Timeline and Important History
Cornell University is a private institution with a public mission, and as such, is committed to educating all students. “I would found an institution in which any person can find instruction in any subject,” Ezra Cornell so famously declared in 1865, shortly after the Civil War. The genius of Ezra Cornell was in recognizing that “any person can find instruction here” as is evident in the institution’s growing population of first generation, low income, non-traditional and students historically underserved in higher education.
As we look to the history of Cornell University, one can find landmarks and events that led to the creation of the office we know today as the Office of Academic Discovery and Impact (OADI) that has played a pivotal role in the lives of Cornelians since the 1960s.
OADI's Timeline and Important History
2026 - The PSSP summer program gets reimagined; first cohort of PSSP Pathway Scholars introduced
The Pre-Collegiate Summer Scholars Program (PSSP) summer bridge program gets reimagined. It is shortened to just 5 weeks and now includes Pathway Scholars.
2025 - OADI rebrands to the Office of Academic Discovery and Impact; P3 Ambassadors created; Questbridge scholars first year at Cornell
The Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives undergoes a rebranding and changes its name to The Office of Academic Discovery and Impact.
P3 Ambassadors were created. Two dedicated P3 student leaders formed an ambassador board with the goal to empower students by fostering a vibrant community that connects current participants and alumni across the fields of study represented within P3.
Inaugural year for Questbridge scholars and Cornell to be a match.
2021 - OADI Peer Mentorship program created
OADI Peer Mentorship Program created. The program recruits scholars from OADI’s signature programs to serve as peer mentors to 15 first year and/or transfer students seeking opportunity, support and empowerment.
2020 - The Cornell Defender Program (CDP) established; Covid-19 global pandemic moves Cornell to virtual learning
The Cornell Defender Program (CDP) summer program was established. The program is geared towards students interested in exploring family and criminal law. The program includes intensive training, followed by an internship with a local public defender in the Central New York region.
March 2020 – University wide shift to virtual with the COVID-19 Pandemic.
2019 - Cornell celebrates EOP/HEOP's 50th anniversary
Cornell celebrates the 50th Anniversary of EOP/HEOP at Cornell during Homecoming Weekend.
Cornell undergraduates, alumni, and community members engage in a conversation about what it means to be an EOP/HEOP student and how the program has helped shape and impact their career trajectory. After the panel, the community gathered for a banquet that featured the release of a 50th Anniversary video and keynote speakers Diala Haddad ’20 and Earnest Eric Elmore ‘86.
This conference was planned to engage current students and program alumni in a dedicated network and vision for a more cohesive and connected community.
2017 - First "I'm First" networking event hosted at Cornell; Spirit of Opportunity Award created for EOP/HEOP
“I’m First!” recognized the importance of celebrating first generation college students on campus by helping to identify faculty, staff, and students who are first generation. A group of more than 50 people gathered for the first networking reception to talk about shared experiences, strategies to face challenges, and ideas on how best to support Cornell’s growing population of first-generation students. Many EOP/HEOP students, about 90%, identify as first gen. This program sparked the University’s ongoing efforts to support first generation students.
Spirit of Opportunity Award was created in 2017 to recognize the good work and leadership exhibited by students from all class years in EOP/HEOP. It is a community (peer and staff) nominated award to recognize students as leaders, role models, representatives of EOP/HEOP on campus and beyond, and as someone who embodies the “spirit of opportunity.”
2016 - EOP/HEOP Ambassadors created
EOP/HEOP Ambassadors Program Created.
A group of engaged EOP/HEOP students leaders created a program to help develop the EOP/HEOP community, support recruitment and prospective student outreach, and develop a social media presence for the programs.
2014 - OADI hosts its first annual OADI Honors award show; Cornell establishes the Zeta Upsilon Chapter of Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society
OADI hosts its first annual OADI Honors Awards show
Cornell establishes the Zeta Upsilon Chapter of Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society to recognize the outstanding academic achievement of opportunity program students.
The chartering ceremony was conducted by the Most Honorable Dr. Elbert Saddler, Chi Alpha Epsilon founder, where 17 undergraduate and 8 faculty and staff were inducted into the society.
2012 - Pre Professional Programs (P3) established at Cornell; Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program hosts first cohort at Cornell
Cornell University receives the Ronald E. McNair Post Baccalaureate Achievement Program to support underrepresented students interested in pursuing a PhD.
Cornell EOP/HEOP students are part of the first cohort of McNair scholars.
Cornell's Pre Professional Programs (P3) was established in 2012 to create a universal identity to students in the New York State's Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and the Cornell Professional Opportunity Program (CPOP).
2011 - The Office of Academic Diversity and Initiatives (OADI) is formed; Janice F. Turner Most Persistent Award for EOP/HEOP scholars is created
Cornell reimagined how diverse students are being supported and created two support structures out of the Office of Minority Education Affairs (OMEA). The Office of Academic Diversity Initiatives (OADI) is created to support the academic, career, and professional development of Cornell’s diverse student body and remains under the leadership of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education.
Cornell’s NYS Opportunity Programs, EOP/HEOP/CSTEP, are organized in OADI due to their direct academic and professional development of students.
The Janice F. Turner Most Persistent Award honors former Cornell Assistant Dean Janice Turner for her dedication to EOP/HEOP students and their success. Established in 2011 upon her retirement, the award is presented annually to students who demonstrate academic excellence, community commitment, and perseverance in overcoming adversity.
2008 - Cornell Professional Opportunity Program (CPOP) was created
CPOP was started to provide mirrored support to non-New York State residents in the C-STEP program.
