Graduate School

Bayer B4U 2026 Mentorship Program Information Session
2026-02-09 14:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Webinar
Join an information session to learn about the Bayer Crop Science 2026 University Mentoring Program (B4U).
Building relationships, networks, and a commitment to soft skill development are essential to success as scientists and leaders working in industry – join for a year long mentoring program with established Bayer scientists.
Program Highlights:

MENTORING: 1-on-1, based on technical fit and soft skill development needs
DEVELOPMENT: Bayer-hosted workshops and seminars
NETWORKING: Within Bayer & across 30+ North American Universities
ADVANCEMENT: Career advancement advice
AWARENESS: Build business acumen and develop relationships with industry partner

Who should apply?
Curious scientists and engineers in early career stages (with emphasis on grad students and postdoctoral researchers).
In fields related to plant breeding, plant biology, gene editing, crop physiology, chemistry, environmental science, engineering, computer science, & data science/engineering and more
Applications window: Dec 1, 2025-Feb 22, 2026
Apply Here: https://forms.office.com/e/hw5rcXTqcZ
Mentee selection emails will be sent by March 20th, 2026
Information session dates

December 11, 2025 @ 1pm CST
January 21, 2026 @ 2pm CST
February 9, 2026 @ 1pm CST

Teams Meeting ID:
Meeting ID: 328 713 474 563 8
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Email: bayer.univ.mentoring@bayer.com

Big Red Barn Super Bowl
2026-02-08 18:00 - 21:30 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Join us at the Big Red Barn for a Super Bowl Watch Party featuring Seahawks vs. Patriots!
Sunday, February 8th, doors open at 6 PM. First come, first serve for pizza. Sponsored by the Big Red Barn Social Fellow.

T.G.I.F.
2026-02-06 16:30 - 19:00, 2026-01-30 16:30 - 19:00, 2026-01-23 16:30 - 19:00 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Tell Grad’s It’s Friday is a Graduate and Professional Student-focused weekly event. Graduate students, Post Docs, Faculty, Staff, and PhDs are welcome to attend with one guest each; all guests must be 23+. Undergraduate students are not allowed to attend.

Career Discovery Series: Careers in Consulting, Strategy, and Organizational Effectiveness Panel
2026-02-06 15:00 - 16:30 | Zoom
Register for Careers in Consulting, Strategy, and Organizational Effectiveness Panel
This small group discussion will offer insight into career paths Ph.D.s and research masters’ students pursue beyond academia, including how alumni have translated their academic training into impactful roles. Bring questions, explore industries, and learn from real experiences in an open and supportive format.
Consulting, Strategy and Organizational Effectiveness Careers Panelist Bios
Rick Wang, Ph.D. ’20, is a principal at the Boston Consulting Group working with pharma and medtech clients across R&D, commercial, and strategy topics. He earned a doctorate in biomedical engineering from Cornell University.

Vivian Rotenstein, Ph.D. ’21, is a litigation consultant at Blueprint Trial Consulting, where she supports attorneys through mock trials, focus groups, jury research, witness preparation, and trial strategy. She holds a doctorate in human development from Cornell University, with research focused on implicit bias, juror decision-making, and moral judgment.

Renny John, M.P.H. ’20, is a workplace wellness professional advancing equitable well-being across Northwell Health. As senior program manager on the TeamWell team, he supports the Western Market (18,000+ team members) and is part of a team supporting over 104,000 employees systemwide. He also serves as treasurer of the Cornell Black Alumni Association, supporting a network of 15,000+ alumni. He holds a master’s of public health from Cornell University and is pursuing a doctor of public health at Morgan State University.

Yawa Zewou, M.P.A. ’20 Bio forthcoming.
The 2026 Pathways to Success: Career Discovery Series is a professional development opportunity focused on providing graduate and professional degree students and postdoctoral scholars with valuable career exploration and professional development learning and skill development opportunities. Participants may register for an individual session or all sessions offered within the week.

