The Department of Human Centered Design is a small community within a large university.  Our classes tend to be small, allowing for ease of communication between faculty and students.  Students have access to multiple facilities, as well as support from caring personnel within the College of Human Ecology.

The College of Human Ecology hosts an annual barbecue for all students, as well as ice cream socials and other gatherings.  Students can be found eating, relaxing or studying in the CHE Commons, a student designed space that serves as the college's living room.  The newly revamped Martha's Cafe serves tea, coffee, baked goods and Mediterranean bowls throughout the week.

Downtown Ithaca holds multiple festivals and events, including the Ithaca Festival, the Apple Festival, Streets Alive, Porchfest and an annual Ice Festival. The surrounding Finger Lakes region, replete with beautiful hiking and bike trails, provides access to a variety of outdoor recreational activities.

For those drawn to city life, New York is a short bus ride away.