Iacocca Institute and Global Village

 

 

Lee A. Iacocca.  Lehigh University Mountaintop Dedication, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  June 6, 1991.     

A vision that began in 1985 was realized with the dedication of the Lehigh Mountaintop Campus in June 1991.  Alumnus Lee Iacocca brought together alumni, corporate and government leaders, and academicians to establish a venue for academics, industrial research, and university service to society.

The Iacocca Institute

In 1986, Lee Iacocca was contacted by Lehigh University President Peter Likins, who encouraged him to collaborate on developing a new curriculum that would explore what makes a country an industrial power.  Iacocca helped to establish cooperative projects between the campus and companies, government, and other educational institutions to be housed on Lehigh’s newly acquired Mountaintop Campus, the former Bethlehem Steel Homer Research Laboratory.  In 1988, in partnership with alumni and automotive icon Lee A. Iacocca, Lehigh established the Iacocca Institute on its Mountaintop campus.

Today, the Iacocca Institute at Lehigh provides innovative leadership, applied management and cross-cultural learning experiences.  Its primary mission is to improve leadership and entrepreneurship skills, to enhance business and industry knowledge and to demonstrate the positive impact of culture and diversity in an organizational setting.

The Iacocca Institute provides opportunities to learn, network, and develop new best practices and professional skills.  Programs include the Global Village for Future Leaders of Business and Industry program; the Global Village on the Move programs; the Pennsylvania School for Global Entrepreneurship; Professional Education; and the Lee Iacocca International Internship program. Iacocca Institute staff members are dedicated to cultivating the potential of individuals by empowering the leaders of today and tomorrow.

“The idea for the Iacocca Institute at Lehigh University emerged from the questions, ‘How do you go about building global leadership? How do you demonstrate to people from different worlds that their commonalities are greater than their differences?’”
                                        -Lee Iacocca

The Global Village for Future Leaders of Business and Industry

Global Village is an applied leadership and cross cultural training program.  The program offers various learning experiences that encourage growth to the highest potential, global thinking, ideation, teaming skills and successful entrepreneurial practices.  The program teaches attendees essential tools for becoming successful, well-rounded global leaders.

During the six week intensive program, Global Village interns learn and live amongst a diverse group of more than 100 peers, coming from more than 45 countries, representing a myriad of cultures, speaking multiple languages, and learning and offering unique perspectives based on varied cultural and educational backgrounds.  Interns establish their own goals and objectives and work with Iacocca Institute staff to map out an experienced-based action plan to achieve success in their life and career.

Since the first program in 1997, 1,435 young-minded leaders representing 125 countries and territories in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, North and South America, and Europe have attended Global Village.  These alumni have formed a lasting and active network of business associates, partners, peers and colleagues that grows each year.

Global Village on the Move programs focus on unique business and cultural environments by taking participants to dynamic locations throughout the world and providing focused learning experiences. Presented on location, On the Move programs leverage the expertise of our global partner organizations and the elements of the Iacocca Institute flagship program, the Global Village for Future Leaders of Business and Industry®. The Global Village program builds on the central mission that the knowledge of business and industry, the skills of leadership and entrepreneurship, and the continuous development of a powerful global network are essential for today’s most successful young professionals.

“The goal of the Iacocca Institute is to provide a foundation from which leaders can emerge. Our intent is to develop inspired leaders who are fueled with curiosity, motivated to tackle the toughest problems and smart enough to meet inevitable world changes responsibly. The experiences offered here are intended to open new doorways and to create a focus on future pathways. With the right skills and education, we can lead the way.”

                                   - Lee Iacocca