A new scholarship program at Lehigh University’s College of Health (COH) will help exceptional students who aspire to be future health leaders turn this vision into a reality by providing full-tuition support for four years, funding for high-impact experiential learning, mentorship and networking opportunities, and more.
Starting on August 1, students may apply for admission to Lehigh University. Once admitted, they will have the opportunity to apply for the College of Health Scholars (COHS) program, a highly competitive scholarship for students entering into the college who demonstrate leadership, intellectual curiosity and a commitment to improving human health in the U.S. and around the world. The cohort-based scholarship program will enroll four to five students each year. College of Health Scholars can undertake any B.A. or B.S. program offered by the College of Health.
According to Beth Dolan, dean of the COH, applicants will be evaluated holistically; they are looking for students who have the potential and passion to create an impact in health. The two most desired traits in prospective students are demonstrating leadership qualities through impact and having an innovative mindset. “In order to really make a difference in our health and healthcare systems right now, we need leaders, and we need innovative problem solvers,” she said.
Experiential learning, a hallmark of a College of Health education, will be extended into the COHS program. According to Dolan, “Experiential learning is hands-on learning in the real-world, where students apply what they've learned in the classroom and from which they bring questions or experiences back to the classroom.”
Scholarship recipients will receive up to $5,000 for experiential learning expenses, including funded internships, research, travel and other approved opportunities. Dolan shared that the College of Health scholars will participate in Health Innovation Leadership workshops, designed and led by Lehigh’s Office of Entrepreneurship, focusing on developing leadership skills like clear communication and learning core skills related to innovation, like design thinking. Students can also participate in career exploration in New York City, Philadelphia or the Lehigh Valley; interact with health leaders on the College of Health Dean’s Advisory Council; and join team-building and social events with other students.
Importantly, peer mentorship is an essential element of the program. By serving as COHS ambassadors and mentoring younger students, scholars will gain leadership skills that will help prepare them for the workplace. Students will be linked with Lehigh University alumni for further mentorship. They will also participate in a new four-year Professional Training Certification program that will be open to all COH students and will have access to high-impact opportunities such as research, study abroad, internships and social impact fellowships, including the Global Social Impact Fellowship.
Seed funding for the College of Health Scholars program was provided by a gift from Ellen and Vincent Forlenza ’75. Vincent A. Forlenza, Jr. ’75 is the former chairman of the Lehigh University board of trustees and a current trustee. Forlenza is a founding member of the COH Dean’s Advisory Council and an early supporter of the College of Health.
“My wife and I are excited to support this innovative Health Scholars program, which focuses on both academics and real-life experiences in health,” said Forlenza. “We look forward to seeing the exciting health careers developed by these scholars and their impact.”
Dolan shared that Forlenza is an incredible partner to have aboard.
“Vince has been a partner to the university in imagining the college, and then in building the college, not only by being the first person who agreed to serve on the Dean’s Advisory Council, and serve as a valuable mentor to me, but also by funding an endowed chair in health innovation and technology,” Dolan shared.
“Vince is really committed to the innovation ecosystem for health,” she continued. “He personally is involved in several startups, and then, of course, he led a large multinational company, BD (one of the world’s largest medical technology companies), for many years.”
According to Dan Warner, vice provost for admissions and financial aid at Lehigh University, the College of Health Scholars program is an exciting addition to the university. “It underscores the importance of the work that the College of Health is doing, and the support that the university and the donors have for making Lehigh students be those impactful leaders in the field when they leave Lehigh,” he said.
For more information about the College of Health Scholars program, please click here.