What to Look for When Searching for a Postdoc Position: A Perspective from St. Jude
2026-02-06 12:00 - 13:00 | Webinar
Link to Register: Webex
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee, is one of the world’s premier research and treatment centers for pediatric cancer and catastrophic childhood diseases. Scientists and clinicians work together daily to translate laboratory discoveries into clinical trials and new therapies for patients.
St. Jude has openings for postdoctoral fellows in diverse basic and translational research areas, including cancer biology, cell & developmental biology, chemistry, bioinformatics, global & public health, immunology, gene & cell therapy, infectious diseases, applied math, structural biology, neuroscience, and epidemiology. We provide an outstanding training environment with support tailored to postdocs and a competitive salary starting at $72,500 per year.
The presentation by Prasiddhi Neupane, Academic Recruiter II at St. Jude, will provide general information on what to look for when searching for a postdoctoral position, as well as specifics about St. Jude. Whether you are close to graduating with your PhD or early in your degree, it is never too soon to think about your next career step.
You may also schedule a 20-minute one-on-one meeting with the academic recruiters at St. Jude on February 6 between 1:30-4:30 pm EDT. You are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to let St. Jude know who you are!

2026 Government, Education & Non-Profit Career Fair [Virtual]
2026-02-06 10:00 - 15:00 | Online
Join Georgetown University’s annual Government, Education & Non-Profit Career Fair brings top employers to students and alumni for internships and full-time jobs in the government, education, and non-profit sectors. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about these careers and to network with employers.
Click here for the list of employers and to register.

Career Discovery Series: Grad Career Advisor Drop-Ins and Coffee at the Big Red Barn
2026-02-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Register for Grad Career Advisor Drop-Ins and Coffee
Drop in, ask questions, get support.
Stop by the Big Red Barn for informal drop-in hours and sip on coffee with the Careers Beyond Academia team. Bring questions, explore ideas, and get personalized guidance in a relaxed, supportive setting.

The 2026 Pathways to Success: Career Discovery Series is a professional development opportunity focused on providing graduate and professional degree students and postdoctoral scholars with valuable career exploration and professional development learning and skill development opportunities. Participants may register for an individual session or all sessions offered within the week.

Career Discovery Series Keynote: Why You? How to Nail the Most Pressing Question of Your Career with Vicki Johnson ’01, Ph.D.
2026-02-05 17:00 - 18:00 | 120 Physical Sciences Building, 245 East Ave, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Location: 120 Physical Sciences Building
Register for Why You? How to Nail the Most Pressing Question of Your Career Keynote
Session Description
The candidates who land dream opportunities and command their destiny aren’t necessarily the ones with the longest resumes—they’re the ones who can articulate a future vision so compelling that others want to be part of making it happen. As you stand at the threshold of your career, you can create something more powerful than experience: a vision for what’s possible. In this transformative keynote, ProFellow Founder and Cornellian Vicki Johnson ’01, Ph.D., reveals the storytelling framework that turns uncertainty into confidence and helps you claim opportunities you didn’t think were within reach.
You’ll discover how to leverage the competitive advantages you already possess, why your future story matters more than your past credentials, and how to authentically answer the question that will define your career: “Why you?” This session will change how you see yourself—and how others see you too.
Key Takeaways:

The competitive edge you already have (and how to name it)

How to create meaningful connections with selectors that inspire investment

A proven framework for crafting your most compelling narrative

Following the keynote, stay for a live Q&A and an in-person book signing. As a special thank-you, the first 50 graduate students/postdocs and 50 undergraduates who attend in person will receive a free copy of “Pitch Your Potential: The Formula to Win Selective Opportunities and Leverage Your Story for Success.” A virtual option will be provided for participants unable to attend on campus.
Speaker Bio
Vicki Johnson ’01, Ph.D., is founder and director of ProFellow®, the leading online resource for professional and academic fellowships. She is a Cornell Class of 2001 alumna (government, Arts & Science), a four-time fellow, a top Ph.D. scholar, and an award-winning social entrepreneur. She is the forthcoming author of the Wiley book “Pitch Your Potential: The Formula to Win Selective Opportunities and Leverage Your Story for Success.”

