Ithaca College leaders shared a message of momentum and cautious optimism during the fall State of the College gathering held October 21. President La Jerne Terry Cornish and senior administrators outlined key updates on accreditation, enrollment, curriculum innovation, and financial sustainability — all while keeping a focus on student success.
Reaccreditation and curriculum updates
Provost Melanie Stein reported that the college’s self-study for Middle States reaccreditation is nearly complete, with feedback from across campus helping shape the final draft. A campus visit by the evaluation chair is scheduled for November, followed by a full team visit in the spring.
Stein also pointed to exciting curricular developments, including a newly approved degree in dance and choreography for musical theatre, and potential programs in integrative performing arts and creative industries. These offerings aim to align with the college’s mission while attracting new applicants.
She also spotlighted the launch of micro-credentials — short, skill-based programs designed to give students a competitive edge. Three are already offered in computer science, focusing on Python, data-centric programming, and web development.
“These are just a couple of examples of the way that we are growing and adapting the curriculum to meet the challenges of the current moment,” Stein said.
Enrollment growth and student engagement
Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success Rock Hall said applications for next year’s incoming class are already up more than 30%, citing targeted outreach efforts that introduce Ithaca College to prospective families earlier in the decision process.
He credited the entire campus community for playing a role in creating a welcoming environment and emphasized that even small interactions — like answering a question or offering a smile — can make a lasting impression.
President Cornish echoed that sentiment, noting an uptick in third-semester student retention from 84.7% to 85.7%, and thanking the Academic Support Center for its role in that success.
Financial outlook and fundraising
Chief Financial Officer Tim Downs described the college’s financial position as solid, especially relative to peer institutions. While acknowledging the road ahead, he emphasized that the college is on track to reach budget neutrality by fiscal year 2028.
“Our cash and reserves continue to grow and are essentially at the highest they’ve been in our history,” Downs said. “It’s this strength that allows us to navigate turbulence in the marketplace.”
Vice President for Advancement Laine Norton added that philanthropy and alumni engagement remain critical to the college’s future. She highlighted that fundraising success is rooted in long-term relationship building — starting with current students and continuing well beyond graduation.
A message of hope and momentum
President Cornish closed the gathering by reaffirming the college’s commitment to its four institutional priorities: financial sustainability, student success, integration, and advancement. She praised the community for its recent accomplishments, including two successful open houses and Family Weekend.
“We have momentum,” Cornish said. “This place feels good. Our students are happy. Our families were happy to be here. We are doing good work. And so, I am going to keep hope alive — and I encourage you to do the same.”
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