Cornell Institute for Public Affairs

CIPA: A Highly Diverse and Collaborative Community

You will quickly discover that, at CIPA, we value diversity. Faculty and Fellows alike come from around the globe and represent widely varied fields of interests and endeavors. This eclectic mix of cultures, experiences and perspectives translates into a rich environment for collaborative learning.

The words “friendship” and “genuine” come up again and again here. Students and faculty routinely help one another, and the bonds they form are lasting.

Community, then, is a vital part of the CIPA experience. There are approximately 240 Fellows in the program—about 120 first-years and 120 second-years. Opportunities for forging lifelong friendships abound: Picnics, International Parties, impromptu debates in the CIPA Lounge, food and drinks at Rulloff's following Thursday colloquiums, professional development conferences in Washington, DC and New York City, late-night group-project meetings....to name just a few.

Get Involved in a CIPA Organization

Why not forge relationships and build your policy skills at the same time? Over the years, CIPA Fellows have developed a number of student-led groups and initiatives. You are welcome to participate in any or all of these:

• Cornell Public Affairs Society (CPAS): This is CIPA's main professional student organization. CPAS organizes social activities as well as professional conferences, networking events, and peer advising.
• Women in Public Policy (WIPP): This organization is dedicated to providing a forum for issues related to gender, women and families within the realm of public policy. It is open to membership by both men and women.
• CIPA-New Orleans Professional Partnership (CIPA-NOLA): This group provides Fellows with hands-on consulting experience in the New Orleans rebuilding process. The group also travels to New Orleans each spring break, where they serve as volunteers on a construction project.
• The Jade Moore Forum on American Politics: This forum is for Fellows interested in debating American policy, current political issues, and upcoming elections.
• Co-Curricular Activities: There are three co-curricular student-led, professional activities— (public policy journal), The Cornell Policy Review (public policy journal) Point of View (media production group), and the Colloquium Committee.
  
  First-year Fellows can apply for leadership positions of each organization at the end of their first semester of study. Please click here for more information.