Academic Year 25-26

Welcome Back to South Hill

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues:

Welcome back!

I’m looking forward to connecting with many of you in the weeks ahead—especially at our All College Meeting and Ice Cream Social, both on August 26. I hope that your summer brought you rest, renewed energy, and meaningful moments with those you care about.

The College experienced a remarkably active summer, marked by vibrant academic and pre-college programming. High school students took part in a residential program that offered college-level courses in communications, environmental sciences, health, and the natural sciences. Alongside rigorous coursework, participants lived on campus, enjoyed shared meals, and engaged in organized social activities—offering them a fully immersive preview of college life.

Identification Clinics were hosted for high school students interested in collegiate soccer. The clinics included dynamic warmups, technical and tactical training, short-handed scrimmages, and campus tours, providing participants with insights into collegiate soccer and the opportunity to showcase their skills.

Alumni returned in June for a weekend of reunions, mixers, dinners, and tours, sharing memories, reconnecting with classmates, and celebrating their time at Ithaca College.

The School of Humanities and Sciences provided 35 students with the opportunity to participate in the H&S Summer Scholar Program, allowing them to pursue paid independent research and creative projects under faculty mentorship. It also launched the Tech Innovation Summer Academy for high school students with an interest in creative uses of technology, and it offered flexible undergraduate summer coursework, emphasizing academic growth and experiential learning.

The School of Music, Theatre, and Dance hosted several dynamic programs, including the Summer Music Academy, Summer Theatre Conservatory, the Suzuki Institute, and the Summer Piano Institute. These programs provided high school musicians with immersive training through masterclasses, faculty recitals, talent shows, and public gala concerts. IC Bands also led three major events that drew hundreds of music educators, students, and national leaders to campus.

The Roy H. Park School of Communications ICLA Summer Program offered students an intensive internship experience in Los Angeles’s communications and media industries. A screenwriting course was offered in the OES Summer College Program here on campus, and student media outlet WICB remained active, producing summer content.

The School of Health Sciences and Human Performance led this year’s Summer College for High School Students providing an immersive three-week experience exploring the foundations of health, human performance, and wellness. Students lived on campus, engaged in coursework, and took part in hands-on learning in our labs and healthcare settings throughout Ithaca. Graduate students in athletic training, occupational therapy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology also remained actively engaged in clinical training and academic coursework, with many welcoming new cohorts of students throughout the summer.

The School of Business students spent the summer doing internships all over the world, at companies like PWC, Corning, and Consolidated Flooring. Student entrepreneurs, funded by their Spring Demo Day prize money, chased their entrepreneurial dreams. Sport Management students staffed the Watkins Glen NASCAR event, and the student-run South Hill Fund issued its quarterly investors’ report, showing an 8% return in the second quarter—funding almost $40,000 in IC student scholarships, year to date.

It has been a great summer here at IC! These events and programs highlight Ithaca College's commitment to providing enriching experiences for high school students who may one day join our community, our current students, and alumni during the summer months.

As we celebrate these summer achievements, I also want to share an important leadership update. As part of our ongoing cost-reduction measures, I made the difficult decision to eliminate the position of Vice President for Marketing Communications, effective August 31.

I want to thank Mark Eyerly for his many contributions to IC during his two years here. Mark restructured the MarCom division, embedding a bold storytelling approach and bringing in exceptional new leaders to join an already talented and committed team. Together, they expanded our ability to share what makes IC distinctive, connecting more meaningfully with our audiences, and positioning the division to serve the campus community with creativity and agility well into the future.

Moving forward, the MarCom leadership team—Allison Usavage (creative), Melissa Pittinaro (marketing), and Sloan MacRae (communications)—will report directly to Senior Vice President Tim Downs, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to me (meaning they will also work closely with me and keep me regularly informed).

Please join me in congratulating Mark for his accomplishments and in wishing him well in his future endeavors.

With these updates in mind, we look ahead to the start of the academic year and the energy our newest students will bring to campus. We expect about 1,200 first-year and transfer students to join us beginning today, with a total of about 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students on campus by the start of classes next Monday. This reflects the college's efforts to meet our enrollment targets and ensure a diverse and dynamic student body.

