Graduate Fellows and Leadership Programs

The Office of Inclusive Excellence offers teaching assistant development, fellowships, leadership programs, and community events designed to empower Engineering graduate and professional students. Through professional development and networking opportunities, these programs provide the support and resources students need to excel, both academically and personally.
Office of Inclusive Excellence
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Together, we’re fostering an inclusive environment where every student can thrive.

Colman Inclusive Leadership Program

In spring 2012, John and Jane Colman founded the Colman Family Endowed Fund for Leadership within Cornell Engineering’s Office of Inclusive Excellence to establish the Colman Inclusive Leadership Program for Ph.D. students in engineering and other related STEM fields.

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4 students in the Cornell Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program pose for a photo

In summer 2015, the Graduate School Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement (OISE) established a partnership with Cornell Engineering to make the Colman Inclusive Leadership Program open to all Ph.D. and M.F.A. students from across all graduate fields at Cornell.

The Colman Leadership Program seeks to enroll 30-40 research degree graduate students for an immersive three-day program focused on providing participants with skills and knowledge that will support their development as leaders in graduate school and beyond.

Program participants will engage in topics such as the following:

  • Emotional Intelligence as a Leadership Skill

  • Relation of Self-awareness to Effective Interpersonal Dynamics

  • Building Strong Teams is a Science

  • Inclusive Leadership Frameworks

  • Defining Your Leadership Values, Mission, and Vision

  • Navigating Conflict Management

  • Culture – Power, Awareness, and Humility

For more information, visit Experience Cornell: Colman Inclusive Leadership Program.

Graduate Fellowship Programs

The Office of Inclusive Excellence proudly extends fellowships to graduate students who have secured admission to Ph.D. programs across designated fields.

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These Colman, Collins, and Smith fellowships are jointly supported by Cornell Engineering and the Graduate School. They are part of the Graduate School’s Founder’s Excellence Fellowships which contribute to our commitment to advancing Cornell’s founding principle of “… any person … any study” and core value to provide a community of belonging.

The concept of “… any person” meant that people from all walks of life, all income levels, races, religions and genders could attend Cornell University. Similarly, “… any study” underscored the freedom to pursue academic interests wherever they lead. For more than 150 years, talented scholars representing the full, diverse spectrum of humanity have come to Cornell for a world-class educational experience unlike any other.

Prospective Ph.D. students who wish to be considered for the Colman, Collins, and Smith fellowships must indicate their interest within the Graduate School application. For eligibility and application details, please visit Graduate School Founder’s Fellowships.

  • Cornell Engineering Colman Fellowship 

    The Colman Fellowship, funded by the Colman Family Foundation and Cornell Graduate School, provides two years of fellowship support for Ph.D. students, along with professional development and “settling in” funding. Fellows receive additional support from their department, typically through assistantships or external fellowships, assuming adequate academic progress. The Colman Fellowship is awarded during the admissions process.

  • Cornell Engineering Lance R. Collins Fellowship  

    Funded by Cornell Engineering and the Cornell Graduate School, the Collins Fellowship provides two years of fellowship support, including professional development and settling in funding. Fellows also receive additional support from their respective departments, typically through assistantships or external fellowships, assuming adequate academic progress.

    This fellowship was established in honor of Dr. Lance R. Collins, who served as the Joseph Silbert Dean of Engineering from 2010 to 2020.

     

  • Cornell Engineering Robert F. Smith Fellowship 

    The Robert F. Smith Fellowship is a one-year fellowship offering both academic support and professional development funding for up to five years, supported in full by Cornell Engineering. Learn more about the fellowship structure and benefits below.
    Robert F. Smith Fellows receive comprehensive support during their first year, including tuition, a stipend, a student health plan and a summer stipend. The fellowship also provides professional development funding each year from Year 1-5.

  • GEM Fellowship 

    As a member of the National GEM Consortium, Cornell Engineering offers one year of fellowship support for GEM Fellows supported through a partnership between Cornell University and the National GEM Consortium.

    Cornell Engineering GEM fellowships may be awarded in the following categories:

    • Employer Fellow: Tuition and fees, stipend and health insurance for two semesters, along with an internship with a GEM employer.
    • Associate Fellow: Tuition and fees, stipend and health insurance for two semesters.
    • University Fellow: Tuition and fees for two semesters.

    Students interested in GEM should visit the GEM Fellowship Program for information on how to apply.

     

Contact

  • Cindy Mosqueda

    Senior Associate Director, Office of Inclusive Excellence, Cornell Engineering
    cmm522@cornell.edu

  • Sara Xayarath Hernández

    Associate Dean for Inclusion and Student & Faculty Engagement, Cornell Graduate School
    grad_assoc_dean@cornell.edu