Lehman College leaders tout R2 research trajectory and student supports

At the campaign launch, Karen Beck, Associate Provost, and President Delgado outlined academic priorities and explained the importance of the Carnegie R2 research designation in Lehman College’s strategy to expand external funding and research opportunities.

"R2 is the designation in the Carnegie categorization of universities in the United States, and it signifies a university that is research strong and that has a lot of doctoral students," said Karen Beck, describing how the classification helps prospective funders identify institutions capable of producing rigorous research. Beck also listed student support infrastructure that college leaders said will help prepare faculty and students for expanded research activity, including tutoring services (cited at about 16,000 annual appointments), honors programs and an Office of Prestigious Awards that has helped students win substantial scholarships.

President Delgado called Lehman College "authentic," noting clean audits and a clear mission to serve The Bronx. Delgado said the college seeks to deepen partnerships across nonprofit and for‑profit sectors to translate classroom learning into hands-on research and community engagement. Officials described R2 as a continuation of existing work rather than a break from Lehman’s traditional mission.

College leaders said achieving and leveraging research designation would support faculty competitiveness for federal and private grants and expand student opportunities in science, medicine and the creative arts. They urged donors and partners to support professorships and programmatic investments that would accelerate that trajectory.