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February Kessler Newsletter

Shannon Musgrove - Thursday, February 20

General Events Jobs & Career

Welcome to the first Kessler biweekly Newsletter, featuring upcoming events, job opportunities, resource highlights, and more! This newsletter is here to keep you informed, support your Kessler Scholar requirements, and help you make the most of your Cornell experience. Keep reading for valuable insights and opportunities!

Kessler Scholars Scholarship | $1,500

A signature feature of our Cornell Kessler Scholars program is to make it possible for our Scholars to participate in the high-impact practices that their peers are privy to, without additional financial barriers. Funds are only distributed after students attended one of the mandatory Welcome Back Meeting or a 1:1 session with Shannon Musgrove.
For the 2025-26 academic year and beyond, the Kessler Scholars program will provide a $1,500 Kessler Scholars Grant paired with a reduced work-study award of $3,500 for the academic year (Cornell’s standard work-study award is $5,000). Reducing the work portion of scholars’ aid offers open time for high quality experiential learning opportunities with greater flexibility to pursue those options throughout the year.

Perkins Prize | $5,000

Applications for the 2025 Perkins Prize are OPEN! Click here to learn more and apply.
This annual award recognizes the Cornell student, faculty, staff member or program making the most significant contribution to furthering the ideal of university community while respecting the values of racial diversity. The Perkins Prize recipient receives a $5,000 award to be used to further projects which promote intercultural understanding and harmony at Cornell University.
Now is your chance to submit an application for something you’ve been a part of - or nominate an individual or group you admire. Applications are accepted Feb 17-March 17.
Past winners include: The Invincible Iota Chapter of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/ Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc, Translator-Interpreter Program, Cornell Students 4 Black Lives (C4BL), Community Learning and Service Partnership (CLASP), South Asian Council, Breaking Bread, Mixed at Cornell, Dining with Diverse Minds, Intergroup Dialogue Project, Cornell Bridges to Community, Cornell DREAM Team: Cornell Dreaming, Committee for the Advancement of Muslim Culture, Cornell Farmworker Program

Cohort Meetings

Sophomore Karaoke and Dinner

Thursday, February 27
7:00pm - 8:30pm

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Sophomores, join us for an unforgettable evening of music and mingling at our Sophomore Karaoke and Finger Food Event! Designed specifically for your cohort, this exciting gathering is the perfect opportunity to strengthen connections with your peers. Get ready to showcase your singing talents or cheer on your friends during our karaoke session, featuring a live DJ to keep the vibes high. Food provided!

Junior Movie Night

Friday, March 7
5:00pm - 8:00pm

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Juniors, join us for the Junior Cohort Meeting—an event crafted just for you! This gathering is the perfect opportunity to connect with your fellow juniors and celebrate your journey together. We'll be handing out special cohort gifts to commemorate your achievements and milestones. Food provided!

Kessler Collaborative Events

The Kessler Collaborative has a series of upcoming events hosted by the Collaborative Student Leadership Board, including one on the 24th with our very own Daniela Caisaguano! The series will that cover various topics and allow you to connect and learn alongside your fellow Kessler Scholars. Please be sure to register on Campus Groups first—you’ll be automatically redirected to the Collaborative’s website to complete your registration.

AI & Study Tools Discussion : Kessler Collaborative Connections

Monday, February 24
6:00pm - 7:00pm

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Tackling Public Speaking : Kessler Collaborative Connections

Monday, February 24
7:30pm - 8:30pm

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Mood Meets Music : Kessler Collaborative Connections

Tuesday, February 25
5:30pm - 6:30pm

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De-Stress in Action : Kessler Collaborative Connections

Thursday, February 27
6:00pm - 7:00pm

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FGLI Events

The Kessler Scholars program is part of the First-Generation Low-Income (FGLI) Office, which also hosts events to support you. As they put events up, we will link them here for you to register to.

You can take steps toward earning the Guiding Your Journey badge by attending the Advising Lunch Series event or scheduling a meeting with Shannon.

February - Group Advising Lunch Series at Barnes Hall FGLI Lounge

Thursday, February 27
12:00pm - 1:00pm

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This group advising session allows students to discuss and plan future high impact experiences with fellow scholars and staff. Lunch Provided. **Please bring your laptop.**

Shannon Musgrove she | her | hers

Associate Director for Student Empowerment, First-Generation & Low-Income Student Support

Schedule an Appointment

Cornell University ; 200 Barnes Hall

w: 607.255.7454 e: smm448@cornell.edu

SCL.cornell.edu/first-generation-low-income-support

Access Fund Application | First Come First Served

The Access Fund is intended to provide funding to support students with barriers to financial support. Undergraduate students who are enrolled full-time and qualify as low-income based on their financial aid package may receive up to $500 per academic year (Fall and Spring semesters only). Learn More

Summer Experience Grant | Deadline May 15, 2025

The SEG is a collection of summer funding awards that provide financial support for undergraduate students to complete summer unpaid or minimally paid career-related experiences. SEG supports students with living expenses, transportation, and travel so that these essential experiences are available to all of our students, who may otherwise not be able to afford them. SEG prioritizes student applicants who demonstrate a high financial need.

Funding Resource Guide

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