FROM THE NEST | FALL/WINTER 2025 | 9 Elizabeth (Beth) A. Dolan, dean of the COH, said that the partnership is a milestone for the COH and the university in expanding research impact in health and health care. “By joining forces with Good Shepherd, we’re able to recruit outstanding faculty whose work relies on clinical environments and will, in turn, offer innovative solutions applicable to clinical practice,” said Dolan. “This collaboration provides a unique opportunity for our faculty and students to address real-world health challenges and make a tangible impact on the lives of people with disabilities in the Lehigh Valley and beyond.” Formalizing the Partnership In August 2024, Lehigh University and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation formalized the partnership through a signed Memorandum of Understanding, laying out a 10-year vision to include interdisciplinary research collaborations, joint faculty appointments to bridge academic research and clinical practice and a jointly funded seed program to support new research. A milestone is the appointment of two joint faculty members, the firstof-its-kind hire for both institutions. The first is Shirin Madarshahian, a motor control researcher and a data scientist in the COH, who studies how the brain and body control movement and uses data to improve clinical treatments for individuals with disability; the second is Juan Aceros with the university’s P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, whose research focuses on engineering and medical device solutions that enhance accessibility and independence for this population. These appointments reflect a shared commitment to integrated academic research, clinical insight and technological innovation to improve the lives of people with disabilities. Stephen P. DeWeerth, dean of the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science, noted the impact the partnership may have on the Lehigh Valley community and beyond. “The synergy between Lehigh’s engineering and health colleges, combined with Good Shepherd’s clinical expertise, creates a powerful engine for innovation,” DeWeerth said. “It’s truly inspiring to witness the collaborative energy of our faculty, particularly the CDAT team. This partnership is a testament to the team’s commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities through innovation in technology.” Collaborating on Key Projects The partnership will allow Lehigh students to gain real-world training in rehabilitation and health care through internships and other applied learning opportunities at Good Shepherd. Early examples of key projects of the partnership include collaborating on a wayfinding app that uses robotic mapping technologies to develop digital indoor maps that improve accessibility for people with disabilities; studying wearable technology that helps people with dysphagia, a swallowing disorder affecting more than 9 million adults annually; conducting a Community Health Needs Assessment to understand the needs of children and adults with autism and other neurodivergent conditions in the greater Lehigh Valley; and re-engineering a recreational therapy table gaming system that offers a source of joy and connection for residents of Good Shepherd Home-Bethlehem, a long-term care home for people with severe disabilities, to play and interact from their wheelchairs. “THE SYNERGY BETWEEN LEHIGH’S ENGINEERING AND HEALTH COLLEGES, COMBINED WITH GOOD SHEPHERD’S CLINICAL EXPERTISE, CREATES A POWERFUL ENGINE FOR INNOVATION.” —Stephen P. DeWeerth, dean of the P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science Lehigh was recognized as one of the nation’s top institutions in LinkedIn’s inaugural rankings, The 50 Best Colleges for Long-Term Career Success in the U.S., and The Wall Street Journal’s Best Colleges in the U.S. Lehigh earned the 17th spot on LinkedIn’s list, which assesses the universities that best deliver on student outcomes. The rankings were culled from outcomes and career trajectory data from LinkedIn’s vast professional network and were designed to measure the real-world impact of a college education over time. This recognition adds a compelling layer of validation to Lehigh’s reputation for producing leaders across sectors. Lehigh continues to stand out in WSJ’s rankings, which focus on career and financial success. Landing at #29 on the list of 584 schools, Lehigh is one of only 13 institutions ranked in the top 30 for three consecutive years, reaffirming its long-standing commitment to student success and value. Further underscoring the value of a Lehigh degree, the university ranked 13th on WSJ’s Best Salaries list, which measures how much colleges impact graduates’ earnings relative to the cost of attendance. Lehigh’s value-added salary increased nearly $8,000 from the previous year’s ranking.—Kristen DiPrinzio RANKINGS Lehigh Earns Top Spots in LinkedIn and Wall Street Journal Rankings Michael Spigel
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