Career Discovery Series: Applied Humanities & Social Sciences: Creative, Human-Centered Design & Strategy Careers
2026-02-05 13:00 - 14:30 | Zoom
Register for Applied Humanities and Social Sciences: Creative, Human-Centered Design, and Strategy Careers
This small group discussion will offer insight into career paths Ph.D.s and research masters’ students pursue beyond academia, including how alumni have translated their academic training into impactful roles. Bring questions, explore industries, and learn from real experiences in an open and supportive format.
Applied Humanities & Social Sciences Careers Panelist Bios
Betty Hensellek, Ph.D. ’20 is currently a design lead at JPMorganChase. Previously she was at a Washington, D.C. design firm, Informed XP, where her team worked on projects for financial institutions and the federal government. Her first design role ‘beyond academia’ was at Xerox. Alongside her industry work, Betty also teaches art of the Silk Roads and Islamic art at the University of Cincinnati as an adjunct assistant professor. She holds a B.A. and B.F.A. from the University of Cincinnati, M.A. from New York University, and doctorate in art history from Cornell University.

Ruoji Tang, Ph.D. ’19 is senior marketing manager at Shovels.ai and was recently senior content marketing manager at Liftoff Mobile and a contributing editor for the Wall Street Journal’s China Magazine. Her first full-time position outside academia was a content marketer at Terra, a creative agency in New York. She holds a B.A. in English from UC Berkeley and a doctorate in English language and literature from Cornell.

Yagna Nag Chowdhuri, Ph.D. ’20 is a facilitator and evaluator who supports collaborative learning and organizational change through critical reflection and compassionate engagement. She draws on deep expertise in cultural studies and anthropology to navigate complex issues and foster cultures of learning. Her work bridges research, teaching, and social work to support community transformation and social justice. She holds an M.Phil. in Social Sciences from the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, India, an M.S.W. from the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, and a doctorate in Asian literature, religion, and culture from Cornell University.
The 2026 Pathways to Success: Career Discovery Series is a professional development opportunity focused on providing graduate and professional degree students and postdoctoral scholars with valuable career exploration and professional development learning and skill development opportunities. Participants may register for an individual session or all sessions offered within the week.

Career Discovery Series: Build a Flexible Mindset for your Career Journey Workshop
2026-02-04 18:00 - 19:00 | 213 Kennedy Hall, 215 Garden Avenue, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Location: 213 Kennedy Hall (in-person)
Register for Build a Flexible Mindset for your Career Journey Workshop
Join Em McMClintock and Olivia Hopewell to learn more about building a flexible mindset in your graduate career. What do I do when then job I’d planned for as a student, isn’t looking likely anymore? How do I build the stamina necessary for receiving feedback on my work– as a grad student, on the job market, and in my future career? I don’t feel like the “typical” scholar– how do I work with what I have to flourish professionally?

Academia can be as much a game of mental and emotional resilience as it is one of intellectual growth. In this workshop, we’ll discuss these realities and start to develop healthy, practical skills for navigating these experiences.

Presenters

Olivia Hopewell (she/her), PhD, Advisor in Office of Graduate Student Life
Em McClintock (they/she), LMHC-D, Counselor in CAPS (specializing in Neurodivergence and ADHD)

The 2026 Pathways to Success: Career Discovery Series is a professional development opportunity focused on providing graduate and professional degree students and postdoctoral scholars with valuable career exploration and professional development learning and skill development opportunities. Participants may register for an individual session or all sessions offered within the week.

Career Discovery Series: From Ideas to Impact: Careers in UX, AI and Entrepreneurship Panel
2026-02-04 13:30 - 15:00 | Zoom
Register for From Ideas to Impact: Careers in UX, AI, and Entrepreneurship Panel
This small group discussion will offer insight into career paths Ph.D.s and research masters’ students pursue beyond academia, including how alumni have translated their academic training into impactful roles. Bring questions, explore industries, and learn from real experiences in an open and supportive format.
UX, AI and Entrepreneurship Panelist Bios
Rod Recker, M.S., is a product and engineering executive with deep experience building and scaling interactive technology platforms and teams. He has served as CTO at The Glimpse Group, head of product at Alive Home 360, and led global innovation teams at Autodesk, driving product strategy, growth, and investment. He earned a master’s degree in computer graphics from Cornell University.

Malcolm Bare, Ph.D. ’21, is associate director of client solutions at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a technical product manager focused on enterprise AI and EdTech products. He works on delivering digital products that support students, staff, and faculty. He earned a doctorate in English language and literature from Cornell University.

Hakan Unsal, Ph.D. ’07, is the founder and CEO of Primerli, an industry-learning platform launched in 2019 to help professionals engage more effectively with clients across industries. He previously spent over a decade at BCG as a management consultant and in learning and development. He earned a doctorate in civil engineering from Columbia University and a M.Eng. in engineering management from Cornell University.

