Wednesday, Oct. 14 | Thursday, Oct. 15 | Friday, Oct. 16

The schedule is subject to change as more details become available.

PCCW indicates a President’s Council of Cornell Women event.
CACO indicates a CACO/class officer event.
CUC indicates a Cornell University Council event.

Day 1: Wednesday, October 14

Time Event
See description
Experience a class: Big Red Teaching Days (optional, Wednesday)
Observe a class through Big Red Teaching Days and the Center for Teaching Innovation! Sit alongside faculty as they learn from their peers, and get an insider’s look at today’s Cornell experience.
Big Red Teaching Days is a program that provides faculty with a collegial opportunity to informally observe their peers’ approach to teaching and learning across a range of courses and environments. It aims to deepen conversations about teaching and give faculty the opportunity to experience Cornell’s classroom innovations.
Spaces are very limited; times vary based on class schedules. Separate registration will be open 10/5–10/13. Registration is required to attend.
10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
College and unit tours (optional)
Optional tours are available to Summit registrants and must be pre-registered in advance. Space may be limited.
Checán Stereo & San Cristobal
Time: 10:00–10:30 am
Meeting Place: Appel Lobby, Johnson Museum
Join Hugo Ikehara-Tsukayama, the Harris Family Curator of the Arts of the Americas, for a guided tour of two related exhibitions in which contemporary Peruvian artists engage with ancient Andean objects and aesthetics as they attempt to decolonize narratives about art and collections.
[SOLD OUT] Exploration of I.M. Pei’s iconic building
Time: 11:00–11:30 a.m.
Meeting Place: Appel Lobby, Johnson Museum
Join Andrea Inselmann, Gale and Ira Drukier Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, and Carol Hockett, Hintsa Family Manager of School and Family Programs, for an exploration of one of I. M. Pei’s landmark buildings. Discover the influences that shaped Pei’s approach, and examine how his distinctive use of geometry, materials, light, and the surrounding environment shapes the experience and display of art.
University Career Development & Office of National Fellowships open house
Time: 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Meeting place: 103 & 100 Barnes Hall; No registration required, just drop in!
Join us for a special Volunteer Summit Open House and experience University Career Development’s newly refreshed brand and office space in Barnes Hall. Explore highlights including our professional headshot photo kiosk and welcoming advising spaces designed to help students navigate their career journeys. Discover how University Career Development, as part of the Cornell Career Network, empowers students to develop their career goals through career advising, internship and job searches, pre-graduate support, professional development resources, and connections with Cornell alumni and employers. Learn about how the Office of National Fellowships supports high-achieving students and early alumni to pursue funded opportunities for summer research, graduate study, experiences abroad, and more.
[SOLD OUT] Tour of the Wilson Synchrotron Laboratory
Time: 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Meeting place: Upper entrance to Wilson Lab at 651 Campus Road
Go behind the scenes at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), a national research facility located on Cornell’s campus. During this one-hour tour, visitors will explore the accelerator complex and experimental areas where researchers use some of the world’s most powerful X-rays to study materials ranging from advanced metals and quantum materials to proteins, plants, soils, and energy-storage technologies.
Along the way, CHESS staff will share how Cornell’s unique combination of accelerator science, engineering, and multidisciplinary research enables discoveries that would be difficult, or impossible, to make in a traditional laboratory. The tour will offer an insider’s perspective on the people, technology, and research that make CHESS a distinctive part of Cornell’s scientific community and its national research mission.
[SOLD OUT] Cornell Botanic Gardens tour
Time: 12:45–1:45 p.m.
Meeting place: Cornell Botanic Gardens
Tour location: Starts at the Nevin Welcome Center
Join Ari Novy, Elizabeth Newman Wilds Executive Director of the Cornell Botanic Gardens, to take a relaxing stroll through the gardens around the Nevin Welcome Center and discover the beauty and diversity of our cultivated plant collections. Your tour will wander through multiple garden areas such as: Robison Herb Garden, Young Flower Garden, Bowers Rhododendron Collection, Shady Groundcover Collection, and more. Experience landscapes that are carefully designed and tended, and learn about plans for the future at Cornell Botanic Gardens. This tour will be a unique experience, as we observe the gardens at this moment in the growing season. Tours are offered rain or shine but may be cancelled in the event of severe or hazardous weather. Please meet at the Nevin Welcome Center and come prepared for variable weather.
Tour of the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium Herbarium
Time: 12:45 p.m.–1:45 p.m.
Meeting place: Herbarium
Tour location: 412 Mann Library (take the elevator by Mann Cafe)
