Nov. 13, 2012

Alumni leaders advise students at Human Ecology forum

Mark Vorreuter

Mark Vorreuter

To thrive at Cornell and beyond, learn to persevere and give back, physician Abiola Dele-Michael '01 advised undergraduates in the College of Human Ecology. He gave the keynote remarks Nov. 3 at the college's Association for Students of Color (ASC) 18th Annual Alumni-Student Forum, "Moving Forward: Directing Your Future," in Martha Van Rensselaer Hall.

At the event, 60 students -- most from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds -- networked with alumni working in medicine, fashion design and management, and psychiatry; received practical and inspirational advice; and bonded over shared Cornell experiences.

"Education is the gateway out of poverty toward success," Dele-Michael, a human biology, health and society major and a cardiovascular medicine fellow at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, told students. "And part of that is acknowledging others' sacrifices for you by helping others yourself."

Dele-Michael outlined skills students must master to graduate and succeed in the workplace, starting with identifying mentors. "We all have different stories and backgrounds, and we each require guidance to navigate the resources at Cornell or anywhere," he said.

Unique people and opportunities at Cornell grew his skills in leadership, critical thinking and stress and time management, particularly his training as an emergency medical technician and as an intern at New York City's Department of Health through Cornell's Urban Semester Program, he emphasized. Those experiences have served him well as a physician, he added.

Similarly, he urged students to be open to new experiences and never fear asking questions.

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Alumni leaders advise students at Human Ecology forum