We Are a Community

By Danica Fisher ’05, September 1, 2021
Interim President La Jerne Terry Cornish welcomes college community.

On Tuesday, August 31, at an in-person and livestreamed All-College Welcoming Gathering, Interim President La Jerne Terry Cornish, members of the senior leadership team and leaders of the college’s governing councils gathered students, faculty and staff together to emphasize a sense of community.   

“I so appreciate the dedication of all the members of this community,” said Cornish. “As we look ahead to the start of this new year, we know that there will continue to be challenges. But as a community, we are going to demonstrate what it looks like to live with COVID-19. I am grateful to this community for putting our students first and for focusing all of our collective energy on our students’ success as scholars and as people.” 

Cornish then spoke about the six strategic priorities for the coming year, in accordance with the Ithaca Forever strategic plan. 

The first priority is the development of a community of care. Cornish spoke about the importance of caring and connecting with one another while referencing her welcome video

“I shared three words in our welcome video: connection, intentionality and care. These words form the backbone of our work this year to create a community where we are all present for one another and for ourselves. Where we live our institutional values of respect, accountability, equity, innovation, sustainability and academic excellence. We dedicate ourselves to our mission to educate and empower our students through theory, practice and performance.” 

Interim President La Jerne Terry Cornish

“I shared three words in our welcome video: connection, intentionality and care,” said Cornish. “These words form the backbone of our work this year to create a community where we are all present for one another and for ourselves. Where we live our institutional values of respect, accountability, equity, innovation, sustainability and academic excellence. We dedicate ourselves to our mission to educate and empower our students through theory, practice and performance.” 

Next, Cornish talked about furthering efforts to build a sustainable financial model, including having a positive net operating margin and working toward a resumption of salary increments and restoring the full TIAA match for employees. 

The third topic was around COVID and public health management, where Cornish thanked the community for its high vaccination rate and for continuing to wear masks. 

“I am so proud that last year we did not have one case of COVID-19 being transmitted in a classroom, I need us to remember that,” said Cornish. “We should be proud of that fact. Be intentional about your behavior here on campus and in social settings. This year we must focus on supporting one another and remembering that we are all in this together.” 

Cornish also spoke about the importance of being a national model for colleges committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. This year IC hired a new director for the MLK Scholar and First-Gen programs on campus, and is currently searching for a new director for the Center for Inclusion Diversity Equity and Social Change (IDEAS) to help meet the needs of students. 

Stabilizing enrollment at a sustainable size and retaining students was also a topic of discussion at the welcoming. Cornish spoke about the Retention and Engagement Strategy Team (REST) and the work they’re doing in creatively developing ideas for retention

Lastly, Cornish spoke on leveraging innovations in teaching, learning and working, noting how faculty and staff did such a great job of adapting last year to ensure that student resources and services could still be delivered even in a remote environment. 

Deontae Guy

Deontae Guy ’23, president of the Student Governance Council, speaks at All-College Welcoming Gathering. (Photo credit: Natalie Daffinee)

Cornish ended her remarks by asking faculty, staff and students to commit to the work that is being done at Ithaca College. 

“I ask that we remember the following: we are, all of us, ambassadors for Ithaca College in everything we say and everything we do,” said Cornish. “Let's be mindful about what we show the world and ourselves about who we are, what we value and what we want to be. I believe in Ithaca College and believe that we can be successful together. In fact, together is the only way we are going to succeed.” 

Chris McNamara, clinical associate professor of physical therapy and the chair of Faculty Council; Clint McCartney, supervisor in facilities services and chair of Staff Council; and Deontae Guy ’23, president of the Student Governance Council, also shared a few words with faculty, staff and students. 

McNamara talked about priorities that Faculty Council is working toward, including fostering engagement and communication; providing learning experiences that are student centered and safe; promoting a positive student experience on a campus; and committing to creating a community that is inclusive and authentic. 

“Our work will focus on adjusting to and reshaping our new normal; teaching, meeting, interacting, communicating by redefining and promoting a sense of community,” said McNamara.  

McCartney spoke about how the sense of community will have a real and lasting effect on staff morale and job satisfaction. 

“Staff Council understands the importance of building a strong sense of community not only between staff but between students, staff, faculty and the senior leadership team,” said McCartney. “We are working to enhance a sense of pride in who staff are, what staff do and the important role staff play in the success of Ithaca College.” 

Guy acknowledged the work that the Student Governance Council does and will do this year.

“This year, we have declared revival is coming to our campus,” said Guy. “That means establishing trust, communication and most importantly transparency back within our community. Everything we will do this year will be an effort towards reviving our campus.”

Additionally, he thanked faculty and staff for their efforts to help students return to campus. 

“To all faculty and staff listening to me today, I would like you to know that one of our biggest hopes is that students here at Ithaca College might feel a sense of belonging,” said Guy. “We hope and pray that students know that this is the place that they can call home. We create belonging by making intentional acts to be inclusive and accepting each student as they are.”

Another gathering to discuss the state of the college will take place on Tuesday, October 5. 

All-College Welcoming Gathering

Watch the recording of the All-College Welcoming Gathering held on Tuesday, August 31.