Partners and children are an important part of our community at Johnson. We work hard to make our campus a warm and welcoming place for the people who support and inspire us the most: our families. And—we might be biased—but we can’t think of better places than Cornell and Ithaca for couples and children to grow, play, and love life.
Partners and Families
Join Johnson Joint Ventures, our club for partners, and you’ll be immediately connected to other MBA families, annual social events, and local knowledge.
Find services, information, policies, and resources for partners and families at the Cornell Students with Families website. From spouse/partner ID cards to employment resources, health insurance information, and our Student-Parent Dependent Care Grant—make this your first stop for planning life on and around campus.
We know that for many partners, finding employment is a real priority. We want to help. If your partner is relocating with you and looking for professional opportunities, please be sure to let us know. We can help with referrals, networking ideas, and general advice.
We also encourage you and your partner to review the career information on the Live in Ithaca website. The site features information on local industries, networking opportunities, and even a local jobs newsletter to which your partner can subscribe.
We’ll also have a place in the MBA pre-arrival questionnaire where you can upload your partner’s resume and let us know about their professional goals.
If you or your partner have questions about relocation and/or your partner’s job search, please feel free to contact us at newstudents@johnson.cornell.edu.
Congratulations! Your life is about to change in so many exciting ways—starting an MBA program and starting (or expanding) your family! Check out the Expectant Students section of the Cornell Students with Families website for resources specific to you—including information about medical care.
Plan for Maternity Parking. Transportation Services provides a discounted parking accommodation for pregnant and nursing mothers at Cornell—with a doctor’s note, you can purchase a permit for the parking area closest to your classes.
Pump in Peace. Our Lactation Rooms in Sage Hall and the Breazzano Center for Family Business are clean, comfortable, and private. Let us know if you’ll need access in our pre-arrival questionnaire (sent to incoming One-Year Johnson Cornell Tech students in the spring and Two-Year students in the summer) or by contacting us anytime.
The Cornell University Child Care Center, managed by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, provides care to children ages 6 weeks to 5 years of Cornell students, staff, and faculty. Part and full-time options are available. You can also reach out to Johnson Joint Ventures or one of the Cornell parent email lists for additional recommendations.
Just Need an Occasional Sitter? Cornell provides graduate students with a free care.com membership to make it simple to arrange a childcare provider (even for your fur kids—they’re an important part of the family).
Find Your School District. Have a school-aged child? To enroll your child in school, contact your local public school office once you’ve secured your housing. If you’re not sure which district you’re in, use this Tompkins County General School Districts Map to get started. The Live in Ithaca website also has education and childcare information
From 150 waterfalls within 10 square miles to the Ithaca Children’s Garden to a fully-inclusive lakeside playground, Ithaca is a child’s paradise. Expand their horizons by touring all eight stops on Ithaca’s Discovery Trail, which includes the Sciencenter (a family favorite!), the Cayuga Nature Center (home to a six-story treehouse!), and Ithaca’s award-winning, fine-free public library. There’s even a Toy Library, an absolute dream for parents on a student budget.
In fact, there’s just too much to list it all! Discover even more to do, experience, explore, and love in our wonderful city on the lake. Check out Visit Ithaca for inspiration.