Thomas A. “Tal” Lewis is dean of Cornell’s Graduate School and vice provost for graduate education, as well as professor of religious studies and German studies. He previously led Brown University’s Graduate School and holds an A.B. from Brown and a Ph.D. from Stanford. He is a leading scholar of religion and modernity, with a focus on German intellectual traditions.

Anitra Douglas-McCarthy serves as the Assistant Dean for Access and Recruitment at the Cornell University Graduate School, where she focuses on initiatives that expand access to graduate education and support the success of a diverse community of scholars. In her role, she designs and leads initiatives to expand access to graduate education and strengthen recruitment efforts for prospective graduate students from a wide range of backgrounds. She was the inaugural director of the Graduate School’s Office of Access and Recruitment, which she established in 2013 to strengthen outreach, recruitment, and pathway programs for prospective graduate students. Through this work, she has led efforts to connect talented students with graduate opportunities at Cornell University and to develop programming that supports their transition into graduate study.

Janna Shine (she/her) serves as the Associate Dean for Graduate Student Life at the Graduate School, where she supports students with a compassionate, holistic, and student‑centered approach. She genuinely loves talking with students about anything! She partners closely with colleagues across campus to strengthen the structures and programs that help graduate students thrive. Janna holds an MSEd from SUNY Cortland and is completing her EdD at SUNY Empire University, focusing on doctoral student belonging, mental health, and retention.

Olivia Hopewell serves as the Advisor in the Office of Graduate Student Life at Cornell University Graduate School. She works one-on-one with graduate students who are navigating tough situations, as well as with the faculty who support them. Olivia has a background in philosophy and holds a PhD in Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies from Bryn Mawr College.

Sara Xayarath Hernández serves as Associate Dean for Inclusion and Student and Faculty Engagement and oversees the Graduate School Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement (OISE). At Cornell, she leads initiatives that advance excellence in graduate education and foster environments where scholars from all backgrounds can build community, experience positive mentoring relationships, and develop a strong sense of belonging. Beyond Cornell, she contributes to national efforts to strengthen graduate and STEM education through grant-funded projects, advisory board service, and leadership with the Equity in Graduate Education Consortium.

Sara is a first-generation college graduate who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Zoology from Ohio Wesleyan University and a Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University. 

Anitra Douglas-McCarthy serves as the Assistant Dean for Access and Recruitment at the Cornell University Graduate School, where she focuses on initiatives that expand access to graduate education and support the success of a diverse community of scholars. In her role, she designs and leads initiatives to expand access to graduate education and strengthen recruitment efforts for prospective graduate students from a wide range of backgrounds. She was the inaugural director of the Graduate School’s Office of Access and Recruitment, which she established in 2013 to strengthen outreach, recruitment, and pathway programs for prospective graduate students. Through this work, she has led efforts to connect talented students with graduate opportunities at Cornell University and to develop programming that supports their transition into graduate study.

Urszula Piasta-Mansfield serves as Assistant Director of Recruitment and Access in the Cornell University Graduate School's Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement, where she supports efforts to recruit and connect prospective graduate students with opportunities at Cornell. She previously worked with Cornell's American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program.

Jason Kahabka (’98; MS ’03) serves as the Associate Dean for Administration at the Cornell University Graduate School, where he provides strategic and operational leadership across core administrative areas. His portfolio includes oversight of graduate admissions, fellowship and assistantship policy, and the registrar’s office, supporting a diverse community of over 5,000 graduate and professional students.

Joseph Korevec is the director of enrollment and admissions at Cornell Tech, where his work focuses on enrollment management and the strategic use of financial aid.

Before joining Cornell, he worked for the Yale School of Nursing, Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, and Fordham University’s Graduate School of Education.

He earned a master of business administration from the University of

Wisconsin–Milwaukee and a doctorate in educational administration from Fordham University. Before his career in higher education, he worked as a management consultant for clients in the insurance, utility, manufacturing, and food industries.

Anitra Douglas-McCarthy serves as the Assistant Dean for Access and Recruitment at the Cornell University Graduate School, where she focuses on initiatives that expand access to graduate education and support the success of a diverse community of scholars. In her role, she designs and leads initiatives to expand access to graduate education and strengthen recruitment efforts for prospective graduate students from a wide range of backgrounds. She was the inaugural director of the Graduate School’s Office of Access and Recruitment, which she established in 2013 to strengthen outreach, recruitment, and pathway programs for prospective graduate students. Through this work, she has led efforts to connect talented students with graduate opportunities at Cornell University and to develop programming that supports their transition into graduate study.

Urszula Piasta-Mansfield serves as Assistant Director of Recruitment and Access in the Cornell University Graduate School's Office of Inclusion and Student Engagement, where she supports efforts to recruit and connect prospective graduate students with opportunities at Cornell. She previously worked with Cornell's American Indian and Indigenous Studies Program.