Future Professors Institute Keynote Talk
2025-06-17 12:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | G10 Biotechnology Building, 526 Campus Road, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
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.
The primary audiences for the institute are Cornell University graduate students and postdocs interested in faculty and academic career pathways who are committed to advancing access to higher education and supporting inclusive learning, mentoring, and research environments. Scholars external to Cornell who are affiliated with specific programs are eligible to register as well.
Additionally, we invite interested Cornell faculty and staff to register for the networking lunch and institute keynote talk by Dr. Wayne Scales on June 17.
There is no cost to attend; however, this is a space-limited event.
2025 Keynote
Tuesday, June 17, 2025, 12:30 pm ET (Lunch from 12:00-12:30 pm)

Fostering Strategic University Partnerships for Excellence and Innovation
Developing strategic collaborations and partnerships is a key element of any university faculty member’s success. These partnerships advance both research, educational, and professional development agendas. There is a relatively broad spectrum of organizations and strategic agendas to develop such partnerships, but this discussion will consider one type of partnership that has received continued growing attention over the past decade. Although substantive partnerships between majority institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been occurring at least since the 1970s, in recent years due to the research trajectory of many of these institutions, expanding opportunities exist presently. For example, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) has described these institutions as a relatively untapped national resource for talent. The importance and benefits of this type of partnership in higher education and recent examples of strategies used to create equitable and sustainable partnerships with HBCUs will be discussed.
Speaker

Dr. Wayne A. Scales (Cornell PhD ‘88), J. Byron Maupin Professor of Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Prof. Wayne Scales received BS and MS degrees in Honors Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics from Virginia Tech and the PhD from Cornell University in Electrical Engineering and Applied Physics with focus in Space Plasma Physics. He was an ASEE Postdoctoral Fellow in the Space Plasma Physics Branch of the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. Afterwards, he joined the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech and is currently the J. Byron Maupin Professor of Engineering and was founding Director of the Center for Space Science and Engineering Research (Space@VT) and founding Co-Director of the Interdisciplinary Graduate Education Program in Remote Sensing. Prof. Scales is also an affiliate Professor in the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering. He has served as Special Assistant to the Dean of Engineering and Senior Consultant to the Vice President of Research and Innovation working on special initiatives in Quantum Information Science, Nanoscale Science, and Postdoctoral Affairs. He currently serves as Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs where his responsibilities include supporting special initiatives involving faculty development as well as research and workforce development partnerships with MSIs and HBCUs. His work in this area has been supported by the National Science Foundation, the Sloan Foundation, and the Genentech Foundation Fund.
This keynote will be held on Cornell University central campus, and livestream access will also be available to remotely participating graduate students and postdocs.
Sponsorship
This is a collaborative initiative of the Cornell Graduate School Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement (OISE), the Office of Career and Professional Development Future Faculty and Academic Careers program, and the Office of Postdoctoral Studies,
Questions?
Institute Dates: Tuesday, June 17 (In-Person & Zoom); Wednesday, June 18 (Zoom)
Times: June 17, 12:00 – 2:00 pm ET; June 18, 12:30 pm – 4:45 pm ET
Locations: June 17, G10 Biotech & Zoom; June 18, Zoom
Registration: https://blogs.cornell.edu/futureprofs/registration-2025/
Registration Priority Dates: June 12, 2025 (for In-Person Participation); June 16, 2025 (for Virtual Participation)
Please direct any questions to: futurefaculty@cornell.edu

Weekly Trivia
2025-06-17 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-06-24 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-07-01 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-07-08 18:30 - 20:30, 2025-07-22 18:30 - 20:30 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Trivia is back for the summer starting June 10th! Summer trivia will be weekly on Tuesdays starting at 6:30 PM at the Big Red Barn. Come with a team or show up on your own and see Jacob to be matched with an existing team. All are welcome!

Future Professors Institute
2025-06-18 12:30 - 17:00 | Zoom
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.
The primary audiences for the institute are Cornell University graduate students and postdocs interested in faculty and academic career pathways who are committed to advancing access to higher education and supporting inclusive learning, mentoring, and research environments. Scholars external to Cornell who are affiliated with specific programs are eligible to register as well.
Additionally, we invite interested Cornell faculty and staff to register for the networking lunch and institute keynote talk by Dr. Wayne Scales on June 17.
There is no cost to attend; however, this is a space-limited event.

