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Carley Robinson ’20 says she knew she wanted to study the psychology of adolescence since she was a teenager herself. She applied to Cornell Human Ecology (CHE) after reading about the major in human development, with plans to become a sexual health educator after graduation. But then a chance encounter with a local theater organization changed everything.

“It completely reshaped the way I thought about theater, and thus the world,” Robinson says.

In her sophomore

When people asked 14-year-old Julia Dunetz ’19 what she wanted to be when she grew up, she had an unusual answer: “commercial theater producer.” She pursued her passion with single-minded focus: interning with a theater company in high school, directing and producing plays while studying at Cornell, and producing shows on Broadway and beyond after graduation. Last June, Dunetz’s dream reached a new capstone when “Parade,” the hit musical she co-produced, won a Tony Award

Thais Salas ’23, a human development major, shares her thoughts on her time in Cornell Human Ecology and her advice for new students.

What’s your favorite memory from your time in Cornell Human Ecology? 

My favorite memory from my time in Cornell Human Ecology was working with Tashara Leak and all the amazing research assistants in the lab. They were all an integral part of my journey here at Cornell and have all been

Nikolas Martin ’25, a junior majoring in fashion design and management, explores the weaponization of Christianity against Black and LGBTQ+ people in America in his new exhibit, “Our Rapture.” A mixed media art exhibit, it uses fashion, sculpture, photography and film to explore the subject and  coincides with the Cornell University Freedom of Expression theme year.

The six pieces in the exhibit draw from Martin’s research into Black and LGBT history and biblical scholarship

When she was 16, Ponni Mukundan Concessao, M.S. ’89 walked into one of India’s premier technical colleges and demanded a seat in the undergraduate architecture program. The Principal said they didn’t accept girls, citing security concerns. She quoted the Indian Constitution, which guarantees gender equality and went on to pursue legal action. “For me, it was that or an arranged marriage,” she recalled.

She became the first woman undergraduate at the National Institute of Technology’s

Monique Hall ’14 tried to be practical, but her dream wouldn’t let her go. Growing up in New Jersey, she loved getting lost in narratives on TV — everything from Sesame Street to 30 Rock. Watching the credits roll as a teenager, she realized that writing those episodes was someone’s job. Eventually, she’d win an Emmy for doing just that, but back then, for the child of immigrants from Jamaica, a creative career felt unrealistic

Michelle Stuzin Katz ‘90
Human Development & Family Studies
Co-creator & Co-host, Cornell (thank) U Podcast

Michelle has been an enthusiastic supporter of Cornell Human Ecology—even before her attendance. Michelle’s high school experience was shaped by her drive to attend Cornell and learn how to help individuals, families, and communities flourish. Notably, at age 14, she advocated fiercely under Title IX to establish the first girls' lacrosse team at her high school. In recognition of