Dear Human Ecology community,

I’m excited to share with you the spring 2022 issue of Human Ecology magazine, which celebrates the incredible work being done throughout the College and by our amazing alumni.

This past fall we announced the launch of Vision 2030, the College’s strategic plan. The result of a seven-month, collaborative process, the plan positions us for growth by articulating a focus on human health and well-being and serves as a compass to navigate our future. It has been wonderful working together to achieve the goals outlined in the vision, and the stories in this issue illustrate the outstanding impact of that work, including the creation of the Department of Human Centered Design; the introduction of innovative, cross-college courses; and the launch of the Action Research Collaborative, housed in the Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research and New York City.

The University also kicked off its fundraising campaign, “To Do the Greatest Good.” The theme of the campaign resonates deeply with me, and I imagine it does for you too, because doing the greatest good is in our DNA here in Human Ecology. Our new assistant dean for alumni affairs and development Chris Jacobsen and I look forward to working with all of you to do the greatest good for Human Ecology. It’s part of our enduring mission to improve human lives, and strategic investments in the three key areas we have identified as campaign priorities will allow us to achieve the goals we have outlined in our strategic vision.

This issue also shares some innovative faculty research, including wearable sensors being developed for pilots and astronauts, the benefits of face-to-face learning, a portable prostate cancer test, wireless on-skin devices, and the power of choline to boost attention. In addition, we celebrate several student, faculty, staff, and alumni accomplishments.

This past weekend marked the triumphant return of the Cornell Fashion Collective’s live, in-person runway show, which took place outside on the Arts Quad for the first time in its 38 years. If you weren’t able to make it to campus, check out the preview video and stay tuned for more coverage of this signature event.

Human Ecology magazine is just one way to stay in touch with and be inspired by what is happening in the College. Please connect (or re-connect) in other ways by following us on social media, attending any of our events, reading our monthly eNews Brief, or simply letting us know how you would like to be engaged.

I hope you’ll join me in celebrating everything we’ve accomplished as a community this year.

Sincerely,

Rachel Dunifon

Rebecca Q. and James C. Morgan Dean