Lehigh University's 85,000-strong alumni network is a global community that continues to thrive. United by a shared commitment to excellence, Lehigh alumni make a lasting impact in every corner of the world.
The Lehigh University Alumni Association (LUAA) exists to harness the collective strength of those 85,000 alumni, fostering meaningful connections both among alumni and with Lehigh itself. LUAA embraces the endless possibilities that lie ahead, working alongside the alumni relations team as ambassadors to engage Lehigh’s global network of alumni, parents, and friends.
The Lehigh University Young Alumni Council (YAC) represents alumni within 10 years of graduation, serving as ambassadors who connect recent graduates with the university. YAC fosters engagement, builds relationships, and offers valuable feedback to strengthen ties among young alumni and support Lehigh's mission.
We talked with LUAA and YAC members to learn what motivated them to stay involved with Lehigh, and what impact their service has had on their lives. Meet some of them below.
Interested in becoming a member of LUAA or YAC or nominating an alumnus? Check out the nomination form.
Jeffrey Sherman ’75
LUAA President
B.S. Management and Marketing
Retired Paralegal Manager and Senior Litigation Paralegal
Lehigh has had such a positive impact on my life. LUAA was the perfect opportunity to give back to the university. We truly are Lehigh's ambassadors: to share our passion for Lehigh with alumni and to focus on issues important to the university.
It is an honor to serve on the board. It is also rewarding to work with such exceptional board members, the alumni relations staff, and university officials who share my passion for Lehigh. I have been able to exchange ideas and work on solutions on how to best serve and promote our wonderful alma mater.
Nancy Liu ’83
LUAA Senior Vice President
B.A. Economics
Retired Assistant General Counsel, GE Capital
The LUAA Board are ambassadors for the University. The board’s job is to build a stronger alumni base by promoting alumni activities and events. I got involved because I love meeting fellow graduates and helping them re-engage with the university.
Being on the board has allowed me to make new friends with alumni of all ages and stay connected to the community through activities and events on campus and at regional locations.
Sydney Bagley Klingenberg ’16
YAC President
B.S. Business & Economics, Marketing
Associate Director of Development for Family Philanthropy, Vanderbilt University
I joined YAC because I was seeking a way to reconnect with Lehigh after moving from Philly to Tennessee, unsure of my next chapter. I wanted to show other young alumni—especially those of color—that they weren’t alone in their experiences. My goal was to improve the young alumni experience for those who would follow.
While I hope to one day make a financial impact on the institution that shaped me, for now, I contribute my time, ideas, and experiences. Over the past four years on YAC, including three on the executive board, I've had the chance to co-chair my reunion class and reconnect with fellow alumni.
Bo Johns-Hennessy ’13
LUAA Board Member
B.S. Civil Engineering, B.A. Architecture
Engagement Manager, McKinsey & Company
I got involved with the LUAA board to continue giving back to an institution that has given me so much. My tenure on the Young Alumni Council and as the leader of the Lehigh Club of DC demonstrated the incredible power of our alumni community, and I saw joining the LUAA as a natural next step in my volunteer leadership journey.
Being on the LUAA board has not only kept me energized about the University but has also expanded my alumni network across different class years, colleges, geographies, and careers. It's been an incredible experience working alongside fellow alumni as ambassadors for the University, working to build an engaged alumni community.
Nishika Vidanage-Lulejian ’07, ’09
LUAA Board Member
B.A. Sociology & Cultural Anthropology, M.A. Sociology
Public Health Analyst, Katmai Government Services
I had already been involved with the Lehigh Clubs of Philadelphia and Atlanta and wanted to take that experience to the next level, so I joined the LUAA board. I really enjoyed meeting alumni and making connections with those who had a heart for Lehigh.
It’s been amazing to engage with alumni from across the years and collaborate on new ideas for alumni engagement.
Jordy Salcedo-Giraldo ’16
YAC Board Member
B.S. Biochemistry
Pediatric Nephrology Fellow, Children’s National Hospital
I got involved with YAC because after graduating I wanted to continue to stay involved with Lehigh. I wanted the opportunity to stay connected with events/organizations on campus, but also start to explore networking with alumni around where I lived.
Being on YAC has been a great experience to stay connected with Lehigh both on and off campus. YAC has allowed me to stay up to date with what’s happening on campus, while also allowing me to share my thoughts with some of the people in charge at Lehigh. Additionally, YAC has provided me opportunities to attend events in Philadelphia and DC, helping me network with a ton of alumni.
