Core Values

These core values define and drive the Cornell Engineering community. They were codified with input from students, faculty, and staff as part of the Cornell Engineering 2030 strategic planning process.

  • Excellence

    We aim for excellence in everything we do. We produce distinctive results of exceptional quality by approaching our work with rigor, integrity, and the highest ethical standards.

  • Purpose

    We strive to make a meaningful impact by leading, supporting, and actively participating in research, education, and outreach that contributes to a healthier, more equitable, and more sustainable world.

  • Innovation

    We empower teams and individuals to defy expectations by prizing creativity, agility, and responsible risk-taking.

  • Community

    We foster and sustain a diverse, engaged, and caring environment where all members feel like they belong, are heard, and can flourish. We communicate across differences with respect, and we embrace personal and professional growth and development.

  • Collaboration

    We encourage and reward inclusive teamwork, in the conviction that solving grand challenges requires a range of perspectives and a collective effort greater than the sum of its parts.