Mission, Vision & Progress

Our Mission

Cornell is an independent, coeducational, residential liberal arts college, established in 1853, nurtured by the United Methodist Church, and dedicated to fostering intellectual, moral, and personal growth. 

The college is committed to sustaining a community devoted to liberal learning and democratic values. To this end, it seeks to provide a caring environment for living and learning, characterized by close relationships, physical and emotional well-being, appreciation of diversity, affirmation of equal opportunity and academic freedom, and respect for the dignity and worth of each individual.

Read our full mission statement

Our Vision & Progress

Cornell has developed a bold and comprehensive plan to grow the college into the 21st century.  Our Master Plan for Facilities includes new and updated buildings across campus, ranging from expansions to West Science Center and The Commons to major renovations of Pfeiffer Hall, King Chapel, and Rood House.  

The college has also launched it's largest capital campaign ever, Extraordinary Opportunities: The Campaign for Cornell College. In addition to the facilities improvements outlined in the Master Plan, the campaign includes significant efforts to enhance academics. Several major new programs have already resulted, including:

• The Berry Center for Economics, Business, and Public Policy
• Dimensions: The Center for the Science and Culture of Healthcare
• The Center for Teaching and Learning
  
  

The college is also committed to becoming a more sustainable campus. A campus-wide sustainabilty committee has met since the spring of 2007 to form a direction and specific steps.  Their work has generated an initial sustainability policy statement for the college.