Did you know that Cornell has one of the largest university-affiliated collections of preserved plant material in North America? Cornell houses almost one million specimens in the Liberty Hyde Bailey Hortorium Herbarium. Join Hannah Marx, assistant professor and director of the Herbarium, on a tour of plant collections that span more than 150 years.
Guided tour: Mann Library From the Brink exhibits
Time: 11:00 a.m.–noon
Location: Mann Library Atrium
Take a guided tour of three bird and biodiversity-themed exhibits in Cornell University Library’s From the Brink series. The series showcases collections, research support, and collaborative efforts across Cornell that illuminate ways of addressing issues of critical global importance. The exhibitions in this tour include Last Call, Keeping Common Birds Common, and Going to Gone. Meet in the atrium of Mann Library.
Guided tour: Rivers of Ice: Three Centuries of Glacial Science
Time: 1:00–1:45 p.m.
Location: Hirshland Exhibition Gallery, Rare and Manuscript Collections, 2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Take a guided tour of the Cornell University Library exhibition Rivers of Ice, which traces the evolving study of glaciers through rare books, illustrations, maps, and photographs. From eighteenth-century descriptions of Alpine and Icelandic snowfields to modern analytical techniques, items on view reveal how scientists, explorers, and photographers have studied glaciers to better understand Earth’s geological and climate history. Drawing from the library’s Rare and Manuscript Collections, the exhibition features photographs from James Balog’s Extreme Ice Survey (2007–2022), along with items from professor of geography and geology Ralph Stockman Tarr’s pioneering expeditions to Greenland and Alaska (1896–1911), highlighting Cornell University’s contributions to modern glaciology.
Tours of the Cornell Companion and Nemo Farm Animal Hospitals
Time: 10:00–11:15 a.m. and 1:00–2:15 p.m.
Meeting place: Entrance to the Companion Animal Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine
Tour location: 930 Campus Road
See behind the scenes of the animal hospitals! Tours of the Companion and Equine Nemo Farm Animal Hospitals, conducted by hospital leadership, highlight outstanding clinical care and state-of-the-art equipment serving the teaching and service mission of Cornell University Hospital for Animals.
Cornell Veterinary Biobank tours
Time: Noon–1:00 p.m. and 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Meeting place: Takoda’s Run Atrium (inside the first-floor entrance to the college, off Lefty’s Plaza
Tour location: College of Veterinary Medicine, 602 Tower Rd
Did you know that more than 3,000 animal diseases have a genetic basis, and nearly half of them could serve as models for human health? The Cornell Veterinary Biobank (CVB) stands at the forefront of animal health research, bridging the gap between animal and human health. Join us for a unique behind-the-scenes look at the Biobank and discover how each sample can become a valuable resource for research. Meet the people, see the technology, and hear the stories behind the world’s first ISO 20387-accredited biobank.
2:00–3:00 p.m.
Summit Town Hall
Location: Bailey Hall
Senior leaders will address current events, the university’s actions in this moment and how we move forward. Followed by Q&A.
3:15–4:15 p.m.
Cornell University Council new member mentoring session (by invitation only)
Location: Statler Hotel, Carrier Ballroom
Join us to welcome Council’s newest members in this interactive session. For new and returning members, it’s your chance to meet your mentor face-to-face, spark connections, and get the inside scoop on Council membership.
CUC
4:30–6:30 p.m.
Big Red Ideas Expo
Location: Duffield Hall Atria
An interactive showcase of Cornell innovation, research, and student experience. Featuring exhibits and demonstrations from students, faculty, and researchers across the university, the Expo offers attendees the opportunity for student-alumni interaction and to explore how the Cornell community is turning bold ideas into real-world solutions and meaningful change.
6:30–7:30 p.m.
[SOLD OUT] Rubacha Featured Speaker Series Lecture
Location: Abby and Howard Milstein Auditorium
Featuring renowned architect and designer Jeanne Gang, this lecture is hosted by the College of Architecture, Art, and Planning (AAP). The series brings prominent designers, architects, and industry leaders to Cornell to discuss the public realm and the built environment.
Award-winning architect Jeanne Gang is the founding principal and leader of Studio Gang, an international architecture practice recognized for blending innovative, research-driven design and civic life. Her work spans cultural, educational, and public projects around the world and has earned her some of the discipline’s highest honors.
Named a MacArthur Fellow and one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine, Gang brings together design, research, and ecological awareness to explore how architecture can both strengthen communities and transform cities.
6:30–9:00 p.m.
President’s Council of Cornell Women reception & dinner (by invitation only)
Location: Statler Hotel, Carrier Ballroom,
Since its inception in 1992, the PCCW Grants Program has awarded over $3 million in funding to support faculty research, and staff, faculty, and student-led programs and events that enrich the Cornell community.
In this session, you’ll hear firsthand from PCCW Affinito-Stewart and Leadership Grant recipients as they reflect on how the grant they received shaped their Cornell journey and the transformative impact on today’s students.
Cost to attend: $99
PCCW

