Cornell College
Mount Vernon, IA
Mount Vernon, IA
Why Cornell?
At Cornell College we strive to cultivate an inclusive, equitable community for people of all identities and intersections. We welcome the unique personalities, styles, beliefs, and perspectives that each student, staff member, and faculty member brings to our campus.
Ingenuity is a tradition and the name of our curriculum. You’ll find a motivated community and progressive programs that keep the liberal arts relevant to you and the workplace where you’ll implement your skills. Cornellians pioneer their own paths to success by following the rhythm of the block plan and allowing their curiosity to lead the way One Course At A Time.
Simply put, it means that when you graduate from Cornell, you’ll have a wealth of hands-on academic experiences to offer employers. You will be equipped to excel in the classroom and in your career, and you will have a network of Cornell alumni who achieved their goals and are eager to help you do the same.
Innovative then, innovative now
Cornell College's history is rich in innovative thinking. In 1978, we adopted our distinct academic calendar, just 125 years after the college was founded. This new approach was a big shake-up from the traditional semester schedule, but it was worth it. The results? A powerful new way to educate students. The block plan structure enables you to dive into your studies and explore your passions. You will bond with your classmates and form long-lasting mentorships with your professors. Every course allows for intensive engagement with the subject matter, in-depth discussion, and exciting fieldwork.
Cornell continues to offer an innovative core curriculum with Ingenuity, courses, and programs that transform the college experience. In fact, we’ve been featured in the book Colleges That Change Lives since it was first published in 1996.
One Course At A Time
Discover our distinctive block plan: For each 18-day block, you take only one class at a time. Immerse yourself in your studies, travel abroad, or even get hands-on experience in an internship. You can customize your Cornell experience to match your goals.
Learn more about One Course At A Time
Ingenuity at Cornell
The Ingenuity curriculum is designed to spark your creative and innovative ideas and shape them into the future success stories that our alumni are known for. It all starts with your First-Year Seminar during Block 1 when you’ll begin your journey—and it’s woven throughout the rest of your studies, no matter which academic path you take.
Ingenuity in Action is a graduation requirement that ensures you will have two fully-funded hands-on experiences to share on your résumé. You may choose to explore even more.
Ingenuity Curriculum
Welcome to the Hilltop. Cornell’s main campus is situated along a pedestrian mall that stretches from our state-of-the-art science facilities on the eastern border to a series of residence halls and our campus theatre on the west. While our entire campus is part of the National Register of Historic Places, our renovations and new buildings are tailored to make the most of our block plan calendar. We are located in the urban fringe Iowa town of Mount Vernon, which means there is easy access to both exciting city life and beautiful outdoor recreation within a short drive or walk.
What to do in and around Mount Vernon
Get out in nature. Enjoy local farm-to-table cuisine. Attend local festivals. Catch a concert on campus. Cheer on the Cornell Rams at a game.
There’s a little bit of something for everyone here: fine arts; boutique and antique shopping; hiking, biking, and a dedicated sledding hill in the winter; sporting events; cultural events and museums; and festivals.
Find your place in a student club
Immerse yourself in the activities that excite you. Get active in the community. Meet classmates that share your interests and form lifelong bonds. By joining student organizations, you can stay active in things you love and discover new passions.
It’s easy to get involved at Cornell College. Thanks to our One Course At A Time block schedule, you’ll have time to branch out, have fun, and join the orgs that interest you. It’s all part of the Cornell experience—classes end at 3 pm every day, for everyone.
So, you want to join ultimate frisbee, practice with the student theatre group, and write for The Cornellian? Go for it. Your schedule is built for exploration.
