Societal impact
Impactful Research. Immersive Learning. Engaged Communities. We empower students to become principled leaders and innovative thinkers poised to create lasting positive change. As part of a land grant university, we embrace the imperative to create and share knowledge that improves people’s lives, here in New York State and across the globe.
Paths to purpose
Our students, faculty and alumni make positive impacts in communities near and far through learning, research and business activities.
Engaged learning
With faculty support, students work individually and on teams to consult with organizations on real world issues, participate in business competitions and serve on nonprofit boards.
Faculty research
Faculty and their masters students and postdoctoral fellows tackle complex questions — from international development to mental health and motivation — then publish their findings and advise on policy issues.
Industry involvement
Alumni start and join mission-driven businesses and return to campus to meet, mentor and hire students. Alumni and faculty serve on boards and advise civic commissions and councils.
Impact through action
We demonstrate our values by creating opportunities to develop and implement business solutions to pressing societal challenges.
Research with Impact
Every year, our faculty members and their students participate in hundreds of research collaborations across dozens of countries and publish hundreds of articles, including white papers and peer reviewed research. Our annual Research with Impact reports highlight and celebrate these accomplishments.
Engaged College Inititiave
Every student at the college is encouraged or required to complete a community-based learning experience, whether it’s through coursework, service leadership programs or other opportunities.
VinUniversity
Vingroup and the SC Johnson College worked together to establish the first private, not-for-profit Vietnamese university. During this seven-year initiative, the Cornell-VinUniversity Project Team built and supported faculty and leadership teams to validate and assure curriculum quality and guide VinUniversity toward international accreditation.
Cornell Hanga Ahazaza Initiative
With a grant of $5 million from the Mastercard Foundation, we launched the Cornell Hanga Ahazaza Initiative to provide educational training for professionals in the hospitality and tourism sectors in Rwanda via eCornell online courses, virtual events and executive education programming.
New York State impact
In support of Cornell University’s land grant mission, we advance the lives and livelihoods of New York State citizens through teaching, research, special programs and public service. Big Red Microenterprise, NY FarmNet, Cornell Tax Schools, the Cornell Cooperative Enterprise Program, and Soft Landing NY are examples of college programs and partnerships that translate knowledge into practical solutions for local communities.
$25M
Grant-funded projects serving NYS
40
NYS-based classroom projects
13K
Alumni working in NYS
Impactful dialogues
At thought-provoking events, we share insights and bring people together to examine problems, discuss new ideas and develop solutions.
The Lewis H. Durland Lecture
At this annual event, a distinguished leader shares their experience improving the world through business. Established in 1983, the lecture is presented in memory of Lewis H. Durland, Class of 1930, who served as Cornell’s chief financial officer for more than 25 years.
David J. BenDaniel Lecture in Business Ethics
This lecture was established and endowed in 2010 to emphasize ethical business leadership and demonstrate a commitment to educate moral leaders. David BenDaniel was the Margi Berens Professor of Entrepreneurship and professor of management and is fondly known as the Cornell entrepreneurship founding father.
SC Johnson College of Business Faculty Panel
This event was launched at the formation of the SC Johnson College to bring together faculty from the Johnson, Dyson, and Nolan Schools to showcase and discuss their work on the major business and policy issues of the day.
Cornell Convenes Roundtables
At in-person roundtables, leading practitioners, policymakers and researchers gather to address society’s most pressing challenges and important topics, including food waste, AI in finance, tokenization of real-world assets, leadership in a polarized workplace and more. Participants listen to expert presentations then participate in open discussions, observing the Chatham House Rule. Confidential reporting is provided to participants, encouraging ongoing dialogue and collaboration.
Responsible business
Members of our college are closely involved with Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), a United Nations-supported initiative founded in 2007 that aims to raise the profile of sustainability in business and management education.
Cornell Business News
Student delivers equipment to Peruvian volunteer firefighters
During a Cornell Dyson School trip, Kiran O’Kelly ’26 befriended a Peruvian firefighter. He spent the next year organizing an equipment delivery.
Students design wellness solutions for North Carolina community
During a weekend design challenge, students focused on building a more connected wellness ecosystem.
Cornellian CEO leads innovative anti-metastasis cancer therapy to market
Stewart Campbell is guiding Prilukae, a novel mechanism inhibiting cancer metastasis, through regulatory approvals.
Hospitality Hackathon winners propose app to cut billing complaints by 25%
At Cornell’s 2025 Hilton Hospitality Hackathon, more than 100 students tackled hospitality business challenges.
Connect with us
Email Linda Barrington, associate dean for strategy and societal impact, to learn more about current and future initiatives.