Cornell College Alumni of Color
THE CONNECTION WE NEED
Alumni Pathways to Enhance & Enrich
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Our mission is to support the experiences of alumni and students of color.
General meetings take place the 3rd Saturday of every month from 1p CST
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The purpose of the AOC shall be to foster a vigorous and positive relationship between alumni of color, students of color, and Cornell College. Our specific areas of focus are: academic engagement, civic participation and empowerment, campus engagement, and career development.
Enhance
The AOC takes your connections off the hilltop and help you stay connected to your fellow alums of color around the world.
Enrich
The AOC is made up of several committees
responsible for providing advice and direction, ensuring strong membership, and programming.
Support
The AOC Mentorship Program is a 12-month program to help foster strong, healthy, and positive relationships with students of color at Cornell.
The AOC Mentorship Program is a 12-month program to help foster strong, healthy, and positive relationships with students of color at Cornell. The goal is to empower, support, and enhance the overall experience of students of color through mentorship and shared knowledge and skills.
If you are interested in being a mentor or mentee, please complete the application
Mentee Application
Mentor Application
Executive Board Members
Below are the executive committee members of the Alumni of Color Associate.
For general questions, please contact us at cornellcollegeaoc@gmail.com
TaSheena
Cunningham-Rimmer '06
President
Major: B.A. in International Relations and American History, Pre-Law
Current City: Valparaiso, IN
Occupation: Assistant General Counsel Chicago Housing Authority
Main Aspirations: To always leave a place better than I find it.
Fun Fact: All my pets share birthdays with family members
Kiara Meeks '12
Co-Chair of Mentoring Committee
Major: Psychology
Current City: Chicago Suburbs
Main Aspirations: I believe college-aged students are the perfect population to mentor as this is the age they begin to develop the foundation for who they will become in adulthood. I think it is important to offer students a safe space to learn, grow, and make mistakes.
Occupation: Therapist
Fun Fact: My first friend and the 1st person I met at Cornell, lived around the corner from me in Chicago and I had never met her before coming to Cornell.
Jai Shanata '05
Recording Secretary & Mentoring Committee Member
Major: Chemistry (ACS certified), Philosophy, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Current City: Mount Vernon, IA
Occupation: Associate Professor of Chemistry and Faculty | Advisor for Dimensions
Main Aspirations: To connect alumni of color to each other and current Cornell students and enhance the profile of the block plan in Iowa as a calendar and location uniquely able to support the success of students of color.
Fun Fact: I live a 7 minute walk away from the building where my office and research lab is—the Russell Science Center. I’m married to Brandi Shanata (also class of 2005) and we have one daughter and a cat.
Godaki Pook '06
TITLE
Notes
Heather 'Byrd' Roberts '09
Co-Chair of Mentoring & Nominations Committee
Major: B.S.S. in Performance Art
Current City: Chicago, IL
Occupation: Dir. of Education at Young Chicago Authors
Creator of Byrd's World, LLC
Main Aspiration: ICL community was an important part of my Cornell experience and I am constantly finding ways to give back.
Fun Fact: My favorite words are balloon and bubble.
Darius Ballard '07
Co-Chair of Nominations Committee
Major: Individualized BA in Biology and Education
Current City: Cedar Rapids, IA
Main Aspiration: To make a lasting impression in the world that is lasting. Linking people with their self-described passion and education helps.
Occupation: Chief Human Resources Officer, Cedar Rapids Community School District
Fun Fact: I am deeply passionate about music and video editing and have been nationally recognized for it.
Frequently asked
questions
Who is eligible to be a part of the association?
All Cornell alumni who identify as people of color are eligible for membership in the AOC.
Cornell College Alumni of Color Association
CONTACT US
Email: cornellcollegeaoc@gmail.com