Day 2: Thursday, October 15

Time Event
See description
Experience a class: Big Red Teaching Days (optional, Thursday)
Observe a class through Big Red Teaching Days and the Center for Teaching Innovation! Sit alongside faculty as they learn from their peers, and get an insider’s look at today’s Cornell experience.
Big Red Teaching Days is a program that provides faculty with a collegial opportunity to informally observe their peers’ approach to teaching and learning across a range of courses and environments. It aims to deepen conversations about teaching and give faculty the opportunity to experience Cornell’s classroom innovations.
Spaces are very limited; times vary based on class schedules. Separate registration will be open 10/5–10/13. Registration is required to attend.
7:30–8:30 a.m.
Informal buffet breakfast at The Statler Hotel
Location: Statler Hotel, Conference Foyer
9:00–10:00 a.m.
Concurrent sessions I
[SOLD OUT] Concurrent session IA: How careers are changing and how Cornell is meeting the moment
Location: Willard Straight Hall, Cornell Cinema
The world of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace, shaped by technological innovation, shifting workforce expectations, and emerging career pathways. How is Cornell preparing students to thrive in this changing landscape? What does faculty research tell us about trends shaping the modern workplace? In this conversation, Cornell University Career Development leadership and an ILR faculty expert will delve into the increasingly complex world of work, how the recently launched Cornell Career Network is creating more connected, accessible pathways to opportunity for students across the university, and what happens when they get into the “real world.” Gain insights on how Cornell is helping students build the skills, experiences, and networks needed for lifelong success, and how alumni can be there for other Cornellians as they navigate their next steps.
  • Erica Kryst, PhD, assistant vice president for Career and Professional Development, Student and Campus Life
  • Adam Seth Litwin, associate professor of Industrial & Labor Relations; director of Graduate Studies, ILR School
  • Alison Harrigan ’10, senior client partner & sector leader, Travel, Hospitality & Leisure Practice, Korn Ferry (moderator)
Concurrent session IB: Women’s health at midlife and beyond: research, policy, and whole-person care
Location: BioTech, G10
In midlife, women’s health needs begin to shift in a variety of complex ways. Cornell’s experts from Ithaca, Weill Cornell Medicine, and Cornell Tech are tackling this complexity by combining forces. In this discussion, leaders in health policy, genetics, and biomedical engineering, will talk about how they and their colleagues are advancing science, shaping public policy, and improving care for women in midlife, menopause, and beyond.
  • Paula Cohen, associate dean for Research and Graduate Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, director, Cornell Reproductive Sciences Center (CoRe), professor of Genetics
  • Colleen Barry, inaugural dean of the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy
  • Claudia Fischbach, James M. and Marsha McCormick Family Director of the Meinig School of Biomedical Engineering, Stanley Bryer 1946 Professor of Biomedical Engineering
  • Gary Koretzky ’78, vice provost for research for Cornell’s Ithaca, Cornell Tech and AgriTech campuses (moderator)
10:30–11:30 a.m.
Concurrent sessions II
Concurrent session IIA: Inside the Cornell classroom: teaching innovation simulation
Location: BioTech, G10
Go back to the classroom and experience how today’s students are learning. Explore how both analog and technology-driven methods shape curiosity, understanding, creativity, and problem-solving, and how Cornell is advancing educational excellence in an era of rapid social and technological change. You’ll leave with inside knowledge about today’s classroom and having learned something new yourself.
  • Brian Kirby, Meinig Family Professor of Engineering, Sibley School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Duffield College of Engineering
  • Sang Leigh, assistant professor, Human Centered Design, Cornell Human Ecology
  • Marvin Pritts, professor, School of Integrative Plant Science, Horticulture Section; professor, Global Development Section, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Concurrent session IIB: Democracy, disagreement, and how people change their minds?
Location: Willard Straight Hall, Cornell Cinema
Participating in civil discourse is a key learning outcome for Cornell students. In this interactive session, you’ll learn about democracy in the context of how people form opinions, disagree, and change their minds. You’ll experience how Cornell faculty teach students to engage with and understand people who disagree with them. Plus, you’ll get a live demonstration of DeBunk Bot, an AI created by researchers passionate about understanding how beliefs form—and how conversations can help us rethink them.
  • Talbot M. Andrews, assistant professor, Department of Government, College of Arts & Sciences
  • David Rand ’04, Henrietta Johnson Louis Professor of Management, professor of Information Science, Cornell Bowers College of Computing + Information Sciences, Professor of Marketing and Management Communications, SC Johnson College of Business
11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Lunch around campus
Location: Visit the Cornell Dining Eateries page to see dining hall menus and hours.
Explore campus and grab lunch at one of our participating campus dining locations—your lunch ticket is included!
11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
[SOLD OUT] Brooks Beyond the Classroom Showcase
Location: Martha Van Rensselaer Hall, Room 2219
Please join us for the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School’s Beyond the Classroom Showcase. Come meet our Brooks students and view posters highlighting their summer policy internships supported through Brooks School Opportunity Grants and alumni-funded summer fellowships. Welcome remarks at 12:30 p.m. from Colleen Barry, Dean, Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy.
1:15–2:15 p.m.
Concurrent sessions III
Concurrent session IIIA: Building for the future: Succession planning and leadership continuity
Location: Willard Straight Hall, Cornell Cinema
How can volunteer leaders sustain continuity and effectiveness during periods of transition and change? Drawing on research and practice in organizational behavior, volunteers will learn how to stabilize teams when roles are shifting. Participants will gain practical approaches for leading while keeping volunteer communities aligned and engaged through transitions.
  • JR Keller, associate professor, Human Resource Studies and Director of ILR’s EMHRM Program
Concurrent session IIIB: Motivating teams even when members may not see eye to eye
Location: BioTech, G10
Let’s face it, we live in divided times. Despite our differences, we must find ways to work together to achieve larger goals. How do we do that, exactly? This session explores the behavioral science behind intergroup communication and how that science can be harnessed to build productive teams (even when team members disagree). Participants will learn research-backed strategies for strengthening collaboration, fostering belonging, and motivating people to work together toward common goals to create lasting impact.
  • Neil Lewis, Jr. ’13, Nancy ’62 and Peter ’61 Meinig Family Investigator in the Life Sciences and Associate Professor of Communication, Medicine, and Public Policy, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
Concurrent session IIIC: Navigating conflict and challenging conversations
Location: Statler Hotel, Carrier Ballroom
In alumni volunteer organizations and groups, it’s natural to disagree. What are some foundational strategies for navigating differences, conflicting ideas, and group dynamics? In this session, volunteers will learn from the premier practitioners in conflict resolution. They’ll take away a framework for managing conflict in their groups, with individuals, and learn how to honor and move forward from difficult conversations.