Naomi Enzinna, Ph.D. ’18, is a senior UX researcher and manager of UX research at UserTesting with over 12 years of experience conducting end-to-end qualitative and quantitative research across education, health care, technology, financial services, retail, and telecommunications. She specializes in accessibility UX research with work focused on identifying and addressing pain points for users with disabilities who rely on assistive technologies. Naomi holds a doctorate in linguistics from Cornell University.

The 2026 Pathways to Success: Career Discovery Series is a professional development opportunity focused on providing graduate and professional degree students and postdoctoral scholars with valuable career exploration and professional development learning and skill development opportunities. Participants may register for an individual session or all sessions offered within the week.

Career Discovery Series: How to Launch Your Global Social Impact Career Through Professional Fellowships Workshop with Vicki Johnson, Ph.D.
2026-02-04 11:30 - 13:00 | 102 Mann Library, 237 Mann Drive, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Register for How to Launch Your Global Social Impact Career Through Professional Fellowships Workshop
ProFellow Founder and Cornell alum Vicki Johnson ’01, Ph.D., will present “How to Launch Your Global Social Impact Career Through Professional Fellowships.” This session is designed for graduate students and postdocs seeking paid, full-time professional fellowships and those curious about entrepreneurial pathways in the social impact space. During the session, attendees will learn:

what funded, merit-based professional fellowships are.

how to find a wide range of professional and summer fellowships in fields like public policy, international affairs, journalism, sustainability, technology, social entrepreneurship, and more.

key tips for the competitive application process.

how fellowships can serve as stepping stones into mission-driven and entrepreneurial work.

what “entrepreneurship” can look like beyond startups and patents—especially in public service, nonprofits, and social innovation.

Johnson is an alumna of the New York City Urban Fellows Program, the German Chancellor Fellowship, the Herbert Scoville Jr. Peace Fellowship, and the Ian Axford Fellowship in Public Policy (Fulbright New Zealand). She will discuss how fellowships helped her enter a unique international career in public health preparedness and public policy, and how professional fellowships can help you do the same!
The 2026 Pathways to Success: Career Discovery Series is a professional development opportunity focused on providing graduate and professional degree students and postdoctoral scholars with valuable career exploration and professional development learning and skill development opportunities. Participants may register for an individual session or all sessions offered within the week.

Career Discovery Series: Science-Informed Business and Sustainability Careers Panel
2026-02-04 08:30 - 10:00 | Zoom
Register for Global Careers at the Intersection of Business, Sustainability, and Equity Panel
This small group discussion will offer insight into career paths Ph.D.s and research masters’ students pursue beyond academia, including how alumni have translated their academic training into impactful roles. Bring questions, explore industries, and learn from real experiences in an open and supportive format.
Science-Informed Business and Sustainability Careers Panelist Bios
Hema Surendranathan, Ph.D. ’21, is a sustainability and ESG professional from Malaysia with experience across TMT, energy, and transport sectors. She holds a degree from Bryn Mawr College and doctorate in English language and literature from Cornell University.

Rachel Chang, Ph.D. ’25, is a business development manager at Biocytogen, where she serves as a bridge between science and business by building partnerships to advance medicine and accelerate therapeutic development. She is passionate about communicating science, building relationships, and empowering others — values shaped through her academic and research journey at Cornell. She holds a doctorate in biomedical and biological sciences from Cornell University.

Khyati Rathore, M.R.P. ’19
Bio forthcoming.
Tristan Shepherd, Ph.D.
Bio forthcoming.
The 2026 Pathways to Success: Career Discovery Series is a professional development opportunity focused on providing graduate and professional degree students and postdoctoral scholars with valuable career exploration and professional development learning and skill development opportunities. Participants may register for an individual session or all sessions offered within the week.

BRB Trivia
2026-02-03 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Trivia is back weekly on Tuesdays 7 PM to 9 PM at the Big Red Barn. Come with a team or show up on your own and see our trivia host, Jacob, to be matched with an existing team. All are welcome!