2007 - Cornell decides to fully fund economically disadvantaged families
Cornell fully funds undergraduate students from families with incomes under $60,000 and caps student tuition obligations annually for those with incomes up to $120,000. By 2012, the university's financial aid budget doubles and Cornell is in the top ten most economically diverse research universities.
2005 - The Weill Ithaca Summer Experience in Research (WISER) program is established
The Weill Ithaca Summer Experience in Research (WISER) summer research program at Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) in New York City was established. The program is geared towards students interested in basic science, medical or health disparities research and provides them with an opportunity to conduct biomedical research with WCMC faculty.
2000 - First Janet Smith Kintners Directors Award given to an EOP/HEOP student
The Janet Smith Kintner Director's Award is given in honor of former EOP/HEOP director Janet Smith-Kintner. It is given yearly to a senior who has demonstrated dedication to their academics, community, and the opportunity programs. These students have demonstrated what it means to be a role model and have worked to help others achieve through leading by example and serving as a mentor to other students. These students are also leaders and take full advantage of the opportunity given to them through EOP/HEOP.
1999 - Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation establish the Gates Millennium Scholars Program
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation establish the Gates Millennium Scholars Program to provide funding support to underrepresented students in completing their college education. Scholars are given the opportunity to request funding for a graduate degree program related to science, math, health, and education.
1995 - New York State Governor George Pataki eliminates funding for all NYS Opportunity Programs
New York State Governor George Pataki eliminates funding for all NYS Opportunity Programs (EOP, HEOP, SEEK, CD, CSTEP) from his executive budget leaving the potential for more than 20,000 students enrolled in those programs to be without funding for school.
Cornell students join other opportunity program students from across New York State to travel to Albany and demand funding be reinstated for these programs, sharing their stories and creating a tradition of advocacy moving forward to work to prevent this from happening again
1994 - Cornell establishes the Latino Living Center (LLC)
Cornell establishes the Latino Living Center, a residential program house that provides students from many cultural backgrounds a safe and supportive environment where Latinx cultures and worldviews are valued.
1991 - Cornell opens Awe:kon, its first Indigenous residence hall
Cornell opens the first ever University residence hall to celebrate indigenous culture and heritage. The hall is called “Awe:kon” (Pronounced uh-GWAY-go) which means “all of us.” The building’s landscape was designed with input from the Haudenosaunee (Iroquis) people in order to reflect symbols that reflect communal spirit.
1986 - McNair Scholars Program created
The McNair Program is designed to increase the numbers of low-income and first-generation students attending graduate school and receiving their doctorate. McNair is one of eight TRIO programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Its purpose is to prepare eligible participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities.
1986 - The Collegiate Science Entry and Technology Program (CSTEP) is created
New York State develops the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) to support historically underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students pursuing careers in mathematics, science, technology, and health related fields.
1976 - COSEP officially becomes OMEA
COSEP official becomes the Office of Minority Educational Affairs (OMEA).
1972 - Cornell establishes the Ujamaa Residential College
Cornell establishes the Ujamaa Residential College to commemorate the lives and culture of Black individuals all over the world. Ujamaa (pronounced "OO-juh-muh") celebrates the rich and diverse heritage of Black people in the United States, Africa, the Caribbean, and other regions of the world.
The word Ujamaa in the East African language of Kiswahili means the process of working together as an extended family to build and maintain a cohesive community.
1969 - Willard Straight Hall takeover
Willard Straight Hall Takeover (April 18-19) - Over 100 Black Students occupied Willard Straight Hall for 33 hours to bring to Cornell the national Civil Rights Movement’s struggle for racial and social justice.
In response to the takeover, the Africana Studies and Research Center (ASRC) was established and opened.
1969 - Higher Education Opportunity (HEOP) Program created
The Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP) was created to provide students access to private and independent colleges and universities.
Cornell’s private colleges admit their first class of HEOP students.
1968 - Cornell admits first class of EOP students
Educational Opportunity Program expanded to 10 SUNY campuses. Cornell's contract colleges admit their first class of EOP students.
1967 - Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) created
New York State Assemblyman Arthur O. Eve pushed forward the principles of access to and opportunities in higher education for underserved students by developing a bill which ultimately became known as the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). EOP created a means for academic and financial support for New York State residents who qualify for the program. The founding program began at Buffalo State College and admitted the first class of EOP students.
1965 - SEEK program created
College Discovery was expanded to the four-year schools and is called the Percy Ellis Sutton, Search for Education, Elevation, and Knowledge or “SEEK.”
1964 - COLLEGE DISCOVERY program created
The Foundation for EOP/HEOP was set with the development of the City University of New York’s (CUNY) Program College Discovery at the community colleges.
1963 - Cornell's 7th president, James Perkins, creates the Committee on Special Education Projects (COSEP)
President James Perkins establishes the Committee on Special Education Projects (COSEP) which launches the establishment and on-going history of support for the OADI community. First convened in 1963, the Committee on Special Educational Projects (COSEP) is officially launched by Dr. James Perkins, the seventh president of Cornell. The first program of its kind at a major American university, it is designed to increase the enrollment of African American students at Cornell and to provide them with support services. The number of Black students enrolled increases from 8 to over 250 during his presidency.
Cornell's Historic Commitment to Equality
To go even further back into Cornell's history, please take a look at this timeline that starts back when the University was founded in the 1800's. University co-founders Ezra Cornell and Andrew Dickson White were committed to creating a university that was open to all individuals, regardless of race or gender. Cornell University has been a true pioneer in equality. Click the link below to learn more about Cornell's historic commitment:
Our Historic Commitment | Cornell University Diversity and Inclusion