Cornell alumni Mark and Linda Cisz ’91 believe the College of Human Ecology’s multi-disciplinary approach to education and research is exactly what is needed to improve human well-being. This year, the couple established a new scholarship in support of Human Ecology. 

“Over the years, what Human Ecology stands for and what they are trying to teach the students has really resonated with us,” said Mark, an agricultural economics major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences who now works as a banker at J.P. Morgan. 

Mark serves on the board of the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County. “Working with Cornell Cooperative Extension, I’ve seen the direct influence the disciplines of Human Ecology have in our community around family well-being, parenting and nutrition,” he said. 

For Linda’s part, she says her education as a nutrition major at the College of Human Ecology shaped her career. She now works as a pediatrician in Northport, New York.  

“The College tied everything together for me and influenced my approach to patients,” she said. Classes in human development and psychology, nutrition and disease, as well as hands-on experience working with children and members of the Ithaca community, helped Linda to see patients’ needs as multifaceted.  

“Treating all aspects of a patient’s condition by understanding the medical etiology and taking into account nutritional and mental influences allows a physician to treat the whole person,” she said “The foods we eat and the lifestyle choices we make ultimately play a key role in shaping our health.  I first encountered these principles in Human Ecology.” 

In addition, Mark and Linda’s daughter Kaite is a senior at Human Ecology majoring in human development. 

“One of the reasons Linda and I decided to establish a scholarship is that we saw the benefits our daughter Kaite experienced at Human Ecology,” Mark said. Kaite serves as a scholar for PRYDE, which uses science to promote optimal youth development. In addition, she is conducting research with Gary Evans, the Elizabeth Lee Vincent Professor of Human Centered Design, to explore children’s reactions to climate change.  

“She has been able to pursue so many diverse interests that have been cultivated by the programs at Human Ecology,” Mark said. “We felt that if we had the ability to provide a student with a similar experience to Kaite, that would be the right thing to do. I was the beneficiary of an alumni scholarship contribution my senior year at Cornell, so I’ve directly seen how another person’s commitment to making Cornell more affordable can help a student when he or she really needs it the most.” 

Mark and Linda said they considered establishing the scholarship in 2025 in honor of the College of Human Ecology’s upcoming 100th-year celebration. “We decided to make this gift now because we want to do the greatest good today, and give even more students the opportunity that we and our children have had,” Mark said. “We want to encourage others, if they have the ability, to do the greatest good they can do.” 

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