FROM THE NEST | FALL 2024 | 29 In the midst of one of the most impor- tant periods in the modern history of his country, Sergiy Kyslytsya, the Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Nations, visited Lehigh in September to discuss the Russia-Ukraine War, the nature of diplomacy and the importance of global engagement. Kyslytsya, who has been Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations since February 2020, spoke to a capacity crowd of more than 200 students and members of the Lehigh community at the Rauch Business Center’s Perella Auditorium. The appearance continues Lehigh’s long history of engagement with the United Nations since 2004, when it became the sixth university in the world to gain Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status at the U.N. Ukrainian Ambassador Visit Sergiy Kyslytsya’s appearance kicks off a yearlong celebration of the LU/UN Partnership’s 20th anniversary. GLOBAL ʼ16 The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. rankings named Lehigh No. 15 out of the top 500 universities in the country. It’s the second straight year Lehigh was featured among the nation’s top colleges and universities. Schools are ranked based on three main pillars: Student Outcomes, Learning Environment and Diversity. Lehigh’s ranking was boosted by its “Student Outcomes,” earning a 99 in Salary Impact Score and an 85 in Graduation Rate Score. Years to pay off net price is also factored in Student Outcomes. The overall rankings recognize “how well each college sets graduates up for financial success,” along with “how much a school improves students’ chances of graduating and their future earnings.” These outcomes are combined with feedback from those surveyed on college life. RANKINGS CENTENNIAL HEARING In August, the Pennsylvania House Republican Policy Committee convened a “Back to School” hearing at Lehigh’s Centennial School. It gave university officials, school faculty, parents and students the opportunity to share the school’s impact. Centennial, attended by about 90 students, ranging in age from 6 to 21, is an approved K-12 private school, funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and governed by Lehigh’s College of Education. The first hearing in the series featured several panels of speakers, including Robin Hojnoski, acting dean of the College of Education; Julie Fogt, director of the Centennial School; President Joseph J. Helble ’82; as well as teachers and parents. During the hearing, parents shared what school was like before their children started going to Centennial and how their homelife has changed since their children began attending. The Ukrainian Community While on campus, Kyslytsya had lunch with Lehigh President Joseph J. Helble ’82, several senior administrators, the mayor of Bethlehem, some Ukrainian students and faculty members. He also spoke with members of the Lehigh community during an informal reception, including several LU/UN student interns. “We are proud to have Ukrainian professors and students call Lehigh home,” Helble said. “Students have come from Ukraine to our campus for decades, attending both graduate and undergraduate programs in the sciences, arts and humanities. Ukrainian young professionals have also attended our Global Village for Future Leaders of Business and Industry for many years, including Vasyl Myroshnychenko, who now serves as Ukraine’s Ambassador to Australia.” Kyslytsya is the 10th United Nations ambassador to visit Lehigh in recent years, and another 21 ambassadors have engaged with Lehigh students and faculty at the U.N. through relationships fostered by the LU/UN Partnership, Helble said. The event featuring Kyslytsya was part of the LU/UN Ambassadorial Speaker Series, sponsored by the Copeland Family. —Colin McEvoy Lehigh Ranked No. 15 by WSJ BETH MURPHY / CHRISTA NEU
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