Ithaca College is focusing on financial stability, student success, and smart use of AI as it kicks off the 2025–26 academic year.
At the college’s annual All-College Gathering on August 26, President La Jerne Terry Cornish laid out four top priorities for the year: financial sustainability, student success, integration across departments, and long-term advancement of the IC community.
“These efforts reflect our belief that higher education must be connected, responsive, and impactful, both for students and for our communities,” Cornish said.
Among the efforts already underway: a new Academic Support Center, new transfer pathways from Tompkins Cortland Community College, and workforce partnerships with local employers like Centralus Health and Tompkins County.
The event also highlighted the work of the Presidential Working Group on AI. Created last year, the group developed campus-wide principles and recommendations to guide how artificial intelligence is used at IC — in services, teaching, and operations.
“This has been a campus-wide effort shaped by conversations with faculty, staff, and students,” said Casey Kendall, deputy CIO. “It positions us to move forward thoughtfully rather than reactively to AI.”
Jenna Lamb, associate director of project management, added that the group built its framework using a United Nations statement on AI in higher education, adapting it to IC’s specific goals and values. Their final 50-page report is now online.
Stanley Bazile, vice president for student affairs, announced that all incoming students will now live in one of the college’s 11 Residential Learning Communities. Previously optional, these themed communities are now required.
The goal: create stronger connections and boost student well-being. Bazile said national research shows that living-learning communities improve academic outcomes, social support, leadership skills, and cultural understanding.
Vice President Rock Hall said the college exceeded its enrollment target for this year’s incoming class. But budget challenges from prior years still linger.
Senior VP for Finance Tim Downs said past shortfalls mean IC must continue tightening operations. “We’re in a better place this year, but we still have work to do,” he said.
Cornish encouraged the campus community to stay engaged and mark their calendars for the State of the College meeting on October 21.
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