Ava Grace Sannino

MyCALSMoment

The moment I knew CALS was right for me was my first day of my first year. Right off the bat, we were in the winery making wine, and it was our first day! CALS offers extraordinary opportunities in specific fields with hands-on experience. 

What has been an academic highlight for you outside of your major? 

CALS encourages you to take courses in diversity and this semester I enrolled in a course called Inter Group Dialogue. The class is once a week and is mostly discussions within a small group of various opinions. I have loved learning from others in this class from people all across Cornell in age, majors, and identities. It has been so interesting and engaging and has allowed me to explore many new ideas.

What is something you have been involved with outside of academics that is meaningful to you?

CUVEC is the Cornell University Viticulture and Enology Club where Wine and Grape students can plan trips and projects with each other in all aspects of grape growing and wine making. We have a diverse student body, consisting of those interested in plant sciences, beer and alcohol production and food science. I would recommend that everyone in CALS join the associated club to their major to meet more people with similar interests and plan trips and projects outside of academics for education purely for the sake of learning. 

What are your post-graduation goals?

I'd love to become a travelling winemaker for some years before taking over the family vineyard! CALS and Cornell have amazing connections with some of the leading wineries and vineyards around the world. I hope to utilize the alumni network to make connections, and would love to connect with future Cornellians when I build my own business!