Support NYC Cornellians Running for the Student Scholarship Fund

NYC Cornellians is in its third year of a partnership with New York Road Runners to support the annual NYC Marathon. This year, on November 1st, Cornell will have over 70 volunteers spread throughout the racecourse supporting the water stations that runners depend on as they make their 26.2 mile journey. In recognition of Cornell's volunteer spirit, NYRR has granted NYC Cornellians two spots in this year's marathon!

NYC Cornellians is using these spots to promote its undergraduate scholarship fund, which makes Cornell more affordable for students with financial needs. Our runners this year are Jennifer Fisher and Arianna Kohilakis. You can read more about them below.

Please join us in making a contribution to this meaningful cause. Any support you can provide will be greatly appreciated!  

Meet Our Runner: Arianna Kohilakis

My name is Arianna Kohilakis, I’m a 2022 graduate of CALS where I double majored in Applied Economics and Management (go Dyson!) and Information Sciences. During my time on campus, I was involved in various pre-professional and social groups including the Cornell Consulting Group, D&I Business Advisory Council, and Alpha Phi. I'm part of a Cornell red family as my older sister graduated before me and my younger sister is there now! 

I'm originally from Rye Brook, NY but have lived in New York City since graduation. I worked at McKinsey for two years and am now in my last year of Columbia’s 3-year JD/MBA program.  

I’ve had the honor of serving on the board of NYC Cornellians the past two years and founded the NYC Cornellians Run Club.  It is one of my missions to help connect our Cornell community through running.  So please reach out if you're interested – we support every runner from casual joggers to serious long distancers.

As I look back at how running became important to me, Cornell stands at the center point.  I remember all the beautiful hiking trails and gorges where I first started running. Now several years removed from campus, I’ve focused more time on marathons – this will be my fourth marathon run in New York City.  And more importantly, it will be my third as a member of the Cornell team! I am so grateful for the opportunity to participate again in this quintessential NYC day and to represent our alma mater.

As someone who was able to pursue my degree with the assistance of financial aid, I understand, firsthand, the financial burden that many students face. The scholarship fund not only allows students in need to focus on their academic studies, it also gives them access to a lifetime of opportunities - something I’m reminded of regularly. Especially in New York, there’s nothing that makes me happier than attending Cornell events, chatting with or recruiting students, hosting undergraduate networking events in the city, and running into fellow alumni on the sidewalk. Our special Cornell network may be the greatest benefit for the future students we support through the scholarship fund.

Thank you for the opportunity to run. I am looking forward to seeing many of the Cornell volunteers on the racecourse.

Meet Our Runner: Jennifer Fisher

Hello fellow Cornellians! My name is Jennifer Fisher (A&S ’97). I am a psychotherapist in private practice in Larchmont, NY and I feel so fortunate to be running for the NYC Cornellians scholarship fund this year.  Cornell was such a special place for me – I was able to fully explore my love of English Language Arts, spend a great deal of time in the natural beauty surrounding Ithaca and volunteer regularly at a local woman’s shelter. 

While it wasn’t until after college that I met my husband, (Gregg ’94) our mutual love for Cornell prompted two of our children, Jacob ’28 and Jesse ‘30 to continue our family experience there.

I’ve also continued to be connected to Cornell through the Cornell Alumni Ambassador Network where I’ve had the opportunity to interview many applicants from my community. In addition, for the past several years, I have been a volunteer for Scholar Match, an organization that pairs college bound students from underserved communities with volunteers to guide them through the application process and improve their access to higher education. 

As for marathons, this will be my seventh overall and my fourth in NYC. Running is a passion of mine and there is no better feeling than to join that interest with the great cause of educational affordability for students with financial needs. Please help with any donation you can make so we can give more kids access to the incredible Cornell experience we all had.

Thank you for the support and I look forward to hearing your cheers on marathon day!