2:45–3:45 p.m.
Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Education at Cornell
Location: Meinig Fieldhouse
This session will describe Cornell’s current approach to preventing and responding to sexual violence and related misconduct, through a connected set of strategies, services, programs, policies, and other initiatives. It will also outline key findings of the Presidential Task Force on Campus Sexual Assault and ongoing work to implement the task force’s recommendations.
  • Rachel Dunifon, Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Dean, Cornell Human Ecology
  • Julie Edwards, assistant vice president for Student Health and Wellbeing
  • Laura Weiss, Program Director, SHARE Office
  • Nicki Moore, The Meakem & Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education (moderator)
4:00–5:00 p.m.
College and unit tours (optional)
Optional tours are available to Summit registrants and must be pre-registered in advance. Space may be limited.
You CAN touch this: Hands-on learning in the galleries
Time: 4:00–4:30 p.m.
Meeting place: Appel Lobby of the Johnson Museum
Explore hands-on learning through tactile models of the collections with Hintsa Family Manager of School and Family Programs Carol Hockett and Lead Educator and PreK-12 Curriculum Development Specialist Andrea Murray.
[SOLD OUT] Rembrandt’s world
Time: 4:00–4:45 pm
Tour location: Appel Lobby of the Johnson Museum
Join Andrew C. Weislogel, PhD, acting chief curator, and The Seymour R. Askin, Jr. ’47 Curator of Earlier European and American Art, for an engaging exploration of 17th-century Holland through the original etchings of Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669). Through these remarkable works, discover insights into the Dutch art market, everyday life, and enduring aspects of the human experience.
Campus bus tour
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
See highlights of Cornell’s beautiful Ithaca campus and iconic landmarks led by an undergraduate student tour guide from the Office of Visitor Relations. This campus bus tour, filled with history and fun facts, showcases today’s most cherished spots on east, central, north and west campus.
[SOLD OUT] Tour of Touchdown Medical Technologies complex
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Meeting place: Tang Hall Atrium
Tour location: First floor of Tang Hall
Bridging the gap between academia and industry, the new Touchdown Medical Technology complex at Cornell’s Tang Hall gives Meinig School Master of Engineering (MEng) students the unique opportunity to engineer real-world solutions from concept to commercialization. Built over a decade with input from faculty, industry sponsors, and students, the self-funded complex mirrors the pace, challenges, and collaborative energy of professional medical technology development.
[SOLD OUT] Hard hat tour of the Duffield Hall expansion
Time: 4:30–5:15 p.m.
Meeting place: Duffield Atrium
Tour location: Duffield Hall expansion space
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the construction underway to renovate and expand the former Phillips Hall. This project will combine three facilities into a single, unified, aesthetically cohesive complex to provide a full, embedded, low-vibration, quantum-ready research wing, as well as additional lab space to support work in artificial intelligence, robotics, and semiconductor materials and devices. This project will double the amount of research space available to the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, which has historically been housed in Phillips Hall, as well as provide collaboration space and a central multipurpose pavilion.
[SOLD OUT] Guided tour: Rivers of Ice: Three Centuries of Glacial Science
Time: 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Location: Hirshland Exhibition Gallery, Rare and Manuscript Collections, 2B Carl A. Kroch Library
Take a guided tour of the Cornell University Library exhibition Rivers of Ice, which traces the evolving study of glaciers through rare books, illustrations, maps, and photographs. From eighteenth-century descriptions of Alpine and Icelandic snowfields to modern analytical techniques, items on view reveal how scientists, explorers, and photographers have studied glaciers to better understand Earth’s geological and climate history. Drawing from the library’s Rare and Manuscript Collections, the exhibition features photographs from James Balog’s Extreme Ice Survey (2007–2022), along with items from professor of geography and geology Ralph Stockman Tarr’s pioneering expeditions to Greenland and Alaska (1896–1911), highlighting Cornell University’s contributions to modern glaciology.
4:00–5:00 p.m.
International alumni gathering
Location: Weill Hall Atrium
International volunteers and globally engaged Cornellians are invited to gather with alumni leaders from around the world to exchange ideas, network, and develop new relationships. Join us for light refreshments immediately before the State of the University address to celebrate the strength and diversity of Cornell’s international alumni community.
4:00–4:45 p.m.
Sibley Dome Transformation: In Conversation with the Architects
Location: Sibley Dome, Suna Family Lecture Hall
Gather with Dean Yoon for a talk with Amale Andraos, cofounder of WORKac, and University Architect Margaret Carney, covering the reimagining of the Sibley Dome space.
4:00–5:00 p.m.
President’s Council of Cornell Women mentee reception (by invitation only)
Location: Willard Straight Hall, Memorial Room
This special reception is an opportunity to strengthen relationships, share experiences, and honor and recognize the meaningful partnerships and impact of the PCCW mentoring program.
All PCCW members are invited, students will enjoy the opportunity to network and build new connections.
PCCW
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Strengthening class engagement: Strategies from class officers (open to all class officers)
Location: Physical Sciences, Room 120
Looking for fresh ideas to energize your class and strengthen alumni connections? Join fellow class officers for an interactive session on creative, effective strategies for class engagement. Panelists will share real-world examples of what’s worked for their classes—from planning compelling in-person and virtual events, to crafting impactful communications, to re-engaging classmates who’ve lost touch. Learning from your peers is a great way to spark new ideas to bring back to your own class. Presented by the Cornell Association of Class Officers (CACO) Board.
CACO
5:30–6:45 p.m.
Joint Annual Meeting & State of the University Address
Location: Meinig Fieldhouse
Join us for the Cornell University Board of Trustees and Cornell University Council Joint Annual Meeting, State of the University Address with President Michael I. Kotlikoff.
Robert S. Harrison ’76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award presentation: We’ll present the Robert S. Harrison ’76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award, recognizing recent alumni who have provided exemplary service to Cornell and the world. Presented by Anne Meinig Smalling ’87, Board of Trustees Chair. Check out this year’s award winners!
  • Maciej Filip Bukowski JD ’17
  • Dustin Liu ’19
  • Abigail Macaluso ’20
  • Arpit Sheth ’17, MEng ’18
  • Andrew Massaro DVM ’15
6:45–8:00 p.m.
Summit reception
Location: Meinig Fieldhouse
Reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and share in the camaraderie that defines our Cornell community.
8:00–9:30 p.m.
Class officer bowling bash sponsored by CACO
Location: Helen Newman Hall Bowling Center
Calling all class officers – The CACO Board invites you to join us for a night of strikes, spares, and community.
Let’s come together for some good old-fashioned fun at Helen Newman. Whether you’re a league-worthy pro or someone who still prefers the bumper lanes, all skill levels are welcome. Shoes and CACO socks provided. Drinks and snacks too. Come on by and strike up some fun with your fellow class officers.
*Sponsored by the Cornell Association of Class Officers (CACO) Board and open to all class officers.
CACO

