Over the next several years, every Cornell community member will benefit from better, simpler ways to do administrative tasks. The multi-year Cornell Experience Modernization Initiative (CEMI or “See Me”) is posed to improve the work experience for all of us. With those improvements comes change, a lot of change.

Each individual approaches change differently, with feelings that range from apprehension to enthusiasm. People also go through the change cycle and curve differently and at different times. To help guide Cornell through this transformation, the CEMI program team has engaged Trish Davis, a seasoned organizational change manager.

“At Cornell, change is a constant—and a catalyst. It pushes us to think differently, adapt quickly, and grow stronger as a community,” said Trish Davis, Cornell IT Assistant Director of Change Management. “I strive to keep people at the center of any change ."

Davis applies a structured change management framework to Cornell and CEMI. “Facing and adapting to a changing system or set of business practices can feel daunting, but leveraging a broad set of practical tools and strategies can help the transitions go smoothly.”

Through her work with CEMI, Davis is supporting leaders and teams to craft strategies to navigate these transformational changes. Essentially, change management takes a collaborative approach to help the community prepare for changes, ensuring strong awareness of what is changing, why and how the changes will help, and how each person plays a role, whether they help decide what the changes will be, share their insights and wisdom about the work they do, or invest in learning new ways to do their work. Change is not something that happens to them, it’s something they actively engage in and help shape.

Davis knows building awareness about CEMI is the first step and has created a new form to collect feedback, questions, and information from volunteers in each campus who want to participate in the program.

Explore Change Management Training and CEMI

To learn more about change management practices, sign up for an in-person or online Prosci (said as “pro-sigh”) training led by Cornell’s Organizational Development. The six-hour interactive workshop is offered to Cornell faculty and staff at no cost. For just-in-time needs, turn to the Organizational Change Management resources.

For news about the modernization initiative, watch the CEMI website or use the new community interest forms, managed through Salesforce and accessed via campus login: https://cornell.my.site.com/cemi/s/.