ILR Stories

Student Passionate About Education Reform

At ILR, Tofunmi Olabode ’24 is building on educational equity and justice interests that began in high school.
Tofunmi Olabode ’24
Student Passionate About Education Reform

ILRie Elected as Student Trustee

J.P. Swenson ’25 will begin his two-year term in the fall semester.
JP Swenson
ILRie Elected as Student Trustee

Yasmin Ballew ’23 Receives Robinson-Appel Humanitarian Award

Cornell Chronicle logo
ILRie will use award funding to establish a partnership between Alpha Phi Omega and the Greater Ithaca Activities Center.
Yasmin Ballew ’23
Yasmin Ballew ’23 Receives Robinson-Appel Humanitarian Award

ILRie Helps Formerly Incarcerated

Sakiel Ruff ’25 spent his High Road summer developing a database to help formerly incarcerated people find housing.
Sakiel Ruff ’25
ILRie Helps Formerly Incarcerated

Nabiha Qureshi ’23 Awarded Rangel Fellowship

ILR senior plans to study public policy and learn more about the intersection of migration and governmental labor policy on a global scale.
Nabiha Qureshi ’23
Nabiha Qureshi ’23 Awarded Rangel Fellowship

Strikes up 52% in 2022: Labor Action Tracker

The ILR School database that documents U.S. work stoppages informs journalists, policymakers, activists, scholars and the public about labor activism and unrest.
Labor action tracker map
Strikes up 52% in 2022: Labor Action Tracker

ILR Student Expedites Policy Change

Casey Platkin advocated for a minimum wage increase in California’s San Mateo County, where thousands of low-wage workers will see bigger paychecks.
Casey Platkin ’26
ILR Student Expedites Policy Change

Wagner '92 Gift Honors Lieberwitz

In appreciation for teaching that welcomes differing views, Eric Wagner ’92 is supporting the Worker Institute Undergraduate Student Research Fellows Program.
Eric Wagner
Wagner '92 Gift Honors Lieberwitz

Peer Mentors Welcome New ILRies

Building a safe, welcoming and supportive environment for new ILRies is the purpose of a student-focused program.
LindaRose Piccolo '24
Peer Mentors Welcome New ILRies

Club Explores Labor and Sports Business Intersection

ILR Sports Business Society Co-presidents Matisse Nelson ’23 and Zach Welch ’23 discuss their passion for the sports industry and how ILR is helping them to cultivate it.
Matisse Nelson ’23, left, and Zach Welch ’23
Club Explores Labor and Sports Business Intersection

ILRie Leads Cornell Votes Group

Patrick Mehler ’23, a senior in the ILR School and an alderperson on the City of Ithaca’s Common Council, is a founding member and president of Cornell Votes.
Patrick J. Mehler
ILRie Leads Cornell Votes Group

Meet Cornell’s Student Assembly President

Valeria Valencia ’23 wants all students to feel a part of the Cornell community.
Valeria Valencia ’23
Meet Cornell’s Student Assembly President

ILRies Return with Summer Learnings

The multi-faceted nature of an ILR degree is reflected in the diversity of opportunities students had this summer.
Joane Kim
ILRies Return with Summer Learnings

Like Father, Like Daughter

Thirty-one years after Marty Schmelkin ’91 graduated from ILR, Hannah Schmelkin ‘22 joins her father in the ILR School’s alumni ranks.
Hannah Schmelkin ‘22 and Marty Schmelkin ’91
Like Father, Like Daughter

Graduation Deferred For A Dream

A pair of ILR seniors on the Cornell men’s lacrosse team will miss graduation Saturday when they participate in the NCAA national semifinals vs. Rutgers.
Dom Doria and Luca Tria
Graduation Deferred For A Dream

Women's Caucus Creates Safe Space

The ILR Women’s Caucus serves to strengthen the academic, social and professional aspects of its members' experiences at Cornell.
Bottom, from left: Alexa Cooper ’24, Daniella Portnoy ’24, Hannah Schmelkin ’22. Top, from left: Olivia Schwartz ’23, Rachel Barish ’24, Natalee Robayo ’22, Anika Fischer ’23.
Women's Caucus Creates Safe Space

Junior Advocates for Peers with Disabilities

Reshaping the university’s approach to disability justice to make “ability-based accommodations more accessible” is part of Duncan Cady's work.
Duncan Cady '23
Junior Advocates for Peers with Disabilities

ILRie Wins Writing Competition

Sophomore hopes “Lupita’s Shoes,” her short story, will influence people to think more critically about having empathy for immigrants.
Amalia Schneider
ILRie Wins Writing Competition

ILR Opens Doors to Many Paths

A High Road Fellowship and other experiences have helped Kevin Diaz '24 thrive at Cornell.
Kevin Diaz '24
ILR Opens Doors to Many Paths

‘What Comes Next?’

Sherell Farmer ’22 strives to find her place in the world of change-making through the Newman Civic Fellowship
A sidewalk with the words Passion Led Us Here written on it
‘What Comes Next?’

Student Advocate

Jessie Mancilla, associate director of multicultural affairs, discusses his work and his aspirations for students.
Jesse Mancilla headshot
Student Advocate

Carroll Helped Develop Leaders

Gene Carroll leaves a legacy of educating current and future labor and social justice leaders.
Gene Carroll speaking at a rally.
Carroll Helped Develop Leaders

John Bickerman ’78, MS ’80

“My professors became friends,” says the 2021 Groat Award winner, in sharing his ILR experiences. “I consider them all part of my Cornell family.”
John Bickerman with Professor David Lipsky
John Bickerman ’78, MS ’80

Harold Oaklander ’52

Cornellians logo
Harold Oaklander ’52, the proud patriarch of a multigenerational Cornell family, will celebrate his 100th birthday this summer. A member of the fourth class to graduate from ILR, he has remained an active alumni, serving as a guest lecturer at age 97.
Harold Oaklander ’52 at work in the ILR School in 1952.
Harold Oaklander ’52

Bobbie Horowitz ’61

Cornellians logo
Having recently celebrated her 60th Cornell Reunion, Bobbie Horowitz ’61 continues to count the faculty at ILR and her human relations courses among the things she loved the most about her alma mater.
Bobbie Horowitz '61 and her son, David Slone ’91, JD ’94
Bobbie Horowitz ’61

The Next 75 Years, According to ILR Faculty

With the ILR School’s 75th anniversary celebration coming to a close, faculty and staff provide a glimpse into the future.
Ives Hall Cupola
The Next 75 Years, According to ILR Faculty

Khary Pryce ’22

Student-athlete shares her ILR learning with the Ivy League sports community and across campus.
Khary Pryce ‘22 competes with the Big Red women's tennis team vs. Binghamton during the 2020 season.
Khary Pryce ’22

Professor Harry Katz

ILR Dean Alex Colvin and Professor Harry Katz discuss the school’s expansion during Katz’s time as dean.
Dean Harry Katz
Professor Harry Katz

Professor Edward Lawler

Professor Edward Lawler, a sociologist known for his warmth and leadership as dean, says ILR's mission is timeless.
American Sociological Association will recognize professor Lawler in August
Professor Edward Lawler

Katie Falb DeNitto ’15

Katie Falb DeNitto ’15 took the lessons she learned at ILR and used them to help the Big Red men’s lightweight rowing varsity eight win consecutive IRA National Championships.
Katie Falb DeNitto '15 holding the Platt Cup
Katie Falb DeNitto ’15