For the 2023-2024 academic year, there are seven first-year themed housing communities which have been intentionally designed to help first-year students’ transition to Lehigh University while gaining connections within the campus and South Bethlehem community. Themed housing communities provide an opportunity for first-year students to create an instant connection to peers, faculty, and staff with similar interests:
Creative Arts - A community focused on exploring and exposing students to the diverse fields of the fine and performing arts.
CHOICE - A community for students committed to living a healthy, substance-free lifestyle in a fun and engaging environment.
First Gen - A community which provides additional resources and communal support to first generation college students.
Global Lehigh - A community for domestic and international students interested in learning about world cultures and to promote better international understanding.
STEM - Students will enhance their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics outside of the classroom and develop the skills necessary to be chosen leaders in their field.
UMOJA - UMOJA, which means "unity" in Swahili, allows residents to develop a sense of community through a shared exploration of diversity and multiculturalism.
Here is the list of newly created theme communities that will be available to students for the upcoming year:
Sylvia Rivera Community - Grounded in the spirit of Sylvia Rivera, who dedicated her life to supporting queer and trans liberation, this community seeks to further connect residents to the LGBTQIA+ community here at Lehigh and within the greater Lehigh Valley area. This communtiy will learn from and celebrate the history and culture, as well as explore the future of the queer liberation movement that Sylvia dedicated her life to support.