Interim President Michael I. Kotlikoff delivered his first staff address on Jan. 9, praising Cornell’s collaborative culture and long-serving employees. Drawing on his 25 years at Cornell, Kotlikoff highlighted the university’s mission as a land-grant institution addressing real-world challenges like climate change and food security.
Kotlikoff introduced new provost Kavita Bala and discussed upcoming initiatives, including centralizing certain functions and leveraging artificial intelligence to improve efficiency. He also acknowledged societal challenges facing higher education, such as financial pressures and increased scrutiny, stressing the importance of Cornell’s contributions to society.
In a Q&A session, Kotlikoff addressed staff concerns about compensation, parking, and bridging gaps between faculty and staff, advocating for a focus on talent over hierarchy.
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