Day 2 Agenda:
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Time: 12:30 – 4:45pm ET
Location: Zoom
12:30-1:45pm ET
Panel Discussion: Exploring Your Institutional Fit

Exploring Careers at Community Colleges, Liberal Arts Colleges and Master’s Granting Institutions, and Public and Private Research Universities

~ Short Break ~
2:00pm – 3:15pm ET
Fireside Chat: Navigating a Rapidly Changing Academy as an Early Career Faculty Member

Panelists:

Dr. Avery August, Deputy Provost and Professor of Immunology, Cornell University
Dr. Sherilynn Black, Associate Vice Provost for Faculty Advancement and Assistant Professor of the Practice of Medical Education, Duke University
Dr. Dean Lacey, Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Professor of Government, Dartmouth University

~ Short Break ~
3:30pm – 4:45pm ET
Concurrent Panels by Discipline: Establishing Your Scholarship and Research Agenda as a New Faculty Member

Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Panel
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Panel

Sponsorship
This is a collaborative initiative of the Cornell Graduate School Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement (OISE), the Office of Career and Professional Development Future Faculty and Academic Careers program, and the Office of Postdoctoral Studies,
Questions?
Institute Dates: Tuesday, June 17 (In-Person & Zoom); Wednesday, June 18 (Zoom)
Times: June 17, 12:00 – 2:00 pm ET; June 18, 12:30 pm – 4:45 pm ET
Locations: June 17, G10 Biotech & Zoom; June 18, Zoom
Registration: https://blogs.cornell.edu/futureprofs/registration-2025/
Registration Priority Dates: June 12, 2025 (for In-Person Participation); June 16, 2025 (for Virtual Participation)
Please direct any questions to: futurefaculty@cornell.edu

International Scholars Community Hour
2025-06-18 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Opened to all but with a focus on graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who identify as international

You are warmly invited to attend the International Scholars Community Hour, a space created to foster connection, community, and mutual support among international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars.

Purpose
To gather in community—whether to reconnect with familiar faces or build new relationships that offer encouragement and support in today’s evolving global context.

🕓 4:00 – 5:00 PM
📍 Big Red Barn Graduate and Professional Student Center – Greenhouse
🍵 Light refreshments will be provided
🪑 Drop in or stay as long as you like

This is an informal, welcoming space to reflect, share, and connect.

Sponsored by
The Graduate School, Office of Global Learning, Big Red Barn Graduate and Professional Student Center, Cornell Health, English Language Support Office, and Office of Postdoctoral Studies

We look forward to seeing you there!

International Scholars Community Hour
2025-06-18 16:00 - 17:00, 2025-06-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
This event is open to all, focusing on Graduate and Postdoctoral scholars who identify as international.
You are warmly invited to attend the International Scholars Community Hour, a space created to foster connection, community, and mutual support among international graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. We aim to gather in solidarity, whether to reconnect with familiar faces or build new relationships that offer encouragement and support in today’s evolving global context.
Sponsored by:
The Graduate School, Office of Global Learning, Big Red Barn Graduate and Professional Student Center, Cornell Health, The Office of Postdoctoral Studies, and the English Language Support Office

Weekly Karaoke
2025-06-18 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-06-25 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-02 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-09 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-16 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-23 17:30 - 19:30 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
A brand new BRB program is launching: weekly Wednesday Karaoke! Grab some friends, bust out your favorite playlist, and come ready to sing some songs! To enter the queue, all songs must be non-explicit and submitted to the Google form provided at the event.

Pride T.G.I.F.
2025-06-20 16:30 - 19:00 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
Our weekly Tell Grads Its Friday will continue over the summer at our typical time. T.G.I.F. is catered to the graduate and professional student body. These students can bring guests, up to one per person. The age requirement for Cornell Affiliated non graduate students is 23 years or older.

The Application Process for an Academic Job
2025-06-25 12:00 - 13:15 | Zoom
To kick off the 2025-2026 Academic Job Search Series for Cornell graduate students and postdocs, come learn about the process of searching for a U.S. faculty job from start to finish: when to apply for faculty and other academic positions, what documents are required (CV, cover letter, etc.), and how long the process takes. Bring your questions for an interactive online discussion.
Presented by Christine Holmes, Director of Postdoctoral Studies and Colleen McLinn, Associate Dean for Professional Development.
Register to attend and you will receive the Zoom meeting link via email.
Sponsored by the Graduate School’s Office of Career and Professional Development and Office of Postdoctoral Studies as part of the Academic Job Search Series. We encourage you to learn more about the support resources available to you through the Office of Postdoctoral Studies and Future Faculty and Academic Careers, including individual career advising, feedback on job application materials, and interview practice.
Accommodations: We strive to make our events accessible to all Cornell community members. Individuals who have accessibility accommodations to request should contact futurefaculty@cornell.edu. We ask that requests be made at least one week in advance to help ensure they can be met.

