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ILR Building in Ithaca, NY

Message from the Dean

Dean Colvin speaking with students.

The world of work has evolved tremendously in recent years and the pace of change continues to accelerate as we look to the future. At ILR, we study work, labor and employment and make sense of this complex ecosystem that impacts nearly every person on our planet. Our faculty are among the top researchers in their fields and our students are leaders in the classroom, at the university and in their communities. ILRies go on to be leaders in industry, government, law, nonprofit and academia and make significant contributions in their chosen fields. The relevance and impact of ILR education has never been greater.

- Alex Colvin, Ph.D. '99,  Kenneth F. Kahn '69 Dean and the Martin F. Scheinman '75, 'MS '76, Professor of Conflict Resolution

Our Mission

As the preeminent educational institution in the world focused on work, employment and labor, we are dedicated to generating and disseminating knowledge that improves the lives of workers and transforms the future of work.

As a New York land-grant college, we positively impact individuals and society through:

  • Teaching: Creating an engaging and challenging learning environment focused on the development of critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that develop the next generation of leaders.
  • Research: Generating innovative and relevant research in the social sciences that is focused on work, employment and labor that influences public policy, informs organizational strategy and improves professional practice.
  • Outreach: Applying thought leadership and research into practice for workers, unions, organizations and communities.

Our Vision

We exist to drive positive change in work, employment and labor that advances the world of work.

the cornell tower with cherry blossoms

Our History

Founded in 1945 as the New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations, the ILR School today is advancing the world of work through teaching, research and outreach. ILR’s mission is to prepare leaders, inform national and international employment and labor policy, and improve working lives, but as the world of work evolves, the school’s focus broadens to keep pace with that change.

Read more about our history

ILR Leadership Team

Alexander Colvin

  • Kenneth F. Kahn '69 Dean
  • Martin F. Scheinman ’75, MS ’76, Professor of Conflict Resolution

Kate Griffith

  • Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Diversity, and Faculty Development
  • Jean McKelvey-Alice Grant Professor

Ariel Avgar, PhD

  • David M. Cohen ’73 Professor of Labor Relations, ILR School
  • Senior Associate Dean for Outreach and Sponsored Research
  • Director, Center for Applied Research on Work (CAROW)

L. Rebecca Hann

  • Associate Dean for Finance and Administration

Kara M. Lombardi

  • Assistant Dean for Student Experience and Wellbeing

Jennifer (Sellen) Dean

  • Assistant Dean, ILR AAD

David A. Yantorno

  • Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing – School of Industrial and Labor Relations

ILRies study work to make an impact. They represent the most diverse student body at Cornell University, and go on to be leaders in industry, government, law, nonprofit and research.

“You Create Your Own Story”

The MILR admissions team provided support through the application process, graduate says.
MILR student Thomas Jones
“You Create Your Own Story”

HR Strategy Learnings: Aboud’s Executive Master’s Program Journey

Months before graduation from the ILR School’s EMHRM program, Christina Aboud was offered multiple job opportunities.
Andrea Mooney, Megan Orlander, Christina Aboud, Smiley Zhao
HR Strategy Learnings: Aboud’s Executive Master’s Program Journey

Hard Work, Personal Stories Bring Speech Team Big Wins

Cornell Chronicle
The Cornell Speech Team, a registered student organization sponsored by the ILR School, had the most successful season in the team’s 40-year history this past spring.
Margot Treadwell '24 participating in an ILR debate
Hard Work, Personal Stories Bring Speech Team Big Wins

Our faculty make up the world's leading researchers focused on work, labor and employment. They study every aspect of the world of work from varied and interdisciplinary disciplines.

Santiago Anria Q&A

Santiago Anria came to the ILR School's Department of Global Labor and Work following an assistant professorship in the Department of Political Science and Latin American Studies at Dickinson College. His research focuses on social movements and parties in Latin America.
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Santiago Anria Q&A

Mapping a More Equitable Future

Russell Weaver analyzes data and builds tools to help the public and policymakers see patterns and make informed decisions around equality and sustainability issues.
Rusty Weaver
Mapping a More Equitable Future

Briscoe Named Neufeld Professor

The Cornell Board of Trustees has elected Forrest Briscoe as the Maurice and Hinda Neufeld Founders Professor in Industrial and Labor Relations.
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Briscoe Named Neufeld Professor

As a New York State land-grant college, we apply research into practice for workers, unions, organizations, and communities to improve the world of work. We build community partnerships and trainings to improve workers’ lives across the world and contribute to an organization’s success.

CJI joins panel at the 54th Annual Legislative Conference in Albany

Melissa Shetler, Assistant Director of Labor Outreach and Workforce Equity at the Institute, participated in the panel “How Communities of Color Will Shape the Future of Technology, Energy, and Design,” during the annual Legislative Conference organized by the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislators.
The panelists for the Green Economy: How Communities of Color Will Shape the Future of Technology, Energy, and Design
CJI joins panel at the 54th Annual Legislative Conference in Albany

Labor Action Tracker 2024 Report

Cornell Chronicle
Better pay, improved health and safety, and increased staffing were workers’ top demands in 2024, according to findings published in the annual report tracking U.S. work stoppages. The report is a collaboration of the ILR School and the University of Illinois School of Labor and Employment Relations.
A screen shot of the Labor Action Tracker findings in 2024
Labor Action Tracker 2024 Report

DisabilityStatistics.org Offers Visualization and Local Data

For those who need data about disability, the revamped DisabilityStatistics.org website offers a wide range of information. A Feb. 26 webinar will introduce new data and features.
Screenshot of Disability Statistics Home page shows the tagline "Disability stats your way". It also shows an athlete doing a sqat. The athlete has a prosthetic leg.
DisabilityStatistics.org Offers Visualization and Local Data

ILR Resources

Faculty and Staff Resources

Find information and links to many departments and services within the ILR School, including technology services, room bookings, and the Dean's Office.

people walk past round window of Catherwood Library
Resources

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Contact US

Undergraduate Admissions
Cornell University, ILR School
216 Ives Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
Tel: (607) 255-2222
ilr_admissions@cornell.edu

Graduate Programs
Cornell University, ILR School
218 Ives Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
Tel: (607) 255-1522
ilrgradapplicant@cornell.edu

Find other contact information and departments here.