Promising Futures

“Promising Futures” is a two-day interactive recruitment event that allows prospective Native American and Indigenous students the opportunity to EXPLORE Cornell at its best. The program is BURSTING with opportunities to see Cornell’s resources and to start collaborations across the campus. It is an interdisciplinary and multidimensional experience for all participants.

Why do we Need YOUR Support?

YOU can help one Native American/Indigenous student from the Southwestern and Western regions of the United States be part of this experience.

                     Overall Goal: 10 Students X $600 a Student                                                                                          (airfare + lodgings)

Launched in 2014, Promising Futures has proven to be very successful with 40 percent of students applying to Cornell and many younger participants yet to apply. Initially focused on New York State region, interest in this event has reached all the way across the country with requests coming from California, Texas, and New Mexico.

Who Participates in Promising Futures?

What Do Prospective Students Gain?

• AIISP:              Support, Mentorship and Access to Indigenous-focused Research and Academics;
• STEM:             Lab Exposure with Cornell Center for Materials Research;
• Faculty:           Individualized Interactions/"Speed Meetings" with Faculty across Disciplines;
• Admissions:   Insight into Application Strategies;
• Financial Aid: Ins and Outs of Financial Aid Package and a Game of "Family Feud;"
• Diversity:        Introduction to the resources offered by the Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives;
• Students:        Stories of Transition and College Experience;
• Campus:         Unforgettable Tour and Dazzling Shopping Experience;
• Social:             Exposure to Campus Living and Recreation;

Why is Promising Futures Important?

• COMMUNITY: It takes our whole community to make this event happen so that we can enrich and expand the community of Akwe:kon (the first Native American Residence House in the country), and a community of Indigenous scholars and leaders.
• SCHOLARSHIP: Indigenous students gain an Ivy-league education and in return contribute a unique lens on disciplinary thinking and practice through Indigenous Knowledge Systems.
• LEADERSHIP: Indigenous students expand their leadership skills through engagement with Cornell’s opportunities and local communities.
• DIVERSITY: Indigenous students enrich Cornell’s communities and provide a critical Indigenous perspective on issues impacting diverse student populations.
• INDIGENOUS PRESENCE: Educating Indigenous students enables Cornell University to meet its obligations to Indigenous Peoples as a Land Grant Institution and to reassert its commitment to supporting the thriving Indigenous cultures.
• FULL CIRCLE: Equipped with community, leadership and academic skills developed at Cornell, Indigenous students return to their communities to be the force of change for better Futures in their Nations.