Knitting at the Barn
2026-02-03 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-01-27 17:30 - 19:00 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Do you love fiber crafts or want to learn? Come to the Barn on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 – 7 p.m.! This event is for both those interested in learning fiber arts and those who want to make steady progress on an existing project. Materials and guidance will be provided if needed.
This event usually occurs at 1-2 tables in the main space or greenhouse area of the Barn; email brb.art.fellow@gmail.com if you would like to be added to the group chat or request accessibility accommodations.

Career Discovery Series: Transformative Careers in Social and Environmental Policy Panel
2026-02-03 17:00 - 18:30 | Zoom
Register for Transformative Careers in Social and Environmental Policy Panel
This small group discussion will offer insight into career paths Ph.D.s and research masters’ students pursue beyond academia, including how alumni have translated their academic training into impactful roles. Bring questions, explore industries, and learn from real experiences in an open and supportive format.
Social and Environmental Policy Panelist Bios

Amelia Demery, Ph.D. ’23, is a program officer at Ocean Visions, where she leads and supports projects in ocean carbon dioxide removal, environmental justice, and coalition-building. She previously worked at the U.S. National Science Foundation coordinating interagency ocean science and policy initiatives. She earned her doctorate in ecology and evolutionary biology from Cornell University.

Colin Cepuran, Ph.D. ’20, is a senior researcher at Chapin Hall working on implementation and evaluation projects to support child welfare agencies using quantitative and geographic data. He holds a doctorate in government from Cornell University, with research focused on American politics and immigration policy.

Veronica O. Davis, M.R.P. ’03, is the U.S. vice president for planning, engagement, and urban design at AtkinsRéalis, bringing 25 years of experience in civil engineering and planning. Previously, she was the director for transportation and drainage operations for the city of Houston and co-founded Nspiregreen LLC. She also co-founded Black Women Bike (BWB) and represented Houston as vice president on the National Association of City Transportation Officials. She holds dual master’s degrees in engineering management and regional planning from Cornell University.

The 2026 Pathways to Success: Career Discovery Series is a professional development opportunity focused on providing graduate and professional degree students and postdoctoral scholars with valuable career exploration and professional development learning and skill development opportunities. Participants may register for an individual session or all sessions offered within the week.

Career Discovery Series: Using ImaginePhD to Explore Careers Beyond Academia for Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Ph.D.s Workshop
2026-02-03 12:30 - 14:00 | 172 Goldwin Smith Hall, 232 Feeney Way, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
Location: 172 Goldwin Smith Hall (in-person)
Register for Using ImaginePhD to Explore Careers Beyond Academia for Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Ph.D. Workshop
This interactive workshop introduces Ph.D. students in the arts, humanities, and social sciences to tools and strategies for exploring careers beyond tenure-track faculty positions. Participants will use ImaginePhD to reflect on their values, interests, and skills; identify potential career pathways; and learn how to translate academic experiences into language used in nonacademic job searches. The session emphasizes curiosity, reflection, and practical next steps.
The 2026 Pathways to Success: Career Discovery Series is a professional development opportunity focused on providing graduate and professional degree students and postdoctoral scholars with valuable career exploration and professional development learning and skill development opportunities. Participants may register for an individual session or all sessions offered within the week.

Career Discovery Series: Education, Teaching and Academic-Adjacent Careers Panel
2026-02-02 17:00 - 18:30 | Zoom
This small group discussion will offer insight into career paths Ph.D.s and research masters’ students pursue beyond academia, including how alumni have translated their academic training into impactful roles. Bring questions, explore industries, and learn from real experiences in an open and supportive format.
Register for Education, Teaching, and Academic-Adjacent Careers Panel
Education, Teaching and Academic-Adjacent Careers Panelist Bios
Jessica Metzler, Ph.D. ’11, is director of online learning at Providence College, where she leads online and hybrid program development and digital learning strategy. She previously worked at Minerva Project and Brown University’s Sheridan Center and holds a doctorate in English from Cornell University.

Zachary Grobe, Ph.D. ’22, is assistant head of the English department at the Loomis Chaffee School, where he teaches junior and senior English and supports the Writing Initiatives Program. He earned his doctorate in English from Cornell University.

Francesca Bruno, Ph.D. ’19, is the Philadelphia impact director at 12+, where she leads college and career readiness programming for low-income and first-generation-to-college students. She has over 10 years of experience teaching, advising, and mentoring students across nonprofit, K–12, and higher education settings, including at the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, and Penn State. She earned her doctorate in philosophy from Cornell University.