Weekly Salsa
2025-06-26 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-03 17:30 - 19:30, 2025-07-10 17:30 - 19:30 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States
You are invited to join our vibrant Latino dance community! Learn new salsa footwork and combinations in line and circle format. All levels welcome! No partner necessary. Photos and videos may be taken for promotional materials, if you would like to opt out please speak to our organizations leadership during lessons!

T.G.I.F.
2025-06-27 16:30 - 19:00, 2025-07-11 16:30 - 19:00 | Big Red Barn, 135 Presidents Way, Ithaca, NY, 14853, United States

Writing a Research Statement for a Primarily Undergraduate Institution
2025-07-09 12:00 - 13:15 | Zoom
Through an interactive online discussion, guest presenter Dr. Jeffrey Werner (Professor of Chemistry at SUNY Cortland) will help job-seekers interested in faculty positions at four-year colleges and universities (e.g., primarily undergraduate institutions, or PUIs) outline a research statement that highlights plans to mentor undergraduate students in research.
Register to attend.
Sponsored by the Graduate School’s Office of Career and Professional Development as part of the Academic Job Search Series. We encourage you to learn more about the other support resources available to you through the Office of Postdoctoral Studies and Future Faculty and Academic Careers.
Accommodations: We strive to make our events accessible to all Cornell community members. Individuals who have accessibility accommodations to request should contact futurefaculty@cornell.edu. We ask that requests be made at least one week in advance to help ensure they can be met.

Alumni Conversation about the Academic Writing Process
2025-07-15 15:30 - 16:30 | 172 Goldwin Smith Hall, 232 Feeney Way, Ithaca, NY, 14850, United States
The College of Arts and Sciences is hosting alumna Dr. Alison Miller on Tuesday, July 15. In addition to presenting to undergraduate Nexus Scholars in their professional development class, the Graduate School and Arts and Sciences Career Development are delighted to offer 1:1 meetings and an Academic Writing Process small group conversation hosted by Dr. Miller in the afternoon. Individual meetings are available for both undergraduates and graduate students, while the Academic Writing Process event is open to students, postdocs, and interest faculty/staff. If you are interested in either of these opportunities, please sign up via this SignUpGenius link as soon as possible.
Dr. Miller authored the book Finish Your Dissertation: Once and for All! and co-founded a virtual co-working community for graduate students and other academic professionals called The Academic Writers’ Space. She is focused on helping people shift from hustle and overwhelm to Relaxed Productivity, a way of working that honors productivity, purpose, and well-being. Her approach is rooted in both science and lived experience. She holds a BA from Cornell and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from University of Illinois Chicago, and has 25 years of entrepreneurial leadership, including founding and leading The Dissertation Coach, which helped over 15,000 people earn their doctoral degrees before she sold the company after 24 years of impact.
Please send any questions about Dr. Miller’s events for graduate students on July 15 to Dr. Colleen McLinn (cmm252) or Jess Shapiro (js3845). This event will be in-person only and space is limited, although you are welcome to join the waiting list if all spots are taken.
See also:
More resources for Graduate Student Writing Support

Developing a Narrative For Your Teaching Statement
2025-07-16 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
Explore essential elements of a teaching statement for an academic job application. Come prepared to brainstorm key ideas of your statement. Leave with peer feedback on a first draft of your teaching statement, or ideas on how you might revise an existing draft to ensure it accurately reflects your approach to creating inclusive classrooms.
Presenters: Derina Samuel, Associate Director for Graduate Student Development, Center for Teaching Innovation; Colleen McLinn, Associate Dean for Professional Development, Cornell Graduate School; and Christine Holmes, Director of Postdoctoral Studies
Register to attend.
Co-sponsored by the Graduate School Office of Career and Professional Development and the Center for Teaching Innovation as part of the Graduate School’s Academic Job Search Series.

