About Our College

Greetings and welcome to the College of Human Ecology’s web site!

Interim Dean, Alan Mathios

Human ecology explores the relationship between people and the world around them from a variety of perspectives, and then strives to shape that world for the better through academics, research and outreach. At the College of Human Ecology, we do that by developing leaders, solving problems, and strengthening communities.

The College of Human Ecology has over 100 years of academic excellence and community outreach woven into its history, fusing a respect for tradition with a spirit of innovation. We house state of the art research facilities in fields ranging from nutrition and health to design, nanotechnology and human development. We are the hub for Cornell University’s research and academics in family, health, social and consumer policy. We are home to the only interior design program in the Ivy League, and the only PhD in apparel design in the country. We award more than 60 graduate degrees annually, our faculty are world renowned, and students have an open door to resources and opportunities across all of Cornell.

So please take some time to explore our five academic departments:

Division of Nutritional Sciences
Department of Human Development
Department of Fiber Science & Apparel Design
Department of Design and Environmental Analysis
Department of Policy Analysis and Management.

And our two centers:

Bronfenbrenner Life Course Center
Family Life Development Center

I hope that you enjoy learning more about our college, and that you will visit the beautiful Cornell campus to discover for yourself all that Human Ecology has to offer.

Sincerely,
Alan Mathios, Ph.D.
Dean