In the final course of the program, students will develop and implement a community project that has impacts in the realm of sustainability, social justice, cultural diversity or environmental stewardship (or a combination of these areas). Students will work closely with peers and a faculty mentor to accomplish this culminating project of the minor.
Through courses in the minor, you'll gain exposure to different ways of thinking about sustainability and social justice.
Innovation Scholars get guaranteed $5k scholarship per year for all four years of college, as long as you remain in the program. This scholarship is added to any merit-based or need-based financial aid.
Innovation Scholars are a tight-knit community of students with common interests, curiosity, passion, and motivation to make a difference.
Innovation Scholars volunteer, attend events, work on group projects, and interact with faculty mentors to stay engaged on issues of interest. Examples include exclusive seminars, food donation volunteer events, clothing and school supply reuse pipeline development, and local community volunteer efforts.
Yes! In fact, many Innovation Scholar courses may also count toward Integrative Core Curriculum (ICC) and/or your major or other minor requirements.
The program expects to enroll up to 40 scholars per year on a competitive basis.
The minor is 18-20 credits (5 courses) including:
To see a visual roadmap of the curriculum, click on the "Program and Award" box above.
You may take all four years of your undergraduate enrollment to complete the minor, or you can finish it sooner. You just have to maintain good grades (GPA 3.0) and show evidence of engagement with the program to keep your scholarship active.
Yes, your scholarship will apply to all four years of your undergraduate enrollment, even if you complete your minor earlier.
You will be assigned an advisor specifically for the Innovation Scholar minor (this will be in addition to the advisor you are assigned for your major). Innovation Scholar advisors are faculty who oversee the Innovation Scholar Program and may also teach courses associated with the program.
Yes. In fact, we recommend spending a semester elsewhere as a way of broadening your world experience.
Yes! International students would be especially welcomed into this program because of their unique perspectives. International students would also be eligible for the scholarship award.
Only students in their first year can apply to be part of the program. The Innovations Scholar minor begins with a first semester seminar that transfer students typically are not required to take.
Susan Swensen
Innovation Scholar Program Coordinator
sswensen@ithaca.edu
If you have questions about applying or your application, please contact the Admission Office at admission@ithaca.edu or call (607) 274-3124 Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (ET).
Find us on Instagram @icinnovationscholars