What would Information Technology at Cornell look like if hundreds of IT professionals helped set the agenda for its future?

That's the opportunity created by the 2026 IT Culture, Community, and Engagement Survey, which drew responses from 376 employees, representing approximately 44% of the IT workforce at the Ithaca-supported campuses. Participants shared their thoughts on communication, collaboration, professional development, workload, community, and organizational culture. Such a high level of participation reflects an engaged community invested in helping IT at Cornell succeed.

The findings offer a candid look at what's working well, where challenges remain, and where staff see the greatest opportunities for improvement across the organization. Respondents expressed a strong commitment to Cornell's mission, deep technical expertise, and a willingness to work across organizational boundaries to solve problems and improve services. Notably, many of the 244 comments focused not on whether change should happen, but on how to make change successful.

The survey also highlighted areas where staff would like to see continued attention. Respondents called for clearer communication about priorities and decisions, greater involvement in decisions that affect their work, stronger pathways for professional growth, and additional support for managing workload and competing demands. Opportunities to improve collaboration, knowledge sharing, and connections across organizational boundaries also emerged as recurring themes.

Listening, Learning, and Moving Forward

Together, the findings paint a picture of an IT community that is engaged, thoughtful, and committed to continuous improvement. The survey results provide both a snapshot of current experiences and a roadmap for future action. The IT organization's leadership teams and the Evolve IT implementation teams are using the themes to inform future planning, strengthen communication and collaboration, support professional growth, and help guide initiatives already underway across IT at Cornell. 

Thank You

Leaders from each of the units and teams extend their sincere thanks to everyone who participated in the survey. The willingness of so many colleagues to share candid feedback provided valuable insight into both our strengths and our opportunities for improvement.

Whether responses highlighted successes, challenges, or aspirations for the future, each contribution builds a clearer understanding of what IT at Cornell needs to thrive. Thank you for helping inform the conversation and the future of IT at Cornell.

Explore the full survey results to see what staff shared, the themes that emerged, and the opportunities identified for strengthening IT at Cornell.