
Cornell Mission Statement: Fostering Discovery, Innovation, and Global Impact
Cornell University’s mission statement is a powerful statement that encapsulates the university’s core values and aspirations. It guides all aspects of the institution’s operations, from teaching and research to outreach and engagement.

Mission Statement
The mission of Cornell University is to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to engage with the world to improve the human condition.
Discovery, Preservation, and Dissemination of Knowledge
Cornell is a world-renowned research university, and its faculty members are engaged in cutting-edge research in a wide range of disciplines. The university’s commitment to discovery is evident in the numerous patents that have been filed by its researchers and the groundbreaking discoveries that have been made in its laboratories. Cornell is also home to a vast library system, which houses millions of books and other resources that are essential for teaching and research.
Educating the Next Generation of Global Citizens
Cornell’s students come from all over the world, and they are educated to be leaders in their chosen fields. The university offers a rigorous academic program that is complemented by a wide range of extracurricular activities and opportunities for global engagement. Cornell graduates are prepared to make a difference in the world, and they go on to careers in a variety of fields, including academia, business, government, and the non-profit sector.
Engaging with the World to Improve the Human Condition
Cornell is a land-grant university, and it has a long history of outreach and engagement. The university’s faculty and staff are actively involved in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, including poverty, hunger, disease, and climate change. Cornell also has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and it works to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of its community.
The Cornell Community
Cornell University is a vibrant and diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The university is committed to providing its community members with the resources and support they need to succeed. Cornell also has a strong sense of community, and its members are proud to be part of the Cornell family.
Students
Cornell students are bright, motivated, and engaged. They come from all over the world, and they represent a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Cornell students are committed to making a difference in the world, and they are eager to learn and grow.
Faculty
Cornell faculty members are world-renowned experts in their fields. They are passionate about teaching and research, and they are committed to providing their students with the best possible education. Cornell faculty members are also actively involved in outreach and engagement, and they work to make a positive impact on the world.
Staff
Cornell staff members are essential to the university’s success. They provide a wide range of services that support the university’s teaching, research, and outreach missions. Cornell staff members are dedicated to providing excellent service to the university’s community members.
Alumni
Cornell alumni are a global network of leaders who are making a difference in the world. They are employed in a wide range of fields, and they are using their Cornell education to make a positive impact on society. Cornell alumni are proud of their alma mater, and they are committed to supporting the university’s mission.
The Cornell Impact
Cornell University has a profound impact on the world. The university’s research discoveries have led to new technologies, treatments, and policies that have improved the lives of millions of people. Cornell graduates are leaders in their chosen fields, and they are making a positive impact on the world in a variety of ways. Cornell is also a major economic driver in its region, and it contributes to the vitality of the local community.
Research Impact
Cornell is a world-renowned research university, and its faculty members are engaged in cutting-edge research in a wide range of disciplines. The university’s research discoveries have led to new technologies, treatments, and policies that have improved the lives of millions of people. For example, Cornell researchers have developed:
- A new type of solar cell that is more efficient and less expensive than traditional solar cells.
- A new drug that is effective in treating a rare and deadly form of leukemia.
- A new policy that has helped to reduce the number of preventable deaths from heart disease.
Educational Impact
Cornell University is committed to providing its students with the best possible education. The university offers a rigorous academic program that is complemented by a wide range of extracurricular activities and opportunities for global engagement. Cornell graduates are prepared to make a difference in the world, and they go on to careers in a variety of fields, including academia, business, government, and the non-profit sector.
Economic Impact
Cornell University is a major economic driver in its region. The university’s annual economic impact is estimated to be over $6 billion. Cornell employs over 14,000 people, and it supports a wide range of businesses in the local community. The university also attracts top talent to the region, which helps to drive innovation and economic growth.
Social Impact
Cornell University is committed to making a positive impact on the world. The university’s faculty and staff are actively involved in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, including poverty, hunger, disease, and climate change. Cornell also has a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, and it works to create a welcoming and supportive environment for all members of its community.
The Future of Cornell
Cornell University is facing a number of challenges and opportunities in the years ahead. The university is committed to meeting these challenges and seizing these opportunities in order to continue its mission to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to engage with the world to improve the human condition.
Challenges
Cornell University is facing a number of challenges in the years ahead, including:
- Increasing competition for students and funding. Cornell is a world-renowned university, but it is also a private university, and it must compete with other top universities for students and funding.
- The rising cost of higher education. The cost of higher education has been rising for decades, and this is making it more difficult for students to afford a Cornell education.
- The need to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Cornell is committed to making a positive impact on the world, but it must also address the world’s most pressing challenges, such as poverty, hunger, disease, and climate change.
Opportunities
Cornell University is also facing a number of opportunities in the years ahead, including:
- The growth of online learning. Online learning is becoming increasingly popular, and Cornell is well-positioned to take advantage of this trend.
- The increasing demand for global education. The world is becoming increasingly interconnected, and there is a growing demand for global education. Cornell is a global university, and it is well-positioned to meet this demand.
- The potential to make a positive impact on the world. Cornell is committed to making a positive impact on the world, and it has the resources and the expertise to do so.
Conclusion
Cornell University is a world-renowned institution of higher education that is committed to fostering discovery, innovation, and global impact. The university’s mission statement is a powerful statement that encapsulates its core values and aspirations. Cornell is facing a number of challenges and opportunities in the years ahead, but it is well-positioned to meet these challenges and seize these opportunities in order to continue its mission to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to engage with the world to improve the human condition.