Soaring Together 2023 Fall Event Recap
As the cohort’s first in-person gathering, this event kicked off the fall semester and allowed the scholars to connect, engage, and lay the foundation for a successful academic year.
Conversations flowed seamlessly, and new friendships began to take root as the scholars posed for professional headshots and met representatives from the Center for Gender Equity and the Lehigh 360 program. The insightful discussions and interactions with the staff left the scholars feeling empowered and well equipped with the wealth of resources and support available to them on campus for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
The scholars were able to meet for the first time with esteemed alumni, who spoke about what led each of them to endorse the Soaring Together Scholars program. Maria ’87 and John Chrin ’85 ’86 ’10P, Mark Alpert ’70, Kendall O'Brien ’84, and Ann Lewnes ’82 ’22P participated in the virtual session, giving students insight into their personal journeys and commitment to supporting this scholarship.
The event launched meaningful connections and showcased the continuous support and mentorship offered by our dedicated alumni who graciously offered their time, wisdom, and commitment to help empower the next generation at Lehigh. It also set the tone for the year, encouraging the students to stay connected and committed to the mission for the greatest reward.
The Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) shared the diverse avenues and resources available to help the scholars navigate their career paths successfully. Jashanae Day Brinker, CCPD associate director, offered the scholars a deeper understanding of the tools and support that can empower them to make informed decisions as they embark on their professional journeys. She reviewed CCPD events, jobs and internship opportunities, and how to schedule appointments with a career coach. She also shared Handshake, which offers 24/7 access to the resource library that includes links and videos to various career development topics, equipping the scholars with a wealth of support beyond the classroom.
The team from Lehigh 360 introduced the scholars to the range of incredible, high-impact opportunities at Lehigh. It also hosted a panel of seven phenomenal students: Morgan Benner ’22G, Kyra Boston ’24, Aminata Coulibaly ’25, Brooke Erickson ’24, Nahjiah Miller ’24, Nicole Pasterczyk ’25, and Madison Tschauner ’26G. Each shared their inspiring work in their respective fields. These topics included gender-based violence prevention, research on black women’s health in the United States, documentary filmmaking on maternal health in Sierra Leone, engineering projects securing access to clean water for women and communities, research on women’s mental health in Uganda, and advocacy for children with chronic illness in low- and middle-income countries.
The scholars were honored with the opportunity to engage with Rita Jones, director of the Center for Gender Equity, and her staff to gain valuable insights into their extensive work and ways to get involved in the center's initiatives. The students gained a deeper understanding of the center's mission and the pivotal role it plays in promoting inclusivity and empowerment on campus.
Jones and her team shared a comprehensive overview of the initiatives driven by the Center for Gender Equity, shedding light on the impactful projects and programs aimed at fostering gender equity within the university community. Jones inspired the cohort to become integral contributors to the ongoing efforts toward gender equity and to actively engage in initiatives that promote positive change.
Kendall O’Brien ’84, a retired finance executive from Johnson & Johnson, met with the Soaring Together scholars to engage in conversation about career choices, networking, and why the Soaring Together scholarship exists.
While originally formatted as an intimate Q&A with an experienced, executive-level alumna who could speak to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the corporate environment, the experience resulted in a dialogue that inspired honest questions and feedback. O’Brien encouraged the inaugural Soaring Together cohort to take advantage of the relationships they’ve gained as part of the program and to lean on each other as a community while many of them are far from home for the first time.
Bringing O’Brien’s corporate and personal experience to the Soaring Together program gave the students a firsthand account of what it was like to grow as an executive when there weren’t many other women in the room. The group inquired about creating a place of belonging and having conversations with people different from themselves.
O’Brien, who serves on the Lehigh University Board of Trustees, recognized how grateful all of the students are and that they are eager to make the most of their opportunity. She encouraged them to try new things while of course prioritizing academics. “Don’t expect to make perfect career choices the first time; focus on building experience.”
Mark Alpert ’70 returned to campus to share lunch with the Soaring Together scholars during the spirited Rivalry Week. The event took an exciting turn with an unexpected visit from the Marching 97. Mark generously shared insights with the scholars, shedding light on his passion for supporting the Soaring Together scholarship and inspiring them with his experiences. He will be connecting with the scholars again in the spring to continue a dialogue with those students focusing on engineering.
