence to pursue them. Austin said she would love to see more students apply for these opportunities because “you’re never too young to get involved” in research at Lehigh.