Ph.D. Career Stories: The Good, The Messy, and The Pivot
2025-07-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Online
Join us for Ph.D. Career Stories: The Good, the Messy, and the Pivot—a virtual conversation series featuring guests who hold doctoral degrees and have pursued diverse careers beyond academia.
In this session, you’ll hear from Dr. Yvonne Masters, Ph.D. (Food Science, Cornell), a food safety & quality leader with nearly two decades of global CPG experience and technical expertise in compliance, auditing, and supplier risk mitigation. Dr. Jenny Valentine, Ph.D. (Chemistry, Yale) is a Senior Principal Scientist at Regeneron, where she leads bioanalytical strategy for oncology programs using both traditional and emerging drug modalities.
What to expect:

Candid, informal conversation—no slides, just real stories
Insights on working in industry, biotech, and food safety
Q&A and advice from experienced Ph.D. professionals

Whether you’re actively exploring careers beyond academia or simply curious about what’s possible, this session offers a unique opportunity to hear from those who’ve charted new paths—with all the complexity, creativity, and learning that comes with it.
Register to attend.

Dr. Yvonne Masters, Director of Food Safety and Quality Policy at John B. Sanfilippo & Son, Inc., brings nearly two decades of leadership in food safety across the nut, dairy, and snack food sectors. A Cornell alumna, she has also served as a Senior Microbiologist and Quality Leader, earning recognition through the 2022 IAFP Harold Barnum Industry Award and her company’s 2024 Vision Award. Her academic foundation from the University of Illinois and Cornell continues to inform her impactful work in advancing industry standards.

Dr. Jenny Valentine currently works in the Bioanalytical Sciences Department at Regeneron. In her role, she leads bioanalytical strategy for multiple programs in oncology that utilize both traditional and emerging drug modalities. She has eight years of experience in large molecule bioanalysis, with previous roles focusing on immunogenicity assay development, validation, and sample testing. Jenny earned her Ph.D. in Chemistry from Yale University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University in the Matthew DeLisa Laboratory from 2012–2015. She is an active participant in several AAPS working groups.

Ph.D. Career Stories: The Good, The Messy, and The Pivot
2025-07-22 12:00 - 13:00 | Online
Join us for Ph.D. Career Stories: The Good, the Messy, and the Pivot—a virtual conversation series featuring Cornell alumni who hold doctoral degrees and have built dynamic careers beyond academia.
In this session, you’ll hear from Susan Korbel, Ph.D. (Owner, Core Research Inc.) and Michael Vernick, Ph.D. (Customer Solutions Architect, Vonage), two seasoned professionals whose paths span social science research, strategic consulting, product development, and tech innovation.
With decades of experience across sectors, Susan and Michael will reflect on how their graduate training shaped their work, how they’ve navigated career shifts, and what they’ve learned along the way.
What to expect:

Informal, real talk—no slides, just stories
Candid insights from two Ph.D.-trained professionals
Q&A and advice for students exploring diverse pathways

Whether you’re actively exploring careers beyond academia or simply curious about what’s possible, this session offers a unique opportunity to hear from those who’ve charted new paths—with all the complexity, creativity, and learning that comes with it.
Register to attend.

Since receiving her Ph.D. in Public Administration from University of Michigan and her bachelor’s from Cornell, Dr. Korbel has been conducting market research and consulting with hundreds of public and private organizations. After many years working in broadcast and public media, Susan Korbel founded Core Research in 1989 when she had her first child. Core Research conducts consumer, voter, and business-to-business research. Dr. Korbel has been behind the scenes helping some of the premiere South Texas businesses and charitable organizations chart successful courses with strategic and tactical planning.

Michael Vernick is a seasoned product strategist, inventor, and solutions architect with over 30 years of experience spanning startups, enterprise tech, and research labs. He specializes in building scalable systems for real-time communication, live video, and streaming technologies, and currently works as a Customer Solutions Architect at Vonage. Michael earned his doctorate in Computer Science from Stony Brook and his bachelor’s and M.Eng. from Cornell and holds 9 U.S. patents.

Primer Series: Navigating Key Graduate Milestones and Academic Expectations
2025-07-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Zoom
Wednesday, July 23, 10 – 11 a.m. – Register
Learn about key milestones associated with being a Cornell graduate student before you are expected to reach them. This session will share important information about academic milestones and provide strategies to help you successfully meet them. In addition to a short presentation, participants will have opportunities to break into smaller groups to reflect on and brainstorm how to apply the guidance in their fields of study.
Presenter: Josephine Martell, associate dean for academics
