Lehigh University’s Expansion in Silicon Valley: A Hub for Student Innovation and Growth
Since its inception in 2012, LehighSiliconValley has been pivotal in establishing Lehigh University’s presence on the West Coast. This immersive program, hosted by Lehigh’s Baker Institute, offers students an in-depth experience in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the San Francisco Bay Area. Four years after launching this flagship initiative, Lehigh further solidified its West Coast connections by opening its Western Regional Office, enhancing its engagement with prospective students, industry partners, and local alumni.
Following the opening of the Western Regional Office in 2016, Lehigh University has seen a remarkable increase of over 50% in student enrollment from Western states. This growth is complemented by the involvement of more than 200 industry partners in Lehigh’s educational programs. The university’s entrepreneurial efforts have reached over 1,600 students across 78 disciplines, providing them with opportunities to intern at more than 150 startups both in the Bay Area and globally. These initiatives have resulted in over 1,300 students securing internships and full-time positions at major tech and consulting firms such as Netflix, Salesforce, Accenture, Google, and Meta.
In 2017, Lehigh University forged an exclusive partnership with San Francisco’s Nasdaq Entrepreneurial Center to establish Lehigh@NasdaqCenter. This collaboration spurred the development of programs like StartUp Academy and the Silicon Valley Innovation Internship. Although the partnership is set to conclude on May 12, 2025, Lehigh plans to continue its impactful programs independently, ensuring ongoing opportunities for student engagement in the Bay Area.
Lehigh’s dedication to fostering student involvement in the Bay Area remains robust through its diverse interdisciplinary programs. Initiatives such as LehighSiliconValley, Startup Academy, the Innovation Internship, and the Silicon Valley Social Impact Fellowship will persist, granting students exclusive access to the dynamic startup environment and entrepreneurial ventures in the region.
“We are committed to a Lehigh presence in the Bay Area and, more broadly, in California and on the West Coast,” stated Nathan Urban, Lehigh University Provost. “Lehigh students will continue to have opportunities to immerse themselves in the Bay Area’s unique entrepreneurial ecosystem through many distinctive programs supported by Lehigh’s Western Regional Office.”
The Startup Academy is a groundbreaking academic initiative in collaboration with Lehigh’s College of Business. It connects students with internships at innovative startups, allowing them to spend the summer living and working in the Bay Area. This experience facilitates collaboration on impactful projects and enhances students’ entrepreneurial careers within a thriving industry landscape.
The Innovation Internship offers a high-impact experiential learning opportunity for those seeking integrated experiences in entrepreneurship, innovation, or social impact. Participants engage in remote internships with startups or innovation-centered organizations nationwide.
The Silicon Valley Social Impact Fellowship, crafted by Lehigh’s Office of Creative Inquiry, brings together undergraduate and graduate students to tackle social and economic issues in the Bay Area. This program blends experiential learning, research, and entrepreneurial involvement, fostering collaboration with regional partners through courses, workshops, retreats, and immersive experiences.
For additional information about Lehigh University’s initiatives in the Western region, visit Lehigh University West Coast.
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