Day 3: Friday, October 16

Time Event
See description
Experience a class: Big Red Teaching Days (optional, Friday)
Observe a class through Big Red Teaching Days and the Center for Teaching Innovation! Sit alongside faculty as they learn from their peers, and get an insider’s look at today’s Cornell experience.
Big Red Teaching Days is a program that provides faculty with a collegial opportunity to informally observe their peers’ approach to teaching and learning across a range of courses and environments. It aims to deepen conversations about teaching and give faculty the opportunity to experience Cornell’s classroom innovations.
Spaces are very limited; times vary based on class schedules. Separate registration will be open 10/5–10/13. Registration is required to attend.
7:30–8:30 a.m.
Informal buffet breakfast at The Statler Hotel
7:30–8:30 a.m.
[SOLD OUT] Entrepreneurship at Cornell breakfast
Location: eHub Collegetown (409 College Avenue)
Join Entrepreneurship at Cornell for breakfast, networking, and a fireside chat with the new Vice Provost of Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and External Engagement.
Speakers:
  • Matt Marx, vice provost for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and External Engagement
  • Zach Shulman, director, Entrepreneurship at Cornell
8:45–9:45 a.m.
Concurrent sessions V
Concurrent session VA: Cornell’s excellence in sustainability with new campus leaders
Location: Call Auditorium, Kennedy Hall
Cornell has recently welcomed new leadership to the Botanic Gardens, Atkinson Center for Sustainability, College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Ashley School of Global Development and the Environment. In this conversation, our newest leaders will share their stories, ideas, and visions for their colleges and units. They’ll discuss Cornell’s present and future progress and commitment to building a sustainable planet for all.
Concurrent session VB: Research lightning talks: big ideas demystified
Location: Willard Straight Hall, Cornell Cinema
This lively session features lightning-fast talks by current graduate and PhD students. They’ll share their innovative and complex research across a wide range of disciplines, each in eight minutes or less. The students will showcase their research communication skills while demystifying big ideas that inspire and spark ideas in all of us.
  • Joy Yuri Kim, PhD candidate, Human Nutrition, Cornell Human Ecology
  • Zander Lynch, PhD candidate, Linguistics, College of Arts & Sciences
  • David Tompkins, PhD candidate, Human Development, Cornell Human Ecology
  • Sahil Venkatesan, JD ’27, Cornell Law School
  • + more to be announced
10:15–11:15 a.m.
Concurrent sessions VI
Concurrent session VIA: From information to impact: Telling stories that move people
Location: Willard Straight Hall, Cornell Cinema
How do we turn information, experiences, and ideas into stories that people will actually remember? This interactive session will explore practical strategies for building clear, compelling stories and adapting them for different audiences. Participants will practice using storytelling to communicate the value of their volunteer work, bring Cornell’s priorities and impact to life, and build connection with the people and communities they serve.
  • James Stapp, assistant teaching professor, SC Johnson College of Business

Concurrent session VIB: Powered by purpose: Building connection, motivation, and meaningful engagement