The Class of 2029 that begins arriving today comes from 12 nations, and 43% of the class is from New York State. Sixteen new students are children of employees; students of color constitute 28% of the class; and the average GPA is 3.38.

Please join me in welcoming the entire class to our community in the coming days. I look forward to them becoming a beautiful part of the tapestry that is Ithaca College.

Thank you for all you do for our incredible community.

La Jerne Terry Cornish 
President

Dear IC Community,

Please be reminded that the Office of the President is hosting an All-College Gathering next Tuesday, August 26, during the common hour, from 1 1:50 a.m. – 1:00 p.m ., in Emerson Suites. In addition, an Ice Cream Social will be held at 4:00 p.m. at the Dillingham Fountains.

These are in-person events for the entire community—faculty, staff, and students are invited to attend. If you cannot attend the meeting in person, please email president@ithaca.edu, and a link to watch remotely will be sent to you.

The All-College Gathering is an opportunity for us to connect in solidarity and celebration, recenter ourselves around our goals for the year, and reaffirm the strengths of our community of care.

Our agenda includes:

  • A research update by Professor Daïchi Saïto (Media Arts, Sciences, and Studies)
  • Remarks by council chairs Dennis Charksy (faculty), Cliff-Simon Vital (staff) and Rishabh Sen (student governance)
  • Remarks by Paula Younger, Executive Director of Community and Government Relations
  • Remarks by Stanley Bazile, VP for Student Affairs and Campus Life
  • Financial and Enrollment Updates by Tim Downs, Sr. VP/CFO and Rock Hall, VP for Enrollment Management
  • President’s overview of institutional priorities and goals for the year

In October, we will convene again for a more formal meeting, where I will deliver a state of the college update. 

I look forward to seeing you Tuesday, and I wish you a wonderful beginning to your academic year. 

Take good care, 

La Jerne Terry Cornish 
President

Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff:

Whether you are returning to campus or stepping into your very first Ithaca College classroom today—welcome to Day One of a new academic year! We’re especially excited to welcome 1,200 new undergraduates—first-year students in the Class of 2029 together with our newest transfers—as well as 229 new graduate students beginning their journey with us. And to all of our returning students—welcome back! It is wonderful to have the entire Ithaca College community together again.

At Ithaca College, we believe in the power of theory, practice, and performance—a distinctive approach that brings learning to life across every corner of our campus. From labs to lecture halls, studios to internships, fields to community service projects, this is a place where knowledge is applied, tested, and lived. This year promises countless moments of discovery, challenge, connection, and inspiration.

Students, this year, our shared theme is Dialogue—the idea that progress, learning, and community all begin with open, honest, and respectful conversation. As you navigate your courses and experiences, I encourage you to approach each moment with curiosity and the willingness to engage. Dialogue is not always easy, but it is essential. It pushes us to listen carefully, think critically, and grow together.

We are living in complex and often deeply divided times. Political tensions, both nationally and globally, may shape what you read, feel, and discuss in the months ahead. At IC, we support your right to express yourself, to engage with ideas, and to do so with respect and purpose. We also expect you to contribute to a culture where every member of this community is treated with dignity and where physical, social, and emotional safety are foundational to academic freedom and learning.

Let me be clear: We do not shy away from difficult conversations. In fact, we welcome them. We believe that intellectual discomfort, the kind that comes from grappling with new ideas or unfamiliar perspectives, is a hallmark of higher education. It’s how growth happens. But that discomfort must be met with compassion, with listening, and with responsibility for one another’s humanity.

So let’s begin—with questions, with courage, and with care. Let’s make this year one where we rise to meet the challenges of our time with empathy, creativity, and action.

I also hope you’ll join me tomorrow at our All-College Welcome during the common hour, from 11:50 a.m.–1:00 p.m . in Emerson Suites, and later at the Ice Cream Social at 4:00 p.m. at the Dillingham Fountains. These gatherings are a chance to connect, celebrate the start of the year, and strengthen the community we build together.

Here’s to a powerful start and a meaningful journey.

Warmly, 
La Jerne Terry Cornish

To the Ithaca College Community:

Over the past year, a dedicated group of faculty, staff, and students came together to explore how Ithaca College can thoughtfully and responsibly engage with the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence. This cross-campus collaboration, guided by our shared values and institutional mission, has resulted in a foundational step forward for our college.

