Skip to main content
ILR Building in Ithaca, NY

Message from the Dean

Dean Colvin speaking with students.

The world of work has evolved tremendously in recent years and the pace of change continues to accelerate as we look to the future. At ILR, we study work, labor and employment and make sense of this complex ecosystem that impacts nearly every person on our planet. Our faculty are among the top researchers in their fields and our students are leaders in the classroom, at the university and in their communities. ILRies go on to be leaders in industry, government, law, nonprofit and academia and make significant contributions in their chosen fields. The relevance and impact of ILR education has never been greater.

- Alex Colvin, Ph.D. '99,  Kenneth F. Kahn '69 Dean and the Martin F. Scheinman '75, 'MS '76, Professor of Conflict Resolution

Our Mission

As the preeminent educational institution in the world focused on work, employment and labor, we are dedicated to generating and disseminating knowledge that improves the lives of workers and transforms the future of work.

As a New York land-grant college, we positively impact individuals and society through:

  • Teaching: Creating an engaging and challenging learning environment focused on the development of critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that develop the next generation of leaders.
  • Research: Generating innovative and relevant research in the social sciences that is focused on work, employment and labor that influences public policy, informs organizational strategy and improves professional practice.
  • Outreach: Applying thought leadership and research into practice for workers, unions, organizations and communities.

Our Vision

We exist to drive positive change in work, employment and labor that advances the world of work.

the cornell tower with cherry blossoms

Our History

Founded in 1945 as the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations, the ILR School today is advancing the world of work through teaching, research and outreach. ILR’s mission is to prepare leaders, inform national and international employment and labor policy, and improve working lives, but as the world of work evolves, the school’s focus broadens to keep pace with that change.

Read more about our history

ILRies study work to make an impact. They represent the most diverse student body at Cornell University, and go on to be leaders in industry, government, law, nonprofit and research.

“You Create Your Own Story”

The MILR admissions team provided support through the application process, graduate says.
MILR student Thomas Jones
“You Create Your Own Story”

HR Strategy Learnings: Aboud’s Executive Master’s Program Journey

Months before graduation from the ILR School’s EMHRM program, Christina Aboud was offered multiple job opportunities.
Andrea Mooney, Megan Orlander, Christina Aboud, Smiley Zhao
HR Strategy Learnings: Aboud’s Executive Master’s Program Journey

Hard Work, Personal Stories Bring Speech Team Big Wins

Cornell Chronicle
The Cornell Speech Team, a registered student organization sponsored by the ILR School, had the most successful season in the team’s 40-year history this past spring.
Margot Treadwell '24 participating in an ILR debate
Hard Work, Personal Stories Bring Speech Team Big Wins

Our faculty make up the world's leading researchers focused on work, labor and employment. They study every aspect of the world of work from varied and interdisciplinary disciplines.

Behavioral Researcher Joins ExPO Lab

Usman Liaquat has joined ILR's Experimental Psychology and Organizations (ExPO) Lab as a Future of Work fellow.
Usman Liaquat
Behavioral Researcher Joins ExPO Lab

Gleeson Book Illustrates What Houston Can Teach US Cities About Immigrant Rights

Cornell Chronicle
In a new book, “Advancing Immigrant Rights in Houston,” Shannon Gleeson and co-author Els de Graauw (City University of New York) argue that Houston offers important insights as a city distinct from more established and progressive gateway cities such as Chicago, Los Angeles and New York.
Head shot of Associate Professor Shannon Gleeson
Gleeson Book Illustrates What Houston Can Teach US Cities About Immigrant Rights

WI Faculty Awarded Einhorn Center Fellowship to Publish Research on Domestic Workers

Zoë West, senior researcher for worker rights and equity at Cornell ILR’s The Worker Institute (WI), has been selected as one of the Engaged Faculty Fellows for the 2024-2025 academic year.
Zoe West
WI Faculty Awarded Einhorn Center Fellowship to Publish Research on Domestic Workers

As a New York State land-grant college, we apply research into practice for workers, unions, organizations, and communities to improve the world of work. We build community partnerships and trainings to improve workers’ lives across the world and contribute to an organization’s success.

HR Tool Helps Job Applicants With Criminal Records Land Jobs

Cornell Chronicle
Cornell Human Resources plans to roll out a pilot of Restorative Records, an online tool where job applicants with criminal records can provide context about their past and details about their rehabilitation.
Barbed wire at the top of a prison wall
HR Tool Helps Job Applicants With Criminal Records Land Jobs

Employment of Justice-Impacted Youth with Disabilities

A new policy brief from the Yang-Tan Institute makes six recommendations for policy changes to improve employment outcomes for formerly incarcerated young adults with disabilities in New York state.
An auto mechanic gives hands-on training to two students
Employment of Justice-Impacted Youth with Disabilities

State Impact Day Highlights Outreach Research

The day-long Sept. 27 meeting in King-Shaw Hall at ILR drew state legislative staffers and representatives of the governor’s office and the state Department of Labor. It included presentations from ILR Outreach faculty based in New York City, Ithaca and Buffalo.
NY State Capital building
State Impact Day Highlights Outreach Research

ILR Resources

Faculty and Staff Resources

Find information and links to many departments and services within the ILR School, including technology services, room bookings, and the Dean's Office.

people walk past round window of Catherwood Library
Resources

It's quick and easy to give online. Fill in our giving form to make a one-off, scheduled, or recurring gift.

red canvas texture
Make your gift

Contact US

Undergraduate Admissions
Cornell University, ILR School
216 Ives Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
Tel: (607) 255-2222
ilr_admissions@cornell.edu

Graduate Programs
Cornell University, ILR School
218 Ives Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
Tel: (607) 255-1522
ilrgradapplicant@cornell.edu

Find other contact information and departments here.