Location: Call Auditorium, Kennedy Hall
Great volunteer experiences don’t happen by accident. They are shaped by purpose, connection, and the conditions that allow people to contribute in meaningful ways. In this session, participants will explore what drives their own motivation, consider how volunteer environments influence engagement, and discover practical strategies for fostering greater collaboration, fulfillment, and commitment.
  • Ari Mack, senior management consultant, Cornell Organizational Development and Effectiveness
11:45 a.m.–1:15 p.m.
Deans & directors lunches
All attendees have the option to hear directly from a Cornell leader of your choice over the lunch hour.
  1. ILR dean’s luncheon
    Location: Doherty Lounge, 281 Ives Faculty Building
    Join Alexander Colvin, PhD ’99, the Kenneth F. Kahn ’69 Dean and the Martin F. Scheinman ’75, MS ’76 Professor of Conflict Resolution for lunch.
  2. CALS dean’s luncheon
    Location: BioTech, G10
    Join Ben Houlton, the Ronald P. Lynch Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, for a Cornell-themed luncheon as he shares the innovative work happening at CALS. Plus, sample some of the award-winning projects from our student Food Science teams.
  3. CHE dean’s luncheon
    Location: Statler Hotel, Taylor A&B
    Join us for an engaging luncheon with Rachel Dunifon, the Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Dean of Cornell Human Ecology. This is a unique opportunity to connect with Dean Dunifon, ask questions, hear her perspective, and learn more about the exciting developments and opportunities shaping CHE
  4. Law School dean’s luncheon
    Location: Hughes Hall, L28 (Zhu Faculty Workshop Room)
    Join Dean Jens Ohlin for lunch and hear the latest updates from Cornell Law School, recognized for its excellence, innovation, and global influence. Discover how the Law School’s academic programs, groundbreaking research, and leadership in legal technology are shaping the future of law, driving meaningful change around the world, and advancing society.
  5. SC Johnson College of Business
    Location: Statler Hotel, Carrier Ballroom
    Join Andrew Karolyi, Charles Field Knight Dean of the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, and faculty guest speakers for insights into the college’s latest research and strategic priorities.
  6. College of Veterinary Medicine
    Location: Meet at the Statler Lobby valet desk
    Share lunch with new Dean Jessica McArt, who will offer an inspiring look into the future of the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM). Dean McArt will discuss her commitment to the college’s core research, teaching, and outreach mission for the public good through collaborations across Cornell and beyond. Learn how the college is preparing the next generation of veterinary professionals for a rapidly evolving industry and advancing public, human, and animal health while fueling groundbreaking discovery.
  7. College of Arts & Sciences
    Location: Willard Straight Hall, Memorial Room
    Peter John Loewen, Harold Tanner Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, welcomes Cornell University volunteers to join us for a luncheon program, where Dean Loewen will share updates at the college and expand on his vision of positioning Arts and Sciences as a College for the Public Good.
  8. Duffield College of Engineering
    Location: Upson Lounge
    Please join Lynden Archer, Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering to hear an update on the Duffield College of Engineering. Dean Archer will share highlights from across the College, including recent achievements, exciting developments in research and education, and progress on key initiatives. Learn how Duffield Engineering continues to advance innovation, support student success, and expand its impact around the world.
  9. Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability
    Location: Atkinson Hall
    Join Cornell Atkinson for a conversation about the groundbreaking work at Cornell that is shaping global solutions in climate, energy, food, and One Health.
  10. Lunch on your own
    Location: Visit the Cornell Dining Eateries page to see dining hall menus and hours.
    Explore campus and grab lunch at one of our participating campus dining locations—your lunch ticket is included!
1:45–3:45 p.m.
Concurrent sessions VII
[SOLD OUT] Concurrent session VIIA: Intro to AI (beginner level)
Location: Computing and Information Science Building, Room 142
Artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in everyday life, from the tools we use at work to the technologies used in the classroom. Yet many people remain uncertain about what AI is, how it works, and when it is appropriate to use. Rapid advances in the field have also introduced a growing number of new terms and concepts, making it difficult to navigate the AI landscape.
This introductory workshop provides participants with a hands-on overview of AI, including Large Language Models (LLMs), AI chat tools, and AI agents. Participants will learn how these technologies differ, explore how AI can support real-world tasks, and practice using AI effectively, both using chat and simple agents. Through guided activities and discussion, participants will also examine practical and ethical considerations for using AI. By the end of the workshop, participants will have a basic understanding of how AI works and be well on their way to knowing how to use AI effectively.
  • Sorin Lerner, dean of the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science; Professor of Computer Science
[SOLD OUT] Concurrent session VIIB: Agentic AI (intermediate level)
Location: Olin Hall, Room 155
Many professionals are already using AI for basic tasks like writing and research, but these tools often fall short in complex, multi-step work. To go further, teams need to move beyond simple prompts and learn how to structure AI into more capable workflows.
This intermediate workshop introduces agent-based AI workflows that can handle more complex, high-impact tasks. We’ll explore advanced tools, such as Claude Cowork, and work through hands-on exercises to build multi-step and multi-agent workflows—without requiring any coding. Along the way, we’ll examine how these approaches overcome the common limitations of standard AI tools, including context loss, task fragmentation, and inconsistent outputs.
By the end of the session, participants will understand how to design and apply advanced AI workflows that extend beyond basic prompting and enable more reliable, scalable results in their day-to-day work.
  • Ayham Boucher, Head of AI Innovations, Cornell Information Technologies (CIT); Lecturer of Information Science
2:00–5:00 p.m.
College and unit tours (optional)
Optional tours are available to Summit registrants and must be pre-registered in advance. Space may be limited.
Cornell Grailer Food Lab tour with Alex Susskind
Time: 2:00–2:45 p.m.
Meeting place: Grailer Food Lab, Tsai Family Atrium, Statler Hall 2nd Floor
Tour location: Statler Hall
Join Alex Susskind, Banfi Vintners Professor of Wine Education and Management, and Senior Director of Programs for the Nolan School, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Cornell’s newly renovated Grailer Food Lab. One of the nation’s first fully electric teaching kitchens, the lab represents the future of hospitality, culinary innovation, and sustainable foodservice. Discover how Cornell is preparing the next generation of industry leaders through hands-on learning in this cutting-edge facility.
[SOLD OUT] Anastasia Samoylova: Atlantic Coast guided tour with Molly Kalkstein, Gary and Ellen Davis Curator of Photography
Time: 2:00–2:30 p.m.
Meeting place: Johnson Museum
Join Curator of Photography Molly Kalkstein for a guided tour of the special exhibition Anastasia Samoylova: Atlantic Coast. In this new body of work in both black & white and color, Samoylova embarks on a photographic journey from Florida to Maine along historic US Route 1, examining the national landscape as a site of both mythmaking and fracture.