I am pleased to share that I, along with the President’s Cabinet, have formally endorsed the Guiding Principles for Artificial Intelligence and a companion Governance Framework , as recommended by the Presidential Working Group on AI. These recommendations reflect the group’s deep engagement with our community and thoughtful consideration of how AI can support our mission and operational effectiveness.

The endorsed principles will serve as a north star for how we approach AI at Ithaca College, anchored in ethics, transparency, and a commitment to human-centered innovation. The governance framework will ensure that future AI initiatives are evaluated in ways that align with our values and safeguard our community.

This is the result of months of consultation, reflection, and campus-wide input, and I want to thank the many individuals who contributed to this work. Your voices were essential in shaping a path that is uniquely Ithaca College.

You may read the full report and endorsed principles Artificial Intelligence at IC | Ithaca College.

Ithaca College is poised to lead with integrity in this new era. Thank you for being part of a community that meets the future with both curiosity and care.

Sincerely, 
La Jerne Terry Cornish, Ph.D. 
President

Dear Students,

As we approach the mid-point of what has already been a vibrant and inspiring semester on South Hill, I want to take a moment to wish you a restful and restorative fall break. You have worked hard these past several weeks—in your classes, in performances, on the playing fields, and through countless acts of leadership and service—and you have earned this time to pause, recharge, and reconnect.

Whether you are heading home to spend time with family, traveling with friends, or simply enjoying a quieter campus, I hope you will take this opportunity to care for yourselves and one another. Balance is an important part of success, and moments of rest can be as vital as moments of achievement.

I also encourage you to reflect with pride on what you have already accomplished this semester. Your dedication, creativity, and resilience are what make Ithaca College such a dynamic community. This year, as we embrace our campus theme of Dialogue, I invite you to continue fostering meaningful conversations—listening deeply, sharing openly, and building bridges of understanding with those around you—on campus and beyond.

I look forward to seeing all of you back on South Hill next week and at our upcoming State of the College gathering on October 21.

Until then, may you be well, stay well, and take good care of yourselves.

La Jerne Terry Cornish
President
Ithaca College

Greetings! 

Please save the date and join us for the annual State of the College meeting at 11:50 a.m. on Tuesday, October 21 , in Emerson Suites .

This is an in-person event for the entire campus community—faculty, staff, and students are invited and encouraged to attend. If you cannot attend the meeting in person, please email president@ithaca.edu, and a link to watch remotely will be sent to you. We ask that requests for accommodations be made as soon as possible. 

See you next week!

La Jerne Terry Cornish
President

The Ithaca College Board of Trustees held its fall meeting on South Hill from Wednesday through Friday, October 8–10. In addition to attending to college business, board members enjoyed several opportunities to engage with students, faculty, and staff.

Trustees spent much of this meeting learning about and reviewing current issues facing both Ithaca College and the wider higher education community. Plenary sessions included a presentation by EAB Consulting on the state of the higher education sector, and discussions with vice presidents and other campus leadership on such topics as the college’s marketing strategies, pricing and value strategy, and financial and enrollment outlook.

A new and exciting feature of this meeting was the inaugural gathering of the Council of Former Trustees. All former term trustees have been invited to participate in this informal group, which is led by Chair Emeritus David H. Lissy ’87 and former Board vice chair and newly elected Honorary Trustee James W. Nolan Jr. ’77. Former trustees are individuals who have been deeply engaged with the college and who have substantial institutional knowledge dating back decades. We are pleased to be able to harness their insights and continuing contributions to the well-being of the college, while also ensuring that this vital constituency understands and appreciates our ongoing work.

Several former trustees participated in this initial gathering, meeting among themselves, joining our newer trustees for a walking orientation tour of the campus with a focus on recent capital projects, and attending several of the plenary sessions. Their time on campus included a presentation about AI by Dave Weil ’87, MS ’89, senior vice president for strategic services and initiatives; a panel discussion with the deans of each of the schools; and lunch with students who are the beneficiaries of endowed scholarships. We look forward to the Council of Former Trustees becoming a regular feature of our fall meeting going forward.

Campus Engagement 
Current and former trustees had the opportunity to learn more about the college’s newest school—Music, Theatre, and Dance—during an immersive experience. Dean Steve TenEyck provided an overview of the school and discussed some of its current initiatives, following which trustees engaged with students, faculty, and staff.