The 2026 Pathways to Success: Career Discovery Series is a professional development opportunity focused on providing graduate and professional degree students and postdoctoral scholars with valuable career exploration and professional development learning and skill development opportunities. Participants may register for an individual session or all sessions offered within the week.

Language Circle
2026-02-02 17:00 - 18:00, 2026-01-26 17:00 - 18:00 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Join us every Monday to learn a new language, brush up on an old one, or get more fluent through conversations with fellow graduate students who study these languages or are native speakers.
This spring, languages include Italian, German, Japanese, Portuguese, Mandarin, Arabic, Russian, Norwegian, and French. Facilitators will be present for all!

If you are interested in facilitating Spanish, Korean, or any other non-English language, please email bigredbarn@cornell.edu

Career Discovery Series: From Research to Real-World Impact: Science Careers in Industry Panel
2026-02-02 14:30 - 16:00 | Zoom
This small group discussion will offer insight into career paths Ph.D.s and research masters’ students pursue beyond academia, including how alumni have translated their academic training into impactful roles. Bring questions, explore industries, and learn from real experiences in an open and supportive format.
Register for From Research to Real-World Impact: Science Careers in Industry Panel
Science Careers in Industry Panelist Bios
Christopher Wolyniak, Ph.D. ’06, leads the analytical chemistry R&D team for germ protection at Reckitt, supporting brands including Lysol, Finish, Harpic, and Dettol across teams in New Jersey and India. His team focuses on measurement techniques to understand product efficacy, stability, and quality, and they previously worked in pharmaceutical and personal care R&D. He earned a doctorate in analytical chemistry from Cornell University.

Stephanie Ropiak, Ph.D. ’18, is senior director of product research at Dairy Management Inc., supporting dairy foods innovation on behalf of U.S. dairy farmers. She previously worked in R&D at PepsiCo and Kraft Heinz and earned her doctorate in food science from Cornell University.

Michael Santiago, Ph.D. ’16, is the founder of FloraPulse, a company that developed sensor technology to directly measure tree water status for agricultural production. His work helps growers optimize irrigation for yield, quality, and water savings. He holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Cornell University.

Deanna Caputo, Ph.D. ’04, is chief scientist for insider threat research and solutions at MITRE and a principal behavioral psychologist specializing in judgment and decision making, human behavior, and cybersecurity. Her team uses behavioral science methodologies and analytics to reduce insider risk by analyzing how human behavior appears in cyber and noncyber data and by developing data-driven approaches to influence employee attitudes and behaviors. She is the author of “Insider Threats: Leveraging the Benefits of Behavioral Science Research” (2021) and holds a doctorate in social psychology from Cornell University.
The 2026 Pathways to Success: Career Discovery Series is a professional development opportunity focused on providing graduate and professional degree students and postdoctoral scholars with valuable career exploration and professional development learning and skill development opportunities. Participants may register for an individual session or all sessions offered within the week.

Career Discovery Series: Public Sector Careers: Government, Policy, and International Affairs Panel
2026-02-02 10:30 - 12:00 | Zoom
This small group discussion will offer insight into career paths Ph.D.s and research masters’ students pursue beyond academia, including how alumni have translated their academic training into impactful roles. Bring questions, explore industries, and learn from real experiences in an open and supportive format.
Register for Public Sector Careers: Government, Policy, and International Affairs Panel
Government, Policy, and International Affairs Panelist Bios
Abby R. Goldman, Ph.D. ’18, is a research staff member at the Institute for Defense Analyses Science and Technology Policy Institute, where she conducts research on science and technology policy in support of U.S. federal decision-making. Her work spans emerging technologies, global competitiveness, STEM education, and workforce issues, and she also mentors early-career science policy fellows. She earned a doctorate in materials science from Cornell University.

Vernon C. Mitchell, Jr., Ph.D. ’14, is the director of the Civil Rights Enforcement Agency for the City of St. Louis and formerly served as the city’s chief equity and inclusion officer. He brings a background in American history and African American studies to address systemic challenges facing marginalized communities. He earned a doctorate in history from Cornell University.

Kiley Foster, Ph.D. ’20, is a government affairs professional and analyst with the city of San José’s Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services department, supporting community-focused projects citywide. She previously worked with Utah’s Refugee Services Office and a tech education nonprofit after earning a doctorate in Near Eastern studies from Cornell University.

