Cathy Dove Oversees a Bold New Experiment at Cornell
One year ago Cathy Dove was appointed vice president of Cornell NYC Tech, an experimental new graduate school with an emphasis on applied science. While the school is part of a 150-year-old university, Dove says in many ways the brand new venture functions just like a startup.
In certain respects, the rapidly evolving institution is just that. Instruction began at the school, which aims to attract the "best and brightest in technology" according to the University, in January of this year.
"On a daily basis we work on activities as diverse as designing significant academic programs to defining on-boarding procedures for new employees," says Dove. She adds the school's progress is due in part to its entrepreneurial culture-a spirit shared by the selective school's student body-as well as the support of individuals and organizations in the community.
In the past year alone, Dove has overseen the hiring of new faculty and staff and the welcoming of the school's "beta" class of eight full-time graduate students. These students will be the first to receive a one-year Master of Engineering degree in computer science.
Cornell Tech also moved into its Chelsea campus, a space donated to the University by the Google corporation. Dove says they have also made significant progress with campus plans for the Roosevelt Island location. The Roosevelt Island site, an ambitious, futuristic-looking establishment according to blueprints, is expected to see construction beginning in 2014. In 2017, Roosevelt Island will become the school's permanent home.
"It's been a very productive and rewarding year," says Dove.
Dove looks ahead with great optimism for Cornell Tech. She says in the coming year the school plans to further expand its academic programs, hire more faculty and continue building relationships with industry partners and community organizations.