Focus: Explore the intersections among the Arts & Humanities, Interdisciplinary Programs, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Engineering, identifying and cultivating new areas of scholarly and curricular synergy that foster cross-disciplinary thinking and problem-solving.
Co-chairs:
Eric Hupe (co-chair, F25), Assistant Professor of Art
Jenn Rossmann (co-chair), William Jeffers Dean of Engineering
Focus: Focusing on both interdisciplinary programs and cross-disciplinary connections, consider ways to enhance a curriculum that encourages creative and boundary-crossing learning and building on the Common Course of Study (CCS) to encourage this work, team-teaching, and leveraging Lafayette’s unique academic structure to model a more integrated undergraduate education.
Co-chairs:
Caleb Gallemore (co-chair), Associate Professor and Program Chair of International Affairs
Focus: Reimagining the student academic journey from matriculation through the sophomore year, including developing integrated pre-major advising models and academic support in ways that prepare all students to thrive across their full Lafayette experience.
Co-chairs:
Tim Cox (co-chair), Dean of Advising & Co-curricular Programs
Tim Laquintano (co-chair), Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Programs; Associate Professor of English; Director of College Writing Program
Focus: Reimagining the student journey from matriculation through the sophomore year, including fostering community, aligning orientation programming and co-curricular experiences in ways that enable students to thrive across their full Lafayette experience.
Co-chairs:
Mark Sapara (co-chair), Associate Vice-President & Senior Advisor to the Vice President for Student Life
Sarah Yencha (co-chair), Project & Office Manager, Office of Advising and Co-Curricular Programs
Focus: Explore the development of a sustained scholarly initiative—or potentially a research and action institute—focused on the evolving relationship between democracy and technology at the center of many of the College faculty’s scholarly and teaching expertise.
Co-chairs:
Andrew Clarke, Associate Professor of Government & Law
Katherine Groo, Director of the Arts and Chair of Film and Media Studies
Focus: Explore the role of technology across the curriculum, including institutional guidance around generative AI, its possibilities and challenges. The group will also consider language and structure for ensuring that digital fluency is foregrounded across the curriculum in conjunction with individual department/program goals.
Co-chairs:
Tim Laquintano (co-chair), Dean of Arts, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Programs; Associate Professor of English; Director of College Writing Program
Kathleen Parrish (co-chair), Senior Lecturer in English
Focus: Strengthen Lafayette’s global presence on campus, in the Lehigh Valley, and across the globe, focusing on broadening global learning opportunities through interim and faculty-led travel programs, enhancing structural support for international students and scholars, and enriching the campus experience.
Co-chairs:
Dennis Johannssen (co-chair), Assistant Professor, Languages and Literary Studies
Michael Senra (co-chair, Fall 2025), Associate Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Focus: Build upon and sustain our strong collaborations with local organizations, schools, and civic institutions across the Lehigh Valley, continuing to integrate community-based learning, service, and research into the academic fabric of the College in ways that are mutually beneficial and rooted in principles of equity and long-term partnership.
Co-chairs:
Tara Gilligan (co-chair), Senior Lecturer in Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Chelsea Morrese (co-chair), Executive Director of Community Engagement and Director of the Landis Center
Focus: Expand and deepen student and faculty engagement with industry, nonprofits, cultural, and regional networks through internships, externships, and project-based learning, with an emphasis on creating meaningful, academically connected experiences both on and off campus that help students explore career pathways, develop professional skills, and contribute to regional innovation.
Co-chairs:
Lauren Anderson (co-chair), Dean of the Faculty and James T. Marcus ‘50 Scholar
Julie Smith (co-chair), Frank Lee and Edna M. Smith Professor of Economics
Focus: Explore how sustainability can serve as an educational framework and an area of programmatic innovation across disciplines, considering current and new curricular pathways, research synergies beyond campus, interim student initiatives, and continued collaborations with campus operations and external partners to position sustainability as a defining element of the Lafayette experience both on the Easton campus and at Metzgar.
Co-chairs:
Delicia Nahman (co-chair), Sustainability Director
Megan Rothenberger (co-chair), Professor of Environmental Science & Studies
Description: This team will focus on helping the College develop a comprehensive framework for residential education, community building, and individualized support.
Co-chairs:
Thor Banks (co-chair), Director of Residence Life
Walter Snipes (co-chair), Dean of Students
Description: This group will explore how Lafayette can encourage and facilitate constructive dialogue that allows diverse perspectives and worldviews to be shared in an environment that values learning, authenticity, and mutual respect. In fostering this culture of positive public discourse, the College can lay the groundwork for a more welcoming, inclusive, and cohesive community.
Co-chairs:
Ernest Jeffries, Vice President for Inclusion
Laura Murray, Director of CITLS
Description: A sustained focus on excellence requires investment in and careful stewardship of such fundamental resources as a diverse and inclusive workforce, a high-quality physical plant, and an exceptional digital and financial infrastructure. Additionally, this plan intentionally foregrounds purposeful sustainability with our mission and values close at hand. This team will explore methods through which Lafayette can meet the commitments set forth in the strategic plan, and provide faculty, staff, and students with access to the tools necessary to achieve these goals.
Co-chairs:
Geoff Labe (co-chair), Assistant Vice President for Operations
David Lifka (co-chair), Chief Information Officer
Description: This team will explore the various ways in which the College can provide structures, programming, and culture encouraging students to engage in behaviors, activities, and mindsets that support being well in all areas of their lives.
Co-chairs:
Sherryta Freeman (co-chair), Director of Athletics
Sarah Moschenross (co-chair), Vice President for Student Life
Description: The primary aim of this group is to explore ways in which the College can cultivate a connected workplace culture distinguished by belonging, mutual respect, and well-being.
Co-chairs:
Mike Nass (co-chair), Project Manager, Information Technology Services
Rachel Robbins (co-chair), Finance Manager
Description: Lafayette is an institution and community that values people. The College can demonstrate its commitment to its people by investing in and supporting the holistic development of its faculty, staff, and administrators over the entire course of their careers. This team is dedicated to exploring the myriad ways in which Lafayette can best cultivate and support its employees.
Co-chairs:
Ali Dougherty (co-chair), Associate Vice President for Human Resources
Karen Salvemini (co-chair), Director of Institutional Equity and Title IX Coordinator