Carol Grumbach '78, J.D. '87
Associate Dean of Students, New Student Programs
Director, Carol Tatkon Center
Senior Lecturer, Program on Ethics & Public Life
E-mail: cg47@cornell.edu
Phone: (607) 254-2252

Carol received her B.S. from Cornell’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations in 1978 and her J.D. from Cornell University Law School in 1987.

Carol practiced public interest law for eleven years, primarily in the areas of criminal appeals and juvenile delinquency. In 1998, she joined the Cornell University Law School faculty to develop and direct the Law School’s Lawyering Program.  As a Senior Lecturer, she taught Ethical Issues in Criminal Practice, Advanced Persuasive Writing, and Juvenile Advocacy.

In 2006, Carol became the Associate Dean of Students for New Student Programs and Director of the Carol Tatkon Center. She is also a Senior Lecturer in the Program on Ethics & Public Life. As a member of the First-Year Experience Executive Committee and chair of the First-Year Experience Program & Planning Committee, she provides leadership for and collaborates with Cornell University faculty and staff across Cornell's seven undergraduate colleges to create a robust and coherent "First-Year Experience" for new undergraduate students. In addition, she collaborates with Cornell faculty and staff to develop intellectual and cultural initiatives for first-year students.

Sarah H. Jones
Assistant Dean of Students, New Student Programs
Chair, First-Year Parents' Weekend Committee
E-mail: shj34@cornell.edu
Phone: (607) 254-2255

Sarah received her BA in Economics from Middlebury College in 2002.  In 2006, she received her Ed.M from Harvard University.

Prior to arriving at Cornell, Sarah served as Director of Student Activities at Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts and as a Commons Residential Advisor at Middlebury College working closely with students, staff, and faculty to create a strong Living Learning Community on campus. 

Sarah joined New Student Programs in 2008 as the Assistant Dean of New Student Programs.  In her role she plans and executes August and January Orientation for new students, as well as serving as chair for the First-Year Parents’ Weekend Committee.  Sarah works closely with the Orientation Steering Committee, a group of undergraduates who help to create a successful Orientation each year, as well as the over 500 Orientation Volunteers that are a part of Orientation.    

Please contact Sarah if you would like information about Orientation Volunteers, Orientation Event Planning, or First-Year Parents' Weekend (schedule, registration, event coordination).

Laurie Fuller
Associate Director, Carol Tatkon Center
E-mail: llf5@cornell.edu
Phone: (607) 254-3329

Laurie grew up in nearby Odessa, NY, and has lived and worked in the Ithaca area since graduating from Ithaca College with a B.S. in 1988.

Laurie first came to Cornell In 1992 to work in Student Support in the Office of the Dean of Students.  There she worked with many student organizations and departments that support students’ well-being. In 2002, Laurie moved to the Career Management Center in the Johnson Business School.  In 2003, Laurie returned to the Dean of Students office to join the Tatkon Center, when it first opened.

Laurie works with the Center’s upper-level student staff, who run the Center, and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Center. Additionally, Laurie works closely with the Director to develop and implement programs that support all first-year students at Cornell.

Please contact Laurie if you would like information about Tatkon Center programs or staffing.

Danica Fisher
Program Assistant for New Student Programs
Assistant to Associate Dean of Students, Carol Grumbach
E-mail:dmf46@cornell.edu
Phone: (607) 255-5808

Danica received her BA in Journalism from Ithaca College Park School of Communication in 2005.

Danica comes to New Student Programs from Cornell's Johnson School, where she worked for two years in the Career Management Center. At the Johnson School, Danica was involved in event planning and communications. Before coming to Cornell, Danica worked for a year writing, editing, and designing publications for Genesee Valley Publications in Rochester, NY.

Danica joined New Student Programs in 2009 as the Program Assistant. In her role she helps with the operation of the Tatkon Center as well as publicity for the various events held at the Tatkon Center. Danica is also involved in the organization and publication of the Orientation Guide and Family Guide for new students and their parents.