Impact investing has become an increasingly popular concept in recent years. It refers to investments made with the intention of generating positive social and environmental impact alongside financial returns. As a prestigious Ivy League institution, Cornell University has made active efforts in promoting impact investing education and practices. This article will provide an overview of Cornell’s offerings in this burgeoning field, with a focus on the associated fees and costs.
Dedicated programs and initiatives in impact investing
Cornell has launched several dedicated initiatives focused on nurturing the next generation of impact investing leaders. The Cornell Impact Investing initiative, in collaboration with PwC, offers credit-bearing courses and activities to equip students with the knowledge and skills of impact investing. Additionally, the Johnson Cornell Tech MBA Impact Investing Fund provides hands-on learning opportunities by allowing students to manage an impact fund of around $1 million. Cornell also partners with United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative to sponsor an impact investing fund for indigenous people’s rights and biodiversity conservation. These programs may charge tuition fees as regular courses.
Integration into the broader curriculum
Beyond specialized offerings, impact investing has also been integrated into the broader Cornell curriculum. For instance, the course Impact Investing and Entrepreneurship is open to students from various backgrounds. Interested students may have to pay standard tuition fees based on their enrollment status. There are also cases where impact investing forms a module or part of a course syllabus in subjects like finance, investment, social entrepreneurship, etc. Students can look for opportunities to gain exposure through these avenues.
Conferences, competitions and club activities
Cornell hosts multiple conferences and events related to impact investing annually. While some are free, certain conferences may charge registration or participation fees. There are also competitions like the Cornell Impact Investing Challenge which encourages innovative solutions. Additionally, student-led clubs such as the Cornell Impact Investing Club organize their own events and talks. Membership dues may apply for clubs.
In summary, Cornell University provides a supportive ecosystem for impact investing learning, despite some offerings requiring fee payments. Interested students can seek out both curricular and extracurricular avenues to equip themselves with skills and knowledge for future impact investing careers.