College in Ithaca outlines primary objectives for the current term
Ithaca College, located in upstate New York, is starting the 2025-26 academic year with a focus on financial stability, student success, and the smart use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Last year, the Presidential Working Group on AI was established at the college, marking the beginning of a series of initiatives aimed at integrating AI into services, teaching, and operations. The group developed a framework of campus-wide principles and recommendations, which were built using a United Nations statement on AI in higher education, adapted to IC's specific goals and values.
The efforts at Ithaca College reflect a belief that higher education must be connected, responsive, and impactful, both for students and for communities. President La Jerne Terry Cornish has outlined four priorities for the year: financial sustainability, student success, integration across departments, and long-term advancement of the IC community.
One of the key initiatives is the requirement for all incoming students to live in one of the 11 Residential Learning Communities. These themed communities are designed to create stronger connections and boost student well-being. National research indicates that living-learning communities improve academic outcomes, social support, leadership skills, and cultural understanding.
Another initiative is the creation of a new Academic Support Center. Vice President Rock Hall announced that Ithaca College exceeded its enrollment target for this year's incoming class, making the Academic Support Center an essential resource for ensuring student success.
Budget challenges from prior years still linger at Ithaca College. Senior VP for Finance Tim Downs stated that past shortfalls mean IC must continue tightening operations. To address this, the college is forming workforce partnerships with local employers like Centralus Health and Tompkins County, and developing new transfer pathways from Tompkins Cortland Community College.
President Cornish encouraged the campus community to stay engaged and marked their calendars for the State of the College meeting on October 21. The final 50-page report of the Presidential Working Group on AI is now available online for anyone interested in learning more about the college's AI initiatives.
Ithaca College is also looking to the future, with a focus on integrating AI into its operations and teaching in a responsible and meaningful way. The college's commitment to student success, financial sustainability, and community engagement is evident in these initiatives, and they look forward to a successful and productive academic year.
