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Dean's Community Leadership Council

Council Members 2025-26

Members of DCLC with headshot, graduation year, and major

The Dean’s Community Leadership Council, formerly known as the Dean’s Student Advisory Council, occupies a unique position between CALS Leadership and the student body of the College.  Members of the Council serve as community liaisons, gathering input from their peers to keep the Dean’s Office informed of current trends and needs among undergraduate CALS students. Based on this input, the Council works with leadership to implement new programs and initiatives. The Council also ensures that all CALS Students are kept abreast of the latest news, policies, and opportunities initiated by CALS Leadership.  

“The [Dean's Community Leadership Council] is essential to the college’s goal of continuously improving the student experience at Cornell by providing an important link between the college leadership team and the most pressing issues on students’ minds. Council members meet with me on a regular basis to discuss issues that are important to students and that need to be addressed. The Council has funding to support student projects, and therefore, contributes also directly to improving student life at Cornell.”

Dean Ben Houlton

The specific goals of the Council are as follows: 

  1. Provide one-off funding for student organizations/clubs and individuals

  2. Promote collaboration among student organizations/clubs

  3. Build & sustain community in CALS and beyond 

Contact the Community Leadership Council

Please contact Ann LaFave (aml25) with questions or concerns regarding the Community Leadership Council or suggestions for improving CALS.

We welcome student input and hope to address any concerns you might have.

Apply For Funding From the Council

The Dean's Community Leadership Council provides funding to CALS student organizations, groups, or individuals seeking to create or participate in trips, events, and other academically relevant pursuits aligned with the CALS mission. 

 

Amount: The award limit is up to $1,000 for proposals submitted by student organizations or groups, and up to $250 for individual proposals.

 

Deadline: Rolling deadline. The Council meets monthly to review applications, and results will be announced on the first Monday of each month.

 

Application: To apply, please complete this form.

 

Any questions can be directed to Ann LaFave aml25 [at] cornell.edu (aml25[at]cornell[dot]edu).