Cristina Fernandez-Baca, Ph.D. ’18, is a foreign affairs officer at the U.S. Department of State and a former AAAS Science & Technology Policy Fellow. She previously worked as a research molecular biologist at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, where she studied plant-soil microbiome interactions, arsenic uptake in rice, and greenhouse gas emissions. Her background spans environmental engineering, molecular biology, and science policy, with experience in federal research, community-based environmental programs, and mentoring students. She earned a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering from Cornell University.

The 2026 Pathways to Success: Career Discovery Series is a professional development opportunity focused on providing graduate and professional degree students and postdoctoral scholars with valuable career exploration and professional development learning and skill development opportunities. Participants may register for an individual session or all sessions offered within the week.

2026 Vision Board Workshop
2026-01-29 16:30 - 18:00 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Join us for an evening of creativity and goal setting! Design your own vision board to inspire your dreams and aspirations for the future. We’ll provide magazines, printed images, craft supplies, snacks, and good vibes—just bring your goals! No artistic skills needed—just come as you are!

OISE Bingo at the Barn
2026-01-28 18:00 - 20:00 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Join the Graduate School Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement and co-host the Black Graduate & Professional Student Association (BGPSA) on January 28th from 6-8pm for an exciting evening of Bingo! Test your luck at the Big Red Barn for a chance to win prizes! Event is open to everyone.

Building Mentorship Skills for Academic Careers
2026-01-27 15:00 - 16:30 | Mann Library, 237 Mann Drive, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Pre-registration is required.
In this series of interactive workshops designed for current Cornell graduate students and postdocs and open to those in all fields, you will develop essential research mentoring skills, particularly in disciplines where research is conducted collaboratively and in teams. Learn best practices for mentoring research students and technicians and develop planning and communication skills needed to guide individual mentees and research teams.
All sessions will be practical in nature and feature short pre-readings or videos, case study discussions, and activities to help identify your strengths and desired areas for improvement. Receive a certificate of completion for successfully participating in at least 4 of 5 sessions (dates: 1/27, 2/3, 2/10, 3/3, and 3/17). Interested participants should apply by January 23 with the expectation of attending all workshops and actively participating in small and large group discussions.
Sessions are on Tuesdays between 3:00-4:30 pm ET. See full schedule and topics
Questions?

Contact Dr. Colleen McLinn, futurefaculty@cornell.edu or 607-255-2030

Building Mentorship Skills for Academic Careers is sponsored by the Graduate School’s Future Faculty and Academic Careers program, part of the Office of Career and Professional Development.

Info Session for Graduate Resident Fellow 2026-27 Positions
2026-01-26 19:00 - 20:00 | William Keeton House Seminar Room (141), 4 Forest Park Lane, Ithaca, NY, 14853
The West Campus House System is currently accepting applications from full-time registered graduate and professional students interested in becoming a Graduate Resident Fellow for the 2026-2027 academic year and will be hosting two information sessions in advance of the deadline for those interested in learning more.
A Graduate Resident Fellow lives in a West Campus House and assists in creating a positive, vibrant and academically engaging residential community; serves as mentor and role model to undergraduate residents; and acts in a leadership role for academic enrichment by promoting a variety of programs and activities.
Applications are currently being accepted for:
Graduate Resident Fellow 2026-27
Applications Due:
Monday, February 2, 2026 (by 11:59 pm ET).
To learn more and apply go to:
https://wchs.undergrad.cornell.edu/get-involved/students
Eligibility Requirements:

Must be a full-time registered graduate or professional student at Cornell University and must have completed at least 1 year of graduate or undergraduate study at Cornell.

Employment Expectations:

Live in assigned West Campus House and dine regularly in the house.
Term of appointment and housing begins on August 1, 2026.
Job Description for GRF

Remuneration:

One-bedroom furnished apartment within a West Campus House and supplied with a House Meal Plan.
Over the course of the 12 month appointment, GRFs receive a stipend on a semi-monthly basis. 1st Year GRF stipend is $2,420

For key dates, info sessions, and application details, please visit our website.
Information Sessions
• Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. – GRF Info Session – Hans Bethe House Seminar Room (240)
• Monday, January 26, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. – GRF Info Session – William Keeton House Seminar Room (141)
