Written by Colin McEvoy | January 5, 2026 | SHARE
The Institute’s expanded mission amplifies Lee Iacocca’s commitment to prepare globally engaged leaders during times of rapid change
Lehigh University is pleased to announce a new name for one of its leading institutes for global engagement: the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership. The updated name reflects the Institute’s evolving mission to prepare emerging leaders, from around the world, to address complex, multisystem, global challenges.
Previously known as the Iacocca Institute, the new name marks the Institute’s evolution of scope to include the convergence of systems leadership frameworks, work to learn experiences, and the development of a global mindset via experiential programming, applied research, living cases, and service learning projects.
“My father saw early on that in order for America to succeed as a nation we would need to compete in a global world,” said Kathryn Iacocca Hentz, Lee Iacocca’s daughter and president of the Iacocca Family Foundation. “With this in mind, he helped create what is now the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership. The purpose of the Institute is to prepare the leaders of tomorrow for success in an increasingly complex and international community.”
Founded in 1988 and named for Lee Iacocca ’45, the visionary business leader, philanthropist, and namesake of the institute, the organization has long served as a hub for global learning and leadership development. Through this transition, the institute is positioning itself as a convener of global leadership learning—bringing together students, alumni, professionals, and partners to explore new ideas, share best practices, and collaborate on solutions to complex global challenges.
“The new name honors both our heritage and our future,” said Cheryl Matherly, Vice President & Vice Provost for International Affairs. “It signals Lehigh’s renewed commitment to developing globally minded leaders who can think systemically, act ethically, and collaborate across cultures to solve real-world problems.”
The Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership’s new name also reaffirms its place within Lehigh’s Office of International Affairs (OIA), as well as its alignment with the university’s Global Lehigh strategy and the Inspiring the Future Makers strategic plan.
“Leadership development today requires a fundamentally different approach,” said Leah Mason, interim Executive Director of the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership. “We’re reimagining what leadership education can look like—moving from exclusive to inclusive models, engaging learners of all ages and backgrounds, and equipping them with the systemic frameworks to mobilize and lead change. Our goal is to help people understand principles of leadership, what leaders do and the associated frameworks for leading while operating in a global context.”
While the Institute’s mission continues to evolve, its hallmark programs remain integral to that vision. It is widely recognized for initiatives such as the Global Village portfolio of programs and the Iacocca International Internship Program, which have connected thousands of students and professionals from more than 150 countries. These programs continue to reflect the institute’s enduring commitment to experiential learning, collaboration, and global engagement—even as its scope and impact expand.
“Lee Iacocca believed that leadership begins with integrity and service to others,” Matherly said. “This evolution of the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership embodies that same belief, reaffirming Lehigh’s role as a university that develops leaders who not only excel in their fields but make a positive difference in the world.”
The addition of “Global Leadership” to the Institute’s name signifies a broader evolution in its mission and methodology, and acknowledges the global aspect of its work. Building on decades of success delivering immersive leadership programs for students and professionals from around the world, the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership is expanding its work to include research, partnership development, and new frameworks for inclusive, systems-based leadership. The Institute has strengthened its focus on helping learners understand the interconnected challenges facing the world and develop the capacity to lead within complex, global systems.
The transition to the new name was formally approved in July 2025. A formal celebration and unveiling event, in collaboration with Lehigh’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations, is planned for spring 2026.