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Graduate School Dean’s Scholars

Group of people standing together in a foyer.

The Graduate School Dean’s Scholars are recipients of one of the following competitive fellowships, or are nominated and selected scholars who have demonstrated academic excellence and strong potential to contribute to Cornell’s core value to provide a Community of Belonging where scholars representing different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect. 

The core purpose of the prestigious distinction of Dean’s Scholar is to develop a community of scholars through which connections are established and maintained across all graduate fields. To help facilitate the establishment of community, Dean’s Scholars are invited to participate in a variety of professional and community development events sponsored or co-sponsored by the Office of Inclusion & Student Engagement (OISE).

Dean’s Scholars Engagement Seminar

The Graduate School Dean’s Scholars Engagement Seminar provides structured opportunities for Dean’s Scholars (especially pre-A exam scholars) to establish a sense of community and develop skills foundational to their academic and personal success. While not required, all first-year Dean’s Scholars are strongly encouraged to register for this seminar series. Topics covered in this academic year-long seminar series include but are not limited to the following: 

  • Time Management for your Academic & Personal Well-Being
  • Personal Finances & Budget Management Strategies for Graduate School
  • Charting Your Course with an Individual Development Plan
  • Creating a Practice of Writing
  • Developing Your Mentor Network 

Each session of the Dean’s Scholars Engagement Seminar will also include featured resources participants can leverage as they progress through their graduate studies at Cornell.

Dean’s Scholars Summer Start Series

This three-part virtual series, serves as an early opportunity for incoming Graduate School Dean’s Scholars to engage with continuing Dean’s Scholars as one means to helping establish a sense of community and belonging at Cornell. Featured in each session is a recent Dean’s Scholar alumni speaker who shares insights on how they were able to establish community, navigate their progression through their graduate studies, work through moments of uncertainty, remain motivated, and find a sense of purpose. Recent alumni speakers include Drs. John McMullen (Ph.D. Entomology), Brianna Tate (Ph.D. Animal Science), and Andy Barrientos-Gómez (Ph.D. Romance Studies).  

Summer Success Symposium 

The Summer Success Symposium is a professional and community development event for new and continuing doctoral students from across all graduate fields. The symposium has a particular focus on bringing together recipients of graduate fellowships in support of diversity as well as all other doctoral students from backgrounds historically excluded from and underrepresented in the academy. This includes, but is not limited to students who identify as Black, Indigenous, Hispanic/Latine, and/or Asian American, and/or those that identify as first-generation college (FGC) students, LGBTQQ+ identified students, veterans, students with disabilities, women in STEM, students with DACA status, and others. Master’s degree students interested in pursuing doctoral studies are also welcome to this event.

Through this symposium, participants have the opportunity to form connections and establish community. This symposium also provides participants with the opportunity to engage with successful alumni, faculty, and professionals with shared experiences and identities. Summer Success Symposium keynote and workshop content focuses on providing participants with access to knowledge and insights that will help them navigate their successful transition into and progression through their graduate studies.

Graduate Diversity & Inclusion Fall Mixer

All Dean’s Scholars are invited to attend the Graduate Diversity & Inclusion Fall Mixer to network with current students, staff, faculty, and other community members. This event also provides participants with the opportunity to learn about student organizations represented on the Graduate and Professional Diversity Council. This family friendly event takes place every September. 

Dean’s Scholars Pinning Ceremony

The inaugural pinning ceremony for the Graduate School Dean’s Scholars took place in Fall 2017. This event marked the beginning of an annual fall tradition where the Graduate School publicly recognizes and celebrates the Dean’s Scholars for their academic achievements, commitment to excellence, and potential for making meaningful contributions to their respective disciplines. The Dean’s Scholars pin has a round center of gold with the Cornell seal, which is surrounded by an outer ring of silver. The silver represents the persistence of the scholars whereas the gold represents their achievement. See images from the 2023 Dean’s Scholars Pinning Ceremony.

Colman Inclusive Leadership Program

In spring 2012, John and Jane Colman established the Colman Family Endowed Fund for Leadership within the College of Engineering Office of Inclusive Excellence to establish the Colman Inclusive Leadership Program for Ph.D. students in engineering and other related STEM fields. In summer 2015, the Graduate School Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement established a partnership with the College of Engineering to open up the Colman Inclusive Leadership Program to Ph.D. students from across all graduate fields. The Colman Inclusive Leadership Program seeks to enroll up to 30 Ph.D. students in an intensive multi-day program focused on providing participants with skills and knowledge that will support their development as leaders in graduate school and beyond. Dean’s Scholars receive priority consideration for selection for the Colman Inclusive Leadership Program.

Future Professors Institute: Advancing Diversity in the Academy

Organized by the Graduate School Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement (OISE), Future Faculty and Academic Careers, and the Office of Postdoctoral Studies, the Future Professors Institute engages graduate students and postdoctoral scholars in workshops, panel discussions, and talks focused on preparing them for faculty careers across institutional types. For more information, please visit the Future Professors Institute website.