It’s the time of year when we congratulate our graduating seniors and wish them well! The Einhorn Center team thanks all the students who work with us, lead and participate in our programs and help build the culture of community engagement at Cornell! Here are a few:
Center for Transformative Action (CTA) through the Community Work Study Program
Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
Minors: Business; Inequality Studies; Law and Society
“For the past few years, I have enjoyed my work with the Center for Transformative Action. I have wonderful teammates, and I enjoy the work we perform at CTA. I am pleased to call everyone at CTA a friend because it has shown me what a fantastic workplace culture should look like.
“CTA teaches me about the community service projects in Tompkins County and outside communities, allowing me to make an impact.
“Despite the fact that I will graduate and leave CTA in May, I am looking forward to starting a new chapter in my life and will never forget the influence CTA has had on it.”
Major: Health Care Policy
Minor: History
“The Einhorn Center has given me the ability to be a compassionate student at Cornell, understanding and exploring the avenues of social justice.”
Upward Bound; Pre-Orientation Service Trips (POST)
Major: Human Development
Minor: Leadership
“I started my college career as a participant in the Pre-Orientation Service Trip. Being able to come into orientation week already knowing 70 other freshman and a handful of upperclassmen mentors relieved so much of my stress! I had such a strong community of people who were also invested in service and making the world a better place before college even started. In addition to the people, I was introduced to so many community organizations and service opportunities. As a senior, it is fun to trace back the start of all of my activities and friendships — and almost all of them started with POST! I am so thankful for this program for making Cornell feel like home right off the bat and for introducing me to my favorite people and organizations on campus.
“I have also worked at Upward Bound for the last two years. This job has given me so many great opportunities to learn and grow as someone interested in youth development and education. From creating Saturday Academies for our students, to developing meaningful relationships with the students, to having an incredible team of bosses that I can go to for anything, I have loved my time at Upward Bound! I am so thankful that I have found a job that makes work fun and prioritizes relationship building and personal growth.”
Pre-Orientation Service Trips (POST)
Major: Information Science
Minor: Media Studies
“To me, POST is the definition of community, in all of its facets — from generating a sense of belonging for all the participants, to energizing students to become active members of the local community.
“Participating in POST as a leader and POSTee has been one of the most rewarding experiences throughout my four years at Cornell. As a freshmen, this program helped me build a sense of community at Cornell before I had even started taking classes here. Beyond this, POST has helped me connect more with Ithaca to be an active member of local community, rather than a student temporarily living here.
“Every year I’ve returned as a POST leader, I’ve loved helping incoming students find that same sense of belonging at Cornell that POST gave to me, and helping them recognize the beauty of the Ithaca community through service. There truly is nothing more rewarding than seeing your POSTees bond with each other and transform from being complete strangers to becoming each other’s closest friends throughout college. I am forever grateful for all of the amazing people who make this program possible.
“POST is what first made Cornell feel like home to me, and returning as a leader to the program only made that feeling grow every year.”
Prisoner Express through the Community Work Study Program
Major: Sociology
Minors: Education; Inequality Studies
“Prisoner Express has opened my eyes to so much in the world — especially under Gary’s guidance. Every single day, I am inspired and motivated by the prisoners I work with, and feel so impassioned to do more.
“Working in the book room, I feel more than ever now that books have the power to change lives. Literacy has the power to change lives. This program is so special on campus. I will never forget the impact it has made on my life in my future career and relationships.”
Cornell Elderly Partnership (CEP)
Major: Biological Sciences; Food Science
“I joined CEP during my sophomore year because I love listening to the resident’s stories and bringing smiles to their faces.”
Engaged Ambassador; Compass at Cornell
Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
Minor: Information Science
“Working with teachers at George Junior [through Compass] allowed me to share what I love with high schoolers eager to learn.”
Major: International Agriculture and Rural Development
Minors: Italian; International Trade and Development
“I joined CHR as soon as I arrived at Cornell as a sophomore transfer in Fall 2020. I still remember talking with Clara Matton, former CHR president and now close friend, on a ClubFest video chat and thinking, ‘I want to be a part of this.’ Since that day, CHR has been an extraordinary part of my undergraduate experience.
“I believe we each have a responsibility to support our fellow community members. Every student at Cornell faces different needs and circumstances, which often materialize in food insecurity. CHR plays a part in ensuring everyone has the ability to meet their needs, promoting a more equitable quality of life across the student body. I have also enjoyed extending those values beyond the Cornell campus through our volunteering program, which enables students to support food security efforts in the wider Tompkins County area.
“As I depart from CHR and Cornell this May, I look forward to continuing my advocacy work in global development and food systems research and policy.”
Education Minor through the Community Work Study Program
Major: Animal Science
Minor: Education
“In the education minor and most specifically in the CLASP program I have had incredible opportunities to learn about people and how we learn. The education minor and the Einhorn Center have provided me with opportunities to apply my knowledge in real-world settings where I can make a difference in the lives of those around me. Participating in these programs has prepared me for my future career as a veterinarian where I will be working towards healthy communities with many different people and communities.”
Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
Minor: Law and Society; Business
“Cornell Hunger Relief has been one of the highlights of my experience here at Cornell. Getting to see the club continue to thrive through COVID has been fantastic. I believe our organization truly helps educate Cornell students about local hunger issues whilst actively trying to support community efforts.
“One of my favorite aspects has been the Big Red Food Drive. Getting to be part of this historic event and help students use their resources to better the community has been inspiring. Aside from this event, I have loved getting to be part of our education initiatives.
“As Publicity Chair, I have loved getting to take an active part in our campus image and social media presence. My CHR designs will always hold a special place in my heart. I have loved getting to partner with my e-board team throughout these past couple years to bring our ideas to life, and I am lucky to have been able to call CHR my home for the past few years.”
Raising Educational Attainment Challenge (REACH)
Major: Nutritional Sciences
Minor: Healthcare Policy
“REACH has been a place where I always felt welcome and got to be around kids. Cornell was very isolated and did not allow for this but REACH was always a good place to go. REACH was an amazing program that taught me to branch out into the Ithaca community!”
Youth Outreach Undergraduates Reshaping Success (YOURS)
“After 4 years being a mentor with YOURS, I am sad to say goodbye to the program. I loved being able to learn and grow from the kids and other mentors. The kids at 4H always bring joy to my Tuesdays.”
Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
Minor: Creative Writing
“The Einhorn Center has been a second home on campus to me for the past three years. I have loved getting to dip my toe into all the center has to offer as an Engaged Ambassador. I have loved all the wonderful, friendly people who work here every day. I have gotten the opportunity to meet the people who care most about making a community difference on this campus.”
Student Resource Navigator Program through the Community Work Study Program
Major: Policy Analysis and Management
Minor: Healthy Futures
“I have learned so much about the resources within the community and broadened my perspective on the many factors that come together to influence healthcare. I’m honored to have been in a position to offer care to patients within the community as a student, and I’m blessed to have worked with people who are passionate and dedicated about community outreach. My favorite parts have been working with my team and learning more about the Tompkins community!”
Major: Feminist, Gender and Sexuality Studies
Minors: English; LGBT Studies
“I like this program because as an intersectional group of students, we are focused on prioritizing the goals of the center: using community-engaged learning to understand each other’s point of view and find common ground through listening and service.
“My favorite part of the program is helping to support my fellow students in pursuing community-engaged leadership opportunities and encouraging them to engage with their own interests in a manner that honors differences and embraces togetherness.”
Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
Minors: Leadership; Inequality Studies; Law and Society
“Cornell Votes was the foundation of my time at Cornell and an experience I will be forever thankful for.
“My favorite part of Cornell Votes was partnering with over one hundred student organizations and dozens of other universities and national partners during the 2020 election to increase voter turnout to Cornell’s highest ever and over the national average.
“Working with so many students towards our common goal made the work exciting and meaningful. I am very thankful for the opportunity to have built the program and leave it in such excellent hands.”
Translator Interpreter Program (TIP)
Major: Industrial and Labor Relations
Minors: Asian American Studies; Law and Society; Policy Analysis and Management
“TIP has changed my life for the better! I’ve gained a life-long community and developed truly unparalleled, highly transferable skills.
“I am forever grateful to have been a part of the TIP team. Through my time on the TIP e-board, I have met my closest friends here at Cornell and have had the privilege of working alongside them to champion our program’s mission of bridging language barriers.
“I have learned so many lessons through my involvement with TIP and the Einhorn Center that I will never forget. I want to express my immense gratitude for every mentor and fellow Cornelian that has guided me to where I am today.”
Major: Human Development
Minor: Health Equity
“This program has meant so much to me. Big Red Buddies has been a meaningful way to connect with the Ithaca community. I have enjoyed getting to know the children and watching them grow!
“All the volunteers in Big Red Buddies are such caring and passionate people, and it has been amazing to get to know everyone. I cannot wait to see how this club develops, and I am confident our collaboration with Head Start will continue to enrich learning for both Cornell students and Head Start students.”
TST BOCES Career Skills at Cornell
Major: Human Development
Minors: Communication; Inequality Studies; Psychology
“BOCES has been a pivotal part of my Cornell experience. I have loved getting to learn together with the students. Helping them build their career skills, life skills, and communication skills has been an incredibly rewarding experience. This experience solidified my interest in becoming a school-clinical child psychologist.”
Pre-Orientation Service Trips (POST)
Major: Hotel Administration
Minor: Human Development
“POST has been a part of my entire college experience, and I would not have it any other way. The program introduced me to the Ithaca and Cornell community and exposed me to new experiences. From freshman year, asking my POST leaders about community service organizations on campus, to senior year, welcoming new students to Cornell as a team leader myself, I have grown as a student, a community member, and a leader.
“The POST community of past and present leaders and participants is one that I am proud to be a part of. I am excited to build upon the foundation POST has given me and continue serving my community after graduation.”
Cross-Cultural Adoptee Mentorship Program (C-CAMP)
Major: Psychology
Minor: Law and Society
“My favorite part of C-CAMP has been watching the mentor-mentee relationships flourish. It’s been a great experience to help the children and Cornell students alike build a dynamic that benefits everyone!”