Sheila Danko
Professor Danko’s multi-disciplinary design background includes formal training in architecture, industrial, graphic, and interior design. This first-hand insight into designing across disciplines enables her to emphasize problem seeking - ie creative exploration of needs and opportunities -- coupled with a wide range of design methods to tailor process to problem space.
Her scholarship focuses on the intersection of design and leadership. Her goal is to expand the everyday concept of design beyond material artifact to
- Oct 28, 2024
- by Marisa LaFalce
- Community Engagement, Technology + Human Thriving, Donor, Student Life
Designers in Residence offer fresh perspectives and new challenges
Amid a riot of colors and textures, faculty and students from Cornell Human Ecology’s Department of Human Centered Design (HCD) marvel at the swatches and garments on display in the MVR 1250 gallery.
Knitwear experts Thijs Verhaar and Lyske Gais spent two weeks embedded in HCD as the 2024 Designers in Residence. During the residency, they attended classes; hosted workshops, a gallery exhibit and a lecture; and made themselves available to faculty and students.
Verhaar
- Sep 22, 2025
- by Marisa LaFalce
- Student Life
Student designs show the transformative potential of fabric and fashion
Each year, five Human Centered Design students get to pursue a design project of their choice from concept to execution, thanks to scholarships from the Barbara L. Kuhlman Foundation, a nonprofit that supports the fiber arts and related fields.
The current cohort of students are selected by a faculty committee and worked under the mentorship of Fatma Baytar, associate professor, and Melissa Conroy, senior lecturer, focusing on the stories they wish to
- Nov 20, 2024
- by Marisa LaFalce
- Sustainability + Society, Technology + Human Thriving, Alumni, Donor
Tanni design challenge enriches learning and builds community
Thirty students and faculty from the Department of Human Centered Design (HCD) gathered on the first Saturday in November for a day-long design charette. The intensive workshop challenged students to combine their skills and perspectives and use AI-powered tools and brand strategy to develop a creative fashion retail experience and vie for a cash prize.
It was sponsored by Tanni Wu ’06, founder of tanni, a fast-growing lifestyle brand, with 10 stores in China and
Minor in Design + Environmental Analysis
Explore how people interact with built environments and discover how sustainable design can enhance a space’s functionality.
- Jul 3, 2023
- by Natalia Rommen
- Community Engagement, Holistic Human Health, Social Impact + Justice, Sustainability + Society, CHE in NYC
NYC faculty discuss equity, community engagement
Faculty in Cornell’s Action Research Collaborative (ARC) joined New York City and State policymakers and community members for ARC’s second symposium on June 22. The annual symposium is an opportunity for researchers, policymakers and community stakeholders to share their knowledge and advance equity in areas like nutrition and health, housing and social services, and youth development.
Co-directors Neil Lewis, Jr. ’13, associate professor of communication in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Jul 3, 2023
- by Juan Vazquez-Leddon
- Community Engagement, Holistic Human Health, Social Impact + Justice, Sustainability + Society
CHE students reflect on work with community partners
Four community organizations partnering with Cornell Human Ecology students will receive funding as part of the college’s Community-Engaged Reflection Awards. The awards, given to two winners and two runners-up, are based on students’ written reflections about their learning experience with community partners.
This year’s winners are Noah Berg ’24, partnering with the Western New York Law Center in Buffalo, New York, and Jasmine Guarin ’24, partnering with Community Ambassadors in Ocean County, New Jersey. The