The Student-Faculty Engagement Program, co-sponsored by the Faculty Living-Learning Programs and the Health Professions Advising Center, is designed to provide first-year students an opportunity to connect with and learn more about a Cornell faculty member outside of their intended major/department.

Building relationships with faculty can help students to develop interpersonal skills and a professional network while also cultivating a sense of belonging and curiosity for academic disciplines outside of one’s major or department. While this program is not specifically designed to lead to letters of recommendation for graduate or professional school applications, students will be able to practice and hone their communication and interpersonal skills and build confidence to connect with faculty, which will be a useful skillset to apply to faculty who may serve as potential letter of recommendation writers.

Students are required to attend an in-person training session on the goals and requirements of the program and complete a pre- and post-assessment to measure the learning objectives/goals of the programs. The training will help guide students on how to research faculty of interest, assist in the composition of the outreach email, and conversation starters. Each participating student will receive a voucher to purchase coffee/tea for themselves and the faculty member they are meeting during the Spring 2025 semester. Both students and faculty will receive surveys to learn more about their experience with the program.

The training will be offered twice:

• Monday, 2/3/2025, 12-1pm
• Thursday, 2/6/2025, 4:30-5:30pm

Space is limited to the first 50 participants. Sign up here.

First-year students are also encouraged to attend weekly Pre-Health Office Hours when classes are in session. This is a great chance to connect with Pre-Health Advisors and Peer Leaders who can help you learn how to reach out to faculty, get involved, and more!

For questions, please contact prehealthadvising@cornell.edu. HPAC is committed to ensuring access for all. Please contact us if you have any questions or need accommodations.