Dr. La Jerne Terry Cornish, Ithaca College's newly named 10th presidentNatalie Daffinee
"Her appointment ensures a seamless transition and unimpeded progress in advancing the college's vision, mission, and values," said David H. Lissy, chair of the Ithaca College Board of Trustees. "The board has the utmost confidence in her ability to unite the college community and in her desire to lead in the pursuit of excellence."
Ithaca College (IC) is a private, four-year college in Ithaca, New York, and enrolls more than 6,000 students.
Cornish joined IC in 2018 as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. She was later named provost and executive vice president.
"This is a time of challenge but also of opportunity for the college," said Cornish. "Together–with our commitment to the IC student experience firmly centered as our guide—we will move our college ever forward as we work to realize our vision to become a global destination for bold thinkers seeking to build thriving communities."
Cornish holds a doctorate in language, literacy, and culture from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. She also holds master's and bachelor's degrees from Goucher College.
Before IC, Cornish taught at Goucher and became the college's first African American alumna to be awarded tenure as well as the first African American to serve as both chair of the faculty and associate provost for undergraduate studies. In 2016, she received the Goucher Distinguished Alumnae/i Award.