At the Whalen Center for Music, trustees learned about the hands-on training our junior music education students receive through student teaching, a unique aspect of the MTD program. We also did some hands-on learning of our own by trying out a few musical instruments. In Dillingham Center, we were introduced to the production process, getting a literal backstage view at how theatre and dance performances come together. We met with student designers and actors, gaining firsthand insight into the collaborative and creative work happening in our theatre and dance spaces. We further engaged with members of the MTD community over lunch.

Another highlight of our meeting was the Tenure and Promotion Dinner, at which we joined the President’s Cabinet and department chairs in celebrating members of our faculty who have achieved tenure and/or promotion, Dana Professorship, and emeriti status in the 2024–25 academic year.

Cost of Attendance for Academic Year 2026-27 
In the board’s business meeting, trustees approved tuition, room, and board for the 2026-27 academic year, with modest increases planned for both new and returning students. This represents our ongoing efforts to keep an Ithaca College education affordable and accessible for students and their families while continuing to invest in the resources necessary to provide the best possible learning and living environment.

Most returning students will see a 3.9% increase in direct cost of attendance. The actual increment varies somewhat between class years, in line with the IC Commitment, which began several years ago and offers incoming students cost predictability over the course of their time at Ithaca College.

We are proud that Ithaca College continues to be recognized for providing a high-quality private college education and experience, and we greatly appreciate all of the hard work that our campus community continues to put in to ensure that the college remains an affordable choice for students and families.

After the meeting on Friday, Board Chair John Neeson ’84 and Vice Chair Christopher Palmieri ’96 continued a tradition of hosting an open conversation with members of the IC community, sharing a summary of the meeting and then fielding questions from students, faculty, and staff. The conversation included such topics as what the biggest challenges are that trustees think the college is facing, what data are being considered in assessing the college’s progress toward meetings its goals, how the college can address the effects of shrinking resources, the promises and perils of artificial intelligence, and how the college is responding to the pressures being put on higher education at the federal level.

President Cornish and other college leadership will be providing additional updates at the State of the College meeting on October 21.

We look forward to gathering again in February, when our board meeting will take place in Philadelphia in conjunction with opportunities for engagement with our substantial alumni community in the region. Until then, we thank you for your commitment to the college and to the educational experience we provide for our students.

Sincerely,

John Neeson ’84
Chair, Board of Trustees

La Jerne Terry Cornish
President

Dear Campus Community,

Next Tuesday, November 11, is Veterans Day—a day dedicated to honoring America’s veterans for their courageous service to our country.

Many of you, like me, have friends, family members, and loved ones who have served in the armed forces. My brother, David Terry, served in the United States Army, and my father, Joe Terry, was a veteran of the Korean War. I have witnessed firsthand the tremendous commitment, courage, and sacrifice required of those who step forward to defend the values of freedom and liberty, often at great personal risk.

In advance of this year’s observance, Ithaca College will hold its annual Veterans Day Celebration this Thursday, November 6, at noon in Ford Hall, James J. Whalen Center for Music. The one-hour program will feature performances by the IC Treble Chorale, Brass Quintet, and Trombone Troupe, with a reception to follow.

Dean Emeritus of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance (formerly the School of Music), Art Ostrander, will serve as master of ceremonies. The keynote address will be delivered by Dr. Kim Dunnick, Professor Emeritus of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

While a prior commitment prevents me from joining you in person, I will be with you in spirit and solidarity. I encourage you to join our community in honoring and celebrating the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans this Thursday, November 6.

With gratitude,

La Jerne Terry Cornish
President

Join President Cornish for an evening of celebration on Wednesday, December 3 in recognition of the semester’s end and the start of the holiday season! You are welcome to bring a guest to share in the festivities.

Event Highlights:

  • 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM in Emerson Suites
  • A wide variety of delicious food and beverages
  • A cash bar with one complimentary drink ticket per guest
  • Free non-alcoholic beverages throughout the evening
  • A festive holiday basket raffle to conclude the night!

Please RSVP by Friday, November 21

Questions? Contact president@ithaca.edu.

We look forward to celebrating with you and ushering in the holiday season together!