Tompkins Cortland Community College graduates in the Sustainable Farming and Food Systems Program now have a direct transfer path to Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. TC3 President Amy Kremenek and Benjamin Houlton, dean of CALS, signed the new articulation agreement on Aug. 7 at the TC3 farm.
TC3’s Sustainable Farming and Food Systems Program provides students with a foundation in sustainable agriculture practices by teaching them how to manage a farm, develop solutions to food system challenges and build relationships with the community. According to a TC3 press release, students who complete their Associate of Applied Science degree in the program with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 and a B or better in all transferable courses will receive priority consideration for transfer admission to CALS’ Agricultural Sciences B.S. program.
Admission into the B.S. program builds on students’ knowledge of crops and soil sciences, animal science, agricultural economics and food science. They will also gain hands-on experience through lab and field courses, access to world-class faculty and research opportunities. Kremenek said the agreement “creates a clear, achievable pathway for students to start strong at TC3 and earn a degree from an Ivy League University.”
“There is a strong legacy of collaboration between TC3 and Cornell. We know that Cornell is the dream for many of our students, and this agreement formalizes what we have always known to be true: that dream can be reality,” Kremenek said in a press release. “I applaud the efforts of TC3’s faculty and am grateful to our colleagues at Cornell for creating this tremendous opportunity for our students.”
This agreement is part of TC3’s larger goal to expand opportunities for students. For example, the college offers tuition-free education for adults seeking an associate degree in high-demand fields such as healthcare, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, engineering and others. Enrollees must be New York residents within the 25-55 year age range, but they do not need prior college experience or credits to participate.
Additionally, the agreement is part of CALS’ Signature Pathway Program, which forges opportunities for New York community college students to earn degrees at CALS. It is part of the college’s Land-Grant mission, which aims to improve the lives of people globally through community partnerships and research focussed on serving the public good.
Houlton said CALS is proud to partner with the State University of New York network and TC3, subsequently expanding opportunities for New York state students.
“This new articulation agreement reflects our Land-Grant mission and shared commitment to building strong academic pathways for students, in service of all New Yorkers,” Houlton said in a press release. “By welcoming TC3 transfer students into our community, we’re investing in the next generation of agricultural and life sciences leaders—offering them access to world-class research, hands-on learning, and real-world impact that can spark innovation and improve lives here at home and around the world.”
Shubha Gautam is a senior writer for The Cornell Daily Sun and is working as an intern this summer at the Ithaca Times. This article was originally published in the Ithaca Times.
Shubha Gautam is a senior writer and a member of the Class of 2028 in the College of Arts and Sciences. She can be reached at sgautam@cornellsun.com.
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