Belonging

We are committed to serving our Tompkins County community in a way that embraces and reflects the uniqueness of the people around us. Our organization prioritizes well-being, authenticity, collaboration, and mutual support.

• CCE Tompkins strives every day to make our organization accessible, inclusive, and equitable for everyone.
• CCE Tompkins maintains that our organizational strength is derived from the skills and knowledge of all our constituencies and community partners and the full range of experiences, identities, and abilities they bring.
• CCE Tompkins understands the importance of fostering an equitable culture that values individual contributions and cultivates teamwork. We work to promote a community of mutual respect — one rooted in collaborative dialogue and a fair approach to education for everyone, while embracing individual differences in identity, background, and perspective.

Our objective is to create an environment that encourages cooperation, flexibility, and fairness to help people overcome the challenges that are put in front of them. The creation of a more vibrant future requires us to be thoughtful in the ways we design our policies and deliver our programs to enable individuals to contribute to their full potential and feel supported.

CCE Tompkins shares responsibility and accountability with our community. We strive to create an environment where all community members are welcome and can participate while feeling appreciated and valued. This has been a part of our approach to equity for all, beginning with our staff and extending to our work out in the community. Together, we strive to provide every individual with an opportunity to aid in accomplishing our mission.

Our staff committee dedicated to this work meets regularly to discuss our approach to inclusion and access. Please reach out to us at tompkins@cornell.edu if you have any questions.

To ensure CCE Tompkins meets all of the above we have committed staff and volunteer committees that continue this ongoing mission with regular meetings and opportunities for feedback.

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CCE Tompkins Equal Opportunity Policy

Cornell Cooperative Extension is an employer and educator recognized for providing equal program and employment opportunities in accordance with applicable laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, training, and social and recreational programs.

Read more from the CCE Tompkins Human Resources Policy Manual (pdf).

Last updated October 17, 2025