Agreement gives TC3 graduates a transfer path to Cornell CALS

DRYDEN, N.Y. — A new articulation agreement will provide graduates of TC3 in Dryden a direct-transfer path to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at nearby Cornell University. Amy Kremenek, president of Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3), and Benjamin Houlton, dean of Cornell’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, participated in an Aug. 7 ceremony to sign the pact between the two institutions. “There is a strong legacy of collaboration between TC3 and Cornell. We know that Cornell is the dream for many of our students, and this agreement formalizes what we have always known to be true: that dream can be reality,” Kremenek said in the TC3 announcement. “This creates a clear, achievable pathway for students to start strong at TC3 and earn a degree from an Ivy League university. I applaud the efforts of TC3’s faculty and am grateful to our colleagues at Cornell for creating this tremendous opportunity for our students.” Students start in the sustainable farming and food systems program at TC3, completing coursework at the TC3 Farm that will help them learn sustainable-agriculture practices, food systems, and related business concepts. After completing their associate degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and a B or better in all transfer courses, they will receive priority consideration for transfer admission to CALS for the agriculture sciences bachelor’s program. At CALS, they will work to further their knowledge and skills in areas including crop and soil sciences, animal sciences, agriculture economics, and food science, TC3 said. “We are proud to partner with SUNY and TC3 to expand access and opportunity for New York state students,” Houlton, the Ronald P. Lynch dean of CALS, said. “This new articulation agreement reflects our Land-Grant mission and shared commitment to building strong academic pathways for students, in service of all New Yorkers. By welcoming TC3 transfer students into our community, we’re investing in the next generation of agricultural and life sciences leaders — offering them access to world-class research, hands-on learning, and real-world impact that can spark innovation and improve lives here at home and around the world.” Through its longstanding partnership with Cornell CALS, TC3 said it plays a “vital role in preparing students for seamless transfer” into programs that advance New York’s agricultural and life-sciences sectors.