We proudly launch the Brooks School Learning and Leading through Difference Initiative, supported in part through a generous gift from Brenda Weissman Benn ’02 and Michael Benn ’02. This initiative will help guide us in building on Cornell’s commitment to public engagement, strengthening democracy, promoting civil discourse, advancing conflict resolution, and developing our capacity to be thoughtful, purpose-driven leaders.

Under the umbrella of our Learning and Leading through Difference Initiative, and with seed funds generously provided by John W. Nixon ’53, we are poised to bring to campus the inaugural distinguished policy fellows. Thanks to John’s generosity, we will welcome distinguished policy decision makers and thought leaders in public policy who will engage with our community on critical issues from varied political viewpoints with a focus on fostering constructive dialogue and advancing evidence-informed policy. We will also bring to campus organizations dedicated to advancing principled debate to solve societal problems, such as No Labels. Cornell University does not endorse or oppose candidates for elected office.

– Colleen L. Barry, Dean

The John W. Nixon ’53 Distinguished Policy Fellows Initiative brings senior decision makers and thought leaders in public policy to Cornell University to engage with our campus community on critical issues from varied political viewpoints with a focus on fostering constructive dialogue and advancing evidence-informed policy.

This initiative invites prominent former members of the U.S. Congress, cabinet-level officials, governors, or senior political and policy journalists or former New York state policy leaders to Cornell to teach, share their expertise and exchange ideas with faculty and students.

Fellows are invited to campus four times a year to guest lecture, participate in symposia, host student office hours to talk about careers in public policy and contemporary policy issues, and meet with faculty on research aligned with their expertise. Fellows may also be invited to give a talk on policy topics of interest among Cornell alums, virtually or in person.

We will appoint at least one new distinguished policy fellow at the start of each semester to serve through a full academic year.

The Brooks School honors the enormous, enduring legacy of Martin Ginsburg ’53 and Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’54 biennially through programs which highlight the policy issues that were close to Justice Ginsburg’s heart. Programs will also feature the opera, music and other forms of bridge-building artistic expression that were her passion. The inaugural event Sept. 23 will feature an Opera Ithaca performance of “Scalia/Ginsburg” in Willard Straight Hall. Christie and Jeff Weiss ’79 endowed a fund to make this enriching programming available to people of all ages, especially students.