Ingenuity in Action

Cornell College students complete a research project.

What is Ingenuity in Action?

Your education at Cornell consists of a unique blend of experiences, both inside and outside the classroom. But it’s not always easy to convey those distinct experiences on a job application. Our Ingenuity in Action program will allow you to take what you’ve learned in your courses and use it to make a real-world impact. That’s Ingenuity in practice.

All Cornellians will complete at least two Ingenuity in Action experiences as part of the curriculum and will receive the funding they need to do so. Enjoy it so much that you want to do another experience? You can do that, too!

How do you choose your Ingenuity in Action experiences?

building columns icon for traditionalists

Be a traditionalist

Many of the activities and roles you take part in as a student and an engaged member of our campus community–including research, internships, and off-campus study–qualify as pre-approved Ingenuity in Action experiences.

Pre-approved Experiences

Map icon for explorers

Be an explorer

Are you exploring a research topic or activity that is unique to you and your experience that is outside one of the pre-approved experiences? Great! You can submit a proposal to create your own experience with support from a campus sponsor.

Start a Proposal

Meeting the Ingenuity in Action Graduation Requirements

  • Two Ingenuity in Action experiences must be completed in order to meet your graduation requirements at Cornell. While we encourage you to find two different experiences, you can do two research experiences or two internships
    • Transfer students who enter with more than 14 credit hours will complete one Ingenuity in Action experience. 
    • Any student may choose to do more than what is required for graduation.
  • Ingenuity in Action experiences can be preapproved or you can propose your own idea.
  • Some Ingenuity in Action experiences also qualify for academic credit, such as pre approved courses, off-campus study courses, or for-credit internships.
  • Once you have completed your Ingenuity in Action experience, you will see a notation on your transcript that indicates you have satisfied this part of your graduation requirements. 

PRE-APPROVED EXPERIENCES  START A  PROPOSAL  FUNDING

Questions? Contact us

Contact the Coordinator for Experiential Learning, Danielle Linkenmeyer. You may also send  an email to: ingenuity_in_action@cornellcollege.edu and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.