Description of Experience with and/or Planned Approaches to Working with Diverse Communities in Research, Teaching, Service and/or Outreach
In 1868, Ezra Cornell wrote, “I would found an institution where any person can find instruction in any study.” Over 150 years later, Cornell faculty members, staff and students still strive to welcome students, faculty and staff from all walks of life, without regard to income, race, religion, political viewpoint, ethnicity, age, gender or perceived physical disability. For more than 150 years, talented scholars, representing the spectrum of humanity, have received a world-class education and opportunities at Cornell.
To continue to meet our educational, research and service goals and to meet our commitment to our founding principle, we hire and invest in faculty members who share our historical commitment to pursing knowledge for …any person…in any study. We ask applicants for all faculty positions to share their experiences and/or approaches (past, current or future) to fostering learning, research, service and/or outreach in such a diverse community. Applicants can submit a stand-alone statement or embed the information in other parts of their application materials.
Candidates should outline their experiences and approaches to working with diverse communities through their research, teaching and service. Candidates may want to highlight the following aspects:
- Consistency: have you supported diverse communities throughout your career — as an undergraduate, graduate student and in faculty positions, as appropriate to your career stage?
- What are your plans to support diverse communities through your research, teaching and service within your department and/or campus-wide at Cornell?
- How would you modify or add to your ongoing efforts described above at Cornell?
Examples of activities can include the following (this is not an exhaustive list):
- Advising an organization that supports individuals from diverse backgrounds;
- Scholarly work or educational approach(es) that address issues relevant to Cornell’s Founding Principle at workshops, conferences and talks;
- Creating and implementing strategies and/or pedagogy to encourage a respectful class environment for a diverse student population that supports a community of belonging for “…any person…any study;”
- Serving on relevant university committees addressing the above;
- Participating in professional or scientific organizations that address the needs of diverse populations;
- Creating programs that provide access and a pipeline for groups traditionally underrepresented in some fields or for those facing barriers to joining higher education altogether;
- Enhancing the learning experience in the classroom, lab and field for all students by exposing them to new perspectives on cultures, beliefs, and practices;
- Describing how the candidate’s research, scholarship or creative activities contribute to understanding the barriers experienced by marginalized groups;
- Offer research opportunities for individuals historically excluded from disciplines due to their backgrounds (socioeconomic, racial, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, political and cultural backgrounds, etc.;
- Mentoring and advising students and junior colleagues to enhance their opportunities to succeed in the academy; and
- Supporting (or planning to support) public engagement with organizations or community groups serving historically marginalized populations or extending opportunities to disadvantaged people.