Law School tour
Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Meeting place: Myron Taylor Hall College Avenue Entrance
Tour location: Law School
Over the past ten years, Cornell Law School has undergone significant renovations to accommodate the expansion of resources for students, faculty, and staff. Come prepared with questions and hear about what steps the Law School has taken to remain prominent on the global stage of legal education.
[SOLD OUT] Food Science Research Innovation tour
Time: 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Meeting place: Cornelia the Cow in the lobby of Stocking Hall
Tour location: Stocking Hall
Cornell has one of the top food science departments in the country, from our own dairy processing plant to a teaching winery. Go behind the scenes at Stocking Hall and experience the innovations with Gavin Sacks, MS ’02, PhD ’05, professor and department chair. Explore the food processing lab, the teaching winery, and discover how our student project teams keep winning national competitions.
[SOLD OUT] Cornell Botanic Gardens tour
Time: 2:00–3:00 p.m.
Meeting place: Cornell Botanic Gardens
Tour location: Starts at the Nevin Welcome Center
Join Ari Novy, Elizabeth Newman Wilds Executive Director of the Cornell Botanic Gardens, to take a relaxing stroll through the gardens around the Nevin Welcome Center and discover the beauty and diversity of our cultivated plant collections. Your tour will wander through multiple garden areas such as: Robison Herb Garden, Young Flower Garden, Bowers Rhododendron Collection, Shady Groundcover Collection, and more. Experience landscapes that are carefully designed and tended, and learn about plans for the future at Cornell Botanic Gardens. This tour will be a unique experience, as we observe the gardens at this moment in the growing season. Tours are offered rain or shine but may be cancelled in the event of severe or hazardous weather. Please meet at the Nevin Welcome Center and come prepared for variable weather.
[SOLD OUT] Guided tour: America at 250: Focus on George Washington
Time: 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Location: Michael T. Sillerman ’68 Rotunda, Rare and Manuscript Collections
Take a guided tour of Cornell University Library’s exhibition America at 250: Focus on George Washington, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence (1776–2026) through rare books, letters, and documents on the life of George Washington. The exhibition highlights the interests of Cornell’s first president, Andrew Dickson White, who had a fascination with both American history and book collecting. The acquisition of rare materials relating to Washington and his era formed an integral part of White’s educational vision. Despite subsequent transformations in the discipline, White’s principle remains resonant: collecting, displaying, and teaching with rare books, autographs, signatures, and portraits make history tangible and alive.
[SOLD OUT] Cornell Fashion + Textile Collection & Exhibit tour
Time: 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Meeting place: CHE Commons
Join Director Denise Green and Associate Director Catherine Kueffer Blumenkamp for an exclusive tour of Human Ecology’s fashion and textile collection, including more than 10,000 items of apparel used for exhibition, research, and teaching. And gain insider’s access to the new “Ancient Worlds in Modern Threads” exhibit exploring how ancient silhouettes, patterns, and ideals of beauty travel across materials, bodies, and time, continually reinterpreted through fashion.
[SOLD OUT] Cornell Grailer Food Lab tour with Alex Susskind
Time: 3:00–3:45 p.m.
Meeting place: Grailer Food Lab, Tsai Family Atrium, Statler Hall 2nd Floor
Tour location: Statler Hall
Join Alex Susskind, Banfi Vintners Professor of Wine Education and Management, and Senior Director of Programs for the Nolan School, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Cornell’s newly renovated Grailer Food Lab. One of the nation’s first fully electric teaching kitchens, the lab represents the future of hospitality, culinary innovation, and sustainable foodservice. Discover how Cornell is preparing the next generation of industry leaders through hands-on learning in this cutting-edge facility.
[SOLD OUT] The Weill Institute experience: A behind-the-scenes tour
Time: 3:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Weill Hall Atrium, Weill Hall
The Weill Institute for Cell and Molecular Biology is an interdisciplinary research center where Cornell scientists are pushing the frontiers of biology. Here, researchers decode how cells function at the molecular level, pioneer innovative techniques, and investigate mechanisms of health and disease—advancing knowledge of biology and medicine to shape a healthier future for all. On this behind-the-scenes Volunteer Summit tour, step inside the institute to experience the cutting-edge tools and spaces where discoveries are made. Over the course of 60 minutes, meet top researchers for an intimate and interactive look at the equipment, experiments, and ideas driving life science breakthroughs at Cornell
  • Decoding neurodegeneration: Hu Lab (Molecular Biology & Genetics)
    Observe a live demonstration of mouse brain sectioning as the Hu group shares how their research connects cellular pathways to dementia-related diseases such as frontotemporal dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Learn how defects in cellular clearance processes contribute to brain decline, and how this work could inform new approaches to treatment. Animal Testing Disclaimer.
  • Unpacking cell behavior: Baskin Lab (Chemistry & Chemical Biology)
    From custom-built optogenetics setups with bright blue lights to advanced microscopes and a high-resolution quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometer, the Baskin lab uses chemistry and imaging to uncover how lipids influence cancer cell behavior. You’ll follow the process from live-cell movies to detailed molecular analysis.
  • Exploring the nervous system: Han Lab (Molecular Biology & Genetics)
    Get an up-close look at Drosophila (fruit flies), a powerful model for understanding how the nervous system develops, functions, and degenerates. See how researchers culture and track different fly strains using genetic markers, then peer through a microscope at fluorescently labeled flies and neurons that reveal the intricate structure of the nervous system. These tools help the Han group uncover how neurons develop, communicate, and die.
This insider’s view offers an unparalleled opportunity to see how Cornell scientists are working at the forefront of biology and medicine to answer bold questions, share transformative technologies, and ultimately improve the human condition.
Cornell Grailer Food Lab tour with Alex Susskind
Time: 4:00–4:45 p.m.
Meeting place: Grailer Food Lab, Tsai Family Atrium, Statler Hall 2nd Floor
Tour location: Statler Hall
Join Alex Susskind, Banfi Vintners Professor of Wine Education and Management, and Senior Director of Programs for the Nolan School, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of Cornell’s newly renovated Grailer Food Lab. One of the nation’s first fully electric teaching kitchens, the lab represents the future of hospitality, culinary innovation, and sustainable foodservice. Discover how Cornell is preparing the next generation of industry leaders through hands-on learning in this cutting-edge facility.
4:00–4:45 p.m.
Summit Wrap-Up: Cider and Donuts
Location: This event has been moved indoors to Willard Straight Hall lobby and Browsing Library due to weather.
Summit volunteers come together for cider and donuts while listening to the Cornell chimes and enjoying the colors of autumn. Students are also invited to this event as part of Student Homecoming Week.
5:30–8:00 p.m.
Trustee-Council dinner
Location: Barton Hall
Join us for an evening of camaraderie and new connections as we enjoy a reception and seated dinner.
Cost: $140 per person
CUC

