Discover MILR programming is an engaging way for you to meet future colleagues, ask questions, and see the beautiful Ithaca campus and lively downtown.
ILR will cover your lodging for one night (March 12), your food expenses during the in-person events, and provide post-event reimbursement of up to $300 toward your travel.
For those unable to attend in person, we will hold a variety of virtual sessions on the days before the in-person sessions.
Dress code: Smart casual
Schedule
Thursday, March 12, 2026
Hotel Check-In
We have reserved rooms at The Canopy Downtown Ithaca for Thursday night. When checking in, simply provide your name and mention that you are with the Cornell University hotel block.
Check-in begins after 3:00pm EST on Thursday, March 12.
*If you’ve already coordinated additional accommodations with the graduate office, the hotel is aware of your requests.
Welcome Reception
Join us for a Welcome Reception at Personal Best Brewing from 6:30pm – 8:30pm EST. The venue is approximately a 10-minute walk from the hotel, and current MILR students will accompany you on the walk, providing an opportunity to explore the vibrant Ithaca Commons area. Appetizers, as well as beverage tickets, will be provided at the venue.
- Please note: This event is exclusively for admitted students. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate family members or guests.
- Dress code: Casual
Friday, March 13, 2026
Hotel Check-out:
Hotel Check-out: 11:00am
Discover Events
The following schedule outlines the events of the day. Our Discover Events will be held in the ILR School's Doherty Lounge (Ives Hall 281), starting at 8:15am EST. Breakfast and lunch will be provided throughout the day.
- Please note: The on-campus Discover Event is exclusively for admitted students. Unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate family members or guests.
Welcome and Introductions
- 8:20 am: Students Arrive & Grab Breakfast
- 8:30 am: Kick-off from Graduate Admissions Coordinator
- Jonelle Orsaio, Graduate Admissions & Onboarding Coordinator
- 8:35am–8:40am: Welcome from the Graduate Office
- Marissa Porter, Director of Graduate Enrollment and Student Services
- Jennifer Alcaine, Associate Director of Graduate Student Services
- Jonelle Orsaio, Graduate Admissions & Onboarding Coordinator
- Christina Trinh, Student Services Assistant-Graduate Programs Office
- Heidi Russell, Executive Master of Human Resource Management Coordinator
- Mary Kim MILR ‘27, Graduate Office Assistant
- 8:40am–9:00am: Welcome from Director of MILR program
- Chris Collins, Director of MILR Program and Professor of Human Resources Studies at the ILR School
- 9:00am–9:10am: Dean's Welcome
- Alex Colvin, the Kenneth F. Kahn '69 Dean and the Martin F. Scheinman '75, 'MS '76 Professor of Conflict Resolution at the ILR School
- 9:10am–9:15am: Welcome from Assistant Dean for Student Experience and Wellbeing
- Kara Lombardi, Assistant Dean for Student Experience and Wellbeing
- 9:15am–9:30am: Admitted Student Introductions
- 9:30am–9:50am: Programmatic Presentation + Questions
- Marissa Porter, Director of Graduate Enrollment and Student Services
- Jennifer Alcaine, Associate Director of Graduate Student Services
Break
Break #1
HR Executive Panel
- Corey Van Patten: Compensation at Google DeepMind
- Julie Chaiken: Vice President, Colleague Strategic Partner at American Express
- Jenny Lee: Head of Talent Access, North America at Kenvue
- Cassidy Shiel: SR Director, Human Resources at Bristol Myers Squibb
Lunch
Lunch break
Case Study Lecture
- Chris Collins, Director of MILR Program and Professor of Human Resources Studies at the ILR School
Break
Break #2
Current MILR Student Panel and Discussion
- Hosted by: Current MILR students
- Shelly Chiou, MILR Class of 2027
- Nick Svichar, MILR Class of 2026
- Penelope Slentz, MILR Class of 2027
- Yashvi Patel, MILR Class of 2027
Closing Remarks
- Marissa Porter, Director of Graduate Enrollment and Student Services
Travel Reimbursement
Please refer to the Reimbursement Document for instructions on how to submit your reimbursement request.
Cornell's Travel Reimbursement Form and Direct Deposit Form are linked below. If you are requesting direct deposit, you must fill out BOTH forms. If you are requesting a check by mail, you only need to fill out the Travel Reimbursement Form. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Christina Trinh ct674@cornell.edu for assistance.
Transportation
We have provided bus passes for you upon your arrival in Ithaca. If you are taking the bus to campus from the Canopy Hotel: We recommend taking the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) Route 10 and getting off at either Goldwin Smith Hall or Sage Hall, then walking over to Ives Hall. More information can be found here.
Parking Information
Canopy Hotel Parking:
Parking for the hotel is located in the Seneca Street Garage for $10 per day. Passes do not need to be coordinated beforehand; you will need to bring parking tickets to the Front Desk for validation. The graduate office will be covering the hotel parking charges.
Campus Parking:
You will need to pay for parking on campus and get a receipt for reimbursement. Here’s the parking link: Campus Short Term Parking
Questions
If you have any questions before the event, don’t hesitate to reach out at jo432@cornell.edu.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Ithaca soon!
