Technology has made it easier than ever for students to be informed of community needs and opportunities to get involved. Students can now scroll through the CSO Instagram account and find new programs and opportunities or discover SouthSide nonprofits. That same technology has produced a new commitment to connection, to creating friendships and getting out in the community. Students today may have reached an inflection point: an abundance of information and a renewed drive to act. “Our students are incredibly informed, and that leads to motivation and action in very quick, responsive ways,” Hernandez says. “There is a heightened level of awareness of both community issues and global issues, and Lehigh students are not just aware of them, they do something about them. They show up and do the work on the ground.” Maureen Phelan ’27 has been engaged in that work since her first days on campus. She was introduced to the CSO through PreLUsion, an optional three-day preorientation, as an incoming first-year student. Phelan chose the volunteer experience program from a handful of options, which took her to Donegan Elementary, Fountain Hill food pantry and Jacobsburg State Park. “Being a part of the Community Service Office has definitely been one of the best experiences of my life at Lehigh,” Phelan says. “It gives me the chance to step beyond a screen, connect with people personally and make a direct impact.” Phelan and Vanessa Elias ’27 met during PreLUsion and followed a similar path through the CSO. Now, they lead the same volunteer experience program that welcomed them to campus. Retitling it “Bridges to Bethlehem,” they offer incoming first-year students a refreshed take on volunteerism and public service focused on self-development and meeting real community needs. “Technology makes it easier to become aware of the challenges affecting our communities and learn about opportunities to help, but meaningful action starts with understanding people and creating connections that technology alone cannot provide,” Phelan says. As she prepares for a career in commercial banking after completing a summer internship at JP Morgan Chase, Phelan plans to keep her passion for service thriving by organizing and participating in corporate volunteer initiatives and service opportunities outside of the office. Mary Beth Tully ’84 P’21 P’21, a member of Lehigh’s board of trustees, has spent her career demonstrating that service can be both a profession and a lifelong commitment. Through leadership roles in nonprofit and public policy organizations, she has focused on advancing health optimal access and strengthening communities. Technology and Human Connection Lifelong Career in Service and Nonprofit Leadership The CSO hosted a Mobile Plunge to fundraise for Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Center: Lehigh students engage in activities with community school students. Bottom: Henry Odi Ed.D.ʼ98, deputy vice president for equity and community, Mary Beth Tully ʼ84 Pʼ21 Pʼ21 and Provost Nathan Urban gather for Move-In Day. 26 | LEHIGH ALUMNI BULLETIN
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