Other events happening around Cornell Volunteer Summit

In addition to events planned by CACO, Council and PCCW, other volunteer communities may choose to hold gatherings before, after, or during the Summit. A list of those events are included here. If you plan to host an event such as a dinner or get-together, and would like it to be featured on the website, please let us know.

Throughout summit

Time Event
Varies
From the Brink exhibit series
Location: Multiple locations across libraries on campus
Cornell University Library is hosting a series of exhibits titled From the Brink: Contributions to a Sustainable Future from across Cornell, at different libraries across Cornell University Library and in close partnership with other departments and groups on campus. From the Brink showcases collections, research support, and collaborative efforts across Cornell and illuminates ways of addressing issues of critical global importance. The series of exhibits aims to stimulate conversations about the threat of environmental and cultural loss and its implications, while also offering insights about positive developments and constructive steps toward a healthier future for our planet and our communities. Guided tours of selected exhibits are offered during the week; other exhibits are open for self-guided tours.

Wednesday, October 14

Time Event
5:00–7:00 p.m.
Hotelie Welcome Meetup During 2026 CU Volunteer Summit In Ithaca
Location: The Boatyard Grill
525 Old Taughannock Blvd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Thursday, October 15

Time Event
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Annual Fund Leadership Committee gathering (by invitation only)
Location: Room D, Statler Hotel
Annual Fund Leadership Committee members are encouraged to join us for conversation, committee updates, and a review of FY26 accomplishments. This will be a great opportunity for Brett Smith, Director of Volunteer and Gift Officer Partnership, to get to know the committee and discuss what’s ahead in FY27. We hope you’ll join us!
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Cornell Asian Alumni Association (CAAA) and Asian & Asian American Center (A3C) social
Location: Asian & Asian American Center, 626 Thurston Ave
Join CAAA and A3C for a fun and engaging alumni-student social before the excitement of Homecoming weekend begins. Grab a complimentary boba, meet fellow students and alumni, and spend an hour building community connections.

Friday, October 16

Time Event
1:00–3:00 p.m.
Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Council (FSAC) Meeting (by invitation only)
2:30–3:30 p.m.
Chicagoland meet up at the Dairy Bar
Location: Dairy Bar, 411 Tower Rd., Stocking Hall
Join Cornell Club of Chicago board members, current Chicagoland students, and Chicagoland alumni up in Ithaca for the Cornell Volunteer Summit. Let’s connect and share memories over ice cream, courtesy of the Cornell Club of Chicago, and learn how you can stay involved with Cornell back in Chicago. Please register by Thursday October 15, so we know how many to expect!
3:15–4:00 pm
Center for Law and AI at Cornell Law School (Open to all alumni volunteers)
Location: Zhu Faculty Workshop, Hughes Hall Room L28
Join Professor Jed Stiglitz as he provides an update on the newly established Center for Law and AI and shares how this new initiative brings together students, faculty, and researchers to study how artificial intelligence changes the legal world. Open to all alumni.
  • Jed Stiglitz, Richard and Lois Cole Professor of Law, Cornell Law School
3:30–5:00 p.m.
Sorority and Fraternity Life program & reception
Location: Statler E/F
Student & Campus Life and the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life invite alumni and friends with sorority or fraternity chapter affiliations to a reception during the Volunteer Summit. Attendees will have a chance to hear from university administrators and alumni leaders, as well as connect with fellow chapter alumni and student leaders.
4:00–6:00 p.m.
Grounds for connection: The ILR Homecoming mixer
Think of it as a coffee chat, just with better snacks and a whole room of ILR alumni ready to talk.
Connect with alumni across every industry ILR touches: HR, law, policy, consulting, labor relations, and beyond—no agenda, no pressure, just real conversations to kick off the weekend. Registration required.
4:00–6:00 p.m.
Cornell Military Network Homecoming celebration
Cornell Veterans House
Join Cornell Military Network (CMN) and Cornell’s Student Veterans Office for a special homecoming celebration with Cornell Veterans and the greater military-connected communities!
We invite all military veterans, alumni, cadets, friends, family, and allies to join us for an evening of camaraderie and celebration. Come learn about our community, programs, future events, resources, and continue building an impact network with our current students, faculty, and alumni. Food and refreshments will be served – we also encourage you to dress appropriately for indoor and outdoor festivities.
4:45–6:15 p.m.
Recent Alumni Reception (Classes 2007–2026)
Location: Statler Hotel, Taylor Room
A Big Red-spirited reception for recent alumni, classes 2007–2026, celebrating the 2026 Robert S. Harrison ’76 Recent Alumni Volunteer Award winners. Light appetizers and drinks will be served.

Saturday, October 17

Time Event
7:30 am breakfast, 8:00 am shotgun start
ILR Golf spots reserved for students!
Never picked up a club? Doesn’t matter; every foursome includes an ILR student, and all skill levels are welcome. There is a $50 fee. Registration required.
11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Meinig Fieldhouse Dedication
Location: Meinig Fieldhouse
After breaking ground during TCAM in 2024, the Meinig Fieldhouse has come to life as a remarkable addition to Cornell’s campus. Join us to celebrate this new home for sports and recreation! The dedication will include remarks by University and Athletics leadership, a chance to explore the facility alongside coaches and administrators, and even see it in use by our student-athletes.
6:00 p.m.